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Outrage after shirtless man knocks out 92-year-old woman

In a horrifying broad daylight attack that has shaken the Williamstown community southwest of Melbourne, CCTV footage has captured the moment a shirtless man allegedly knocked a 92-year-old woman unconscious outside a busy shopping centre. The unprovoked incident occurred just after midday, as the elderly woman was walking along Douglas Parade in Williamstown. According to Victoria Police, a shirtless man approached her and suddenly swung his arm, striking her in the head. The blow sent the woman crashing to the pavement, rendering her unconscious. Disturbing CCTV vision shows the man calmly walking away from the scene as the elderly victim lies motionless on the ground. Witnesses can be seen rushing to her aid moments later, with some members of the public reportedly restraining the man until police arrived. Ambulance Victoria confirmed the woman was transported to hospital in a stable condition. Miraculously, her injuries are not considered life-threatening. In a statement later released from her hospital bed, the woman expressed deep gratitude to those who came to her aid. "I wish to thank all those who have been so caring of me," she said. "I remember nothing of the actual incident, but when I woke up, I was surrounded by the police and ambulance and caring onlookers. I wish to thank everyone for their concern. I'm pleased to go home as I have a loving family and supportive friends." The alleged attacker, a 39-year-old man with no fixed address, was arrested on the scene and has since been charged with intentionally causing injury. Police are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone who witnessed the attack or has further footage to come forward. Images: Victoria Police

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"First time I've really cried": Star shares sad family news

Christina Applegate is mourning the loss of her father, Robert "Bob" Applegate, who passed away last week. The 53-year-old actress shared the heartbreaking news during an emotional episode of her podcast MeSsy, which she co-hosts with fellow actress Jamie Lynn Sigler. Applegate broke down in tears as she revealed her father had died just a week earlier, marking the first time she publicly grieved his passing. "You're probably wondering why I'm crying right now, I'm sorry," Applegate said through tears. "My dad just passed away a week ago. This is the first time I've really cried." Struggling to hold back emotion, the Dead to Me star admitted that she had been suppressing her grief. "I think kind of, like, I wasn't allowing myself to have that yet. [I was] too busy with this, too busy with that." Applegate hinted that her father's death followed an illness, though she did not share specific details. “We knew he was going to die," she said. "Is that an excuse for not feeling? Because you know that someone's gonna go, and you've said your goodbyes?” The episode of MeSsy centreed on a conversation about grief with guest JoAnna García Swisher. Sigler, aware of how raw the topic might be, warned that the discussion could be "triggering" for Applegate. At the time, Applegate believed she would be able to handle it – but as the recording unfolded, her sadness surfaced. “I thought I was going to be OK, and I’m not,” she said. “I’m insanely sad.” Christina Applegate, the only child of Bob Applegate and actress Nancy Priddy, has largely kept her family life out of the spotlight. However, she and her father did share a public moment together in 2013 on TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are, exploring their family’s roots. Bob Applegate’s passing comes during an already difficult chapter in Christina’s life. In 2021, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She has spoken candidly about her battle with the illness, revealing on a recent episode of Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert that she has “30 lesions” on her brain. “My biggest one is behind my right eye, so my right eye hurts a lot,” she shared. Images: Instagram

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"She was my everything": Audrey Griffin's heartbroken mother speaks out

What began as an ordinary night out with friends ended in a tragedy that shattered a family, stunned a community, and prompted a determined mother to fight for answers no one else seemed to be asking. Audrey Griffin, 19, was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/beloved-aussie-athlete-found-dead-at-just-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead in Erina Creek</a> on the Central Coast of New South Wales last month. Her fully clothed body was discovered partially submerged in the water on March 23, just hours after she was reported missing. Initially, police deemed her death non-suspicious, possibly a tragic accident. But her mother, Kathleen Kirby, refused to accept that explanation. “It’s like you can’t breathe, it’s like you don’t want to breathe,” <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/mother-speaks-of-heartbreaking-loss-after-alleged-murder-of-teen-audrey-griffin-on-nsw-central-coast-c-18457494" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kirby told 7NEWS</a>, speaking publicly through her grief. “But I needed to find the strength because I wasn’t satisfied with what the outcome was, so I kept going.” Kirby’s instincts proved tragically accurate. On Monday, NSW Police arrested 53-year-old Adrian Torrens and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/murder-charge-laid-after-death-of-19-year-old-ironwoman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged him with Audrey’s murder</a>. Torrens, who police say had no prior connection to Audrey, is also facing 11 unrelated domestic violence charges. Authorities now allege a violent altercation occurred between the two as Audrey was walking home. Torrens’ lawyer appeared in court on his behalf Tuesday; he did not apply for bail. His case has been adjourned until next month. Superintendent Darryl Jobson said that while early forensic and post-mortem findings did not initially indicate foul play, the case remained open due to “unusual circumstances”. “Getting answers for the family was front of mind,” Jobson said. “New information from other sources led us to reconsider and launch a full homicide investigation.” Kirby, driven by a mother’s intuition and unrelenting love, was at the centre of that push for the truth. “My head and my gut were telling me different,” she said. Now, as police pursue justice, a mother mourns the unimaginable loss of her only child. “She was more than my world, she was my everything,” Kirby said through tears. “She’s just everything that you’d ever imagine, or want, for a child.” Audrey was much more than a statistic or a headline. She was a triathlete, a teammate, a leader and a beloved friend. Just weeks before her death, she competed in New Zealand’s ANZCO Foods Half Ironman, finishing 23rd in her age group. She played water polo for Gosford, patrolled beaches with the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, took to the field with the Terrigal Sharks, and once served as vice-captain of Central Coast Sports College. “She touched the hearts of so many people and always had a smile,” one friend wrote on social media. “Her laugh was contagious and her goofy self always made us laugh. Audrey, you are truly loved by so many people.” Now, those same people are left grieving a life stolen too soon, and honouring a young woman whose courage, kindness and spirit made the world brighter – if only for a short time. For Kirby, the fight for answers has turned into the deeper, longer journey of navigating life without her daughter. “I will never feel whole again,” she said. Images: 7NEWS

