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"Star power": Dancing with the Stars salaries leaked

<p>Break out the sequins and brace for the paso doble – <em>Dancing With The Stars</em> is back for its 22nd season on Sunday June 15, and while the celebrity cast is polishing their foxtrots and fake tans, the real drama has already begun… in their bank accounts.</p> <p>Twelve familiar Aussie faces will take to the floor in a blur of feathers, fringe and footwork, all in the name of charity (and, let’s be honest, a shot at the gloriously glittery Mirror Ball Trophy). But thanks to a <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/reality-tv/dancing-with-the-stars-australia-2025-salaries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cheeky little leak by <em>Woman's Day</em></a>, we now know what else they’re dancing for: a surprisingly tiered pay system that splits the cast into three star-powered salary brackets.</p> <p>According to an “insider” who clearly missed the memo about NDAs, <em>Woman’s Day</em> has revealed that the 2025 cast is being paid based on a heady mix of legacy status, Logie nominations and possibly how many times Sonia Kruger has said their name on TV.</p> <p>Sitting pretty at the top of the pyramid (and we imagine, in the nicest rehearsal rooms) are national treasures Rebecca Gibney, Osher Günsberg and Shaun Micallef, each reportedly waltzing away with a cool $100,000. Between them, they’ve got decades of TV experience, Gold Logie nods and more charm than a Bunnings sausage sizzle.</p> <p>In the mid-range tier – the cha-cha-<em>ching</em>, if you will – are Olympic gold medallist Susie O’Neill, AFL great Trent Cotchin and 7NEWS stalwart Michael Usher, each allegedly earning $47,000. Not quite six figures, but still a pretty decent reward for risking public humiliation in Lycra.</p> <p>And finally, rounding out the glitterati is the budget-conscious brigade, earning a still-respectable $27,000: radio personality Brittany Hockley, influencer Mia Fevola, boxer Harry Garside, comic Felicity Ward, <em>Home and Away</em> heartthrob Kyle Shilling and 7NEWS’ Karina Carvalho. If enthusiasm and willingness to wear rhinestones were currencies, they'd all be millionaires.</p> <p>This tiered approach marks a departure from the great equal-pay kumbaya of 2023, when every one of the 14 celebrity contestants – including Matt Preston and Paulini – reportedly took home “just under $50,000”. Democracy in action... or perhaps just a simpler year for Channel 7’s payroll department.</p> <p><em>Dancing With The Stars</em> premieres Sunday, June 15, with sparkly stalwart Sonia Kruger and fresh-faced co-host Dr Chris Brown returning to oversee the glittery chaos. Expect tears, twirls and at least one dramatic tumble — hopefully not from the top earners.</p> <p><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p>

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Robert Irwin announces new Hollywood career move

