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Aussie TV star wins $9.2m on game show – the largest in history

In an electrifying moment that will surely go down in television history, Australian reality TV star David Genat has claimed a jaw-dropping AUD$9.2 million prize on US television, securing the largest single cash payout ever seen on American TV. The 44-year-old, widely recognised by Aussie audiences from Survivor Australia, Celebrity Apprentice, Rush and Getaway, delivered a masterclass in risk-taking and intuition in NBC’s Deal or No Deal Island. Genat, dubbed the “Survivor golden god” after his 2020 Survivor Australia: All Stars victory, knew he had the upper hand early in the final showdown. But the real twist came when the show’s notorious banker was revealed as none other than Chrissy Teigen. Faced with 26 cases – one containing the life-changing sum of AUD$12.2 million – Genat navigated a nail-biting elimination round, fuelled by his father’s memory and a razor-sharp strategy. Rejecting a staggering seven offers, including multiple million-dollar deals, he played with nerves of steel until just two cases remained. Then came the final offer: a mind-blowing $US5.8 million ($AUD9.2 million). With tension at an all-time high, Genat made the call – he took the deal. It was a decision that paid off in monumental fashion. When his chosen case was opened, it contained just $75. Had he gambled one step further, he would have walked away with next to nothing. Instead, he etched his name into television history with the record-breaking win. “It was surreal,” Genat later shared with USA Today. “The offer came in at US$5.8 million and I started thinking about it, and that is just so much money. I was having a spiritual experience, man. I just knew where that money was. I knew which cases to open. I was looking for signs from my father, who passed away a couple of years ago. I felt his presence there, and he was just guiding me on what cases to open.” That deep connection gave him the clarity to seize the moment and walk away with a life-altering fortune. “My frequency is on another level,” he added. “I fully feel like I’m floating.” With his newfound millions, Genat already has a few indulgences in mind, including a new motorcycle, a luxury watch and some sleek new cars for his four kids. But the adventure might not stop here. Rumours are swirling that Genat could be gearing up for another reality TV showdown on the upcoming Survivor: Australia vs. the World, set to air later this year. Images: Instagram

Money & Banking

Federal Budget 2025: The short, sharp and – sort of – sweet version

The federal budget is always a massive, jargon-filled beast, but don’t worry – we’ve got your back. Here’s a quick and easy rundown of the key numbers, economic forecasts and big-ticket promises (without making your head spin). Whether it’s tax cuts, energy bill relief, or debt figures that sound like someone’s phone number, this summary gives you the essentials in plain English. THE BIG PICTURE: WHERE THE MONEY’S GOING (AND COMING FROM) Economic Growth: The economy is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2024-25, which isn’t exactly fireworks but at least it’s moving in the right direction. Unemployment Rate: The jobless rate is set to rise to 4.25%, meaning more people might be dusting off their résumés. Inflation: The cost of living squeeze is easing slightly, with inflation forecast to drop to 2.5%, finally giving our wallets a breather. Wages Growth: Paychecks are expected to grow by 3%, so while you won’t be rolling in cash, you might afford an extra coffee per week. Living Standards: Household disposable income is expected to rise a bit faster than planned, so that’s a small win for the grocery bill. Migration: Net overseas migration is slowing down, dropping from 435,000 in 2023-24 to 225,000 by 2026-27, as the government tweaks immigration settings. The Big One: Budget Deficit: The country will be $27.6 billion in the red this year, which sounds bad, but hey, it’s better than some past years. Commonwealth Debt: The nation’s credit card balance will hit $940 billion in 2024-25 before cracking $1 trillion the year after, making it one of the biggest IOUs in Aussie history. Net Debt: The government’s net debt will rise to $556 billion, proving once again that we’re all experts at spending more than we have. WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU (IF LABOR STAYS IN POWER)? If Labor wins the next election, they’ve got a shopping list of goodies lined up. From tax cuts and cheaper meds to more affordable childcare and a crackdown on dodgy workplace contracts, here’s what they’re promising in order to make life a little easier (or at least a little less expensive). Tax Cuts: Everyone gets a tiny tax break worth about $10 a week, starting in July 2026 – not enough for a holiday, but maybe an extra beer, depending on where you buy your drinks. Energy Bill Relief: Households and small businesses will get $150 off their power bills, because, let’s face it, electricity prices are still a killer. Cheaper Medicines: Prescription drugs will be capped at $25 per script, meaning fewer nasty surprises at the pharmacy checkout. Healthcare Boost: More bulk-billing, 50 new urgent care clinics, and extra funding for nurses and GPs, costing a whopping $9 billion over four years – great news if you hate long waits at the doctor. Childcare Help: Families earning up to $500,000 (yes, you read that right) will get at least three days of subsidised childcare, costing $427 million over five years. First Home Buyer Support: The Help to Buy scheme will get a boost, making it a bit easier for first-home buyers to get into the market (assuming they can still afford avocado toast). Workplace Shake-Up: Banning non-compete clauses for low- and middle-income workers could boost wages by $2,500 a year – so no more weird contracts stopping you from getting a better job. HECS Debt Slash: A 20% cut to student loan debt, wiping $16 billion from the books – a rare win for anyone still haunted by their HECS balance. Disaster Recovery: $1.2 billion is going towards helping communities in southeast Queensland and northern NSW recover from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – because Mother Nature isn’t playing nice. Big Infrastructure Plans: Expect major upgrades like $7.2 billion for Queensland’s Bruce Highway, $2 billion for a new rail hub in Melbourne, and $1 billion for Sydney’s southwest rail corridor – so maybe, just maybe, your commute will be a little less torturous. Defence Spending: A fast-tracked $1 billion investment in guided weapons, submarines and frigates, because apparently, we’re getting serious about military hardware. And that’s the budget in a nutshell! More spending, some relief for households, and a debt number that’ll make your calculator cry. Images: WikiCommons

