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Shinzo Abe dies after fatal shooting

Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest running prime minister, has died in hospital after being shot in the neck. The 67-year-old was confirmed dead by Japan's public broadcaster, saying doctors art the Nara Medical University Hospital were unable to save him despite their best efforts. The former PM was rushed to hospital after being shot while giving a campaign speech, and was bleeding profusely when he arrived to the hospital. Shinzo sustained bullet wounds to the right side of his neck, with doctors saying he had no vital signs upon his arrival. Despite a blood transfusion, the doctors were unable to save Mr Abe as the injuries he sustained during the shooting where deep enough to reach his heart. One doctor said, "Because of the large amount of haemorrhage, it was not possible for us to stop the bleeding." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Mr Abe's death, as he expressed his condolences for "one of Australia's closest friends". He said, "The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news. On behalf of the Australian Government and people, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs Abe and to Mr Abe’s family and friends, and to the people of Japan." "He will be greatly missed." New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shared a tribute to the leader, writing on Twitter, "So deeply shocked to hear about the past PM of Japan-Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I met when I became PM. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous & kind. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan." "Events like this shake us all to the core." Japan's leader Fumio Kishida said the attack on Abe during an election campaign was an attack on “the very foundation of democracy”. “This barbaric, malicious act in the middle of an election cannot be tolerated,” he said. A 41-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the shooting. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Question on Census form ‘insensitive’ to women

<div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body" style="height: auto; max-height: none; overflow: hidden;"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> One question on the Census form has outraged and upset many people and been labelled "insensitive" to women. The statistics show 25 percent of Australian pregnancies end in miscarriage so for any women who’ve experienced this, the Census question about how many babies has a person given birth to, proved to be greatly upsetting. Molli Sarafov from Western Sydney recently lost her son to stillbirth and so when the question came up on the Census form she said she was caught off guard. The Census form asked: “How many babies has (name) ever given birth to?” The form said you can “exclude adopted, foster and step children.” But Sarafov, from western Sydney, said the question was greatly upsetting to her: “I was in tears,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what to write and I tapped the button for more information, but that just said something about how the ABS was trying to record statistics on the age of fertility of women, so didn’t help anyone in my situation answer the question.” Red Nose co-chief executive Jackie Mead agreed the question was insensitive saying: “It was worded so poorly and could be so offensive to so many women, including the many who have lost a baby.” “Sadly, one in four Australian pregnancies end in miscarriage and one in 135 ends in stillbirth. This is an issue that affects so many women,” she said. “Many women have told us today they are upset and confused about the abrupt way this question was worded and many were left in tears while completing their Census,” Mead added. Social media fielded more complaints Others complained about the question on social media. “Thanks to census, for two days I’ve been reminded society views me as a woman without children,” one woman wrote. “Where’s the question asking how many babies have men created? Also what about women who have lost children during pregnancy?” Another person wrote: “Census asking me how many babies I’ve popped out feels like a dig at my uterus. Might as well ask the penis owners how many times they’ve impregnated someone.” Another woman posted: “I was asked how many babies I’d given birth to on the census so naturally I expected my husband would be asked how many children he’s fathered. Spoiler: he wasn’t.” Most people in Australia submitted the Census on Tuesday evening of this week. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said it received 6.2 million forms as of 8 am on Wednesday morning. Out of those forms, about 126,000 were submitted on paper and the rest online. Those who didn’t submit their forms will be contacted by the ABS by email or in regional areas, by door knocking. Image: Getty Images </div> </div> </div>

