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Nine reporter stood down over controversial $50k gift

Today show presenter Alex Cullen has been stood down after accepting a huge cash prize from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. Portelli, known for his attention-grabbing <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/the-block-billionaire-s-generous-christmas-stunt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antics</a>, recently announced that he was sick of his nickname "Lambo guy", which had stuck after turned up to a 2022 auction of The Block in a yellow Lamborghini. The billionaire put a call out to the media saying that he would give $50,000 to the first journalist or presenter to publicly call him by his new preferred nickname "McLaren Man." Cullen dropped the nickname on-air during a Today show cross from the Australian Open on Friday morning, even sharing footage of the moment on his Instagram account afterwards, tagging Portelli in the post. “We have a winner! Well played sir,” Portelli wrote in an Instagram story, sharing a screenshot of a bank transfer. Cullen's employer, Channel Nine, said that the presenter had agreed to step down on Saturday while the network looked into the payment. “Nine is taking this matter extremely seriously,” a Nine spokesperson told news.com.au. “Appropriate action has been promptly taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned. “While we review the circumstances in which this occurred, Alex has agreed to stand down.” Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence, and inappropriately using a journalistic position for personal gain, are both breaches to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Journalist Code of Ethics. It was created by journalists in 1944 to promote basic values for the Australian media industry. As news of the controversy spread, Portelli took to Instagram to speak out against journalists who still refer to him as "Lambo guy". “I wanted to show the media that I do have a large platform as well, and I’m not afraid to use it. Maybe be a bit more respectful, and I’ll respect you guys as well,” he said in a video posted on Saturday night. Image: Nine/ Instagram

Legal

Youngest Bali Nine member arrested weeks after return home

Matthew Norman, the youngest Bali Nine member has been arrested in NSW, just weeks after returning home from Indonesian jail. The 38-year-old spent 19 years behind bars in Indonesia, and was arrested in NSW on an outstanding warrant at 10.30am on Monday, according NSW Police. Norman was taken to Waverley Police Station and refused bail to appear before Waverley Local Court, who released him on bail following his court hearing. He will remain free from custody until his next court hearing on February 25. The warrant was in relation to the 2005 theft of a white Ford Laser hatchback, which Norman allegedly drove around for less than an hour before he was stopped by police, according to the Daily Telegraph. Norman faced court over the car theft and then left the country while on bail, the publication reported. It was the same year that he attempted to smuggle 334g of heroin into Bali in a suitcase while he was just 18 years old. He had arrived back in Australia alongside other surviving Bali Nine members Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj, on December 20, 2024. Image: Seven

Legal

Former Nine CEO's new major role

Former Nine Entertainment chief executive Hugh Marks has been appointed the new managing director of the ABC. Marks, who was the chief executive of Nine Entertainment from 2015 to 2020 will replace the ABC's current managing director, David Anderson, who resigned from the position a year after being re-appointed for a second five-year term. Following an “extensive” domestic and international search for a replacement, the ABC board voted unanimously for Marks to take on the role, with ABC chair Kim Williams describing Marks as "an unusually good fit" for the national broadcaster. He added that Marks’ experience was “critical” for the broadcaster’s future. Marks said he was "energised" about leading the ABC. "All Australians, when they want to know the truth, or the facts, or at least the different perspectives on an issue so that they're informed, know that they can come to the ABC and trust that it's that place that they're going to get [that]," he said. When asked about his top priorities, he said: "We should just focus [on]: What is it that we can do well? How can we do it well?" "Focusing on those things and making choices to prioritise on the things that you can do well, I think, is a discussion we're all going to have to have." Image: ABC

Money & Banking

Channel Nine exec dismissed after work Christmas party

A Channel Nine news executive has been sacked after an alleged incident of inappropriate conduct at a work Christmas party. David Richardson, executive producer of the network’s newsroom in Darwin, was let go on Monday, just hours after the company received a formal complaint about his behaviour. The complaint relates to remarks allegedly made at a party on Friday evening, with Richardson reportedly being escorted from the Nine building in Darwin on Monday. Richardson, known broadly in the industry as “Sluggo”, climbed through the ranks of commercial television as a reporter before moving behind the scenes. His last role was as a producer on Nine’s Under Investigation with Liz Hayes before the show was axed in August. Richardson then went on to become the newsroom executive, in a role he held for just two months before being sacked. The decision to fire Richardson comes after a damning review of the company’s workplace culture exposed a history of inappropriate conduct. An external investigation released in October found Nine had a “systemic issue” with bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and the abuse of power and authority. Image credits: news.com.au