Money & Banking

The renting trap snaring retirees – and how to avoid it

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

Money & Banking

How long will you live? New evidence says it’s much more about your choices than your genes

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> One of the most enduring questions humans have is how long we’re going to live. With this comes the question of how much of our lifespan is shaped by our environment and choices, and how much is predetermined by our genes. A study recently published in the prestigious journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03483-9">Nature Medicine</a> has attempted for the first time to quantify the relative contributions of our environment and lifestyle versus our genetics in how we age and how long we live. The findings were striking, suggesting our environment and lifestyle play a much greater role than our genes in determining our longevity. <h2>What the researchers did</h2> This study used data from the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/">UK Biobank</a>, a large database in the United Kingdom that contains in-depth health and lifestyle data from roughly 500,000 people. The data available include genetic information, medical records, imaging and information about lifestyle. A separate part of the study used data from a subset of more than 45,000 participants whose blood samples underwent something called “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00511-7">proteomic profiling</a>”. Proteomic profiling is a relatively new technique that looks at how proteins in the body change over time to identify a person’s age at a molecular level. By using this method researchers were able to estimate how quickly an individual’s body was actually ageing. This is called their biological age, as opposed to their chronological age (or years lived). The researchers assessed 164 environmental exposures as well as participants’ genetic markers for disease. Environmental exposures included lifestyle choices (for example, smoking, physical activity), social factors (for example, living conditions, household income, employment status) and early life factors, such as body weight in childhood. They then looked for associations between genetics and environment and 22 major age-related diseases (such as coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes), mortality and biological ageing (as determined by the proteomic profiling). These analyses allowed the researchers to estimate the relative contributions of environmental factors and genetics to ageing and dying prematurely. <h2>What did they find?</h2> When it came to disease-related mortality, as we would expect, age and sex explained a significant amount (about half) of the variation in how long people lived. The key finding, however, was environmental factors collectively accounted for around 17% of the variation in lifespan, while genetic factors contributed less than 2%. This finding comes down very clearly on the nurture side in the “nature versus nurture” debate. It suggests environmental factors influence health and longevity to a far greater extent than genetics. Not unexpectedly, the study showed a different mix of environmental and genetic influences for different diseases. Environmental factors had the greatest impact on lung, heart and liver disease, while genetics played the biggest role in determining a person’s risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, and dementia. The environmental factors that had the most influence on earlier death and biological ageing included smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity levels and living conditions. Interestingly, being taller at age ten was found to be associated with a shorter lifespan. Although this may seem surprising, and the reasons are not entirely clear, this aligns with <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140509110756.htm">previous research</a> finding taller people are more likely to die earlier. Carrying more weight at age ten and maternal smoking (if your mother smoked in late pregnancy or when you were a newborn) were also found to shorten lifespan. Probably the most surprising finding in this study was a lack of association between diet and markers of biological ageing, as determined by the proteomic profiling. This flies in the face of the extensive body of evidence showing the crucial role of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00868-w">dietary patterns</a> in chronic disease risk and longevity. But there are a number of plausible explanations for this. The first could be a lack of statistical power in the part of the study looking at biological ageing. That is, the number of people studied may have been too small to allow the researchers to see the true impact of diet on ageing. Second, the dietary data in this study, which was self-reported and only measured at one time point, is likely to have been of relatively poor quality, limiting the researchers’ ability to see associations. And third, as the relationship between diet and longevity is likely to be complex, disentangling dietary effects from other lifestyle factors may be difficult. So despite this finding, it’s still safe to say the food we eat is one of the most important pillars of health and longevity. <h2>What other limitations do we need to consider?</h2> Key exposures (such as diet) in this study were only measured at a single point in time, and not tracked over time, introducing potential errors into the results. Also, as this was an observational study, we can’t assume associations found represent causal relationships. For example, just because living with a partner correlated with a longer lifespan, it doesn’t mean this caused a person to live longer. There may be other factors which explain this association. Finally, it’s possible this study may have underestimated the role of genetics in longevity. It’s important to recognise genetics and environment don’t operate in isolation. Rather, health outcomes are shaped by their interplay, and this study may not have fully captured the complexity of these interactions. <h2>The future is (largely) in your hands</h2> It’s worth noting there were a number of factors such as household income, home ownership and employment status associated with diseases of ageing in this study that are not necessarily within a person’s control. This highlights the crucial role of addressing the social determinants of health to ensure everyone has the best possible chance of living a long and healthy life. At the same time, the results offer an empowering message that longevity is largely shaped by the choices we make. This is great news, unless you have good genes and were hoping they would do the heavy lifting. Ultimately, the results of this study reinforce the notion that while we may inherit certain genetic risks, how we eat, move and engage with the world seems to be more important in determining how healthy we are and how long we live.<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/251054/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-vally-202904">Hassan Vally</a>, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</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/how-long-will-you-live-new-evidence-says-its-much-more-about-your-choices-than-your-genes-251054">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Caring