Caring

Exactly what happens if you lie on the Census

Tonight is Census night and every Australian needs to fill in the forms. And while mistakes can and do happen, deliberate lies are met with stern consequences. Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) asks every household to fill in a Census form on the same night to get a snapshot of Australia as a whole. We use this information when formulating future policies for the country’s health, education, transport and infrastructure needs. This year, it’s expected 75 per cent of households will complete their forms online, to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, because a high percentage of the country is currently in lockdown. Our last Census in 2016 was the first time we’ve attempted to submit our census forms online and this year is the second time. Officials from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are bracing themselves for online cyber attacks because in our last Census in 2016, we experienced major problems with online hackers. So much so, this time the government has hired ‘friendly hackers’ to test if the site is vulnerable. Can I choose not to fill in the census form? Filling in the census form is mandatory and if you don’t take part, you will be fined $222. If you go to the ABS website it says: “The Census is compulsory. Everyone who is staying in your household on Census night must be included. This includes visitors and babies. The website continues stating: “You can be fined if you refuse to complete the Census or submit an incomplete form.” Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, you can be issued a Notice of Direction, which directs you in writing to complete the Census. Can I be fined if I make a mistake on the Census? The Census form asks a lot of specific questions about yourself including how much money you make and how much your rent or mortgage costs. Because these questions as so specific, it’s possible you could make a mistake and the ABS has assured people they won’t be punished if they make a mistake. However, if the ABS feels you’ve lied on purpose, this will be treated in a far different manner. What happens if I lie on the Census form? The ABS makes it clear that it’s an offence to: “…provide false or misleading statements or information.” The penalty for lying on the Census form is a fine of up to $2220. <img style="width: 24px; height: 24px;" src="/umbraco/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1af16fbdfdcf489bb264d62e9b3bc0b7" /><img style="width: 333.49609375px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842983/person-on-computer-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1af16fbdfdcf489bb264d62e9b3bc0b7" /> Will the information I enter be safe? Even though online hackers attacked the ABS website in 2016, they didn’t get hold of any of the data. The ABS says the information you give is not shared with any other government departments or agencies such as the police, Australian Taxation Office or Centrelink. The ABS is legally bound to protect the privacy of everyone and will not release information in a way which will identify any individual or household. If Census staff were to break these laws they can face penalties of up to $26,400 or imprisonment for up to two years - or both if confidentiality is broken. After 18 months the ABS destroys all the names and after 36 months they destroy all the addresses. However, they won’t do this if you tick the option for your information to be stored in the National Archives of Australia. If you do this, your information will be held for 99 years and then released publicly in a kind of time capsule. What if I can’t submit my form online? Some people may find it difficult to submit their census form online if they don’t have a computer or an Internet account. The ABS will check which households haven’t completed the form after Census night and those households who haven’t responded will receive reminder letters and visits from Census staff In cities, this type of follow up will mostly be through the mail, so if you can’t submit the form online, you will have received a letter from the ABS which has some instructions on it for submitting your form. This letter also supplies the ABS 24-hour automated hotline on 18000 130 250 and you can call this number and request a paper Census form is sent out to you. Once this form arrives in the mail, fill it in and post it back to the address supplied. Call the ABS 24-hour automated hotline on 1800 130 250 if you need help to submit your Census form tonight. Image: Getty Images

