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Lindt Cafe siege remembered ten years on

<p>Ten years on since the horrific Lindt Cafe siege, Louisa Hope quietly placed flowers outside the former eatery where she was held hostage for almost 17 hours - a private ritual she has performed every year since. </p> <p>“It’s something that does not go away,” she said, reflecting on the tragic day. </p> <p>“One of my fellow hostages said to me that, every morning when he wakes up and every night before he goes to bed, he thinks about the Lindt Cafe.”</p> <p>Hope was one of 18 people, including her mother, who were taken hostage by Man Haron Monis on December 15 2014 after he stormed into the cafe armed with a gun and explosives. </p> <p>While a dozen people managed to escape, two of the hostages were killed, including cafe director Tori Johnson, who was executed by Monis at 2.13am the next morning, and barrister Katrina Dawson, who was caught in the crossfire when officers stormed the building.</p> <p>On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid flowers in Martin Place  alongside state and federal leaders, and Dawson's parents. </p> <p>The decision to hold a muted memorial without speeches came after discussions with the hostages and their families. </p> <p>"It was a terrible event that traumatised this city," Albanese said. </p> <p>Hope, who had battled PTSD symptoms, has been managing her "excruciatingly violent" thoughts and now feels a “sense of duty” to share how things can be better.</p> <p>In August, she helped launch Victims of Terrorism Australia in August, a support and advocacy group for victims and survivors of terrorism.</p> <p>“After the siege, when I was lying on Phillip Street, the one thing I knew in my heart was that we had to get something good out of what happened,” she said.</p> <p>“What happened in the Lindt Cafe happened to our entire country.”</p> <p>“There’s nothing like being in the company of people who just get it ... but also, there’s a lot of advocacy that we need to do in Australia to bring us to the international standard,” she said.</p> <p>She has formed a friendship with Ben Besant, a former tactical operations unit officer who killed Monis.</p> <p>Besant, who has only recently been named publicly after a suppression order forced him to be referred to as ‘Officer A’, has also opened about about his PTSD. </p> <p>“I’ve nearly spent 20 years in the police force ... but for me, Lindt (Cafe) was always the one that I couldn’t deal with,”  he told AAP. </p> <p>The one thing he still struggles to forgive himself for was having to watch Dawson die in his arms, and the revelation that she died from fragments of police bullets. </p> <p>“I’ve always blamed myself for that. Ultimately that’s still where a major part of the emotion comes from: that job. It was the just the one job that I couldn’t manage or deal with myself.”</p> <p>Now a carpenter, Besant is advocating for more Australians to have an open conversation about PTSD, especially fellow police officers, first responders and military. </p> <p>“Take the plunge, apply yourself to a fight, you have to fight to beat PTSD.”</p> <p><em>Image: 7NEWS</em></p> <p><strong><em>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone.</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Lifeline 13 11 14</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>beyondblue 1300 22 4636</em></strong></p>

Caring

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Lindt Cafe siege hero revealed for the first time

<p>The name of the hero police officer who killed terrorist Man Haron Monis ten years ago during the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney has finally been revealed. </p> <p>For the last decade, Ben Besant was only known as Officer A, his name suppressed for his own protection. </p> <p>Now, he can finally tell his story publicly for the first time, following a court decision to lift his suppression order on Friday. </p> <p>“I’m never one to walk away from a fight, and I have been fighting for a long time to have my name returned to me,” he told told Seven’s <em>Spotlight </em>program.</p> <p>The former NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit Officer led the assault and fired the final shots that took Monis down. </p> <p>While the suppression order was for his own protection, Besant said that not being able to tell anyone about the moment aggravated his PTSD, that cost him his career, marriage and home.</p> <p>“It’s become such a big issue for me to be able to get my name back,” he said.</p> <p>The siege lasted 17-hours and Besant told Spotlight that it took 17 shots to bring down the terrorist. </p> <p>His mission now is to help other frontline responders deal with the effects of PTSD. </p> <p>Besant added that having his identity back will help him deal with what has become the most difficult day of the year for him. </p> <p>The decision comes two weeks before the 10-year anniversary of the siege. </p> <p>On the morning of December, 15, 2014, Monis took eight staff members and 10 customers hostage inside the popular cafe on Martin Place, Sydney. </p> <p>Police quickly evacuated the area and surrounded the building, as the terrorist claimed he was armed and had a bomb in his backpack. </p> <p>At 2.13am the next morning  the cafe’s manager, Tori Johnson, 34, was shot dead by Monis, promoting police to storm the building.</p> <p>Barrister and Sydney mother-of-three, Katrina Dawson, 38, died when she was hit by fragments of police bullets.</p> <p><em>Images: Seven/Spotlight</em></p>

Legal

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Cafe providing free meals to families faces shutdown

