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Incredible treasure trove of unseen royal images

In a mesmerising blend of history and artistry, Buckingham Palace's newly christened King's Gallery has unveiled a captivating journey through time and royalty with the debut of "Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography". Opening its on May 17, this groundbreaking exhibition delves into the illustrious lineage of the Royal Family through more than 150 carefully curated portraits – some never before seen by the public eye. A highlight among these treasures is a poignant snapshot capturing a rare familial moment: Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra, and The Duchess of Kent cradling their newborns. Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's husband, immortalised this touching scene as a token of gratitude to Sir John Peel, the esteemed royal obstetrician responsible for delivering all four babies within a mere two-month span. In this heartfelt image, Queen Elizabeth II tenderly holds Prince Edward, her youngest offspring, while Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra and The Duchess of Kent embrace their own bundles of joy. Accompanying this snapshot is a handwritten letter penned by Princess Margaret to her sister, affectionately addressed as "Darling Lilibet", requesting a signature on a print destined as a cherished memento for the esteemed doctor. The exhibition transcends mere family portraits, delving deep into the evolution of royal portraiture over the past century. Visitors are treated to a visual feast of iconic images captured by renowned photographers, including Dorothy Wilding, Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey and Rankin. Notably, the legendary Cecil Beaton's immortalisation of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation remains a cornerstone of the collection, offering a timeless glimpse into history. The exhibition also pays homage to the enduring allure of Princess Anne through her striking appearances on Vogue covers and a celebrated coming-of-age portrait by Norman Parkinson, commemorating her 21st birthday. From the timeless elegance of Princess Anne to the radiant charm of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the spirited grace of Zara Tindall, the exhibition showcases a diverse tapestry of royal personalities spanning generations. Yet, it is not merely the portraits themselves that captivate visitors, but the untold stories and intimate moments woven into each frame. Delving into the depths of royal history, the exhibition reveals unseen wartime images by Cecil Beaton, illustrating King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's unwavering resolve amidst the chaos of conflict. As visitors explore the gallery, they are guided by a free multimedia experience narrated by Dame Joanna Lumley, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship behind these timeless portraits. From Hugo Burnand's vivid recollections of photographing the royal coronation to the candid insights of royal photographers such as Rankin and John Swannell, the multimedia guide adds depth and dimension to the exhibition, inviting visitors to immerse themselves fully in the rich tapestry of royal history. "Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography" is not merely an exhibition; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of the British monarchy, captured through the lens of some of the most esteemed photographers of our time. From the grandeur of coronations to the tender embrace of a mother cradling her newborn, each portrait tells a story – a story of tradition, resilience and the timeless allure of royalty. Images: Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024.

Art

Nat Barr quizzes Jim Chalmers over one major budget flaw

Nat Barr has quizzed treasurer Jim Chalmers over one major flaw in the federal budget. On Tuesday night, Chalmers <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/biggest-winners-and-losers-of-the-2024-25-federal-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener">handed down</a> his third federal budget that prioritised cost-of-living relief, with one major initiative saving Aussies big on their next energy bills. All Australian families will get $300 off their annual electricity bill, while small businesses will also get a $325 rebate for their bills. Chalmers joined Nat Barr on Sunrise on Wednesday morning to discuss the initiative further, as the host pointed out one major flaw in the government's plan. “If you’re earning a million dollars, why do you need a $300 power rebate?” Barr asked. But Chalmers said wealthier Australians weren’t the focus of the rebate, as everyday Aussies struggling with the rising cost of living were sure to benefit. “It is primarily for people doing it tough — you know, millions and millions of Australians are under cost-of-living pressure,” he said. “We’re trying to help. So more help is on the way for millions of people under the pump. Whether it is a tax cut for every taxpayer or energy bill relief for every household.” Barr asked Chalmers if people earning $1 million were “under pressure”, but the treasurer said offering specifically targeted assistance was logistically impossible. “Once you go beyond (pensioners), you have to design a whole new system because the energy retailers that we use to provide this help, they don’t have income information for people,” he said. “We deliver this relief via energy bills, via the retailers. There’s not a system that allows you to slice and dice that beyond providing it either to people on pensions and payments.” Barr's comments were echoed online, with many slamming the logistics of the rebate on social media. "I'm sure Gina Rinehart is stoked she's getting $300 back on her energy bills," one person commented. Another added, "If this stupid government gives me $300 off my energy bills it goes straight to charity. Join me if you can afford it." A third wrote, "Feel like there should be an exemption in the $300 energy rebate for anyone who has ever slept under a doona with the aircon on." Image credits: Sunrise