To tip or not to tip? Kyle weighs in on the great debate

In a country where tipping is about as popular as warm beer, Kyle Sandilands has somehow managed to ignite a national debate with his bold approach after revealing his personal tipping policy: doubling the bill. While everyday Australians are grumbling about feeling "under surveillance" by watchful waitstaff, Sandilands has effectively turned the concept of tipping on its head by making it rain on every meal. “Whatever the bill is, I’ll pay that again,” he declared on air, leaving co-host Jackie O and newsreader Brooklyn Ross stunned. The revelation has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from admiration to outright panic. Many hospitality workers have suddenly discovered a newfound appreciation for Sandilands, with one Sydney waiter reportedly seen frantically Googling his favourite restaurants in hopes of securing a booking. Meanwhile, local economists are nervously clutching their calculators. "If this catches on, we could see a rapid rise in inflation, an economic boom in hospitality, or Kyle Sandilands accidentally becoming Australia's next Reserve Bank governor," speculated one financial analyst. Not everyone, however, is on board with the tipping craze. Outraged anti-tipping Australians have taken to social media, decrying the practice as "un-Australian" and a gateway to the country becoming “the 51st state of America”. One particularly passionate commenter warned, "This is how it starts! First, it's tipping, then it's calling football ‘soccer’, and next thing you know, we’re driving on the right side of the road!" Despite the uproar, Sandilands seems unfazed. With his unique approach, he may have found a loophole in Australia’s new EFTPOS tipping culture – if everyone else sticks to the modest 5-25% suggested range, he might actually be saving money. “You’re doubling the cost,” Ross pointed out in disbelief. “I’ll save big time,” Sandilands responded, seemingly unconcerned with mathematical realities. As for whether his fellow Australians will follow suit or hold the line against tipping tyranny, only time will tell. One thing’s for sure: if you see Kyle Sandilands dining out, you might want to consider switching tables – and bringing an extra billfold. Images: KIIS FM

Money & Banking

After a century of Monday to Friday, could the 4-day week finally be coming to Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The reality of shorter working hours could be one step closer for many Australians, pending the outcome of the federal election. The Greens, who could control crucial cross bench votes in a hung parliament, have announced plans for a <a href="https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-launch-4-day-work-week-election-policy">four-day</a> working week, with no loss of pay. They say the policy would alleviate stress and burn out, and increase women’s participation in the workforce. Earning the same money for fewer hours would appeal to most workers. But is it too good to be true? Could it really be rolled out cost free to all workplaces, especially to “client facing” companies and service providers? Or does research suggest the Greens could be onto something? <h2>The Greens’ plan</h2> The Greens’ policy would involve a new National Institute for the Four Day Work Week and a test case through the Fair Work Commission. A series of national trials would be set up in a number of different industries, whereby workers would work 80% of their normal hours, while maintaining 100% of their pay. According to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, it’s a win-win for everyone: <blockquote> It can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve recruitment and retention and give employees more time to manage their home life. This change will allow workers to create a working week that works for them. </blockquote> <h2>The 100:80:100 model</h2> The four-day work week being proposed in this instance is commonly regarded as the 100:80:100 model. It delivers 100% of the pay, for 80% of the hours, in <a href="https://www.4dayweek.com/news-posts/100-80-100-rule">return</a> for maintaining 100% of productivity. This is unlike other forms of shorter working weeks, which compress five days’ worth of work into four longer days. This obviously disadvantages some employees. Recent <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Emerging_Four_Day_Work_Week_Trends_in_Australia_New_insights_based_on_interviews_with_Australian_firms_who_have_already_adopted_4DWW_arrangements_Preview_report_/26282311?file=47647063">research</a> conducted by Swinburne University of Technology involved interviews with ten Australian firms that have already adopted the 100:80:100 model. They were a mixture of small and medium sized private sector businesses, including management consulting firms, a shipping and logistics company, and recruitment and marketing agencies. The research underlined the potential for a range of positive outcomes for both employers and employees. Workers reported having better work-life balance, more time to complete “life administration” tasks, and more time to invest in hobbies, exercise, wellness and self-care. Bosses cited productivity gains, reduced sick days, and significant improvements in recruitment and retention rates. However, the 100:80:100 model is viewed with scepticism in some quarters. There is still doubt that productivity and output would be maintained, or in some cases improved, when workers are working one day fewer per week. Also, there could be costs associated with the implementation of this work model for front-line roles, such as retail, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Additional workers may need to be hired, at extra expense, to cover the hours dropped by the existing workforce. <h2>100 years of working 5 days a week</h2> The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the five-day work week. It was car maker Henry Ford who <a href="https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/henry-fords-five-day-week/">reduced</a> the working week in the United States from six days to five. Other sectors and countries followed suit. This was at a time when the average life expectancy of Australian workers was just 55 and households typically only had one bread-winner. Despite the time saved by the many technological breakthroughs in the past 100 years – from the photocopier, desktop computer and fax machine, to the internet, mobile phones and AI – the average Australian is now <a href="https://futurework.org.au/report/taking-up-the-right-to-disconnect-unsatisfactory-working-hours-and-unpaid-overtime/">working longer hours</a> in paid and unpaid labour than ever before. The Greens point out Australian society is changing. More women and carers are either in the workforce or would be encouraged into the workforce by more flexible arrangements: <blockquote> yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders. </blockquote> The role of generative AI technologies in the workplace may also deliver benefits to workers. Separate Swinburne <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Generative_AI_at_work_Empowering_employee_mental_wellbeing/27252948">research</a> has revealed an increasing expectation among workers that they will receive a share in the time saved by future technologies in the form of improved work-life balance and wellbeing gains. <h2>Time to enter the 21st century</h2> Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/27/two-hundred-uk-companies-sign-up-for-permanent-four-day-working-week">200 UK companies</a> signed up to the 100:80:100 model, as part of a campaign to “reinvent Britain’s working week”. Large scale trials are also underway in <a href="https://4dayweek.io/country/canada">Canada</a> and several <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/02/02/the-four-day-week-which-countries-have-embraced-it-and-how-s-it-going-so-far">European</a> countries. The global interest in a shorter working week is not surprising, and has likely been fuelled by the COVID pandemic, which has caused workers and employers to re-imagine their working lives. If the Greens are in a position to leverage any balance of power after the coming election, it could be Australia’s turn to recognise the conventional five-day working week is no longer fit for purpose.<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/252379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate Professor of Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</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/after-a-century-of-monday-to-friday-could-the-4-day-week-finally-be-coming-to-australia-252379">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Cruise passenger facing life sentence after onboard discovery