Legal

Bali tourists killed in freak accident

Two tourists have died and a third has been injured after a freak tree fall at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud on Tuesday. The terrifying moment was caught on camera, with video footage showing the tree trunk unexpectedly snapping and crashing across the footpath in the popular tourist attraction. It also knocked over huge Balinese stone statues and at least a dozen people were seen running away from the spot, and they can be heard yelling "what the f---" and "help". Police said two women, reportedly from France, age 32, and South Korea, age 42, were killed in the freak accident. A third person, another South Korean woman was being treated in the Kenak Medika Hospital. Bali Regional Police spokesperson Kombes Pol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan told local media that sudden heavy rain and strong winds swept across the area and staff were cleaning up the mess of other trees that had fallen when the fourth came down. “At that time, there were many tourists visiting and seeing it, then the tourists ran around to save themselves, but there were some tourists who were hit by trees,” he told The Bali Sun. “For the victims who died or were injured, they are still entrusted and treated at the Ubud Kenak Medika Hospital while waiting for the results of coordination with the Immigration and the victim’s family.” The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary also released a statement explaining that the tree was not old. “With deep regret that a tree fell due to strong winds in the Monkey Forest Ubud area,” they said. “We would like to emphasise that the fallen tree was in healthy condition. “We regularly conduct tree monitoring and pruning as part of our commitment to the safety of visitors, staff, and wildlife in the Monkey Forest Ubud. “However, this incident was caused by strong winds and extreme weather conditions beyond human control. We are working closely with authorities to address the situation thoroughly.” The forest will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The protected jungle area is a popular destination among both tourists and residents who often go there to take their wedding photos. Australians make up a large amount of the tourist numbers in Bali, with 155,143 Aussies heading there in July. Image: Instagram

Travel Trouble

"Gone too soon": Mother's heartbreaking tribute after son found dead in Bali

A distraught mother has paid tribute to her teenage son who was tragically found dead in a pool while on holiday in Bali. Aston Looker, an 18-year-old model from Sydney, was found unresponsive by an unknown resident in a swimming pool at a residential complex on the popular Indonesian island. While Mr Looker's cause of death has not been released, the teenager's heartbroken mother, Sydney designer Amanda Lennon, paid tribute to her son in an emotional Instagram post. She said she misses her son “every day, every hour, every minute and every second,” and that he is in the “arms of angels now”. “My supermodel son is in heaven we love you forever,” Ms Lennon wrote online. “We love your cheeky personality and amazing looks but most of all you humour." “Your mum will never ever forget you my favourite person in the universe. Aston you are gone too soon and mourning your death that was too soon.” In a statement sent to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/sydney-teenager-aston-looker-found-dead-in-pool-in-bali/news-story/969d3b237d272ceac62da0127642adf0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Mr Looker’s death, which occurred in August. “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Bali,” the statement read. “We offer our deepest condolences to the family.” Family friend Victoria Montano posted about the death of Mr Looker, saying the 18-year-old was “one taken too soon”. She wrote in a tribute posted to Instagram, “The juxtaposition of Aston's masculinity and vulnerability was capped off by his mother Amanda’s favourite thing about him. A finely tuned perfectly timed sense of humour. The ability to be witty and humble all at once. Not many could make you laugh like this young man.” Image credits: Instagram <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Travel Trouble

Tragic new details emerge about baby's death in Bali

Tragic new details have merged about the sudden death of a toddler, who <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/profound-grief-baby-dies-during-family-holiday-in-bali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> while on a family holiday to Bali. According to Indonesian police, the 14-month-old boy drowned in a villa swimming pool at Villa Besar in Kerobokan, north of Kuta in Bali. Police spokesperson Avitus Panjaitan told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14017027/Tragic-new-details-emerge-cause-Australian-babys-death-Bali.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a> that the family did not report the death to police, and officers only found out details after interviewing resort staff. Staff reported that the family had returned to the villa from a water park in the evening shortly before the alarm was raised that a baby was drowning in the pool just minutes later. The staff recalled seeing a woman pull the baby from the water and desperately performing CPR to revive the child, but by the time paramedics arrived on the scene, the child was already deceased. In the wake of the tragedy, the child's father Brendan Sharp shared a gut wrenching update on Facebook, describing his son as a "one of a kind" child who filled every room with laughter and light. "He was always happy and cheerful, lighting up the room with whomever was there," he said. "His cheekiness and affection were like no other, and he was always dancing and having fun with a side of cheeky." "You were so special my boy - keep shining like the star you are and keep an eye on all of us down here," he said. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-grace-and-brendan-cope-with-the-loss-of-their-baby-boy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been set up by the family to help cover the funeral, and to allow parents Grace and Brendan time to grieve without financial pressure. Image credits: Facebook / GoFundMe