Money & Banking

Biggest winners and losers of the 2024-25 Federal Budget

The unveiling of the federal budget by Treasurer Jim Chalmers was marked by a dual focus on addressing cost-of-living pressures and strategically investing in Australia's future – and was predictably met with both praise and criticism. Reflecting a delicate balancing act between providing immediate relief to vulnerable segments of society and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability, the measures to alleviate cost-of-living pressures and support key sectors appear commendable, yet concerns persist regarding the adequacy of support for welfare recipients and the potential implications of immigration policies on international education. Read on for the high points, the low points, and all the biggest winners and losers of the federal budget for 2024-25. BIGGEST WINNERS: Low and Middle-Income Earners: At the core of the budget lies a commitment to alleviate the financial strain on low and middle-income earners. With the implementation of stage three tax cuts, Australians can anticipate a welcome increase in their take-home pay. These cuts, announced earlier in the year, are projected to inject an average of $36 per week into taxpayers' pockets by 2024-25. Notably, this initiative is expected to benefit 84% of taxpayers and 90% of women, signalling a targeted effort to support those most in need. Parents: In a move towards greater gender equality and financial security, the government has extended superannuation payments to parents on paid leave. This initiative aims to bridge the superannuation gap and provide approximately 180,000 families annually with additional financial support during crucial early parenting stages. Households and Small Businesses: Acknowledging the escalating energy costs, a $300 rebate on energy bills was announced for more than 10 million households. It was this facet of the budget that drew ire from Jacqui Lambie, Federal Senator for Tasmania, who was furious over the "bizarre" decision, which sees funds being spent on high-income earners such as herself at a time of rising inflation. 'We don't need $300, I can assure you,' she said to a post-budget panel on ABC's Insiders on Tuesday night. "That [funding] should have been passed forward. I find it bizarre." Additionally, small businesses stand to benefit from a $325 boost to alleviate power bill pressures. The extension of the instant asset write-off and the abolishment of 457 nuisance tariffs signal the government's commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth. Aged Care Workers, Renters, Women, Last-Minute Travellers, Music Festivals, and PBS Patients: The budget also addresses various sectors of society, including aged care workers, renters, women, last-minute travellers, music festivals and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme patients. Measures such as wage increases, rent assistance, healthcare subsidies and support for cultural events underscore the government's multifaceted approach to addressing societal needs. Students: Recognising the financial challenges faced by students, the government has taken steps to ease the burden of student debt. By wiping out $3 billion in student debt and overhauling the indexation of HECS debt, thousands of Australian students stand to benefit. Moreover, the introduction of payments for compulsory work placements acknowledges the financial strain faced by students pursuing vocational and tertiary education. BIGGEST LOSERS: International Students: In response to concerns about housing shortages and migration pressures, the government has signaled a crackdown on the influx of international students. Universities will be required to match enrolment growth with adequate housing infrastructure, potentially limiting opportunities for international students seeking education in Australia. Welfare Recipients: Despite calls for a significant increase in JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments, the budget falls short of implementing substantial changes in welfare support. While some targeted assistance is provided to individuals facing barriers to employment, broader calls for income support reform remain unaddressed. High-Income Earners: While the budget aims to provide relief to low and middle-income earners, high-income earners may experience a less substantial boost to their incomes compared to previous projections. This recalibration reflects the government's commitment to a fair and equitable distribution of resources. Image: ABC

Money & Banking

Cheques to be phased out by 2030

Cheques will be phased out in Australia by 2030 as the federal government aims to improve the nation’s payments system. Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed his plan for major reforms in the way payments are made which will focus on cashless and mobile financial transactions. In a speech to the Australian Banking Association (ABA) in Sydney, he said Australia’s ageing payments infrastructure was restricting the country’s productivity levels. Chalmer’s said phasing out cheques and introducing a more efficient New Payment Platform would steer Australia into the path of a digital economy. The reforms will provide direction for the banks and payments industry’s investment in future technology, ABA chief executive Anna Bligh said. "With cheques now in steady decline and accounting for only 0.2 per cent of all payments, it's time to have a smooth and well-planned process to phase out this form of payment. "Australian banks will work with the government to ensure that customers and businesses are ready for a gradual and orderly phase out.” One of the more significant reasons behind the decline in cheques can be attributed to the costs to individuals and financial institutions. After consulting with states, territories and industry and community groups, cheques will cease by 2023. The reform will see Australia in line with several major economies that have already eradicated cheques. Image credit: Getty / Shutterstock

Money & Banking

"What am I going to do?”: Centrelink mother points out crucial flaw in new budget policy for parents