<p>The ballroom just got a little more... reptilian.</p> <p>Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old Aussie wildlife warrior and part-time crocodile whisperer, has officially signed on for the upcoming season of <em>Dancing With The Stars US</em>. And how did he announce it? By strutting shirtless onto a stage in Los Angeles with a snake around his neck like it was just another Tuesday.</p> <p>The announcement came during Hulu’s <em>Get Real</em> event, where Robert delivered an enthusiastic (and slightly slippery) surprise to the crowd. Cheers erupted, though it’s unclear if they were for Robert, the snake, or the possibility of a <em>paso doble</em> performed in khaki.</p> <p>Robert, who grew up watching his sister Bindi Irwin twirl and samba her way to victory on Season 21 of the show, shared his excitement, saying: “I had these little dreams, going, ‘One day’ and now that dream is a reality and I am over the moon.”</p> <p>Which, we can assume, is also how the snake felt about its brief moment of fame.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram, Robert confirmed the dream was, in fact, no hallucination caused by excessive exposure to eucalyptus.</p> <p>"It's official, I'm heading to Hollywood for Dancing With The Stars Season 34," he wrote. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid watching my sister's incredible journey on the show. I cannot believe it is about to become a reality. So grateful."</p> <p>Naturally, fans flooded the comments with well-wishes, excitement and at least one person probably asking, “Is the snake going to dance too?”</p> <p>Even the official DWTS account chimed in with a warm “Welcome to the DWTS fam”. </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/DIxrOK-h6H8/?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/DIxrOK-h6H8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>But the pressure is real. Bindi Irwin won her season at just 17 years old, leaving Robert with some big dancing shoes to fill – and possibly a pair of backup snakes. Her most iconic moment? A moving contemporary tribute to their late father, Steve Irwin, that had the judges, the audience and half the internet sobbing into their glitter.</p> <p>Bindi said at the time: "What shaped me the most would probably be when my dad passed away. It's been nine years and I've never really dwelled on that point. I think I'm ready to tell that story."</p> <p>So, the bar is high. Emotionally and choreographically.</p> <p>While Robert’s signature style has been more khaki-and-cobra than sequins-and-salsa, we eagerly await his transformation into a glittery, rhinestone-studded dance machine. Will he bring more snakes? Will he attempt a tango with a tarantula? Will he rip his shirt off mid-routine like it’s Magic Mike: Down Under?</p> <p>Stay tuned. Season 34 is shaping up to be wild – literally.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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After a century of Monday to Friday, could the 4-day week finally be coming to Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The reality of shorter working hours could be one step closer for many Australians, pending the outcome of the federal election.</p> <p>The Greens, who could control crucial cross bench votes in a hung parliament, have announced plans for a <a href="https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-launch-4-day-work-week-election-policy">four-day</a> working week, with no loss of pay. They say the policy would alleviate stress and burn out, and increase women’s participation in the workforce.</p> <p>Earning the same money for fewer hours would appeal to most workers. But is it too good to be true? Could it really be rolled out cost free to all workplaces, especially to “client facing” companies and service providers?</p> <p>Or does research suggest the Greens could be onto something?</p> <h2>The Greens’ plan</h2> <p>The Greens’ policy would involve a new National Institute for the Four Day Work Week and a test case through the Fair Work Commission.</p> <p>A series of national trials would be set up in a number of different industries, whereby workers would work 80% of their normal hours, while maintaining 100% of their pay.</p> <p>According to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, it’s a win-win for everyone:</p> <blockquote> <p>It can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve recruitment and retention and give employees more time to manage their home life. This change will allow workers to create a working week that works for them.</p> </blockquote> <h2>The 100:80:100 model</h2> <p>The four-day work week being proposed in this instance is commonly regarded as the 100:80:100 model.</p> <p>It delivers 100% of the pay, for 80% of the hours, in <a href="https://www.4dayweek.com/news-posts/100-80-100-rule">return</a> for maintaining 100% of productivity.</p> <p>This is unlike other forms of shorter working weeks, which compress five days’ worth of work into four longer days. This obviously disadvantages some employees.</p> <p>Recent <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Emerging_Four_Day_Work_Week_Trends_in_Australia_New_insights_based_on_interviews_with_Australian_firms_who_have_already_adopted_4DWW_arrangements_Preview_report_/26282311?file=47647063">research</a> conducted by Swinburne University of Technology involved interviews with ten Australian firms that have already adopted the 100:80:100 model.</p> <p>They were a mixture of small and medium sized private sector businesses, including management consulting firms, a shipping and logistics company, and recruitment and marketing agencies.</p> <p>The research underlined the potential for a range of positive outcomes for both employers and employees.</p> <p>Workers reported having better work-life balance, more time to complete “life administration” tasks, and more time to invest in hobbies, exercise, wellness and self-care. Bosses cited productivity gains, reduced sick days, and significant improvements in recruitment and retention rates.</p> <p>However, the 100:80:100 model is viewed with scepticism in some quarters. There is still doubt that productivity and output would be maintained, or in some cases improved, when workers are working one day fewer per week.</p> <p>Also, there could be costs associated with the implementation of this work model for front-line roles, such as retail, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Additional workers may need to be hired, at extra expense, to cover the hours dropped by the existing workforce.</p> <h2>100 years of working 5 days a week</h2> <p>The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the five-day work week.</p> <p>It was car maker Henry Ford who <a href="https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/henry-fords-five-day-week/">reduced</a> the working week in the United States from six days to five. Other sectors and countries followed suit. This was at a time when the average life expectancy of Australian workers was just 55 and households typically only had one bread-winner.</p> <p>Despite the time saved by the many technological breakthroughs in the past 100 years – from the photocopier, desktop computer and fax machine, to the internet, mobile phones and AI – the average Australian is now <a href="https://futurework.org.au/report/taking-up-the-right-to-disconnect-unsatisfactory-working-hours-and-unpaid-overtime/">working longer hours</a> in paid and unpaid labour than ever before.</p> <p>The Greens point out Australian society is changing. More women and carers are either in the workforce or would be encouraged into the workforce by more flexible arrangements:</p> <blockquote> <p>yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders.</p> </blockquote> <p>The role of generative AI technologies in the workplace may also deliver benefits to workers. Separate Swinburne <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Generative_AI_at_work_Empowering_employee_mental_wellbeing/27252948">research</a> has revealed an increasing expectation among workers that they will receive a share in the time saved by future technologies in the form of improved work-life balance and wellbeing gains.</p> <h2>Time to enter the 21st century</h2> <p>Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/27/two-hundred-uk-companies-sign-up-for-permanent-four-day-working-week">200 UK companies</a> signed up to the 100:80:100 model, as part of a campaign to “reinvent Britain’s working week”. Large scale trials are also underway in <a href="https://4dayweek.io/country/canada">Canada</a> and several <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/02/02/the-four-day-week-which-countries-have-embraced-it-and-how-s-it-going-so-far">European</a> countries.</p> <p>The global interest in a shorter working week is not surprising, and has likely been fuelled by the COVID pandemic, which has caused workers and employers to re-imagine their working lives.</p> <p>If the Greens are in a position to leverage any balance of power after the coming election, it could be Australia’s turn to recognise the conventional five-day working week is no longer fit for purpose.<!-- 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/252379/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>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate Professor of Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</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/after-a-century-of-monday-to-friday-could-the-4-day-week-finally-be-coming-to-australia-252379">original article</a>. </em></p> <p> </p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Farewell, Your Majesty: Major change coming to Aussie fiver

<p>The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced a new theme for the Aussie fiver, designed to honour the “enduring emotional, spiritual and physical connection of First Nations peoples to Country”. </p> <p>“This inspiring theme will guide the creation of an artwork that will feature on the redesigned banknote,” said Michelle McPhee, RBA’s Assistant Governor of Business Services. The selection of this theme followed an extensive national campaign, receiving over 2,100 theme nominations from the public.</p> <p>For the first time since 1992, the $5 note will not feature the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had appeared on the denomination for more than 30 years. Breaking with tradition, the RBA confirmed that the redesigned note would not bear a portrait of any monarch, meaning King Charles will also be absent from the new design. However, the reverse side of the note will continue to depict the Australian Parliament building.</p> <p>Since the 1960s, the $5 banknote has undergone four major redesigns, with the most recent update in 2016. When Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait was first introduced in 1992, it replaced humanitarian Caroline Chisholm, a decision that was met with criticism at the time. The RBA defended its choice, citing Australia’s status as a constitutional monarchy and the tradition of including the reigning monarch on at least one banknote.</p> <p>The new banknote is expected to take several years to be designed, printed and circulated. The process of selecting an artist for the design is currently underway, with more details to be revealed in the coming months. The development of the note will also involve incorporating advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.</p> <p>While the new design is in progress, the existing $5 note will continue to be issued. Meanwhile, Australian coins, which are produced by the Royal Australian Mint, will maintain the tradition of featuring the monarch.</p> <p><em>Images: RBA</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Dancing with the Stars 2025 cast revealed

