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"Carbon copy": Lleyton Hewitt's son wins Wimbledon debut

<p>In a heartwarming echo of history, 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt – son of 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt – made a dream debut at the All England Club on Sunday, storming into the second round of the boys' competition with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Russia’s Savva Rybkin.</p> <p>With his famous father watching from the stands, Cruz channeled classic Hewitt energy, complete with the iconic backwards cap, as he dismantled his opponent in just 51 minutes. Lleyton, now a veteran of the game and ever-supportive parent, beamed with pride and pumped his fist from the sidelines as his son put on a dazzling display.</p> <p>The victory marked a strong return for the young Aussie, who crashed out in the first round of the juniors at the French Open in May but clearly found his rhythm on the famed grass courts of Wimbledon. Breaking Rybkin twice in the opening set and racking up 26 winners overall, Cruz delivered a performance that would have made any tennis parent proud, especially one with a Wimbledon title to his name.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Cruz showed promise with a solid second-round appearance in the Australian Open juniors and even took a swing at qualifying for the men’s main draw, facing off against seasoned pro Nikoloz Basilashvili. Off-court, he found himself briefly caught in a lighthearted social media stir after a training session with Jannik Sinner, drawing playful jabs from family friend Nick Kyrgios – quickly clarified as just banter between mates.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLxC_7qtSZR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLxC_7qtSZR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tennis Australia (@tennisaustralia)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Currently ranked 827th on the ATP Tour and gaining momentum on the ITF circuit, Cruz recently made a run to the final of the M25 ITF event in Launceston, falling just short against fellow Aussie Jason Kubler. But with Sunday’s Wimbledon debut, he’s taken another confident step toward building a name of his own.</p> <p>As the Hewitt legacy continues on Centre Court’s doorstep, one thing’s clear – Cruz is not just following in his father’s footsteps; he’s carving a promising path of his own.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / Tennis Australia</em></p>

Family & Pets

Australia's worst drivers caught on camera

<p>Western Australia's drivers have made headlines – and not the good kind – with police left shaking their heads and muttering “mind-boggling” after a high-tech camera trial captured more than 130,000 road offences in just six months.</p> <p>The cameras, rolled out across hotspots since January 26, have been snapping everything from missing seatbelts to mobile phone acrobatics, with one driver managing the feat of being caught <em>81 times</em>. </p> <p>Police Minister Reece Whitby laid out the astonishing numbers in WA Parliament on Tuesday, describing the evidence as “quite astonishing” and the rate of offending as “astounding”. “I cannot believe that one driver has been caught offending 81 times,” he said, no doubt wondering if that driver even knows what a road rule is.</p> <p>In total, the AI-powered cameras – apparently more observant than some humans – spotted 50,000 people misusing seatbelts, and 75,000 using phones illegally. That’s 800 offences every single day. Makes you nostalgic for the days when traffic violations were rare enough to make dinner conversation.</p> <p>Among the greatest hits caught on camera:</p> <ul> <li>A driver simultaneously drinking beer and using a mobile phone, while forgoing the inconvenience of a seatbelt.</li> <li>A motorist smoking a glass pipe (yes, <em>that</em> kind).</li> <li>Someone literally holding a child while driving.</li> <li>A P-plater outsourcing steering duties to their passenger.</li> <li>And a personal favourite: a driver cruising with their leg casually resting on the dashboard. Perhaps auditioning for <em>Australia’s Got Lazy Limbs</em>?</li> </ul> <p>“These cameras are the most advanced in the country,” Whitby said, showing off images of offenders mid-disaster. “They capture multiple offending within the cabin of the vehicle.” Unfortunately, they can’t yet capture common sense.</p> <p>The Road Safety Commission backed the rollout, noting other states had seen massive behavioural shifts after similar tech went live. “Queensland saw nearly a 75 per cent drop-off in the first months after it introduced similar cameras,” said Commissioner Adrian Warner. “We are hopeful… there will be a significant shift in behaviour.”</p> <p>One could argue that shift should probably start before you're caught 50 times.</p> <p>For now, the cameras are still in “trial mode”, meaning over 44,000 caution letters have been issued instead of fines. But come October, the real fun begins – and by fun, we mean fines. A lot of them.</p> <p>“If this continues at the rate we’ve seen, we are going to see revenue roll in like we’ve never seen it before,” Whitby warned, “and I’ll be gladly spending it on more safety measures.”</p> <p>Translation: keep it up, and we’ll have gold-plated speed bumps and diamond-studded seatbelt reminders in no time.</p> <p>So buckle up (correctly), put the phone down, and maybe – just maybe – don’t smoke anything while driving. WA’s new cameras are watching, and frankly, they’ve seen enough.</p> <p><em>Images: WA Govt / Road Safety Commission</em></p>

Legal

Should Australia scrap superannuation? Experts clash in heated debate

<p>Australia’s superannuation system has come under intense scrutiny after two financial experts clashed in a fiery debate on SBS’s <em>Insight</em>, with one economist declaring the system should be dismantled entirely – and the other branding that idea “insane”.</p> <p>The central question – should Australia’s superannuation system be scrapped? – sparked impassioned responses from both Cameron Murray, chief economist at Fresh Economic Thinking, and Andy Darroch, independent financial adviser and director at Independent Wealth Advice.</p> <p>Dr Murray argued the system is fundamentally flawed and does more harm than good, claiming it primarily benefits the wealthiest Australians while failing to assist the poor or the already rich.</p> <p>“It’s skewed to the people who would never be on the age pension and would be independently wealthy at retirement age anyway,” he told the program.</p> <p><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/superannuation/call-to-scrap-australias-superannuation-system-sparks-heated-debate/news-story/ab56297c9ce2f43d9cb5808ab8593084" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking to news.com.au after the broadcast</a>, Dr Murray pointed to major inefficiencies in the current setup, calling super an “unnecessary industry” that drains national talent and resources.</p> <p>He also raised concerns about accessibility, noting that one in seven men die before ever touching their super savings.</p> <p>“Super doesn’t help the poor, who generally will still need to rely on the pension. It doesn’t help the rich, as they have enough wealth to support themselves,” Dr Murray said.</p> <p>“It only increases the retirement income of the middle by making them poorer when they are young and poor with a family to support, so they can be richer when they are old and rich with no one to support.”</p> <p>Dr Murray proposed a radical alternative: abolish compulsory super entirely and allow Australians to access that money during their working lives. He suggested a phased transition, with capped annual withdrawals and eventual conversion of super funds into non-tax-advantaged investment accounts.</p> <p>In stark contrast, Mr Darroch defended the system as one of Australia’s greatest economic achievements. “You would have to be insane to want to get rid of it,” he said on <em>Insight</em>, calling Australia’s super setup the “envy of the world”.</p> <p>He said scrapping it would be “the single most destructive thing you could do to middle class Australians” and warned it could plunge a third of the population into poverty during retirement.</p> <p>“I think Australia is the only country on Earth that you can have a nurse and a diesel fitter get to age 65 with close to a million dollars in super,” he said.</p> <p>Mr Darroch also pushed back against arguments that superannuation could or should be used to address issues like housing affordability or the cost of living.</p> <p>“Understandably, people see their superannuation balance and have a desire to use it to assist with housing,” he said, “but superannuation can’t and won’t fix housing. Any of the suggestions won’t even move the dial.”</p> <p>Worse still, he warned, using super to fund home ownership or ease short-term cost-of-living pressures would ultimately “create systemic issues with poverty in retirement”.</p> <p>As for Dr Murray, he believes that without super, most Australians would still save voluntarily and fall back on the age pension if needed – an existing system he says already keeps older Australians out of poverty.</p> <p>“The age pension is the safety net,” he said. “We can quibble about its adequacy, but we should do it in the context of all welfare payments.”</p> <p>With the future of superannuation now firmly back in the spotlight, it’s clear that while the system may need reform, whether to overhaul – or outright abolish – it remains a fiercely divisive question.</p> <p><em>Images: SBS</em></p>

Retirement Income

Could this be Australia's worst roundabout?