Travel Trouble

"Profound grief": Baby dies during family holiday in Bali

A family are in mourning after their young child died tragically while they were enjoying a holiday in Bali. The toddler, who has been described as a bright light who filled every room with joy, passed away in a tragic accident on October 19th. The boy's great aunt, Bronwyn Cox, has started a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-grace-and-brendan-cope-with-the-loss-of-their-baby-boy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help the child's parents with the mounting costs of getting the baby's body back to Australia. She added that funds will help cover the funeral, and allow parents Grace and Brendan time to grieve without financial pressure. “Our dear niece Grace and her partner, Brendan, have faced the unimaginable loss of their baby boy,” Cox wrote on the fundraiser. “He brought immense joy and love into all our lives, and his passing has left us all in profound grief.” She expressed gratitude to those who have already donated, saying that their kindness “will provide much-needed relief and show Grace and Brendan they are not alone.” At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised $30,000 of its $35,000 goal. The child’s father, Brendan, shared his heartbreak on Facebook, describing his son as a “one of a kind” child with boundless cheer and charm. “His cheekiness and affection were like no other … always dancing and having fun,” he wrote. “You were so special, my boy. Keep shining like the star you are, and keep an eye on all of us down here. We love and miss you so much.” The parents, who are now back in Australia, are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance in getting their child home, while no further details about the fatal accident have been disclosed. Image credits: GoFundMe

Travel Trouble

Channel Nine star shares "alarming" hospital photos

Channel Nine star Leila McKinnon has shared a series of "alarming" photos from a hospital bed after undergoing surgery. The veteran newsreader revealed in a candid Instagram post on Thursday that she’d undergone “another delightful knee operation”, which had left her leg a startling shade of pink. “I may or may not be high as a kite right now after another delightful knee operation, but something alarming appears to have happened, is my leg pink?” McKinnon wrote alongside the images. “Surgical team did play some brilliant Chappell Roan tunes for me.” The mother-of-two, who is married to former Nine CEO David Gyngell, explained in the comments that the colour had come from a post-op disinfectant after her followers expressed their concerns. It’s understood McKinnon had undergone the operation to remove a pin inserted after an accident in 2022 which had seen her rushed to hospital. She posted a picture from her hospital bed along with X-rays of the injury at the time, along with a caption explaining that the injury was a result of a skiing accident. “Hey what did you do on the school holidays? I don’t want to show off or anything but I got a fancy piercing in my knee …” McKinnon said at the time. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

"Lots of NDAs": Channel Nine could face class action

Channel Nine could face a class action over <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/damning-report-exposes-toxic-workplace-culture-at-channel-nine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegations of bullying</a>, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct, according to one of Australia's leading employment lawyers Josh Bornstein. Bornstein told<a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/channel-nine-could-face-class-action-over-allegations-of-bullying-sexual-harassment-and-inappropriate-conduct/news-story/7e7f5979007ae16ae81621e48e48acab" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> news.com.au</a> that a class action might be an option for men and women who were the victims of a "hostile workplace". “There is a provision of the Sex Discrimination Act that is relatively recent and was introduced as a result of the Respect At Work changes,” he said. “It is a new provision that says that it’s a breach of the Act for an employer to maintain a workplace that is hostile for women. “So in light of the report, which indicates widespread bullying, sexism, punishment, sexual harassment, and favouritism of male reporters over female reporters getting access to stories, there is at least the basis on which to start considering whether a class action could be brought.” Bornstein is the principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, a law firm that has won more than $4.3 billion in settlements for clients since their inception in 1998. “If the report is right, it’s systemic, which means many women have been impacted, and they’ve been subjected to an environment that’s hostile to them because of their gender, and if they’ve been harmed by that, a class action could give them some form of redress," he added. However, one of the complications would be the nondisclosure agreements some of the women may have signed before leaving the companies. “I’m aware there’s lots of NDA, particularly at Nine, and lots of releases as well. “A class action just requires a sufficiently large enough group of affected people who come together to lodge a case that says, ‘This is the sort of workplace environment we’ve been subjected to’. “They have to show that they’ve been subjected to the sorts of behaviours that are dealt with in the report and that or that adverse conduct was based on their gender, and then if they were able to show that the law had been breached, then compensation would be based on individual harm.” He added that in his opinion, while it might be better "for women to band together to pursue a collective case" it may be a bit more difficult as "there’s a fear that if you take on commercial networks, that’s the end of your career," which he said is a "well founded" fear. Image: FiledIMAGE / Shutterstock.com