A Brazilian passenger has been charged with drug-related offences after authorities discovered a significant quantity of cocaine hidden in his cruise ship cabin upon docking in Sydney Harbour on Saturday. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that the 48-year-old man had concealed 10kg of cocaine within the ceiling cavity of his room aboard the vessel, which had arrived from Argentina. During a search conducted by Australian Border Force (ABF) officials, officers reportedly uncovered 28 individually wrapped parcels of the substance, which tested positive for cocaine. In addition to the drugs, authorities also discovered "body packing material" hidden in the ceiling cavity and the wardrobe. According to the AFP, such materials are commonly used by drug couriers attempting to smuggle narcotics across international borders and security checkpoints. An examination of the suspect’s mobile phone allegedly revealed further evidence linked to drug trafficking. The AFP subsequently charged the man with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy highlighted the potential impact of the drug haul, noting that the seized cocaine could have been distributed in 10,000 individual street deals, with an estimated street value of $3 million. “This amount of cocaine could have been sold in the community as 10,000 individual street deals of 1 gram for about $3 million,” Cressy stated. “Drug traffickers are motivated by greed, and they do not care about the harm they cause. These drug deals put pressure on the health system.” The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that between 2022 and 2023, there were more than two hospitalisations per day in Australia due to drug-related incidents. ABF Superintendent Matt O’Connor acknowledged the increased risk of drug smuggling during the cruise season but reassured the public of law enforcement's vigilance in tackling such operations. “The cruising season brings with it additional opportunities for criminal syndicates to attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into the country; however, Border Force officers are very attuned to their pivoting tactics,” O’Connor said. “Our ABF officers process and border-clear thousands of passengers and crew members on every international cruise ship which arrives into Sydney and are ready to respond to any threat which may present itself.” The accused is set to appear in court as investigations continue into the broader implications of the smuggling attempt. Images: Australian Federal Police

Travel Trouble

Farewell, Your Majesty: Major change coming to Aussie fiver

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced a new theme for the Aussie fiver, designed to honour the “enduring emotional, spiritual and physical connection of First Nations peoples to Country”. “This inspiring theme will guide the creation of an artwork that will feature on the redesigned banknote,” said Michelle McPhee, RBA’s Assistant Governor of Business Services. The selection of this theme followed an extensive national campaign, receiving over 2,100 theme nominations from the public. For the first time since 1992, the $5 note will not feature the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had appeared on the denomination for more than 30 years. Breaking with tradition, the RBA confirmed that the redesigned note would not bear a portrait of any monarch, meaning King Charles will also be absent from the new design. However, the reverse side of the note will continue to depict the Australian Parliament building. Since the 1960s, the $5 banknote has undergone four major redesigns, with the most recent update in 2016. When Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait was first introduced in 1992, it replaced humanitarian Caroline Chisholm, a decision that was met with criticism at the time. The RBA defended its choice, citing Australia’s status as a constitutional monarchy and the tradition of including the reigning monarch on at least one banknote. The new banknote is expected to take several years to be designed, printed and circulated. The process of selecting an artist for the design is currently underway, with more details to be revealed in the coming months. The development of the note will also involve incorporating advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting. While the new design is in progress, the existing $5 note will continue to be issued. Meanwhile, Australian coins, which are produced by the Royal Australian Mint, will maintain the tradition of featuring the monarch. Images: RBA

Money & Banking

An artificial heart may save your life. But it can also change you in surprising ways