Legal

How Shinzo Abe has fumbled Japan’s coronavirus response

As countries around the world debate when and how to ease pandemic restrictions, <a href="https://toyokeizai.net/sp/visual/tko/covid19/en.html">coronavirus infections continue their steady rise</a> in Japan. On April 16, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was forced to <a href="https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0006492744">declare a national state of emergency</a> until at least May 6, covering all 47 prefectures. This extended an initial state of emergency declaration on April 7 for seven prefectures, including the cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Two medical groups <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/coronavirus-infection-surge-threatens-to-collapse-japan-hospitals-20200418-p54l1a.html">have also warned</a> that a “collapse in emergency medicine” has already happened as hospitals are being forced to turn away patients, presaging a possible collapse of the overall health care system. How did Japan get to this point? The country had initially been held up as having one of the more effective responses to the coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic. Yet, its curve <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1048/">has not even started to flatten</a> like those of its neighbours, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The relatively low rate of infections from January to March was <a href="https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200418/p2g/00m/0fe/059000c">credited by some</a> to Japanese societal norms: bowing instead of handshakes and hugs, the use of masks in flu season and generally high standards of personal hygiene. Japan has long had a reputation for conformity and adherence to rules, so a high level of compliance with public safety directions was expected. However, overconfidence in these practices, and the ongoing lack of firm direction from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government, may have lulled many Japanese into a false sense of security. This has been starkly demonstrated in recent weeks as <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2020/03/24/820109359/tokyo-cherry-blossom-festival-draws-crowds-despite-coronavirus-warnings">crowds have flocked</a> to parks to view the cherry blossoms, ignoring requests from local authorities to stay home. Opinion polls now <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1029/">show</a> at least half of Japanese disapprove of the government’s handling of the crisis and believe Abe’s national emergency declaration came too late. Erratic decision-making from the start From the start of the pandemic, Abe’s government has been criticised for being too offhand in its response and erratic in its decision-making. Japan’s first major misstep occurred in early February, when the Diamond Princess cruise ship was quarantined in Yokohama. At least 23 passengers were <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/02/coronavirus-infections-keep-mounting-after-cruise-ship-fiasco-japan">allowed to disembark</a> and go home without being tested, and around 90 government employees returned directly to their Tokyo offices after visiting the stricken vessel. More than 700 cases were eventually linked to the cruise ship, in total. Weeks later, Abe then ordered schools to remain closed until the end of the spring break in April, a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51663182">sudden decision</a> that caught both teachers and parents by surprise, leaving them little time to plan and prepare. Then came the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-havent-the-olympics-been-cancelled-from-coronavirus-thats-the-a-20bn-question-133445">lack of decisiveness</a> on the Tokyo Olympics. Abe reluctantly announced in late March that the games would be postponed in 2020, but only after countries began to pull out and the government was accused of dragging its feet. Abe’s government has also faced criticism over relatively low levels of testing. Over 112,000 tests <a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html">have been conducted</a>, at a rate of around 7,800 per day in April. But the government’s decision to <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1038/">restrict most tests</a> to highly symptomatic patients means actual cases are likely being under-counted. At a press conference in mid-April, Abe pledged to rectify shortages of personal protective equipment for medical workers and ramp up testing. As an interim measure, two cloth masks are being mailed to every household, an unpopular gesture <a href="https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200416/p2a/00m/0na/010000c">widely lampooned</a> on social media as “Abenomasks”. Even when Abe has tried to send the right message, the tone has been off. This was perhaps best symbolised by the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3079761/abe-arisnitocrat-japan-pms-stay-home-twitter-appeal-amid">mocking reaction</a> to his well-intentioned “stay home” Twitter post, which portrayed him drinking tea and patting his dog. Critics said it showed just how out of touch he was with the lives of ordinary Japanese. Tokyo’s governor outshines Abe As cases began to spike in late March, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200330_34/">held an emergency press conference</a> to urge residents refrain from nonessential outings, such as visits to parks to view cherry blossoms. But despite rising concerns from medical authorities, as late as March 31, Abe’s government still <a href="http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13259581">denied</a> there was a need for a national state of emergency. When the state of emergency was finally declared in mid-April, many feared it still wasn’t enough. Under the law, governors can requisition property and medical supplies to use to treat COVID-19 patients, but crucially, police have no enforcement powers to close businesses or restrict the movements of individuals. People and companies <a href="https://www.nippon.com/en/news/fnn2020040529068/emergency-but-no-lockdown-the-impact-of-the-new-pandemic-measures.html">can only be asked</a> to voluntarily comply. The Japanese government could interpret two articles in the constitution to impose a stricter lockdown, as long as appropriate legislation is passed in the Diet, Japan’s parliament. However, Abe has thus far avoided doing so. He seems to be bowing to pressure from the Keidanren, a major corporate lobby group and donor to his party, out of fear the economy could descend into an even deeper recession than the <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/JPN">-5.2% reduction in economic growth</a> projected by the IMF. Demands have been increasing from health authorities, prefectural governments and opposition parties for Abe to take more forceful action. Revealing his diminishing political authority, he is <a href="http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13302380">even being pressed</a> by both senior figures and rank-and-file members within his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The LDP’s junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, also threatened to break from the ruling coalition. The move forced Abe to <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/19/national/politics-diplomacy/komeito-cash-handout-shinzo-abe-power-coronavirus/#.Xp7aWcgzbIU">extend a planned income support scheme</a> for low-income households into a universal payment of 100,000 yen (nearly A$1,500) to all citizens, as part of the government’s record 117 trillion yen (A$1.7 billion) <a href="https://japantoday.com/category/politics/Japan-to-boost-stimulus-to-%C2%A5117-tril-due-to-cash-payouts-to-ease-virus-pain">emergency stimulus spending</a>. And while Abe has floundered, Koike, his <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-koike/tokyo-governor-koike-a-pm-abe-rival-takes-tough-stance-on-coronavirus-idUSKCN21V0EI">longtime rival</a>, has <a href="http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13294064">emerged as a strong leader</a> during the crisis, praised for her <a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/04/4476dc6b7ab1-tokyo-governors-call-for-social-distancing-sparks-viral-hit-game.html">clear public communication</a> and decisive action. Abe’s third consecutive term as LDP president expires in September 2021, around the time national elections are due. Even if Japan recovers by then, his <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3038417/abe-japans-longest-serving-pm-extent-his-legacy">legacy</a> as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister is now surely being tarnished.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/136860/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/craig-mark-3560">Craig Mark</a>, Professor, Faculty of International Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kyoritsu-womens-university-2953">Kyoritsu Women's University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-shinzo-abe-has-fumbled-japans-coronavirus-response-136860">original article</a>.