<p>A Sydney suburb is making headlines for a traffic feature so confusing, it’s giving GPS systems an existential crisis and forcing drivers into interpretive dance routines with their steering wheels.</p> <p>Residents of Austral have been left bewildered by a diamond-shaped roundabout that’s turning an ordinary intersection into a high-stakes game of vehicular Twister. It’s not clear who approved this geometric oddity, but what is clear is that nobody can drive around it without looking like they’re auditioning for <em>Fast & Furious: Suburban Drift</em>.</p> <p>Liverpool City Councillor Peter Ristevski, who seems to have drawn the short straw as the face of this fiasco, confirmed to <em>Today</em> that he's requested an official investigation into the design decision.</p> <p>"My inbox last night was bombarded with over 300 responses asking, 'what is going on? You guys can't even build a roundabout,'" <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/diamond-roundabout-liverpool-council-design-flaw-labelled-embarrassing/960c2e76-d1b4-4425-a184-0000fde9c7ed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peter told <em>Today</em></a>, possibly while rubbing his temples and Googling “how to disappear”.</p> <p>Local drivers have reportedly been attempting three-point turns, four-point turns, and even something resembling modern dance to navigate the angular nightmare, before giving up and just driving over it – a choice that, while technically illegal, is increasingly viewed as emotionally valid.</p> <p><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/diamond-roundabout-liverpool-council-design-flaw-labelled-embarrassing/960c2e76-d1b4-4425-a184-0000fde9c7ed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aerial footage revealed</a> there was, in fact, enough room for a traditional roundabout, leading many to question how this avant-garde concrete rhombus got approved in the first place. Was it modern art? A prank? A failed Illuminati summoning circle?</p> <p>Peter Ristevski didn’t have the answers. “It’s quite embarrassing,” he admitted. “I’m in Canberra for the Australian Local Government Conference, where I’ve had every single councillor here in Australia rip into me about this roundabout.”</p> <p>Yes, while the rest of the country’s councillors are exchanging ideas about sustainability and infrastructure, Peter is fending off jokes like “Hey mate, did Picasso design that thing for you?”</p> <p>Peter also revealed he didn’t know how much the roundabout cost to install, which is fair – the true cost may be measured in dented bumpers, strained marriages and a sharp uptick in meditation app downloads.</p> <p>“It’s a pretty good reflection of where things are at with council, but ratepayers are paying for it all and they’re going to have to pay for this to be rectified because it’s an absolute joke looking at it,” <em>Today</em> host Karl Stefanovic pointed out with the grim amusement of a man watching a train crash in slow motion.</p> <p>Local authorities have yet to announce how or when the diamond disaster will be fixed, but residents are hoping for something a little more traditional – perhaps even... round. Until then, drivers in Austral are advised to keep calm, steer cautiously and maybe bring a compass.</p> <p><em>Images: Today show</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Brrrrr! Australia's coldest town revealed

<p>Australia is in the grip of an icy blast as temperatures plummet across large parts of the country, with the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year – just around the corner.</p> <p>On Friday morning, widespread frost coated much of New South Wales, Victoria and even parts of Queensland. A combination of cold air and clear skies pushed temperatures below zero, with some areas recording their coldest morning in two years.</p> <p>“This is definitely the lowest temperatures that we’ve seen this year [for some],” Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-20/australias-coldest-towns-as-winter-weather-brings-frost/105433446" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ABC News</a>. “But that makes sense as we’ve moved into the beginning of winter, and typically that sort of June, July period is the coldest for most parts of Australia.”</p> <p>But which town can truly claim the crown as Australia’s coldest? The very question was put to the BOM’s climate team, and the stats reveal two chilly champions – depending on how you measure it.</p> <p><strong>Cooma: Coldest Nights</strong></p> <p>When it comes to overnight minimum temperatures, Cooma in southern New South Wales takes top honours. Nestled at 800 metres elevation in the Snowy Mountains region, Cooma averages a frosty -2.6°C on July nights, with the airport recording a similar -2°C. This week, Cooma lived up to its reputation, shivering through -7°C on Thursday and a bone-chilling -8.5°C on Friday morning.</p> <p>“Anything elevated is going to be cooler because the temperature does decrease with height,” Ms Bradbury explained. “So Cooma, because it’s got that little bit of elevation, generally sees a cooler climate than some of those lower-lying areas.”</p> <p>Honourable mention goes to Walcha in the Northern Tablelands, where July nights average a brisk -2.2°C.</p> <p><strong>Oberon: Coldest Days</strong></p> <p>If daytime chill is the measure, Oberon in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales takes the title. Even in the middle of the day, July temperatures in Oberon barely reach between 8.1°C and 8.8°C on average. Throw in a bit of wind chill, and it feels colder still.</p> <p>“When it’s windier, it feels colder,” Ms Bradbury said. “When it’s more humid or the dew point temperature is higher, it tends to feel warmer.”</p> <p>In fact, both Oberon and Cooma are tied for coldest town when you look at average temperatures overall – no tie-breaker needed to know it’s freezing in both.</p> <p><strong>Record low for Australia... and beyond</strong></p> <p>While Cooma and Oberon claim the coldest town titles, the coldest temperature ever recorded in Australia was far more extreme. Charlotte Pass in the Snowy Mountains hit -23°C on June 29, 1994. On a global scale, Vostok Station in Antarctica holds the record low, plunging to a staggering -89.4°C on July 21, 1983.</p> <p>With the winter solstice upon us, Australians can expect a few more weeks of frosty mornings and icy days – and perhaps a few more records to fall before spring begins to thaw the chill.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Another Matildas star ties the knot in stunning island ceremony

<p>Love is well and truly in the air for the Matildas, with midfielder Katrina Gorry tying the knot with her long-time partner Clara Markstedt in a breathtaking beach wedding on Hamilton Island.</p> <p>Just days after teammate <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/absolutely-stunning-matildas-star-ties-the-knot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ellie Carpenter wed her partner Daniëlle van de Donk</a>, Gorry and Markstedt exchanged vows in front of about 70 guests, including Matildas teammates Charli Grant and Michelle Heyman. The couple kept the vibe relaxed and joyful, with guests dancing the night away under the stars.</p> <p>"We just wanted people to relax, have fun, and have a good time," Markstedt told <em>New Idea</em>.</p> <p>The pair’s children played special roles on the day. Gorry’s three-year-old daughter Harper was a proud flower girl, while their one-year-old son Koby watched on, with Markstedt adding, “We wanted Koby to be able to walk next to her, but he's a little late!”</p> <p>Both brides looked radiant in outfits by Melbourne designer Anna Campbell. Gorry chose a two-piece set featuring a cropped blouse and A-line skirt, while Markstedt stunned in a floral one-sleeved gown with a front slit.</p> <p>The couple, who met in 2021 when Gorry joined Swedish club Vittsjö GIK and became engaged in June 2023, said their “I dos” with the ocean as their backdrop – a perfect setting for their love story.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK4CM13yKgl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK4CM13yKgl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by New Idea Magazine (@newideamagazine)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Their wedding follows the recent celebration of Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, 25, who married Dutch football star Daniëlle van de Donk, 33, in France. Carpenter shared beautiful photos from the day with the caption, “I choose you. I will always choose you.”</p> <p>Both Carpenter and van de Donk wore stunning white gowns, with Carpenter in a strapless mermaid-style dress and long veil, and van de Donk opting for a princess gown with delicate lace detailing.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

