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UK Supreme Court makes major ruling on definition of "woman"

In a landmark ruling that has stirred celebration and concern in equal measure, the UK Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the legal definition of "woman" refers exclusively to someone born biologically female. The decision effectively excludes transgender women from being counted as women under the Equality Act, marking a decisive turn in a years-long legal battle over gender identity and women's rights in Scotland. The case, brought by the feminist campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS), challenged guidance issued by the Scottish government that included transgender women with gender recognition certificates in official gender quotas. The ruling has been hailed as a victory by women's rights advocates who argued that expanding the definition undermined protections for biologically female people. “Everyone knows what sex is and you can't change it,” said Susan Smith, co-director of FWS, celebrating the court’s decision outside the courthouse. “It’s basic common sense. People have tried to deny science and reality. Hopefully, this now brings us back to reality.” The Supreme Court’s five justices ruled unanimously that the Equality Act permits single-sex spaces – such as women-only changing rooms, shelters, and medical services – to exclude transgender women, even those who hold gender recognition certificates. In his written opinion, Justice Patrick Hodge said that the ruling does not strip transgender people of their broader protections under UK law but rather clarifies the scope of “sex” in certain legal contexts. “Interpreting ‘sex’ as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’… and create heterogeneous groupings,” he wrote. The dispute originated from a 2018 Scottish law requiring that at least 50% of board members of public bodies be women. The inclusion of trans women in this target was central to the legal challenge, with FWS arguing that such a move effectively redefined the concept of womanhood without parliamentary authority. Aidan O’Neill, legal counsel for FWS, told the court that “sex” should be interpreted in the “ordinary, everyday” sense, based on biology from birth. “It is an expression of one’s bodily reality,” he said. “An immutable biological state.” The ruling has sparked celebration among gender-critical activists. Outside court, campaigners from several women’s groups opened champagne and chanted, “Women’s rights are human rights.” Maya Forstater, founder of the advocacy group Sex Matters, said: “The court has given us the right answer: the protected characteristic of sex refers to reality, not paperwork.” Author JK Rowling, a vocal supporter of FWS, praised the campaigners as “extraordinary” and “tenacious.” In a post on X, she said, “In winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.” However, the judgment has drawn sharp criticism from trans rights organisations and human rights advocates. The campaign group Scottish Trans said it was “shocked and disappointed,” warning that the ruling risks eroding legal protections for trans people. Green Party Member of the Scottish Parliament Maggie Chapman called the decision “deeply concerning” and a “huge blow to some of the most marginalised people in our society.” “Trans people have been cynically targeted and demonised by politicians and large parts of the media for far too long,” Chapman said. “This has contributed to attacks on longstanding rights and attempts to erase their existence altogether.” Amnesty International also condemned the ruling, arguing that it clashes with broader human rights standards. “A blanket policy of barring trans women from single-sex services is not a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim,” the organisation stated. The UK government welcomed the Supreme Court's clarification, stating, “Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.” Scotland’s semi-autonomous government, which initially defended the inclusion of trans women in public board quotas, said it accepted the court's decision. “We will now engage on the implications of the ruling,” said First Minister John Swinney. “Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions.” The ruling is expected to have wide-reaching implications for public policy, equalities law, and gender identity debates across the UK – a country increasingly at the centre of a global reckoning on the boundaries of sex, gender and rights. Images: For Women Scotland