<p>Kirsty Parkes spends a lot of her time providing food and clothes to those in need amid the cost-of-living crisis by running a community cafe. </p> <p>But now, her beloved cafe may close if she doesn't receive urgent financial help. </p> <p>"We need to pay our bills in order to keep this going and if we don't pay our bills, people don't eat," Parkes, who has a big family of her own, told <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>Community Cafe in Sydney's south-west became a safe haven for dozens of men, women and children, with over 100 people showing up every day. </p> <p>The cafe is a place where people can get food, clothes and toiletries for free, as well as connect with others. </p> <p>"We want to help people restore their value and restore their dignity," Parkes said.</p> <p>"Our currency is just a little bit different. So instead of using money, we use manners. Because manners and kindness are free."</p> <p>However, with an increase in costs and a lack of donations, the beloved cafe may soon be forced to close. </p> <p>"Whether there's a rate rise, whether there's a petrol hike, all of these little things affect us tremendously and affect the numbers here," she said.</p> <p>"We need to come up with some funds really desperately before then just to keep us open," she added. </p> <p>She said that at this stage they require "around about $20,000. Our electricity bill alone is almost $10,000."</p> <p>She added that  Cabravale Diggers, who have been paying the cafe's rent, and Liverpool City Council, who have also been providing financial assistance, can't continue to hold responsibility for all of the bills. </p> <p>"We've had fantastic sponsorship, we have fantastic people that back us ... but they can't carry the burden of this," Parkes said.</p> <p>"This is something that the whole community needs to get behind and support."</p> <p>The cafe provides invaluable support for customers like Ted and Lola, who find it hard to find a similar community. </p> <p>"I go to church. Not even a church will help me," Lola said.</p> <p>"These people - I don't even know them and out of nowhere they're taking rich and poor, whoever turns up."</p> <p>"It's hard living on a pension. It's very hard," Ted added. </p> <p>Parkes added that as things are starting to run out, she has had to impose rations, which has been difficult for her. </p> <p>"We've had to then turn around and say 'look today, sorry we can only give you two loaves of bread because we just don't have enough for everyone that's going to come through the door'," Parkes said.</p> <p>"That stuff breaks my heart. It absolutely kills me because people are hungry."</p> <p>From Friday, customers may have to be turned away.</p> <p>"It's terrible. How can we close? We see over 120 people a day. It's terrible," one of the volunteers at the community cafe said. </p> <p>"The community needs it. We can't close. We absolutely cannot close."</p> <p> Those who would like to help the cafe stay open have been encouraged to visit their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Communitycafe.inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook page</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: A Current Affair</em></p>

Caring

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Cafe targeted online for charging customer a "heating fee"

<p>A cafe in Melbourne has copped a wave of backlash online after allegedly charging a customer to heat up his muffin for breakfast. </p> <p>The disgruntled diner took to Facebook to complain about the extra fee on his $7 muffin at the cafe and claimed the first he knew of it was when he saw it on his receipt.</p> <p>His post went viral with hundreds of people slamming café etiquette and urging him to go to the ACCC.</p> <p>"A f***ing dollar to heat my muffin? It's cr*p like this that just makes you shake your head and question where it is all going," the customer wrote in his original post.</p> <p>The cafe has since hit back at the post, and the angry customer who wrote it, saying the extra charge had been an error despite Heat Standard $1.00 being written on the receipt.</p> <p>They also said the customer could have simply solved the issue in person rather than blasting them online.</p> <p>"We do not nor have we ever charged for any heating of our wonderful baked treats," the café spokesperson told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/real-life/article-13465591/Melbourne-cafe-targeted-angry-mob-charging-1-heating-fee-muffin-Aussies-reveal-hidden-charges-theyve-hit-amid-cost-living-crisis.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Daily Mail Australia</em></a>.</p> <p>"Unfortunately this has become a mountain of an issue that could have easily been resolved without a lynch mob caused by negligence at the hands of an influential keyboard warrior who ironically sells the idea of spiritual life practices and being grounded yet flipped out over a muffin."</p> <p>The original post racked up more than 870 comments before it was deleted, and more than 1,000 reactions.</p> <p>Some of those who saw it went on to slam the cafe by sending them threatening messages, commenting on posts on Instagram and calling their business phone to hurl abuse. </p> <p>"It's a sad world when a local cafe that aims for nothing more then customer satisfaction and community values to be upheld gets threatening messages from rogue vigilantes about wanting to see us go out of business over a muffin being prepared and served to quality standards," the cafe owners said.</p> <p>The cafe responded to the growing backlash online by announcing their muffins would be free on Tuesday.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font" style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><em>Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Think $5.50 is too much for a flat white? Actually it’s too cheap, and our world-famous cafes are paying the price

