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Over 350k Aussies to be forced back into the office

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has vowed to end working from home arrangements for public servants, forcing them back into an office five days a week. The leader of the Coalition will end flexible work arrangements for federal government employees, which currently allows them to work from home for two days a week. According to a report in the <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/coalition-to-force-public-servants-to-return-to-the-office-20250303-p5lge3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">Australian Financial Review,</a> the Coalition will also make massive job cuts, slashing about 36,000 jobs, which will save about $6 billion per year, if elected in the upcoming federal election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that the drastic move would impact frontline workers, meaning slower delivery times for Aussies on benefits, including veterans. Opposition spokeswoman Jane Hume said the government has offered a “blank cheque to work from home” to employees, saying it was “unsustainable” and “not an arrangement that works for everyone”. On Tuesday, 7News reporter Nick McCallum and Founding Director of Western Sydney Women, Amanda Rose, spoke with Nat Barr about the policy on Sunrise. “Nick, would there be a revolt if public servants are ordered back to the office?” Barr asked. “I have no doubt there would be. I actually like the policy. I think it is ridiculous that, what is it now, more than 60 per cent of federal public servants have ability to work at home,” McCallum said. “There is a big ‘but’ to all of this: Peter Dutton, it’s a perfect policy for him to sound tough, sound Donald Trump-like, bang his chest and say ‘I am going to demand they come back’ but they’ve recently signed a workplace agreement and under that there is a presumption that they can work at home." “All people in the public service can at least request it. There is a presumption they can do it and there is no limit on the number of days they can actually work from home." “So, he can’t really change that until 2027 anyway. So, call me cynical but it’s a perfect policy for him but at the moment he can’t do a lot about it.” Image credits: STEVEN MARKHAM/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Money & Banking

Couple forced to sit next to dead passenger on international flight

A couple has recalled the distressing moment they were forced to sit next to a dead passenger on an international flight. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were en route from Melbourne to Venice with Qatar Airlines, via the city of Doha, when a female passenger died mid-flight. The crew decided to put the dead passenger's body in Ring and Colin's row for the remaining four hours of the flight, which the couple said left them traumatised. The incident unfolded when a woman walked out of the bathroom and collapsed next to their row. "Unfortunately the lady couldn't be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch," Ring told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/couple-forced-to-sit-next-to-corpse-for-hours-on-flight/24d51b24-9a7f-4e6c-be04-ec2dbf6df1c4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a>. "They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldn't get her through the aisle." "They looked a bit frustrated, then they just looked at me and saw seats were available beside me, my wife was on the other side, we were in a row of four." "They said, 'Can you move over please?' and I just said, 'Yes no problem'. Then they placed the lady in the chair I was in." The couple claims cabin crew did not offer them a different seat to move to, with a passenger in the row behind them instead offering a spare seat to nervous-flyer Colin. "There were a few spare seats I could see around us," Ring said. Ring spent the remaining hours of the flight in the same row as the corpse, saying he was told to stay seated after the plane landed as medical crews took off blankets covering the body. "I can't believe they told us to stay … it wasn't nice," he said. The couple said they have not been offered any support from Qatar Airways, with Ring saying, "They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff, we should be contacted to make sure, do you need some support, do you need some counselling." "I don't really know how I feel and would like to speak to somebody to make sure I'm alright." Colin said the pair was now trying to make the best of their Italian holiday of a lifetime after the disturbing flight. "I'm trying to make the best of a pretty hard situation, but, you know, we're on holidays so we're really trying to have a good time," she said. Since A Current Affair spoke to the couple, Qatar Airways says it is looking into the situation. Image credits: A Current Affair

Travel Trouble

Sam Kerr's defence in harassment trial revealed

Sam Kerr has appeared in a London court for the first day of her racial harassment trial. The Matildas striker has been accused of calling a police officer “stupid and white” as he attempted to defuse a dispute over a taxi fare in southwest London on January 30th 2023. The all-time leading Australian international scorer has pleaded not guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. In court on Monday it was claimed that Kerr and her partner, fellow footballer Kristie Mewis, believed they were being kidnapped when the taxi they were travelling in diverted off route during a dispute over the fare. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told jurors that the women had been on a night out and were travelling home in the taxi when Kerr was allegedly sick. The pair and the taxi driver then engaged in an argument over a cleaning fee of the vehicle, which caused the driver to divert the trip to Twickenham Police Station. When the pair realised they were no longer heading to Kerr's house, Mewis kicked out the rear window fearing she was being kidnapped. “The cabbie ended up phoning the police to complain about their behaviour, reporting that they were trying to smash a window,” Emlyn Jones said. In footage from a police body-worn camera, the pair were visibly shaken on arrival at the station and Kerr said they were “both very afraid” and they “were begging to get out of there.” Prosecutors said Kerr then allegedly became verbally abusive towards police officer Stephen Lovell, and insulted him “by reference to his ethnicity” when he recalled the driver’s version of events. “You guys are stupid and white. You guys are f****** stupid and white,” Kerr said. “I’m looking you in the eyes, you guys are f****** stupid. I’m f****** over this shit.” Emlyn Jones said there was no dispute over what was said, instead, jurors must decide what she meant and how it made Lovell feel. Kerr’s lawyer Grace Forbes said, “When you look past the headline, and you look at the evidence, Samantha Kerr did not feel hostile towards the officer because he is white”. “The words were a comment – however poorly expressed – about positions of power, about privilege and about how those things might colour perception.” The officer told the court he felt Kerr’s behaviour was “quite abusive”. Image credits: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