<p>The full cast for the upcoming season of <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> has been revealed. </p> <p>The highly-anticipated announcement comes after weeks of speculation on who would be joining the show, after a few select names had already been confirmed. </p> <p>Rebecca Gibney was the first celebrity to announce she would be joining the cast, after admitting to turning down many reality TV offers in years past, but accepting the <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> invitation just after her 60th birthday.</p> <p>"I want to say yes more than no," she said. "I want to do things that frighten and challenge me, and hopefully that will give me a little bit extra longevity."</p> <p>Channel Seven's Chief Content Officer Brook Hall says that the show has been chasing Gibney for some time, telling <em><a href="https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/02/rebecca-gibney-joins-dancing-with-the-stars.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TV Tonight</a></em>, "She's probably been asked like 52 times. It must be a timing thing."</p> <p>"To grab some of the names we've got is a big relief," he continued. </p> <p>Joining the show alongside Gibney will be podcast and radio host Brittany Hockley, comedian Felicity Ward, Olympic boxer Harry Garside, 7News presenter Karina Carvalho, <em>Home and Away</em> star Kyle Shilling, influencer and model Mia Fevola, 7News presenter Michael Usher, TV host Osher Günsberg, TV host and comedian Shaun Micallef, Olympic legend Susie O’Neill and AFL champion Trent Cotchin. </p> <p>Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown return as hosts, alongside judges Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess, Helen Richey, and Mark Wilson.</p> <p>Filming of the show is set to kick off next month, and will air on Channel Seven later this year. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise / Seven </em></p>

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"The time has come": Ray Hadley announces retirement

<p>After 43 years on air, Ray Hadley has announced he will be stepping back from his hosting role at 2GB. </p> <p>Hadley shocked his loyal listeners on Thursday morning, saying his extensive career has been "one hell of a ride". </p> <p>“It’s been a hell of a ride from a young bloke who wanted to call the races," he said. "But the time has come for someone else to do the job. So December 13 will be my last day broadcasting."</p> <p>“Apparently the story has broken somewhere. There’s always a leak somewhere, so I may as well do it now, earlier than I anticipated,” he said.</p> <p>“Sometimes you can’t keep things secret, and I suppose in the media, that’s what happens."</p> <p>“I’ve achieved far more than I ever thought I would. My children, Dan, Laura, Emma and Sarah, have made sacrifices over the years for me to realise my ambitions."</p> <p>"Back in September I turned 70, I started to think, how long I've got left on this Earth, and do I want to keep getting up at half past three in the morning, meaning I go to bed early. At social events I'm always the first out the door. I don't want to be the first out the door anymore."</p> <p>Hadley assured listeners he would not be disappearing completely, clarifying, "I'm not retiring from work. I'm just retiring from full-time radio. I'll bob up somewhere in 2025 but not in a full-time capacity, and certainly not on radio." </p> <p>Shortly after making the on-air announcement, NSW premier Chris Minns called into the show to share a tribute. </p> <p>“Ray, you shocked us all. What a massive day in New South Wales radio, and a huge loss for Sydney in particular," Mr Minns said.</p> <p>“We’re genuinely going to miss you. I’m in shock at the moment. It’s a distinguished career. It’s an incredible legacy. But if I was someone up in one word, I would just say fearless, a broadcasting career that’s been completely fearless, and you’ve never, ever pulled your punches in something that you believe in."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Retirement Life