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

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

Money & Banking

Parents whose newborn died at Northern Beaches Hospital speak out

The grieving parents of a newborn who died following a series of medical delays at Sydney’s Northern Beaches Hospital say their daughter’s death was “completely avoidable” – and are calling for the facility to be returned to full public control. Harper Atkinson died in February, a day after experiencing severe complications at birth at the 488-bed hospital, which operates under a controversial public-private partnership model. Her parents, Leah Pitman and Dustin Atkinson, believe she could have been saved if urgent care had been available when it was needed most. “She should be here. She should be in our arms,” Leah <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/harper-atkinson-death-northern-beaches-hospital-parents-speak/105180276" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ABC’s 7.30</a>. “But she’s not – and it’s because there was no urgency. No theatre ready. No proper staffing. And now we’ve lost her.” Harper’s death is the second tragedy in recent months to put Northern Beaches Hospital under scrutiny. In September 2024, toddler Joe Massa collapsed and later died after a three-hour wait in the hospital’s emergency department. Healthscope, the private operator of the facility, admitted that was an “unacceptable failing”. The NSW government has since vowed never to repeat the public-private model used at the hospital, which serves around 350,000 people on Sydney’s northern beaches. Leah was initially sent home from the hospital on a Friday due to staff shortages. She returned the next evening after going into labour at home. Though her midwife had prepared a bath for a water birth, things quickly went wrong. “I felt this intense pain in my lower back, and then my waters broke – with blood,” Leah recalled. “I looked down and just thought, ‘Oh God, is that normal?’” By 9:30pm, concern was mounting. But it wasn’t until around 10:30pm that an obstetrician arrived and diagnosed a suspected placental abruption – a life-threatening condition for both mother and baby. He immediately called for a Category One caesarean section, the most urgent level of surgical intervention. But despite the emergency, Leah was left waiting. “They kept saying, ‘Theatre’s not ready. Theatre’s not ready,’” she said. “I assumed it was busy. We later found out there is no 24/7 theatre.” Northern Beaches Hospital operates its operating theatre using an on-call model on weekends. Staff must be within 30 minutes’ reach – a delay Leah and Dustin believe cost their daughter her life. “I was on the operating table 33 minutes after the call,” Leah said. “Harper wasn’t delivered until nearly an hour after the emergency was declared.” When she was born at 11:52pm, Harper was unresponsive. It took 21 agonising minutes before she drew her first breath. The following day, Leah and Dustin were told Harper would not survive. They made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support. “I should be holding her for the rest of my life, not just once,” Leah said through tears. “Once isn’t enough.” The family says they were told during a hospital debrief that it was not “economically feasible” to run a 24/7 theatre service. For Dustin, that explanation only deepened their pain. “Prioritising profit over healthcare. That’s what went wrong,” he said. Northern Beaches Hospital has launched a review into Harper’s death. But her parents say the issue is already painfully clear. “Time delays,” Leah said. “Things weren’t urgent enough.” The couple is now calling for the hospital to be brought fully back under public control – and for systemic change in how emergency obstetric care is delivered across the state. “I feel incredibly angry,” Leah said. “Her death, we feel, was completely avoidable.” “We’re sharing this because Harper deserves to be more than just another sad story,” she added. “We want change – so this never happens to another family.” Image: YouTube / ABC

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Outrage as school allows students to opt out of Anzac Day service

A public primary school in Sydney’s northwest has sparked controversy after allowing students to opt out of its upcoming Anzac Day service. The decision by Sherwood Ridge Public School has drawn criticism from parents, veterans and community leaders, who argue that all students should recognise the sacrifices made by Australia’s service members. Principal Jody Sullivan recently emailed parents, requesting that they inform the school if they did not want their children to attend a commemorative assembly scheduled for April 10. The move was aimed at accommodating a small group of Christian students whose families object to commemorating war due to their religious beliefs. The announcement was met with strong condemnation, particularly from veterans and advocacy groups. Former commando and RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge responded by <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14557953/Anzac-Day-Sherwood-Ridge.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">telling Daily Mail Australia</a>, “Anzac Day is not a celebration of war; in fact, it commemorates the horrors of war and ensures the sacrifices of those who served and died are never forgotten. Our young people learn about Australia’s proud military past.” Less than a dozen students will be supervised in alternative learning activities while the rest of the school participates in the assembly. Despite the limited scope of the decision, many feel it still sets a troubling precedent. Veteran Advocacy Australia branded the move as “disgusting” and called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to intervene. Former NSW Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott also criticised the decision, stating, “It really is an insult to the families of the 100,000 who died for this country.” Parents took to social media to express their dismay, with one mother writing, “Honouring and remembering those that have fought and lost their lives to keep us safe has nothing to do with religion.” Another parent argued, “This is not commemorating war; it is remembering those who gave their all to keep this country free.” The NSW Department of Education has since responded, reaffirming its expectation that all public schools commemorate Anzac Day with memorial ceremonies. Secretary Murat Dizdar stated, “Our students are required to learn about the importance of Anzac Day and the sacrifice our servicemen and women made, and continue to make, as part of their regular lessons.” While Sherwood Ridge Public School has acknowledged that its message could have been communicated more selectively, the backlash as the nation prepares to mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate about how Anzac Day should be observed in schools. Images: Supplied

Legal

"It's not our way": Young Indigenous woman speaks out against Acknowledgment of Country