"So frustrating ": Daryl Braithwaite forced to cancel tour

Daryl Braithwaite has been forced to cancel shows on his Australian tour amid a recent health scare. The Aussie music icon, 76, announced on Facebook that he had to cancel his scheduled gig in Cronulla, Sydney "due to a medical condition", just days after postponing a show in Torquay, Victoria. "It is so frustrating trying to make my voice work when it breaks down, you try all of the old and new secret remedies and hope," he wrote on Sunday morning. He also apologised for cancelling his Torquay gig on Thursday in light of his health condition. "Due to a medical condition, I have had to postpone tonight's Torquay Hotel show. I am sorry for the disappointment," he wrote on Instagram. The Torquay show has been rescheduled for Friday February 14th, but Braithwaite's Cronulla show has not yet been rescheduled. While Braithwaite did not disclose what condition he was suffering with, he did announce it was greatly affecting his voice. Hundreds of fans flocked to the comment section to share their well wishes, as one person wrote, "You need to rest and take it easy your health is more important Daryl take care." "You are more important, Daryl. Don't be too frustrated, these setbacks happen and you'll come back stronger. We all love you," wrote another. Image credits: SplashNews.com/Shutterstock

Caring

Airline forced to apologise over controversial tourism ad

An airline has copped major backlash over a controversial tourism campaign that promotes their return flights to Paris. Pakistan International Airlines posted a photo of a plane flying at the Eiffel Tower on X as part of its campaign to mark the first flight from Islamabad to Paris after a safety ban was lifted. “Paris, we’re coming today,” the ad reads. The campaign has been viewed more than 21 million times, but after receiving thousands of negative comments, the airline was forced to issue an apology. Many social media users drew comparisons with the Al-Qaeda attacks on New York’s Twin Towers on September 11th 2001 when two planes were hijacked and flown into the skyscrapers, killing nearly 3,000 people. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/qUoNCyL385">pic.twitter.com/qUoNCyL385</a> — PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/1877555588533485884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> “This advertisement is sickening to see. Please do better with your imagery,” an irate user wrote. “Do you not see the airplane heading for the Eiffel Tower? Do you not know what it will be perceived as?” Another wrote, “Who tf made this graphic to further ruin Pakistan’s image in the world,” while others questioned how the graphic was approved, adding, “Who thought this ad was a good idea?” “Is this (an) advertisement or threat?” another user asked. After being online for a week, the airline issued an apology saying it was “blown out of proportion”. “Unfortunately, this was blown out of proportion with connations and perceptions that were not intended,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan told AFP. “It might have triggered some negative emotion, for which we truly apologise.” Despite the controversy, the ad remains on the airline's official X account. Image credits: Pakistan International Airlines

Travel Trouble

Entire block of flats forced to evict before Christmas

An entire block of flats have been subject of a mass eviction, just days before Christmas. More than 150 residents units are facing uncertainty in the new year after they were served notice to vacate their South London homes. According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8ykm23lrko" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>, some tenants only signed their lease a few months ago. Aitch Group, which owns the building, said tenants were asked to leave to facilitate refurbishments, with all 83 flats in the building receiving their notices over December. Every resident has been given an individual notice with varying dates, they said, which has contributed to widespread confusion and stress, the BBC reported. The tenants were turfed out after being served a Section 21 notice, which means the landlord wants you to leave and does not need to provide a reason for eviction. These clauses have been outlawed in Victoria and New South Wales. <div id="paragraph-14"> <div> One resident of the building, Kamelia Yotava, said her hair has been falling out due to the stress of the eviction. </div> </div> <div id="paragraph-15"> <div> “It’s not humane what they are doing,” she told the BBC. “Instead of spending time with family and enjoying the holidays, people need to stress about moving." </div> </div> <div id="paragraph-16"> <div> “There’s not many houses available and now they’re going to put 150 people on the market looking for houses, it’s going to make it even harder.” Image credits: Google Maps </div> </div>