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"I’m coming home from a party, and I don’t want to end up getting arrested": do driving apps help people break road rules?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/verity-truelove-1237331">Verity Truelove</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-nicolls-1299069">Michelle Nicolls</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/oscar-oviedo-trespalacios-1417150">Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/delft-university-of-technology-1040">Delft University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>Apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze can tell drivers when they are approaching speed cameras or random breath testing stations. Countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland have banned apps from displaying these enforcement locations.</p> <p>But what effect are these apps having in Australia – are they helping drivers break road rules?</p> <p>Our new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524002972">paper</a>, published in the journal Safety Science, examined this question.</p> <p>We found this technology can, in some cases, contribute to people thinking they are invincible on the roads. However, we also found they can sometimes help people drive more safely.</p> <h2>Being made aware of enforcement can help road safety</h2> <p>We conducted focus groups and interviews with a total of 58 drivers from Queensland, to understand how the use of this technology influences perceptions of being caught for breaking road rules.</p> <p>One driver told us: "If I know it’s coming up, I’ll put my phone down. If I was, say, texting or checking something, but then like once a good few 100 metres away, I sort of pick it up again, depending though."</p> <p>Another said: "It sort of depends where I am driving, I guess. Like, if I am driving on a country road and there is a speed camera there I would probably slow down for the speed camera and then sort of speed up again once I am sort of past that; it sort of depends on the circumstances."</p> <p>We also found that, for some people, being made aware of enforcement locations can help drivers better regulate their speed. This helped them comply with road rules more consistently.</p> <p>Waze also shows the speed limit in the area, which further assisted some drivers to stick to the speed limit. One driver told us: "I’m a bit careful if I just look at the speedo and just double check that I’m on the right amount of speed."</p> <p>Another said: "It just gives you a warning like, ‘OK, you need to check your speed.’ Just to double-check you’re going on the right speed perhaps or when it’s a camera coming up."</p> <h2>Concerning behaviours</h2> <p>Concerningly, we also found some drivers who use these apps are looking at and touching their screens more than they otherwise would. This can distract drivers and increase their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524001097">risk of crashing</a>.</p> <p>One driver told us they post traffic updates on the app they use while driving, “which I know is wrong.”</p> <p>Another said: "Just hit the button on the phone. Just two steps after I go past the camera."</p> <p>Another driver told us: "It’s so helpful […] Especially if it’s, say, late night and I’m coming home from a party, and I don’t want to end up getting arrested."</p> <p>One driver said: "I probably feel slightly more invincible, which is probably not a good thing."</p> <p>When asked why these apps are used, one driver said: "I guess the drug and the drink-driving."</p> <h2>Apps can help and hinder road safety</h2> <p>We know breaking road rules significantly contributes to <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/safety-and-mobility/global-status-report-on-road-safety-2023">crashes and road fatalities</a>, with deaths on Australian roads continuing to <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/road_deaths_australia_monthly_bulletins">increase</a> over time.</p> <p>On the one hand, when drivers are aware of enforcement measures like cameras and police, they are more likely to stop breaking the rules in those areas. That’s particularly true for behaviours such as speeding and using a phone while driving, we found.</p> <p>Using apps that flag where cameras and police are located also means drivers would be more exposed to enforcement activities than they otherwise would be on a normal drive.</p> <p>On the other hand, our results suggest some drivers are using these applications to break road rules more often in places where they think they won’t be caught.</p> <p>These apps are also not always completely accurate.</p> <p>For instance, even though Waze can display some police operation locations such as roadside breath testing, it can’t capture <em>all</em> on-road police activities. Further, camera locations are not always up to date or accurate.</p> <h2>Weighing benefits against risks</h2> <p>While these apps do have some benefits, it’s important to weigh these against the risks.</p> <p>It’s also important to recognise traffic enforcement isn’t just there to make you comply with road rules at a specific point; it is meant to remind you of the constant risk of being caught and to encourage consistent rule compliance.</p> <p>The goal is to ensure that drivers are following the traffic rules across the entire network, not just in isolated spots.</p> <p>With road fatalities at some of the <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/road_deaths_australia_monthly_bulletins">highest rates we’ve seen in recent years</a>, we need everyone to work together to stop more preventable deaths and injuries.<!-- 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/237664/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/verity-truelove-1237331">Verity Truelove</a>, Senior Research Fellow in Road Safety Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-nicolls-1299069">Michelle Nicolls</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/oscar-oviedo-trespalacios-1417150">Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios</a>, A/Professor Responsible Risk Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/delft-university-of-technology-1040">Delft University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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/im-coming-home-from-a-party-and-i-dont-want-to-end-up-getting-arrested-do-driving-apps-help-people-break-road-rules-237664">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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"The worst is still yet to come": Grim warning for chocolate lovers

<p>Chocolate lovers could be facing a potential nightmare ahead of the festive season as cocoa supplies hit an all time low, driving confectionary prices to a record high.</p> <p>Most of the world's cocoa beans are grown in West Africa, where ongoing inclement weather and crippling crop diseases, coupled with economy-wide pressures like rising labour, packaging and energy costs, have put unprecedented pressure on the chocolate industry in recent months. </p> <p>However, market analyst Rabobank’s Paul Joules told <a title="www.smh.com.au" href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-a-global-cocoa-crunch-will-sour-chocolate-for-years-to-come-20240927-p5ke0w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em>, </a> “the worst is still yet to come for consumers”, as the stockpiles of cocoa that manufacturers have been relying on for the past 18 months have run out. </p> <p>“While hedging has protected many manufacturers from the worst effects of the price rises until now, eventually all these forward contracts will get used up, and prices will have to increase to reflect the current cocoa price,” Rabobank’s Soaring chocolate prices report, released last week, read.</p> <p>Rabobank wanted that the increased costs of manufacturing will be passed down to consumers, with dark chocolate lovers being the most affected due to the high concentration of cocoa. </p> <p>Analysis by Mr Joules found that, worldwide, a 100 gram block of chocolate with 70 per cent cocoa content could rise from $4.90 to $6.50, with a “similar increase could be expected in Australia”.</p> <p>“It can take anywhere from six to 12 months for … price hikes to be reflected in the retail pricing of products,” Saxo Head of Commodity Strategy, Ole Sloth Hansen said. </p> <p>“The trend of shrinkflation is likely to become more pronounced. Consequently, while there might not be a stark rise in the price tags of chocolate items, the quantity offered for the same price will see a reduction.” </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Money & Banking

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"We all come to an end": Beloved comedian's heartbreaking message from palliative care

<p>Scottish comedian Janey Godley has made an emotional announcement to her social media followers, sharing that she is now in palliative care. </p> <p>Godley was forced to cancel her tour after developing sepsis from her cancer treatments, and is now receiving end of life care after a years long battle with ovarian cancer. </p> <p>"So I'm now in palliative care and I am at end-of-life care now in the hospital," the 63-year-old said in a video posted to Instagram. </p> <p>"The chemo ran out of options, and I just couldn't take any more of it," she continued, adding that the "has spread, so it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it, and it's really difficult to speak about this and say it to people."</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAWJ3Qgt-Rx/?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/DAWJ3Qgt-Rx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Janey Godley (@janeygodley)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She went on to thank the hospital staff for their efforts, and family and friends for supporting her and husband Sean Storrie and their daughter Ashley through her illness. </p> <p>"It is devastating news to know that I'm facing the end of life but we all come to an end sometime," she continued. </p> <p>"I don't know how long I've got left before anybody asks. I'm not on TikTok so I just want you all to know that I appreciate all the love you've given me."</p> <p>She wished everyone a "lovely Christmas", adding, "I might be here, who knows? But I just want you to know I'm sending all my love to people living with a life-limiting disease."</p> <p>The news comes just weeks after Godley was forced to cancel her tour after developing sepsis while undergoing treatment. </p> <p>An official statement shared, "Janey has been living with stage four ovarian cancer for the past few years and the treatment from the wonderful Scottish NHS has kept the disease at bay, but sadly in the last few weeks the cancer has returned and there have been a few added complications."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"It's a miracle that I'm living": Victory dance for Aussie Paralympic superstar

