Teacher's wild salary sparks heated debate

<p>A teacher's hefty salary has sparked a major debate online, with some people arguing that some educators are "extremely overpaid". </p> <p>A Melbourne man was quizzed on the street by Getahead, an app that matches workers with employers, as he revealed he has worked as a drama teacher at a high school for decades. </p> <p>“I’m a teacher and I make just north of $160,000,” he revealed.</p> <p>“I’ve been teaching for 27 years,” he added. “Started as an actor and then moved into teaching. The workload is alright, I’m on holidays at the moment."</p> <p>“School holidays are always good. But when you are working, you’re doing a lot of after hours and things like that.</p> <p>“It’s definitely worth it though. I’d encourage anyone to get into it. For any actors out there, drama teaching is the next best thing."</p> <p>“You get to do your craft every day and you get to teach the future of actors. Do what you want to do, until you can’t do it anymore and then find something else that will be good to do."</p> <p>He said, “But you gotta follow your passion first.”</p> <p>The video racked up hundreds of comments, with many stunned at the man’s salary.</p> <p>“There’s no way,” one said, with another adding, “I am in the wrong profession.”</p> <p>In another clip from Getahead, a different woman was quizzed about her salary and it is revealed she is also a teacher.</p> <p>She claims to be raking in $110,000 a year working at a high school, but said the idea teachers get “loads of holidays” is a “total myth”, adding that "the workload is huge."</p> <p>While many commenters were stunned by the significant salaries, there were some that even went as far as to claim teachers were being “overpaid”. </p> <p>“Teachers are extremely overpaid,” one claimed. “The most they should be paid is $30k – $40k.”</p> <p>“$110k for a schoolteacher, at this point we are handing out money,” another said.</p> <p>“If they are earning that much money why are they all saying they need more?” another asked, “That’s an excellent wage.”</p> <p>Other teachers sounded shocked at these figures, with many saying they were not making anywhere near that amount.</p> <p>“That’s not close to average, I’m a maths and science teacher at a high school and I earn $84k,” one shared.</p> <p>“I’ve been teaching for 43 years, I’m head of a subject area and have several post grade qualifications, and I don’t make anywhere near that,” another added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Money & Banking

The eye-watering salaries of The Voice Australia judges revealed

<p><em>The Voice Australia</em> has revamped the lineup of the judges for the 2024 season, with American music icons Adam Lambert and LeAnn Rimes joining Aussies Guy Sebastian and Kate Miller-Heidke. </p> <p>As the new American talent joins the show, Seven are reportedly paying big buck for the international stars after their salaries were leaked by <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/exclusive-the-voice-australia-coaches-salaries-leaked-amid-pay-row-230921307.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo News</em></a>. </p> <p>According to the publication, an alleged source claims that Adam and LeAnn "are believed to be receiving between $750,000 and $1.2 million" for the single season of the show. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Kate Miller-Heidke "is believed to be receiving upwards of $500,000" for her first season on the show. </p> <p>Veteran judge Guy Sebastian allegedly started on $750,000 per season in 2019, "but this is believed to now be worth $1 million". </p> <p>These new judges are getting "considerably less" than outgoing coaches Rita Ora and Jason Derulo, <em>Yahoo</em> alleges.</p> <p>According to a production insider, the reason for the switch-up of judges was the star's pay cheques, and a desire from producers to keep costs down.</p> <p>The insider said the program has been wanting a change in judges lineup for a quite some time, adding that salary increases are necessary to keep returning stars on the show and the price tag for the former crop was "too expensive".</p> <p>"The company line was that Jessica, Rita and Jason were all too busy, but I don't think anyone is too busy to pick up these sorts of pay cheques. It certainly did have a lot to do with keeping the costs down."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

TV

Kyle Sandilands finally reveals new eye-watering salary

<p>Kyle Sandilands has stunned listeners after candidly revealing his eye-watering salary live on air. </p> <p>Much speculation has swirled about the KIIS FM radio hosts' salaries after Kyle and Jackie O signed a new 10-year contract with the network, which was rumoured to cost $100 million. </p> <p>This figure would mean that Kyle and Jackie O would see an annual salary of $10 million, but Kyle revealed they are actually getting paid more than that. </p> <p>“I can’t live with the lie, it’s underreported," Kyle admitted on Friday morning. </p> <p>"It’s actually about another $50 million each,” he said, which means the pair will take home $15 million a year each.</p> <p>As Jackie protested at Kyle revealing their personal negotiations, Kyle continued, “I’m just saying, let’s cut through the bulls**t. And we get that because we’re good [at radio].”</p> <p>The new contract, which is said to be the biggest deal in Australian media history, will take <em>The Kyle and Jackie O Show</em> hosts to December 2034.</p> <p>The duo also have a clause in their contract that allows them to broadcast the show “anywhere on earth” at the drop of a hat.</p> <p>After revealing his astonishing salary on air, Kyle and his team began discussing the salaries of other popular radio stars in Australia.</p> <p>The show’s reporter Cooper Johns claimed that Hamish Blake and Andy Lee both make $4 million a year, while Brendan 'Fev' Fevola makes $1.2 million a year for his show on Fox FM in Melbourne.</p> <p>Meanwhile, 2GB’s Sydney breakfast host Ray Hadley is believed to be on a $3.5 million salary, WSFM’s Amanda Keller is reportedly on $2.5 million, and Carrie Bickmore is said to be making $1.5 million a year.</p> <p><em>Image credits: KIIS FM</em></p>