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-felton-143029">Emma Felton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians <a href="https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/news/what-australians-wont-give-up-cost-of-living-crisis-report/">won’t sacrifice</a> – their daily cup of coffee.</p> <p>Coffee sales have largely <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/866543/australia-domestic-consumption-of-coffee/">remained stable</a>, even as financial pressures have bitten over the past few years.</p> <p>So too have prices. Though many of us became upset when prices began to creep up last year, they’ve since largely settled in the range between $4.00 and $5.50 for a basic drink.</p> <p>But this could soon have to change. By international standards, Australian coffee prices are low.</p> <p>No one wants to pay more for essentials, least of all right now. But our independent cafes are struggling.</p> <p>By not valuing coffee properly, we risk losing the <a href="https://bizcup.com.au/australian-coffee-culture/">internationally renowned</a> coffee culture we’ve worked so hard to create, and the phenomenal quality of cup we enjoy.</p> <h2>Coffee is relatively cheap in Australia</h2> <p>Our recent survey of Australian capital cities found the average price of a small takeaway flat white at speciality venues is A$4.78.</p> <p>But in <a href="https://pabloandrustys.com.au/blogs/drinkbettercoffee/global-coffee-prices">some international capitals</a>, it’s almost double this, even after adjusting for local <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/updates/purchasing-power-parity-ppp/">purchasing power parity</a>.</p> <p><iframe id="gaplH" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gaplH/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>In London, a small flat white costs about A$6.96. Singapore, A$8.42. In Athens, as much as A$9.95.</p> <h2>The cafe business is getting harder</h2> <p>Over the past few decades, coffee prices haven’t kept pace with input costs. In the early 2000s, after wages, food costs, utilities and rent, many cafes <a href="https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/blog-why-are-cafes-so-expensive/">earned healthy profit margins</a> as high as 20%.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/cafes-coffee-shops/2015/">most recent data from IBISWorld</a> show that while Australian cafe net profits have recovered from a drop in 2020, at 7.6%, they remain much lower than the Australian <a href="https://www.money.com.au/research/australian-business-statistics">average business profit margin of 13.3%</a>.</p> <p>For an independent owner operating a cafe with the <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/cafes-coffee-shops/2015/">average turnover of A$300,000</a>, this would amount to a meagre A$22,800 annual net profit after all the bills are paid.</p> <h2>What goes into a cup?</h2> <p>Just looking at the cost of raw inputs – milk, beans, a cup and a lid – might make the margin seem lucrative. But they don’t paint the whole picture.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584949/original/file-20240328-24-rlngpk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A takeaway coffee cup showing the price inputs, with wages and operation costs making up over 65% of the cost of a coffee" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Chart: The Conversation.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://pabloandrustys.com.au/blogs/drinkbettercoffee/whats-in-the-cost-of-coffee">Data: Pablo and Rusty's Coffee Roasters</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Over the past few years, renting the building, keeping the lights on and paying staff have all become <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/ground-down-australia-coffee-shops-an-early-inflation-casualty-2023-07-10/">much bigger factors</a> in the equation for coffee shop owners, and many of these pressures aren’t easing.</p> <p><strong>1. Green coffee price</strong></p> <p>Increasingly <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/environment/brewing-crisis-how-climate-change-is-reshaping-coffee-production/3113886">subject to the effects</a> of climate change, the baseline commodity price of green (unroasted) coffee is <a href="https://perfectdailygrind.com/2024/02/demand-for-robusta-prices-record-high/">going up</a>.</p> <p>Arabica – the higher quality bean you’re most likely drinking at specialty cafes – is a more expensive raw product. Despite levelling off from post-pandemic highs, its price is still trending up. In 2018, it <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/675807/average-prices-arabica-and-robusta-coffee-worldwide/">sold</a> for US$2.93 per kilogram, which is projected to increase to US$4.38 dollars in 2025.</p> <p>Robusta coffee is cheaper, and is the type <a href="https://www.lavazza.com.au/en/coffee-secrets/difference-type-arabica-robusta-coffee">typically used to make instant coffee</a>. But serious drought in Vietnam has just pushed the price of robusta to an <a href="https://www.barchart.com/story/news/25094367/coffee-rallies-with-robusta-at-a-record-high-on-shrinking-coffee-output-in-vietnam">all-time high</a>, putting pressure on the cost of coffee more broadly.</p> <p><strong>2. Milk prices</strong></p> <p>The price of fresh milk has risen by <a href="https://cdn-prod.dairyaustralia.com.au/-/media/project/dairy-australia-sites/national-home/resources/reports/situation-and-outlook/situation-and-outlook-report-march-2024.pdf?rev=b0222df4b01b40d0ae36cf8ac7b01bc0">more than 20%</a> over the past two years, and remains at a peak. This has put sustained cost pressure on the production of our <a href="https://gitnux.org/australian-coffee-consumption-statistics/#:%7E:text=Coffee%20is%20a%20beloved%20beverage,approximately%206%20billion%20cups%20annually.">most popular drink orders</a>: cappuccinos and flat whites.</p> <p><strong>3. Wages and utilities</strong></p> <p>Over the past year, Australian wages have grown at their <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/real-wages-growth-back">fastest rate</a> since 2009, which is welcome news for cafe staff, but tough on operators in a sector with low margins.</p> <p>Electricity prices remain elevated after significant inflation, but could <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/heres-how-much-your-energy-bills-might-go-down-by-and-when/k8g00jheg">begin to fall mid-year</a>.</p> <h2>Specialty vs. commodity coffee: why price expectations create an industry divide</h2> <p>One of the key factors keeping prices low in Australia is consumer expectation.</p> <p>For many people coffee is a fundamental part of everyday life, a marker of livability. Unlike wine or other alcohol, coffee is not considered a luxury or even a treat, where one might expect to pay a little more, or reduce consumption when times are economically tough. We anchor on familiar prices.</p> <p><iframe id="oDbah" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/oDbah/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>Because of this, it really hurts cafe owners to put their prices up. In touch with their customer base almost every day, they’re acutely aware of how much inflation can hurt.</p> <p>But in Australia, a huge proportion of coffee companies are also passionate about creating a world-class product by only using “<a href="https://medium.com/@samandsunrise/why-is-specialty-coffee-so-expensive-6cf298935e4b#:%7E:text=Specialty%20Shops%20Feature%20High%20Grade%20Coffees&amp;text=Their%20coffees%20are%20hand%2Dpicked,even%20on%20the%20same%20tree.">specialty coffee</a>”. Ranked at least 80 on a quality scale, specialty beans cost significant more than commodity grade, but their production offers better working conditions for farmers and encourages more sustainable growing practices.</p> <p>Although not commensurate with the wine industry, there are similarities. Single origin, high quality beans are often sourced from one farm and demand higher prices than commodity grade coffee, where cheaper sourced beans are often combined in a blend.</p> <p>Running a specialty cafe can also mean roasting your own beans, which requires a big investment in expertise and equipment.</p> <p>It’s an obvious example of doing the right thing by your suppliers and customers. But specialty cafes face much higher operating costs, and when they’re next to a commodity-grade competitor, customers are typically unwillingly to pay the difference.</p> <h2>Approach price rises with curiosity, not defensiveness</h2> <p>When cafe owners put up their prices, we often rush to accuse them of selfishness or profiteering. But they’re often just trying to survive.</p> <p>Given the quality of our coffee and its global reputation, it shouldn’t surprise us if we’re soon asked to pay a little bit more for our daily brew.</p> <p>If we are, we should afford the people who create one of our most important “<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-cafes-bars-gyms-barbershops-and-other-third-places-create-our-social-fabric-135530">third spaces</a>” kindness and curiosity as to why. <!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/226015/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-felton-143029"><em>Emma Felton</em></a><em>, Adjunct Senior Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/think-5-50-is-too-much-for-a-flat-white-actually-its-too-cheap-and-our-world-famous-cafes-are-paying-the-price-226015">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Kochie breaks silence on Lindt Café siege terror