Legal

Desperate search after Aussie man swept out to sea while saving swimmer

A desperate search is underway for an Australian man who got swept out to sea while saving a tourist from drowning on a Bali beach. Craig Laidley, 56, was walking along Balian Beach about 4.15pm on Wednesday when he heard 29-year-old Micro Stalla calling out for help. The Perth man rushed into the water to save the German tourist, but unfortunately Laidley never made it back to shore after being swept out to sea by an "extreme" wave. Laidley, who reportedly lives in Bali, was last seen “drifting back out to the ocean”. He was reported missing to police about three hours later, and they immediately launched a search, with with Denpasar Search and Rescue Office head Nyoman Sidakarya confirming the search is still ongoing. “[On Wednesday] night our team tried to search for victims using land searches and today the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office dispatched 10 people with land and sea SRU divisions,” Sidakarya said. “Information from the team at the location is that the wave conditions are extreme," he added. Rescue teams used rubber boats to search for Laidley within a 10km radius of where he was last seen and also scoured the coastline on foot. Police have also conducted interviews with witnesses as part of their ongoing search. One witness said that there were no warning signs around the beach, despite the dangers. “Incidents like this happen often here,” he told the ABC. “About four months ago, a foreigner went missing. He was found dead 4 hours later. In the last five years, there have been five incidents like this.” Laidley's family have appealed to the public to help find him. “Hello, our family is seeking assistance from the public in Bali,” Craig’s nephew posted on Facebook. “Craig was last seen helping a male that was reportedly drowning in the ocean between Tebing Balian rocks near Balian Beach. “He was then seen drifting back out to the ocean after saving this man’s life.” The search is set to continue on Friday morning. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Indonesia. Editors Update: Craig Laidley’s body has been found on the beach on Friday morning by searchers. His two brothers, Bruce and Glenn, arrived in Bali overnight to join the search. His family are still coming to terms with the loss, but have told 7News that they are proud of his heroic rescue and glad that his brothers were there to bring him home. Images: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency/ Facebook

Caring

"We let you down": Karl Stefanovic speaks out on Nine report

Karl Stefanovic has spoken out about the report into toxic workplace culture at the Nine Network, calling out the “perpetrators” of bad behaviour. On Thursday, a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/damning-report-exposes-toxic-workplace-culture-at-channel-nine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> conducted by independent investigators revealed that Nine has “has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”, with several employees sharing their own horror stories of working for the network. During Friday's episode of the Today Show, Karl took a moment to discuss the findings of the report, saying "many people are hurting" over the shocking allegations. Echoing the concerns of Nine stars including Deb Knight and Dimity Clancey who raised concerns at a meeting on Thursday, the Today show host said he understood concerns that the report didn’t “name names.” “They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out? I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now underway and we have to be patient for the process of all that,’’ he said. “It’s essential and it’s critical. I want to say it’s not about us, but there are good men who do work here at Nine who find what happened absolutely intolerable, who struggle to understand how we didn’t know more and do something, how it grieved you." “I feel like we have all in a way, let you down. I love my work colleagues here. Women I have the honour to present with women on the floor of this great show." “Women behind the scenes who make us all better. I’m grateful women are this company and they are the way forward. They will show the way. We just have to listen and act.” "I genuinely, genuinely feel for the women who have given testimony, I can't imagine how hard that was and the courage that it took," Karl said. <div> <div id="adspot-mobile-mobile-3-above"></div> </div> "It's going to be up to all of us now to do better, to say enough - this stops now." Image credits: The Today Show