Legal

Virgin Australia issuing refunds to 61,000 travellers

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

Travel Trouble

Refinancing your home later in life – what you need to know

There are many reasons why you may look to refinance your home. The obvious one is to lower mortgage repayments with a better rate. However, other reasons people refinance later in life include: <ul> <li>unlocking equity to invest</li> <li>paying down other debts</li> <li>buying a holiday home</li> <li>funding extended travel</li> <li>launching a new business</li> <li>supporting children with a property deposit</li> </ul> Regardless of why you want to refinance, the points below will help you navigate your options. Changing lenders It may have been a while since you last revisited your mortgage, meaning you may not be aware of current lending options and traps. A common trick lenders use is the so-called “headline rate” to grab your attention. However, this interest rate is typically not what you end up paying. It may only be an introductory rate for the first few months, or hefty fees attached may wipe out any savings. Banks aren’t the only ones offering loans nowadays. Registered non-bank lenders, fintechs and online lenders can refinance your mortgage and provide other credit services the same as any bank; they just don’t take cash deposits. Alternatively, you could explore credit unions and mutual societies. Also consider any shareholder benefits you may have. Most banks have done away with them now but may still honour pre-existing ones. If you change lenders, you could lose this entitlement – permanently. Reverse mortgages Generally, only available to people aged 60-plus, a reverse mortgage effectively allows you to unlock equity in your home without you needing to make immediate repayments. However, they often have strict conditions including: <ul> <li>minimum borrowing amounts</li> <li>maximum borrowing ratios</li> <li>higher interest rates than standard mortgages</li> </ul> Crucially, the interest accrues over time and is repaid when you sell, move or pass away. As such, your debt liability grows over time – potentially impacting your future living arrangements and how much is left for beneficiaries in your will. The Govt has the “loan equity scheme” as another option to lenders. I just want to highlight the need to be careful with reverse mortgages. Changing homes Rather than selling, downsizing could involve making an investment property your primary residence and then renting out your existing home. This approach may require you to refinance both loans simultaneously. There will also be tax considerations to work through – including Capital Gains Tax liabilities when you do sell, negative gearing, depreciation, and changes to your income tax. Then there are the lifestyle factors to weigh up, especially if you are moving to a different area: <ul> <li>living expenses</li> <li>insurance and travel costs</li> <li>access to healthcare</li> <li>rental income</li> <li>property management expenses</li> </ul> Remember that if you have a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF), it CANNOT own any property that you directly use yourself, including your home. Becoming Bank of Mum and Dad Refinancing can unlock equity to support adult children with their first property deposit. However, it isn’t without its risks. Ask yourself honestly: <ul> <li>Will this be a gift or loan?</li> <li>If a loan, under what terms? Will interest be applied? How and when will repayments be made? What if they default?</li> <li>What happens if their relationship breaks down, will you get your money back?</li> <li>How does going without that money affect your retirement?</li> <li>Do you have alternative assets to support you if your circumstances change?</li> <li>How does this affect inheritances or deposit contributions to your other children?</li> <li>Can you assist them another way without using your home equity?</li> </ul> Draw up a written agreement outlining all conditions and scenarios to avoid disagreements in the future. Pension impacts Don’t overlook how refinancing your home could impact your pension. While your home is exempt from the means test, any income or assets you generate from unlocking equity is not. You could inadvertently see your pension amount reduced or your eligibility voided altogether. This would come as a nasty shock if you haven’t pre-budgeted for such a change! Getting advice To ensure you get the best bang for your buck when refinancing, be sure to enlist the help of a good: <ul> <li>mortgage broker to source the best loans for your circumstances</li> <li>insurance broker to ensure your cover is right sized for your needs, risk and budget</li> <li>accountant to work through any tax implications</li> <li>estate planner to manage any changes</li> <li>financial adviser to keep your investments and financial strategy working for you</li> </ul> Ultimately, decisions – including about refinancing – are only as good the information you have at hand. So, make sure you have all the relevant facts before signing on the dotted line. Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations (Major Street Publishing $32.99). Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a style="color: #467886;" title="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754.

Money & Banking

The renting trap snaring retirees – and how to avoid it

It has long been known that renting in retirement is associated with a lower quality of life. Understanding the causal factors can help you avoid a similar fate. There are many reasons why renting in retirement can be problematic. For a start, figures on how much income we need to retire comfortably usually assumes that you own your home – the cost of rent isn’t included. So, anyone using this as a guide falls well short, potentially by 20-40 per cent. Additionally: <ul> <li>Rent usually eats up a larger portion of retirement income than home ownership.</li> <li>Over time, rents typically keep rising while mortgage debts reduce.</li> <li>Home ownership provides equity to use for other investments, further boosting retirement income.</li> <li>Downsizing homeowners can make an additional superannuation contribution from the sale proceeds, which renters cannot.</li> <li>Homeowners can make accessibility modifications to meet their needs as they age, like installing ramps or rails.</li> <li>Homeowners have greater stability and aren’t subject to eviction (and moving costs) at short notice.</li> </ul> How big a problem is it? Numerous studies have highlighted the growing scale of the problem faced by renting retirees. <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/renting-in-retirement-why-rent-assistance-needs-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Grattan Institute</a> recently found that “two in three retirees who rent in the private market live in poverty,” and that “most older working Australians who rent do not have sufficient savings to keep paying rent in retirement.” The rental trap is also not exclusive to low-income earners. <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://everybodyshome.com.au/resources/priced-out-priced-out-an-index-of-affordable-rentals-for-australian-voters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Everybody’s Home</a> recently found Australians earning $100,000 per year – above the <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/employee-earnings/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national median of $1,396 per week</a> ($72,592 per year) – are struggling to pay their rent. The end result is that homelessness is a growing problem for over 55s – particularly women. <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.mercyfoundation.com.au/our-focus/ending-homelessness/older-women-and-homelessness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mercy Foundation</a> notes that homelessness among these women grew 6.6 per cent in the 2021 Census, following a huge 31 per cent increase in the 2016 Census. What is causing it? Not owning your own home in retirement is obvious answer here. But there are various contributing factors that see people forced to rent later in life, including losing their home and being financially unable to replace it. These include: <ul> <li>Divorce/separation – court and legal fees, counselling costs, division of assets (including the family home).</li> <li>Pre-retirement chronic illness – time out of the workforce for both the patient and their partner to care for them, loss of income, less going into super, and higher healthcare costs.</li> <li>Death of a partner – up-front bills like funeral expenses, surviving partner suddenly on a single income.</li> <li>Elder abuse – an estimated <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/older-people#abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one in six older Australians experience elder abuse</a>, including 2.1 per cent facing financial abuse.</li> <li>Domestic violence – fleeing abusive relationships with little or no money and assets.</li> <li>Climate change – loss of uninsured home/other assets as storms, floods, cyclones, and fires increase in frequency and severity.</li> <li>Scams – <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.nasc.gov.au/news/australians-better-protected-as-reported-scam-losses-fell-by-almost-26-per-cent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australians lost $2 billion to scams</a> in 2024.</li> <li>Gambling – <a style="color: #467886;" href="https://aifs.gov.au/research/research-snapshots/gambling-participation-and-experience-harm-australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">46 per cent of gamblers are at risk of harm</a>, including losing their home.</li> <li>Housing unaffordability – soaring prices (and stamp duty) push home ownership out of reach.</li> </ul> Women often face the brunt of these effects, disadvantaged by the gender pay gap, having less in superannuation, often having primary or sole custody of children, and having less secure employment. How can you protect yourself? Thankfully, there are steps we can all take to protect ourselves and our retirement: <ul> <li>Get your foundations right for a strong financial footing – emergency fund, spending and investment plan, insurances, superannuation, estate planning.</li> <li>Make decisions jointly – letting your partner control finances alone means more risk for you and less spending oversight.</li> <li>Have contingency plans – your own bank account, independent financial and retirement plans, insurances, and back-up plans just in case.</li> <li>Get into the market ASAP – even a cheap investment property far from where you live is a financial asset and a roof over your head if needed.</li> <li>Consider co-ownership – if you can’t afford to buy property alone, split the purchase and ongoing costs with an adult child, sibling, or close friend. Alternatively, sub-let a room to offset the costs.</li> <li>Don’t settle for less – avoid accepting an unreasonable separation settlement just to resolve things quickly.</li> <li>Be alert – know the warning signs of scams, elder abuse, gambling addiction and domestic violence to avoid losing everything.</li> <li>Get independent advice – professional legal, accounting, and financial advice can help you build financial independence, create safeguards, and recover faster if disaster does strike.</li> </ul> Overall, the best thing you can do is simply to act. By being proactive instead of burying your head in the sand, your future self stands a much better chance of enjoying a comfortable retirement! Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations (Major Street Publishing $32.99). Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a style="color: #467886;" title="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Millions of Centrelink customers to get cash boost