A young Indigenous woman has sparked controversy by criticising the Acknowledgement of Country, claiming the practice is 'made up' and not representative of Indigenous Australian culture. Kiescha Haines Jamieson was asked on social media whether the formal observation is an 'actual traditional practice' or a 'modern white saviour thing'. 'It is a made up protocol by Reconciliation Australia,' she claimed. 'It's not culture. It's not our way.' The Acknowledgement of Country is a relatively recent practice, emerging in the 1990s during what the Keating Government called 'the Reconciliation Decade'. It was formalised as part of efforts to improve Indigenous-state relations, with former Labor senator and Yawuru man Pat Dodson playing a key role in its establishment. 'The work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation encouraged strangers to recognise country, then, as people got stronger, the welcome developed,' Dodson explained. The practice is distinct from a Welcome to Country, which is a ceremony performed by a traditional owner to formally welcome visitors to their land. Acknowledgement of Country, by contrast, is often delivered by non-Indigenous people or organisations to recognise traditional owners. Ms Jamieson argued that the practice has now been 'institutionalised to make people think that it is our culture'. Her comments resonated with some social media users, who agreed that the protocol was 'made up'. 'Finally someone with the guts to tell the truth,' one user wrote. However, others pushed back, arguing that acknowledging country has deep cultural significance for some Indigenous groups. 'It's a traditional thing for our mob, but not as grand as it's shown on TV,' one commenter noted. 'It's not really a welcome, it's more like a way to notify the spirits and ancestors that mob are travelling.' Another person added: 'You don't speak for all mobs and you don't speak for mine.' Yawarllaayi/Gomeroi elder Barbara Flick Nicol has previously stated that welcoming and acknowledging visitors has existed for thousands of years in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 'It's always been something that we did as a people, understanding and observing the fact that when you are in somebody else's country, that you acknowledge them,' she told NITV in 2020. Ms Flick Nicol said that formal acknowledgments began appearing in New South Wales after the landmark Mabo decision in 1992, with councils raising Aboriginal flags and formally recognising traditional owners at meetings and conferences. Former federal politician and Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney, who was involved in the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, defended the practice, saying it evolved organically. 'It wasn't strategised or planned. Once it got out to civic life it was something that people saw as an important way to tell the truth of the Australian story,' she said. Images: Instagram

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"Frankly, it's pathetic": The Project hosts lash out at wombat snatcher

The hosts of The Project have lashed out at US hunting influencer Sam Jones after she pulled out of a scheduled interview at the last minute. Jones, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/wombatgate-explodes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who sparked outrage</a> by snatching a baby wombat from its mother and sharing a video of the incident with her 92,000 Instagram followers, has faced further condemnation for her recent actions. Jones was set to appear on The Project on Sunday night to answer tough questions from the panel but instead opted to provide a pre-recorded video statement. The decision did not sit well with host Hamish Macdonald, who described it as "pathetic". <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/outrage-should-not-be-selective-wombat-snatcher-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In her video message</a>, Jones apologised for her actions but also took aim at the Australian government for allowing farmers to kill wombats. "It was an incredible mistake, and there hasn't been a moment I haven't regretted it," she stated. However, she then shifted the blame, saying, "The same government that is calling for my head is the one that spends millions of your tax dollars to mass slaughter native Australian animals." Jones later posted a statement on Instagram about the controversy. Addressing the audience, Hamish Macdonald said, "I think we probably just need to be totally straight and honest with you at home, we were all here earlier this afternoon to do an interview with her and ask her questions, but she pulled out of that and instead provided that video statement. I think, frankly, it's pathetic, given what's happened." He continued, "Obviously, no one condones violence or threats of violence or any of the things that have been thrown her way, but honestly, to say you're 'genuinely sorry' but not be willing to explain yourself, and then point the finger at the Australian government – I think it's pretty lousy." Co-host Sarah Harris then chimed in, saying, "I think the infuriating stuff came in her apology afterwards, where she said, 'Oh you know, the Australian government allows the slaughter of wombats.' It's just not true. We know that wombats are protected here." Harris pointed out that offenders harming a wombat could face fines of up to $40,000 and two years in prison. Macdonald then doubled down on his criticism, calling Jones' statement "riddled with misinformation". He added, "This is typical of influencers. They only want to make their own statements to the world, with no responsibility or accountability. The reality is, there's been a strong public response because Australians are proud of their wildlife and the incredible nature that we have." Following Jones' decision to cancel her interview, viewers of The Project quickly took to social media to voice their disapproval. One Facebook user wrote, "Sounds like, 'Sorry, not sorry'." Another commented, "She is only sorry she got caught," while a third remarked, "Typical American turning this whole wombat episode into an Australian political error. She needs to get her FACTS straight." Jones has yet to respond to the fresh wave of criticism, but the backlash against her actions and response shows no signs of dying down. Images: Instagram / The Project

"Outrage should not be selective": Wombat snatcher speaks out

After Sam Jones, the US tourist and influencer with a penchant for questionable decision-making, managed to unite Australians in collective outrage by <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/wombatgate-explodes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snatching up a baby wombat</a> and posting it to Instagram, she has since fled the country and is now broadcasting her redemption arc from an undisclosed overseas location. “I will learn from this moment, and move forward. I accept accountability for my own actions, yet refuse to be used as a scapegoat for a far greater, far more uncomfortable reality,” she said in a video statement. And to be honest, she may have a point. While Australians were busy sharpening their pitchforks, Jones decided to flip the script. But instead of doubling down on her wombat-related blunder, she’s turning the outrage into a broader conversation about Australia’s wildlife management. “If this situation has proven anything, it’s that Australians care deeply about their wildlife – and that is something I intensely admire,” she said, presumably while updating her LinkedIn profile to include “Wombat Awareness Advocate”. Jones highlighted that in 2023 alone, over 1.2 million native animals were legally culled in Australia, including 3,558 wombats, 580,695 native birds, and 419,120 kangaroos and wallabies. Suddenly, her temporary wombat custody battle seems downright insignificant. And she’s not wrong - Australia’s track record with wildlife is complicated. We have a long history of government-sanctioned animal culls, from the infamous emu war (which the emus won, by the way) to the more recent permits allowing landowners to eliminate endangered species deemed inconvenient. Five years ago, a South Australian landholder was granted permission to kill 200 rare hairy-nosed wombats before having a change of heart. Meanwhile, New South Wales’ most crucial population of koalas is being displaced by development, and even Tasmania’s black swans aren’t safe from culling laws. “Consider applying the same momentum used to condemn me toward examining the laws that allow for the legal slaughter of the very species and wombats people so deeply wish to protect,” Jones urged. “Outrage should not be selective.” Again, she has a point. Outrage shouldn’t be selective – though, ideally, neither should common sense. So while Sam Jones may have momentarily confused a wombat for a TikTok prop, she’s also inadvertently shone a light on a bigger issue. Whether we are willing to pivot our anger from one rogue tourist to an entire government policy, however, remains to be seen. One thing is certain: that baby wombat will grow up with an incredible story to tell. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