An unemployed mother who relies on Centrelink benefits has broken down while noting a fatal flaw in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Federal Budget promises to parents. Jessica Blowers told ABC’s Q&A program that she will be forced off the Single Parent Payment when her daughter turns eight in August, leaving her unable to afford the rent increases. Currently, single parents can claim the Parenting Payment of $949.30 a fortnight until their youngest child turns eight. By September 2023, the age limit for the pay rise to when the youngest child is 14, as part of Chalmers’ budget. Ms Blowers is one of many copping the brunt of it as her daughter’s 8th birthday is four weeks before the new rules begin. She will also see a rent increase during that period from $900 a fortnight to $960. “What am I going to do? What is my choice, other than I am doing my best to get a job so that I can keep a house over my daughter's head,” she stressed to the treasurer. “When I'm applying for the jobs, I am faced with being told that more than 100 other candidates have applied for the same jobs - I'm not sure how I am supposed to compete against 100 other people for one job.” Ms Blowers added she “would like to know what measures the government has in place to bridge the gap that I and other parents in similar situations will find ourselves in”. “I don't have anywhere to go because I am paying my entire pension in rent. Everywhere else in Sydney is comparable to that.” Although sympathetic to her situation, Chalmers said those suffering like Ms Blowers were “the reason why we are lifting the age from eight to 14”. “This is something we were really keen to do in the Budget because we recognise the pressure that you are under as a single mum,” he explained. However, Chalmers was adamant that the new system could not be introduced any earlier than September 20, 2023. “We've tried to do is bring that change in as soon as possible. We think September is the soonest that we can do it,” he said. “I understand that that means a few weeks for you going from the current payment onto JobSeeker and (then) back onto the single parenting payment. “I would love to avoid that if we could, but what we're trying to do is provide this extra assistance ... that you need and deserve. If we could avoid those couple of weeks, we would, but September is the best we can do.” In total, some 57,000 single parents, 90 per cent of whom are women, will benefit from the new scheme. Previously they would have been moved onto the lower JobSeeker rate when their youngest child turned eight. “By age 14, children have typically settled into high school and need less parental supervision, and single parents are in a much stronger position to take on paid work," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when the policy was announced. Historically, the single parent payment was eligible for singles with children aged up to 16. But former prime minister John Howard, later supported by Julia Gillard, cut the age to eight in an attempt to encourage parents back into the workforce. Two advisory bodies have called for the government to extend the payment and the eligibility criteria. It is understood mutual obligation requirements will remain in order to continue encouraging parents to go back to work. Speaking to Nova radio in Perth, Mr Albanese explained he knew “firsthand what it's like to grow up with a single mum doing it tough”. “We want to look after single parents because we know that the role that they play in raising their children is such a priority for them and they’re deserving of more support,” he said. Image credit: ABC Q&A

Money & Banking

Soccer’s “greatest domestic treasure” found after 70 years

It took 69 years, but the Soccer Ashes have finally been found. Australian football has been on the hunt for the treasured trophy since 1954, when it - by all accounts - disappeared from the face of the Earth. The “greatest domestic treasure”, a title bestowed upon it by Australian football historian Trevor Thompson, is easy enough to miss at first glance. The hand-carved wooden box is small, but like with most things in life, it’s what’s on the inside that counts - in this case, the ashes of two cigars smoked by the Australia and New Zealand captains in 1923 following their first ‘A’ international match in Australia. The trophy - which is now considered to be a main contributing element in the wider history of Australia’s national team, the Socceroos - serves as the first one ever contested between the rival sides, and was thought up by the then-team manager for New Zealand, Harry Mayer. His belief that the two sides needed something to play for - similar to cricket’s Ashes - led to its creation. Mayer himself - a trophy maker - constructed the piece, combining the likes of New Zealand honeysuckle and Australian maple, including the iconic imagery of kangaroos and silver ferns on its lid. Within the box lies a blue velvet lining, and a silver-plated razor case. The case is a main feature of the trophy, as it once belonged to the-secretary of the Queensland Football Association, Private William Fisher. He had been carrying it with him during the 1915 Gallipoli landing. In the 30 years to follow, the two nations competed for the trophy, and saw it passed back and forth between Australia and New Zealand before its 1954 disappearance. And while some feared it had simply been tossed aside or at worst destroyed, many were not willing to give up on it. Historians Trevor Thompson and Ian Syson, for example, set out in 2019 on a mission to track it down, armed with the support of Football Australian and government funding. And to the delight of soccer fans across both nations, they did it. The family of the late and former Australian Soccer Football Association’s chairman Sydney Storey found it tucked away with a whole host of other treasures - including but not limited to football memorabilia, pictures, newspaper clippings, and other assorted documents - in his garage. It took them a year to identify and verify all of Storey’s vast collection, but it was all worth the wait, with the family reaching out to Football Australia as soon as possible. In the wake of the joyous discovery, there have been calls for the trophy - or at least a replica of it - to once again be implemented, as well as for the trans-Tasman competition to become an annual event. As Ian Syson explained, “this trophy is symbolic of something really important, and its discovery is also really important as well. "Its absence was a symptom of Australian soccer's tendency to forget itself, and for the surrounding culture not to care at all. "This trophy is replete with sacred significance to a country that is so obsessed with its Anzac mythology. For that to go missing, it says a lot about the way this game manages to shoot itself in the foot all the time. "And so maybe this is a sign that the game can correct itself, can fix itself, can remember itself - if there's enough people caring about it, if there's enough people taking an interest in the history. "It means so much for the game." Images: Twitter