Damning report exposes toxic workplace culture at Channel Nine

A damning culture investigation has revealed a history of systemic bullying and harassment within the Channel Nine workplace. The <a href="https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Intersection-Nine-Entertainment-2024-Report-FA.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>, which was conducted by independent investigators, revealed their findings on Thursday, sharing the extent of the disturbing behaviour going on inside the network's offices. As stated in the report, Nine has “has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”, with several employees sharing their own horror stories of working for the network. Dozens of female workers came forward with allegations of sexual assault, with one employee saying, “When I was in (location), (employee) tried to groom me. He also touched me on the bum at the Christmas party and at other times he would rub my legs under the table." “I saw him do it to other women.” Another staff member was warned not to let a senior male employee “touch (her) boobs”, adding, “His comments about my body were constant.” “He made me feel like I was just a piece of meat to be ogled at, and that he was the credible one just because he was the older man. Over time, this eroded my confidence. It just chipped away at it.” Other employees said the culture at Nine “destroyed (them) as a human being”, left them “broken” and a “shell” or gave them “debilitating” anxiety. “I was broken,” one former employee said. “I left the newsroom after a year. By the time I left my soul was gone.” If anyone complained about the toxic culture and inappropriate behaviour, they were allegedly sent to what was known as “punishment island”. “I have only been at the company a short time, but in my opinion there is a concerning culture among senior older men of sexual(ly) inappropriate jokes. There is sexual intimidation against young women and I find this completely unacceptable. I will always call them out,” another said. Others said talking about getting bullied at Nine had become commonplace, with one employee saying, “We used to talk about being bullied, harassed or publicly humiliated like you’d talk about the weather. Now when I look back it horrifies me how normalised it had become." Nine’s new chair Catherine West released a statement on Thursday after the report finding, saying, “We are deeply sorry ... I unreservedly apologise.” “Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation." “The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable. Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not OK. This behaviour has no place at Nine.” The report concluded with 22 recommendations to address the negative culture, including training, accountability and another external review in three years. Image credits: Shutterstock <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-svlwa0-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #292a33; color: #292a33; font-family: HeyWow, Montserrat, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </div>

Legal

NRL legend calls for help to get newborn baby home

NRL legend Jesse Ramien and his partner Shell are pleading for help to get their newborn baby home after Shell's traumatic birth experience in Bali. The Cronulla Sharks player and his wife travelled to Bali for a friend's wedding while Shell was 33 weeks pregnant, who was cleared by her doctor before their trip. However, after just three days into their holiday, Shell went into early labour which quickly led to an emergency C-section, with mum under anaesthetic and baby boy Teo needing five minutes of resuscitation. Baby Teo was rushed into a neonatal intensive care unit, with his parents not able to meet him until the day after he was born. The family has been torn apart since with the parents still yet to hold Teo, who remains in an incubator, and older son Tallen returning home after Shell’s mother rushed to Bali to help. It is not known when the family can return to Australia, as Teo's condition is still unstable. “There’s just so much uncertainty here. We’ve been told by doctors it could be four weeks before our baby is okay to travel, but that could quickly change to five, six, or seven weeks, who knows,” Ramien told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-star-jesse-ramiens-impassioned-plea-for-help-from-the-australian-government-to-source-flight-to-bring-baby-back-to-australia/news-story/1208830641c06ecb8c2450b95eeabece" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">News Corp</a>. “We’re doing everything to contact the Australian embassy to see how we can get home both as quickly as possible, so that our boy can get the medical attention he needs.” A family friend has set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/need-your-help-to-fly-our-boy-teo-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help the couple get home with their baby on an emergency flight, with $45,000 of their $100,000 goal already raised. “I’ll play for nothing just to get our baby boy home safely,” Ramien said. Shell, who received clearance from her obstetrician and the airline before travelling, ensured her pregnancy was covered by a top travel insurance package, however baby Teo’s medical costs — tallying more than $20,000 so far — are not included, while the total costs to get Baby Teo home could exceed $130,000. Ramien has been sharing updates on Instagram, posting a picture of his new son with the caption, “Home soon my boy,” while Shell added, “Won’t be long my boy, we'll be home soon.” Image credits: Instagram / GoFundMe

Caring

"20 years to life": Bali's brutal new law

Major changers are coming into effect for foreigners in Bali. Indonesia's Department of Immigration has doubled down on its zero-tolerance approach to unruly tourists, as those found in breach of immigration laws or have overstayed their visas could be sentenced to life behind bars. Crimes that were previously punishable with sentences from six months to one year in prison are increasing to jail-time of up to 20 years, according to The Bali Sun. “Indonesia is a country that upholds the tourism sector, but comfort must be accompanied by order. We want foreign nationals who come to Indonesia to understand and follow the rules and norms that apply in this country,” Director General of Immigration Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim said, according to local newspaper Nusa Bali. “We also try to ensure that those who come are quality tourists, through strengthening intelligence co-operation and information exchange with other countries.” There will also be an increase in immigration checkpoint officers, patrol officers and investigators, and more mobile taskforces. The rules won't affect tourists who apply for temporary visas on arrival and leave with in the mandated 30-day period or extend their visa and leave within 60 days. The Indonesian government has recently cracked down on foreigners overstaying their welcome, deporting more than 400 people this year alone for violating immigration laws. Just last year, a dozen Australians were among more than 200 foreigners kicked out of Bali for abusing the visa system by doing illegal business or working in Bali. This follows the introduction of the tourist tax and the release of their tourist dos and don'ts list, as they attempt to monitor foreigners' activities. Image: AsiaTravel / Shutterstock.com