International Travel

Latest ABS stats reveal top killer of middle aged men

Over three people a day died in Australia last year from the use of opioids mainly from the use of legal painkillers such as OxyContin. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ released a Causes of Death report today which revealed more than half of the drug-induced deaths in 2018 were linked to opioid drugs. The majority of deaths were accidental overdoses mainly amongst middle aged men and more than 70 per cent were related to the use of pharmaceutical opioids such as codeine, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol, pethidine and tapentadol. According to the ABS, opioids were responsible for 1123 drug-induced deaths in 2018 out of 1740. “Of these deaths, the most common were accidental overdoses among middle-aged males,” said James Eynstone-Hinkins, ABS director of health and vital statistics. Other leading causes of death in Australia include heart disease, despite decreasing by 22.4 per cent since 2009. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s is the second most common cause of death and figures have increased by 68.6 per cent since 2009. Also taking the lead in deadliest killers was stroke, lung cancer and lower respiratory diseases. Cancer still made up for more than 30 per cent of all deaths in 2018.

Body

The $14 billion habit Aussies can’t give up: “Scarily large numbers”

Research has revealed that Aussies are spending a collective $14 billion on their smoking habits. The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~Smoking~85">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a> has revealed that 13.8 per cent of smokers consider themselves to be daily smokers, smoking half a packet of smokes a day. Despite rates being on the decline over the last two years, this doesn’t mean that smokers are spending less on their habits. <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/regular-smokers-and-life-insurance">Finder.com.au</a> has found that 2.8 million regular smokers spend more than $100 a week on cigarettes. Individually, this will cost them $5,237 a year. According to health insurance expert Angus Kidman, these are “scarily large numbers”. “But it’s a conservative estimate too. “We calculated the figures based on almost 14 per cent of Aussies smoking half a packet daily on average and then looked at the cost of a packet of 20 of one the cheaper brands of cigarettes, at the lower end of the price scale.” The Northern Territory has the highest rate of daily smokers, with around one in five smoking daily. However, the ACT has the highest number of people who have never smoked in their lives, with almost 60 per cent saying that they haven’t touched cigarettes. “Nobody thinks smoking is good for them,” Mr Kidman said. “We have seen an overall decline in the levels of smoking, but we are spending a huge amount of money because the price of cigarettes has accelerated rapidly. “It’s a handy way for governments to pick up more tax and help fund quit smoking and health programs. There’s not much sympathy in the broader community for the taxation on smokes.” If you think you can get away with lying on your insurance forms, you’d be wrong. Despite you thinking that your smoking habit isn’t that bad, it’s all the same to insurance companies. “You can’t really lie because they will find out. If you die and it’s discovered that you were a smoker but said you weren’t, the policy could be voided and your family won’t get a payout,” Mr Kidman said. Have you noticed an increase or decrease in smoking? Let us know in the comments.

Money & Banking

Australia’s most popular birthday revealed for the first time

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed Australia’s most and least popular birthdays, based on birth data from the last 10 years. September 17 if officially the most popular birthday for Australians born in the last decade, according to close analysis of ABS figures. This is the first time this data has been publicly released, and it makes for an interesting read. Interestingly, three of the five most common birthdays fell in September with and four of the five least popular birthdays happened to be public holidays. According to the ABS, 311,104 births were registered in Australia in 2016, a steady increase on the 305,377 number which was recorded in 2015. Australia’s five most popular birthdays September 17 — Number of people with the same birthday: 8,862 April 8 — Number of people with the same birthday: 8,829 September 23 — Number of people with the same birthday: 8,816 September 24 — Number of people with the same birthday: 8,813 October 1 — Number of people with the same birthday: 8,813 Australia’s five least popular birthdays February 29 — Number of people with the same birthday: 2,327 December 25 — Number of people with the same birthday: 4,388 December 26 — Number of people with the same birthday: 4,743 January 1 — Number of people with the same birthday: 6,017 January 26 — Number of people with the same birthday: 6,136 What are your thoughts?