What does Trump’s looming ‘revenge tax’ mean for Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The Australian Labor Party just won an <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-increases-majority-and-dutton-loses-seat-in-stunning-election-landslide-255616">election victory for the ages</a>. Now, it may be forced to walk back one of the key achievements of its first term.</p> <p>Here’s why: United States President Donald Trump is about to declare an income tax war on much of the world – and we Australians are not on the same side.</p> <p>Over in the US, the “<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text">One Big Beautiful Bill act</a>” – a tax and spending package worth trillions of dollars – has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/what-is-trump-big-beautiful-bill">passed</a> by the House of Representatives. It’s now before the Senate for consideration.</p> <p>Within it lies a new and highly controversial provision: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/30/taxes-section-899-big-beautiful-bill">Section 899</a>. This increases various US tax rates payable by taxpayers from any country the US claims is maintaining an “unfair foreign tax” by five percentage points each year, up to an additional 20% loading.</p> <p>Having been an integral part of an international effort to create a global 15% minimum tax, Australia now finds itself in the firing line of Trump’s “<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/revenge-tax-buried-deep-budget-213451951.html">revenge tax</a>” warfare – and it’s a fight we’re unlikely to win.</p> <h2>A global minimum tax rate</h2> <p>The origins of the looming income tax war <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2013/07/action-plan-on-base-erosion-and-profit-shifting_g1g30e67.html">started in 2013</a>, when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (<a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/about.html">OECD</a>) released its plan to stamp out “base erosion and profit shifting”.</p> <p>This refers to a range of strategies often used by multinational companies to minimise the tax they pay, exploiting differences and gaps in the tax rules of different countries.</p> <p>The OECD’s first attempt to tackle the problem was a collection of disparate measures directed not only at corporate tax avoidance, but also controlling tax poaching by national governments and “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/apr/29/sweetheart-tax-deals">sweetheart deals</a>” negotiated by tax officials.</p> <p>Under both Labor and the Coalition, Australia was initially an enthusiastic backer of these attempts.</p> <p>However, the project was not a widespread success. Many countries endorsed the final reports but, unlike Australia, few countries acted on them.</p> <p>After the failure of this first project, the OECD tried again in 2019. This evolved to encompass two “pillars” to change the global tax rules.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issues/cross-border-and-international-tax/pillar-one-amount-a-fact-sheet.pdf">Pillar one</a> would give more tax to countries where a company’s customers are located. <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/global-minimum-tax/global-anti-base-erosion-model-rules-pillar-two.html">Pillar two</a> is a minimum tax of 15% on (a version of) the accounting profits of the largest multinationals earned in each country where the multinational operates.</p> <p>Labor picked up this project for the 2022 election, <a href="https://jimchalmers.org/latest-news/media-releases/labor-s-plan-to-ensure-multinationals-pay-their-fair-share-of-tax/">promising</a> to support both pillars – and they honoured that promise.</p> <h2>Mixed success</h2> <p>Around the world, the two pillar project had mixed success. Pillar one was dead-on-arrival: most countries did nothing. But Australia and several other countries, mostly in Europe, implemented pillar two – the global minimum tax.</p> <p>The OECD has always maintained the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project was a coalition of the willing, meant to rebalance the way income tax is allocated between producer and consumer countries, and rid the world of tax havens.</p> <p>In the US, Republicans <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/yellen-us-negotiating-rd-tax-credit-part-global-tax-deal-2024-04-30/">did not share that view</a>. For them, BEPS was simply another attempt by foreign countries to get more tax from US companies.</p> <p>This Republican dissatisfaction with the OECD is now on full display. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/the-organization-for-economic-co-operation-and-development-oecd-global-tax-deal-global-tax-deal/">executive order</a>, formally repudiating any OECD commitments the Biden administration might have given.</p> <p>He also directed his officials to report on options for retaliatory measures the US could take against any foreign countries with income tax rules that are “extraterritorial” or “disproportionately affect American companies”.</p> <h2>Why Australia is so exposed</h2> <p>Australia could find itself in the firing line of Trump’s tax warfare on many fronts. And the US doesn’t lack firepower. Section 899 adds to a number of <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-90-year-old-tax-rule-trump-could-use-to-double-us-taxes-on-foreigners-248154">retaliatory tax provisions</a> the US already had at its disposal.</p> <p>The increased tax rates would affect Australian super funds and other investors earning dividends, rent, interest, royalties and other income from US companies. Australian super funds in particular are heavily invested in US markets, which have outperformed local stocks in recent years.</p> <p>It would also affect Australian managed funds owning land and infrastructure assets in the US, as well as Australian entities such as banks that carry on business in the US.</p> <p>And there are other measures that would expose US subsidiaries of Australian companies to US higher tax.</p> <p>The bill would even remove the doctrine of sovereign immunity for the governments of “offending” countries. <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/your-tax-return/if-you-disagree-with-an-ato-decision/object-to-a-decision/what-to-include-in-your-objection/supporting-information-to-provide/sovereign-immunity">Sovereign immunity</a> refers to a tax exemption on returns that usually applies to governments. This means the Australian government itself could have to pay tax to the US.</p> <p>There are <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/trump-revenge-tax-would-lower-foreign-investment-in-us-scorekeeper-predicts">concerns on Wall Street</a> this will dampen demand for US government bonds from foreign governments, which are big buyers of US Treasuries. The argument may sway some in the Senate – but how many remains to be seen.</p> <h2>What Australia may need to do next</h2> <p>We may be incredulous that anyone would consider our tax system combative, but enacting the OECD pillar two was always known to be risky.</p> <p>There are other, homegrown Australian tax measures that have drawn American ire.</p> <p>In 2015, Australia enacted an income tax measure (commonly called the “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/google-restructures-to-avoid-hefty-penalties-in-australia-as-tax-bill-hits-16-million-20160429-goi8fl.html">Google tax</a>”) specifically directed at US tech companies. In 2017, we followed this up with a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/international-tax-for-business/in-detail/doing-business-in-australia-or-overseas/diverted-profits-tax">diverted profits tax</a>. Trump’s bill specifically targets both measures.</p> <p>Tying ourselves to the OECD’s global minimum tax project might have seemed like a good idea in 2019. In 2025, it looks decidedly unappealing, and not just because of Trump.</p> <p>First, there is not actually any serious revenue in pillar two for Australia. Treasury’s <a href="https://archive.budget.gov.au/2023-24/bp2/download/bp2_2023-24.pdf">revenue estimate</a> totalled only $360 million after four years, just slightly more than a rounding error in the federal budget.</p> <p>Second, we are increasingly alone and vulnerable in this battle. It might feel emotionally satisfying to stand up to the US. If there was a sizeable coalition alongside us, there might be some point.</p> <p>If Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill act does pass through the US Senate, the Australian government and business will be left exposed to much higher costs.</p> <p>Since abandoning the US market is not really an option, it might be time to surrender quietly and gracefully – by reversing, at the very least, the contentious bits of pillar two.<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/257961/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/graeme-cooper-3215">Graeme Cooper</a>, Professor of Taxation Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>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/australia-is-in-the-firing-line-of-trumps-looming-revenge-tax-its-a-fight-were-unlikely-to-win-257961">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / <span style="font-family: 'Canva Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Roboto, -apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre;">Nataliya Vaitkevich</span></em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

"Love every minute of it’: heartbroken sister’s plea at vigil for Pheobe Bishop

<p>The Bundaberg community grieved together on Monday evening as they mourned the loss of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, a bright young life believed to have been tragically cut short.</p> <p>Hundreds gathered in Buss Park for a solemn vigil, the second in as many days, to honour the teenager whose suspected remains were found in dense scrubland near Gin Gin late last week – more than three weeks after she vanished.</p> <p>At the vigil, Pheobe’s older sister Kaylea delivered a tearful message that left many in the crowd wiping their eyes.</p> <p>“I want to tell everybody, as much as your siblings p*** you off and grind your gears – because God, they know how to do that – don’t take them for granted,” she said. “Love every minute of it.”</p> <p>Choking back tears, she added: “I would pay a million dollars to have her walk through the door and punch me on the arm. Don’t take it for granted. Just cherish it. Love the good and the bad. Worship it all. Capture the memories.”</p> <p>The vigil brought together community leaders, friends, family and strangers united by shared sorrow. Music chosen by Pheobe’s family played in the background as people placed candles, flowers and handwritten messages into glass jars.</p> <p>Mayor Helen Blackburn spoke on behalf of the city, reminding those gathered that the vigil was not just about mourning a young life lost, but celebrating how Pheobe had lived.</p> <p>“Her passing has left a silence we all feel deeply,” she said. “But in the midst of this sorrow, something beautiful has happened – we’ve come together, paused our busy lives, set aside our differences and stood side by side.”</p> <p>Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, spoke about the transformative role programs like the Y School and MAD Camp played in her daughter’s life. Both programs aim to support vulnerable teens by creating safe spaces and offering holistic, trauma-informed support. “She found purpose in those places,” Johnson said. “She would be proud that she got to travel the world without even leaving Australia. She’d be blown away by that support.”</p> <p>The memorial marked three-and-a-half weeks since Pheobe disappeared on her way to Bundaberg Airport, where she had been preparing to fly to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend on May 15. She never checked in for her flight, and a police search followed.</p> <p>On Friday afternoon, police discovered human remains believed to be hers in thick bushland within the Good Night Scrub National Park, about 50km west of Bundaberg. Formal identification has not yet been confirmed, and police say a complex forensic process is underway to determine the cause of death.</p> <p>Her phone and luggage remain missing.</p> <p>Two of Pheobe’s housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/housemates-charged-with-murder-of-missing-teen-pheobe-bishop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been charged with murder</a> and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Investigations are ongoing.</p> <p>As the community waits for answers, the vigils have become a quiet act of collective remembrance, and a reminder, as Kaylea said, to never take the ones we love for granted.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News / Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

"Truly blessed" Irwins celebrate 33 years of love, legacy and wildlife

<p>Australia’s beloved wildlife family is celebrating a milestone today, with Terri Irwin marking 33 years since she married the late Steve Irwin – the larger-than-life Crocodile Hunter who captured hearts across the globe.</p> <p>On June 4, 1992, Steve and Terri tied the knot in Terri’s grandmother’s church in Oregon. That day, Terri says, was the beginning of her “happily ever after”.</p> <p>Now, more than three decades on – and nearly 20 years since Steve’s tragic passing – the Irwin family continues to live and thrive in his memory, sharing love, adventure and a deep dedication to wildlife conservation.</p> <p>Terri took to Instagram to honour her wedding anniversary, sharing a heartfelt tribute to Steve. “Today, 33 years ago, Steve and I were married in my grandmother’s church in Oregon,” she wrote. “And it was the first day of my happily ever after.”</p> <p>While she admits she still wishes Steve were here, Terri said she wakes each day “with beautiful memories, so much love in my heart, and the promise of continuing his incredible legacy. I am truly blessed.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKdBcfpz_9p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKdBcfpz_9p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Terri Irwin (@terriirwincrikey)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Daughter Bindi shared her own tribute soon after, reposting her mother’s words and adding: “Happy anniversary to my beautiful mum and dad.” She called the pair “soulmates”.</p> <p>Bindi was just eight when her father died in 2006, and Robert, only two. But both children have grown into strong voices for conservation, public figures in their own right, and torchbearers of their dad’s legacy.</p> <p>The family has also grown, with Bindi marrying husband Chandler Powell and welcoming daughter Grace Warrior – making Terri a grandmother, and Steve a granddad in spirit.</p> <p>Reflecting on the past month, which included both joyful and challenging moments, Bindi shared a touching update this morning with photos from family travels and her recent hospital stay.</p> <p>“‘I love you’ will never be enough for my family,” she wrote. Her post included sweet snaps from a Disneyland trip, quiet family moments, and scenes from her recovery following surgery.</p> <p>Terri commented lovingly on the post: “We are truly blessed”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKc9d58zD2l/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKc9d58zD2l/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Meet the young princess and future queen who's moving to Australia

