Squiz Today A health funding showdown, and closing in on the Australian Open finals
Jan 29, 2026
A showdown over public hospital funding and tense talks about who will cover rising costs. A diplomatic thaw as the UK and China reopen trade and cultural channels. High-stakes tennis as players close in on the Australian Open finals. A viral two-ingredient cheesecake hack that promises dessert with almost no effort.
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Hospital Funding Standoff
- Federal and state health ministers are locked in a funding dispute over how much Canberra will pay for public hospitals.
- The federal offer of $23bn over five years still falls short of the $30bn states sought and may hinge on delaying the Thriving Kids rollout.
Thriving Kids Delay As A Bargaining Chip
- The federal government offered to delay Thriving Kids to help secure the hospital deal and ease state readiness concerns.
- That delay aims to reduce NDIS growth by shifting some support for autistic children into schools and community services.
UK-China Diplomatic Reset
- Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in Beijing, the first UK-China leader-level talks in eight years, aiming to repair strained ties.
- The leaders discussed trade and cultural links as part of a broader diplomatic reset amid tensions over security and free speech.