"It's time": ABC legend announces retirement

ABC’s chief election analyst Antony Green has announced his plans to step down from the public broadcaster after 30 years in his distinguished role. Green announced that he would be retiring after the next federal election, which is rumoured to take place between March and May 2025. “By the time of the next election, I’ll be 68 and I know I’m not as sharp and quick as I was five years ago,” Green said, according to the ABC. “It gets harder and harder. It’s like a footballer, sometimes they play on a season too long, and I’m making sure I don’t do that.” Green, who has covered more than 90 Australian elections, said it was “time to retire” but he would “stay on” for a couple years “handing over work and doing other things”. “Essentially I’m deciding to retire and work less,” Green said. “I got this job as an election worker 36 years ago and I decided I enjoyed doing it – I’ve done a lot of development since. It’s been a long, fun journey.” Green’s final on-air appearances will be the West Australian state election on March 8th and the federal election, which is yet to be announced. Casey Briggs will step in as ABC’s chief election and data analyst after Green's departure, as she announced he would be missed. “For more than three decades Antony Green has set the bar for election analysis. He is sharp, fast and, even under the immense pressure of the night, manages to keep his sense of humour,” Briggs said. “For me, it has been such a privilege to have had a front-row seat to watch and learn from the master at work." “We will all miss him from our screens, but I’m thankful that at least we get a couple more chances to celebrate his monumental contribution to Australia and its democracy.” ABC journalist Annabel Crabb said covering four federal elections with him had been “one of the great pleasures of (her) professional life”. “What a gift it is to our democracy and to our national broadcaster that in 1989 this wee maths nerd saw the ad in the paper for a research position at the ABC and the late Ian Carroll recognised in him the sprouts of the Tree Of Wisdom he’d become!” Crabb wrote in a social media post. “A legendary figure. A migrant success story. A generous colleague.” Image credits: ABC

Retirement Life

"Like a bolt out of the blue": Ray Hadley shares sad family news

Veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley has shared heartbreaking news about his three-year-old granddaughter, Lola, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. In a deeply emotional video posted to Facebook, the 70-year-old former 2GB radio host revealed that Lola was diagnosed on January 6, describing the moment as "like a bolt out of the blue". Having spent years supporting charity events as an auctioneer, Hadley is no stranger to the hardships families endure when faced with childhood illness. Now, he and his family are experiencing those challenges firsthand. “The journey we’ve endured over the last seven weeks has been... I guess, in many parts, agonising, and in other parts, enlightening – enlightening because of the courage and bravery shared by my granddaughter, Lola,” Hadley said in the video. The toddler faces a tough two-year battle ahead, undergoing intense treatment. “It’s a two-year battle... this little baby girl has had a lumbar puncture yesterday, that’ll be her seventh, she’s had a biopsy and bone marrow six times all under general anaesthetic,” he explained. Hadley went on to describe the physical toll on his granddaughter, who is receiving four chemotherapy treatments a week. “She’s got tubes coming out of her left, right and centre... they attacked the leukaemia and the tests came back a week ago which weren’t as good as we hoped, so now they’ve really doubled down,” he said. As a grandfather of seven, Hadley is fully devoted to supporting Lola through her fight. Reflecting on his retirement from radio late last year, he now believes the timing was meant to be: “I don’t think I believe in fate … but I think that something must have pre-empted my retirement so that I can do what I’m doing now in relation to my granddaughter and my family. Because if I was still working, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.” Hadley <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/the-time-has-come-ray-hadley-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced his departure from 2GB</a> on December 13, bringing a 43-year career to a close. With his daughter and son-in-law balancing the demands of caring for three children, Hadley has stepped in to help bring some joy to Lola’s days. “I was with her yesterday …. and she’s got this thing where she likes to trick me,” he said, recounting their playful interactions. “Her favourite thing is (to say) ‘Poppy, you’ve got a spider in your hair’ and I sort of brush my hair, and I say, ‘Where is it? Where is it? Get the spider out’ and then she laughs. “I don’t know how she handles it, she’s only three.” For now, Hadley remains focused on what matters most – his family, and ensuring Lola has all the love and support she needs in the fight ahead. Images: Facebook

Caring

"Why are you attacking my dad?": I'm A Celeb finalist reveals behind-the-scenes heartbreak