News

Reese Witherspoon announces shock family update

Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth have announced their divorce after over a decade of marriage. In a joint statement posted to Witherspoon’s Instagram, they shared that it was “a difficult decision”. “It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” Witherspoon said in the statement. “We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect for everything we have created together. “Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. “We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.” <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/CqLzAB_vgc-/?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/CqLzAB_vgc-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon)</a> </div> </blockquote> Witherspoon’s marriage to Toth, a fellow actor, producer and talent agent spanned just shy of 12 years. The decision to call it quits came as the marriage had become platonic, Page Six reported. According to Architectural Digest, the pair sold their seven bedroom, 10 bathroom English Country-style estate for $21.5 million back in 2020. They co-parent two children together, Ava and Deacon, from Witherspoon’s first marriage to actor Ryan Phillipe, and share a son, Tennessee James Toth. In an interview with Harper’s BAZAAR, Witherspoon said that Toth was the reason behind her starting a production company, “He said, ‘You should produce movies. You read more books than anybody I know. You should just buy some of them and turn them into films.” Despite their divorce, Witherspoon had told the outlet they enjoyed being wed and was lucky to be with someone who supported and appreciated her. Image credit: Instagram

Relationships

Murderer and Eric Clapton drummer dies at 77

Jim Gordon, an infamous session drummer from the ‘60s and ‘70s, has passed away at the age of 77. Gordon, who in his prime played with the likes of the Beach Boys and George Harrison, died in a psychiatric prison in California’s Vacaville. He had been sentenced to 16 years to life after killing his mother during a psychotic episode in 1983, and it is reported that he never attended parole hearings, or ever left prison. His publicist Bob Merlis confirmed the news in a statement, where he also explained that Gordon had died of natural causes. Gordon was born and raised in Los Angeles, and opted to pursue a career as a drummer while a teenager, even turning down a scholarship to UCLA. At just 17, he toured the United Kingdom with the Everly Brothers. His professional resume only grew from there, with Gordon going on to become on the primary drummers for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. Additionally, he contributed to songs by The Beach Boys on Pet Sounds, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, and Bobby Darin. In 1970, he formed a group - Derek and the Dominos - with Eric Clapton. Together they wrote the hit ‘Layla’, with Gordon playing both piano and drums. Gordon’s girlfriend at the time, Rita singer Coolidge, claimed she had written the piano section. Gordon’s relationship with Coolidge ended when he physically assaulted her. As the years went by, Gordon developed issues with addiction, telling Rolling Stone in 1985 that he considered himself to be an alcoholic, and admitted to using heroin. By the late ‘70s, after he had confessed to hearing voices in his head, his mother had requested he seek help. “He used to talk to me about hearing voices,” Bobby Whitlock informed Rolling Stone in 2013, “but I told him that it was his consciousness speaking to him. He said it was someone else. Evidently he never stopped or even lightened up on his drug and alcohol intake. “The end result was the destruction of his family.” As Gordon’s mental health deteriorated, so did his career. He claimed to often hear his mum’s voice, and despite a number of medical interventions, he never maintained a consistent treatment schedule. And in June 1983, his mother paid the price, when Gordon fatally struck the 71-year-old Osa Marie Gordon with a hammer and knife. In the wake of her murder, Gordon was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and sentenced to his 16-years-to-life in prison. In 2018, he was deemed to still pose “an unreasonable risk of threat to public safety.” However, those who had known and worked with Gordon before the dark period of his life wanted to pay tribute to the late drummer, taking to social media to write of his professional success, citing some of his greatest hits and collaboration. Gordon’s publicist, Eric Alper, did so while confirming the news, adding that he “will be missed.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Jim Gordon, one of rock’s all-time greatest drummers, has died at the age of 77. Not only did he play in the Wrecking Crew, but also with Derek and the Dominos, Joe Cocker, Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Haggard, Joan Baez, Tom Petty, and hundreds of others, and will be missed. <a href="https://t.co/m3jP5LKaqB">pic.twitter.com/m3jP5LKaqB</a> — Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThatEricAlper/status/1636133384853282818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> Eric Clapton’s ex-wife - Pattie Boyd - to whom he was married 10 years, paid her respects with a throwback picture of Gordon at a drum kit, writing that she was “sorry to hear of the passing of Jim Gordon.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Jim Gordon. Some of you will know that Jim co-wrote 'Layla' with Eric when they were both in Derek & The Dominoes. Jim also worked with George on the 'All Things Must Pass' album. RIP <a href="https://t.co/83YPA664yt">pic.twitter.com/83YPA664yt</a> — Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/thepattieboyd/status/1636388726850072576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: Twitter, Getty