<p>In a delightful development that has captivated royal watchers and Australians alike, Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandra is preparing to start an exciting new chapter – right here in Australia. (Sydney, to be more precise!)</p> <p>The 21-year-old royal, who is second in line to the Norwegian throne, will soon trade Oslo’s snowy landscapes for Sydney’s sunny shores as she embarks on full-time university study. The Royal House of Norway confirmed that the princess will begin a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Sydney this August, with a focus on international relations and political economy.</p> <p>Adding a touch of tradition to this modern tale, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will be living on campus at the prestigious St Andrew's College. In a warm message to students, the college principal, Dr Daniel Tyler, encouraged the community to respect the princess’s privacy as she settles into campus life.</p> <p>While the Norwegian royal family may be lesser-known in Australia compared to their British or Danish counterparts, that’s expected to change quickly. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Ingrid’s mother, also has ties to Australia, having studied at Wangaratta High School in Victoria as a teenager. Now, it’s her daughter’s turn to embrace life Down Under.</p> <p>Born in Oslo in 2004, Princess Ingrid Alexandra is poised to make history as Norway's first queen regnant in over 600 years. Her grandfather, King Harald V, currently holds the throne as Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at 88. Ingrid is the eldest child of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and has a younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus.</p> <p>Far from a traditional royal upbringing, Princess Ingrid has forged a path that blends duty, discipline and adventure. Just this April, she completed 15 months of military service, earning respect as an engineer soldier and rifleman with the Norwegian Army's Brigade North. “You are much stronger together,” she told Norwegian media of the experience. “Without [my team], I would not have enjoyed myself as much here.”</p> <p>Ingrid’s move to Australia will pause her official royal duties for up to three years, though she is expected to return home during breaks. She has only recently begun taking on regular public roles, including a landmark appearance at a state banquet earlier this year and joining her family on the royal palace balcony to celebrate Norway’s National Day.</p> <p>Passionate about the environment and global affairs from a young age, Princess Ingrid’s academic focus aligns with her growing commitment to public service. She began official engagements as a child, attending World Environment Day at just five years old, and by age 11 she had already christened a rescue vessel for the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue.</p> <p>And she’s not just a scholar or a soldier – she's also a sports fan. A talented surfer, Ingrid was named Norway’s junior surfing champion in 2020. She’s also an avid skier and kickboxer, embodying a refreshingly modern image of royalty.</p> <p>With a surfboard possibly in one hand and a textbook in the other, Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s time in Sydney promises to be a uniquely royal adventure – and Australia will be watching with warm anticipation.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

International Travel

Bubsie rides again: A century-old journey retraced across Australia

<p>A century ago, a humble 5-horsepower car named "Bubsie" made history by becoming the first motor vehicle to circumnavigate the Australian continent. Now, a century later, its spirit roars back to life as a devoted team of enthusiasts prepares to retrace its entire 17,500km journey – in a painstakingly restored replica of the original 1923 Citroën 5CV.</p> <p>The year was 1925. With little more than swags, spare tyres and unwavering faith, 22-year-old Seventh-day Adventist missionary Nevill Westwood and his friend Greg Davies set off from Perth in a tiny yellow car. They had a simple mission: deliver literature to the remote outback. What they accomplished was far more profound: a trailblazing voyage across Australia, at a time when roads were scarce and courage was the only constant.</p> <p>Through flooded riverbeds, makeshift tracks and across the sun-scorched Nullarbor, the young men pressed on. With knees jammed beneath the steering wheel, they bounced across the nation in what Westwood affectionately dubbed "Bubsie". The 5CV was small, simple and entirely unsuited for such a grand expedition – yet it carried them across six states, through monsoonal downpours and desolate plains, forging a path for motoring history.</p> <p>Now, exactly 100 years since that audacious journey, a new crew is preparing to retrace their route in a meticulously restored 1923 Citroën 5CV. The project, dubbed <a href="https://rightaroundaustralia.tij.tv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Around Australia</a>, is led by the faith-based media group The Incredible Journey and has brought together passionate motoring enthusiasts from across the country.</p> <p>Warren May, a car restorer from Western Australia, joined the project in mid-2023 and quickly immersed himself in the mammoth task of rebuilding a vehicle worthy of the original Bubsie. After months of searching, the team found the perfect base: a rare 1923 Citroën 5CV owned by collector Paul Smyth.</p> <p>"It was 102 years old – and in rough shape," Mr May <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-18/bubsie-citroen-circumnavigation-1925-retraced-in-2025/105257744" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the ABC</a>. “We had to fabricate a lot of new panels because it was just so old.” The motor, miraculously, was still in good shape. But the bodywork was another story.</p> <p>What followed was a year-long restoration odyssey, with over 1,000 hours of labour, rust cut away and replaced, and every nut and bolt sandblasted and repainted. With the help of friends Colin Gibbs and Graham Tyler, the team brought the little French car back to life – ready to relive one of Australia’s great adventures.</p> <p>The replica has been touring Australia since early 2025, and this June, it will officially begin retracing Bubsie’s route. Starting from Bickley, Western Australia – where Westwood once lived – the car will travel thousands of kilometres, mostly by trailer but driving short stretches through regional towns and historic locations.</p> <p>“It’s about commemorating the courage and determination of those early explorers,” said event organiser Kevin Amos. “Nevill and Greg didn’t have highways. Sometimes they had no roads at all. They literally bush-bashed their way across the country.”</p> <p>Indeed, from the Kimberley to Mount Isa, their journey was defined by improvisation and grit. When they came to the Fitzroy River in northern WA, locals rigged a pulley system to carry Bubsie across. In the Northern Territory, they slid through mud and monsoon rains. They stopped to help others – including a stranded trio near the Nullarbor, who were out of water and near death. Westwood gave them water, fixed their car, and saved their lives.</p> <p>For the modern team, this centennial journey isn’t just about honouring history – it’s about reliving a story of quiet faith and mateship.</p> <p>Dr Laura Cook, curator at the National Museum of Australia where the original Bubsie now rests, said Westwood’s photographs and letters provide a vivid, almost daily account of the 1925 expedition. “His story is more than just a motoring milestone,” she said. “It captures the spirit of a generation who dared to push boundaries. These weren’t professional drivers – they were people of vision and courage.”</p> <p>By December 1925, after six gruelling months, Westwood rolled back into Perth – completing the first full circumnavigation of Australia by car. His companion Greg had returned home early to resume nursing studies, but Westwood pressed on alone. When he returned from overseas the next year, he tracked Bubsie down (it had been sold) and bought it back.</p> <p>Today, Bubsie is more than a car. It’s a symbol of Australia’s pioneering spirit. And as its modern twin prepares to hit the road once more, that legacy rolls forward – not in horsepower, but in heart. So keep an eye out for Bubsie's twin as it rolls through your town, and history comes alive.</p> <p><em>Images: National Museum of Australia / Right Around Australia</em> </p>