The emotional on-air reunion between I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here contestant Matty J and his wife, Laura Byrne, along with their two children, Marlie-Mae and Lola Ellis, was a heartwarming moment <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/abrupt-viewers-stunned-by-i-m-a-celeb-winner-s-reveal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">during Sunday’s finale</a>. However, behind the scenes, Byrne has opened up about the significant challenges she faced while participating in the momentous event. In the lead-up to the finale, Byrne undertook an exhausting journey from Sydney to South Africa with their two young daughters. Speaking on the Life Uncut podcast, she detailed the arduous travel experience, which involved “three separate flights” and 24 hours of transit. “That in itself was really hard," she said. "It was like 24 hours by the time we got door to door. Midnight transfer with two children who were absolutely f***ing ropable.” The long journey was only the beginning of the difficulties though. Upon arrival, Byrne and the children had to share a single room with inadequate sleeping arrangements, all while preparing for a demanding day on set. Byrne also revealed that the experience of managing two young children on a chaotic production set was overwhelming. “I felt like I was the emotional buffer between the children and production … I felt like I’d just been flogged for days. It was hard. It was really hard for me,” she said. During the finale, Matty J and his fellow top three contestants – Big Brother star Reggie Bird and retired NRL player Sam Thaiday – were reunited with their families before participating in the final challenge. While this was an exciting moment for viewers, it was an emotionally challenging experience for the family. Matty J recalled the moment he had to part ways with his children soon after reuniting. “When we had our reunion, it was maybe half an hour I think where we had time together and then they’ve got to pull us apart,” he said. “The kids don’t get it, the kids don’t understand. They’re like, ‘I’ve just met my dad, and then I’ve got to go.’ And then we did that trial where we had to have s**t poured on our heads, and Lola’s in tears being like, ‘Why are you attacking my dad?’” Byrne explained that their children were repeatedly reunited with their father, only to be separated again. This happened three times – during the initial reunion, the final trial and then the announcement of the winner. The constant cycle of emotional reunions and abrupt separations took a toll, particularly on their youngest daughter, Lola. After the winner was announced, Byrne and the children expected Matty J to return home with them, but he was kept on set for several more hours. “They kept Matt on set until 6 o’clock and we went home earlier. And it was so hard on Lola particularly,” Byrne revealed. “And then I had to deal with her big emotions around ‘Why is my daddy not coming home?’ And it felt like this unfair false start.” She admitted that the combination of exhaustion, sleep deprivation and trying to manage the emotional needs of their children made the experience incredibly difficult. Byrne also shared that she had been against Matty J’s participation in the reality show right from the outset. “I wasn’t a supporter of it in the first place,” she admitted, reinforcing that the experience had only confirmed her concerns. Even Matty J himself struggled with the demands of the show. He confessed that he broke down early in his time at camp, an emotional moment that wasn’t shown on TV. “I just burst out crying, and I was like, ‘I f**king cannot do this,’” he recalled, explaining that a moment of solitude while washing dishes left him questioning his decision. “What have I f**king done? This is a nightmare.” It appears that, for the Byrne-Johnson family, what seemed like a joyful televised reunion was, in reality, a deeply exhausting and emotional ordeal. Images: Network 10

Whether we carve out an exemption or not, Trump’s latest tariffs will still hit Australia

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-french-2254956">Scott French</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-agrees-to-consider-australian-exemption-from-tariffs-describing-albanese-as-very-fine-man-248886">stated</a> an exemption for Australia from Trump’s executive order placing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into the US is “under consideration”. But prospects remain uncertain. Albanese would do well to secure an exemption using <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/exemptions-are-under-consideration-albanese-reports-warm-chat-with-trump-over-tariffs-20250211-p5lb4r.html">similar arguments</a> as then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did in 2018. If Australia cannot obtain a carve-out from the tariffs, the main group affected will be the Australian producers of steel and aluminium. But the size of the hit they will take is difficult to predict. Regardless of whether Australia gets an exemption, the world economy – and Australians – will be affected by Trump’s latest round of tariffs. <h2>Producers will be hit</h2> If ultimately imposed by the US, these tariffs will make steel and aluminium produced in Australia more expensive for US manufacturers relative to domestically produced alternatives. This will certainly result in reduced demand for the Australian products. However, three factors will help limit the effects: 1. The price of metals produced in the US will rise It will take time to ramp up US production to fill the gap of reduced imports, and the extra production will likely come from <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-tariffs-243356">less efficient</a> domestic producers. This means that US manufacturers will continue to buy imported metals, despite the higher prices. 2. The US is not a huge market for Australian steel and aluminium Australia produced A$113 billion of primary and fabricated metal in the 2022-23 financial year, according to the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/industry-overview/australian-industry/latest-release">ABS</a>. By comparison, less than $1 billion of steel and aluminium was exported to the US in 2023, according to data <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">from UN Comtrade</a>, consisting of about $500 million of aluminium and less then $400 million of steel. Exports to the US account for about 10% of Australia’s total exports of these metals. 3. Major markets If major markets such as China and the European Union enact retaliatory tariffs on US metals, this could make Australian metals more competitive in these markets. <h2>Some stand to benefit</h2> While workers in Australian steel and aluminium plants will be watching the news with trepidation, some of Australia’s biggest manufacturing companies may be less concerned. For example, BlueScope Steel has significant US steel operations, and saw its <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-10/asx-markets-business-news-live-updates-feb-10/104916360">share price increase</a> on news of the tariffs. US-based Alcoa, which owns <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/trump-tariff-threat-puts-aussie-aluminium-smelters-on-edge/news-story/1bba5321af89fd817a55a4984d98d273">alumina refineries</a> in Western Australia and an aluminium smelter in Victoria, will also expect to see its US operations benefit. And Rio Tinto will be most concerned about its substantial Canadian operations. Its Canadian hub is responsible for close to <a href="https://www.riotinto.com/en/can/canada-operations/saguenay">half of its global aluminium production</a>. <h2>Demand for iron ore could fall</h2> The US tariffs will also have wider ranging effects on the Australian economy, regardless of whether Australia’s products are directly targeted. While aluminium is Australia’s <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/trade-and-investment-data-information-and-publications/trade-statistics/trade-in-goods-and-services/australias-trade-goods-and-services-2023">top manufacturing export</a>, it still makes up only about 1% of total exports, and steel makes up <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">less than half that</a>. Iron ore, by contrast, makes up more than 20% of Australia’s exports, with aluminium ores making up an additional 1.5%. This means the effect of the tariffs on demand for the raw materials to make steel and aluminium may have the largest detrimental effect on the Australian economy. Because the tariffs will make steel and aluminium more expensive to US manufacturers, they will seek to reduce their use of them. This means global demand for the metals, and the ores used to produce them, will decline. Investors appear to be betting on this, with shares of Australian miners like <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/RIO">Rio Tinto</a> and <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/bhp">BHP</a> falling since Trump announced the tariffs. <h2>Imported goods will become more expensive</h2> Many of the things Australians buy are likely to get more expensive. All US products that use steel and aluminium at any stage of the production process will also become more expensive. Tariffs will raise the cost of steel and aluminium for US manufacturers, <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-tariffs-243356">both directly and by reducing overall productivity</a> in the US. About <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">11% of Australia’s imports</a> come from the US. And about half of this consists of machinery, vehicles, aircraft, and medical instruments, which typically contain steel and aluminium. Further, these goods are used by manufacturers around the world to produce and transport many of the other things Australians buy.<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/249493/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-french-2254956">Scott French</a>, Senior Lecturer in Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Samuel Corum/CNP/Shutterstock Editorial 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/whether-we-carve-out-an-exemption-or-not-trumps-latest-tariffs-will-still-hit-australia-249493">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Driver reveals "surprising" way he got out of $410 seatbelt fine