Money & Banking

Prince William’s huge salary revealed

<p>Buckingham Palace has released its annual report, known as the Sovereign Grant Report, into the royal family's finances, revealing Prince William's whopping annual salary. </p> <p>The Palace said the findings of the report "reflects a time of unforeseen challenges for the royal family", referencing the cancer diagnosis that struck both King Charles and Princess Kate this year, as the senior royals stepped back from official duties to undergo treatment. </p> <p>Despite the "challenging" year for the royals, Prince William earned a whopping salary of $45 million AUD in the last financial year. </p> <p>After inheriting the title of Prince of Wales, Prince William, receives the majority of his personal wealth from the Duchy of Cornwall, which he inherited from his father after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.</p> <p>That extensive estate is worth more than £1 billion (approximately $1.8b AUD) and includes 52,450 hectares of land, mostly in the south-west of England.</p> <p>Prince William has made a major change since inheriting the title, choosing not to reveal how much tax he pays on the private income from the duchy. </p> <p>The royal family is also set for a huge pay rise next year, as profits from the monarch's Crown Estates has risen by 53 per cent in the past financial year. </p> <p>That means the monarchy is to receive a boost of more than £45 million (approximately $87m AUD).</p> <p>Across 2023-24, profits for the royal family rose to £1.1 billion mainly due to offshore wind farms, meaning the Sovereign Grant (the annual payment the royals get from the government each year) will increase from £86.3 million (approximately $167m AUD) in 2024-25 to £132 million (approximately $257m AUD) in 2025-26.</p> <p>The majority of the royal family's wealth comes from the Crown Estate, roughly about £16 billion (approximately $31b AUD ) of an estimated £20 billion (approximately $40b AUD).</p> <p><em>Image credits: Isabel Infantes/WPA Pool/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Money & Banking

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carol-t-kulik-150471">Carol T Kulik</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay systems fairer and more effective.</p> <p>With more information on how much certain tasks and roles are valued, employees can better understand and interpret pay differences, and advocate for themselves. When pay is weakly aligned with employee contributions, pay transparency can be embarrassing for firms.</p> <p>As the government continues to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/think-your-male-colleagues-earn-more-than-you-soon-you-ll-know-for-sure-20240104-p5ev7i.html">legislate for pay transparency</a>, wise employers should move to identify – and correct – both real and perceived inequities.</p> <h2>The salary taboo</h2> <p>At one extreme, imagine that you work for California-based tech company Buffer, which develops social media tools.</p> <p>Buffer lists the salary of every company employee, in descending order, on its <a href="https://buffer.com/salaries">website</a>. Salaries are non-negotiable and all Buffer employees receive a standard pay raise each year. Prospective job applicants can use Buffer’s online <a href="https://buffer.com/salary-calculator/senior-data-engineer/intermediate">salary calculator</a> to estimate their pay.</p> <p>Does Buffer’s pay system make you cheer – “yay, no uncomfortable salary negotiations!”, or squirm – “what, my salary is on the website?”</p> <p>Most probably, both. There is a persistent social norm researchers call the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272723000725">salary taboo</a>. We want to know, but we don’t like to ask, and we definitely don’t want anyone to know that we’re asking.</p> <p>In Norway, an app that enabled users to <a href="https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20160256">access neighbors’ tax-reported income</a> was enormously popular – but only while the user could remain anonymous.</p> <h2>The problem with not knowing</h2> <p>Historically, companies have given employees only minimal information about their pay systems, and some have even prohibited them from sharing their own pay information.</p> <p>Such non-transparency creates two big problems.</p> <p>First, managers place <a href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/achieving-meritocracy-in-the-workplace/">too much trust</a> in organisational systems. The more managers become convinced that pay decisions accurately reflect employee contributions, the less diligent they become about monitoring their own personal biases. Without accountability, it’s easy for an organisation’s pay system to drift into inequity.</p> <p>Second, in the absence of comparative information, employees often suspect they are being underpaid – even if they aren’t.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/fair-pay-impact/">survey</a> of over 380,000 employees by data firm Payscale, 57% of employees paid <em>at</em> the market rate and 42% of people paid <em>above</em> the market rate all believed they were being underpaid.</p> <p>However, unfounded it might be, a nagging sense of inequity can drive people out the door. Payscale estimates that people who <em>think</em> they are underpaid are 50% more likely than other employees to seek a new job in the next six months.</p> <h2>Pay transparency is trending</h2> <p>Broadly speaking, pay transparency policies see companies report their pay levels or ranges, explain their pay-setting processes, or encourage their employees to share pay information.</p> <p>Some companies voluntarily share pay information in response to workforce demand, but there’s also a trend toward mandating pay transparency.</p> <p>In Australia, pay secrecy terms are <a href="https://theconversation.com/pay-secrecy-clauses-are-now-banned-in-australia-heres-how-that-could-benefit-you-195814">banned</a> from employment contracts and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency is <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/about/our-legislation/publishing-employer-gender-pay-gaps">publishing employers’ gender pay gaps</a>.</p> <p>The European Union’s <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/es/ip_22_7739">Pay Transparency Directive</a> already publishes gender pay gaps and requires employers to provide comparative pay data to employees upon request. Several US states and cities now require employers to <a href="https://www.govdocs.com/pay-transparency-laws/">include salary ranges</a> in their recruitment materials.</p> <h2>Pay transparency usually has positive effects</h2> <p>In equitable pay systems, pay differences align with the differential values employees bring to the business. When pay systems are transparent, it’s easy for employees to recognise when they – and their coworkers – are being appropriately rewarded for their contributions.</p> <p>Evidence is building that such transparency is often a good thing.</p> <p>For one, it can increase employee <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/002224377801500204">performance and job satisfaction</a>. People also generally <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/717891">underestimate their bosses’ salaries</a>, so pay transparency can inspire employees to aspire to higher-paid senior positions. And pay transparency identifies staff with unique expertise, so <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-01521-001">employees seek help</a> from the right coworkers.</p> <p>Pay transparency has also been shown to help narrow gender pay gaps. As pay transparency rules spread across public academic institutions in the US, the pay gap between male and female academics <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01288-9">dramatically narrowed</a> (in some states, it was even eliminated).</p> <p>In Denmark, where firms are now required to provide pay statistics that compare men and women, the national gender pay gap has <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jofi.13136">declined by 13%</a> relative to the pre-legislation average.</p> <h2>But it can still be risky</h2> <p>Every pay system has pockets of unfairness, where managers have made <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-01537-002">special arrangements</a> to attract or retain talent. Pay transparency exposes these exceptions, so they can be immediately explained or corrected.</p> <p>But if there are too many such pockets, managers need to brace for a productivity downturn. When pay transparency reveals systematic inequities – for example, disparities based on gender – overall organisational <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4341804">productivity declines</a>.</p> <p>Over the long run, pay transparency leads to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jofi.13136">flatter and narrower</a> pay distributions, but distributions can also be too flat and too narrow. Managers making pay decisions are aware that their decisions will be directly scrutinised and may <a href="https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2020.1831">become reluctant</a> to assign high wages even for high performance.</p> <p>If pay <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01288-9">loses its motivating potential</a>, employees can become disheartened, especially <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/peps.12054">star performers</a>.</p> <h2>Proceed with caution</h2> <p>As stakeholders on this issue demand more transparency, employers would be wise to stay ahead of legislative moves.</p> <p>Independently making the first move is a show of good faith and can unfold in stages. A good first step is to reveal the pay ranges associated with groups of related roles, giving employers time to conduct internal audits, communicate with employees and systematically correct inequities as they surface.</p> <p>In contrast, having to reveal pay data because of a government mandate can publicly expose patterns of inequity and cause permanent damage to a company’s reputation.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/224067/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carol-t-kulik-150471">Carol T Kulik</a>, Research Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </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/why-dont-australians-talk-about-their-salaries-pay-transparency-and-fairness-go-hand-in-hand-224067">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