Legal

Another Channel Ten star jumps ship to rival network

As Channel Ten continues to make difficult choices about their future as they struggle to stay afloat, one high profile host has jumped ship to a rival network. According to <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/channel-ten-star-jumps-ship-to-nine-following-mass-axings-214525599.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Lifestyle</a>, Rodger Corser, who was the host of the short-lived series The Traitors Australia on Ten, is set to host a new show on Nine titled The Floor, with Channel Nine allegedly swooping in to steal the actor and presenter "from underneath Network 10's noses". An industry insider told Yahoo Lifestyle that The Traitors Australia was being looked at again for another season, but Rodger's sudden move to Channel Nine has killed any hope that a third series would continue. As for Corser's new gig with Nine, The Floor is described as being a "game based around a floor grid of 81 squares, each of which is occupied by a contestant with expertise in a different trivia category. Pairs of contestants face each other in head-to-head trivia duels, with the winner taking over all territory controlled by the loser." After being made popular in the US with host Rob Lowe, the insider said Corser would be "perfect fit" to bring the show Down Under. "Nine didn't really want anyone else," they said. "The Floor is going to be massive and Nine are thrilled to have Rodger on contract." Image credits: Instagram

Channel Nine revamps Today show line up

Big changes are coming to Channel Nine's flagship Today show, following the <a href="https://o60.me/7hh8v2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">departure</a> of popular newsreader Brooke Boney. The shake-up to the morning show's line-up was confirmed on Monday and will affect both the weekday and weekend programs. Jayne Azzopardi, a former Sydney news reporter, will replace Boney on the morning news desk. Azzopardi's role as co-host of Weekend Today will now be taken over by Sophie Walsh, who will co-host alongside fellow veteran Nine presenter Clint Stanaway. Walsh has worked at Channel Nine for 15 years, after first joining the broadcaster as a news reporter in 2009. In another change for Weekend Today, senior journalist Lizzie Pearl will cover the news while Dan Anstey will present the weather. Renee Bargh, who has regularly featured on the Today show in the past has been officially welcomed to the team as an entertainment reporter. Confirmation of the changes comes after an emotional week among staff at the Today show with Boney's departure last Friday. "Thank you for accepting me. I know that I don't fit the mould and I'm grateful for each and every one of you for tuning in every day," Boney said during her farewell. The journalist, who was joined by her mother on the couch, became emotional as she reflected on her experience. "I'm so grateful for every opportunity that I've been given here, I've done things I never dreamed possible," Boney said. "For someone like me, I grew up in housing commission, so this is really beyond my wildest dreams. "I mean, I just spent a month at the Olympics. I've been to the Oscars... all around the world to do things that most people don't get to do." During her final show last week Today host Karl Stefanovic also told her that she was well loved and respected. “We love you and everything you represent, how hard you work,” he said. Boney announced her departure earlier this year after she was offered a position to study at Oxford University. Image: Nine/ Instagram

Olympic disaster as Nine publishing staff stage mass walkout

Nearly all journalists employed by Nine Entertainment newspapers – more than 90 percent – are going on strike just as the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are about to commence. This includes 20 reporters already on the ground in Paris, significantly impacting coverage of the event. The strike, beginning Friday July 26 and lasting for at least five days, follows a vote by staff at Nine's key mastheads – The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, WAtoday, and Brisbane Times– who overwhelmingly supported the industrial action. The decision comes after failed negotiations over annual pay rates between union representatives and Nine Entertainment management. During a crucial meeting on Thursday, <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/more-than-90-per-cent-of-nine-publishing-staff-walk-off-the-job-on-eve-of-2024-olympics/news-story/1bb81c607dbae8c7756e9726d085e45c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au reported</a> that a 3.5 percent annual pay rise offer from Nine executives, up from the existing 2 percent, was rejected by journalists. The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), representing 90 percent of the journalists, deemed the proposal insufficient amid ongoing inflation and recent announcements of significant job cuts, including 90 positions from the publishing division. The strike, coinciding with the Olympic Games' opening, poses a substantial challenge for Nine, which holds exclusive broadcast rights to the event in a $305 million deal. The company has assured the public that plans are in place to maintain production and distribution during the walkout, with "skeleton staff" working in local newsrooms. In a statement, Nine's publishing managing director, Tory Maguire, expressed disappointment over the union's decision while still committing to continued negotiation: "While it is disappointing the union has elected to proceed with industrial action, we can confirm comprehensive plans are in place to ensure the production and distribution of Nine Publishing mastheads will not be impacted and our readers will continue to have access to unrivalled coverage of the Paris Olympics." The situation is further complicated by concerns among staff over job security and the potential use of artificial intelligence in journalism, exacerbating fears of further job losses. Should the strike threaten to extend beyond the initial five days, the financial implications for Nine are substantial. The network, having invested over $120 million in this year's Games, faces potential losses amid high production costs and declining advertising revenue. Image: Nine Entertainment