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> This week, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/12/australian-man-survives-100-days-with-artificial-heart-in-world-first-success">doctors announced</a> that an Australian man with severe heart failure had left hospital with an artificial heart that had kept him alive until he could receive a donor heart. The patient, a man from New South Wales in his 40s, was not the world’s first person to receive this type of artificial heart. However, he is <a href="https://www.svhs.org.au/newsroom/news/australia-first-total-artificial-heart-implant">said to be</a> the <a href="https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/australias-first-durable-total-artificial-heart-implant-announced-as-a-success">first with one to be discharged from hospital</a> to wait for a heart transplant, which he’s since had. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT This machine has enabled an Australian man with severe heart failure to be the first person in the world to leave hospital with an artificial heart transplant <a href="https://t.co/6S12mINwBm">pic.twitter.com/6S12mINwBm</a> — Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1899862954155126824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote> I am a philosopher and bioethicist. I <a href="https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Phenomenology_and_Artificial_Hearts/22312204">completed my PhD</a> on artificial hearts – particularly how these implants can change people’s lives in profound ways. Here’s what patients and their families need to consider. <h2>What is an artificial heart?</h2> Artificial hearts began to be developed in the 1960s, sponsored by the United States government and funded in a similar way to space and military programs. In 1982, a man named <a href="https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/hero-or-victim-the-25th-anniversary-of-barney-clar">Barney Clark</a> received the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart. Doctors removed his failing biological heart and replaced it with a plastic and metal device to circulate blood to his lungs and around his body. He lived for 112 days before dying from multi-organ failure. He never left hospital. In the 1980s and 1990s, medical device companies began to develop alternatives to total artificial hearts. These partial artificial hearts, known as ventricular assist devices, help out a biological heart by supplementing or replacing one of its two pumping chambers. These are more straightforward and versatile than total artificial hearts, and can be used for earlier stages of heart failure. Not all artificial hearts generate a pulse. Artificial hearts with a pulse generally mimic the biological heart. They pump blood in the same way the heart beats, by filling with blood and squeezing to circulate blood in waves or pulses. But some devices continuously push blood around the body instead of pulsing. So with these continuous-flow devices neither the patient nor their health team can <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11906-017-0782-6">detect a pulse</a>. <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003497524008749">In the US between 2014 and 2024</a>, almost 30,000 patients received continuous-flow ventricular assist devices. In the same period, more than 310 total artificial hearts were implanted. The total artificial hearts <a href="https://www.syncardia.com/syncardia-total-artificial-heart-stah.html">commercially</a> <a href="https://www.carmatsa.com/en/our_product/">available</a> today are licensed exclusively as bridging therapies – to keep people alive until a donor heart becomes available – rather than permanent implants. <h2>How about the device making news this week?</h2> The device in the news – the <a href="https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/australias-first-durable-total-artificial-heart-implant-announced-as-a-success">BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart</a> – was developed by a US-Australian collaboration. This device is innovative, mainly because it is the first continuous-flow device designed to replace the whole heart. Designers are also aiming for it to be the first total artificial heart suitable as a permanent transplant (known as destination therapy). A reliable, durable and responsive total artificial heart is, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-12/sydney-hospital-artificial-heart-implant-operation-success/105036154">in the words</a> of Paul Jansz, the surgeon who implanted the device, “the Holy Grail”. The BiVACOR’s clinical success so far gives us reason to be optimistic about an alternative to scarce donor hearts for responding to severe heart failure. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&rect=12%2C12%2C8231%2C5475&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&rect=12%2C12%2C8231%2C5475&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/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/655013/original/file-20250313-56-4w24qy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Hand holding the BiVACOR artificial heart" /></a><figcaption>This device is designed to replace the whole heart, and for now, is licensed as a temporary implant, ahead of a heart transplant. BiVACOR TIQ</figcaption></figure> <h2>Transplants can change lives</h2> However, patients do not just resume their old lives when they leave hospital with an artificial heart. While the pumping component is inside their chest, there are also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHW0ATvgFDu/?hl=en">external components</a> to manage and monitor. A thick tube perforates their abdomen and connects to an external controller unit and power supply, which the patient carries around in a bag. Controllers must be closely monitored, and batteries must be regularly recharged. My research showed that even a perfectly safe and reliable total artificial heart could transform patients’ lives in at least three major areas. 1. Is it part of me? Do I trust it? Patients must <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09638288.2020.1717648">trust, tolerate and receive sensory feedback about how the device is working</a> for it to feel like part of them. In the case of an artificial heart, this might mean the device feels responsive to exercise and the body’s needs. But it may be difficult for artificial hearts to meet these criteria, especially for devices that do not generate a pulse. Patients may also question whether their heart is located in their body, or in the controller unit. They may wonder if they even have a heart, particularly if they can’t feel a pulse. 2. Beeps and alarms An artificial heart also changes how patients live their lives and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11097-024-10050-7">navigate the world</a>. Interruptions from <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1049732317700853">loud device alarms</a> distract patients from their normal activities. And patients must switch between mains power and batteries when they <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0147956311002718">wake in the night and need to visit the toilet</a>. 3. Marking time Our hearts may be our <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurorobotics/articles/10.3389/fnbot.2014.00015/full">natural</a> <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301051111000032">metronomes</a>, marking time. So removing someone’s heart rhythm can confuse their sense of time. The need for batteries to be recharged periodically can also reshape patients’ days. Waiting around for a transplant heart, or the latest software update, may change patients’ perspectives on what months and years feel like. <h2>We need to give patients the whole picture</h2> Artificial hearts are remarkable devices with great promise. But patients and families also deserve to know how these extraordinary treatments might change how they feel about themselves and the world. They need to know this before they sign up for them. Artificial hearts don’t just save lives – they also change them.<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/252165/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/pat-mcconville-2344684">Pat McConville</a>, Lecturer in Ethics, Law, and Professionalism, School of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</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/an-artificial-heart-may-save-your-life-but-it-can-also-change-you-in-surprising-ways-252165">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Body

Desperate Aussie dad sparks brutal immigration debate on Q+A

An Australian father, fearing that another rent hike could push his family into homelessness, directly challenged the federal government’s immigration policies on national television. Morgan Cox, a father of a one-year-old, raised his concerns on ABC’s Q+A program on Monday night. The episode, broadcast from the federal election battleground of Wyong on the Central Coast of New South Wales, saw an emotionally charged exchange between Cox and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler. Cox detailed his dire financial situation, explaining that he had recently received notice of a $180-per-week rent increase – an additional $10,000 annually. “I tried to find a cheaper place and there just aren’t any," Cox said. "What little is available, there’s dozens of people lined up. Lots of them are immigrants and they have plenty more money than I can possibly get.” The audience applauded as he pressed the government on whether it planned to curb immigration to align with housing availability. In response, Butler expressed sympathy, acknowledging the widespread struggles with housing affordability. “I’m so sorry you’re going through that and it’s a story we all hear right across the country, particularly in the bigger states around the big cities,” Butler said. He then noted that the government was working to bring immigration levels down to sustainable levels, but said that it is difficult to control departures of temporary residents. “What we’ve found after those efforts is that the arrival numbers have returned to about pre-Covid levels, but we’re not managing the exits – the people returning home after studying or short-term skilled work. We’re working very hard on that,” Butler explained. However, Cox appeared visibly frustrated, questioning why the government could not simply halt immigration until housing supply could meet demand. Former NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, also on the panel, argued that the issue was more complex than immigration alone. “The reality is that we need more housing supply," he said. "More supply into the system means more availability for renters, for homeowners – more choice.” He further criticised excessive bureaucracy in housing development. “There’s way too much red tape and green tape stopping housing developments, whether it’s Sydney, Melbourne, or right across Australia,” he added. As housing affordability continues to be a pressing concern for many Australians, the government clearly faces increasing pressure to strike a balance between population growth and adequate housing solutions. Images: ABC