More than five million Australians on welfare, including pensioners, renters, and job seekers, will have their payments boosted as the indexation changes are due to kick in. The payment increases will be made from March 20, with single pensioners able to take home an extra extra $3913 each year, while couples are set to receive an additional combined $5902. People on JobSeeker payments will get an extra $3374 to $5038, with single parents, mainly women, set to be more than $7500 better off annually. The maximum single rate of pension for those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment will increase by $4.60 to $1149.00 a fortnight. “We’ve spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life,” Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said. “Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net. For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.” Image: TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com

Money & Banking

The one airline offering wet weather refunds

US-based airline JetBlue have teamed up with tech startup WeatherPromise, to ensure that travellers can get the best out of their holiday. The airline is offering a refund if travellers experience "excessive rain" during their getaway. "We know how important vacations are, and by offering coverage against weather disruptions, we're ensuring our customers can focus on enjoying their trips with confidence and peace of mind," said JetBlue Travel president Jamie Perry in a statement. The offer applies for travellers who book through JetBlue's eligible Flight + Hotel vacation packages. How would it work? "WeatherPromise determines 'excessive rain' based on destination, trip length, and historical weather data," the statement read. Travellers won't even need to fill out lengthy forms to get their money back, as the process is automated by the tech startup company. "If rainfall meets the qualifying threshold, customers are automatically reimbursed - no paperwork needed," they added. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Ray Martin cashes in after selling luxury Sydney home

Ray Martin has made a whopping $7.1 million after selling the family home he has owned on Sydney's north shore for thirty-five years. The veteran journalist sold the five-bedroom, three-bathroom mansion in the suburb of Waverton for a reported $8 million, after Martin and his wife Dianne bought the luxurious 1930s-era house in 1990 for $900,000. The beautiful home, known as Finisterre, sold for between $8 million and $8.5 million after being listed on January 1st, according to reports from <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/ray-martins-8m-home-sale-bonanza/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>. Located just 5km from the Sydney CBD, the gorgeous two-storey home features classic period stylings and luxurious interiors. The stunning home boasts impressive features such as grand scale living areas, a beautiful patio for entertaining and a glass-framed mosaic-tiled pool, while a chef's kitchen features the latest appliances and a breakfast island. Other highlights include a 'formal' living room, a separate family room, a home office and an open-plan dining area that opens out to the backyard and patio. The upper level offers a large open terrace which features views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. Other luxury features on the estate also include a wine cellar, a second-floor study and landscaped gardens. Image credits: SBS / McGrath Real Estate

Money & Banking

Nine reporter stood down over controversial $50k gift

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

Legal

Aussie drivers urged to cash in on $140 million in unclaimed funds

The NSW government has urged Sydney motorists to access its toll road relief scheme, with $140 million left unclaimed since the cost-of-living support measure was introduced last year. Drivers who spend more than $60 in tolls weekly can claim the excess back under the "toll cap" introduced by the Minns government to help highly-tolled residents in Western Sydney. On Monday, Roads Minister John Graham said that while $75 million had already been paid to motorists, there's still $140 million yet to be claimed. “I want to remind motorists to get on to the Service NSW website and claim what they are entitled to in relief,” Graham said in a statement. Around 720,000 drivers are eligible for a slice of the payments. Over the past year, more than 276,000 claims were paid since the scheme was introduced, with an average claim of $277, according to the government. There were 115 suburbs where the average claim was $300 or more, including Parramatta, Lidcombe, Schofields, Westmead, Toongabbie, Merrylands and Auburn. “We know people are doing it tough and the toll cap is making it just that little bit fairer for drivers that heavily rely on the toll roads,” Graham said. He also added that reform talks with private toll road companies are still ongoing. In December, the government struck an in-principle deal with Transurban, a toll road operator, for a network-wide pricing system in attempt to ease the impact of toll payments on motorists. “The NSW government is progressing with toll reform to make tolls fairer overall,” Graham said on Monday. Image: Rose Marinelli / Shutterstock.com