<p>Alexa Leary has emerged victorious at the Paralympic Games with a gold medal, three years after her life was changed from a horrific bike crash.</p> <p>In July 2021, Alexa was on a bike ride training as a triathlete when her front wheel clipped a bike in front of her, sending her flying form her bike at 70 kilometres an hour. </p> <p>Leary then underwent lifesaving surgery after the crash shattered her skull and left her unable to walk or talk, and spent 111 days in hospital. </p> <p>Now, the 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast broke her own 100m freestyle world record on Thursday morning, walking away with a gold medal. </p> <p>"It's been a long, rough journey for me," Leary said at the Paris La Defense Arena.</p> <p>"It's a miracle that I'm living, and I'm walking and I'm talking. I was told that I never would three years ago, and I've just come so far."</p> <p>"I am so impressed with myself. I'm like, 'Lex, look how far you've actually come'.</p> <p>"It's not sad to talk about, but it's an emotional thing. My family is the reason why I'm here, and they're up there [in the stands] looking at me. Honestly, it's amazing."</p> <p>Alexa, who still struggles with memory problems and regulating her emotions, then shared how she kept at it in the pool as a recovery tool after her life-changing surgery, but found herself wanting to keep bettering her athletic ability. </p> <p>"I'm a passionate person," Alexa said after winning solo Paralympic gold.</p> <p>"When I want it, I'm going to go out and do it. I have to.</p> <p>"So I wanted to keep swimming for recovery. But I was like, 'Nah, I'm more than that!'."</p> <p>Alexa's parents, Belinda and Russ, watched their daughter's extraordinary win from the sidelines, reflecting on the haunting memories of Alexa's journey in hospital and how she came out the other side.</p> <p>Russ said, "I reckon she wanted that [gold medal] in her belly for three years. She wanted it. She got it. Unbelievable."</p> <p>Belinda added, "She's the same girl [post-accident], but everything's heightened, but all she ever wanted was to show people that anything is possible."</p> <p>"And what she's been through over the last three years, her thing is with a TBI [traumatic brain injury] anything is possible."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

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"Really unexpected": Lisa McCune opens up on Dancing With The Stars win

<p>Lisa McCune has opened up about her journey on <em>Dancing With The Stars</em> following her "unexpected" <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/dancing-with-the-stars-champion-crowned" target="_blank" rel="noopener">win</a>. </p> <p>Monday night's finale of the show saw Lisa McCune and her dancing partner Ian Waite took home the mirrorball trophy against finalists Ant Middleton, James Stewart, Nikki Osborne, and Samantha Jade.</p> <p>After the win, McCune told <a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/lisa-mccune-spills-on-unexpected-dancing-with-the-stars-win-c-15683539" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7News</em></a> that she was as shocked by the win as viewers were. </p> <p>“It really was unexpected,” McCune said. </p> <p>The actress added that she was extra thrilled for her dancing partner Ian Waite who has now taken out the Mirrorball Trophy for the first time.</p> <p>The win comes weeks after the gruelling <em>DWTS</em> process, which she admitted was more involved than she originally thought.</p> <p>“My agent said to me that somebody else had told them how difficult it was. And I thought, ‘Well, I probably needed a bit of a kick up the bum to do a bit more exercise’,” she says.</p> <p>“So I thought, ‘Well, it’d be good for me’. I started and I pretty quickly realised that the techniques involved and the different disciplines is pretty intense."</p> <p>“I think you underestimate how aerobically fit you actually need to be. But I gave it a red-hot go, and we had a really good time.”</p> <p>While McCune knew she did well through the competition, she said "Watching it back, I couldn’t recall any of the scores that we got because when you’re in the moment your adrenaline is kind of heightened, and (it’s like) watching it fresh.”</p> <p>As part of being crowned the<em> Dancing With The Stars</em> champion, Lisa was awarded $20,000 for her chosen charities: the RCD Foundation and the Harrison Riedel Foundation.</p> <div> </div> <p>“Both the charities I have a personal connection to in my local area, based on Victoria, both of them headed up by two amazing mums. These initiatives are spectacular.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Seven </em></p>

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Dancing With The Stars champion crowned