Legal

Channel Nine staff viciously attacked on streets of Paris

In a troubling incident that raises serious concerns over safety at the Paris Olympics, two radio technicians from Channel Nine's Olympic team were attacked on Tuesday evening in an apparent attempted robbery. This attack occurred <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/aussie-woman-s-horror-assault-in-paris-days-before-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just days after the alleged gang rape</a> of a 25-year-old Australian woman in the French capital, highlighting escalating security risks as the Games approach. Channel Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams (pictured above), informed staff that the two technicians had left the International Broadcast Centre and were walking to their accommodation in the north-eastern suburb of Le Bourget when they were assaulted by a group of men. Describing the incident as "an assault of a serious physical nature", Williams confirmed that the victims managed to escape and find safety. The incident has been reported to the police. In light of this attack, Nine has reminded its staff to stay vigilant and to remove their Olympic credentials when not required, especially when travelling. Broadcasters have been warned by security experts that despite increased military and police presence in the capital, criminals may still target those they perceive as vulnerable. This incident follows another harrowing event involving an Australian citizen. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed an investigation into the alleged gang rape of a 25-year-old Australian woman, which occurred on the night of July 19 to 20. The woman sought refuge in a café in the 18th arrondissement. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has stated that while the investigation is a matter for the police, he is closely monitoring developments. Darmanin has also issued a handwritten letter to all police officers, gendarmes, firefighters, emergency service personnel and intelligence agents, acknowledging the difficulty of their task. “The eyes of the world will be fixed on you," Darmanin wrote. "Your task will not be easy", urging them after four years of intense presentation to “present the most beautiful face of France”. The French authorities have deployed 35,000 police and gendarmes, with plans to increase this number to 45,000 for the opening ceremony. Additionally, 18,000 soldiers are on standby to counter potential threats, with an Islamist terror attack being the primary concern for organisers. As preparations continue, authorities are under immense pressure to safeguard the Games and mitigate the risks posed by criminal activities and potential terrorist threats. The world will be watching as Paris strives to balance the celebration of athletic achievement with the paramount need for security. Image: <span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Richard Ellis/UPI/Shutterstock Editorial

Travel Trouble

Heading to Bali or somewhere tropical these holidays? Here’s what you need to know about dengue fever