Legal

Drunk couple forces emergency landing after mid-air meltdown

A Ryanair flight to Ibiza had to be diverted after a drunk couple allegedly assaulted cabin crew and other passengers. The plane, carrying holiday-makers from Manchester to Ibiza had to make an emergency landing in Toulouse, where police hauled the intoxicated passengers off the plane. A British traveller on the flight, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled the man "swigging duty free vodka" on the first hour of the flight, before he started arguing with a male cabin crew member and punched him in the face. As they tried to restrain him, the intoxicated man assaulted another passenger and spat at a woman, hurling verbal abuse at her. “He was kicking off with everyone, he was out of control,” the witness said. Flight attendants reportedly warned him that the flight would have to be diverted if he didn't calm down, but he replied: “I don’t give a f***.” The altercation lasted for about 40 minutes until Flight FR2626 had to land in Toulouse, and 12 police officers took him away in custody. Video of the attack showed the man shouting and swearing at the police, before assaulting another traveller as he was being escorted off the flight. After he left the plane, his partner started harassing another traveller, hitting him and calling him a "paedo". In another video, police were filmed physically restraining the woman, before removing her from the plane. The flight spent just over an hour and a half on the tarmac at the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport before continuing its journey to Ibiza. Just last week Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary called for flyers to be limited to two drinks at airports to crack down on disorderly behaviour on flights. “We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink," he said. “But we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000ft. “In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder. “It’s the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage.” The airline has started carrying out hand luggage checks to stop passengers on flights to Ibiza and the Greek islands from smuggling duty-free alcohol on-board. A Ryanair spokesperson has apologised for the incident saying: “This flight from Manchester to Ibiza diverted to Toulouse after a small group of passengers became disruptive in-flight." “The crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Toulouse and offloaded two passengers before this flight continued to Ibiza. “We sincerely apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused as a result of these unruly passengers’ behaviour, which was beyond Ryanair’s control. This is now a matter for local police.” Image: news.com.au

Travel Trouble

Rod Stewart forced to cancel milestone concert

Rod Stewart has been forced to cancel a milestone concert after falling ill. The 79-year-old rockstar shared an emotional message with his fans on Instagram saying he has had to pull out of his 200th show as part of his Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace due to strep throat. In his post, Stewart said he was "desperately sorry" and "absolutely gutted" over the cancellation. "I'm desperately sorry to miss this 200th show celebration," Stewart began. "Most people can work with strep throat but obviously not me." "I'm absolutely gutted. I've been looking forward to this concert for so long. My deepest regrets for any inconvenience this has caused." Stewart finished the post by adding that he'll be returning to the stage next year to make it up to fans. "Thankfully we'll now be returning in 2025 and I hope to see you all there," he finished, adding a heartbroken emoji. Just days before sharing news of the cancellation, Stewart announced his plans to extend his Las Vegas residency into 2025. "Vegas, I'm having too much fun for this to end so we are coming back for an encore!" he said, adding that he will be playing shows until May next year. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Victorian mother jailed for forced marriage that ended in daughter's murder

In a landmark case, a Victorian mother, Sakina Muhammad Jan, has become the first person in Australia to be jailed under forced marriage laws. Jan was sentenced to three years in prison, with a minimum of 12 months to be served, for coercing her daughter, Ruqia Haidari, into marrying a man who later murdered her. The case unfolded in Melbourne's County Court, where Jan was surrounded by emotional family and community members. Jan, an Afghan Hazara refugee, had arranged for her daughter to marry Mohammad Ali Halimi, a match brokered by a local Islamic community member in Shepparton. Despite Haidari's reluctance, Jan pressured her into a full marriage after initial dowry arrangements of $14,000 had been made. Haidari then relocated to Perth with her new husband, Halimi. Six weeks later, she was brutally murdered, her throat slashed with a kitchen knife. Halimi was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Western Australian court. Judge Fran Dalziel, who presided over Jan's case, noted that Haidari had expressed her desire not to marry, preferring instead to pursue education and work. However, Jan had insisted, telling her daughter (according to Judge Dalziel): “Are you my mother or am I your mother? I can make decisions for you ... Do you think it is up to you? No matter what, you need to listen to me; your mother.” Jan's lawyers argued that she believed she was acting in her daughter's best interests, reflecting her own experiences of being married at a young age without formal education. Nonetheless, Judge Dalziel condemned Jan's actions, stating that she had "abused" her maternal power and made it clear that forced marriage is illegal and carries significant consequences for perpetrators. “It must be made clear to everyone in our country that forced marriage is against the law,” she said. “You abused your power as her mother to override her desire to not marry Mr Halimi.” After the sentencing, Jan had an emotional outburst, refusing to accept the judge's decision or sign a recognisance release order, which would have allowed her to serve two years of her sentence in the community under certain good-behaviour conditions. The courtroom scene escalated, requiring additional security and paramedics when another woman collapsed during the proceedings. This case marks the first known conviction under Australia's forced marriage laws, which were introduced in 2013. Authorities have noted an increase in such cases, particularly involving young women and girls. Images: Australian Federal Police \ 9News \ ABC News