<p>The winner of <em>Dancing With The Stars</em> has been crowned after a fierce month of competition. </p> <p>The semi-final saw Ben Cousins, Adam Dovile, and Shane Crawford sent home, so the five remaining stars Lisa McCune, Ant Middleton, James Stewart, Nikki Osborne, and Samantha Jade, battled it out for the final show down. </p> <p>For the first set of performances, each pairing was tasked with doing a freestyle routine for the judges, with Lisa and Ian landing themselves at the top of the leaderboard with a perfect score of 40. </p> <p>Samantha and Gustavo came in close with a score of 38, while Ant and Alex scored 34. </p> <p>Nikki an Aric scored 31 while James an Jorja were awarded 30 which left both pairs at the bottom of the leaderboard. </p> <p>Despite the audience votes being added, the scores didn't change, so the the top three pairs moved to the stage for one last chance to impress the judges. </p> <p>They were all tasked to choose perform a dance from the season that they thought they excelled at. </p> <p>Samantha and Gustavo opted to take on the foxtrot, landing a final score of 38. </p> <p>Ant and Alex were up next with a contemporary routine with Judge Helen Richey complimenting them for a "fantastic" performance before the panel awarded them with a final score of 36. </p> <p>Lisa and Ian were the last couple to hit the dancefloor and they performed the Viennese Waltz. </p> <p>The judges said they loved the dance but weren't sure if it was as good as the first time they did it. </p> <p>“But it was just gorgeous, it was absolutely stunning,” said Craig Revel-Horwood before the panel gave them a final score of 39.</p> <p>After a tense wait as the audiences casted their votes, Ant and Alex placed third, Samantha and Gustavo placed second and Lisa and Ian were announced as the<em> Dancing With The Stars </em>2024 champions.</p> <p>“I’m so thrilled,” she said before praising her dance partner. </p> <p>"This one is so beautiful,” she said of the trophy.</p> <p>“Like he’s going back to the UK. What happens? Do I keep it here? It will keep my Logies company.”</p> <p><em>Images: Seven</em></p>

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"Leave it to the judges!": Dancing With The Stars fans rage against double elimination

<p><em>Dancing With The Stars</em> fans have unleashed on the show after two fan favourite contestants were sent home in one dramatic episode. </p> <p>Just weeks ahead of the semi-finals, Nova Peris and Julie Goodwin were sent home, but fans are disappointed to see Julie go after her improvement over the weeks on the show.</p> <p>Julie impressed the judges with her Foxtrot, scoring 27 points for the dance, while Nova scored just 19 points. </p> <p>There was no final dance-off at the end of the episode, so both contestants were sent home. </p> <p> While they were two of the lowest-scoring dances of the night, Ben Cousins was also at the bottom of the leaderboard with 21 points for his Viennese Waltz.</p> <p>Fans of the show were quick to flock to social media to complain about the double elimination, stating Ben should have gone home instead of Julie.</p> <p>"Why do they keep saving Ben, seriously?" one person asked. "Ben Cousins shouldn’t have been on in the first place. Why is he still there???" another questioned.</p> <p>"PLEASE..... STOP the audience voting!!!! Leave it to the judges!!!" another fan said, with people agreeing. "100% agree! People keep voting for footy players and well-known actors. Should be mostly about their dancing ability," someone else commented.</p> <p>"One thing is for sure... it won't be determined by how good or bad the dancers are. It's just a popularity contest when it comes to the vote," someone else complained.</p> <p>"It is so wrong getting the audience to vote. All the dancers have family there," another person pointed out.</p> <p>"Julie should have stayed," another fan said. "I am so sad to see you go, you should not have gone. You were simply amazing!" another fan wrote, tagging Julie in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

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Teenager charged with murdering school girls at dance class identified

<p dir="ltr">A court in the UK has identified the 17-year-old boy accused of going on a stabbing rampage at a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/taylor-swift-in-shock-after-three-young-girls-killed-at-dance-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dance class </a>and killing three young girls. </p> <p dir="ltr">The court released the information on Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17-year-old born in Cardiff, in order to stem the flow of misinformation about the suspect that ignited riots around the UK. </p> <p dir="ltr">The court said that while Rudakubana would not normally have been publicly named due to the fact that he is still a minor, they made an exception to quash the riots, while also taking into account that he is just days away from his 18th birthday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Unrest has been seen outside mosques as protesters target Muslims in the wake of the tragedy, causing police to again confirm that the teen was born in the UK. </p> <p dir="ltr">Police said his family are of Rwandan descent where 92 per cent of people identify as Christian, while only 2 per cent of Rwandans are Muslim.</p> <p dir="ltr">The horror began at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday in Southport, just north of Liverpool in England’s north west, when Rudakubana targeted the young girls and their families. </p> <p>Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after the knife rampage, while eight other children suffered stab wounds and five were in fighting for their life, alongside two adults who were critically injured.</p> <p>Following the tragedy, large crowds fought with police in the town close to where the tragedy had happened including outside a mosque after false reports emerged that the attacker was Muslim. </p> <p>Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff in Wales but lived in the town of Banks in Lancashire, close to Southport, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and a knife possession charged.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Merseyside Police</em></p>

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Taylor Swift in shock after three young girls killed at dance class

<p>Taylor Swift has released a shocked statement after a nine-year-old girl became the third young child to die following a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the UK.</p> <p>The tragic incident unfolded in Southport on Monday during a dance workshop inspired by the popular singer, <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">leaving three young girls dead and ten others injured</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">.</span></p> <p>As the nine-year-old girl became the latest to succumb to injuries, she joined two other victims aged six and seven. They have been identified as Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.</p> <p>The perpetrator, a 17-year-old boy, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind this horrific attack, which left six children in critical condition.</p> <p>On Tuesday, Taylor Swift expressed her deep sorrow and shock over the incident in a statement posted on Instagram, saying she was “completely in shock” and was still taking in “the horror” of the event.</p> <p>“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders,” she wrote “These were just little kids at a dance class.</p> <p>“I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”</p> <p>Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy commended the bravery of two teachers who were injured while trying to protect the children. The community has responded with an outpouring of grief, leaving flowers and stuffed animals at a makeshift memorial near the scene.</p> <p>Eyewitnesses described chaotic and terrifying scenes as children, some covered in blood, fled the community centre known as the Hart Space. "They were in the road, running from the nursery," said local shop owner Bare Varathan, describing the severity of the injuries.</p> <p>The attacker, who was born in Cardiff, Wales, and had been living in a nearby village, has not yet been charged. Police have confirmed that they are not treating the incident as terror-related and are not seeking additional suspects.</p> <p>The attack has intensified concerns about knife crime in the UK, prompting calls for stricter regulations on bladed weapons. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as "horrendous and deeply shocking", while King Charles and Prince William expressed their condolences and sympathies.</p> <p><em>Images: Merseyside Police \ Instagram</em></p>