News

Why you don't want to live in a street with an "embarrassing" name

We’re all aware of how things like access to public transport and amenities, noise congestion and the view can affect the price of property. But did you know, something the name of the street your house is on, can also affect its price? Particularly if you live somewhere like Wanke Road or Fanny Street. A new study carried out by Victorian high school students in conjunction with staff from the Australian Bureau of Statistic, the University of Sydney and a Melbourne real estate agent, suggest houses on streets with names that might be considered “embarrassing”, are worth considerably less than those on streets with more mundane names. Students from Geelong’s Sacred Heart College ran the ledger over houses in 27 Victorian streets with names like Butt Street, Beaver Street, Willys Avenue and Grogan Court. They compared the prices of houses on these street to those on nearby street with more average name, studying 4,500 properties over the last 50 years, and found that on average, those on streets with the “embarrassing” names were worth 20 per cent less on average. This works out to be $140,000 on a median price Melbourne home. Dr Adam Cole, the school’s head of science, told ABC Radio Melbourne one third of the residents surveyed would not want to live on a street with an “embarrassing” name. “We think that there is a proportion of people that would not be comfortable living in those streets, so they don’t compete for those properties and that would drive prices down,” he said. “We think it’s probably got to do with a proportion of people being embarrassed by the address when they have to give it out.” Victorian property director and real estate expert Nicole Jacobs told News.com.au she was surprised by the research, but says would-be home buyers should take advantage of the lower prices as an opportunity to snag a bargain. “If you find your dream home on a street with a funny name, you’re not going to eliminate it. I certainly wouldn’t eliminate a good home based on the street name, but people are funny,” she said. “I would say if you find a good home with a funny street name, then it’s a great opportunity to go in and buy. But at the end of the day you have to make sure it’s the right property for you. It’s only a bargain if it’s the right property for you.” What are your thoughts? Would you live on a street with a dodgy name?

Home & Garden

Australians seniors more active than ever

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just published new data revealing Australian seniors are becoming more and more active – both physically and socially. “The number of older Australians aged 65 years and over who participated in exercise or physical recreation increased from 44.5 per cent in 2012 to 49.2 per cent in 2015,” ABS Program Manager of Health and Disability Statistics Justine Boland said in a <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/mediareleasesbyCatalogue/745974776B8E55C6CA25784500152D95?OpenDocument" target="_blank">statement</a>. “This is great news, as we know an active and social lifestyle is associated with better health outcomes.” With Australia facing the crisis of an ageing population, the news couldn’t be better. It has been estimated that there are 3.5 million people over the age of 65 in the country, an increase of 14.3 per cent since 2012. In addition, the rate of disability among older Australians has decreased two per cent since 2012 and the number of people requiring assistance with at least one activity is down 3.3 per cent. “These findings reveal a positive trend that older Australians are healthier, living longer without disability and are in less need of assistance,” Boland added. Tell us in the comments below, do you think you’ve become more socially and physically active in the past few years? What’s your favourite way to keep moving? Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/10/medical-fees-to-skyrocket-from-november/">Doctors to increase charges from November 1</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/10/drug-trials-new-hope-alzheimers-sufferers/">Breakthrough for Alzheimer's sufferers in Australia</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/10/7-foods-to-lower-blood-pressure/">7 things to eat or avoid to lower your blood pressure</a>

News

Why you don’t have to panic about Census tonight

Census night is finally here, and while media reports have people concerned about exorbitant late fines about not being able to login, there have been renewed calls for calm. The reason? Well, you don’t actually have to submit it tonight. 15 million Aussies expected to flood the Census site today and the Australian Bureau of Statistics is more than aware of the potential strain this can put on the system, so you actually have a few weeks to lodge your form. The final deadline? September 23. ABS Census and Statistical Network Division general manager Chris Libreri, told <a href="http://www.news.com.au" target="_blank">News.com.au</a> ‘’No one has ever been fined for being late with their Census form, the fines are only if you eyes-open refuse to a Census collector. It’s not about being late or not receiving the form. We allow two weeks for people to do their forms and put them in before we start the field visitation phase.” So if you’ve been worried about getting online in time to complete your Census, don’t. You’ve still got a few weeks to put the data in and avoid that nasty fine! For information regarding how to complete the Census, <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/census?opendocument&navpos=10" target="_blank">click here</a>. Are you concerned about filling in your Census? Do you think enough has been done to make this process easy for seniors? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/06/hot-tips-for-family-tree-research/">Hot tips for family tree research</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/homelessness-crisis-point-in-regional-australia/">Homelessness hits "crisis point" in regional Australia</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/about-australian-property-market/">Australian homes are getting larger and 7 other surprising insights into the property market</a>