Music

"We’re all f***ed if that happens": 60 Minutes' stunning f-bombshell

60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort spoke for Australians all across the nation when he swore at Treasurer Jim Chalmers in an interview on interest rates. The exchange transpired as homeowners brace for a 10th consecutive rate rise, with the move expected to produce the highest interest rates Australians have seen in the past decade. “Do you see similarities between now and what happened in the early ‘90s?” Steinfort asked the treasurer, referencing a difficult period of recession for Australia. “There’s absolutely no chance that interest rates will get to the level that they were at in the early 1990s. I wanna make that clear,” Chalmers responded. And while the treasurer had wasted no time in giving his answer, it wasn’t enough to stop Steinfort from scoffing, “yeah, well, we’re all f***ed if that happens.” In January 1990, interest rates peaked - or hit rock bottom - at a record high of 17.5 per cent. And now, the RBA is set to deliver more bad news - passing on another 0.25 per cent interest rate rise - with homeowners already feeling their wallet strings tightening when faced with the disparity between house prices and annual wages. Australia’s inflation rate of 7.8 per cent marks the highest level since the early 1990s and is over twice that of the RBA’s 2-3 per cent inflation target - one they adopted in 1993. - the RBA took on its inflation target in 1993. Experts fear that further interest rate hikes will see Australia face its first recession since 1991, a concern that Steinfort clearly shares. Elsewhere in the interview, Steinfort wanted to know if Chalmers believed Australians had seen the worst of the inflation crisis, asking, “do you think we’ve hit the inflation peak?” “That’s our expectation, yeah,” Chalmers said. “We think that’s most likely, uh, that inflation peaked at Christmas time and has started to moderate. But we won’t know until we get that next set of data.” “You think we might be through the worst of it?” Steinfort pressed. “Well, I think inflation is starting to come off,” Chalmers responded, before adding that despite his optimism, Australians shouldn’t expect for things to get easier overnight, “but even as it moderates we can’t be complacent about it, because it’s still going to be a challenge in ‘23, just like it was in ‘22.” “You paint a picture that we’ve turned a bit of a corner and that there are better times ahead, but the people we’re speaking to - I mean, even when I look at my home mortgage bill - we’re not feeling it,” a sceptical Steinfort pointed out. To which a smiling Chalmers answered, “yeah, I understand, and I think that certainly the prime minister understands, and that the government understands, that people are under real pressure now. “We’re doing what we can to deal with it within the constraints of a responsible budget.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers believes we’ve already seen the worst of Australia’s inflation problem. However he says 2023 will still be a challenging time for many families. Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/60Mins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#60Mins</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/9Now?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9Now</a> <a href="https://t.co/4G5tZZO3fU">pic.twitter.com/4G5tZZO3fU</a> — 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1632322412959215617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: 60 Minutes

Money & Banking

Anthony Albanese confirms changes to superannuation

Australia’s super rich are set to pay more on their superannuation funds, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed. The announcement came <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/major-overhaul-of-aussie-superannuation-system-touted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one week after Treasurer Jim Chalmers declared</a> there would be a review of the superannuation scheme’s future, and that the proposed changes would only impact about 0.5% of Australians, with the added benefit of saving the budget $2b. The changes would see Australians with over $3m in their super accounts have their concessional tax rate doubled - from 15 per cent to 30 per cent - and won’t be effective until around 2025-26. On average, Australians have about $150,000 in their super accounts. However, for the 80,000 individuals with over $3m to their name, the average rises to a substantial $6m. The remainder, the other 99.5 per cent of Australians, are set to continue receiving the same tax breaks as they were before, according to Chalmers. Albanese has now stated that this marks an “important reform” and would not alter the fundamentals of the existing system, and if anything would only serve to make it stronger. “With 17 people having over $100 million in their superannuation accounts, one individual with over $400 million in his or her account, most Australians would agree that this is not what superannuation is for. It’s for people’s retirement incomes,” he explained. “Confronted with this information, it would be irresponsible to not take any action whatsoever. This reform will strengthen the system by making it more sustainable.” In a statement, Chalmers expanded on the situation, saying, “the majority of these super tax breaks go to high income earners. “For instance, over 55 per cent of the benefit of superannuation tax breaks on earnings flow to the top 20 per cent of income earners, with 39 per cent going to the top 10 per cent of income earners.” Chalmers also explained how the government inherited $1 trillion of debt, and that it was becoming increasingly more expensive with rising interest rates. “We have persistent and growing spending pressures,” he explained. “Budget pressures are intensifying, rather than easing. This is the mess that we were left with and this is the mess we’re trying to clean up. “This announcement is part of the effort. Every dollar spent on a tax break with tens of millions of dollars in super, is a borrowed dollar that makes the deficit bigger.” He added that higher earners would still receive tax concessions, although people shouldn’t expect them to be quite as generous anymore. “I’m confident that Australians will see this change as modest, reasonable, and fair. But one which makes a difference to the sustainability and affordability of the superannuation system that we cherish.” Anthony Albanese assured Australians that the changes did not mean that the concessional tax would be altered for the remaining 99.5 per cent of Australians. “People can see what we’re doing here,” he said. “Which is why we’re proposing a change that will have an impact on 0.5 per cent of the population. There will be no changes this term [to super]. Even this change. “We can’t be clearer.” Images: Getty