New Woolies CEO's huge salary revealed

<p dir="ltr">Woolworths have announced their new CEO, just hours after Brad Banducci shared the news of his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/woolies-ceo-quits-after-disaster-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retirement</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">After almost nine years at the helm, Banducci is stepping down after a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/i-think-i-m-done-the-question-that-made-woolies-ceo-leave-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trainwreck interview</a> with ABC’s <em>Four Corners</em>, and while still facing backlash over the decision to not stock Australia Day merchandise. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now, his replacement has been announced, with Amanda Bardwell set to step into the role in September. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Bardwell was appointed to the role following an “extensive international search process”, which Woolworths Group Chair, Scott Perkins said was supported by external consultants.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Amanda as the incoming and 13th Managing Director and Group CEO of Woolworths Group, as the Group starts its next century of creating better experiences together for a better tomorrow,” Mr Perkins said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">When Ms Bardwell steps into the role, she is set to receive a generous pay packet of $2.15 million, as well as additional generous bonus incentives.</p> <p dir="ltr">While this number seems extravagant, it pales in comparison with the $7.65 million Banducci took home last year. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Banducci’s pay was even higher in 2022, with a take home pay of $8.37 million, but money was knocked off from his short term bonuses, after the discovery that there was nearly $600 million in underpayments across Woolworths’ payroll going back years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The revelation of his extortionate pay packet in the wake of his resignation has angered many, with social media users airing their grievances over his salary, given that many Aussies continue to struggle to keep up with the rising costs of supermarkets as the cost of living crisis continues. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Banducci’s retirement was announced in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday morning, with the former boss saying it has been a “privilege” to be a member of the Woolworths team and one he has “never taken for granted”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesman for Woolworths said Mr Banducci’s retirement announcement was not connected in any way to the recent <em>Four Corners</em> interview.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Woolworths</em></p>