<p>David ‘Kochie’ Koch spared no emotion as he spoke for the first time about how he was tracked down and whisked to safety by police on the day of the Lindt Café siege.</p> <p>The veteran TV presenter reflected on the crippling ordeal during an interview with M’s <em>Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo</em>, which was secured by <em>news.com.au</em>.</p> <p>“I’ve never talked about it,” Koch revealed when asked about the devastating events of December 15, 2014. “It had a massive impact on both Nat (Natalie Barr) and I.</p> <p>“The bloke involved in that (Man Haron Monis) was on our security watch list because he’d tried to get to me a few times,” Koch told the Triple M hosts.</p> <p>Six years before the siege, Monis had approached Koch and other <em>Sunrise</em> presenters as they chatted with fans outside the Martin Place studios.</p> <p>Monis was unhappy with a segment that had aired on the show and he allegedly accused the hosts of being “terrorists” before he was taken away by security.</p> <p>On the morning of the siege, Koch left the Channel 7 studios after <em>Sunrise</em> was over and went to a gym three blocks away.</p> <p>He was working out with a friend when the news of the hostage situation first broke.</p> <p>“I remember I got a call … (saying) ‘can I come to (the gym’s) reception,’” Koch shared.</p> <p>On the other end of the phone was the police, who were concerned that the TV presenter could be one of Monis’ targets.</p> <p>According to Koch, the police told him, “We’re coming to pick you up, take you home, you stay there until we tell you.’”</p> <p>Koch said the events that unfolded “had a massive impact” on him and led him to take his security much more seriously.</p> <p>“I have a car that I haven’t driven since because the police said it’s too distinctive,” he said.</p> <p>During the interview, Rush Hour co-host and Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones revealed she was very closely caught up in the terror attack, which claimed the lives of café manager Tori Johnson and lawyer Katrina Dawson.</p> <p>“I was actually supposed to be in the Lindt Cafe,” Jones, who was working at the nearby Westpac building at time, shared. “(But) I didn’t want hot chocolate, I chose coffee.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty / Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Cafe owner responds to extortionate avocado drama

<p dir="ltr">A Sydney cafe has responded after being slammed for their $10.90 side of avocado.</p> <p dir="ltr">Little Jack Horner, situated right in front of Coogee Beach, also charges $11.90 for halloumi and $9.90 for a side of bacon, all of which are meant to be shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cafe owner BJ McHatton spoke to <em>9Honey</em> about the avocado side dish that made waves.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The smashed avocado is portioned at almost one and a half avocados, as well as containing other ingredients to make it a dish, not just an avocado in a bowl," he said of the dish. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The price of avocados does fluctuate, two months ago we were paying double what we are today," he said, adding that the venue works with local providers who go to the market daily to provide them with quality produce.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Of course, this comes at a higher cost that allows us to have a quality offering for our customers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He pointed out that this is the first price increase in 10 years, with "the hospitality industry as a whole all the way from the suppliers to the actual venues himself have seen prices explode over the last 12 months.”</p> <p dir="ltr">McHatton added that the cafe is in a prime location, with live music five nights a week, 160 indoor plants that are professionally cared for, and their efforts to support local teams, clubs, schools and charities all contribute to their prices.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Obviously, running a business of this size, and in this destination has a lot of associated expenses. All of this has to be taken into account when we set prices for our products.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite increased media coverage, McHatton says they haven’t received any backlash.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Obviously being on a few radio stations and covered by a few news stations it has generated some interest on those stories. However, after reading the comments, most of them are supportive. Most people genuinely seem to understand how hard running a business is the associated cost to come with running a business," he told <em>9Honey</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, he expressed disappointment at the Google reviews that were allegedly left overnight by people who had never been to the cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">"[It's] disappointing that people will go to the trouble of leaving a review having never actually experienced the venue. If anyone has ever been to our place, they know it's a lot more about an experience, which includes the food than just the food and the price," McHatton said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other reviewers have dubbed the food “grossly overpriced”, with one reviewer revealing their Easter lunch of two breakfasts and fruit juice was almost $100. Another added that the prices were "pushing close to that of what you would expect for dinner," though they did say the food "was great".</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-58292ee2-7fff-ec9e-cede-50a6da2915f7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Food & Wine

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“Coffee that makes people cry”: Sydney cafe charges $1500 for a single brew