Domestic Travel

It’s almost winter. Why is Australia still so hot?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>This year, for many Australians, it feels like summer never left. The sunny days and warm nights have continued well into autumn. Even now, in May, it’s still unusually warm.</p> <p>Much of the southern half of the continent is experiencing both unseasonable warmth and dry conditions. This is linked to persistent high atmospheric pressure (called “blocking”) to the south and southeast of Australia.</p> <p>While temperatures will fall across southern Australia as we approach the winter solstice, early indications are that this winter will be a warm one. Rainfall predictions are less certain.</p> <p>The extra warmth we’ve experienced raises obvious questions about the influence of human-caused climate change. The warming signal is clear and it’s a sign of things to come.</p> <h2>A warm and dry autumn for many</h2> <p><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp?colour=colour&time=latest&step=1&map=meananom&period=month&area=nat">March</a> and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp?colour=colour&time=latest&step=0&map=meananom&period=month&area=nat">April</a> brought unseasonal heat to much of Australia.</p> <p>March was widely hot, with temperatures several degrees above normal across much of the country. But April’s heat was largely restricted to the southeast.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666591/original/file-20250507-68-vjvcb5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Graph of rising Australian-average temperatures in March from 1900-2025" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Australia had its hottest March on record and the heat has continued, especially in Victoria and parts of New South Wales.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/timeseries.cgi?graph=tmean&area=aus&season=03&ave_yr=0&ave_period=6190">Bureau of Meteorology</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Victoria had its <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/timeseries.cgi?graph=tmean&area=vic&season=04&ave_yr=0&ave_period=6190">warmest April</a> on record, and parts of the state experienced temperatures more than 3°C above normal across both March and April.</p> <p>Temperatures normally fall quite quickly over the southeast of Australia during April and May as the days shorten and the continent’s interior cools. But this year, southern Australia was unusually warm at the start of May. Some locations experienced days with maximum temperatures more than 10°C above normal for the time of year.</p> <p>Records were broken in <a href="https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/weather/hobart-parts-of-melbourne-sweat-through-hottest-may-night-on-record-as-warm-windy-weather-sweeps-across-australias-southeast/news-story/8b1c76fc40c7a84842a5aaf6a57eb038">Hobart</a> and <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/jane-bunn-weather-tuesdays-balmy-morning-in-melbourne-was-just-shy-of-all-time-record-c-18600201">parts of Melbourne</a>, which had their warmest May nights since observations began.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=518&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=518&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/666592/original/file-20250507-62-nf86bk.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=518&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="GIF of Australian daily maximum temperature anomalies for 1st to 6th May" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The start of May saw daytime maximum temperatures across much of Australia well above average for the time of year.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp?colour=colour&time=history%2Fnat%2F2025050520250505&step=0&map=maxanom&period=daily&area=nat">Bureau of Meteorology</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>While Queensland and the New South Wales coast have had very wet spells, including downpours from Tropical Cyclone Alfred at the start of March, other parts of Australia have been quite dry.</p> <p>The area between Adelaide and Melbourne has been exceptionally dry. <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/maps/rainfall/?variable=rainfall&map=drought&period=3month&region=nat&year=2025&month=04&day=30">A drought is unfolding</a> in the region after a <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/maps/rainfall/?variable=rainfall&map=drought&period=12month&region=nat&year=2025&month=04&day=30">severe lack of rainfall</a>, with deficits stretching back over the past year or so. Western Tasmania is also suffering from a severe lack of rainfall since the start of autumn, although welcome rain fell in the past week.</p> <p>And it’s not just on land that unusual heat has been observed. The seas around Australia have been warmer than normal, causing severe coral bleaching to <a href="https://theconversation.com/synchronised-bleaching-ningaloo-and-the-great-barrier-reef-are-bleaching-in-unison-for-the-first-time-252906">the west and east</a> of the continent, <a href="https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/water_quality/harmful-algal-blooms">harmful algal blooms</a> and other ecosystem disruptions.</p> <h2>Blocking highs largely to blame</h2> <p>A high pressure system has dominated over the south and southeast of Australia over the past few months.</p> <p>High pressure in the Tasman Sea can sometimes get stuck there for a few days. This leads to what’s known as “blocking”, when the usual passage of weather systems moving from west to east is obstructed. This can lock in weather patterns for several days or even a week.</p> <p>Repeated blocking occurred this autumn. As winds move anticlockwise around high pressure systems in the Southern Hemisphere, blocking highs in the Tasman Sea can bring moist, onshore winds to the New South Wales and Queensland coasts, increasing rainfall. But such high pressure systems also bring drier conditions for the interior of the southeast and much of Victoria and South Australia.</p> <p>Often, these high pressure systems also bring northerly winds to Victoria, and this can cause warmer conditions across much of the state.</p> <p>High pressure systems also tend to bring more clear and sunny conditions, which increases daytime temperatures in particular. Air in high pressure systems moves down towards the surface and this process causes warming, too.</p> <p>Australia sits between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and is subject to their variability, so we often look there to help explain what’s happening with Australia’s climate. In autumn though, our climate influences, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole, are less active and have weaker relationships with Australian climate than at other times of year. Neither of these climate influences is <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/influences">in a strong phase</a> at the moment.</p> <h2>A warm winter on the cards</h2> <p>One big question is how long the heat will last. In parts of southeast Australia, including <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=086071&p_prim_element_index=0&p_display_type=statGraph&period_of_avg=ALL&normals_years=allYearOfData&staticPage=">Melbourne</a>, average temperatures drop quickly at this time of year as we approach the winter solstice.</p> <p>However, the seasonal outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology points to a high likelihood of a relatively <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/temperature/maximum/median/seasonal/0">warm winter</a>.</p> <p>Australians rarely escape having a winter without any significant cold spells, but the long-range forecast suggests we should anticipate above-normal temperatures on average. Both daytime maximum temperatures and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to be above average generally this winter.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y5NIa7X2H-s?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Climate and water long-range forecast, issued 1 May 2025 (Bureau of Meteorology)</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Global warming is here</h2> <p>The elephant in the room is climate change. Human-caused climate change is increasing autumn temperatures and the frequency of late season heat events. As greenhouse gas emissions continue at a <a href="https://theconversation.com/global-carbon-emissions-inch-upwards-in-2024-despite-progress-on-evs-renewables-and-deforestation-243133">record pace</a>, expect continued warming and a greater chance of autumn heatwaves in future.</p> <p>The effect of climate change on rainfall is less clear though. For the vast majority of Australia, there is <a href="https://interactive-atlas.ipcc.ch/regional-information">high uncertainty</a> as to whether autumn will become wetter or drier as the world warms.<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/256071/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126">Andrew King</a>, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>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/its-almost-winter-why-is-australia-still-so-hot-256071">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

"Two of our finest men lost to the sport we love": Tragedy strikes at BSB

<p>A devastating multi-bike crash during the opening lap of the British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park has claimed the lives of two riders and left several others injured, casting a dark shadow over the start of the 2025 racing season.</p> <p>The incident, described as a "catastrophic" chain-reaction crash involving 11 motorcycles, occurred at the exit of the first turn during Monday’s season-opening feature race. The race, which was being broadcast live on television and served as a support event for the top-tier Superbike Championship, was immediately red-flagged and later abandoned.</p> <p>British rider Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, a 29-year-old father of two from New Zealand, were both tragically killed in the collision. Organisers confirmed Jenner succumbed to a catastrophic head injury despite emergency treatment at the track and further resuscitation at the circuit medical centre. Richardson was initially stabilised at the scene but passed away en route to Royal Stoke University Hospital from severe chest trauma.</p> <p>The crash also left veteran racer Tom Tunstall, 47, hospitalised with serious back and abdominal injuries. He remains under medical care.</p> <p>Several other riders suffered injuries in the incident, with Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes, and Morgan McLaren-Wood sustaining minor harm. Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker and George Edwards escaped without injury.</p> <p>In an official statement, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board (MCRCB) and MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) confirmed that an investigation into the full circumstances of the accident is underway in collaboration with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.</p> <p>Richardson, who proudly raced with the New Zealand flag on his No. 28 Suzuki and finished ninth in last year’s championship, had just placed 11th in Sunday’s opening race. His passing marks another tragic blow to New Zealand motorsport, following the death of fellow Kiwi Damon Rees two years ago.</p> <p>Australian reigning Supersport champion Ben Currie, who narrowly avoided the crash, expressed his heartbreak: “Hard to put into words what happened today. Gutted for everyone involved. Two of our finest men lost to the sport we love. Thoughts are with all that are involved. RIP boys.”</p> <p>Fellow rider Freddie Barnes, writing from hospital, echoed the grief of the paddock: “My condolences go out to Owen and Shane’s family and friends. I’m absolutely devastated… ride on in paradise boys.”</p> <p>The emotional toll of the incident was evident as tributes poured in across the motorsport community.</p> <p>Racer TJ Toms wrote: “Two lads I feel absolutely privileged to call mates… My heart, love and thoughts go out to OJ’s family and to Hanna and Shane’s little family. Thank you for all our memories boys.”</p> <p>Joe Sheldon-Shaw added: “Had some great races with both these lads, and a lot of laughs off the track with OJ. Heartbreaking day today… The paddock won’t be the same without them.”</p> <p>Despite the tragedy, the Supersport Championship is set to resume in two weeks at Donington Park. As the racing world mourns, it does so with heavy hearts, united in grief and remembrance of two riders lost far too soon.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Major change to drivers licences across Australia

<p>Thousands of permanent residents across Australia may soon be driving illegally unless they take urgent action to update their licences, as a major change to driving regulations comes into effect this week.</p> <p>From Wednesday April 30, most states and territories will scrap the Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) program, a scheme that previously allowed permanent residents to convert their overseas licences to Australian ones without retaking a driving test. Under the new rules, many international drivers will now be required to pass a local driving exam to continue driving legally.</p> <p>This shift affects licence holders from a wide range of countries, including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, South Korea, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Taiwan.</p> <p>Permanent residents from these countries will now need to book and pass both the theory and practical components of the Australian driving test if they wish to maintain legal driving status.</p> <p>However, the rules are different for temporary residents, who will still be permitted to drive using their overseas licences.</p> <p>The changes will be implemented across all states and territories on April 30, with a few exceptions. Queensland will enforce the new requirements later in the year, while New South Wales and Western Australia will delay implementation until October 31.</p> <p>Officials say the change is intended to align road safety standards nationwide and ensure all drivers meet consistent local requirements.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

