Search

"So Australian": Local trust praised for response to illegal tree cutting

A resident's decision to cut down a tree for a better view of Sydney Harbour has backfired after a sign was erected where the tree once stood, to condemn tree vandalism. Following multiple reports of resident carrying out tree vandalism along affluent streets, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has called out the behaviour by setting up the sign in the Sydney lower North Shore suburb of Woolwich. "Tree vandalism has occurred in this area," the sign read. "The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public. "Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment." The sign also warned that offenders could be subject to fines and/or prosecution as punishment, and urged those who notice any suspicious activity to contact 8969 2100. After an image of the sign was shared to a Sydney group on social media, the local trust's actions have been praised, with many saying they "loved how petty this is" and one even declaring the response "so Australian". "I hope they keep this sign, as a reminder to anyone contemplating doing something similar," one commented. "We're petty but we have a right to be. You don't f**n poison or cut down trees. F**n unacceptable behaviour," another added. Others accused the person who cut down the tree of being "entitled". In last November alone, over 300 native trees and shrubs vanished in front of multi-million dollar homes along the Sydney Harbour waterfront strip. Lane Cove Council believe that hand tools were used to silently cut down the trees, which impacts plants, and local wildlife including wallabies, possums and dozens of other species. On Monday, the council put out a statement saying its "pursuit of justice" is now ramping up, referring to the incident as "the largest tree vandalism case in Lane Cove’s recent history". They are trying to obtain permission to put up a sign to block "the harbour view of the property which would most benefit from the mass clearing of the trees." "As the area is classified as a Threatened Ecological Community and contains some items of Aboriginal Heritage, it was important the appropriate approvals were in place before installing the signage," the council added. "The legal case and banner installation are important steps in our commitment to seeking the strongest possible recourse response to send a message that we stand tall against tree vandalism." Images: Reddit

Legal

What are family trusts?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jamie-thwin-1542004">Jamie Thwin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brett-david-freudenberg-226795">Brett David Freudenberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-belle-isle-1541984">Melissa Belle Isle</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Many of us associate trust funds with their depictions in popular culture – tools used by the mega-rich to distribute enormous family incomes among “trust-fund babies”. Recently, they even went viral as the centrepiece of a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@girl_on_couch/video/7363742421588512043?lang=en">TikTok audio</a> by user @girl_on_couch, who was famously “looking for a man in finance. With a trust fund. 6'5. Blue eyes.” But trusts – which allow assets to be managed by one party for the benefit of others – are more widespread than many people realise. And they’re not just for the super wealthy. In 2020-21, <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-01/p2024-489823-teis.pdf">more than a tenth</a> of all Australians who lodged a tax return reported trust income. Among the most common types of trust in Australia are family trusts, which are often designed to hold family assets or manage a family business. But their popularity has seen them regularly <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/treasury-eyes-tax-on-60b-in-family-trusts-20240131-p5f1fr">in the sights</a> of government and the tax office. So what exactly are family trusts, and why are they so controversial? <h2>First, what’s a trust?</h2> A trust is a legal arrangement where a person nominated as a “trustee” manages assets for the benefit of another person or particular group of people. It isn’t a separate legal entity, but rather a kind of legal relationship. A trust imposes what’s called an “equitable obligation” on its trustee to hold and manage trust assets according to specific conditions. These are set out in a “trust deed” for the explicit benefit of others, known as the trust’s “beneficiaries”. The trustee acts as the legally appointed administrator of trust assets. But the beneficiaries still have what’s called “equitable interest” under the arrangement – certain rights to benefit from those assets. Trustees can be individuals or companies. And many trusts include an “appointor” who has ultimate control. This appointor can appoint or remove the trustee at any time, and in many cases must consent to any changes in the trust deed. <h2>What’s a family trust, and why do people use them?</h2> In Australia, a family trust is a type of “discretionary trust”. Unlike a “fixed trust”, this means the trustee can make decisions about how assets and income are allocated among beneficiaries. Family trusts are typically set up by a family member for the benefit of the family as a whole. A family trust deed can nominate multiple beneficiaries. These could include not only parents, children, grandchildren and other family members, but also other trusts and even companies. Family trusts are often used to take advantage of their tax implications. This is because between years, trustees can vary the distribution of income among beneficiaries. Any undistributed income left in the trust is taxed at the top marginal tax rate of 45%. But if distributed to beneficiaries with lower personal marginal tax rates, it is instead taxed at those rates, which can lower the total tax paid. This explanation oversimplifies the picture, and there are a range of important caveats. For example, if a beneficiary is non-resident of Australia for tax purposes, the trustee will be liable to pay tax on their behalf. And distributing trust income to beneficiaries aged under 18 can attract penalty taxes at the top marginal rate. <h2>Why are they controversial?</h2> Family trusts have attracted scrutiny from regulators and the public for a range of reasons – perhaps chief among them, this broad ability to lower taxation by splitting income. The private nature of many trusts means there is often minimal public reporting, so it can be difficult to determine who in society is benefiting from trust income, and how. There are also concerns that they can be structured inappropriately to hide income. Trusts can also help safeguard a family’s wealth by shielding a family’s assets from the liabilities of individual members. The beneficiaries of a discretionary trust generally have no legal entitlement to its assets. This means that if the beneficiary goes bankrupt or gets divorced, the trust’s assets may often be protected from any claims. In 2019, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released the findings of an <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/research-and-statistics/in-detail/general-research/current-issues-with-trusts-and-the-tax-system">independent review</a> into trusts and the tax system. Some key areas of concern include: <ul> <li>income tax shuffles (individuals exploiting differences in income definitions between trust law and tax law to dodge higher marginal tax rates)</li> <li>using convoluted structures like circular trusts (two trusts that are beneficiaries of each other) to obscure trust income and who the ultimate beneficiaries are, and</li> <li>trusts failing to lodge tax returns.</li> </ul> The use of trusts as a business structure in Australia may yet require further review. This should not only seek to examine the legislation underpinning trusts, but also improve education for accountants to better understand trust and tax law.<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/232601/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jamie-thwin-1542004">Jamie Thwin</a>, PhD Student (Tax Law), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brett-david-freudenberg-226795">Brett David Freudenberg</a>, Professor of Taxation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-belle-isle-1541984">Melissa Belle Isle</a>, Lecturer Taxation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-family-trusts-232601">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Australia's most trusted brands for 2024 revealed

Despite the rise in cost-of-living, there are some brands that Aussies continue to have confidence in, and are willing to spend their money on. Over 4,000 Australians were surveyed by market research agency Catalyst, who were commissioned by Reader's Digest, and they were asked to choose the brands they trusted the most across nearly 70 different categories. "It's been a very challenging few years, but ultimately our category winners share a key common trait," Catalyst Research director Cameron Gentle said. "They consistently deliver on their promise. People have an expectation of what they're going to get, and the particular product or organisation delivers what they're after. Time and again." The survey, now in its 25th year, has crowned Bunnings as the ‘most iconic’ retailer and the fourth most trusted brand. Other noteworthy winners include Singapore Airlines for the most trusted brand to fly with, Panadol for pain relief, and Toyota for cars. Dettol was ultimately crowned the most trusted brand, earning the number one spot. "Since its humble beginnings in 1935, when Dettol Antiseptic Liquid was used as a post-surgery antiseptic skin wash in hospitals, Dettol has evolved to become the trusted brand in germ protection around the home," Readers Digest wrote. Check out the list of Australia's top 20 most trusted brands below: 20. Yates 19. Finish 18. Lipton 17. Woolworths 16. Weet-bix 15. Selleys 14. Glen 20 13. Dairy Farmers 12. Royal Flying Doctors Service 11. Weber 10. Bega 9. Toyota 8. Panadol 7. Bridgestone 6. Cancer Council 5. Dulux 4. Bunnings 3. Cadbury 2. Band-Aid 1. Dettol Image: Trusted Brands