Money & Banking

"Worth every cent": Robert Irwin's I'm A Celeb salary revealed

<p>Crikey! It seems like Robert Irwin is about to make a serious splash in the entertainment industry. The 19-year-old wildlife warrior has just landed a deal to co-host the upcoming season of <em>I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here</em> alongside the ever-entertaining Julia Morris, and the paycheck he's bagged is leaving jaws dropped - even those of the crocodiles he's used to wrestling.</p> <p><em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, always on the prowl for celebrity news, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12668557/Robert-Irwins-staggering-Im-Celebrity-pay-cheque-revealed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has uncovered</a> that Irwin is set to pocket nearly half a million dollars for his month-and-a-half-long adventure in the wilds of South Africa. Yep, you read that right; $430,000 for six weeks of living in the jungle and mingling with celebrities who are just a tad less famous than his family's favourite marsupials.</p> <p>Now, you might be wondering, "Why on Earth is a teenager getting paid more than some seasoned celebs?" Well, according to a well-placed source at Channel 10, Irwin's star power is the real deal. They believe he'll be "worth every cent" - a sentiment shared by everyone except maybe the critters he'll be sharing the jungle with.</p> <p>But why Robert? Turns out it's not just his rugged good looks and charming Aussie accent. It's his magnetic appeal and the adoration he commands from fans around the globe. </p> <p>The source at Channel 10 spilled the beans on the reason behind this financial safari expedition: "His pairing with the witty and ever-entertaining Julia [Morris] has all the makings of a dynamic duo, promising viewers an unforgettable experience."</p> <p>So, not only will we get to see Irwin in action, but we'll also witness Julia trying to teach him how to make a proper cup of tea while being chased by hungry lions.</p> <p>In April, we learned that other celebrities on the show are getting paid anywhere from $35,000 to $180,000. The top earner before Robert's arrival was TV legend <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/kerri-anne-kennerley-heads-to-the-jungle-on-one-condition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerri-Anne Kennerley</a>, with a generous salary of $300,000. That's a lot of khaki shirts right there!</p> <p>The show must've really wanted Irwin because they pulled out all the stops to outbid big names like Sam Pang, Jimmy Rees, Curtis Stone, Beau Ryan, and Tristan MacManus for the role. It wasn't an easy task to replace <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/darryl-somers-jumps-the-gun-with-major-dr-chris-brown-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Chris Brown</a>, who is loved by many, but casting agents were impressed with Robert's natural charm during the audition.</p> <p>"He had charisma and spontaneity. He was funny and had amazing instincts," said an insider. "It was actually part of the original brief back when Dr Chris got the job that animal experience was required - which Robert has in spades." So, it's safe to say that Robert's ability to charm a crocodile probably came in handy during the audition.</p> <p>And as for the age difference between Robert, 19, and veteran host Julia Morris, 55, casting agents weren't worried at all. They believe that Robert's maturity and the fact that he can wrangle a croc as well as he can tell a dad joke made him the perfect match for the job. (And, bless her, Morris herself <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/julia-morris-promises-a-little-less-shameless-flirting-with-new-co-host" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has promised to be very mature also</a>... for once!)</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / Network 10</em></p>

Money & Banking

Oprah reveals measly salary from The Color Purple

<p dir="ltr">Oprah Winfrey has shared the shockingly low salary she received for starring in the 1985 film <em>The Color Purple</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of the release of the reimagined movie musical, Oprah opened up about the experience making the original film, and the measly salary she received for her role. </p> <p dir="ltr">She revealed that “they were only offering $35,000 (A$55,500) to be in this film,” but she deemed it “the best $35,000 [she] ever earned.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It changed everything and taught me so much,” she said. “It is God moving through my life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The film was a global sensation, grossing nearly $100 million in 1985 dollars (the equivalent of $286 million when adjusted for inflation) and earning 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Winfrey. </p> <p dir="ltr">In an interview with <em>Essence</em> conducted between Winfrey, who is an executive producer on the upcoming film adaptation, and some members of the new cast before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Winfrey said that she couldn’t “even begin to tell [them] what it means to [her]” that they chose to take on this project.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A person who wanted nothing more in my life than to be in <em>The Color Purple</em>,” she continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">“God taught me to surrender — that was the big lesson for me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">During the interview, Danielle Brooks, who is taking on Winfrey’s iconic role of Sofia in the adaptation, thanked Winfrey for “laying the blueprint for Sofia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Because I know that she’s changed your life, and I can feel that mine is about to shift, too,” she added. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for leaving space for me but also being there, to hold my hand and answer that phone call when I needed you. You have been such a light, such a beautiful soul.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Movies

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said it”: Kyle lets slip his Idol salary on air

<p>In a surprising turn of events, radio shock jock and KIIS FM star Kyle Sandilands has unintentionally spilled the beans about his substantial salary for the revamped <em>Australian Idol</em> during a recent episode of The Kyle and Jackie O Show.</p> <p>The revelation came during an interview with pop sensation Dean Lewis, where Sandilands, in a candid moment, discussed the financial perks of his television gig.</p> <p>The conversation began innocently enough, with Sandilands expressing his frustrations about the time commitment required for television work. It was then that Lewis, in a light-hearted manner, probed the radio presenter on why he had taken on the role in the first place.</p> <p>Sandilands, initially reluctant to reveal the figures, eventually gave in to the curiosity and admitted, "Listen, it's clearly over a million dollars for three months of work; you'd be a fool not to do it."</p> <p>However, Sandilands quickly followed up his revelation with a note of uncertainty about whether he was allowed to discuss his salary publicly. He admitted, "I don't know how much they're paying the others, so maybe I shouldn't have said it."</p> <p>Lewis responded with astonishment, acknowledging that it was, indeed, a substantial sum. “That is a lot of money," he said. "That’s actually epic.”</p> <p>This salary disclosure comes at a pivotal time for the <em>Australian Idol</em> franchise, as it undergoes significant changes in its judging panel and strives to recapture its former glory. For the series reboot last year, which aired on Channel 7, international music stars Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Jr. joined the panel, giving it a fresh look. However, they did not return for the 2024 season. In their place, veteran judge Marcia Hines has made a triumphant return to the hot seat, two decades after being part of the original panel when the show debuted in 2003. This time, she joins Sandilands and Amy Shark on the judging panel.</p> <p>The rebooted <em>Australian Idol</em> faced challenges during its initial run, struggling to attain the ratings it had achieved during its heyday. Upon its premiere in January, the show consistently trailed behind its timeslot competitors, <em>Married At First Sight</em> and <em>Australian Survivor</em>.</p> <p>Toward the end of the series, it was attracting an average of approximately 409,000 viewers across the five major metropolitan areas, in stark contrast to the 835,000 viewers for <em>MAFS</em> and 536,000 for <em>Australian Survivor</em>.</p> <p>To make matters more challenging, the winning singer from the show's reboot failed to make a significant impact on the pop charts, further highlighting the hurdles that the revamped <em>Australian Idol </em>faces.</p> <p><em>Images: Australian Idol</em></p>