<p>For most people, forking out $5 for a cup of coffee is to be expected, even threatening a daily budget in the midst of Australia’s cost of living crisis. </p> <p>But for one Western Sydney cafe and its wealthier clientele, that $5 has shot to $1500. </p> <p>Penrith’s Brew Lab Cafe is the place to be for coffee lovers seeking Australia’s “rarest coffee” in a unique after-hours experience that’s available by appointment only. </p> <p>As for why the beans set customers back so much, they’re apparently found growing at the base of a Panamanian volcano that’s 1700 metres above sea level, rating well above a 90 - which apparently signifies that they’re some of the best when it comes to coffee beans.</p> <p>And to top it all off, they fly first class. </p> <p>There’s a precise formula behind brewing the coffee, too, with pre-dampened filter paper, water boiled to 94 degrees, and carefully timed “pour over” sessions. It’s intended to be served black, with no additional sweeteners or flavours. </p> <p>“We order it once the customer has,” the cafe’s owner and barista Mitch Johnson told <em>9News</em>. “We then get in contact with the guys in Panama, they’ll roast the order individually, and then they’ll send it over on their private jet.”</p> <p>However, for those hoping for a hit of coffee flavour from their brew, they may find themselves a little disappointed. </p> <p>As Johnson explained, “most people when they drink it, say their first impression is that it's more like a tea than a coffee.”</p> <p>Unsurprisingly, they don’t see an awful lot of people flocking in to hand over $1500, but apparently do get “quite a few coming in once a week to try our $100 or $200 coffees.</p> <p>"It's not rare for us at all. There is an underground coffee scene in Sydney that is actively pursuing exotic brews such as this.”</p> <p>When speaking to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em> about their offering, Johnson added that it wasn’t just about the coffee itself, noting that “this is an after-hours experience, only served one-on-one where we close the doors and talk the person through the process.</p> <p>“This particular coffee, you drink it as it cools down and the flavours change and evolve, giving way to tastes of peach, strawberry, lemonade, rose and juniper.</p> <p>“It’s an exceptional coffee, the kind of coffee that makes people cry, I know that sounds crazy but it’s happened, it’s brought them to tears.”</p> <p><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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“It's like they hate customers”: Restaurant surcharge ignites the internet

<p>It’s a common experience to look at a restaurant’s menu and find hidden charges laying in the fine print - from service fees to split bill and public holiday costs, it can feel like surcharges are everywhere.</p> <p>And while it’s legal for such establishments to expect as much from their customers, particularly when it comes to public holidays, one particular cafe has ignited a debate over what’s actually reasonable when it comes to such surcharges. </p> <p>An exasperated customer launched the conversation when they <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/134a652/how_much_is_too_much_for_a_public_holiday/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted to Reddit</a>, sharing an image of a menu they’d encountered while dining out in Brisbane, and the 25 per cent surcharge attached to it.</p> <p>“How much is too much for a public holiday surcharge?” they asked, before expanding with “what’s a fair go surcharge for a struggling business owner these days?”</p> <p>The comments flooded in from there, and one thing became clear: 25 per cent was well above what many were willing to pay, unless they could guarantee the extra fees were going directly into the wallets of the staff.</p> <p>One got right to the point when they declared, “25% = I eat elsewhere.”</p> <p>“I can understand [a] public holiday surcharge for 10% or 15%,” another said, “but isn't [it] that [being] open on public holidays often attracts much more business than usual, giving the restaurant an advantage such as higher cash flow?”</p> <p>“10% is fair, 25% is robbery,” one agreed. </p> <p>However, not all were of the opinion that walking away from such a cost was the only option, instead noting that “if I go out on a public holiday I am prepared for it to be exxy, I wouldn't have an issue with 25%.”</p> <p>And for some, the public holiday fee wasn’t the issue. Their problem? The extra 7% just to split a bill. </p> <p>“Even if I'm not split billing, f**k any place that charges extra for split billing, ESPECIALLY 7%,” one complained. “JFC, how are people not more upset about that part?”</p> <p>“25% is outrageous, as is 7% for splitting bills. It's like they hate customers,” said one. </p> <p>Another had a few questions about it, writing “that's higher than normal, but why is there a 7% surcharge for splitting the bill? It takes like an extra 30 seconds tops.”</p> <p>“Because people want it, and if they want anything you find a way to charge for it, even if it costs literally nothing,” came the reply. “Gotta get that hustle … Then they wonder why no-one comes back.”</p> <p>Unfortunately for the Redditors, restaurants and cafes in Australia have the freedom to set whatever surcharges they see fit as long as they don’t try to hide them on their menus. </p> <p>As the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has declared, “restaurants, cafes and bistros that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide a separate menu or price list or have a separate price column with the surcharge factored in.</p> <p>“However, the menu must include the words ‘a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days]’ and these words must be displayed at least as prominently as the most prominent price on the menu. </p> <p>“If the menu does not have prices listed, these words must be displayed in a way that is conspicuous and visible to a reader. These measures apply to pricing for both food and beverages.”</p> <p><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Pugs and kisses! New London cafe takes the pug world by storm

<p>London has welcomed its very first pug-themed cafe, right in time for Christmas.</p> <p>Adorably dubbed "CuppaPug", seven rescued pugs have been dressed up in an array of cute outfits by the cafe owners, giving customers and super pug fans the chance to spend hours with the beautiful and chunky pups.</p> <p>If that wasn’t enticing enough, you can play with the puggies and give them plenty of cuddles while they’re dressed like Santa and his helpers.</p> <p>The cafe's motto is "pugs' welfare first, café second" and is home to seven resident pugs in descending age. Gaston is the oldest at six years of age, followed by, Bruce, Bowser, Beau, Gizmo, Bebe and finally Baloo – who is just six months old at the time of writing.</p> <p>Co-owner of the cafe, Aaron says that: "Pugmas is so special to us here at CuppaPug!</p> <p>“For Matt and I, "Pugmas" is about bringing festive joy and pugs to people really needing a strong dose of Christmas fun.</p> <p>“We are Christmas-themed with a pink Christmas Santa, pink Christmas trees, lights and decorations and, of course, the pugs in their little Santa outfits.</p> <p>"People walk back from work with a miserable face but once they see the pugs playing, it makes them stop in their tracks and smile, usually taking a heap of photos too. A lot of kids who visit tell us it's the best day of their lives!</p> <p>"The pugs are so well behaved with children and parents often bring children who've had bad experiences with dogs to try to overcome it. Reactions from customers are overwhelmingly positive; we really are a joyous place!"</p> <p>CuppaPug are looking to introduce PugLates, and cocktails will also be available on the menu soon.</p> <p>10% of their entry fee goes towards rescuing and rehoming pugs, and they have pugs brought in who need adopting, partnering with The National Pug Protection Trust, who provide customers with information and advice.</p> <p>Customers often boast how therapeutic the experience is, especially when the pugs are having quiet time in their beds or on people's laps – but equally, there can be lots of chaotic fun when playing or training with the animals!</p> <p>For more information, head to <a href="https://www.cuppapug.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.cuppapug.com/</a></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