Money & Banking

Bunnings has toppled Woolworths as Australia’s most ‘trusted’ brand – what makes us trust a brand in the first place?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-grimmer-212082">Louise Grimmer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Think of some of the world’s biggest brands: Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Apple. With what do you associate them? Are they positive associations? Now consider, do you trust them? Brand trust is a measure of how customers feel about a brand in terms of how well the brand delivers on its promises. Trust is an important measure for any organisation, large or small. Whether or not customers trust a brand can be the difference between choosing that brand’s products or services over another. In Australia, Woolworths <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9472-risk-monitor-quartely-update-december-2023">held the title</a> of our most trusted brand for three and a half years. But recent cost-of-living pressures have put supermarkets in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Roy Morgan Research’s <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9472-risk-monitor-quartely-update-december-2023">most recent trust rankings</a> show Woolworths has slipped to number two, handing its crown to hardware behemoth Bunnings. It’s clear that trust is fragile and can be quickly squandered when brands lose touch with those they serve. So what makes us trust a brand in the first place? And why do we trust some more than others? <h2>What makes us trust a brand?</h2> According to customer experience management firm Qualtrics, <a href="https://www.qualtrics.com/au/experience-management/brand/brand-trust/">brand trust</a> is <blockquote> the confidence that customers have in a brand’s ability to deliver on what it promises. As a brand consistently meets the expectations it has set in the minds of customers, trust in that brand grows. </blockquote> There are many ways to go about measuring brand trust. A typical first step is to ask lots of people what they think, collating their general opinions on product quality and the brand’s customer service experience. This can be strengthened with more quantifiable elements, including: <ul> <li>online ratings and reviews</li> <li>social media “sentiment” (positive, negative or neutral)</li> <li>corporate social responsibility activities</li> <li>philanthropic efforts</li> <li>customer data security and privacy.</li> </ul> Some surveys go even deeper, asking respondents to consider a brand’s vision and mission, its approaches to sustainability and worker standards, and how honest its advertising appears. <h2>Is this a real and useful metric?</h2> The qualitative methodology used by <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9472-risk-monitor-quartely-update-december-2023">Roy Morgan</a> to determine what Australian consumers think about 1,000 brands has been administered over two decades, so the data can be reliably compared across time. On measures of both trust and distrust, it asks respondents which brands they trust and why. This approach is useful because it tells us which elements factor into brand trust judgements. <a href="https://roymorgan-cms-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/07035120/9472-Risk-Monitor-Quartely-Update-December-2023-1-1.pdf">Customer responses</a> about the survey’s most recent winner, Bunnings, show that customer service, product range, value-for-money pricing and generous returns policies are the key drivers of strong trust in its brand. Here are some examples: <blockquote> Great customer service. Love their welcoming staff. Whether it’s nuts and bolts or a new toilet seat, they have it all, value for money. Great products and price and have a no quibble refund policy. Great stock range, help is there if you need it and it is my go-to for my gardening and tool needs. Really convenient trading hours, and their return policy is good. </blockquote> In addition to trust, there are three other metrics commonly used to assess brand performance: <ul> <li> brand equity – the commercial or social value of consumer perceptions of a brand </li> <li> brand loyalty – consumer willingness to consistently choose one brand over others regardless of price or competitor’s efforts </li> <li> brand affinity – the emotional connection and common values between a brand and its customers. </li> </ul> However, trust is becoming a disproportionately important metric as consumers demand that companies provide <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernhardschroeder/2020/01/16/from-the-traditional-to-the-outrageous-four-brands-that-use-honest-transparency-to-build-loyal-customers-with-non-traditional-marketing-and-branding/?sh=6689f81320a1">increased transparency</a> and exhibit greater care for their customers, not just their shareholders. <h2>Why do Australians trust retailers so much?</h2> Of Australia’s top ten most trusted brands, seven are retailers – Bunnings, Woolworths, Aldi, Coles, Kmart, Myer and Big W. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&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/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582082/original/file-20240314-28-h0xdf4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="table shows that Bunnings is now Australia's most trusted brand, and Optus the least trusted brand." /></a><figcaption>The latest changes to Australia’s most trusted and most distrusted brand rankings. <a class="source" href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9472-risk-monitor-quartely-update-december-2023">Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia)</a></figcaption></figure> This <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90901331/america-most-trusted-brands-companies-report-2023-morning-consult">stands in contrast</a> with the United States, where the most trusted brands are predominantly from the healthcare sector. So why do retail brands dominate our trust rankings? They certainly aren’t small local businesses. Our retail sector is <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/in-the-shopping-trolley-war-the-supermarkets-have-to-give-20240122-p5ez4k">highly concentrated</a>, dominated by a few giant retail brands. We have only two major department stores (David Jones and Myer), three major discount department stores (Big W, Target and Kmart) and a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-23/a-history-of-the-duopoly-coles-woolworths/103494070">supermarket “duopoly”</a> (Coles and Woolworths). It’s most likely then that these brands have been enjoying leftover goodwill from the pandemic. As Australia closed down to tackle COVID-19, the retail sector, and in particular the grocery sector, was credited with enabling customers to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/inside-story-how-woolworths-and-coles-joined-forces-to-avert-covid-19-disaster-20200611-p551lk.html">safely access</a> food and household goods. Compared with many other countries, we did not see a predominance of empty shelves across Australia. Retailers in this country stepped up – implementing or improving their online shopping capabilities and ensuring physical stores followed health guidelines and protocols. Now, with the pandemic behind us and in an environment of high inflation, the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/woolworths-coles-supermarket-tactics-grocery-four-corners/103405054">big two supermarkets</a> face <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/20/do-coles-woolworths-specials-actually-offer-savings-choice-survey-supermarket-price-gouging-inquiry">growing distrust</a> and a <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Supermarket_Prices/SupermarketPrices">public inquiry</a>. <h2>Lessons from the losers</h2> After <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/20/optus-scandals-network-outage-cyberattack-ceo-resignation-kelly-bayer-rosmarin">two high profile disasters</a>, Optus finds itself the most distrusted brand in Australia. Its companions in the “most distrusted” group include social media brands Meta (Facebook), TikTok and X. Qantas, Medibank Private, Newscorp, Nestle and Amazon also made the top 10. The main reason consumers distrust brands is for a perceived failure to live up to their promises and responsibilities. For example, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/09/18/amazon-working-conditions-safety-osha-doj/">worker conditions at multinational firm Amazon</a> are seen by some consumers as a reflection of questionable business practices. Other brands may have earned a reputation for failing to deliver the basics, like when chronic <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/compensating-travellers-for-cancelled-flights-long-overdue-20240212-p5f45c">flight delays and cancellations</a> plagued many Qantas customers. <h2>Lessons from the winners</h2> On the flip side, consumers have rewarded budget-friendly retailers with increased trust in the most recent rankings. Aldi, Kmart and Bunnings have improved their standing as trusted brands, no doubt in part because they have helped many Australian consumers deal with tight household budgets. As discretionary consumer spending continues to tighten, we may see a more permanent consumer shopping <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/retail/rise-of-the-value-shopper-as-budgets-are-crunched-a-threat-and-opportunity-for-retailers/news-story/9b7a355cfb3866ec60d2ee42b7cbd567">shift towards value for money</a> brands and discounters. Trust is a fragile thing to maintain once earned. As we move through 2024, Australian companies must pay close attention to their most important asset – strong relationships with those they serve.<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/225578/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-grimmer-212082">Louise Grimmer</a>, Senior Lecturer in Retail Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/bunnings-has-toppled-woolworths-as-australias-most-trusted-brand-what-makes-us-trust-a-brand-in-the-first-place-225578">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Sapling planted at Sycamore Gap to "restore hope" removed by National Trust