Retirement Income

Major overhaul of Aussie superannuation system touted

There may be a major change coming to Australia's $3.3 trillion superannuation system, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers looking to crack down on early access. Chalmers will be speaking to call for an objective for superannuation that will emphasise the need for it to be preserved until retirement. This would make it harder for Australians to access their funds early. The federal opposition are taking a different stance and have pushed for early access to remain open as part of a first home buyers scheme. John Kehoe, Australian Financial Review economics editor, told Today $36 billion had been withdrawn from Australians’ collective super during the COVID-19 pandemic. "That's something that Labor wants to shut the door on," he said. Kehoe said there were two sides to the first home buyers scheme, saying that people accessing their super early could drive prices higher. "The retirement income system showed the best way to have financial security in retirement is owning your own home," he said. "It is people renting in retirement that do it really tough.” Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie expressed her view on the proposal, saying life wasn't "black and white.” "There are things that happen in our lives where that money may come in handy, whether it is part of that money, or 20 per cent of that money, just to keep us afloat," she said. "And especially in the next two years, if we are going into recession, if there are guys out there who can dig in to make sure we can keep the roof over their head, to continue to pay their house rates, we have to be a bit more flexible than that when we are going through tough times." Image credit: Getty

Retirement Life

More than a story of treasures: revisiting Tutankhamun’s tomb 100 years after its discovery