<p dir="ltr">If you struggle a lot with procrastination then the only thing left for you to do is to book a ticket to Japan and head to this one cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unless you procrastinate that too, but hear us out. </p> <p dir="ltr">Manuscript Writing Cafe in Tokyo is the one-stop destination for procrastinators looking to get their work done.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are 10 workstations and people are allowed to leave ONLY when they have finished their work.</p> <p dir="ltr">And the staff will make sure you have completed your projects as they come to check in on you at least six times an hour. </p> <p dir="ltr">They also bring with them free snacks, tea, coffee, water and high-speed wifi. </p> <p dir="ltr">Once you have completed all your tasks, you are given a paper with an orange stamp and you are free to leave. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@leanneinjapan/video/7095383871398694149?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> and has been viewed more than 624,000 times and has received around 120,000 likes with many commenting about how they need to be at the cafe all the time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Yup, I definitely need to work there.. ah.. maybe later,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Kindness and torture at the same time,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess I'm bringing a sleeping bag,” another joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll go later,” another joked about procrastinating their visit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So essentially I'd be living there,” read another. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

International Travel

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“Bloody outrage”: Cafe roasted for stingy vegemite toast

<p dir="ltr">A Sydney cafe is being dragged online after a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/u4l5f0/vegemite_on_toast_from_a_cafe/">customer shared</a> a photo of a piece of toast with a very stingy spread of Vegemite on it.</p> <p dir="ltr">An outraged customer shared a photo of the “very disappointing” piece of toast on the weekend, which sparked hundreds of comments from equally offended Australians. The criminally offensive piece of toast was purchased at a popular eatery in Newtown, Sydney. </p> <p dir="ltr">The photo shows a piece of almost raw sourdough, with a buttered middle and hardly any vegemite in the centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Vegemite on toast from a cafe,” the disappointed Reddit user wrote, alongside a sad face emoji. </p> <p dir="ltr">The photo sparked a flurry of anger in the comments.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s just un-Australian and needs to be called out,” one user raged.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s barely toasted and the butter doesn’t even make it to the edges. Let alone the issue with the Vegemite,” another fumed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another added: “That’s bloody outrage that is!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the overflow of support, there were some who questioned the type of person who orders toast from a cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">“OK, that’s terrible … but who tf is ordering vegemite toast from a cafe?” one wrote.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-776d57ba-7fff-5573-664e-70585bfff488"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Mostly though, people just saw the “abysmal” brekkie offering as an opportunity to roast Sydney prices and services.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Reddit</em></p>

Food & Wine

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"I thought it was playing": Bulldog mauls child at cafe

<p dir="ltr">Shocking footage has emerged of the horrific moment a dog mauled a six-year-old boy outside a popular Gold Coast cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">Andy Bracek and his son Teddy were walking down Pacific Parade in Currumbin just after 8 am on Sunday when they stopped to grab a coffee from Tommy’s Italian.</p> <p dir="ltr">CCTV showed Teddy approaching a man and began petting his British bulldog before the animal attacked him.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Bracek was then seen running toward his son trying to get him away from the vicious attack which left him with a “horrendous wound” on his arm.</p> <p dir="ltr">He claims that his son asked the dog’s owner if he could pet him to which he was told “of course he can”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At first when the dog jumped up I thought it was playing,” Mr Bracek told <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/6yearold-boy-attacked-by-dog-at-popular-currumbin-eatery-on-easter-sunday/news-story/19317cd75d78492a203c6dc41c86f1f8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Courier Mail</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I quickly realised it was attacking Teddy when I heard him screaming. The owner then made a .... half-assed effort to restrain the dog.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Bracek was left fuming when the dog’s owner left the scene without providing his details to report the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If he came back and sorted it everything would’ve been okay but I’m pi**ed off and disturbed that this man has put his dog’s welfare before a child’s.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Teddy was taken to Griffith University Hospital in a stable condition where he underwent surgery leaving him with internal and external stitches.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s especially awful to see on a small child. It takes up a third of his forearm,” Mr Bracek said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The local council has been notified of the horrific attack with investigations ongoing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Watch the footage <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/6yearold-boy-attacked-by-dog-at-popular-currumbin-eatery-on-easter-sunday/news-story/19317cd75d78492a203c6dc41c86f1f8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: CCTV</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Muffin Break’s new menu item brings back childhood memories