Money & Banking

Replacing stamp duty with a land tax could save home buyers big money. Here’s how

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> Infrastructure Victoria has released a <a href="https://assets.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/assets/Victorias-draft-30-year-infrastructure-strategy.pdf">draft 30-year plan </a> outlining how the state can grow sustainably. It focuses on key areas like transport, housing, energy, and public services to support a growing population and improve liveability. The plan also suggests ways to make the state’s infrastructure and tax system fairer, more efficient and more sustainable. The plan’s recommendations are expected to cost between A$60 billion and $75 billion, mostly spent before 2035. This is around 10% of <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-state-accounts/2023-24-financial-year#data-downloads">Victoria’s yearly economic output</a> in 2023-24, spread over the next decade. With Victoria already spending record amounts on infrastructure, and <a href="https://pbo.vic.gov.au/document/BudgetUpdateSnapshot2024-25">budget deficits forecast</a> until 2025-26, finding the money to fund social housing, transport and other projects is a key challenge. We estimate the Infrastructure Victoria proposals would add between $4 billion and $5 billion to Victorian government expenditure each year. Yet one of its proposals — replacing stamp duty with an annual land tax — would only cost between $1 million and $5 million to implement, but generate substantial gains for Victorian households. <h2>Why replace stamp duty with land tax?</h2> Stamp duty is one of the biggest barriers to moving house in Victoria and other Australian states. This tax, which people pay when they buy property, adds thousands of dollars to the cost of moving. In 2022-23, Victorians paid about <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-state-accounts/2023-24-financial-year#data-downloads">$12 billion</a> to move house. Of this, $3 billion went to actual moving costs (like real estate services, and removalists) and $9 billion was <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/government/taxation-revenue-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">stamp duty</a>. That’s an effective tax rate of 300% on the true cost of moving, and in 2023 <a href="https://www.e-business.sro.vic.gov.au/calculators/land-transfer-duty">added about</a> $40,000, or 5.3%, to the cost of purchasing the average Victorian home. High stamp duty discourages people from relocating, even when their needs change — whether that’s moving for a new job, finding a bigger home for a growing family or downsizing after retirement. This leads to longer commutes, traffic congestion and a less efficient housing market. Switching from stamp duty to an annual land tax would make moving easier and spread the tax burden more fairly. Instead of a large, one-time tax when buying a home, all landowners would pay a smaller tax each year. This would help fund schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure more sustainably. <h2>What can we learn from Canberra?</h2> Victoria University’s Centre of Policy Studies <a href="https://www.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1618407/cops-final-report.pdf">studied a similar reform</a> in the Australian Capital Territory, where stamp duty has been gradually phased out since 2012 and replaced with higher general rates (a type of land tax). Each year, the ACT government sets a target for how much money it needs to raise. Landowners then pay a share of that total, based on the value of their land. One of the biggest benefits of this approach is that it raises money more efficiently. Unlike other taxes, land taxes don’t discourage investment or economic activity. The study found removing stamp duty had a big positive impact on the ACT’s economy. Around 80% of the economic boost came from removing stamp duty, while introducing land tax also had benefits. By studying transaction data from the ACT, we showed each 10% reduction stamp duty rates drove a 6% rise in property transactions. <h2>Would it help housing affordability?</h2> One of the main arguments for replacing stamp duty with land tax is its effect on housing prices. Economists widely agree land taxes reduce land values, which makes housing more affordable. However, the impact of removing stamp duty is less predictable. Our previous research found <a href="https://theconversation.com/swapping-stamp-duty-for-land-tax-would-push-down-house-prices-but-push-up-apartment-prices-new-modelling-finds-184381">the effect on house prices</a> depends on how often properties are bought and sold. Apartments, for example, tend to change hands more frequently than houses. Because of this, removing stamp duty tends to push up apartment prices more than house prices. Even so, the overall effect of the reform is a drop in property prices. The challenge is ensuring this price reduction is evenly spread across different types of housing. <h2>A fairer tax system</h2> To make the system fairer, policymakers could adjust how land tax is applied. One option is to introduce a fixed-rate component, as <a href="https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/previous-schemes/first-home-buyer-choice">proposed </a> in New South Wales. Another idea, suggested 15 years ago in the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/afts_final_report_part_1_consolidated.pdf">Henry Tax Review</a>, is to base the tax on the per-square-metre value of land. Another key factor is housing supply. If planning laws allow more high-density housing in inner suburbs, price changes could be better managed. <h2>We also need short-term solutions</h2> Replacing stamp duty with land tax is a long-term reform that would take years to fully implement. The ACT, for example, planned a 20-year transition. If all state governments implemented this reform, we estimate Australian households would ultimately be <a href="https://www.copsmodels.com/ftp/workpapr/g-337.pdf">better off by about</a> $,1600 per household per year. In the short term, <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-best-way-to-ease-rents-and-improve-housing-affordability-we-modelled-4-of-the-governments-biggest-programs-225446">other policies </a> could help improve housing affordability. These include increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance and rethinking first-home buyer support. These steps could complement broader tax, infrastructure and housing supply reforms. The Victorian government is <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorias30yearinfrastructurestrategy">seeking feedback</a> on the draft plan before releasing the final version later this year. This is an opportunity for Victorians to contribute ideas on how to shape the state’s future and ensure its infrastructure and tax system work for everyone.<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/251472/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jason-nassios-318488">Jason Nassios</a>, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-giesecke-9853">James Giesecke</a>, Professor, Centre of Policy Studies and the Impact Project, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</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/replacing-stamp-duty-with-a-land-tax-could-save-home-buyers-big-money-heres-how-251472">original article</a>. Image: 7news.com.au </div>