Money & Banking

Sam Kerr's eye-watering salary revealed

<p>Sam Kerr's eye-watering salary has been revealed, with the Matildas captain raking in a whopping seven-figure sum thanks to her  football salary and major sports brand endorsements.</p> <p>The Matildas skipper, who holds Australia’s all-time goal-scoring record, earned $3.3 million before heading to the world stage for the FIFA Women's World Cup. </p> <p>According to reports by the <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/sam-kerr-is-female-soccer-s-3-3m-superstar-no-one-else-comes-close-20230718-p5dpa4#:~:text=A%20world-leading%20female%20footballer%27s,more%20than%20her%20Australian%20teammates." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Financial Review</a>, Kerr was among the highest-paid players in the competition, bringing home a pay packet that is estimated to be more than 10 times higher than her Aussie teammates.</p> <p>The impressive multi-million dollar salary comes from her Chelsea FCW salary and endorsements with Nike and EA Sports, totalling more than double the income of the next best-paid Matildas star, defender Ellie Carpenter, at $1.2 million.</p> <p>Kerr’s partnership with Nike is reportedly worth $1 million and she also has a deal with Mastercard, on top of her Chelsea contract, which is reportedly worth more than $600,000 a season.</p> <p>Emily van Egmond came in third highest paid after earning just shy of $400,000, followed by Lydia Williams and Alanna Kennedy at $354,000 and Katrina Gorry at $330,000, according to the AFR.</p> <p>Seven Matildas players earned between $200,000 and $300,000, with 20-year-old Mary Fowler topping the bracket at $284,738.</p> <p>The remaining teammates’ income ranged from $100,000 to just shy of $185,000.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

Margot Robbie's enormous Barbie salary revealed

<p>Margot Robbie is set to take home her biggest pay cheque yet for her portrayal in the <em>Barbie</em> movie, as the highly-anticipated film hits the $1 billion mark at the global box office. </p> <p>Robbie, who started her acting career on <em>Neighbours</em>, both starred in and produced the Barbie film, which was directed by Greta Gerwig. </p> <p>According to reports from <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/news/barbie-pay-margot-robbie-salary-box-office-bonuses-1235695563/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Variety</em></a>, the 32-year-old Aussie actress made an upfront fee of $19 million to portray the Mattel doll, but that figure will make a significant jump after the lucrative sales, bringing Margot's salary to $77 million. </p> <p><em>Barbie</em>, which was made on a budget of approximately $220 million, hit the coveted $US1 billion mark at the global box office earlier this month, just two weeks after it hit cinemas.</p> <p>Robbie was instrumental in the making of the <em>Barbie</em> film, as her production company, LuckyChap, purchased the rights from Mattel in 2018. </p> <p>She then pitched the film to Warner Bros. and managed to convince Gerwig to both write and direct the blockbuster movie, with Gerwig's partner Noah Baumbach jumping in to help write the screenplay.</p> <p>Speaking of her commitment to making <em>Barbie</em> happen, Robbie recently said she was “overselling” the project in early meetings with executives to get the project off the ground. </p> <p>“I think my pitch in the green-light meeting was the studios have prospered so much when they’re brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director,” Robbie said in an interview with <a title="collider.com" href="https://collider.com/barbie-margot-robbie-interview-ryan-gosling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Collider</em> </a>in July.</p> <p>She added, “And then I gave a series of examples like, ‘dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg’ – pretty much naming anything that’s been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years. </p> <p>“And I was like, ‘And now you’ve got <em>Barbie</em> and Greta Gerwig.’ And I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, OK?”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

Prince William's enormous salary leaked

<p>Prince William's extraordinary salary has been revealed, with the Prince of Wales set to rake in an eight-figure sum for the last six months alone. </p> <p>According to the Duchy of Cornwall’s 2023 annual report, the 41-year-old royal received a private income of just under £6 million (A$11,434,000) this year. </p> <div id="story-primary"> <p>William became the Duke of Cornwall following the death of Queen Elizabeth and his father, Charles’ ascension to the throne, meaning he is now also entitled to any surplus of profits from the dukedom.</p> <p>In the financial year of 2022 to 2023, the Duchy recorded net profits of £24.048 million ($45,800,000), according to the report, which was up £1.02 million ($1,944,260) from £23.024 million ($43,886,000) from the year before.</p> <p>The Prince of Wales would usually be entitled to the full $45.8 million profit as his private income, but because he only became heir halfway through the financial year, he received a fraction of his income. </p> <p>The Palace also asked that as a “one-off associated with the change in Dukes of Cornwall”, the Duchy team retain a proportion of the surplus for “working capital purposes” – i.e. the day-to-day costs of running of the estate.</p> <p>William was therefore left with an income of £5.9 million, or about $11 million AUD for his work. </p> <p>In a foreword for the Duchy’s financial accounts, Prince William paid tribute to his father for leaving an “indelible mark” on the dukedom and promised to work hard to make a difference in his new position.</p> <p>“I am committed to the cause of tackling climate change and I am proud of the estate’s efforts to contribute to this challenge,” William wrote.</p> <p>“If we can also help respond to social challenges such as mental health and homelessness, I will feel my term as Duke has been worthwhile.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

