logo
The Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2025 launches on July 4

The Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2025 launches on July 4

Tatler Asia13-06-2025

We're just weeks away from unveiling the newest Gen.T list of bold thinkers and brilliant changemakers shaping Asia's future
The countdown has officially begun. On July 4, we'll reveal the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2025—our definitive list of the most promising visionaries across the region. These are the innovators, creatives and trailblazers whose work is not only defining their industries but also driving real-world impact.
Now in its 10th edition, the list is sharper, smarter and more expansive with a refined assessment process, a stronger emphasis on measurable impact, and two new markets joining the Gen.T community: Vietnam and the return of Indonesia.
Read more: So you want to be a Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow?

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NDIS pricing changes 'incredibly cruel' says remote mobile therapy provider
NDIS pricing changes 'incredibly cruel' says remote mobile therapy provider

ABC News

time6 minutes ago

  • ABC News

NDIS pricing changes 'incredibly cruel' says remote mobile therapy provider

Allowance cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme could see therapists forced to cancel their programs or charge clients more, according to a regional physiotherapist. The NDIS released its annual pricing review last week, revealing a reduction in the hourly rate for certain allied health therapies from July 1. The travel rates charged by allied health professionals will be cut by half. Helen Lowe is the director of Through Life Physio in Warragul, about 90 minutes south-east of Melbourne. She said the changes had come as a "complete shock" and would directly impact rural and regional therapy providers and their clients. An NDIS spokesperson said the changes brought the prices paid by NDIS clients into line with those paid through other schemes like Medicare or private health insurance. But Ms Lowe said the services provided to NDIS participants cost more because they were more complex and required longer appointments compared with standard physiotherapy services provided to regular patients. By benchmarking costs against standard therapy services, Ms Lowe said the NDIS had "simply done the maths wrong". She said allied health professionals working on NDIS cases were already underpaid compared to others, and for her business the changes would result in a loss of $34,000 a year. Keryn Smith is a Warragul resident living with an acquired brain injury. She has been working with Ms Lowe for 13 years, and in that time she said she had been able to regain some control and function over her muscle movements and balance. Using a walking frame she is now able to walk with slight support. "Physio changed my life," she said. Ms Smith said she too was disappointed about the changes to physiotherapy pricing, which could mean she has to reduce the amount she undertakes each week. "I'm p*ssed off. Physio has been important, [but] the NDIS thinks physio is unimportant," she said. "If I didn't have physio I couldn't live here by myself."' Ms Lowe's business employs eight practitioners who travel around West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, visiting clients at schools, kindergartens and in their homes. She said travel was essential for the team. "To do good disability physiotherapy you need to go where people are, not just bring them into your comfortable clinic," she said. She believes many allied health businesses in rural and regional areas would simply cancel appointments if they were unable to bear the new costs. She is now struggling to make a choice — charging a gap fee to NDIS clients that they will need to pay out of their own pocket, or face losing more than $30,000 a year. She said she was unable to absorb the cost through her business and clients with disability on limited incomes would be unable to pay any extra. "It's such an insult to us as practitioners that the NDIS thinks this is OK, and it is incredibly cruel on NDIS participants," Ms Lowe said. Gippsland Disability Advocacy chief executive Leanne Wishart said NDIS participants living in regional, rural and remote Gippsland already faced additional disadvantages due to their distance from services. Already she knows of a provider who has notified its clients that it will no longer be able to provide services to them due to not being able to recoup the costs. She said it was likely other providers would follow suit. "Effectively this creates an even greater inequity in access to NDIS services and breaches the rights of people with disability living in regional, rural and remote areas to have equal access to services," Ms Wishart said. "It's outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the United Nations Rights of Persons with Disabilities." In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Disability Insurance Agency said this year's pricing review had been benchmarked with fees paid through Medicare, private health insurance and other government schemes. "In some cases, the data showed NDIS price limits significantly exceeded the market rate by up to 68 per cent," the spokesperson said. They added that participants had told the NDIS that "excessive travel claims" ate into their plans. "For participants living in remote areas, therapists can receive a 40 per cent above rate price for services and this loading is 50 per cent for therapy provided in very remote areas."