Money & Banking

Millions of Centrelink customers to get cash boost

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

Money & Banking

Steve Smith's huge retirement news

Australian veteran cricketer Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day International cricket. The 35-year-old, who stepped in to fill Pat Cummins’ captaincy role during the ICC Champions Trophy tournament, has played his 170th and last match in the ODI format, losing to India by four wickets. After the epic showdown, Smith fronted the media to make the bombshell announcement that his time in the green and gold 50-over uniform had come to an end, effective immediately. He said, “Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way.” A two-time Australian ODI player of the year and a member of the ICC’s ODI Team of the Year in 2015, Smith plans to continue playing Test matches for some time yet. “Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies in the winter and then England at home,” he added. “I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg led the tributes to Smith, stating: “Congratulations to Steve on an amazing One-Day International career during which he has made a vast contribution to Australia’s performances in the 50-over format." “Right up until his final ODI innings Steve exhibited an incredible ability to accumulate runs in all conditions and his astute leadership has been crucial in the team’s ongoing success including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victories." “We’re fortunate Steve still has much to offer in the Test and T20 arenas and I look forward to witnessing the next stage of one of cricket’s great careers.” Image credits: RAHAT DAR/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Retirement Life

Over 350k Aussies to be forced back into the office

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

Money & Banking

Cricket great takes aim at Albo's beer tax freeze

Cricket great David Warner has slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's move to combat soaring beer prices. On Monday, Albanese promised to pause the government's tax hike on beers poured at pubs for the next two years. Albanese announced the policy while enjoying his "first beer of the year" at the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre in Marrickville. "This will make a difference. It is a positive announcement. As I said, good for beer drinkers, good for pubs and clubs, good for cost of living pressures," he said. Australia's inflation-indexed alcohol tax - which increases twice annually - has long been an issue for breweries, pub owners and customers. This month, there was a 3.5 per cent rise on the price of beer, an additional cost that usually gets passed onto the customer. The Prime Minister said if he is re-elected, the Labor government would freeze the indexation on draught beer excise for 24 months from the next indexation date this coming August. However, Warner believes this move is a "few years too late," slamming the Prime Minister's pledge on social media. Warner, who is an investor and director of Victoria's St Andrews Beach Brewery, has been affected by the rising prices. Shortly after Albanese's announcement, Coalition treasury spokesman Angus Taylor said Peter Dutton, if elected, would also freeze tax. "The government has chosen the eve of an election to promise voters a freeze on a tax that has skyrocketed due to its failure to address inflation at its core," Taylor said. Image: LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial/ Instagram

Money & Banking

Steve Price slams woman's savvy Airtasker job

Steve Price has launched into a tirade on The Project over a story about a woman's savvy use of Airtasker. The Sydney woman posted a job on the site to pay a stranger $100 if they delivered her a pair of sneakers to the Ivy nightclub, after her high heels began hurting her feet at 1am. Her ingenuity quickly went viral, with The Project panellist Georgie Tunny explaining the situation. "Someone came through (and delivered the shoes), and her followers applauded her, calling it genius hack," Tunny said. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 591px; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7476683192787946770&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40aimee.clairee%2Fvideo%2F7476683192787946770%3Fembed_source%3D121374463%252C121468991%252C121439635%252C121433650%252C121404359%252C121497414%252C73319236%252C121477481%252C121351166%252C121487028%252C73347567%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%252C121503376%253Bnull%253Bembed_masking%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Dwww.dailymail.co.uk%252Ftvshowbiz%252Farticle-14454879%252FThe-Project-Steve-Price-sneakers-nightclub-heels.html%26referer_video_id%3D7476683192787946770&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo4gbklEViYI8Bu8LPiDDiBnRVC8KAIVEAZBDy%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26x-expires%3D1741222800%26x-signature%3Dr1zBofQ2NEGTc0Et0FGfYs3KRQY%253D%26shp%3Db59d6b55%26shcp%3D-&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Steve Price, however, wasn't impressed by the woman's determination to be comfortable, blasting her "ridiculous" request. Price crinkled his face in disgust at the harmless story and let loose, mincing no words as he shared his opinion. "Don't be stupid. That's the most ridiculous, over-privileged w**ky thing I've heard of" he said. "That woman has too much money. She got secondhand smelly sneakers," Steve added. Georgie defended the woman, saying that in her clubbing days, she would absolutely have paid someone a decent sum in order to be in comfortable shoes and spare her feet. Image credits: The Project