UK resident Kieran Chapman, 27, is "absolutely gutted" after the sapling he planted in memory of the<a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-can-t-forgive-that-teen-arrested-after-felling-of-iconic-200-year-old-tree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> felled Sycamore Gap tree</a> was heartbreakingly removed by National Trust. The 27-year-old spent hours on Friday planting the sapling just metres away from the stump of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, but his efforts were in vain, as the sapling had been dug up by the National Trust on Sunday morning. The conservation charity said that they had to remove the sapling because it is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. A National Trust spokesperson told the Newcastle Chronicle that while they understand “the strength of feeling following the events at Sycamore Gap” the site “is a scheduled ancient monument and a globally important archaeological setting, with UNESCO world heritage designation”. “Altering or adding to it can damage the archaeology, and is unlawful without prior consent from government.” But Chapman couldn't hide his disappointment: “It’s just devastating, isn’t it? It genuinely brought people a lot of joy and that’s been taken away," he told the publication. “I honestly thought if it got a good response they might end up keeping it.” Chapman planted the sapling because he wanted to “restore people’s faith in humanity, bring a smile back to people’s faces and just give them a bit of hope”. “I planned to go and take the dog for a walk next weekend there," he added. In a follow up post on Facebook, Chapman added that he was told by the National Trust that his tree will be replanted on another piece of land at the Housesteads Visitor Centre on Hadrian’s Wall. “Too many politics around all this for my liking, the top and bottom of it, it’s a tree, planted in soil. I understand the land is protected, but to protect a tree from being planted in the earth, where they’re designed to be, no matter where it’s location, is crazy,” he wrote. Two people were arrested over the incident, a 16-year-old boy and 69-year-old former lumberjack. Both have been released on bail, with the lumberjack insisting that he had no involvement in the felling. “You’ve got the wrong feller,” he told The Sun. “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger. “My brother came down to make sure I hadn’t been arrested as he had heard a rumour that I had cut it down. I didn’t do it," he added. Images: Getty/ Facebook

Travel Trouble

6 reasons Australians don’t trust economists, and how we could do better

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-siminski-250958">Peter Siminski</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> Economics is about organising markets in ways that contribute to social welfare, which means anyone interested in anything from inequality to housing affordability, to health and education systems, or climate change to gender gaps ought to be interested in it. But economists are far from the most trusted professionals. We are apparently among the <a href="https://kingcenter.stanford.edu/news/abhijit-banerjee-good-economics-hard-times">least-trusted</a> in the US and <a href="https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/ipsos-veracity-index-2020-trust-in-professions">midway</a> down the ranking in the United Kingdom. In Australia, such surveys on our most trusted professions <a href="https://www.governanceinstitute.com.au/advocacy/ethics-index/">don’t include</a> <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/roy-morgan-image-of-professions-survey-2021-in-a-year-dominated-by-covid-19-health-professionals-including-nurses-doctors-and-pharmacists-are-the-most-highly-regarded-but-almost-all-professions-d">economists</a>, which itself is noteworthy. Nevertheless, it’s worth reflecting on why Australians may distrust economists, and the ways in which economics can better serve Australia. <h2>1: Weak diversity and reflexivity</h2> Diversity is imperative for a field that helps make decisions about the allocation of resources. At <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2020/jun/why-study-or-not-study-economics-a-survey-of-high-school-students.html">high school</a>, economics students are increasingly male, and concentrated in metropolitan and high socio-economic status locations. <hr /> <iframe id="Pdz6D" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Pdz6D/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> Only 0.5% of Indigenous graduates identified economics or econometrics as their main discipline in the 2021 census. Two-thirds of the Australians employed as economists are <a href="https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/occupation-profile/economists?occupationCode=2243">male</a>, and although university economics departments have improved recently, they are still notoriously <a href="https://genderinstitute.anu.edu.au/gess/academic-appointments-in-economics-in-Australia">male-dominated</a>. Compounding this is that – unlike other social sciences – mainstream economics is not a tradition where <a href="https://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/school-structure/medical-education/research/qualitative-journey/themes/reflexivity">reflexivity</a> is encouraged. Reflexivity involves reflecting on one’s background and environment. Nor are economists often encouraged to reflect on the role of power in the promotion of the ideas they and others espouse, including in the media. <h2>2: The media and conflicts of interest</h2> Economists span academia, government, private and not-for-profit sectors. <figure class="align-right zoomable"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> But those appearing in the media appear to come disproportionately from banks, other financial institutions, management consultancies and think tanks. Particularly worrying is that some think tanks do not disclose the identity of their donors. The media seems uninterested in holding them to account for this. In contrast, all reputable academic journals (and <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/541221/original/file-20230804-21-4t1zo2.png">The Conversation</a>) require authors to declare any potential conflicts of interest as a condition of publication. Also worrying is that some think tanks seem particularly ideologically driven. In my view, the media should be much more critical and discerning in its engagement with economists and potential conflicts of interest. And more space should be made for academic and public-sector economists. Choices as to who is quoted should be guided by informed attempts to identify genuine expertise, as well as by diversity considerations. The opposite approach, sensationalism, is irresponsible and detrimental to the public good. And it contributes to distrust in economists. Equally, academic economists should strive to contribute more to national economic debates. A realignment of incentives within universities would help. <h2>3: Efficiency preferred to equity</h2> Decisions made by governments usually affect both the “size of the pie” (loosely, what economists call efficiency) and how it is shared (equity). How to balance this trade-off is a question of values, about which economists have no special insight. But we are well placed to summarise the likely distributional implications of policies. It is true that many economists are at the forefront of research on <a href="https://wid.world/">inequality</a>, but it is also true that economists often focus too much on efficiency. It is rare for economists to explicitly discuss the implications of government decisions for both. Recent examples are debates about increases to the minimum wage and to JobKeeper payments in the context of containing inflation. <h2>4: A heavy international focus</h2> Most of our best and most prominent economists were trained overseas, which is a double-edged sword. We should continue to help top students to study at the world’s best institutions, and continue to recruit top economists globally. But we should accept that this can come with the price of reduced interest and engagement in Australian issues. In my view we should balance this by also creating a truly world-class Australian postgraduate training system, perhaps through cross-institutional collaboration, drawing on strengths and creating economies of scale. Such programs <a href="https://tinbergen.nl/graduate-program">run</a> <a href="https://www.parisschoolofeconomics.eu/en/teaching/phd-program-pse/">successfully</a> in Europe. This has been discussed many times by academics in Australia, but it requires government resolve to happen. <h2>5: Declining economics training</h2> It’s also hard to trust economics if you don’t understand it. Year 12 enrolments in economics have fallen by about <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2020/jun/pdf/why-study-or-not-study-economics-a-survey-of-high-school-students.pdf">70%</a> since the 1990s. In New South Wales at least, economics has been mostly replaced by “business studies”. <hr /> <iframe id="ANlgw" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ANlgw/1/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> The study of economics has also declined strikingly compared to other fields at universities. Census data shows that only 1% of university graduates under 40 specialised in economics, compared to 2.5% of those now in their 70s. <hr /> <iframe id="tE4bE" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tE4bE/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> Management and commerce degrees are much more popular, producing 23% of graduates across all ages. While these degrees do include some economics, it is usually in only one or two compulsory units. <h2>6: Overconfidence</h2> While it was once said that every two economists had at least <a href="https://quotefancy.com/quote/939837/Winston-Churchill-If-you-put-two-economists-xin-a-room-you-get-two-opinions-unless-one-of">three opinions</a>, reflecting the inherent uncertainties in the discipline, economists seem very sure of themselves in the media. A large dose of humility would help, and it would help build trust. The media and consumers of the media should seek out the voices that acknowledge the necessary uncertainties.<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/208833/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-siminski-250958">Peter Siminski</a>, Professor of Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</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/6-reasons-australians-dont-trust-economists-and-how-we-could-do-better-208833">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Balmain Private: A decade of trust and success

Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022, Balmain Private has firmly established itself as one of Australia's most reliable investment options. Since its inception in 2012, the company has consistently delivered impressive results, making it a trusted choice for individuals and advisers alike. With a track record of $244 million in interest paid to investors – and with an even more impressive capital loss of zero dollars – Balmain Private has demonstrated its commitment to delivering solid returns. Over the past decade, investors have enjoyed an average annual return of 7.56%*, with the highest reaching an outstanding 11.25% net return*. What sets Balmain Private apart is its unique approach to investment. The company empowers investors by allowing them to build, select, and manage their own portfolio of first mortgage loans. This flexibility appeals to a wide range of investors, including Retail, High Net Worth and Self-Managed Superannuation Fund investors, who seek alternative income sources beyond traditional options. At Balmain Private, the approval process for investment offerings is highly meticulous. Only the best loans make it to the investors, ensuring a carefully curated selection that prioritises quality and performance. Remarkably, more than 20% of loans repaid have exceeded the target return rate, while the rest have consistently met their target rate of return. Investing with Balmain Private is not only rewarding but also convenient. The entire process can be completed online, allowing investors to transact at their leisure. Whether on a PC, tablet or smartphone, investors have easy access to their portfolio. Additionally, Balmain Private offers a Mobile App that enables investors and advisers to manage, invest and review their portfolio on the go. The app allows for seamless depositing or redeeming of funds and provides downloadable reports right on your mobile device. To further enhance transparency and control, investors or their advisers can manage their portfolio through an intuitive online investor portal. This portal provides comprehensive details on current investments, capital movements, income distributions and transactions, ensuring that investors stay well-informed every step of the way. If you're ready to explore the opportunities offered by Balmain Private, you can download their complimentary <a href="https://info.balmain.com.au/rs/929-AKB-976/images/BPD%205727%20Target%20Market%20Determination.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Target Market Determination</a> (TMD), their <a href="https://info.balmain.com.au/FactSheetOrder-Over60_01LandingHomepage.html?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Editorial&utm_campaign=June&utm_content=Editorial_TextLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Investor Fact Sheet</a>, or get in touch with their Investments Team at 02 9232 8888. For more detailed information, you can also visit their library of materials at <a href="https://linktr.ee/balmainprivate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://linktr.ee/balmainprivate</a>. Balmain Fund Administration Limited, with ABN 98 134 526 604 and AFSL No: 333213, serves as the issuer of units in the Balmain Discrete Mortgage Income Trusts ARSN 155 909 176. Before making any investment decision, it is crucial to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determination (TMD) available on the company's website or by calling 02 9232 8888. It's important to carefully consider whether investing in the Trust aligns with your financial goals, as rates of return are not guaranteed and are subject to future revenue, which may be lower than expected. As with any investment, there is a risk of losing some or all of the principal investment. However, Balmain Private's exceptional track record and commitment to investor satisfaction provide a solid foundation for a successful investment journey. Choose Balmain Private for your chance to embark on another decade of trust and prosperity. Image: Shutterstock This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Balmain Private. *Since inception. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investors should consider the risk associated with any Loan as set out in the PDS and any relevant Supplementary PDS (SPDS) pertaining to that Loan.

Money & Banking

12 trusted home remedies that will only make you worse

Proceed with caution Any herbal supplement or remedy could potentially cause liver or kidney failure or have dangerous interactions with other medications you may be taking. That’s why physician Dr Ehsan Ali, recommends you ask your doctor before popping any herbal pill or natural cure. “All patients of all ages should check with their doctor first about what home remedy they want to try,” says Dr Ali. “Better to be safe than sorry!” St. John's Wort This herb is touted as a treatment for depression, but comprehensive studies are lacking. Dangers can arise when patients are already taking other medications. There have been incidents of St. John’s Wort interfering with birth control pills, leading to unintended pregnancies. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health warns that St. John’s Wort can disrupt the action of many medications, including warfarin, antidepressants, and anti-rejection drugs following organ transplants. Kava This herb, grown on South Pacific islands is often suggested for anxiety. It has been found to have a calming effect similar to Valium. Research, including a study published in 2015 in the journal Trialssuggests that kava may be an effective treatment for generalised anxiety disorder. However, heavy consumption of the herb is linked with heart problems and eye irritation. Kitchen cures for burns Kitchen cures can seem harmless and certainly, food products can make gentle and effective beauty treatments (think: avocado or honey masks for skin and hair). But when someone has an injury or disease, natural products can do more harm than good. Dr Svetlana Kogan, a holistic physician, has heard many potentially dangerous cures for injuries, including applying egg whites to burns. Egg whites, especially organic ones, can be full of bacteria – including salmonella – which could lead to serious infections. Instead, minor burns can be treated at home with cool water and acetaminophen for pain. Gargling with mouthwash The common cold continues to confound doctors and there isn’t much sufferers can do except stay hydrated. But when the symptoms progress to an inflamed throat, indulging in the common practice of gargling with mouthwash can do more harm than good. “Gargling inflamed tonsils with mouthwash is actually very irritating to the area and does not have any effect on potential strep throat,” says Dr Kogan. Her recommendation for a sore throat? Warm liquids to soothe the inflamed area and get plenty of rest. Money The best use for money when it comes to your health is paying your medical bills. But some people use currency to try and cure ailments. For years, placing a coin or other hard, flat object on a baby’s belly to help heal an umbilical hernia has been a common practice in many cultures – a very unsafe practice: “An umbilical hernia is a gap in the layer of muscle in the abdominal wall (called the rectus abdominis muscle),” explains Dr Danelle Fisher, a paediatrician. “The muscle usually grows together and the hernia goes away on its own in more than 90 per cent of babies who are born with it. Having an object strapped to the baby’s belly is not advisable because it can cause a skin infection and it doesn’t change the hernia or hasten its healing.” (Not to mention that coins can be pretty dirty and are a choking hazard for your baby.) So what should you do if your baby has an umbilical hernia? Nothing, aside from watchful waiting and consulting with your child’s paediatrician. Breast milk Mother’s milk is the best possible natural food for babies. Although many mothers claim their milk clears up skin conditions, there’s no scientific proof of this, warns Dr Sarah Yamaguchi, an obstetrician and gynecologist. “Breast milk can transmit infectious diseases such as HIV and pumped breast milk if not stored properly can be contaminated and can actually introduce bacteria into an already infected area,” says Dr Yamaguchi. Instead, she advises, patients suffering from infections or inflamed skin should try to keep the area clean and dry and seek medical attention. Castor oil In her work as an obstetrician, Dr Yamaguchi has seen her fair share of women in the final stages of pregnancy who just cannot wait to have their baby. She has seen many women take castor oil believing it will jump-start labour. “Castor oil may help if you are constipated and need to pass a bowel movement, but it’s not going to help you go into labour and it tastes awful,” she says. Syrup of Ipecac This syrup, made from the roots of a South American plant, is often kept in the home by parents to act as a counter treatment for accidental poisoning, as it induces vomiting. However, this form of treatment is incredibly dangerous, warns Dr Fisher. Many poisons do further damage when they make their way out of the body, damaging the oesophagus and potentially causing breathing problems. Dr Fisher advises parents not to use syrup of ipecac at all. The only appropriate reaction to a child swallowing something poisonous, she says, is to call your local Poison Control immediately and seek medical treatment. Charcoal Some people believe that activated charcoal, often derived from coconut shells, is thought to trap and remove dangerous toxins from the body. It is often recommended for treating bloat and constipation. However, it is a controversial treatment. Dr Kogan has heard of patients swallowing activated charcoal for detoxification purposes, which she strongly discourages. “It is dangerous because it can cause life-threatening intestinal obstructions and severe dehydration,” she says. Eating well and drinking plenty of water can have similar, but safer, detoxification effects on the body. Blowing on or licking a wound Parents everywhere are known for spitting on a tissue and using it to clean their children’s faces and sometimes even to clean a wound. Blowing on or introducing saliva to a cut is very dangerous. “Our breath and saliva have tons of bacteria which can contaminate the wound and lead to an infection,” says Dr Kogan. Instead, use fresh water and consult a doctor if needed. Vitamins As long as you follow a healthy diet, you’ll get all the vitamins and minerals you need. That’s good because sliding into the habit of trying to make up supposed deficiencies with supplements can quickly lead to trouble, warns Dr Kogan. The danger comes when people ignore the recommended doses and take too much of a particular vitamin. Too much vitamin D, for instance, can cause liver and heart problems, while an overabundance of B6 can lead to nerve toxicity; a vitamin A overdose can even cause death in extreme cases. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/12-trusted-home-remedies-that-will-only-make-you-worse?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