Legal

"Force of nature": Tributes flow for Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty has passed away aged 53. The beloved actress, known for her roles on Little House on the Prairie, Charmed and 90210, died over the weekend following a nine-year battle with breast cancer. Doherty's death was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who said in a statement: "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease." "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace." Tributes have flowed in for Doherty from friends, co-stars and loved ones, who have remembered her as a "force of nature". "Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion," fellow Charmed co-star Rose McGowan wrote in a tribute shared to Instagram. "Passion for craft is often mislabelled as trouble. Shannen was passion," McGowan continued. "I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live," McGowan added, before praising Doherty's work ethic which was "inspiring to the end". "Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary." "Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts," McGowan wrote. "Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister." <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/C9aLxGVvLH_/?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/C9aLxGVvLH_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan)</a> </div> </blockquote> Fellow Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano - who Doherty had a complicated relationship with - also paid tribute to her via a statement shared with People. "It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," Milano wrote. "She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her," she concluded. Meanwhile, actress Olivia Munn, who bonded with Doherty over their shared breast cancer battle, shared a lengthy tribute to her Instagram story. "I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her," Munn wrote. "We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn't comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10." "Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.... True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stages of fighting this horrific disease," Munn continued. "Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace. "I'm sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔". Doherty's Beverly Hills and 90210 co-star Jason Priestly described her as a "force of nature" in an Instagram post. "I will miss her," he wrote. "Sending love and light to her family in this dark time." "Shocked and saddened by news of Shannen Doherty's death," Carol Potter, who played her on-screen mum in 90210, wrote on Instagram. "What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.❤️🙏" Images: Instagram

Caring

Three children dead after allegedly being forced into house fire

Warning: This article contains disturbing content that readers may find distressing. Three children have tragically died in a house fire in Sydney's west, with police allegedly treating the incident as a domestic violence attack. At 1am on Sunday morning, neighbours raised the alarm after spotting the fire in a family home in the suburb of Lalor Park. Firefighters arrived on the scene in six minutes to battle what neighbours called an "intense" blaze. "The flames were shooting out the front window at 20 feet," Brett said. Two adults and seven young children were inside when the fire broke out, with neighbours saying they were awoken by screaming. Two boys aged three and six years old were given CPR on the street but could not be revived, and a 10-month-old baby girl was also found dead inside the home. As rescue crews, emergency services and locals battled to extinguish the powerful flames and rescue those inside, father Dean Heasman was allegedly seen pushing the children back in. "We're alleging that 28-year-old man took direct actions to prevent the rescue of those young lives that were lost," NSW Police Homicide Squad Superintendent Danny Doherty said. "We will allege that this 28-year-old man's actions were directly the cause of the death of these three young people." "We've seen three young lives have just been taken away in the most tragic of circumstances, quite unimaginable how the family is coping with this." A 29-year-old woman, a nine-year-old girl, and three boys aged four, seven and 11 were also in the house during the blaze, but escaped and were rushed to Westmead hospital. Neighbours said the surviving children told them the man ordered them to stay inside the home as it burned, one of them claiming he tried to fight in a bid to save his siblings. "Dad tried to kill us," the child allegedly told rescuers. Residents claimed they saw the man attempting to drag the terrified children back inside, as they said he was shouting "leave me here to die". It's understood the man, who was arrested at the scene and remains in a coma with significant injuries, was not previously known to police and had no existing apprehended violence order against him. NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the incident "horrifying and senseless" and offered the family support, as an investigation into the cause of the blaze begins. Image credits: Nine News

Legal

Dad forced to live in tent amid housing crisis

An Aussie dad is the latest to fall victim to the housing crisis, with soaring rent and low vacancy rates forcing him to live in a tent. Peter Woodforde, 58, has been forced to live makeshift gazebo wrapped in tarps that's set up in an Adelaide park, and while his children know that he is doing it tough, they don't know that he is homeless and living in a tent. The father has yet to tell his kids, who live with their mother, that he's unable to find a suitable place to live as he said that they would be distraught if they found out. He admitted his 15-year-old daughter once told him that it "hurt her" to know her dad was struggling to find a comfortable place to live - but she doesn't know the extent of it. Speaking to 7News, Woodforde said it's been difficult not being able to offer his kids a place to sleep. “Every parent wants to give their kids everything they possibly can and wants to give them the best chance of having a good life,” he told the publication. “What I say to them is that this is only temporary, Dad will get back on his feet. “(But) you’re missing out on some golden years ... I help where I can, I might pick them up and drop them off from school, but now they’re too far for me to do that,” he added. "I have to get myself off the street. I have to get my family into a house." Woodforde is sharing his story because he believes that homelessness is in a “state of emergency”, especially with winter approaching. He is also unsure about whether his makeshift tent will collapse when heavier rain hits, and hopes that more could be done to help these people facing desperate circumstances. “We’re coming into the colder months - what’s the bill going to be for all the health problems that are going to arise out of this?" he said. Images: 7News