An Aussie driver who copped a $410 fine and three demerit points after their passenger made a common seatbelt move has revealed how they argued his way out of the ticket. Numerous motorists have been fined in recent weeks over the little-known road rule, where the driver could be penalised if a passenger reclines their seat too far back. Aussie lawyer Hayder Shkara argued that the rule is "step too far" as well-rested passengers can help curb the growing rate of fatalities by taking over from fatigued drivers on long car trips. Shkara shared the story of how one of his followers had successfully overturned the seatbelt fine and demerit points on social media. "He applied for a review with the police, and he actually got approved," Shkara said. "In his review he focused on the fact that car manufacturers were allowed to import these vehicles with the ability to recline in the first place, and that if there was an actual issue with the vehicle in terms of its design, it should have been stopped at the importation basis. "[He] said to the police that they were practicing safe driving protocols by changing drivers and making sure that one driver was rested and at police actually withdrew the fine. He didn't have to pay anything, and he didn't get any demerit points." Shkara told Yahoo that "normally applications for review in traffic offences are extremely difficult to be successful in and there is a low margin of success." "What is the purpose of seat belts? It is for driver and passenger safety. But we all know that fatigue is a big problem for drivers, so if drivers are switching in and out, I believe that the safer thing to do is for one driver to have proper rest so they can continue to drive safely." He said he would also encourage others who receive a fine for the same offence to try and appeal their case, as the "review doesn't require you to pay any legal fees and it is worth a shot." Image: NSW Centre for Road Safety/ TikTok

Legal

Dave Hughes reveals I’m A Celeb weight loss

Dave Hughes spent 25 days in the jungle for this year's season of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and despite being eliminated, his three-and-a-half weeks of camp life had a staggering effect on his body. “I lost eight kilos and I’m stronger now than when I went in there,” he told news.com.au. He explained that when he first joined the show he struggled to do laborious tasks like carrying a crate of firewood back to camp without assistance. “I’d be holding one side of the crate while my fingers almost snapped off, with another burly bloke like (former NRL player) Sam Thaiday on the other side,” he said. “But by the end of the month, I’m carrying the whole crate on my own. My fingers are loving the task. I’m just living my best life.” He also made progress in the "jungle gym" a workout station contestants could use to keep fit. “There was a bench press there and on the first day, the heaviest weights, I could do 20 (reps). On the day I got kicked out, I did 52," he said. “Sam (Thaiday) says I now look like a pregnant greyhound … I think that’s a compliment, so I’m happy," he said. Image: I'm A Celeb/ news.com.au

Body

Sam Kerr speaks out after jury delivers verdict

Sam Kerr has been found not guilty on charges of racially-aggravated harassment in a London court after a days-long <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-kerr-s-defence-in-harassment-trial-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trial</a> into the 2023 incident. After the judge delivered the not guilty verdict and missed the court, Kerr told the dock officer “hope to never see you again”. While Kerr chose not to address those waiting outside the courtroom, she soon issued a statement on social media. “Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed." “I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day." “I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.” The Metropolitan Police also released a statement about the verdict, saying, “Our officers perform a challenging job and are often subjected to various forms of abuse as they discharge their duty." "We will continue to support all officers involved in this incident The matter was fully investigated with evidence presented to the Crown Prosecution Service who made the decision to charge." “A jury has found Kerr not guilty and we respect their verdict.” Image credits: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

Most retirees who rent live in poverty. Here’s how boosting rent assistance could help lift them out of it