News

Australian population hits 24 million

Australia’s population has reached 24 million people. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument" target="_blank">online population calculator</a> suggest Australia hit the mark at around 12:51am AEDT. That being said, there is no “official” 24 millionth Australian. The ABS’s population clock is based on estimated resident population at 30 June 2015 and assumes growth based on – <ul> <li>A birth every one minute and 44 seconds.</li> <li>A death every three minutes and 24 seconds.</li> <li>A net gain of one international migrant ever two minutes and 39 seconds.</li> </ul> As a result, the ABS estimates Australia’s population is growing at a rate of: <ul> <li>One person every one minute and 31 seconds.</li> </ul> ABS demographer Andrew Howe told Mashable Australia’s 1.4 per cent population increase was “relatively high” for the country, but not as high as in recent years. “Compared to Australia's population growth six or seven years ago, it's actually dropped off by a bit. Around 2009 and 2010, we were seeing growth rates of around two percent.” Australia is expected to raise to 25 million in 2019 and 30 million by 2030. Image credit: Kevin Hellon / Shutterstock Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/02/fence-lets-dogs-people-watch/">This fence lets dogs people watch</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/how-to-find-birthday-word/">The word that was invented the year of your birth</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/homemade-drain-cleaning-solution/">Homemade drain-cleaning solution to unclog sinks quickly</a>

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The Godfather actor Abe Vigoda passes away, aged 94

Acclaimed character actor Abe Vigoda, who found fame in his senior years with iconic roles in The Godfather and in the TV series Barney Miller, has passed away age 94. Mr Vigoda died of natural causes on Tuesday morning at his home in New Jersey. Mr Vigoda began his professional acting career in 1947, making a career out of various supporting roles in theatre and television before getting his big break in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 mafia film, The Godfather. Here he played the role of the scheming mafia villain Sal Tessio. <img width="500" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/14516/salvatore_tessio_500x290.jpg" alt="Salvatore _Tessio (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Mr Vigoda was living proof that sometimes your best years are ahead of you, telling Associated Press, “If you don’t make it in your youth, you can make it in your middle age or even old age. You believe in yourself, you should pursue it to the end of time, as long as you’re on this earth.” Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/01/maggie-beer-popular-aged-care-food-course/">Maggie Beer to take popular aged care food course Australia wide</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/overpriced-abosch-potato-photograph/">Ridiculous amount someone willing to pay for photo of potato</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/crocodile-takes-morning-dip-swimming-pool/">This crocodile takes morning dip in swimming pool</a>

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Australian life expectancy set to rise

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest Aussies will be living longer than ever. Life expectancy for females rose from 84.3 to 84.4, while for males it jumped from 80.1 to 80.3. Australia is one of just seven countries where both men and women have a life expectancy of over 80 years, the other six being Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Iceland, Israel and Sweden. Beidar Cho from the ABS noted: “Australia has a higher life expectancy, at both the male and female level, than many similar countries to ours such as New Zealand, the UK and the US.” Northern Territory had the lowest life expectancy for both sexes, while ACT had the highest. Related links: <a href="/health/caring/2015/11/prince-charles-reunited-with-nanny/">Prince Charles reunited with his nursery nanny</a> <a href="/health/caring/2015/11/veteran-donates-kidney/">73-year-old war veteran donates kidney to friend</a> <a href="/health/caring/2015/11/hero-dog-saves-lost-man/">Hero dog saves her 84-year-old owner</a>

Caring

ABS reveals results showing Aussies don’t eat enough veggies

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently questioned over 12,000 Aussies about their daily food and drink intake, and the recently released results show that only about one in 20 people are eating the recommended amount of vegetables each day. Interestingly, the results also showed that Tasmanians were the biggest tea drinkers in the country, while people from the ACT love their wine more than the rest of us. Fewer people in the Northern Territory drink coffee than the rest of us, but their percentage of people who drink beer is almost 12 per cent higher than the next-closest beer-lovers, Queensland. More than half of Australians are eating the recommended two serves of fruit per day, while 20.5 per cent of Tasmanians admitted to eating chocolate in the 24 hours before the survey. Play around with the graphs below to see where your state sits in consumption of different kinds of food and beverage. <iframe src="http://cf.datawrapper.de/oodk8/2/" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" width="643" height="400"></iframe> <iframe src="http://cf.datawrapper.de/xwej3/1/" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" width="643" height="400"></iframe> <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4364.0.55.0092011-12?OpenDocument">You can read more in-depth information about the survey results here.</a> Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/06/woman-says-booze-secret-to-ageing/">This 100-year-old woman says booze is her secret to a long life</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/bing-crosby-mansion-for-sale/">Check out Bing Crosby's $5 million mansion</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/smaller-carry-on-bags/">Airlines are going to make you take smaller carry-on luggage</a>

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