Money & Banking

Family of eight forced to live in tent amid rental crisis

A family of eight have been forced to live in a tent for over six months as they wait to find suitable accommodation after their last rental lease ended. Cameron and Tameka Fletcher and their six children, aged between one and 10, have been living in a tent and have had to move from campsite to campsite since September. The couple claimed that the government can't support them because they have "too many children", and are waiting for public housing, but they might not meet the criteria to be eligible for it. They were reportedly staying in a makeshift tent city in a suburban park north of Brisbane. "We've always had a house, we've never done this," Cameron Fletcher told Nine News. "Everyone here is going through the same thing. But it's the only way to get help." “We can only do what’s best for our kids, to keep a roof over their heads,” his wife added. One of the couple's daughters is due to start school next year, and they have been struggling to enrol her as the family doesn't have a permanent address. The family said they are also struggling with day-to-day activities like finding breakfast, washing their clothes and getting the kids ready for school, and are using solar camping showers purchased from Kmart to clean themselves. According to Nine News, the family would be happy with a three-bedroom home but were told by state housing officials that they can only be offered a five-bedroom home to avoid overcrowding, but there are currently none available. In a statement issued to Yahoo News, a spokesperson for Department of Housing said it “has been working with the family since September last year, including providing accommodation which they chose to leave”. "As we’ve been assisting them to find longer-term options, they have declined further offers of accommodation," the spokesperson said. "With regards to social housing, there are eligibility factors that need to be met, including income thresholds. However, the department continues to work with the family to find a private rental and give any other support they might need." This comes as new <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/rent-shock-what-youll-be-paying-in-every-australian-suburb-in-2024/news-story/10b67da9ebe170a2e2d37caa7e66bf40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PropTrack</a> data, released in March, revealed that rent has increased by 17 per cent over the past 12 months, across all the capital cities in Australia. More than half of Queenslanders who have applied for social housing are reportedly homeless and have had to wait for over two years amid a lack of supply and increased demands. Earlier this year, the Queensland government announced it was aiming to build another 53,500 social homes by 2046, with a $3.1 billion funding boost to deliver one million homes. Images: Nine News

Money & Banking

“I told him not to open it": Flight attendant forced to hold plane door shut

A flight attendant was forced to hold an emergency exit door shut after an allegedly drunk passenger tried to open it shortly after takeoff. Footage shows a female flight attendant with one hand on the plane’s roof and another holding the lever of the emergency exit, after a man allegedly tried to pull it open during their flight from Qingdao, China on Saturday, according to the New York Post. “I told him not to open it,” the flight attendant said to another colleague in Chinese, according to JAM Press. Her colleague then asks the passenger: “Sir, did you open this?” The male passenger looked confused as he started gesturing at the lever. “Why did you open it? Didn’t you know it is prohibited to open this kind of thing?” the flight attendant asked again. But the passenger ignored him and looked down at his phone, as the male flight attendant continued to question him. The passenger eventually admitted that he had been drinking before he tried to grab the lever, and the man eventually had to change seats with another passenger sitting in the same row. He was allowed to remain on the flight, which managed to land safely at Harbin, China without incident. Images: New York Post