<p dir="ltr">Muffin Break is bringing back childhood memories with its exciting new menu item. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Fairy Bread Duffin is a delicious snack covered in sprinkles and perfectly accompanied with your morning coffee. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Duffin is baked fresh in-store daily and is a decadent mouth-watering fusion between a doughnut and muffin. </p> <p dir="ltr">Multiple layers of crispy, buttery pastry and filled with créme patisserie, with 100’s and 1000’s sprinkled on top and a swirl of Cream Cheese Icing you’d be silly to not indulge in this snack. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The newest Duffin, the Fairy Bread Duffin, is the fourth addition to Muffin Break’s luxurious Fancy Collection – indulgence, partnered with a moment of joy!” their website reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">Available for a limited time only, the Fairy Bread Duffin and a coffee will only cost you $9.50.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, if you’re looking to just purchase the Duffin, you can get a pack of four or six for just $1.50 extra. </p> <p dir="ltr">Muffin Break did warn its customers that the Duffin “may be dangerously addictive”. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Duffin is now available at all Muffin Break stores across Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Muffin Break</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Cafe offering $92,000 to pour coffees

<p dir="ltr">A cafe is offering baristas an impressive $92,000 salary to pour coffee.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Good Cartel in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is offering higher than industry rates for six positions at their cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">The barista package offers a $92,030 salary and superannuation where the successful applicant must work 47 hours over five days, including the weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">Those looking to keep their weekends free can apply for the barista position offering a $83,000 salary.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kitchen staff are offered almost $20,000 more at $112,464 annually to work 55 hours over the week, including weekends.</p> <p dir="ltr">For $102,000 kitchen staff can work and keep their weekends free, while drive-thru attendants are being offered $80,000 a year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jack Kain, the owner of Good Cartel, said he was already paying higher industry rates but said it had become necessary in recent times to work with the rising cost of living.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a better than usual strategy now with the labour shortage, which has now fallen well and truly off the cliff,” he told <a href="https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/staff-shortages-force-kimberley-businesses-to-offer-baristas-90000-a-year--c-6064180" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Perth Now</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When you combine this with the rental shortage and all of the various COVID restrictions incoming it’s going to be challenging.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"It's for the kids": Cafe owner and daughter arrested and removed by police

<p>Mother and daughter cafe owners have been dragged out of their own restaurant in handcuffs for failing to comply with Western Australia's Covid vaccination rules. </p><p>Topolinis Caffe co-owner Jodie Jardine, 51 and her daughter, 22, were arrested in their family-run Italian restaurant after a dozen police officers descended on the property. </p><p>They were charged under the Emergency Management Act for allegedly working despite not being vaccinated.</p><p>Under Western Australia's Covid jab mandate that was introduced on January 31st, all hospitality workers in the state must be double dosed or face harsh fines and even jail time.</p><p>Ms Jardine claimed that by not being vaccinated while on the job, she’s “standing up for the future of our children”.</p><p>After a tense stand-off between the cafe owners and police, the unvaxxed duo were eventually led outside by officers and taken away. </p><p>Footage from independent media shows that, later in that night, the mother and daughter were dropped at the restaurant to the applause of an awaiting crowd.</p><p></p><p>“It’s a mother and daughter and we were in the cell,” Ms Jardine said.</p><p>“We’re going to have to tell my grandchild … we were arrested for her or him because we’re standing up for our children and my grandchildren, that’s what I am doing. I am standing up for the future of our children and if we don’t, we’re not going to have a future."</p><p>“[My daughter] was braver than me, but you know, it’s for the kids, we’re doing it for the kids, it’s always been about the kids.</p><p>“I’m not sure what’s going to happen with the restaurant and my staff, my 20 staff that I have rely on me for their pay, I don’t know I am going to have to get a lawyer and see what our next step is.”</p><p>Police allege they had they had attended the restaurant earlier in the day to warn about staying open with unvaccinated staff. </p><p>Premier Mark McGowan made no apologies for the tactics of police saying, “Well that’s the law and people need to comply with it.”</p><p>Ms Jardine’s husband Phil told The West Australian unvaccinated West Australians are “being segregated like the Jews in Germany”.</p><p>The maximum penalty for breaching the Emergency Management Act is 12 months behind bars and a fine of $50,000, with the penally being up to $250,000 for corporations. </p><p><em>Image credits: Youtube </em></p>

Legal

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Lisa Curry stands up to abusive cafe customer

<p>Lisa Curry has taken to social media to share a shocking story about witnessing a man abuse staff at a café.</p><p>Reports of disgruntled shoppers taking their anger out on staff because of ongoing issues caused by the pandemic's restrictions are at a record high, and this former Olympian is not the type of bystander to keep her mouth shut.</p><p>To begin her strong stance, Lisa shared an illustration of a woman wearing a pink mask that reads, "Please keep your distance if you are not good for my mental health," written on it.</p><p>"Yesterday I witnessed for the first time a guy abusing staff at a café," Lisa wrote in her caption.</p><p>"I had just left my table and was almost face to face with him, so I told him not to be so rude, settle down and be nice."</p><p>However, after Lisa told the man to pipe down, he took out his rage on her.</p><p>"Then he's going at me. The owner is in tears, the staff feel threatened. Come on! Stop abusing people who are only doing their job. If you can't sit inside a cafe, sit outside, if you can't sit outside, get a takeaway and sit in the park."</p><p>Lisa then pleaded with her followers to make sure they remember to be kind, considerate, and understanding, especially during these tough times.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnHq9rh8wt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="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="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="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="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;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"> </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"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="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"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnHq9rh8wt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p></div></blockquote><p>"People are overworked and overwhelmed as it is, just relax! Show some empathy. Remember how we tell our kids to use kind words? It is what it is at the moment, so work with it and stop being rude! F---in wake up man🤯🤬," she continued.</p><p>"Think before you speak. People can be fragile. You don't know how a poor choice of words can affect someone.</p><p>"Now I feel better🥰 Have a nice Sunday !"</p><p>Fans filled Lisa's comments section with support and praise for her actions and message.</p><p>"👏👏👏thanks Lisa for calling this out. Unfortunately most people who work in service industries is copping this in various forms at the moment. It's tough. Well said🙌."</p>