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-coates-154644">Brendan Coates</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joey-moloney-1334959">Joey Moloney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-bowes-2316740">Matthew Bowes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Most Australians can look forward to a comfortable retirement. More than three in four retirees own their own home, most report feeling comfortable financially, and few suffer financial stress. But our new Grattan Institute <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/renting-in-retirement-why-rent-assistance-needs-to-rise/">report</a> paints a sobering picture for one group: retirees who rent in the private market. Two-thirds of this group live in poverty, including more than three in four single women who live alone. <hr /> <iframe id="x2VND" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/x2VND/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> Retirees who rent often have little in the way of retirement savings: more than half have less than A$25,000 stashed away. And a growing number of older Australians are at risk of becoming homeless. But our research also shows just how much we’d need to boost Commonwealth Rent Assistance to make housing more affordable and ensure all renters are able to retire with dignity. <h2>Today’s renters, tomorrow’s renting retirees</h2> Home ownership is falling among poorer Australians who are approaching retirement. Between 1981 and 2021, home ownership rates among the poorest 40% of 45–54-year-olds fell from 68% to just 54%. Today’s low-income renters are tomorrow’s renting retirees. Age pensioners need at least $40,000 in savings to afford to spend $350 a week in rent, together with the <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension">Age Pension</a> and <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/rent-assistance">Rent Assistance</a>. That’s enough to afford the cheapest 25% of one-bedroom homes in capital cities. But Australians who are renting as they approach retirement tend to have little in the way of retirement savings. 40% of renting households aged 55-64 have net financial wealth less than $40,000. <h2>Rent assistance is too low</h2> Our <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/renting-in-retirement-why-rent-assistance-needs-to-rise/">research</a> shows that Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which supplements the Age Pension for poorer retirees who rent, is inadequate. The federal government has <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/speeches/budget-speech-2024-25">lifted the maximum rate of Rent Assistance</a> by 27% – over and above inflation – in the past two budgets. But the payment remains too low. A typical single retiree needs at least $379 per week to afford essential non-housing costs such as food, transport and energy. But we found a single pensioner who relies solely on income support can afford to rent just 4% of one-bedroom homes in Sydney, 13% in Brisbane, and 14% in Melbourne, after covering these basic living expenses. With Rent Assistance indexed to inflation, rather than low-income earners’ housing costs, the maximum rate of the payment has increased by 136% since 2001, while the rents paid by recipients have increased by 193%. <h2>A boost is needed</h2> Our analysis suggests that to solve this problem, the federal government should increase the maximum rate of Rent Assistance by 50% for singles and 40% for couples. The payment should also be indexed to changes in rents for the cheapest 25% of homes in our capital cities. These increases would boost the maximum rate of Rent Assistance by $53 a week ($2,750 a year) for singles, and $40 a week ($2,080 a year) for couples. This would ensure single retirees could afford to spend $350 a week on rent, enough to rent the cheapest 25% of one-bedroom homes across Australian capital cities, while still affording other essentials. Similarly, retired couples would be able to afford to spend $390 a week on rent, enough to rent the cheapest 25% of all one- and two-bedroom homes. <hr /> <iframe id="EZBuw" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EZBuw/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>Unlikely to push up rents</h2> One common concern is that increasing Rent Assistance will just lead landlords to hike rents. But we find little evidence that this is the case. International studies suggest that more than five in six dollars of any extra Rent Assistance paid would benefit renters, rather than landlords. <hr /> <iframe id="qGxQE" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qGxQE/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> In Australia, there’s little evidence that recent increases in Rent Assistance have pushed up rents. Our analysis of NSW rental bond lodgement data suggests areas with higher concentrations of Rent Assistance recipients did not see larger rent increases in the year after the payment was boosted. That’s not surprising. Rent Assistance is paid to tenants, not landlords, which means tenants are likely to spend only a small portion of any extra income on housing. Since rates of financial stress are even higher among younger renters, we propose that any increase to Rent Assistance should also apply to working-age households. Boosting Rent Assistance for all recipients would cost about $2 billion a year, with about $500 million of this going to retirees. These increases could be paid for by further <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/super-savings-practical-policies-for-fairer-superannuation-and-a-stronger-budget/">tightening superannuation tax breaks</a>, <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/housing-affordability-re-imagining-the-australian-dream/">curbing negative gearing and halving the capital gains tax discount</a>, or counting more of the value of the family home in the Age Pension assets test.<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/249134/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-coates-154644">Brendan Coates</a>, Program Director, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joey-moloney-1334959">Joey Moloney</a>, Deputy Program Director, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-bowes-2316740">Matthew Bowes</a>, Associate, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/most-retirees-who-rent-live-in-poverty-heres-how-boosting-rent-assistance-could-help-lift-them-out-of-it-249134">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Returning home after a flood? Prioritise your health and take it one step at a time