Travel Trouble

Climate change is forcing Australians to weigh up relocating. How do they make that difficult decision?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justine-dandy-121273">Justine Dandy</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/zoe-leviston-823">Zoe Leviston</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/climate-whiplash-wild-swings-between-weather-extremes/">Big environmental changes</a> mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put. Communities in the tropical north are <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/three-aussie-towns-set-to-become-unliveable-due-to-extreme-heat/news-story/a96b36d1be5054d9fe3282ebf18c3431">losing residents</a> as these regions <a href="https://theconversation.com/study-finds-2-billion-people-will-struggle-to-survive-in-a-warming-world-and-these-parts-of-australia-are-most-vulnerable-205927">become hotter and more humid</a>. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/weather-is-growing-more-extreme-the-pressure-is-on-the-bureau-of-meteorology-to-keep-up-20240111-p5ewms.html">Repeated floods</a> have communities along the east coast questioning their future. Others face <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-climate-change-is-bringing-bushfires-more-often-but-some-ecosystems-in-australia-are-suffering-the-most-211683">rising bushfire risks</a> that force them to weigh up the <a href="http://www.ohscareer.com.au/archived-news/bushfire-risk-for-those-who-move">difficult decision</a> to move home. However, the decision-making process and relocation opportunities are not the same for everyone. Factors such as socio-economic disadvantage and how we are attached to a place influence decisions to move or stay, where people go and how they experience their new location. Our research, working with other researchers at Edith Cowan University’s <a href="https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/science/research/strategic-centres/centre-for-people-place-and-planet/overview">Centre for People, Place & Planet</a> and Curtin University, seeks to document when and why people stay or go, and what this means for places and communities. In particular, our research suggests who is more likely to go may leave those who remain even more vulnerable. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oCeYJPwUaTg?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Darwin is already losing residents because of rising heat and humidity.</figcaption></figure> <h2>We’ve been slow to adapt to increasing impacts</h2> Climate change is global in scale and <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/">has compounding effects</a>. It is increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters and extreme weather events such as heatwaves, fires, storms and floods. It is also accelerating environmental changes such as soil erosion, salinisation of waterways, loss of biodiversity, and land and water degradation. Both sudden disruptions and gradual pervasive decline <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10113-019-01463-1">have impacts</a> on the places where we live, work and play. So far, there has been <a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/urbanism/climate-change-news/ahuri-rips-into-federal-government-inaction-on-helping-cities-adapt-to-climate-change/">little effective government action</a> to improve <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/411">climate change adaptation in Australia</a>. As we have seen in recent times in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/land-swaps-relocations-or-rebuilds-lismore-community-grapples-with-its-future">Lismore</a>, New South Wales, and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-17/mooroopna-shepparton-flood-residents-consider-staying-or-leaving/103324882">northern Victoria</a>, for example, living in some flood-prone locations will become <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-23/flood-insurance-costing-30000-dollars-where-not-to-build/13268966">unaffordable due to insurance costs</a> or simply uninsurable. In other locations, different reasons will force residents to leave. It might be because environmental change threatens their livelihoods, or they can’t tolerate new conditions such as more long heatwaves or less reliable freshwater supplies. Others might not be able to endure the threat of another disaster. In sum, living in the place they called home will not be sustainable. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eqafq5UV5Iw?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Repeated floods are forcing people in towns like Rochester in Victoria to contemplate whether they can afford to stay.</figcaption></figure> <h2>What factors affect the decision to stay or go?</h2> Not everyone can relocate to cooler or safer places. Systemic inequalities mean some people are more at risk from environmental change and have <a href="https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/wcc.565">less capacity</a> to respond than others. These vulnerable people include children (both <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2024-01-25/climate-change-threatens-health-of-babies-in-utero/103362510">before and after birth</a>), women, older people, people on low incomes and/or with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other cultural and/or linguistic minorities. In addition, housing is more affordable in areas that are hotter or flood-prone. This makes it more likely to be owned or rented by people with fewer financial resources, compounding their disadvantage. For First Nations peoples and communities, connections to and responsibilities for places (Country) are intimately intertwined with identity. For them, the <a href="https://www.cell.com/one-earth/pdf/S2590-3322(20)30250-5.pdf">impacts of climate change</a>, colonisation and resettlement interact, further complicating the question of relocation. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10113-019-01463-1">Place attachment</a> – the emotional bond between people and their environment – might suppress the urge to move. But environmental change might fundamentally alter the characteristics that make a place unique. What we once loved and enjoyed <a href="https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/wcc.476">has then disappeared</a>. This sort of change <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953612003255">impacts human health</a> and results in feelings of <a href="https://www.cell.com/one-earth/pdf/S2590-3322(20)30250-5.pdf">loss and grief</a>. It can prompt people to decide to leave. <h2>So who stays and who leaves?</h2> In our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623523000028#sec0014">research</a>, we found that when residents imagined the loss of what they valued about Perth’s environment this significantly increased their intentions to move away and significantly decreased place attachment. They nominated bushland, beaches, fauna and flora, and the climate/weather as characteristics they valued and feared changing or losing as climate change progressed. One study participant wrote: "It would be hotter and much more unpleasant in summer. I would miss the trees, plants and birds. I would hate living in a concrete jungle without the green spaces we have here. I would miss being able to cycle or walk to the local lakes to connect to nature and feel peaceful." But social factors matter too. We found people who valued characteristics of Perth such as social relationships and lifestyle were more likely to stay as they tended to have less reduction in their place attachment. We also found place attachment was associated with people acting to protect that place, such as protesting environmentally destructive policies. Yet people who were more likely to take such actions were also <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10113-019-01463-1">more likely to leave</a>. This could make the remaining community more vulnerable to further unwanted change. That’s because those who can afford to relocate are usually the ones with the resources – psychological, social, political and financial – to take action to protect their homes, neighbourhoods and cities. <h2>Proper planning for adaptation is long overdue</h2> Climate change impacts everyone. It causes significant economic and non-economic losses for both individuals and communities. Many locations are becoming unliveable. A changing climate and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-21/dark-roofs-raising-the-heat-in-australian-new-suburbs/102990304">inappropriately built or located housing</a> interact to create conditions where some people can or should no longer stay. Some will be prompted or forced to move, but not everyone has that capacity. Furthermore, relocation pressures have environmental, infrastructure and social <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/">consequences for the places to which they move</a>. The housing crisis in Australia adds to resource constraints and their impacts for individuals and communities. Relocating can also disrupt psychological, emotional, social and cultural connections that are crucial for people’s wellbeing. We need co-ordinated, well-governed, long-term planning for people to move in the face of environmental change to ensure equitable and positive transitions for individuals and communities. <hr /> The authors wish to acknowledge the following contributors to this research: Professor Pierre Horwitz and Dr Naomi Godden (Centre for People, Place & Planet, ECU), Dr Deirdre Drake (School of Arts and Humanities, ECU) and Dr Francesca Perugia (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University).<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/221971/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justine-dandy-121273">Justine Dandy</a>, Associate Professor, Centre for People, Place & Planet, and School of Arts and Humanities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/zoe-leviston-823">Zoe Leviston</a>, Research Fellow, College of Health and Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/climate-change-is-forcing-australians-to-weigh-up-relocating-how-do-they-make-that-difficult-decision-221971">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Tenants forced to pay landlord after fleeing their “uninhabitable” rental