An ideal five-year economic policy
An ideal five-year economic policy

Express Tribune

time6 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

An ideal five-year economic policy

Listen to article Navigating a complex domestic and global landscape, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. The recently unveiled budget for fiscal year 2025-26, while a step towards fiscal consolidation, underscores the nation's pressing need for a comprehensive and sustained five-year economic policy. Such a policy must not only address immediate crises but also lay the groundwork for long-term, inclusive, and sustainable growth. This article outlines an ideal economic roadmap for Pakistan for the next five years, predicated on the latest budget, the nation's current economic structure, and the prevailing global political economy. The 2025-26 budget signals a clear intent to stabilise the economy, largely in alignment with the stringent conditions of a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Key features include a significant increase in the tax-to-GDP ratio through new levies on salaried individuals, real estate, and retail sectors, a hike in the petroleum development levy, and a substantial allocation for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). While these measures are crucial for fiscal discipline and revenue generation, they must be embedded within a broader, more strategic economic vision for the nation. The global political and economic landscape presents a myriad of complexities. As a nation heavily reliant on imports for essential commodities and on exports to a few key markets like the European Union and the United States, Pakistan is susceptible to global economic slowdowns and trade protectionism. Geopolitical tensions in the region, including the fragile situation in Afghanistan and the perennially strained relationship with India, create an environment of uncertainty that deters foreign investment. The strategic partnership with China, embodied by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), offers significant opportunities for infrastructure development but also brings with it debt obligations and the need for careful management to ensure its benefits are widely distributed. In this context, an ideal five-year economic policy for Pakistan should be anchored in a bold vision of achieving economic sovereignty through sustainable and inclusive growth. The government's own "Uraan Pakistan" five-year plan, with its focus on the "Five Es" – Exports, E-Pakistan, Equity and Empowerment, Environment, and Energy – provides a solid framework. The immediate priority must be to continue on the path of fiscal consolidation outlined in the latest budget, but with a greater emphasis on equity and efficiency. Instead of repeatedly squeezing the existing narrow base of taxpayers, the focus must shift to bringing untaxed and undertaxed sectors, such as real estate and agriculture, into the tax net. A progressive taxation system where the wealthy contribute their fair share is essential for social cohesion and sustainable revenue generation. A comprehensive review of government expenditures is necessary to cut non-essential spending. However, austerity measures should not come at the expense of critical social sectors like health and education. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) must be given full autonomy to function independently to effectively manage inflation and maintain a stable exchange rate. A market-driven exchange rate is crucial for export competitiveness. The perennial drain on the national exchequer from loss-making SOEs must be plugged through a transparent and strategic privatisation process. Pakistan's long-term prosperity hinges on its ability to transition from an import-dependent to an export-led growth model. A five-year strategy should focus on: i) Moving beyond the traditional reliance on textiles, Pakistan must actively promote and incentivise exports in sectors with high growth potential, such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, and high-value agricultural products. ii) Addressing the high cost of doing business by ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply, improving infrastructure, and streamlining regulatory processes is paramount. CPEC projects should be leveraged to enhance regional connectivity and reduce logistical costs. iii) Proactively seeking new markets and strengthening trade relationships with existing partners through strategic trade agreements will be crucial. The global digital economy presents a massive opportunity for Pakistan's youthful and tech-savvy population. A dedicated focus on "E-Pakistan" should involve: i) Ensuring widespread access to high-speed and affordable internet is the foundation upon which a digital economy is built. ii) Providing a conducive ecosystem for IT companies and freelancers through tax incentives, skill development programmes, and access to international payment gateways can significantly boost foreign exchange earnings. iii) Leveraging technology to improve governance, enhance transparency, and reduce corruption will have a far-reaching positive impact on the overall economic environment. No economic policy can be successful without investing in the country's greatest asset: its people. This requires: i) A radical overhaul of the education system is needed to produce a workforce equipped with the skills required for the 21st-century economy. A focus on vocational training and technical education is essential. ii) Increasing female labour force participation is not just a matter of social justice but also a critical economic imperative. iii) Providing a safe and supportive environment for women in the workplace can unlock immense economic potential. iv) Increased allocation for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in the latest budget is a welcome step. These programmes must be further strengthened and expanded to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population from economic shocks. Pakistan's long-term economic viability is intrinsically linked to its ability to manage its energy and environmental challenges. A forward-looking policy should prioritise: i) Tackling the circular debt through a combination of tariff rationalisation, improved governance in distribution companies, and a crackdown on electricity theft is non-negotiable. ii) A strategic shift towards indigenous and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, will not only reduce the import bill but also contribute to a cleaner environment. iii) Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are essential to mitigate the economic impact of future climate-related disasters. The next five years present a window of opportunity for Pakistan to break free from the shackles of its past economic struggles. The path is arduous and requires difficult choices and sustained commitment. By embracing a holistic and forward-looking economic policy that balances fiscal discipline with pro-growth reforms, invests in its people, and adapts to the realities of the global political economy, Pakistan can forge a path towards a more prosperous and resilient future. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and for Pakistan, that first step must be a resolute commitment to a new economic paradigm. The writer is an international economist

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store