Matt Shirvington’s new Sunrise salary revealed

<p dir="ltr">While Matt Shirvington may have landed the biggest break of his breakfast television career, he still has an uphill battle ahead if he wants a salary that reflects his predecessor, David Koch. </p> <p dir="ltr">As a senior executive told <em>The Daily Mail</em>, Kochie was earning over $1.5 million for his hosting role on the hit show <em>Sunrise</em>, despite only working four days in each week. </p> <p dir="ltr">Shirvington, on the other hand, reportedly signed a contract with the Seven network promising him an initial salary of $400,000 each year. </p> <p dir="ltr">And while this is said to be subject to an increase if things are looking favourable at ratings time, it’s a starting point that doesn’t even scrape the halfway mark of Kochie’s earnings. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Kochie was a big part of Seven’s overall success,” the source told the publication. “And that’s why he was taking home about $1.5 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shirvo is young, good looking, and charismatic, but he's still relatively untested, which is why he's getting paid half of what Kochie earned.”</p> <p dir="ltr">That same source noted that they anticipated seeing former-Olympian Shirvington’s salary rise to roughly $750,000 if the feedback to his tenure was positive, with solid ratings to back it up.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If he can maintain or even boost ratings, the sky's the limit,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shirvington - and curious minds - won’t know for sure until November, when Australia’s ratings year draws to a close, which gives the new host almost six months to get on top of winning viewers’ hearts.</p> <p dir="ltr">It won’t be an easy feat, as audiences adjust to the change after losing departing host Kochie - who happened to be the longest-serving breakfast television host in Australia’s entertainment history, leading the charge for an impressive 21 years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“While he is a talent, he's not a professionally trained journalist,” the source added. “He may struggle in the fast-paced world of live television.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And while Shirvington may be eagerly awaiting the end of the year to see how he’s landed with fans, he won’t be the only one, with <em>Sunrise</em>’s home network holding high stakes in the whole matter, too. </p> <p dir="ltr">As the executive explained, “success at breakfast underpins the success of the entire network, and can't be underestimated.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you watch breakfast on one particular network then you also watch the 6pm news bulletin, and Seven will be hoping those viewers stick.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Money & Banking

Top-tier salaries for high-profile talents at Channel 9 revealed

<p>Ray Hadley has been named the highest paid talent at the Nine Network, with his contract extension earning him a reported $9 million. </p> <p>The 68-year-old talk back radio host will remain the morning show host at 2GB until the end of 2026, with the gig lining his pockets with around $3.5 million annually. </p> <p>With the news of Hadley's new contract making headlines, an insider at <em>Media Diary</em> has revealed what the other top talents at the Nine Network are earning in comparison. </p> <p>The second highest paid personality at the network is reportedly comedian and <em>Lego Masters</em> host Hamish Blake, who rakes in around $2 million per year.</p> <p>Coming in with salaries around the $1.5 million per year mark are the likes of <em>Today</em> host Karl Stefanovic, <em>A Current Affair</em> host Allison Langdon, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham and <em>The Block</em> host Scott Cam.</p> <p>Earning between $1 million and $1.2 million reportedly include veteran <em>60 Minutes</em> journalist Liz Hayes, <em>The Hundred</em> host Andy Lee, and 3AW presenters Neil Mitchell and Ross Stevenson.</p> <p><em>Nine News</em> journalist Peter Overton is said to make approximately $1 million a year, while <em>Today</em> co-host Sarah Abo and reality show host Sophie Monk are each said to net around $800,000.</p> <p>While the network does not disclose the salaries of each personality, an individual's annual pay is often leaked when star's renegotiate their contracts.</p> <p>When Lisa Wilkinson left the Nine Network in 2017 over a gender pay dispute, she reportedly signed a $2 million per year contract with Ten to co-host <em>The Project</em>.</p> <p>Also defecting from Nine, Sonia Kruger is said to have signed a $1.3 million contract with Seven as the co-host of <em>Dancing with the Stars</em>. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Today / Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

Workers eligible for $10,000 salary bump in federal budget revealed

<p>Treasure Jim Chalmers has revealed the frontline workers who will receive a hefty pay rise in the federal budget to help with the cost of living pressures and improve equal pay for women.</p> <p>Some frontline workers will see a pay rise of $10,000 a year under the historic changes.</p> <p>It is part of the biggest pay rise to date for aged care workers that will distribute pay rises to 250,000 people working on the frontline to care for older Australians.</p> <p>Those eligible include nurses who could receive an extra $200 a week, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers, head chefs and cooks, recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers) and home care workers.</p> <p>Under the changes, the following will secure a significant pay rise for working in aged care.</p> <ul> <li>A registered nurse on a level 2.3 aware wage will receive an additional $196.08 a week (more than $10,000 a year)</li> <li>An enrolled nurse on a level 2 award age will receive an additional $145.54 a week (more than $7500 a year)</li> <li>An assistant in nursing on a level 3 award wage will receive an additional $136.68 a week (more than $7100 a year)</li> <li>A personal care worker on a level 4 (aged care award) or a home care worker on a level 3.1 (SCHADS award) will receive an additional $141.10 a week (more than $7300 a year)</li> <li>A recreational activity officer on a level 3 (aged care award) will receive an additional $139.54 a week (more than $7200 a year)</li> <li>A head chef/cook on a level 4 (aged care award) will receive an additional $141.12 a week (more than $7300 a year)</li> <li> A staff member with a Certificate III qualification will see a change from $940 per week to $1,082</li> </ul> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was hoped the investment would help the industry retain staff and lure new employees to the sector.</p> <p>“Every worker deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and that’s what this will deliver for thousands in aged care across the country,’’ he said.</p> <p>“For too long, those working in aged care have been asked to work harder for longer without enough reward but with this Budget, that changes.</p> <p>“This investment recognises the incredible contribution that aged care workers make to our economy and community and will help to create a bigger incentive for young Australians looking for a rewarding career to pick aged care in the future.”</p> <p>Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care, said the increase in pay reflected that aged care was physically and emotionally demanding work.</p> <p>The 15 per cent pay rise means that a staff member with a Certificate III qualification moves from earning only $940 per week to $1,082.</p> <p>“This record $11.3 billion investment is a historic and deserved pay rise for a workforce undervalued for far too long,’’ she said.</p> <p>“Fair wages play a major role in attracting and retaining workers to provide around the clock care for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.</p> <p>Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said the pay rise would make history.</p> <p>The wage increase is designed to help women and families struggling with the cost of living crisis and ensure that quality aged care workers are less inclined to consider leaving the sector over pay concerns.</p> <p>“Our commitment is long overdue recognition of the skilled work our aged care workers deliver day in, day out,’’ he said.</p> <p>Other workers in the budget are expected to include older Australians who are seeking employment and they will receive pay rises if they are over 60 but not yet eligible for the aged pension.</p> <p>The Albanese Government are also expected to boost payments for single parents after former Prime Minister Julia Gillard introduced changes to force parents - particularly women - to return to work earlier.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