Money & Banking

What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? One contains more air

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time for ice cream or a gelato. Who am I kidding? It’s the perfect time year round. But what’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? Not everyone agrees. Some people say they’re made with <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/gelato-vs-ice-cream-8609179">different amounts of fat</a>. Others say it’s all about the <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-909197#:%7E:text=Gelato%20is%20churned%20at%20a,much%20as%2050%20percent%20air.">air content</a>. To add to the confusion, gelato is the Italian word for any type of ice cream. But in Australia, gelato refers to the frozen dessert of Italian origin. <h2>How are they similar?</h2> Ice cream and gelato are both sweet desserts served cold. They both contain varying amounts of cream, milk, sugar, flavours, and sometimes eggs. The fat component from the cream provides the richness, smoothness and body. Eggs are normally associated with gelato but can also be added to ice cream to enhance the richness. Most commercial ice creams and gelato also contain <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-emulsifiers-bad-not-enough-evidence-to-say-we-should-stop-eating-them-121325">emulsifiers</a>. These are food additives that act as a stabiliser by preventing liquids that normally don’t mix from separating. Emulsifiers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-024-00893-5#Sec11">have been linked</a> to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11345991/">numerous gut symptoms</a>. However most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, and there is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-024-00893-5/tables/2">limited robust evidence of this in humans</a>. Ice cream and gelato are both made by churning (whipping) the ingredients, leading to air bubbles forming. In fact, it’s the air bubbles that allow us to eat these desserts frozen. It gives them a palatable texture and mouthfeel by making the mixture softer and lighter. Imagine how hard it would be to eat a hard lump of frozen dessert. Many people assume both ice cream and gelato are good sources of calcium, presumably because they’re made from dairy products. But due to the low proportions of milk (it’s mostly cream, which contains less calcium), they both only provide about 65 milligrams of calcium per half cup. That’s <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/calcium">about 7%</a> of the daily calcium requirements for adults aged 19-50. They also both contain small amounts of protein – about 2-3 grams per half cup. That’s only about 5% of your <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/protein">daily protein requirements</a>. So ice cream and gelato are not a valuable source of calcium and protein, making them of low nutritional value. That’s why they’re regarded as “<a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating">sometimes</a>” foods. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Gelato vs ice cream" /><figcaption>The Conversation, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></figcaption></figure> <h2>How are they different?</h2> It’s about the air The <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">speed</a> at which the mixture is churned can determine the amount of air it contains. This impacts the product’s thickness and smoothness. Ice cream is traditionally <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">churned faster</a> <a href="https://eu.venchi.com/blog/italian-gelato-vs-icecream">than gelato</a>. This means more air is incorporated, making it feel fluffy and creamy compared to gelato, which tends to feels thicker and richer. It’s about the ice Churning at a slower speed, as you would typically for gelato, also <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">increases the size of ice crystals</a>. Large ice crystals give a coarse icy texture, compared to a creamier texture from smaller ice crystals in ice cream. How about the fat? Although many websites say ice cream <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/gelato-vs-ice-cream-8609179">contains more fat</a> than gelato, this is a tricky one to tease out. In Australia, <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L00424/latest/text">food standards</a> say ice cream should contain at least 100g milk fat per kilogram (or 10% milk fat). So products with less fat need to be called something else – frozen dessert, iced confection, even gelato. So, in theory, a lower-fat product made the same way as ice cream could be called gelato. Non-dairy products made the same way as ice cream could also be called gelato. So how much milk fat does gelato need to contain? I can’t find any legal requirements in Australia or elsewhere. <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ice-cream-vs-gelato-vs-sherbet-vs-sorbet">Cooking websites</a> often refer to it having 4-9% milk fat. But depending on the recipe, it could be higher. Fat content also differs from flavour to flavour. For example, if you compare the nutritional content of half a cup of vanilla ice cream with half a cup of vanilla gelato, the ice cream has 2g more fat. Other flavours will give different results. How about the sugar or kilojules? If we just compare half a cup of vanilla ice cream with half a cup of vanilla gelato, the gelato has about 3g more sugar. Again, different flavours will give different results. The difference in kilojoules is very small – 15kJ per half cup. <h2>Overall, which one’s healthier?</h2> Effectively there is little difference nutritionally between ice cream and gelato. But brands and flavours vary considerably. They each use different amounts of cream, eggs and other ingredients. So kilojoule, fat and sugar content can vary considerably too. Should you still eat them? Yes, absolutely if you enjoy them. However, both are classified as sometimes foods due to their added sugar and low level of nutrients. And perhaps limit your serve size.<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/238988/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</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/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-one-contains-more-air-238988">original article</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

Track your spending, use cash and DIY gifts: how to keep your costs down this Christmas