6 trusted tips for finding love

Whether you are newly single or have been playing the dating game for a while, it can be tough to find someone that you have a real connection with. There are some guidelines that you can follow that can help you, by simply asking yourself a few questions. 1. What are you looking for? Do you want someone to grow old with, someone to take to a movie now and then, or something more casual? Knowing what you want and being fairly upfront about it can help you filter out the options. 2. Are you ready to show your hand? Finding someone special means you will need to be open about who you are and be ready to invest time and effort into someone else. Are you ready for this step? If you’ve recently been hurt or are grieving it may not be the right time to search for a long term partner. 3. Do you know your assets? Work out what you have to bring to the table as a partner, as this will help you know what to say if you have to describe yourself quickly (think online dating or speed dating). 4. Would you consider yourself interesting? It can be helpful to try something new – take an art class, take a camping trip, do some volunteer work. Not only can you meet new people, it’s also nice to have something to talk about when you meet them. 5. Can you show your funny side? Funny people tend to be liked, so it can pay to ensure you are using the right sort of humour. Too much sarcasm or negativity can turn people off, so ensure you are keeping things light and witty. 6. Would your friends be able to help? When you’re looking for love, it can be helpful to ask your friends if they have anyone that might be suitable. They can offer a casual introduction at a social event, or set up a dinner to introduce you to some new people without too much pressure. Images: Shutterstock

Relationships

Australia's most trusted brands revealed for 2023

When it comes to big brands, there are certain names that Aussies go back to time and time again for their reliability and trustworthy reputations. This year, according to recent data collated by <a href="https://www.trustedbrands.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>, consumers are interacting differently with big name brands after recovering from the pandemic, but now being faced with the cost of living crisis. The survey, now in its 24th year, was carried out by independent market research company Catalyst Consultancy & Research and asked thousands of consumers of a mixed demographic to name the brands they trusted across more than 70 categories. The data suggests that our most trusted brands have "not only changed the way they interact with us during the past three years of the pandemic", but current "cost-of-living pressures mean the most successful organisations are making even further refinements". "With inflation putting price pressure on everyone at the moment, trust remains a hard-earned and vitally important commodity," Reader's Digest Australia Editor-in-Chief Louise Waterson said. "Many leading companies are rebranding their image, or reshaping their services, to hold on to existing customers and seek out new ones." Check out the list below of Australia's top 20 most trusted brands, and <a href="https://www.trustedbrands.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head here for the full 2023 results</a>. 20. Woolworths 19. Sanitarium 18. Bridgestone 17. Ryobi 16. Dairy Farmers 15. Cancer Council Australia 14. Dyson 13. Bega 12. Selleys 11. Specsavers 10. Glen20 9. Dulux 8. Royal Flying Doctor Service 7. Band-Aid 6. Victa 5. Panadol 4. Bunnings Warehouse 3. Cadbury 2. Weber 1. Dettol Image credits: Trusted Brands

News

"I trusted anyone": Olivia Newton-John's daughter shares drastic health decision

Chloe Lattanzi has opened up about a recent health decision, announcing she is planning to reverse a lot of her cosmetic surgery enhancements. Chloe said she is going to have her breast implants removed, just months after her mother Olivia Newton-John died from a turbulent 30 year battle with breast cancer. Lattanzi, who has reportedly had $845,000 worth of plastic surgery over the years, took to Instagram to talk about her health. She shared that in trying to be the healthiest version of herself, she has already had fillers in her face dissolved and plans to remove her breast implants. “I’ve had the fillers removed from my face. When I had it done, I had body dysmorphia so I had very low self-esteem,” Lattanzi admitted. “I think I started doing (fillers) about 10 years ago,” she continued. “My face looked very puffy and strange. There’s a product called hyaluronidase that can take it out, it basically dissolves it, which is an ongoing process that I go through.” Speaking about her breast implants, Chloe said she “wasn’t aware” of the potential health problems that implants can bring. “I trusted anyone in a white coat and I wasn’t aware that there was any side effects or consequences,” she admitted. “I’m actually looking into removing them. It does cost a lot of money.” Lattanzi also spoke about her lip fillers, explaining she has injected them “so much” they are “permanently stretched out”. “Not that this is anyone’s business, but it hurt to see some of these comments and I just wanted to educate people,” she said. “You can believe me or not, but it’s the truth, from having them filled so much, they’re just stretched, I haven’t had them done in years.” Since her mother died in August after her journey with breast cancer, Lattanzi has been outspoken about “preventative care”. “I’m so excited to be carrying the torch for my mum continuing to not battle cancer, but finding out what’s causing it,” she said. <div> </div> “Preventive care was something she was very passionate about, you know we need to think about all the drugs that are put into our body." Image credits: Instagram

Body

Revealed: Australia’s most trusted brands for 2022

Celebrating its 100th year as a global brand, Reader’s Digest has announced the Most Trusted Brands in Australia in its annual survey – and the results even include ANOTHER brand celebrating 100 years! In 2022, Cadbury, certainly one of Australia’s iconic brands, also marks its 100th year – and as winner of the Most Trusted Confectionary Brand for 16 of the past 17 years in the <a href="https://www.trustedbrands.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand</a> survey, Australians clearly believe its chocolates consistently taste amazing. The award-winning brands that appear in the Reader’s Digest 23rd annual survey have stood out among their competitors during the most challenging of times throughout the pandemic, and have continued to build their customers’ trust. “Trust in consumer brands takes years of careful planning, execution and nurturing,” says Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief, Louise Waterson. “But during challenging times, and the past year has been one of the most difficult on record, we’ve seen quality brands live up to their promises to their customers. These brands have been able to win and retain the trust of their customers.” The Trusted Brands survey covers a comprehensive range of products and services across 75 categories, including the new Residential Aged Care category, spanning the separate NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA markets. Brands included in the list to be rated were generated by asking local Australian consumers for their most trusted brands. This question was unprompted to ensure the rating of top brands in each category, as selected by Australians. Each respondent was asked score each brand out of ten, as well as providing comments on their most trusted brand within each category – providing key drivers of trust for consumers. Each category contains one Winner, and two Highly Commended brands. These brands scored higher in their respective categories than the other brands polled. The top 20 winners – that scored higher in their respective categories than the other brands polled – are as follows: Top 20 Trusted Brands of all brands surveyed <ul> <li>1 Dettol </li> <li>2 Band-Aid </li> <li>3 Bunnings Warehouse </li> <li>4 Cadbury </li> <li>5 Woolworths </li> <li>6 Dulux </li> <li>7 Dyson </li> <li>8 Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia </li> <li>9 Cancer Council </li> <li>10 Panadol </li> <li>11 Glen 20</li> <li>12 Twinings</li> <li>13 Bega Cheese</li> <li>14 Dairy Farmers</li> <li>15 Toyota</li> <li>16 Westinghouse</li> <li>17 Bridgestone</li> <li>18 Finish</li> <li>19 Vicks</li> <li>20 Weber</li> </ul> Under each category one winner and two highly commended placings were awarded. To find out who you can officially trust, see the full results of all 75 categories in the May edition of Reader’s Digest or visit <a href="https://www.trustedbrands.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.trustedbrands.com.au</a>