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kazi-mizanur-rahman-1057615">Kazi Mizanur Rahman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> Parts of North Queensland have received almost <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgpvrgezp3o">two metres</a> of rain since the weekend, causing flash and riverine flooding that claimed the lives of <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/second-death-confirmed-in-flood-hit-north-queensland-as-threat-eases-20250204-p5l9l1.html">two women</a> around Ingham. While some North Queensland residents are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-05/north-queensland-flooding-townsville-rainfall-flood-recovery/104894530">on alert</a> for more flooding, others are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-05/north-queensland-flooding-townsville-rainfall-flood-recovery/104894530">returning home</a> to assess the damage. This can be very confronting. You may have left in a rush when the evacuation order <a href="https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/aws">was issued</a>, taking only a few valuables and <a href="https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/emergencykit">necessary items</a>, and maybe your <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1423501/full">pet</a>. You may have been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37791723/">scared</a> and unsure of what would happen. Coming back and seeing the damage to the place you lived in and loved can be painful. You might also be worried about the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35681967/">financial consequences</a>. <h2>First, focus on safety</h2> Make sure it’s <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/After-a-flood-returning-home-safely">safe to return home</a>. Check with your energy provider whether power has been restored in your area and, if so, whether it’s <a href="https://www.ewoq.com.au/news-and-publications/news/support-for-customers-affected-by-floods">safe to turn the main switch back on</a>. Do not use appliances that got wet, as electrical hazards can be <a href="https://floodlist.com/dealing-with-floods/electricity-safety">deadly</a>. Look for any <a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/what-to-do-if-you-are-affected-by-floods-in-queensland/">structural damages to your property</a> and any hazards such as <a href="https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/asbestos-cleaning-removing-asbestos-containing-materials.pdf">asbestos exposure</a>. Watch out for sharp objects, broken glass, or slippery areas. The hardest part is cleaning up. You will need to be patient, and prioritise your health and safety. <h2>What risks are involved with flood clean ups?</h2> <a href="https://theconversation.com/dont-go-wading-in-flood-water-if-you-can-help-it-its-a-health-risk-for-humans-and-dogs-too-178027#:%7E:text=Health%20risks%20from%20flood%20water,thrive%20in%20mud%20and%20water">Floodwater</a> carries <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/doh-media-releases/health-risks-lurking-in-far-north-queensland-floodwaters#:%7E:text=Queensland%20Chief%20Health%20Officer%20Dr,risk%20of%20disease%20and%20infection.">mud</a> and <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ma/Fulltext/MA23051">bugs</a>. It can also be contaminated with sewage. Contaminated flood water can cause <a href="https://theconversation.com/drinking-water-can-be-a-dangerous-cocktail-for-people-in-flood-areas-178028">gastroenteritis</a>, skin infections, conjunctivitis, or ear, nose and throat infections. Mud can <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010486">make you sick</a> by transmitting germs through broken skin, causing nasty diseases such as the bacterial infection <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/melioidosis-a-deadly-infection-that-can-spread-aft">melioidosis</a>. Your house may also have <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/qld-pest-controllers-report-spike-in-rats-snakes-after-floods/100958648">rodents</a>, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/qld-pest-controllers-report-spike-in-rats-snakes-after-floods/100958648">snakes</a>, or <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-the-floods-stand-by-for-spiders-slugs-and-millipedes-but-think-twice-before-reaching-for-the-bug-spray-157600">insects</a> that can bite. Rats can also carry diseases that contaminate water and enter your body through <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9151845/#:%7E:text=It%20is%20presumed%20that%20infection,urine%20from%20animal%20reservoir%20hosts.">broken skin</a>. Be <a href="https://asthma.org.au/triggers/flooding-and-mould/">careful about mould</a>, as it can affect the air quality in your home and make asthma and allergies worse. Stagnant water in and around your home can become a place where <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/8/1393">mosquitoes breed and spread disease</a>. <h2>How can you reduce these risks?</h2> When you first enter your flood-damaged home, open windows to let fresh air in. If you have breathing problems, wear a face mask to protect yourself from any possible air pollution resulting from the damage, and any mould due to your home being closed up. Cleaning your home is a long, frustrating and exhausting process. In this hot and humid weather, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks. Identify any covered part of your home with sufficient ventilation which is high and dry, and where flood water did not enter. Use that as your resting space. While assessing and cleaning, wear <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/weather/Pages/household-cleanup.aspx">protective clothing</a>, boots and gloves. Covering your skin will reduce the chance of bites and infection. Wash your hands with soap and water <a href="https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/coping-after-a-crisis/cleaning-up-wind-water/">as often as possible</a>. And don’t forget to <a href="https://www.torres-cape.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/take-care-of-health-and-safety-during-flood-and-rain-20241213">apply</a> sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Throw away items that were soaked in floodwater. These could have germs that can make you ill. Empty your fridge and freezer because the food inside is <a href="https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/when-the-power-goes-off/#:%7E:text=Food%20stored%20in%20freezers&text=If%20the%20freezer%20door%20is,food%20chilled%20for%2024%20hours.">no longer safe</a>. If there is standing water, avoid touching it. When you can, empty outdoor containers with stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes breeding. <h2>Don’t overlook your mental health</h2> When cleaning up after a flood, you may feel sad, anxious, or stressed. It’s hard to see your home in this condition. But know you are not alone. Stay connected with others, talk to your friends and families, and accept support. If you feel too overwhelmed, seek help from mental health support services in your area or contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14. On top of everything, be mindful about those who are vulnerable, such as older people and those with disabilities, as they may be <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/8/e056210.abstract">more affected and find the clean up process harder</a>. Recovering from a flood takes time. Focus on what needs to be fixed first and take it step by step. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kazi-mizanur-rahman-1057615">Kazi Mizanur Rahman</a>, Associate Professor of Healthcare Innovations, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/returning-home-after-a-flood-prioritise-your-health-and-take-it-one-step-at-a-time-248902">original article</a>. </div>

Domestic Travel

Dave Hughes spills on worst A-list celeb interview

Dave Hughes has revealed the "rudest" A-list celebrity he's ever interviewed in the latest episode of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! The radio star was talking about all his celebrity interviews throughout the years with campmate Max Balegde, who then asked him: “I want you to be honest – who was the rudest?” “If we’re going to be honest … it hurts me to say it, but it’s … Ben Stiller. I was a big fan, and he was just a pain in the a**e," Hughes replied. Hughes then joked that he might've “ruined his Hollywood career” by calling out the A-list actor and director known for films like Zoolander and Meet the Parents. The radio broadcaster didn't reveal when he'd encountered Stiller or why the actor was a "pain in the a**e" . In the latest episode of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! former MAFS star Samantha Moitzi was the first of this season's contestants to be evicted from the jungle. Last week, Aussie TV legend Sigrid Thornton was the latest celeb to join the show in its 11th season. It's the first time the actress appeared in a reality show during her 40-year career, telling news.com.au: “I felt like if I was going to say yes to a challenge like this, then this was the time for me. I mean, I’ve never done reality television; I’ve never done anything remotely like this.” “But I don’t hold any particular judgement around it; I’ve removed all potential judgement because I don’t know what it’s going to be. All I know is that it will be extraordinary, exciting, unexpected, and I hope a little bit wonderful.” Image: I'm A Celeb/ 10

Nova radio star speaks out on "shameful" paparazzi photos

Nova radio host Kate Ritchie has issued a public statement on Monday morning announcing that she will be taking a break from the Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie program to focus on her mental health. The announcement comes days after the Daily Mail published invasive paparazzi photos that showed Ritchie appearing distressed while answering a phone call in a park. In a statement released to Instagram, Ritchie slammed the paparazzi for their "relentless stalking". “The images of me taken last week show that I wasn’t OK on that day. My struggle is not helped by the relentless stalking of the paparazzi, in fact they are making it much worse,” she wrote. “Due to their constant harassment, they significantly add pressure and make my recovery that much more difficult.” "To those profiting from invading my privacy, a simple question - would you treat your sister, mother or daughter the same, if they had similar challenges?” she continued. <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/DFltgAPSlyj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFltgAPSlyj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kate Ritchie (@kateritchieofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> She admitted that her mental health issues were “deeply personal” and had “proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined". Ritchie did not disclose how long her break from the show will be, but thanked listeners for their support. The Daily Mail received backlash for their story about Ritchie with paparazzi photos and video showing her crying while on the phone. The publication posted the video on to their social media, with many slamming the footage for intruding on her privacy. “The Daily Mail’s video of Kate Ritchie is f**ked. You don’t post that,” one person wrote. “What a horrible intrusion on her privacy when she is obviously going through a tough time. Have a heart and back off,” another commented. “She is clearly going through something and struggling. Instead of calling authorities or asking her if she needed help or was OK, they recorded her. horrible,” another person wrote. Images: Instagram

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