On November 4 1922, a young Egyptian “water boy” on an archaeological dig is said to have accidentally stumbled on a stone that turned out to be the top of a flight of steps cut into the limestone bedrock. The stairs led to one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries in history and the only almost intact funerary assemblage of a pharaoh – the Tutankhamun’s tomb. A century after this discovery, it’s worth revisiting the story of Tutankhamun’s tomb and how it eventually became a symbol for Egyptian nationalism. <h2>The ‘child king’</h2> <a href="https://egyptianmuseum.org/explore/new-kingdom-ruler-tutankhamun">Tutankhamun</a> is often referred to as a “child king” and the “most famous and least important” of the pharaohs; he was almost unknown to history before the tomb’s discovery. The son of one of the most controversial pharaohs in history – the champion of monotheism, <a href="https://www.arce.org/resource/akhenaten-mysteries-religious-revolution">Akhenaten</a> – Tutankhamun ascended the throne around age six or so. After a rather uneventful reign of restoring temples and bringing Egypt out from a period of political and religious turmoil, he died sometime between the age of 17 and 19. The discovery of his tomb full of magnificent and unique objects is more than a story of treasures. This is also a tale of the “roaring 20s” in the Middle Eastern version: a story of a quintessential embrace of class, privilege and colonialism juxtaposed against struggle for political freedom and building of new national identity. Archaeology 100 years ago was <a href="https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/tutankhamun-excavating-the-archive">very different</a>. None of the three male protagonists behind the discovery – Howard Carter (the lead British excavator), Lord Carnarvon (the man behind the money), and Ahmed Gerigar (the Egyptian foreman) – were formally trained as archaeologists. Despite this, Carter is now almost always referred to as an archaeologist, but Gerigar <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/remembering-unsung-egyptians-who-helped-find-king-tut-tomb-180980074/">almost never is</a> – further entrenching colonial narratives. But Carter’s three-decade-long excavation experience, draughtsman’s talent and his meticulousness, allied with the photographic aptitude of <a href="http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/discoveringtut/burton5/burtoncolour.html">Harry Burton of Metropolitan Museum</a> and the skills of the Egyptian excavators assured Tutenkhamun’s tomb – the only discovery of its type and arguably one of the most important archaeological finds ever – was recorded in a systematic and “modern” way. <h2>The painter who became an archaeologist</h2> Howard Carter was a young painter who fell in love with Egyptian antiquities while following his father, also a painter, into the houses of London’s elite to add drawings of pets to his father’s portraits. In 1891, age 17, Carter was recommended as an illustrator to archaeologist Percy Newberry, and joined him at a dig in Egypt at <a href="https://benihassan.com/">Beni Hassan tombs</a>. From this first trip to his death in 1939, Carter spent his life mostly in Egypt with short trips back to London to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/aug/13/howard-carter-stole-tutankhamuns-treasure-new-evidence-suggests">deal in antiquities</a>, including those allegedly stolen from Tutankhamun’s tomb. After Beni Hassan, Carter became an illustrator for one of the fathers of Egyptology, William Flinders Petrie in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarna">Tell el-Amarna</a>, the capital of Tut’s father Akhenaten. Carter then worked in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_el-Bahari">Deir el-Bahari</a>, the funerary temple of queen pharaoh Hatshepsut, located right on the other side of the limestone ravine known as the Valley of the Kings. It is here, on the western bank of the Nile I also trace some of my humble early experiences in Egyptology. Walking at dawn from our base at the Metropolitan Museum house in Deir, which Carter frequented, to the temple, I followed in his footsteps and mused on how lucky he was when the “water boy” stumbled upon a staircase to the tomb. That year, 1922, was supposed to be the last season after seven fruitless years of digging in the Valley in search of Tutankhamun’s elusive resting place. After clearing the staircase, Carter found the doorway sealed with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartouche">cartouches</a> – the hieroglyphs which enclose a royal name. He ordered the staircase to be refilled, and sent a telegram to Carnarvon, who arrived from England two-and-a-half weeks later. On November 26 Carter made a “tiny breach in the top left-hand corner” of the doorway. Carnarvon asked, “Can you see anything?” and Carter <a href="https://museum.wa.gov.au/whats-on/tutankhamun-wonderful-things/">replied</a> with his famous line: “Yes, wonderful things!” Across 3,000 years, about 300 pharaohs ruled ancient Egypt. All royal tombs had been broken into by thieves. The spectacular find of Tut’s tomb was also not a fully intact discovery. The tomb had been looted twice in antiquity, and Carter estimated that a considerable amount of jewellery was stolen. But it is the only surviving almost complete funerary assemblage. Consisting of over 5,000 objects, only <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/tutankhamun/id463700741?i=1000460805430">30%</a> have been studied so far. <h2>A story of its time</h2> Following <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unilateral_Declaration_of_Egyptian_Independence">Egyptian independence</a> on February 28 1922 and the establishment of an independent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Egypt">Kingdom of Egypt</a>, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb became an optimistic symbol for Egyptian nationalists. After the initial documentation, the official opening of the tomb in early 1924 coincided with the inauguration of Egypt’s first elected parliament. Despite the new independence, colonial attitudes continued. Lord Carnarvon sold the rights to the story of the discovery of Tut’s tomb to the London Times for a significant sum. Given the delay of a couple of weeks with sending photos on the ship from Cairo to London, Egyptian newspapers and readers were only able to follow the unfolding discovery from reading delayed British press. This caused a lot of resentment among the newly independent Egyptians, especially the middle classes. Nevertheless, the discovery was very significant for nation building and new national post-colonial identity. Taha Hussein, a notable Egyptian philosopher of the time, coined a notion of “<a href="https://raseef22.net/article/1074731-are-we-arabs-pharaohs-phoenicians-or-assssyrians-a-question-raised-since-1933-by">pharaonism</a>”. This unified national identity was supposed to transcend religious and ethnic differences between Arab, Muslim, Coptic and Jewish Egyptians. It remains a tool of propaganda to this day – notably with a parade of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56508475">22 mummies moving to a new national museum</a> and a lavish re-opening of the <a href="https://grandegyptianmuseum.org/">Grand Egyptian Museum</a> soon, where much of the treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb can be found today. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-a-story-of-treasures-revisiting-tutankhamuns-tomb-100-years-after-its-discovery-193293" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