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Australians are expected to spend more this Christmas than last, with spending projected to rise to <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">A$69.7 billion</a>. This is a 2.7% increase on what we spent last year on gifts, food and other treats for ourselves and others. This is a lot at a time when many people are experiencing mortgage stress and high inflation. But by employing smart budgeting and spending strategies we can enjoy a festive Christmas season without huge financial stress. <h2>Know how much you are spending</h2> Being aware of what you are spending is important. So you don’t spend beyond your means, you need to decide what you are going to buy and track what you spend. Using budgeting tools in your banking app will help you monitor your spending. Your bank’s app or a <a href="https://www.savings.com.au/savings-accounts/budgeting-and-saving-apps">variety of budgeting apps</a>, can also help you find deals and stick to your financial goals. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucac024">Research</a> shows spending decreases when you use an online budgeting app by 15%. Christmas budgeting means setting clear limits, like a gift allowance for each person of, for example, under $10, $25, $50 or $100. This helps us stay on track. Before shopping, we should also ask ourselves: “Is this worth buying?” or “Do I really need this?”. <h2>How to bag a bargain</h2> About <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">63% of Australian consumers</a> say they start their shopping in November, before the last-minute push to fill the Christmas stockings. This enables them to take advantage of the Black Friday sales on now and Cyber Monday, next Monday. Online research can uncover decent bargains to lower Christmas spending. Or you could wait until the Boxing Day sales to buy discounted gifts for people you don’t see until after December 25. The post-Christmas sales are also good for stocking up on heavily discounted crackers and decorations for next year. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Most Australian shoppers</a> (89%) are combining online (websites, mobile apps, social media) with physical in-store shopping. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Major online retailers</a> such as Amazon, eBay, and The Iconic (69%) are now more popular than department stores (59%). There are also thrift and discount stores which offer affordable gifts while using their income to help those in need. By using the internet to compare prices and set price alerts for goods you want to buy, you are more likely to get the best deals. Take time to search for store discounts. Using loyalty programs, coupons, promo codes, and free shipping also helps keep money in your pocket. <h2>Why cash at Christmas is better</h2> The <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/ensuring-future-cash-and-next-steps-phasing-out-cheques#:%7E:text=The%20Government%20will%20mandate%20that,will%20not%20be%20left%20behind.">federal government’s decision</a> last week to require businesses to accept cash, not just credit or debit cards, also has benefits for saving. Cash purchases encourage you to spend wisely, set your <a href="https://resources.depaul.edu/financial-fitness/tackle-overspending/Pages/solutions-for-overspending.aspx">spending limit, and prevent you from overspending, or paying interest and fees on cards</a>. There is also the old “<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/envelope-system-explained">cash envelope system</a>” used for centuries and popularised in the 1990s to help curb spending. This sees cash divided into envelopes, each labelled for a specific expense (for example, gifts for A, B, C). Once the money in the envelope is gone, nothing more can be spent. One way to help boost your Christmas budget; while simultaneously decluttering, your home is to sell items you no longer use. There are numerous online sites and bricks and mortar stores where this can be done. <h2>Saving money with DIY</h2> In 2024, Australians will spend an average of <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">$660 per shopper on gifts</a>, with popular choices including clothing and shoes, books, and gift cards. However, it’s not necessary to buy all your gifts or Christmas decorations. Consider making affordable handmade gifts to add a personal touch. There are demonstration videos online showing you how to re-purpose old items, bake homemade festive treats, create a special moments photo album or scrapbook. Mix Epsom salts, essential oils and dried flowers to create relaxing bath salts or scrubs. Use natural pine cones or salt dough to make ornaments. Make wreaths using pine branches, holly or dried oranges. Sew fabric garlands to place on the tree, fireplace or mantle. Instead of buying multiple extravagant presents for each person, try doing a Secret Santa. This is the low-cost tradition where everyone buys only one gift for one recipient who is chosen using an online tool. Gifts are then given anonymously. <h2>Festive food</h2> Festive food spending is projected to be <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9736-ara-roy-morgan-media-release-christmas-spending-2024">$28 billion, up 4.2%</a>, this year, contributing to the overall increase in expected total Christmas spending. To save on food expenses, asks guests to bring a dish to share. Or celebrate Christmas with an economical picnic or BBQ, weather permitting. Get creative with food leftovers to make meals and reduce the amount of food waste, while stretching your wallet further once Christmas has come and gone. <h2>Managing costs, avoiding debt</h2> Sticking to your Christmas budget can feel rewarding. If you do overspend, reflect on why, and adjust your plan. If needed, explore debt options, like credit cards or personal loans, but only as a last resort. Thoughtful planning will help you manage your costs, while enjoying the festive season. After all, the true spirit of Christmas is about creating memories and enjoying time with loved ones, not about overspending.<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/244300/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, Academic in Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</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/track-your-spending-use-cash-and-diy-gifts-how-to-keep-your-costs-down-this-christmas-244300">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

NSW Government refunds millions of Covid fines

Millions of dollars in fines dished out for breaches of Covid restrictions in NSW are set to be refunded, while close to 24,000 penalty notices will be officially erased. The announcement of the statewide refund by the NSW Fines Administration Commissioner on Tuesday came after legal advice cast doubt on the legal validity of the penalties handed out during Covid lockdowns. In total, more than $5.5 million will be handed back to those who have made either a full or partial payment towards paying off a Covid fine. Those in line for money, or with outstanding penalties, will be contacted by Revenue NSW within days. “Following representations made to the Commissioner of Police and myself concerning the validity of COVID-19 penalty notices, I have decided to exercise my statutory authority and withdraw these notices,” Fine Administration Commissioner Scott Johnston said. “Revenue NSW will be reaching out to all affected customers to support them through the finalisation of their matters.” At the height of the pandemic, the state government claimed they introduced the public health orders to "protect the community". Some fines have already been withdrawn, as in 2022 the Commissioner withdrew about 36,000 penalty notices tied to Covid-related offences because the information on them “made it difficult” for recipients to understand their offence. The remaining 23,539 penalty notices were believed to have provided a clearer explanation and were not withdrawn, but after further legal advice and consideration, it was considered “appropriate” to withdraw them too. Image credits: Xinhua News Agency/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