A family has been ordered to pay their former landlords $3,000 after they “abandoned” they “uninhabitable” rental property. Bechara Rizk and Ariye Atayi Juma claimed that the Sydney home was unlivable, given the unrelenting infestation of cockroaches and other bugs. When the couple moved into the home with their young daughter on April 29th 2023, they immediately noticed “tiny insects and small cockroaches” in the linen cupboard, living area, master bedroom, second bedroom and main bathroom. They said the house was completely inundated with insects, as they found them on the walls, doors, skirting boards, carpets and in the toilets. Rizk emailed the real estate agency saying he did not consider the property habitable — especially for his young daughter. “(We) went to the property an hour ago for the first time since we received the keys yesterday and there were tiny insects and cockroaches alive and dead in every room,” the email said. “I have taken some videos if you need to see evidence but, most importantly, we are not comfortable bringing a small baby who is crawling to live in this apartment.” “I am writing to formally pull out of the lease and wanting to understand what the repercussions are for us.” The real estate offered to arrange a pest control service, to which the couple turned down as they believed the problem was too far gone to be fixed easily. After returning the keys on May 1st, Rizk sent an email the next day requesting their bond and deposit be returned. A pest controller treated the home on May 3rd, recording that a “small amount of (insect) activity” had been located and treated. In a letter to Rizk and Juma the next day, the real estate agency said the pest controller had found “no evidence of a pest infestation in the property” and the couple’s claim the property was uninhabitable was without merit. Rizk replied, “We have pulled out of our lease not due to a change of mind, it is uninhabitable and simply not what we signed up for. “We cannot live in an insect-infested apartment with a young baby.” “As any parent should understand, our child is our first priority and at the very least it would be irresponsible and the most could potentially put her in harm.” The matter between the family and the landlord ended up in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, with the couple seeking repayment of their bond while the landlords asked for compensation for the couple’s “abandonment” of the lease. Tribunal member Ross Glover found that the couple did in fact abandon the property, and were ordered to pay their former landlord $3,000 in compensation. The amount was deducted from the couple's bond which left no remaining balance to be refunded to them. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

"Tone deaf": Jetstar forced to apologise over "racist" joke

Jetstar has been forced to apologise after posting a "racist joke" on their Facebook page, in which they poke fun at the Vietnamese currency. The Aussie airline mocked the currency of the Southeast Asian country in a post, saying, "Sorry but Vietnamese money being called Dong is objectively funny." "And a million Dong is $65 and I basically have $65 which means I'm a millionaire," it wrote. The post was flooded with comments from many of their 782,000 followers, resulting in the post being deleted. One person wrote, "No more Vietnamese will fly with Jetstar. Racial hatred." "I'll never choose Jetstar until they issue an official apology to the Vietnamese people," another declared. A third comment read, "A tone deaf joke. Just a reminder — racial hatred is illegal in Australia. Just because you delete the post doesn't mean it's OK." One commenter slammed the joke for being "unprofessional, disrespectful, and unacceptable". "Ensure understanding of cultural respect and sensitivity before making culturally disrespectful joke on such a formal airline page." Jetstar responded to some of the comments made about the post, with one response saying, "You are totally right, and that's why we've deleted the post. We're really sorry for any offence caused." Another apology added, "We agree the post was inappropriate and as a result it was removed earlier today." One flyer shared a personal apology message she received after contacting the airline through its official Facebook page to complain about the post. "We agree the post was inappropriate and as a result it has been removed. We're really sorry for any offence caused," the Jetstar spokesperson wrote." 'Please be assured that this incident was in no way related to Vietnamese nationality or race." "You have my absolute assurance that Jetstar will not tolerate discrimination on ethnicity, race or any other unlawful grounds." Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Women forced to do shocking act for $100 rent reduction