Money & Banking

Antarctic Heritage Trust offers up dream jobs

If your dream job involves living in one of the most remote places on Earth and waking up to count penguins, then the Antarctic Heritage Trust has your back. The UK branch of the trust is hiring a base leader, shop manager and general assistant for their Port Lockroy location in Antarctica. The roles of the job are to help protect the heritage, conserve its environment and share its rich history with about 18,000 visitors each season. The successful applicants will spend five months from November to March at Base ‘A’ – an historic British base situated on the tiny Goudier Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. The main tasks of the job include managing a gift shop and British Antarctic Territory Post Office on the site, as well as overseeing the annual maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and artefacts and wildlife observations for the British Antarctic Survey. While this unique opportunity may be a dream job for some, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust said Antarctica is a physically and mentally challenging workplace for many reasons. During summer months, temperatures vary between -5C and 10C, with overcast days and windchill often making it feel much colder. It’s also worth noting that there is no running water on the island. Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships, which will also offer showers every few days. There is also no flushing toilet at the base, with the basic living quarters involving a singular shared bedroom for all staff. The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s flagship historic site was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station until it closed in 1962. In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a living museum, and has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

The most trusted cruise operators in Australia

Image: Getty Most trusted cruise operator: Royal Caribbean According to our data, people love Royal Caribbean for many different reasons. “They have high standards and offer very personal service,” said one respondent. “A hardworking cruise line that ensures your holiday is a relaxing and memorable one,” replied another. Royal Caribbean is bringing world-class, technologically-advanced ships to local waters, with amazing ‘Only On Royal’ activities, such as the North Star observation capsule, sky-diving simulators and bumper cars. With ships sailing from both Sydney and Brisbane from summer 2022-2023, guests have even more choice with departure points. Royal Caribbean has also assembled a taskforce of the world’s leading medical and scientific experts – the Healthy Sail Panel – to help establish measures to keep guests healthy and safe, including upgraded air filtration systems and upgraded onboard medical facilities and medical care. Highly commended cruise operator: Cunard Cunard passengers can travel in luxury on any number of voyages on Cunard’s three magnificent ships: the flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, with guests able to experience a world of freedom and possibility, from learning fencing or tango, listening to an astronaut, or simply relaxing with a cocktail in one of the beautiful atriums. “I think Cunard offer premium quality cruises which makes me think of them as offering a higher quality experience than other operators,” said one happy guest. Highly commended cruise operator: P&O Cruises P&O’s local heritage coupled with an inherent understanding of how Aussies like to cruise is infused into everything it delivers, with the cruise line taking pride in leveraging local Australian talent and entertainment, locally sourced food and beverages, top Aussie chefs and unique live shows. In 2021, P&O Cruises is welcoming two grand class ships, Pacific Adventure® and Pacific Encounter, both with a huge range of signature and new features. Enhanced health measures and protocols, improved impacts on the natural environment, as well as a refresh of onboard experiences including personalised digital applications, all await returning and new guests. “Wonderful experience. Everything that was promised was delivered,” enthused a previous guest. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/cruising/the-most-trusted-cruise-operators-in-australia">Readers Digest</a>.

Cruising

Aussies and Kiwis top the world in trusting scientists

A new global survey has determined that people in Australia and New Zealand have the most trust in scientists out of 113 countries. The <a rel="noopener" href="https://wellcome.org/news/public-trust-scientists-rose-during-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Wellcome Global Monitor</a> surveyed more than 119,000 people aged 15 or older about their views on science during COVID-19 pandemic, finding that public trust in scientists actually increased since the last survey in 2018. In Australia and New Zealand, 62 percent said they trusted scientists “a lot” compared to 41 percent globally. The survey also found that trust in doctors and nurses, charity workers, journalists, and national governments increased, while trust in the people living in the same neighbourhood decreased. With the influx of scientific jargon and knowledge during the pandemic, 48 percent of participants said they had “some” knowledge of science versus only 39 percent in 2018. “The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust scientists into the spotlight, where they have provided information and guidance affecting the day-to-day lives of billions of people,” said Lara Clements, the associate director of public engagement and campaigns at Wellcome. “In both 2018 and 2020, we saw a link between people’s perceived knowledge of science and their trust in science. As the pandemic has brought science into more people’s lives, it is perhaps no surprise that people’s trust in science and scientists has risen so much.” The survey also found differences influenced by the wealth of a country, with participants from high-income regions being more likely to say their government should spend money to help prevent and cure diseases wherever they occur. Meanwhile, those from traditionally middle-income countries were more likely to support government spending on preventing and curing disease only if their country was at risk. Beth Thomspon, the associate director of policy at Wellcome, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/aussies-and-kiwis-now-have-the-worlds-highest-level-of-trust-in-scientists" target="_blank">said</a>: “This survey highlights a clear willingness and generosity of people in mainly high-income countries to prevent and cure diseases wherever they occur. “However, since this survey was conducted, stark inequalities in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic have unforgivably left low- and middle-income countries further behind particularly with access to vaccines. “Although this report provides a snapshot of views in 2020, prior to successful or licenced treatments, it’s vital that we can listen to - and understand - people’s views.” Importantly, the survey was conducted between August 2020 and February 2021, before the widespread approval of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines. “Trust has always been intrinsic to public health and success can only be achieved when communities are open to and readily understand the science,” Ms Clements said. “This vast dataset can offer huge potential to learn how the public relate to science, particularly during this crucial stage of the pandemic.” Image: Master Steve Rapport (<a rel="noopener" href="https://flickr.com/photos/148102174@N05/33398946193" target="_blank">Flickr</a>)