The government wants to keep cash alive for buying essentials. Here’s why it’s such a challenge for businesses

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steve-worthington-138">Steve Worthington</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> Cash usage has <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2023/jun/cash-use-and-attitudes-in-australia.html">fallen off a cliff</a> in Australia, but the federal government says it must have a future. So, it’s going to mandate one. The Australian government will require businesses to accept cash for essentials such as groceries and fuel. Some (yet to be determined) small businesses will be exempt. According to <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/ensuring-future-cash-and-next-steps-phasing-out-cheques">Treasury</a>, losing cash as a means of payment would leave too many people behind: <blockquote> Around 1.5 million Australians use cash to make more than 80% of their in‑person payments. Cash also provides an easily accessible back‑up to digital payments in times of natural disaster or digital outage. </blockquote> In its announcement on Monday, Treasury pointed to what had already been achieved with similar schemes in other countries such as Spain and Norway, and a range of US states. It’s an honourable cause. There are, however, some aspects of life in Australia that will present unique challenges for achieving it. <h2>Why does using cash cost so much?</h2> Some merchants in Australia already refuse to accept cash as a means of payment. That means relying entirely on digital payment methods such as bank cards and mobile wallets. It mightn’t be immediately obvious why some businesses don’t like cash. But for many, it’s the most costly payment method to accept. While cash transactions don’t come with a surcharge fee like bank cards, they do carry a wide range of other hidden costs. Businesses typically need to keep a “float” of cash in their tills overnight, so that next day’s early customers can be given change if needed. This float needs to be regularly updated and rebalanced with appropriate currency so the correct change can always be given. Businesses also have to make sure no cash goes missing during their opening hours, count their cash take at the end of each day, make sure it is secure on their premises, and make periodic physical deposits into their bank account. Both maintaining a float and making deposits can involve unpredictable trips to a bank branch or post office throughout the week. <h2>Things are getting harder</h2> For individuals and businesses, getting cash into and out of a bank account is becoming more of a challenge. And if you’re in regional or remote Australia, the nearest location where you can do so may be an hours-long drive away. The most recent <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/authorised-deposit-taking-institutions-points-of-presence-statistics">figures</a> from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) show that across Australia since 2017, the number of ATMs has fallen by about 60% and the number of bank branches by 41%. Many remaining bank branches have reduced their hours, and some have even stopped dealing in cash entirely, especially in rural and regional areas. Moving cash around the country isn’t getting any easier or cheaper. The dominant provider of cash-in-transit services, Armaguard, has been under <a href="https://theconversation.com/future-of-cash-secured-for-now-as-banks-and-retailers-bail-out-armaguard-233087">sustained financial pressure</a> in recent years. Earlier this year, it secured a deal with Australia’s big four banks and some of its other major customers to receive a $50 million bailout. Some countries facing similar situations – <a href="https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/banking-hubs">including the UK</a> – have persuaded their banks to fund the idea of “banking hubs”. Typically under this model, a location is identified in a regional community and banks collectively share the space, with each bank having one day a week in residence so that nobody is excluded from these services. <h2>Could a regional branch levy help?</h2> Also this month, Treasury proposed a <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/banks-face-new-levy-to-keep-rural-branches-open-20241115-p5kqwu">new regional services levy</a>, to support what should be the minimum level of banking services in regional areas. Banks with a relatively large regional presence would be cross subsidised by a proportional levy on banks with relatively fewer services in these areas or none at all. This funding would help banks sustain the number of branches, their opening hours and their ATMs. Under the proposal, banks that fell short of baseline requirements could purchase credits from others that did. The reasoning behind these measures is that like <a href="https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/communications-and-the-arts/australian-postal-corporation/australia-post-annual-report-2022-23/other-important-information/community-service-obligations">Australia Post</a>, banks should have a formal community service obligation. That is, a baseline of minimum services that must be provided. <h2>Questions still to answer</h2> In its <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/ensuring-future-cash-and-next-steps-phasing-out-cheques">media release</a>, Treasury only gave a big picture view of what they wanted to achieve. There are still many questions that need to be resolved before any of its plans can become legislation. Some concern where and how to target support. If regionally focused, how should regional be defined? Which areas and towns prioritised? How should the banks and other financial services providers be required to help support cash use? Exactly which businesses will be affected – and which exempt – must also be clearly defined, along with any enforcement measures. And there is likely to be robust debate over what exactly constitutes the “essentials” for which merchants will be mandated to accept cash payment.<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/243919/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steve-worthington-138">Steve Worthington</a>, Adjunct Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</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/the-government-wants-to-keep-cash-alive-for-buying-essentials-heres-why-its-such-a-challenge-for-businesses-243919">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Millions of Aussies to receive cash boost as welfare payments rise