Insane salaries for I’m A Celebrity contestants revealed

<p>The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Stars are off in the South African jungle, with each one of them competing for a $100,000 prize going to a charity of their choice. However, some stars might be taking even more money home for themselves.</p> <p>The Daily Mail reported that the celebrity cast are in for salaries ranging from $35,000 to $180,000. Although an impressive sum, it’s unsurprising for Channel Ten as they are known to splurge when it comes to the show, with Shane Warne claiming he received $2 million for his appearance back in 2016 (a fact which was enough to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/how-much-kyle-knocked-back-when-asked-to-appear-on-i-m-a-celebrity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convince Kyle Sandilands to steer clear of the jungle </a>for this year's adventure).</p> <p>Speaking to news.com.au prior to the show, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/kerri-anne-kennerley-heads-to-the-jungle-on-one-condition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerri-Anne Kennerley revealed she had negotiated some special “provisos” in her contract.</a></p> <p>She told producers she would only brave the jungle if she was able to bring her beauty products along with her.</p> <p>Alongside Kerri-Anne, Channel Ten star Peter Helliar, 47, is up for an apparent $90,000 for his appearance on the show.</p> <p>Former Australian Idol judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickinson has secured some hefty funds too, reportedly being paid $80,000 for his short stint in the jungle.</p> <p>Some of the lower profile celebs are earning a smaller wage of $50,000, including <em>MAFS</em> star Domenica Calarco, radio host Woody Whitelaw and AFL player Adam Cooney.</p> <p><em>Geordie Shore’s</em> Charlotte Crosby was rumoured to have pocketed $1 million when she appeared on the reality show in 2020, but this year’s <em>Geordie Shore</em> star Nathan Henry will only be taking a fraction of that home.</p> <p>Henry, with over 1.4 million followers on Instagram, will be earning $35,000 for his appearance.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

TV

Aussie cat-fluencer claws in a staggering salary online

<p>Honey, who lives in Melbourne with her human parents Paul and Nicole, has proven herself to be quite the star of her very own Cinderella story. </p> <p>Honey had been spending her days on the streets when she was taken to a local animal shelter, and stayed there for months while she waited on someone to give her a place in their hearts and in their home. Luckily, cat lovers Nicole and Paul became smitten with the kitten on a visit to the shelter, and wasted no time in adopting her.</p> <p>Their furry friend, who is now 3 years old and living a delightfully pampered life, has come a long way from her lonely start in life. These days, Honey dazzles people from all around the world with her Instagram account, where she “performs” as a chef, poses in custom costumes, and shares delicious recipes with her 164k followers. </p> <p>Honey’s success has proven a treat for her owners, too, with the cat drawing in a stunning salary of $63k last year alone. Although this income already falls above the median national salary (according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics), it’s predicted that the sum will only rise from here, having already skyrocketed from $50k in 2021. </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/CjBzTWuPkz0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CjBzTWuPkz0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HONEY | Cat Chef | Princess (@princesshoneybelle)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We started Honey’s Instagram in January 2020 when we adopted her,” Nicole said in an interview with <em>news.com.au</em>, “as a way to document her growing up.”</p> <p>“When the pandemic started, I had a bunch of extra free time so really started to research and invest myself into learning more about social media and how to be successful,” Nicole explained of the decision to start the account, going on to add that they “grew followers pretty quickly and had 20k within four months, but the only brand deals we could secure were gifted at first.</p> <p>“We got our first paid deal about six months after we had started, but didn’t start to see decent earnings until mid-2021.”</p> <p>Nicole credits Honey’s rise to internet fame to their Instagram reels, telling <em>news.com.au</em>, “things really started to take off when we started posting the reels. We do baking reels, they really show off Honey’s persona as a cat chef. People adore her.”</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/CoDVHDaNsPG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CoDVHDaNsPG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HONEY | Cat Chef | Princess (@princesshoneybelle)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Honey’s success has led to opportunities most can only dream of - she has her own merchandise, and a cookbook coming out later in 2022. Of their branching enterprise, Nicole admitted that “it is important to have multiple streams of income, as brand deals are not always available.”</p> <p>She went on to explain that they try to keep their content relevant, watch out for what’s trending, and to balance education with entertainment. But most all, they try to do whatever Honey wants - despite criticism that they are only using their furry friend for financial gain. </p> <p>“Honey loves making videos, and really enjoys all the attention she gets when we film or take pictures,” Nicole assured, “she is often purring through the whole process. She also always gets her favourite treats as payment, of course.</p> <p>“We never do anything she doesn’t want to do, and ensure her health, safety and happiness always come first.</p> <p>“Creating content with her has been an amazing way to bond and document her life with us, make friendships and connections from around the world, and inspire others to adopt from and support shelters.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