Australia has the highest gambling losses in the world. Is it time for mandatory limits?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">Gambling prevalence studies provide a snapshot of gambling behaviour, problems and harm in our communities. They are typically conducted about every five years.</p> <p>In some Australian states and territories, four or five have been conducted over the past 20 or so years. These have provided a snapshot into how gambling has changed – and how it has not.</p> <p>So, how has gambling in Australia changed in the past two decades or so, and where may we be heading?</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia has the highest gambling losses in the world.<br />Australia should: <br />🚫 Ban gambling ads<br />🎰 Introduce loss limits on pokies and online gambling<br />📉 Progressively cut the number of pokies in each state</p> <p>Our new report shows how governments should prevent gambling harm.… <a href="https://t.co/7U3IgzOLSp">pic.twitter.com/7U3IgzOLSp</a></p> <p>— Grattan Institute (@GrattanInst) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrattanInst/status/1831297414080176469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <h2>The intensification of gambling</h2> <p>In 1997-98, the Productivity Commission found <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/gambling/report/summary.pdf">about 82% of Australians</a> had gambled in the previous 12 months.</p> <p>Almost all further prevalence studies show the proportion of adults gambling has declined substantially over time.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">2024 NSW prevalence survey</a>, for example, found 54% reported gambling in the previous 12 months, down from 69% in 2006.</p> <p>While fewer people are gambling, the proportion of people experiencing problems has not changed much, <a href="https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/statistics/theme/society/gambling/australian-gambling-statistics">nor has gambling turnover</a>.</p> <p>In some states, gambling turnover has increased, even when you take inflation into account.</p> <p>So while a smaller proportion of people are gambling, those who do gamble are doing so more frequently, and spend more money – a phenomenon we have described as the “intensification” of the industry.</p> <p>As figures from the Grattan Institute show, the vast majority of gambling spend comes from a very small proportion of people who gamble.</p> <p><iframe id="Z6EYJ" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Z6EYJ/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h2>What’s the problem?</h2> <p>Typically, the focus in gambling studies has been on “problem gamblers”, a term we now avoid because it can be stigmatising.</p> <p>This refers to those experiencing severe problems due to their gambling, which is typically <a href="https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/safer-communities/gambling/victorian-population-gambling-and-health-study-2023">about 1% of the adult population</a>, and around 2% of people who gamble.</p> <p>This doesn’t sound like much, until you remember 1% of adults in Australia is more than 200,000 people. That’s a lot of people struggling with severe problems.</p> <p>Based on recent prevalence surveys in Australia, these gamblers spend <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">about 60 times as much</a> as people who do not experience problems.</p> <p>However, that’s just the most severe cases.</p> <h2>How gambling harms people</h2> <p>When most people think of gambling harm, they think about financial harm. But gambling can cause problems with relationships, work and study, emotional and psychological harm, and <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-2747-0">even cause health issues</a>.</p> <p>Some degree of gambling harm is experienced by <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">around 10-15%</a> of people who gamble.</p> <p>Some groups are overrepresented: young men typically experience very high levels of harm compared to others. Other overrepresented groups are:</p> <ul> <li>those who have not completed tertiary education</li> <li>people who speak a language other than English</li> <li>people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.</li> </ul> <p>Harm isn’t just experienced by people who gamble, though – it impacts the people around them.</p> <p>While young men are more likely to experience harm from their own gambling, <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">women, particularly young women</a>, are most likely to experience harm from someone else’s gambling.</p> <p>When we take all of these sources of harm into account, we get a much better picture of gambling harm in our community: <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">around 15-20% of all adults</a> (not all gamblers) experience harm.</p> <p>That’s very different to the figure of 1% we’ve focused on in the past.</p> <p>We’re still missing some accounting, though: we don’t know how much harm is experienced by people under 18, for example, because prevalence studies typically only include adults.</p> <h2>Where does the harm come from?</h2> <p>The most problematic form in Australia is pokies, responsible for <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10260219/#:%7E:text=EGMs%20are%20responsible%20for%2051,problems%20due%20to%20low%20participation.">about 51-57% of problems</a>.</p> <p>Casinos are responsible for <a href="https://ftp.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/safer-communities/gambling/victorian-population-gambling-and-health-study-2023">another 10-14%</a>, although fewer people have been gambling in casino games in recent years.</p> <p>Sports betting and race betting together account for about another 19-20% of harm.</p> <p>Between them, pokies, casino games and sports and race betting account for about 90% of harm to Australian gamblers.</p> <p><iframe id="w2wEY" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/w2wEY/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h2>Availability is an issue</h2> <p>This widespread availability of pokies is the biggest single driver behind gambling harm in Australia.</p> <p><iframe id="hIgeD" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hIgeD/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>In other countries, pokies are limited to venues that are specifically used for gambling, like casinos or betting shops.</p> <p>We have pokies in a huge number of our pubs and clubs, except in Western Australia.</p> <p>A couple of years ago, we used national prevalence data to compare gambling problems in WA <a href="https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/12/3/article-p721.xml">to the rest of the country</a>.</p> <p>A higher percentage of adults in WA gamble, but mostly on the lotteries which are typically <a href="https://theconversation.com/pokies-lotto-sports-betting-which-forms-of-problem-gambling-affect-australians-the-most-240665">not associated with much harm</a>.</p> <p>Gambling on pokies is far less prevalent in WA because they’re only available in one casino. Gambling problems and harm are about one-third lower in WA, and our analysis shows this can be attributed to the limited access to pokies.</p> <p>This also tells us something important. If pokies are not available, people will typically not substitute them with other harmful forms. It points to the role of the availability of dangerous gambling products in gambling harm, rather than personal characteristics.</p> <p>Online gambling has also become a lot more available. Most of us now have a mobile phone almost surgically implanted onto our hand, making online gambling more accessible than ever. Not surprisingly, <a href="https://www.gamblingresearch.org.au/publications/second-national-study-interactive-gambling-australia-2019-20">online gambling continues to increase</a>.</p> <h2>An obvious solution to try</h2> <p>Governments have taken increasingly proactive measures to help address gambling harm, such as the <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/gambling/resource/national-consumer-protection-framework-online-wagering-national-policy-statement">National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling</a>, strategies for minimising harm such as NSW’s investment into <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/gambleaware-week-0">gambling harm minimisation</a>, Victoria’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/26/victoria-pokies-changes-limits-new-laws">proposed reforms on pokies</a> including mandatory precommitment limits, Queensland’s <a href="https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/gambling-harm-min/resource/84d444db-97e0-4be0-8e87-0c6f0cb412d6">Gambling Harm Minimisation Plan</a> and the ACT’s <a href="https://www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1436580/Strategy-for-gambling-harm-prevention.pdf">Strategy for Gambling Harm Prevention</a>.</p> <p>Voluntary limits have been trialled to help people keep their gambling under control, but have had <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-03/nsw-government-cashless-gaming-trial-findings-released/104679384">virtually no uptake</a>.</p> <p>For example, the recent <a href="https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1340136/evaluation-of-the-nsw-digital-gaming-wallet-trial-2024.pdf">NSW Digital Gaming Wallet trial</a> was conducted in 14 venues. Only 32 people were active users, and 14 of these were deemed genuine users. <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/saces/ua/media/652/evaluation-of-yourplay-final-report_0.pdf">Another study</a> found only 0.01% of all money put through machines in Victoria used the voluntary YourPlay scheme.</p> <p>The problem with voluntary limits is, no one volunteers.</p> <p>Mandatory limits though are almost certainly necessary, just like we have mandatory limits for how fast you can drive, or how much you can drink before the bartender puts you in a taxi.</p> <p>There will almost certainly be push back against this, just like the introduction of mandatory seatbelts in the 1970s, or <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-04/road-safety-history-australia-toll-increase/102903364">the introduction of random breath testing</a>.</p> <p>Now, we accept them as important public health measures.</p> <p>History tells us the same will happen with mandatory gambling limits, even if we’re a bit uncomfortable about it at first.<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/252389/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alex-russell-133860">Alex Russell</a>, Principal Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-browne-97705">Matthew Browne</a>, Senior Lecturer in Statistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-rockloff-569">Matthew Rockloff</a>, Head, Experimental Gambling Research Lab, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>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/gambling-in-australia-how-bad-is-the-problem-who-gets-harmed-most-and-where-may-we-be-heading-252389">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