Two women in Queensland have claimed that they were forced to use a makeshift "temporary shower" outdoors, while renovations are being carried out in the property's only bathroom. The pair, who were expecting a porta-loo style shower to use during the four-to-six weeks renovation, were horrified when they found out the makeshift shower was just a blue tarpaulin attached to the side of the house. Electrical cords and plumbing pipes can be spotted hanging down in front of the open cubicle, and has no curtain for privacy or a lock, raising questions for their privacy and safety. To make matters worse, the women revealed on Facebook that they initially tried negotiating for a rental discount of $200 per week during the renovations, but their landlord said "no way" offering only a $50 discount, "then $100 as final offer". Dr Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow in the University of NSW's City Futures Research Centre, slammed the landlord for "a bunch of possible breaches". "There is a big question about whether the temporary arrangement meets the minimum standards that apply to rented premises in Queensland under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act," he told Yahoo News. "Those minimum standards include that the bathroom and toilet facilities must provide privacy and that a premise must be weatherproof and structurally sound, and there's a standard about security," he added. He also claimed that "there's a bunch of possible breaches of the minimum standards of this temporary arrangement," as intruders could also potentially get in. The Senior Research Fellow also slammed the $100-a-week reduction in rent, calling it "grossly insufficient". "What a professional landlord who takes a bit of pride in themselves as a reputable housing provider would have done, is hire one of those portable bathrooms that come on a little trailer with a little heater and hook it up, and also do a rent reduction for the hassle of having to trot out to the trailer to shower," he said. "That would be the appropriate response." He encouraged the tenants to speak to Tenants Queensland or a local tenants advice service about what to do, adding that they could say that the current temporary arrangements could be deemed "unlivable or uninhabitable". "I suggest they should also be telling the landlord that this arrangement may place the landlord in a further breach of the agreement and for the liability for an even bigger rent reduction and the prospect of compensation if they don't do this better," Dr Martin told the publication. Images: Facebook

Money & Banking

Manu Feildel forced to pull out of major event after health emergency

Manu Feildel has explained a recent health scare, after he was forced to pull out of appearing at a major event. The celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules judge was set to make a guest appearance at Sydney’s Tour de Cure Spring Lunch at Doltone House on Friday, but was hospitalised before he was expected to arrive. Feildel took to Instagram to explain his mysterious absence from the event, which was a charity luncheon to raise money for cancer research. “I wish I could be there celebrating with you, but unfortunately I have to go for surgery tomorrow,” he said in a video message. Whilst the cook did not say what his condition was, he later posted a video showing his leg in a heavy brace. Manu’s knee looked especially red and swollen, with dressing across the kneecap. “I’ve had some surgery done and I can’t cook for myself as I usually do,” he said in the clip. Fans flocked to the comments section to wish Manu well. “Look after your leg mon ami!” wrote fellow chef Luca Ciano. “Hope you’re ok.” “Manu, oh no. What happened?” wondered another follower, while one person quipped, “Too much sauce, and u slipped on it?” Another concerned fan asked: “What have you done to yourself now? Wishing you a speedy recovery,” while others posted a simple, “Get well soon.” Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Couple misses their own wedding after cruise ship forced to turn back

A couple has missed their own dream destination wedding after their cruise ship was denied entry into New Zealand. Janine Sherriff and Kyle Risk dreamed of exchanging rings at the popular Lord of the Rings filming location, Hobbiton, located on the north island of New Zealand. The couple were meant to meet up with some close friends and family in New Zealand, as they travelled across from Australia on a P&O cruise ship, but were turned back from docking over an unclean hull. The “Kiwi Adventure” cruise, which was meant to be a 13-day journey, turned into more of a Tasmanian adventure after the ship was told to head to Australia’s southernmost state instead. New Zealand’s biosecurity laws were triggered over just three juvenile mussels and one single hydroid (AKA: lace coral), which needed to be removed from the ship's hull. “We took the time off from work, we had our nearest and dearest friends and family all co-ordinate to be in New Zealand at this exact time,” Janine told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-25/cruise-ship-turned-away-from-nz/103151078">ABC</a>. “The plan was to get off the boat, go straight to Hobbiton, have our wedding, then head straight back to the boat for the rest of the honeymoon.” “Now we have to figure out what to do about our wedding, we have all this money down the drain. I am heartbroken this day has been taken away from me." Kyle added, “First off, I was furious.” “I saw Janine’s face when we got the news. I was ready to explode. “I got a selfie from our family and friends at the site in Hobbiton we should have been on about 20 minutes before we had to turn around.” “It would have meant a lot as it was a beautiful setting. As long as we have each other,” he added. The cruise operator in charge of the vessel, P&O, has offered customers $300 in on-board credit and a 50 per cent credit on a future cruise. “We apologise for the change in itinerary and thank our guests for their patience and understanding,” a spokesperson for the company’s Australian division said per the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12791331/Engaged-couple-P-O-cruise-forced-turn-New-Zealand-fume-dream-Lord-Rings-wedding-ruined.html">Daily Mail</a>. Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock

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“I told him not to open it": Flight attendant forced to hold plane door shut

Climate change is forcing Australians to weigh up relocating. How do they make that difficult decision?

Tenants forced to pay landlord after fleeing their “uninhabitable” rental

"Tone deaf": Jetstar forced to apologise over "racist" joke

Women forced to do shocking act for $100 rent reduction

Manu Feildel forced to pull out of major event after health emergency

Couple misses their own wedding after cruise ship forced to turn back

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