Millions of Australians who rely on welfare payments will receive a much needed cash boost as of Friday, thanks to an indexation boost. Recipients of the age and disability pensions, rent assistance, carer payments, and JobSeeker payments will all receive the increase. Age pensioners, as well as those on the disability pension and carer payments, will see an increase of $28.10 a fortnight for singles and $42.40 a fortnight for couples. This boost will take the total payment per fortnight, including energy supplement, to $1114.40 for singles and $862.60 for each member of a couple. Maximum rates of Commonwealth rent assistance will also be increased by 10 per cent from today, with indexation applied on top, as single recipients, with no children, renting on their own, and receiving the maximum rate will get an additional $23 per fortnight in rent assistance. For families with one or two children, their payment will increase by $27.02 per fortnight. Single JobSeeker recipients with an assessed partial capacity to work of zero to 14 hours per week will move to the higher rate of JobSeeker, receiving $849.50 a fortnight (including the energy supplement and pharmaceutical allowance). "This indexation will deliver timely boosts to people receiving allowance payments and pensions, ensuring that these vulnerable cohorts have more money in their pockets for everyday expenses," Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said. A full breakdown of the payment changes <a title="can be found here" href="http://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments/previous-indexation-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be found here</a>. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

ATO urges Aussies to cash in on nearly $18 billion in lost or unclaimed super

The Australian Taxation Office is urging people to check whether they are eligible to cash in on almost $17.8 billion in lost or unclaimed superannuation. Lost super is when your fund has lost touch with you or your account is inactive, and this can occur if you've changed your name, moved homes or changed jobs, without updating your details. The lost super becomes unclaimed when your fund transfers this lost money to the ATO. "Since 2021, the ATO has reunited almost $6.4 billion of unclaimed super with its owners. But there is still more than $17.8 billion waiting to be found," ATO deputy commissioner Emma Rosenzweig said. "If you've changed jobs, moved house or simply forgotten to update your details, you may have lost or unclaimed super. "We're urging Australians to check if some of the $17.8 billion in lost and unclaimed super belongs to them." As of June 30, 2024, super funds and the ATO are holding lost super for over 7.1 million accounts, with retirees among those with lost or unclaimed super. The ATO revealed it was holding $471 million on behalf of those aged over 65. “Superannuation is a key part of your retirement, and we want to make sure Australians are claiming the investment they’ve worked for,” Rosenzweig said. You can check for lost super online through the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/keeping-track-of-your-super/super-health-check#ato-Check3Checkforlostandunclaimedsuper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ATO</a>. For those wanting to search for unclaimed cash, including unclaimed refunds, share dividends, uncashed cheques and more, you can visit <a href="https://asic.gov.au/for-consumers/unclaimed-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">federal</a> and state websites to see if you have anything owed to you. Unclaimed money is cash owed to people who can't be located, either due to name or address changes, lost paperwork or just forgot about the cash. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Chaos erupts over last-minute cruise itinerary change

Passengers onboard a Carnival Cruise have demanded refunds after their travel itinerary changed once they had already boarded the ship. Guests aboard Carnival’s Vista had booked the eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise out of Port Florida on August 10th intending to stop in Aruba, Curacao and Turks and Cacaos, with the eight-day cruise averaging $11,700 per person. However, as boarding was taking place, the cruise line sent passengers a notification saying their had been a change of plans due to an engine problem. Carnival crew members had discovered a “technical issue affecting the ship’s cruising speed” which forced the cruise line to alter the itinerary, the cruise line told the New York Post, with Vista instead traveling to the Bahamas, making stops at Nassau, Princess Cays, Freeport, and Half Moon Cay. While a cruise worker was trying to explain the situation to passengers, some started chanting "Give us our money!" while staff tried to diffuse the situation. <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/C_OYKHVvIIh/?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/C_OYKHVvIIh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Only in Florida (@onlyinfloridaa)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Ladies and gentlemen, the way you’re going about this with the noise and chaos isn’t going to solve any issues,” one cruise employee explained to the passengers, according to video obtained by Inside Edition. The passengers were given several choices once the cruise line determined the need for an itinerary change, as the cruise line said in a statement. “We communicated directly with guests on board regarding their options for the sailing,” Carnival said. “Those that sailed were given an on-board credit as well as a future cruise credit toward another cruise to make up for the unexpected change, and those who preferred not to sail were offered a 100 per cent refund.” Even with the choice of not cruising to the Bahamas, passengers were still frustrated with Carnival for the last-minute announcement. “They knew about the problem prior to us getting onto the ship,” Ashley Ball told the outlet. “They just didn’t say that until we were already on the ship, and, you know, went through customs and the lines and securities and all that, and then decided to display that information.” Image credits: Instagram