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The right to disconnect is coming to Australia. What does this mean for you?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>Next month, changes to the Australian Fair Work Act will give workers the <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/hearings-decisions/major-cases/variation-modern-awards-include-right-disconnect#:%7E:text=Changes%20to%20the%20Fair%20Work,2025%20for%20small%20business%20employers%20.">formal right</a> to disconnect from all work communication outside their usual work hours.</p> <p>The main driver for introducing “right to disconnect” laws has been to protect the health and wellbeing of workers in an increasingly hyper-connected world.</p> <p>But what exactly will the new laws mean for Australian businesses, managers and employees?</p> <h2>Right to disconnect origins</h2> <p>Right to disconnect laws were first introduced in <a href="https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/publications/ck0bdjgs8esrg0b59w3wb1nkr/110117-le-droit-a-la-deconnexion-questce-que-cest">France</a> in 2017 in response to concern about the welfare of workers who were increasingly connected to their workplaces as a result of expanding digital technologies.</p> <p>France introduced a law requiring companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate agreements with staff on their rights to ignore their smartphones and other electronic devices after work hours.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ijmar.org/v5n3/18-008.html">reaction</a> was mixed. Some praised the move for promoting work–life balance and reducing stress, while others raised concerns about its potential impact on productivity and competitiveness.</p> <p>One critic at the time said "the French may quickly discover that their most productive workers are routine “lawbreakers” who stay connected during off-hours."</p> <p>To learn more about this topic, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124970">I reviewed 21 academic articles on the right to disconnect</a>, from 15 different countries over the past seven years, and identified several themes that may help Australian managers.</p> <h2>The ‘always on’ culture</h2> <p>The growth of digital devices – including smartphones, laptops, tablets and smart watches – means many Australian workers have been working way beyond their contracted number of hours for many years.</p> <p>A 2023 Australia Institute <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Short-Changed-GHOTD-2023.pdf">study</a> estimated Australian workers on average were doing an extra 5.4 hours of unpaid work per week.</p> <p>The unofficial encroachment of work duties into workers’ personal time – also called “availability creep” or “time theft” – equates to an extra 281 hours’ unpaid work per year.</p> <p>This is estimated to be costing workers an average of AU$11,055 annually. It has led to serious concerns for employee health and welfare, work-life balance and workplace exploitation.</p> <p>The post-pandemic rise of flexible work arrangements in Australia, while offering many <a href="https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/be3dfbba-fc85-4834-97aa-7a7399a94b17/1/2020-hopkins-key_working_from.pdf">lifestyle and health benefits</a>, may also contribute to our “always on” culture and expectations to be constantly available and contactable.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><figcaption><span class="caption">T</span></figcaption></figure> <p>This <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2024/03/25/the-rising-dark-side-of-remote-work-that-ceos-need-to-pay-attention-to/">digital presenteeism</a> has been found to affect the health of workers in different ways, including causing headaches, eyestrain, insomnia, back pain, anxiety and burnout.</p> <h2>Protecting workers</h2> <p>Another key theme of right to disconnect laws is how working time, work availability and rest times are observed.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59263300">Portugal has even taken things a step further</a> than other countries, placing the responsibility for the right to disconnect on the employer, by implementing “refrain from contact” laws. This means companies with more than ten employees can be fined if they text or email staff outside their contracted hours.</p> <p>However, the new Australian law won’t restrict managers from contacting employees whenever they wish, but it will give their employees a <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/legislation-changes/closing-loopholes/right-to-disconnect#:%7E:text=Eligible%20employees%20will%20have%20a,employer%20or%20a%20third%20party.">legal right</a> to refuse to "monitor, read or respond to communications from an employer or third party made outside their working hours, unless refusal is unreasonable."</p> <p>If an employee chooses not to respond, disciplinary action cannot be taken, nor can the employee be treated differently, such as through rostering or performance requirements, for deciding to disconnect.</p> <p>This should encourage conversations about what represents reasonable contact. The Fair Work Commission says this must be based on the reason for contact, the employee’s personal circumstances, the nature of the employee’s role and responsibilities, and whether the employee is being compensated for being available outside ordinary work hours.</p> <h2>Making the change</h2> <p>In some countries, right to disconnect policies have been formally set in law, while others rely on self-regulation by employers instead.</p> <p>France, for example, legislated out-of-hours’ electronic communication between employers and employees through statutes and legislation, meaning government entities are required to enforce the right and a court is needed to interpret it.</p> <p>Germany, on the other hand, does not formally legislate disconnection provisions but many of its companies (including car manufacturers <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin-Bressler/publication/335058028_On_the_Grid_247365_and_the_Right_to_Disconnect/links/5d4c815c92851cd046ad2a4d/On-the-Grid-24-7-365-and-the-Right-to-Disconnect.pdf">Volkswagen and Daimler</a>) already have their own regulations in place.</p> <p>In Australia, the right to disconnect will be a right under <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/protections-at-work">general protection laws</a>. Disputes about an employee’s response will need to be discussed and resolved at the workplace level but, if a resolution isn’t possible, employees or employers can <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/legislation-changes/closing-loopholes/right-to-disconnect">take the case to the Fair Work Commission</a>.</p> <p>The commission can then make orders or deal with the dispute in other ways.</p> <h2>What to expect</h2> <p>The new laws come into effect 26 August.</p> <p>They are an important step towards encouraging sensible conversations about the importance of rest, availability, and whether it is necessary to contact workers outside their normal hours.</p> <p>Right to disconnect laws should challenge managers to create a work culture where employees feel comfortable disconnecting from work and understand the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between work and rest, where their rest periods are formally respected and preserved.</p> <p>As an initiative for supporting improved digital wellbeing and work-life balance, in today’s hyperconnected world, clearer boundaries between working time and rest are crucial.<!-- 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/231690/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/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of TechnologIy</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</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/the-right-to-disconnect-is-coming-to-australia-what-does-this-mean-for-you-231690">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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"Rest in love": All Blacks legend and Dancing with the Stars winner dies at 55