Mind

Australia’s top 20 Most Trusted Brands for 2021 revealed

20 Most Trusted Brands in Australia Coming off a year where our trust has never been more tested, with deadly dangers and testing lockdowns, the 22nd annual survey of Australia’s Most Trusted Brands has been revealed exclusively in Australian Reader’s Digest. The findings make for fascinating reading. This is not a survey of the magazine’s readers. Australian Reader’s Digest commissioned an independent market research agency to conduct a stand-alone survey of a representative sample of more than 3,000 Australians. The full results, across 72 categories, appear exclusively in the magazine’s latest issue and can be found online <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.trustedbrands.com.au/results.asp" target="_blank">here</a>. “Perhaps more than any other year previously, trust has been the guiding human emotion we’ve all had to rely on to navigate through our day safely,” notes Australian Reader’s Digest Editor-in-Chief, Louise Waterson. “As such, this year’s Top 20 list is itself a narrative of what matters to Australians in 2021, with the top brands offering protection and comfort.” Read on to find out who made up the Top 20 list. 1. Band-Aid Last year, Band-Aid celebrated its 100th anniversary, and more importantly, a century of healing. With constant innovations and steadfast dependability, there’s a very good reason it’s our number one Most Trusted Brand overall… as well as the winner in the Plasters/Adhesive bandages category. 2. Dettol Australians have grown up with Dettol’s antiseptic range coming to the rescue for their cuts and scrapes, while its germ-destroying cleaning products have never been more highly valued. Little wonder then, that it was our second Most Trusted Brand overall and the winner in our First Aid category. 3. Cancer Council sunscreen With the Cancer Council’s motto of protecting ourselves from the harsh Australian sun by following its well-known ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’ measures deeply ingrained in the Aussie psyche, we know we can trust this brand to help keep us safe. 4. Western Star With baking at an all-time high during pandemic stay-at-home periods, Aussies put their trust in Western Star to ensure their goodies always came up trumps. 5. Bridgestone Retaining the title of Australia’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand for the eighth consecutive year (and the sole recipient since the category was introduced in 2014), Bridgestone has recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, drawing on its rich heritage and passion for innovation to deliver social and customer value. 6. Cadbury Enjoyed by generations of Australians since John Cadbury opened the first Australian factory in 1922, Cadbury is Australia’s number one confectionery brand for good reason – Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate has never let us down. 7. Bunnings Warehouse With ‘iso renos’ at an all-time high, Bunnings Warehouse became the institution we put our faith in to assist us in our DIY efforts. So much so, that this year it was also voted our Most Iconic Brand. 8. Dyson Australians know that when they’re buying a Dyson product, they’re getting that famous Dyson technology they’ve come to know and trust. 9. Panadol When pain gets in the way of life, it’s Panadol that Australians reach to first, safe in the knowledge that it can always be trusted to do the job right. That’s why it was also voted the winner in the Pain Relief category. 10. Woolworths Also taking out the winner’s award for Most Trusted supermarket, Aussies pick Woolies as one of their top 10 most trusted brands overall. 11. Royal Flying Doctor Service For more than nine decades, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has provided emergency medical and primary healthcare services to the bush. Thousands of Australians who live, work and travel in rural and remote Australia rely on the RFDS for these essential services. The RFDS’s contribution to Australia is both outstanding and unique, and has seen it also take out the prize for the Most Trusted Charity in 2021. 12. Selleys When we finally had the time last year to get around to doing all those odd jobs that needed doing, Australians discovered that they could trust Selleys to do the job right. 13. Dulux Were you really in lockdown if you didn’t do some painting? Now more than ever, Aussies put their faith in Dulux to assure that their painted finishes were of the utmost quality. 14. Morning Fresh When it comes to dishes and glasses that sparkle and gleam, Aussies have been turning to Morning Fresh dishwashing liquid for the past 30 years. 15. Glen 20 It’s not surprising to discover that a product that’s been proven to kill 99.9% of germs and viruses, including Covid-19, should rank highly in the minds of Australians in the past year. 16. Victa We’ve never spent more time working on our gardens and lawns, but even before the pandemic, Victa has consistently ranked highly among Australians as a lawnmower brand that they can put their absolute faith and trust in. 17. Bosch Having been declared the winner in no less than three separate categories – DIY Power Tools, Garden Power Tools and Laundry Appliances, it comes as no surprise whatsoever to see Bosch represented in the Top 20 Most Trusted Brands overall. 18. Twinings We may have missed out on a lot in the last year, but one thing we always had was tea – and when it came time to turn to that cuppa, it was Twinings that Aussies staked their trust in. 19. Comfort Simple pleasures such as the comforting softness and smell of fresh laundry became paramount through this challenging period, and Comfort fabric softener pipped the pool as the Most Trusted Fabric Softener/Conditioner as well as making the Top 20 Most Trusted Brands. 20. Finish We had enough to worry us this year without having to contend with dishes emerging from the dishwasher with caked-on food still attached. Australians knew they could put their trust in Finish to know that a sparkling clean dishwasher load was something they could rely on.

Money & Banking

Maggie Beer blasts crooks using her identity to scam trusting Aussies

Celebrity chef Maggie Beer has blasted online scammers using her identity to swindle Aussies out of their hard earned cash. The well-known author is the latest celebrity to fall victim to online fraudsters. This time, the scammers peddled vials of "cannabis oil" in her name. Ms Beer, 75, said she felt violated. "People trust me and therefore they see the name and … it takes something away from me every time,” she said. One of the phony cannabis oil endorsements seen by A Current Affair purport to quote Ms Beer as saying, "I can finally accompany my family to the park". Another scam claimed that Ms Beer "(I) no longer need a wheelchair,". The chef says this claim disturbed her. "I think at my age I have more energy than a lot of people a lot younger, and for me to be in a wheelchair would be beyond my ken." Fans even visited Ms Beer’s store and restaurant in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, asking to buy the oil. Melbourne pensioner Jeremy Nyhouse, 79, also fell victim to a similar scam that used Olivia Newton-John's name. Mr Nyhouse said he lost $500 to the scammers, although he thought he was paying just $75. "I'd love to think I'm a fairly businesslike, careful person," Mr Nyhouse said. "Our finances are limited and $500 is a lot of money." The Therapeutic Goods Administration said medical cannabis products can only ever be prescribed by a doctor. "Products purchased over the internet may be counterfeit and contain undisclosed ingredients or potentially harmful ingredients or contaminants, and may not meet the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as those approved by the TGA for supply in Australia," a TGA spokesperson said.

Legal

Transforming lives through the power of trust

When it comes to choosing a travel buddy, we all know that trust is key. We need someone we can trust to be at the airport on time. Someone we can trust to want to see the same sights, to be up early for that 6 am tour, and to help us find our way back to the hotel at the end of a long night. But how many of us think of a travel buddy as someone we need to trust with our life? For Erin, one of an estimated 575,000 Australians living with blindness or low vision, being able to trust her travel buddy Jet, means just that. You see, Jet is a Guide Dog; one of hundreds of Labradors bred, raised and trained each year by Guide Dogs Australia to enable someone just like Erin to live safely and independently. Every day, Erin – along with thousands of other Australians – puts her trust in her Guide Dog to help her overcome barriers and achieve her goals. Every day, these iconic dogs open up new and unimagined possibilities for their Handlers, just like Jet did for Erin on a recent trip to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. With Jet by her side, Erin decided to take on the challenge of walking a three-hour hike – something she says she never would have had the confidence to tackle if it wasn’t for Jet. The pair set off on an adventure, navigating all types of terrain from uneven footpaths and boardwalks with steep drop-offs to unconventional stairs and, according to Erin, having the most wonderful time. This was a huge achievement and one Erin will be proud of for many years to come – just as Guide Dogs Australia has been proud to support people just like Erin to reach their full potential for over 60 years. To achieve this, trust must be at the heart of everything we do; from the trust Clients put in us to provide the support and care they need, to the trust between a person with blindness or low vision and their Guide Dog. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838679/jet_closeup-060.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/38037aca645047a9a43936e705c9952d" /> It is also vital that this trust extends to the community who help fund over 80% of our services through generous donations, putting their faith in us to provide services that assist people living with blindness or low vision to lead independent, safe and fulfilling lives. As Australia’s Most Trusted Charity Brand, we know we have the trust, generosity and support of our community, which during 2020 has been more important than ever before. With your help, we have been able to continue the crucial work we do every day under even the toughest of circumstances. Together, we are transforming lives, all through the power of trust. Give the gift of independence this Christmas It has been a challenging year for us all, but even during the most trying of times, there have still been heroes. Guide Dog Kamin has certainly been a hero this year for his Handler, Sean. Sean has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that causes low vision over time, and looked to Guide Dogs Australia to help him navigate his daily life. Sean was matched with beautiful Guide Dog Kamin, and very quickly became more confident and independent traversing the streets with Kamin by his side. “A big part of my day involves getting our four-year-old daughter to childcare. I used to struggle with this with my long cane but Kamin allows me to spend much more time with my daughter – I can now stop at our favourite local café on the way and we enjoy a hot chocolate together – something that we could never have done previously. Kamin knows the exact way to childcare, and my daughter thinks it is one big game, with Kamin leading us both. We love our morning walks, and my daughter now skips her way to childcare, and I am able to hold her hand as I know Kamin will get us there safely.” <img style="width: 333.6113427856547px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838680/sean_800x1200_rgb.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6cce9652a026484d80a20ffc1faadbbc" /> <div id="primary" class="contentAreaLeft"> <div class="Maincontent"> Kamin is one of hundreds of iconic Guide Dogs opening up new and unimagined possibilities for people just like Sean every year. People who put their trust in Guide Dogs Australia to help them live safely and independently and achieve their full potential. It takes $50,000 and two years to breed, raise and train each Guide Dog – and this is all made possible thanks to the generosity and support of people just like you, who trust Guide Dogs Australia to make a difference. Help us make a difference by giving the gift of independence this Christmas. Donate to Guide Dogs Australia today and help us breed, raise and train more dogs that will enable people living with blindness or low vision to lead independent, safe and fulfilling lives. Donate securely online at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://guidedogsaustralia.com/trustedbrand/" target="_blank">https://guidedogsaustralia.com/trustedbrand/</a> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