Money & Banking

Young couple sold almost everything to live on a cruise ship

Two savvy US school teachers Monica Brzoska, 32, and Jorrell Conley, 36, have sold almost all of their possessions to live at sea. The couple fell in love with cruising after travelling to Mexico, Belize and Grand Cayman almost a decade ago. In 2023, after Monica's father fell ill, she was inspired to live the life she had always wanted. "Don’t wait for retirement to follow your dreams. Do it now," her mother had told her. That's when she and her husband made the life-changing decision. “Instead of coming back, why not keep booking consecutive cruises for as long as we could afford to?” Monica told The Sun. “It sounds mad, but the numbers made sense. Accommodation, food and entertainment would be included – we’d only need spending money. “And because we’d been on so many Carnival cruises, we’d earned access to some amazing offers. “If we chose the cheapest cabins, our savings from the pandemic would allow us to book eight months of cruising for $16,000 – some trips paid for in full, others with deposits. “We could then use the rent from our three-bedroom house in Memphis to make extra payments as needed. Many cruises start and end in the same ports, so we knew we’d be able to disembark and easily board our next ship, or otherwise fly to the port.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEQkivEJ0DS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEQkivEJ0DS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Monica Brzoska (@life_by_any_means)</a> </div> </blockquote> The pair quit their jobs, sold most of their possessions and rented out their three-bedroom home in Memphis, and have been cruising for almost two years now. Since making the move, the couple have completed 36 consecutive cruises and visited almost 50 countries. “I instantly felt free,” she said. “People are amazed when they hear we live on ships, and I’m always happy to share the tricks we’ve learned to save money. We’ve won excursion tickets, jewellery and spa treatments in onboard raffles, while on land, we do our own tours, using local transport to explore," she said. However, she admitted that there are a few challenges, including missing family, but regardless "it really is a dream come true". Image: Instagram

Retirement Life

Woman slammed for using GoFundMe for house deposit

A woman has been relentlessly mocked online after launching a GoFundMe page to ask strangers to contribute money to her house deposit. Emmalee Potter, a mother-of-three from Victoria, wrote on the page that she had been "suffering a rough few years" and relying on friends and family for help with accommodation. Now however, Potter is finally in the position where she is tantalising close to being able to purchase her new home after "working hard towards saving", but still finds herself $3,000 short of her goal. As she wrote on the fundraising page, "I'm almost at the final stage but I'm short on the deposit so I'm calling on my village. Please help me get over this last hurdle, every little bit truly helps, a house is more than just a place to live." "It's a foundation for the next chapter of life, a space where memories are made, and where I can really begin to feel settled. Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping me achieve this dream." While Ms Potter thanked those who could contribute, many were not impressed at her using the platform in order to fund her house. "No hate but you expect people to donate to you so you can buy a house?" one person asked, while another added, "I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. If we are all going to start GoFundMe accounts, I may as well start one so I can go on a holiday to Greece." Another person wrote, "It's a tough time for everyone trying to buy a house, especially with the cost of living, so I'm kind of confused why you're asking for donations. The first paragraph of your listing says 'I'm now in a position to purchase a home' but you're asking strangers to send you money for the deposit?" Ms Potter defended the fundraising page as she responded to one outraged commenter, writing, "It's not about 'funding me a house' it's the small amount still needed to buy something." "Me and my kids are living in a room at my friends. Buying is actually cheaper than renting. We've applied for over 100 rentals and been knocked back. I can get the home loan and pay the repayments [I'm] just needing the last bit of the deposit." Others were quick to defend the woman, as one person wrote, "There's nothing wrong with asking for help." Image credits: GoFundMe / Facebook

Money & Banking

Albo quizzed over luxury home purchase

Anthony Albanese has been grilled by Karl Stefanovic over the recent purchase of a multi-million dollar home, that was widely slammed by the public as being "out of touch". As part of his pre-election campaign, the Prime Minister and his fiancé Jodie Haydon sat down with 60 Minutes where they discussed the controversial real estate move. Karl Stefanovic described as the $4.1 million purchase of the Copacabana holiday home as “harebrained", as Albo defended his decision to buy the home. “Whose harebrained idea was Copacabana?” Stefanovic asked as the program began. Mr Albanese, who is notoriously sensitive about the purchase amid claims it was tone-deaf during a cost-of-living crisis, laughed at the question as he responded, “Look, Jodie and I are getting married.” “What you don’t do is move into the family home where Carmel and I raised Nathan together as a family. And guess what, Karl? At some stage … I won’t be Prime Minister into my 80s and therefore we have bought a place close to where Jodie grew up … where her family are all based.” In the program, Stefanovic observed that, “I’ve spent some time with her these last couple of days and I get the feeling the girl from the Central Coast would sooner rather than later have her feet up at Copacabana, whether you are there or not!” “No — well, she’s a Coastie and a proud one,” Mr Albanese replied. “And it was very much a personal decision, not a political one. And I think Australians get that.” Karl then asked about the controversy around the home, asking the PM, “Did it sting you at all the criticism around that, the perception being during a cost-of-living crisis, the PM shouldn’t be seen as being, you know, so lavish?” Albanese responded, “I’m pretty resilient, Karl, and if you’re worried about every bit of criticism that was out there, then life would be much more difficult than it is." Image credits: 60 Minutes <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Money & Banking

Kiwi tourist banned for life after diving into Trevi Fountain

Three tourists from New Zealand have landed themselves in trouble after they were caught wading into the famous Trevi Fountain in central Rome. As they were being escorted away from the popular tourist attraction, one of them, a 30-year-old man wrestled free from the police and jumped into the fountain as authorities chased him, according to a spokesperson for Rome's Capitol Police. He managed to bypass the controlled area by climbing over the marble sculptures lining the fountain basin. "Alcohol was definitely involved," the spokesperson told CNN. The man was fined 500 euros ($832 AUD) and banned from visiting the iconic landmark for life. Each year, about a dozen tourists are fined for dipping things into the fountain, whether it is their toes or a water bottle, according to Roman police. Taking a dip in the fountain has been an aspiration for many tourists, who may have been inspired by Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita, where the main actress waded into the fountain in an evening gown. Other ill-behaved tourists have tried stealing some of the 1.5 million euros worth of coins that are thrown into the water each year. The money, is collected daily and donated to a charity. In 2024, the city introduced a limit to the number of visitors allowed to be in front of the fountain, to 400 at a time, with the access area open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. Image: vvoe / Shutterstock.com

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