<p>The sports and entertainment communities are mourning the loss of former All Blacks hooker and <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> winner Norm Hewitt, who has passed away at the age of 55.</p> <p>Hewitt, a beloved figure both on and off the rugby field, succumbed to a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement.</p> <p>"Although rugby dominated his early life, he established a thriving human relations consultancy after retirement, and his services were much in demand both nationally and internationally," his family shared. "He walked confidently in both Māori and Pākehā worlds and was a particular role model for troubled youth, citing his own background, and offering inspirational teachings that one’s present life need not be one’s future."</p> <p>Hewitt leaves behind his wife Arlene and their two children, Elizabeth and Alexander. Born and raised in Pōrangahau, southern Hawke’s Bay, Hewitt's rugby career was nothing short of illustrious. Over 13 seasons, he played 296 representative matches for Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Wellington, earning 23 caps for the All Blacks. Hewitt was also a pivotal member of the Hurricanes during the formative years of Super Rugby, missing only one match in the first five years.</p> <p>The rugby community has been profoundly affected by Hewitt's passing. Former teammate Ofisa Tonu’u posted a touching tribute on Facebook: "I’m just devastated finding out the news today. I will never forget how you always stuck up for me during the Black Tracker days when no one else would, you always look after all the players and we always followed you into battle. No more pain, brother, you can now rest in Love. Fa’afetai tele lava my uso for having my back as I did yours. I know the other boys will be welcoming you with open arms at the gates. Rest in Love, Normy."</p> <p>Beyond his rugby career, Hewitt transitioned into a public speaker and mentor, focusing heavily on violence prevention programmes and advocacy. He worked with the SPCA as an animal cruelty and anti-violence publicity officer, visiting schools to spread his message. In 2005, Hewitt showcased his versatility by winning the first season of<em> Dancing with the Stars</em> alongside professional dancer Carol-Ann Hickmore.</p> <p>Hewitt's life was not without its struggles. In 1999, he made a public apology for a drunken incident in Queenstown, marking a turning point as he renounced alcohol and dedicated himself to helping others facing similar challenges.</p> <p>The outpouring of tributes was immediate, with The All Blacks expressing their sorrow: “We are saddened by the loss of All Black #938 Norm Hewitt who passed away yesterday in Wellington. Hewitt played 9 Tests and 14 Games between 1993 and 1998. Our thoughts are with Norm’s family and loved ones at this time.”</p> <p>Podcaster Martin Devlin shared his personal experience: “RIP Norm Hewitt. Not a lot of people know how kind & generous this man was. A truly wonderful person. Reached out to me and helped me considerably a long time ago when things were very rough. Love & respect.”</p> <p>Richard Hills echoed the sentiments of many: “This is bloody sad. A sad way to lose a kiwi icon so young. He had a really rough childhood and upbringing and faced it and turned his life around to become not only a rugby legend but also helped others who’d been through similar issues.”</p> <p>Norm Hewitt’s legacy will endure through the lives he touched and the positive change he inspired. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the profound impact one individual can have on the world.</p> <p><em>Image: Radio New Zealand</em></p>

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Julie Goodwin's next move following injury on Dancing With The Stars

<p>Julie Goodwin's highly anticipated debut on Dancing With The Stars has been postponed, following an injury. </p> <p>The 53-year-old was forced to withdraw from the first round on Sunday night after suffering two serious tears to her calf muscles during rehearsal with her dance partner, Andrey Gorbunov. </p> <p>She was taken to hospital and immediately treated. </p> <p>"I was jumping on poor Andrey here and something snapped. Fortunately, it was my leg and not his back," she told DWTS show hosts Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown during the premiere. </p> <p>But on Monday, she appeared in good spirits and vowed to hit the dance floor again. </p> <p>“Despite being told that I probably should withdraw, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got, so I don’t quit easy,” Goodwin told <em>The Morning Show </em>hosts<em>. </em></p> <p>“And the beautiful thing about this production is that they’ve got some marvellous people. They’ve got the dance doctor in Bondi, who is all over this.</p> <p>“So I’m getting acupuncture, homeopathic treatment, massage. I’m swimming, I do healing meditations and listen to healing tones in my headphones.</p> <p>“So, I’m absolutely going hell for leather to get as well as I can in the hope that I can be up and dancing again very soon.”</p> <p>Goodwin is rumoured to return on the show in the third episode. </p> <p>In the interview, she also praised her dance partner, saying: "He’s amazing and he’s also very patient. He’s also very strong. And he’s also just so capable."</p> <p>“He would just be so patient and I’ve loved it. He got me sort of doing steps that I never, ever thought I would do. As you can see from the footage, we have laughed and laughed.”</p> <p><em>Images: Seven</em></p>

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