Survey reveals the brands Aussies trust the most

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing change, and that includes the trust that people have in brands. In the 21st annual list of Australia’s Most Trusted Brands, the list identifies the brands that we have faith in and the innovative ways brands are responding to new issues. The independently conducted survey has polled a cross-section of more than 3,000 people, to name the most-trusted brands across more than 70 leading consumer categories. Not only were the Most Trusted Brands polled, Our most-trusted professions have also been polled, and the results appear exclusively in the latest issue of Australian Reader's Digest. The key findings shown by an independent poll concluded: <ul> <li>Band-Aid is Australia’s overall most trusted brand</li> <li>Vegemite is Australia’s ‘Most Iconic’ brand</li> <li>Guide Dogs is Australia’s most trusted charity</li> <li>Healthcare workers (Doctors, nurses, paramedics) top ‘Most Trusted Professions’</li> </ul> Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief Louise Waterson said: “While COVID-19 has certainly changed the marketplace, and the way we go about being consumers, other things remain the same when it comes to our relationships with brands. “For the brands themselves, trust matters when it comes to weathering a crisis, and ultimately trust is built on the traditional foundations of quality, consistency, honesty and delivering on your promise. “In terms of this current situation, with this pandemic, that also means getting proactive and reaching out to your customers like never before. It’s very much about maintaining a relationship with that particular individual.” How a brand is likely to be voted as a Trusted Brand There are many things a brand can do in order to be voted as a Trusted Brand, but the main message is to be reassuring, reliable, consistent, and offer value for money as these are the common traits shared by brands that Australians trust. Another beneficial tip is to respond well in a crisis, which has been shown by many brands in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re seeing brands that are on the frontline supporting customers with their concerns, advising how to get help, and reassuring them in a very personal way. With Dettol (3) upping its communications on how to kill germs in our homes, Qantas (7) flying in our stranded family members home from overseas and Toyota (19) keeping their service centres open to make sure that Australians still have reliable vehicles, brands are expected to support customers with their concerns and offer reassurance during this crisis. Other brands are striving for consistency and innovation, which helps brands remain in the top spot. Winner of this year’s Iconic Brand, Vegemite (16) has a range of fun and delicious recipes to help with the boredom of being at home during a pandemic on their website. This year, Trusted Brands Australia has also included the 'Most Trusted Professions', which saw doctors take out the top spot, with nurses and paramedics quickly following behind in second and third place. Unlike amateur experts or celebrities motivated to increasing their own popularity, doctors stick to the observable facts, they avoid controversy and are the calm protectors we all turn to when we and our families are feeling most vulnerable. Together with paramedics and nurses, who came in 2nd and 3rd, these professions are the real deal. Australia’s top 20 most trusted brands – across all categories are: <ol start="1" type="1"> <li>Band-Aid</li> <li>Energizer</li> <li>Dettol</li> <li>Colgate</li> <li>Dyson</li> <li>Cadbury</li> <li>Qantas</li> <li>Dulux</li> <li>Finish</li> <li>Sanitarium Weet-Bix</li> <li>Weber</li> <li>Panadol</li> <li>Cancer Council Sunscreen</li> <li>Bega Cheese</li> <li>Bridgestone</li> <li>Vegemite</li> <li>Aerogard</li> <li>Bunnings</li> <li>Toyota</li> <li>Victa</li> </ol> Check out the full results at <a id="LPlnk469183" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.trustedbrands.com.au/" target="_blank">www.trustedbrands.com.au</a>

Money & Banking

Global trust crisis as people no longer believe hard work will bring a better life

Many people no longer believe that <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/2020-edelman-trust-barometer-shows-growing-sense-of-inequality/11883788">hard work will lead to a better life</a>, a new survey found. In its <a href="https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2020-01/2020%20Edelman%20Trust%20Barometer%20Global%20Report_LIVE.pdf">20th annual Trust Barometer</a>, which polled more than 34,000 people in 28 countries, public relations firm Edelman found that despite strong economic performance, the majority of people in developed markets said they believe they and their families will not be better off in five years’ time. “We are living in a trust paradox,” said the agency’s CEO Richard Edelman. “Since we began measuring trust 20 years ago, economic growth has fostered rising trust. This continues in Asia and the Middle East but not in developed markets, where national income inequality is now the more important factor in institutional trust. “Fears are stifling hope, as long-held assumptions about hard work leading to upward mobility are now invalid.” Trust in government also continued to decline as people grappled with concerns over job insecurity and income inequality. More than four out of five (83 per cent) employees said they worry about losing their job due to a range of factors, including gig economy, looming recession, foreign competitors and automation. Government was viewed as the most unethical and least competent institution, with only 42 per cent of respondents saying they have confidence that government leaders will be able to address the challenges int their country. Media was also considered incompetent and unethical, with 57 per cent saying the media they consume contain untrustworthy information. Business ranked the highest in competence but was deemed unethical, with the majority of respondents agreeing that capitalism does more harm than good in the world today. No institution was seen as fair in the survey’s index of public perception.

Retirement Income

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

"So Australian": Local trust praised for response to illegal tree cutting

What are family trusts?

Australia's most trusted brands for 2024 revealed

Bunnings has toppled Woolworths as Australia’s most ‘trusted’ brand – what makes us trust a brand in the first place?

Sapling planted at Sycamore Gap to "restore hope" removed by National Trust

6 reasons Australians don’t trust economists, and how we could do better

Balmain Private: A decade of trust and success

12 trusted home remedies that will only make you worse

6 trusted tips for finding love

Australia's most trusted brands revealed for 2023

"I trusted anyone": Olivia Newton-John's daughter shares drastic health decision

Revealed: Australia’s most trusted brands for 2022

Antarctic Heritage Trust offers up dream jobs

The most trusted cruise operators in Australia

Aussies and Kiwis top the world in trusting scientists

Australia’s top 20 Most Trusted Brands for 2021 revealed

Maggie Beer blasts crooks using her identity to scam trusting Aussies

Transforming lives through the power of trust

Survey reveals the brands Aussies trust the most

Global trust crisis as people no longer believe hard work will bring a better life

Our Partners