Australia's Next Top Model star passes away at just 27

<p>The fashion world is mourning the loss of Australian model Lucy Markovic, who has tragically passed away at the age of 27 following complications from a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM).</p> <p>The heartbreaking news was shared via a post on Markovic’s Instagram Story, believed to have been written by her partner.</p> <p>"Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed," the message read. "She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her. We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace."</p> <p>Markovic, a former contestant and runner-up on season nine of <em>Australia's Next Top Model</em>, had kept her followers updated on her health journey. Just weeks ago, she had revealed to her 90,000 followers that she was preparing to undergo brain surgery to remove a golf ball-sized AVM. "Excited, thankful, scared, supported, hopeful," she wrote at the time. "Full flood of emotions in this time. Life's a journey and I'm ready for the next chapter."</p> <p>Her modelling agency, Elite Model Management NYC, paid tribute to her spirit and talent in a statement. "We are heartbroken to share that Lucy Markovic has passed away after a brave battle with a brain AVM," the agency wrote on Instagram. "Lucy was a bright shining light, and had an incredible dry sense of humor. Her smile and laughter could light up a room and draw you closer to her. She loved to dance, she really shined."</p> <p>"Modeling was one of Lucy's dreams and we are deeply honoured to have been part of that journey with her," the statement continued. "She brought elegance, strength and beauty to her work. But more than that, she brought herself – her warmth, her laughter, her light."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRsInvveRP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRsInvveRP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elite Model Management NYC (@elitenyc)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Tributes have poured in from across the fashion industry. Renowned Italian designer Donatella Versace, for whom Markovic modelled last year, also expressed her sorrow. "I am so sorry to hear the news about Lucy Markovic. Rest in peace, beautiful girl," Versace wrote on her Instagram story.</p> <p>Markovic’s rise in the fashion world was meteoric. After gaining national attention on Australia’s Next Top Model, she went on to walk the runway for global fashion houses such as Versace, Givenchy, and Dion Lee, carving out an impressive international career.</p> <p>In the hours leading up to the announcement of her passing, a heartbreaking post appeared on her social media, sharing that she was "currently battling for her life" and asking for prayers. Six hours later, her loved ones confirmed the devastating news.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Virgin Australia issuing refunds to 61,000 travellers

<p>Virgin Australia has announced it will refund approximately 61,000 customers after discovering a pricing error that led to overcharges on itinerary changes made over the past five years.</p> <p>The airline revealed that a glitch in its pricing system caused some tickets to be incorrectly repriced when passengers adjusted their bookings. The issue affected bookings made between April 21, 2020, and March 31, 2025, representing around 0.1 per cent of total reservations during that period.</p> <p>Affected customers will be contacted directly by Virgin Australia, with the average refund expected to be around $55.</p> <p>“At Virgin Australia, we have policies that determine when and how we reprice a guest's booking when they make a change to their itinerary," a spokesperson said in a statement. "We recently found that in some instances, bookings were repriced in a way that does not align with our policy, and we are refunding all impacted guests for that amount."</p> <p>The airline has apologised to affected travellers and launched an "itinerary change claim program" to manage the process. Deloitte Australia has been appointed to assist with handling claims and expediting refunds.</p> <p>"We want to do the right thing, and that means acknowledging when we get things wrong and fixing it," the spokesperson added. "Guests will have up to 12 months to make a claim, and any unclaimed amounts will be donated to charity."</p> <p>Virgin Australia has also notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and pledged to work closely with the regulator to meet any further obligations.</p> <p>The airline confirmed it holds the details of all impacted customers and will be sending out communication, in partnership with Deloitte, on how to claim refunds.</p> <p><em>Image: Virgin Australia</em></p>

Travel Trouble

"It must be love!": Charles and Camilla mark wedding anniversary with sweet video

<p>April 9 marked a special milestone for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary! The royal couple kicked off the joyous occasion with a charming new video, shared across the royal family's social media accounts.</p> <p>The 60-second clip is a delightful journey through their two decades of marriage, showcasing a collection of heartwarming photos and candid moments. Captioned simply, "20 Happy Years!" accompanied by a white heart emoji, the post captured the love and happiness that has defined their union. Fans were quick to note that the white heart may also be a nod to the traditional 20th anniversary gifts of china or platinum, symbolising strength and beauty.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIN7uDus6Rg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIN7uDus6Rg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Though the royal couple is spending their anniversary abroad in Rome as part of their state visit to Italy, celebrations have been in full swing back home in the UK. Outside Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Household Cavalry serenaded well-wishers with a special performance of It Must Be Love, dedicated to Their Majesties – a perfect musical tribute to their enduring romance.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It must be love! 🫶</p> <p>A special tribute on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace, to mark Their Majesties’ 20th wedding anniversary today. <a href="https://t.co/15rlKuevVl">pic.twitter.com/15rlKuevVl</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1909937840185548915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>In anticipation of this milestone, the couple also released a new set of portraits earlier this week. Queen Camilla looked radiant in bridal white, wearing a bespoke dress by Anna Valentine, the designer of her original wedding gown. Adding a sentimental touch, Her Majesty adorned her outfit with the lily of the valley brooch once belonging to the Queen Mother, a beautiful symbol of eternal love.</p> <p>The day itself is a working one for the royal couple. King Charles is set to meet with Italy’s prime minister, while later, they will be the guests of honour at a grand state banquet hosted by the Italian president – a fitting celebration for their incredible journey together.</p> <p>King Charles and Queen Camilla’s love story is one for the history books. Though married for 20 years, their connection spans over five decades. From their first meeting at a polo match in 1970 to enduring public scrutiny, they have emerged stronger than ever.</p> <p>Their early years saw them part ways when Charles embarked on an eight-month naval tour, and Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles. Yet, even through life’s twists and turns, their bond remained unbreakable. Following the tragic passing of Princess Diana, Charles and Camilla slowly reintroduced their relationship to the public, eventually marrying in 2005 in a modest yet heartfelt ceremony.</p> <p>Since then, Queen Camilla has embraced her royal role with grace and dedication, earning the admiration of many. </p> <p>Here’s to King Charles and Queen Camilla – may the next 20 years be just as joyful!</p> <p><em>Images: Royal Family / Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Despite some key milestones since 2000, Australia still has a long way to go on gender equality