A job with a $500K salary and free house has no takers

<p dir="ltr">Healthcare can be hard to access in rural areas, but even one Aussie town’s tantalising offer of a hefty salary and free home has yet to successfully attract any doctors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Julia Creek’s McKinlay Shire Council, located 600km west of Townsville, Queensland, has put together an enticing package for a GP looking to go bush and help their tight-knit community.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite offering a salary of up to $513,620 and a rent-free house on a decent piece of land, the council have had no takers so far.</p> <p dir="ltr">Currently, temporary doctors fly into the community for two days each week to support local hospital staff - with residents needing care on the other five days of the week forced to travel two hours or 200km to Mount Isa.</p> <p dir="ltr">Deputy Mayor Janene Fegan told NCA NewsWire that the package was first offered three months ago, but their search for a permanent GP in the community has been ongoing for the past 18 months.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not only about the money, it’s also about the lifestyle,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Fegan first moved to the area for a temporary posting to work as a nurse, but three months has since become three decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s just a nice, easy, simple lifestyle,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have plenty of room, plenty of space.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-cbd9db93-7fff-6c3b-d448-e7d71e705311"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With a tight-knit community of 500 residents, Ms Fegan said Julia Creek boasts warm sunny days, a gym that will only set you back $30 a month, and a pool that costs just $2 to use.</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/CGEFjiShND8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CGEFjiShND8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by McKinlay Shire Council (@mckinlay_shire_council)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">While the council has received two applications so far, both have requested a fly-in, fly-out arrangement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Residents are desperate for the return to having a permanent doctor, which will result in greater stability and access to urgent care when needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you had a sick child in the middle of the night, they might have to send you on,” Ms Fegan said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And some things aren’t quite serious enough to need an ambulance, but serious enough that you want care quickly.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that they had survived so far through the good will of neighbours helping each other out.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess that’s why we’ve survived so long without the doctor, because we are such a tight-knit community and someone will also help someone else out,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The council has also said it will provide the new GP’s partner with employment if needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We would definitely make all our effort to find something suitable,” Ms Fegan said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And also with the internet, you don’t need to work in the city anymore.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-90122888-7fff-9859-7f6f-add831717807"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @mckinlayshirecouncil</em></p>

Money & Banking

Carrie Bickmore's stunning salary leaked

<p dir="ltr">Carrie Bickmore’s eye-watering salary for working just three days on <em>The Project</em> has been leaked.</p> <p dir="ltr">The co-host shocked viewers when she announced that she will be leaving the show at the end of the year after 13 years of being the face of <em>The Project</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since her bombshell announcement, it has been revealed that Carrie was earning a hefty $1.1 million for three weekly episodes from 2021-2022. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her salary is also reportedly more than big names at <em>Sunrise</em> such as David Koch who is reportedly paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven’s breakfast program four days a week.</p> <p dir="ltr">Further to that, Carrie was making more per year than her competition Tracy Grimshaw who hosted <em>A Current Affair</em> for 17 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">A leaked internal memo that went to another Channel Ten department showed Carrie’s massive salary. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now rumours are swirling that Carrie’s shock departure was because Ten no longer wanted to pay the large sum for just three days worth of work. </p> <p dir="ltr">“But Ten is adamant that money wasn’t the issue, and it was simply down to Bickmore wanting to spend more time with her family, particularly after her much-publicised three-month sabbatical in the UK earlier this year,” <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/why-lisa-wilkinson-wont-win-the-projects-top-job-after-carrie-bickmore-leaves/news-story/68b2fd70236dc7715e1f19ffae82ed03" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diary</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">Carrie shared the news to viewers on October 11 saying that she wanted to have more family time and to know who she was outside of the program.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Gold Logie winner has been on the show since the first episode aired in 2009, alongside Charlie Pickering.</p> <p dir="ltr">Holding back tears, Carrie said it was the “hardest decision of my professional life but it’s time for a new challenge and my next chapter”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

Margot Robbie’s eye watering movie salary revealed

<p dir="ltr">Margot Robbie has become the highest paid Hollywood actress thanks to her role in Greta Gerwig’s live action <em>Barbie </em>movie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australian actress, 32, takes on the lead role of <em>Barbie </em>in the upcoming film and received an eye watering USD$12.5 million (AUD$18.1 million) for it. </p> <p dir="ltr">This hefty sum now places Margot on the top of the list of Hollywood’s highest paid actresses. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her salary definitely soared since her last blockbuster <em>Birds of Prey</em> which saw her earn USD$10 million (AUD$14.6 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">Her co-star, heartthrob Ryan Gosling was reportedly paid the same amount for playing the lead male role in the film. </p> <p dir="ltr">Margot said that she is excited for the film to be released and it will certainly bring in a different type of audience. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We like the things that feel a little left of center. Something like Barbie where the IP, the name itself, people immediately have an idea of, ‘Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is’,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But our goal is to be like, ‘Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different—the thing you didn’t know you wanted’.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Barbie </em>is expected to be released in July 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: IMDB</em></p>

Movies