Travel Trouble

"No show": Wild reason couple denied refund on flights scheduled during Covid

A Melbourne couple, who had booked flights with Qantas during the state's fifth lockdown, were left furious after they were told they were ineligible for a refund because they were a "no show". Kieran McGregor told news.com.au that he and his partner had originally booked the flights to Darwin for July 18, 2021 through travel giant Expedia. When the number of Covid cases started rising, he moved the flights forward to fly out on the 16th of July, hoping that they would be able to get out before another lockdown, but the day before their flight, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state's fifth lockdown. Three years later, McGregor was still stuck between trying to get the refund from Expedia, who said Qantas had the money, and Qantas, who said the travel agent had it. Last year, McGregor contacted Expedia on their X account to try to resolve the issue, but the company said: “We just got off the phone with the airline, and as per advised, the ticket shows suspended on their end due to a no show." “Your ticket is no (sic) eligible for a refund, and has no value as per the airline. We apologize for the inconvenience.” He was "incredulous" when he received the message. “How could I fly if the state of Victoria was in lockdown and I couldn’t move more than 5km from the house?” he told news.com.au. When he contacted Qantas, the airline claimed “the funds will still remain with the agency that you’ve booked with” and to contact them directly for a refund. McGregor told news.com.au the ordeal was “utterly disgraceful” and that he was unaware if the flight went ahead or not. The publication reportedly contacted Expedia and Qantas and on Tuesday morning they finally said that a refund would be issued, but McGregor said he was yet to be contacted. “For flight bookings at Expedia, we generally follow the policies of our travel partners, so any refund is determined by the airline,” an Expedia spokeswoman said. “We have looked into this case with Qantas, and we will be contacting the traveller to process the refund.” While a Qantas spokesman said: “We apologise for the extended delay in resolving this issue and are processing a full refund for their bookings.” It is unclear which company held McGregor's funds, which was reported to be around $2,500. Adam Glezer from Consumer Champion told news.com.au that McGregor came to him recently when he felt he had nowhere else to turn. He said that these situations were quite common. “What Kieran has gone through with Expedia and Qantas is extremely common where the third party says the airline has the money and the airline says the third party has the money. I call it the blame game and there’s only one loser out of it and that’s the customer," he said. “Transparency in these situations is of utmost importance and unfortunately it just doesn’t exist.” Images: news.com.au/ DLeng / Shutterstock.com

Travel Trouble

Cash boost for millions of Aussies as indexation kicks in

Millions of Australians are set to get a cash boost within weeks as the Services Australia payments are indexed on top of additional increases to Rent Assistance payments, with the changes coming into effect on September 20 The indexation will be applied to a range of pensions and payments including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, and Parenting Payments. The indexation increases of up to $41.50 a fortnight will vary based on the payments. Centrelink JobSeeker recipients will receive an extra $71.20 per fortnight. “Single JobSeeker Payment recipients with an assessed partial capacity to work of 0 to 14 hours per week will move to the higher rate of JobSeeker, receiving $849.50 a fortnight,” the Department of Social Services said. The maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will be increased by 10 per cent. For families with one or two children, he Rent Assistance fortnightly payment will increase by $27.02. Single age pensioners will see an increase of $28.10 to their fortnightly payments, and recipients in a couple will receive a combined $42.40 increase to their payments. The same increase will apply to the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment. Single recipients receiving the fortnightly Parenting Payment will receive a $19.80 increase, while single recipients without children will get a $15.30 boost. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Readers response: What are your thoughts on the increasing use of digital payments?

While technology continues to advance, so does the way we pay for things. Many shopping outlets have turned to using digital payment methods rather than cash, which has divided many who find it easier to use cold hard cash than rely on technology. We asked our readers their thoughts on digital payments and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Joan Hughes - Couldn’t go shopping due to bad pains in my leg and back, so my grandson did an online shop. Tried to use my card 5 times but wouldn’t accept it, so had to use my granddaughter's. This is the 3rd time my card has been rejected. Rubbish system, cash is definitely best. Johanna Shakes - Very hard to adjust for elderly. Debra Walker - Hate it! Cash is king. Lex Jordan - I think we should all stand and boycott these companies that don't accept cash. Patricia Tebbit - Don't mind using cards but access to cash is imperative. Think of small charity raffles, garage sales & countless other things where cash is required. Lyn Bradford - I love it, I use 95% card, 5% cash. So much easier. David Taylor - Just making it easier for hackers. Jennifer Bucktin - Cash is best. If digital goes down, you can't use anything. Steve Smith - The digital age is here to stay so it's going to be better for all to get used to it. Quentin Brown - Love them both, digital and cash as it's much easier to pay bills etc. Of course you have to be smart and not gullible. Why can't we have both? Kath Sheppard - Cash is king, a lot safer as well, can't overspend either or be charged fees. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Aussie motorist's act of defiance against parking fees

Aussie drivers have been warned against replicating a cheeky way a motorist tried to pay for parking at a cashless parking meter. The motorist wasn't able to pay for his parking charges with a card, so instead they erected a sign in his car with gold coins attached, proving they are good for the parking fees. The driver said the cashless revolution doesn't "suit their lifestyle", but added they are "willing to pay for parking with these coins any day of the week". Despite displaying their method of payment, the North Sydney Council, who recently upgraded all their parking meters to cashless ones, explained to <a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/major-136-fine-warning-after-fed-up-aussies-3-cashless-act-of-defiance-023528239.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo</a> Finance this method could massively backfire. "The only way to avoid being fined is to comply with the signage restrictions for the space in which you have parked," a Council spokesperson said. "In metered spaces, you must pay using our parking meters. You are likely to receive a fine if you leave a note and do not pay," with parking fines in this council setting you back $136. After the driver's unique payment method garnered attention on social media, many agreed with their sentiment saying there should always be an option for people to pay with cash. "Should always have a cash option," wrote one user, while another said, "How can they expect everyone to be credit card online app savvy anyway and download it while standing in the street? I have so much trouble paying." A third added, "This is a great idea, but the inspectors do not have a sense of humour, they just issue you with a fine." Image credits: Facebook

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