Caring

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Cafe plastered with hand-written death threats

<p>A popular cafe in Melbourne has been targeted with death threats on Sunday night, as vandals destroyed the property in a statement against Covid restrictions. </p> <p>Briki Cafe, in Melbourne's inner north, had its front window smashed with a brick as threatening letters were stuck over Covid safety signs on the door. </p> <p>The terrifying hand-written letter to the owner read, "<span>Do what Daniel Andrews says and we will burn your shop down and kill you motherf****r.”</span></p> <p>The owner of the cafe, Simos Kandias, was very distressed by the vandals' message, and said his business has already gone through tough times during the pandemic. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“We’ve had it pretty tough,” Mr Kandias told <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/coronavirus-vic/vandals-attack-melbourne-caf-and-leave-death-threats-over-covid-regulations-c-4746132" target="_blank">7NEWS</a>.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“At times it’s been hard to find the funds to pay our rent.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Locals and frequent customers at Briki Cafe has shared their support for the cafe after the brutal attack. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">MP Ged Kearny shared a post on Facebook condemning the senseless act of violence, as she supported "one of her favourite cafes".</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">She wrote, "This is not okay. Whatever your opinions may be on mandatory vaccinations, everyone should feel safe at work."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">"I look forward to returning to Briki Cafe. With the community's help and support, I know they'll bounce back in no time."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta variant, Melbourne has seen countless protests against lockdown restrictions and mandatory vaccines, with many of these protests ending in violent acts. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: 7News / Instagram @BundjalungBud</em></p>

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Coffee prices set to rise as Australian Cafes recover from pandemic blows

<p><em>Image: Shutter stock </em></p> <p>Australia is known for having some of the best coffee in the world, but customers could soon find their morning cup a lot more expensive.</p> <p>Following a sharp increase in freight and shipping costs after Covid-19, local cafes are set to hike up the price of coffee.</p> <p>Café Owners and Baristas Association of Australia spokesman Sean Edwards said people could expect to pay up $1 more per cup of coffee than they had in the past.</p> <p>“It’s probably going to be a small rise in coffee. I wouldn’t say anything more than 50 cents to $1 a cup, but I think that’s definitely going to happen,” Mr Edwards said.</p> <p>“As things start to open back up again, I think we’ll see it.”</p> <p>The price hike is expected to hit urban areas the most after the closure of many inner-city cafes over the pandemic.</p> <p>“We’ve lost probably 20 to 25 per cent of the cafes and they probably won’t be returning for a while,” Mr Edwards said.</p> <p>“That’s gonna level things out a bit so that the competition, especially in the inner city, probably won’t be as high so you’ll probably see $1 a cup going up.”</p> <p>Aussies who buy a coffee every morning could be $350 worst off a year.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

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“We won’t stand for segregation”: Sydney cafe to support unvaccinated customers

<p dir="ltr">A Sydney café has made the <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/sydney-cafes-bold-move-to-support-unvaccinated-customers-001318307.html" target="_blank">controversial decision</a> to stay open for takeaway only until unvaccinated customers can also dine inside.</p> <p dir="ltr">Anthony Milotic, the owner of Bare Wholefoods, shared an “open letter to the community” via Instagram, stating that he wants “everyone to feel welcome” in his café and “won’t stand for segregation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Right now the path out is unknown, but we do know one thing. We won’t stand for segregation. We are one, we are family!” Mr Milotic wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want everyone to feel welcome at all times and I will never put profit before people.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Milotic said he is “choosing love, accepting differences and a community in unity is what we need right now”.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT6h1HfldLU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT6h1HfldLU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bare Wholefoods (@bare.wholefoods)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“So we have chosen to continue to operate as takeaway only until everyone is free to dine-in,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will always value family and hope that you feel the same.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bare Wholefoods, which has venues on the North Shore and the Northern Beaches, shared the open letter last week to a flood of comments.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though many supported the decision, others argued that treating those who choose not to be vaccinated differently to vaccinated people isn’t segregation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Segregation is a term that is used to describe separation from normal society a group of people that have inherent characteristics such as race or religion or sex. Being non-vaxxed is a decision, not an inherent characteristic,” one user wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You insult all those people that have experienced true segregation for their whole life by suggesting that non-vaxxers are being segregated.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a couple of weeks at the most until they are free to do their own thing and it’s to protect their own health. Seems like more of a publicity stunt than anything really meaningful.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The post comes as hospitality and retail venues across Greater Sydney will be able to reopen to fully-vaccinated customers in early October when 70 percent of the state is fully vaccinated.</p> <p dir="ltr">The state is expected to hit the milestone around October 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though some venues have said they are “open to all”, Bare Wholefoods have stated its continued closure until unvaccinated patrons can also dine in.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other venues have confirmed they will follow the suggestion from the NSW Government to only open to vaccinated customers.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Berejiklian believes the state will reach 70 and 80 percent vaccination rates in “two to three weeks”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“NSW will be the first state that in all likelihood hits 80 percent double dose, but there will also be a point in time after that where unvaccinated people will be able to participate in activities,” the premier said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So that is the information we are providing this week to make very clear when those key milestones will occur.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: bare.wholefoods / Instagram</em></p>

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