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Australia has a gender problem. Despite social, economic and political reform aimed at improving opportunities for women, gender gaps are increasing and Australia is falling behind other countries.</p> <p>The World Economic Forum currently places Australia 24th among 146 countries, down from 15th in 2006. At the current rate of change, the forum suggests it will take <a href="https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/">more than 130 years</a> to achieve gender equality globally.</p> <p>Australia has taken important steps forward in some areas, while progress in other areas remains painfully slow. So how far have we come since 2000, and how much further do we have to go?</p> <h2>The good stuff</h2> <p>There are now more women in <a href="https://www.aigroup.com.au/resourcecentre/research-economics/factsheets/factsheet-gender-and-the-australian-labour-market/#:%7E:text=Female%20labour%20market%20participation%20was,gender%20participation%20gap%20of%208%25.">the labour market</a>, in <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/cohesive/representation-parliament">parliament</a>, and leading <a href="https://www.forbes.com.au/lists/people/women-of-the-asx/">large companies</a> than at any other time.</p> <p>Over the past 25 years, there have been major social and political milestones that indicate progress.</p> <p>These include the appointment of Australia’s first female governor-general in 2008 and prime minister in 2010, the introduction of universal paid parental leave in 2011, a high-profile inquiry into workplace sexual harassment in 2020, and new legislation requiring the public reporting of gender pay gaps in 2023.</p> <h2>Timeline of equality milestones</h2> <ul id="timelineList"> <li> <h2>2000</h2> <p>Child Care Benefit introduced, subsidising cost of children for eligible families</p> </li> <li> <h2>2008</h2> <p>First female Governor-General (Dame Quentin Bryce)</p> </li> <li> <h2>2010</h2> <p>First female Prime Minister elected (Julia Gillard) </p> <p>First Aboriginal woman from Australia elected to UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Megan Davis) </p> <p>Australia’s first national paid parental leave scheme</p> </li> <li> <h2>2012</h2> <p>Julia Gillard misogyny speech </p> <p>Workplace Gender Equality Act becomes law, Workplace Gender Equality Agency established</p> </li> <li> <h2>2013</h2> <p>Dad or Partner Pay Leave commenced</p> </li> <li> <h2>2016</h2> <p>First Indigenous woman elected to House of Representatives (Linda Burney)</p> </li> <li> <h2>2017</h2> <p>Launch of Women’s Australian Football League</p> <p>#metoo movement spreads globally to draw attention to sexual harassment and assault</p> </li> <li> <h2>2020</h2> <p>Respect@Work National Inquiry into sexual harassment in the Australian workplace chaired by Kate Jenkins released.</p> </li> <li> <h2>2021</h2> <p>Grace Tame named Australian of the Year for her advocacy in sexual violence/harassment campaigns </p> <p>Independent review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces launched</p> </li> <li> <h2>2022</h2> <p>National plan to end violence against women is finalised</p> </li> <li> <h2>2023</h2> <p>Closing the Gender Pay Gap Bill passes parliament</p> </li> <li> <h2>2024</h2> <p>Superannuation on government-funded paid parental leave from July 1, 2025 </p> <p>Parental leave to be increased to 26 weeks from July 2026.</p> </li> </ul> <p>There are, however, other areas where progress is agonisingly slow.</p> <h2>Violence and financial insecurity</h2> <p>Women are <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/newsroom/wgea-bcec-gender-equity-insights-2024-report">more likely</a> to be in casual and part-time employment than men. This is part of the reason women retire with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-21/carer-credits-proposal-aims-to-reduce-superannuation-gap/10826246">about half</a> the superannuation savings of men.</p> <p>This is also linked to financial insecurity later in life. Older women are among the <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/age-discrimination/projects/risk-homelessness-older-women">fastest-growing groups</a> of people experiencing homelessness.</p> <p>The situation for First Nations women is even more severe. The <a href="https://www.niaa.gov.au/news-and-media/closing-gap-report-released">most recent</a> Closing the Gap report indicates First Nations women and children are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence compared with non-Indigenous women.</p> <p>They are also <a href="https://theconversation.com/indigenous-women-are-dying-violent-preventable-deaths-endless-inquiries-wont-help-unless-we-act-244815">seven times more likely</a> to die from family violence.</p> <p>Improving outcomes for Indigenous women and children requires tackling the long-term effects of colonisation, removal from Country, the Stolen Generations, incarceration and intergenerational trauma. This means challenging not only gender inequality but also racism, discrimination and violence.</p> <p>At work, <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/employer-gender-pay-gaps-report">the latest data</a> from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency suggests the gender pay gap is narrowing, with 56% of organisations reporting improvements.</p> <p>On average, though, the pay gap is still substantial at 21.8% with women earning only 78 cents for every $1 earned by men. This totals an average yearly shortfall of $28,425.</p> <p>There are also some notable organisations where the gender pay gap has widened.</p> <h2>The burden of unpaid work</h2> <p>Another measure of inequality that has proved stubbornly slow to change is women’s unequal responsibilities for unpaid domestic and care work.</p> <p>Without real change in gender divisions of time spent on unpaid housework and care, our capacity to move towards equality in pay gaps and employment is very limited.</p> <p>Australian women undertake almost 70% of unpaid household labour. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/how-australians-use-their-time/latest-release">time use data</a> show that of those who participate in domestic labour, women spend an average of 4.13 hours per day on unpaid domestic and care work, compared with men’s 2.14 hours.</p> <p>This gap equates to more than a third of a full-time job. If we add up all work (domestic, care and paid), mothers have the longest working week by about 10 hours. This has changed very little over time.</p> <p>These charts, based on analyses of data from the Households, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) study, show what drives this gap.</p> <p>Women respond to increased demand for care and domestic work by doing more, while men do not. Parenthood significantly increases the time women spend on unpaid care and housework, while also reducing their time in employment.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="115GU" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/115GU/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>Men increase their time in unpaid care after a birth, but the jump is minor compared with women, and there is no change to men’s employment hours.</p> <p>Not surprisingly given these patterns, parenthood is associated with substantial declines in women’s <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/research/research-reports/employment-patterns-and-trends-families-children">employment hours</a>, earnings, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/4/275">career progression</a>, and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jomf.12531">mental health and wellbeing</a>.</p> <h2>The way forward</h2> <p>Current policy priorities primarily incentivise women to remain in employment, while continuing to undertake a disproportionate share of unpaid family work, through moving to part-time employment or making use of other forms of workplace flexibility. This approach focuses on “fixing” women rather than on the <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-032620-030938">structural roots of the problem</a>.</p> <p>There is limited financial or cultural encouragement for men to step out of employment for care work, or reduce their hours, despite the introduction of a two-week Dad and Partner Pay scheme <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/parental-leave">in 2013</a> and more recent changes to expand support and access.</p> <p>Fathers who wish to be more actively involved in care and family life face significant financial barriers, with current schemes only covering a basic wage. If one member of the family has to take time out or reduce their hours, it usually makes financial sense for this to be a woman, given the gender earning gap.</p> <p>The benefits of enabling men to share care work will not only be improvements for women, but will also improve family relationships and outcomes for children.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue-ill-stay-forever-if-you-scrub-out-the-loo-72793">Research shows</a> relationship conflict declines when men do more at home. Time spent with fathers has been found to be especially beneficial for children’s <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-48232-001">cognitive development</a>.</p> <p>Fixing the gender problem is not just about helping women. It’s good for everyone.</p> <p>Gender inequality costs the Australian economy <a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/business/the-us225-billion-a-year-australia-could-benefit-from-with-a-focus-on-women/">$225 billion annually</a>, or 12% of gross domestic product.</p> <p>Globally, the World Bank <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/fd676a12-7ee4-5c6a-ab2b-83365ed25bf1/content">estimates</a> gender inequality costs US$160.2 trillion. We can’t afford to slip further behind or to take more than a century to fix the problem.</p> <hr /> <p><em>This piece is part of a series on how Australia has changed since the year 2000. You can read other pieces in the series <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/first-quarter-of-the-century-series-172070">here</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/250250/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></em></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/janeen-baxter-611570">Janeen Baxter</a>, Director, ARC Life Course Centre and ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>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/despite-some-key-milestones-since-2000-australia-still-has-a-long-way-to-go-on-gender-equality-250250">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: </em></p> </div>

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Why older couples love short cruises for a quick romantic getaway

<p>Long holidays are great, but they are not always practical, especially when you just want a quick break together. They can be expensive, require a lot of planning and sometimes feel more tiring than relaxing. </p> <p>A <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">smooth, short cruise</span></a></span> is the perfect balance for older couples. There’s just enough time to unwind, visit new places and enjoy amazing food and entertainment, all without the stress of organising every detail.</p> <p>With options from Carnival, Australia’s leading cruise line, a quick and relaxing romantic getaway is easier than ever. Everything is taken care of, so you can simply step on board and make the most of your time together.</p> <p>To show you what makes them special, here’s why short cruises have become a favourite getaway for couples looking to relax and reconnect.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Skip the stress and start your holiday sooner</span></strong></p> <p>Planning a holiday can sometimes feel like more trouble than it’s worth. Long flights, busy airports and endless logistics take time and effort, which can make a romantic getaway feel stressful before it even begins. But taking a break doesn’t have to be complicated.</p> <p>A Carnival <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises/sydney" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">short cruise from Sydney</span></a></span> or Brisbane is an easy way to escape for a few days without the stress of flights or long drives. Enjoy slow mornings together on a peaceful deck, take in the ocean views or visit a beautiful destination like Tasmania or Moreton Island. </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Enjoy time together without going far</span></strong></p> <p>You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a romantic break. A short cruise lets you escape for a few days, soak up the ocean views and spend uninterrupted time together. Set sail from Brisbane or Sydney and choose from a three-day cruise at sea, a four day cruise to Moreton Island or Airlie Beach, or a <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises/5-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">five-day cruise</span></a></span> to Tasmania.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Spend quality time with onboard activities</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Carnivalimage-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></strong></p> <p>Finding time to unwind together isn’t always easy, but a Carnival short cruise makes it simple. With plenty of <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/onboard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">exciting onboard activities</span></a></span>, you can do as much or as little as you like. </p> <p>Lounge by the pool, enjoy some quiet time at <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/onboard/serenity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB"> an</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">a</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">dults-</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">o</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">nly </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">r</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">etreat</span></span></a></span> or watch a live music performance. You can even play video games or visit the fitness centre together. For total relaxation, book a couples’ treatment at Cloud 9 Spa* and let the stress melt away.</p> <p>In the evening, share new experiences together. Watch a Playlist Productions show, enjoy stand-up comedy at The Punchliner Comedy Club or settle in for a movie under the stars. If you prefer a quieter night, find a cosy spot to take in the ocean views or enjoy a drink with live acoustic music.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Share great food at every meal</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Carnivalimage-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></strong></p> <p>Good food is even better when shared, and a Carnival short cruise gives couples plenty of <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/dining" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">dining </span></a></span>options to enjoy together. Start the day with a relaxed breakfast and freshly brewed coffee, or grab a quick bite from the main dining room. For a special night, Fahrenheit 555* or Luke’s Bar & Grill* serves perfectly cooked steaks and fresh seafood in a cosy setting.</p> <p>If you’re in the mood for something to eat, the pizzeria has fresh-made pizza, and Bonsai Sushi Express* offers quick, fresh sushi. For something classic, Guy’s Burger Joint serves juicy burgers. With so many choices, every meal is a chance to relax and spend time together.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Plan your next romantic getaway</span></strong></p> <p>A few days away is sometimes all you need to recharge and reconnect. On a short cruise, you can enjoy new experiences, soak up the ocean views and make the most of every moment together without worrying about travel logistics.</p> <p>All the details are sorted, so you can focus on choosing the perfect destination and how long you’d like to relax together. Visit the <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">Carnival Cruise website</span></a></span> to find a short cruise that fits your schedule, and start planning your next romantic getaway today.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied<br /></em></p> <p><em>*Charges apply</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Carnival</em></p>

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