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-webb-6736">Cameron Webb</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> If you’re looking to escape the Australian winter for your next holiday, don’t forget where there’s warmth, there will also be mosquitoes. In turn, tropical destinations can be hot spots of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. In fact, Australian health authorities have warned travellers to Bali <a href="https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2024/May/Dengue-fever-warning-for-Western-Australian-travellers">to be aware</a> of the risk of dengue, with cases surging in the region. So here’s how to protect yourself and your family on holidays. <h2>What is dengue?</h2> <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue">Dengue virus infection</a> (commonly known as dengue fever, or just dengue) is caused by viruses spread by the bite of a mosquito. The mosquito species that typically transmit dengue are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. There are four strains of dengue virus. Each has the potential to cause illness that can range from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/signs-symptoms/index.html">mild to severe and potentially life threatening</a>. Symptoms <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/dengue.aspx">typically include</a> rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. People also often report abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. While infection with just one of these viruses can make you sick, subsequent exposure to other strains can have more <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-antibodies-and-why-are-viruses-like-dengue-worse-the-second-time-68227">serious health implications</a>. In these cases, symptoms can also include the presence of blood in vomit, bleeding gums and breathing difficulties. Dengue infection must be confirmed via a blood test, but there are <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dengue-fever">no specific treatments</a>. Most people will recover on their own however <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/treatment/index.html">staying hydrated is crucial</a> and pain relief can help with symptoms. If more severe illness occurs, seek urgent medical care. <h2>Are travellers at risk?</h2> The disease is now endemic in around 100 countries and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areas-with-risk/index.html">an estimated 4 billion people</a> are considered at risk. Asian countries represent <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue">around 70%</a> of the global disease burden. Even <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-paris-olympics-could-become-a-super-spreader-event-for-dengue-231853">Europe is at risk</a>. <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON498">One of the worst years</a> on record was 2023, but the burden of dengue continues to grow. In the first four months of 2024, Indonesia reported <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON518">three times as many cases</a> of dengue compared to the same period in 2023. Dengue is not a new risk to Australian travellers. Before COVID disrupted international travel, the number of Australians returning from tropical destinations with dengue <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/23692160">was steadily increasing</a>. For example, between 2010 and 2016, there was an average <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/3/1/9">annual increase of 22%</a> of travellers returning to Victoria with dengue. Almost half of these people contracted the illness in Indonesia. Bali is well documented as posing <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/25/1/tay061/5065180?login=false">a risk of dengue</a> to travellers. International travel restrictions due to COVID <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/31/2/taae014/7577676">abruptly stopped this trend</a>. But now Australians are again embracing international travel, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13303747/Worrying-reason-Aussie-travellers-Bali-coming-sick.html">cases are rising once more</a>. Bali isn’t the only destination with <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/06/30/dengue-puerto-rico-mosquito-climate-change/">a surge in dengue</a>, but we know it’s a popular holiday destination for Australian travellers. There’s little doubt plenty of families will be heading to Bali these school holidays. <h2>How about the risk in Australia?</h2> Not all mosquitoes can spread dengue viruses. This is why the risk is different in Bali and other tropical regions compared to Australia. Although there are more than 40 Australian mosquito species known or suspected to be transmitting local pathogens, such as <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005070">Ross River virus</a>, Australia is generally free of local dengue risk due to the limited spread of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. While Aedes aegypti is found in <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases/mosquito-borne/dengue/virus-fever">parts of Queensland</a>, thanks to interventions by the <a href="https://www.worldmosquitoprogram.org/en/global-progress/australia/cairns-and-surrounds">World Mosquito Program</a> and local authorities dengue risk is low. These interventions include the release of laboratory-bred mosquitoes that prevent mosquitoes in the environment <a href="https://www.worldmosquitoprogram.org/en/work/wolbachia-method">spreading viruses</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115309096">community education</a>. But <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-decades-away-dengue-returns-to-central-queensland-117821">local cases</a> occasionally occur. Aedes albopictus is not currently found <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-we-kept-disease-spreading-asian-tiger-mozzies-away-from-the-australian-mainland-72873">on the Australian mainland</a> but is present in the islands of the Torres Strait. A dengue outbreak <a href="https://www.torres-cape.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/further-cases-of-dengue-fever-on-mer">has occurred</a> there this year. <h2>Keep mozzies away during the day, not just at night</h2> While there is a vaccine available, it’s not recommended for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50471">short-term travellers</a>. There are <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-the-use-of-dengvaxiar-for-australians">strict eligibility criteria</a> for its use, so speak to a health professional for advice. For the majority of travellers, preventing mosquito bites is the only way to prevent disease. But there are differences in the behaviour of dengue mosquitoes that mean the normal measures to avoid mosquito bites may not be as effective. During the Australian summer, mosquitoes found in local wetlands can be <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-worst-year-for-mosquitoes-ever-heres-how-we-find-out-68433">incredibly abundant</a>. We tend to need to reach for the repellent and cover up to stop bites as soon as the sun starts going down. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010818">can aggressively bite people</a> but they’re not as abundant as the swarms of summer mosquitoes back home. They also bite during the day, not just at night. So for those travelling to Bali or other areas at risk of dengue, putting insect repellent on <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/global-dengue-fever-outbreaks">throughout the day</a> is recommended. <h2>What to pack for protection</h2> If you’re staying in a major resort, there’s likely to be a mosquito control program in place. This may include minimising available water for mosquito breeding in combination with insecticide use. Mosquitoes are also less likely to be an issue in air-conditioned accommodation. But if you’re planning to spend time out and about visiting local villages, markets, or in nature, it’s best to protect against bites. Light coloured and <a href="https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2024/May/Dengue-fever-warning-for-Western-Australian-travellers">loose fitting clothing</a> will help stop mosquito bites (and help keep you cool). Covered shoes can help too – dengue mosquitoes <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/02/22/465594861/why-zika-spreading-mosquitoes-love-ankles">love smelly feet</a>. Finally, it’s best to take some insect repellent with you. There may not be any available at your destination, and formulations on sale might not have been through the same thorough testing as products <a href="https://www.apvma.gov.au/">approved in Australia</a>.<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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233670/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-webb-6736">Cameron Webb</a>, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/heading-to-bali-or-somewhere-tropical-these-holidays-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever-233670">original article</a>. </div>

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Heading to Bali or somewhere tropical these holidays? Here’s what you need to know about dengue fever

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