Jim Chalmers confronted by struggling pensioner over the cost of living crisis

A struggling pensioner with just $20 in her bank account has quizzed treasurer Jim Chalmers on what essentials she should be forced to give up in order to keep up with the surge in cost of living prices. The Treasurer appeared on ABC's Q+A on Thursday night for a post-budget breakdown, when Fiona got her chance to ask him a question. “With non-discretionary items rising faster than CPI indexation, welfare recipients like myself are meant to be grateful for (the rise to indexation). What essentials should I be cutting from my budget?” she said. Age, Carer and Disability Support Pensioners will receive a rise of $38.90 a fortnight for singles and $58.80 for couples as part of routine indexation, but Fiona said it was still not enough. “It’s all falling behind, I’m playing catch up,” she said. Her desperate plea left Chalmers struggling to offer her any hope, as he warned inflation would continue to rise, forcing the government to make difficult decisions. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Jim Chalmers spruiked the simplicity of his first budget, but as the price of items rises faster than the rate of welfare - is it really ‘bread and butter’ for struggling households? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://t.co/p0eECVajlR">pic.twitter.com/p0eECVajlR</a> — QandA (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/1588105528353296384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2022</a></blockquote> “The best thing we can do is try and address inflation. That’s what the budget was about,” he said. <div id="indie-campaign-DifJheZrCrms7j4pmefw-0" data-campaign-name="NCA FINANCE Cashed Up Newsletter OneClick SignUp" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="TSN-268" data-from="1645448400000" data-to="1680181200000"></div> “But I don’t want to pretend to Fiona or to anyone in Fiona’s position that the budget nine nights ago fixed all of these challenges. " “I do need to be upfront with all of you about the nature of this challenge that we are confronting right now." And our best contribution to this problem is being restrained in our spending.” Dr Chalmers was called up by host Stan Grant, who said Fiona’s question had been more about hard decisions she was having to make. For example, she said she had to make the choice to go for an eye scan rather than go to a doctors appointment because her GP no longer bulk bills. Dr Chalmers was unable to give Fiona a straight answer, rather saying he understood how difficult it was for people in a similar position. “The cost of living is going through the roof, and that has a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable amongst us, and we understand that,” Dr Chalmers said. “My responsibility to you, Fiona, and to the whole country, is to try and take the right economic decisions, to make sure we are not making inflation worse.” “The main thing I can do here – the worst thing that could happen for Fiona and for people around Australia – is if we let this inflation get out of control … That’s what I’m trying to avoid.” Image credits: Q+A / Getty Images

Retirement Income

What can we expect from the incoming budget?

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is due to hand down his first budget on Tuesday night, but “pre-budget” announcements have shed some light on what we can expect. The budget hand down will see Mr Chalmers explain how the global economy has deteriorated over this past year. He has said it will probably be necessary to spend more money than the government will raise in taxes over the next couple years, making it a budget “deficit”. While Mr Chalmers has spent the last few months lowering expectations in the lead-up to the reveal of the numbers in this budget, here is what we know about some of the major areas that will be affected. Parental Leave Australia’s current 20 weeks of paid parental leave will be extended to 26 weeks - but it won’t happen overnight. The Labor government plans to stagger the increase, adding two weeks to the program every year. The current scheme sees the primary caregiver receive 18 weeks of leave paid at the minimum wage, with two additional weeks for the partner. In July 2024, 2025, and 2026, another two weeks will be added to the program, bringing it up to a maximum of 26 weeks (or six months) of paid parental leave. The leave will also be more flexible, with parents able to split the leave more equitably or claimed in its entirety by single parents. Childcare With Labor promising to make childcare cheaper during the last election, the new government will be increasing the childcare subsidy in this budget. Legislation has already been introduced to parliament to increase the subsidy for early childhood education for 90 percent of families earning $80,000 or less a year. For every $5,000 families earn over $80,000 up to $530,000 a year, the subsidy will decrease by one percentage point. The new subsidy is due to commence from July 2023 and is expected to cost $5.1 billion over the next four years. A 12-month inquiry into rising childcare costs by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also been announced, with the inquiry said to cost $10.8 million. Aged Care and Health In the wake of the royal commission into aged care, the government has introduced legislation to parliament to reform the sector, with an expected cost of $2.5 billion. Recommendations made by the commission are also set to be adopted, including raising the standard of care, ensuring aged care homes have a registered nurse on-site 24/7, and increasing the transparency of the sector and its funding. The government has also promised to increase wages for aged care workers, but have yet to disclose a figure. New commitments to subsidise medicine and spend more on Medicare will also feature in this budget, with Health Minister Mark Butler saying that $9.9 billion would be invested in these measures. Tax Cuts While there have been no changes to the controversial stage three tax cuts in this budget, it has been announced that the Albanese government won’t be extending the low-and-medium income tax offset (LMITO) after it expired on June 30. As a result, tax returns for the 2021-22 financial year will be the last where Australians earning under $126,000 will receive a tax offset of up to $1500. Electric cars are in, fuel excise is out The six-month fuel excise introduced by the Morrison government, which saw petrol prices drop by over 20 cents a litre, won’t be extended after it ended in September. But, legislation has been introduced to make electric cars cheaper, such as removing fringe benefits tax and import tariffs from eligible electric vehicles. It is hoped the changes will make electric vehicles more affordable, encourage their take-up and help the Albanese government meet its emissions targets. NBN Another of Labor’s election promises, the government will be injecting the National Broadband Network (NBN) with a $2.4 billion equity investment over the next four years. The government has said the investment will give 1.5 million homes and businesses the option to upgrade to faster fibre broadband access by 2025. Wellbeing and climate change In a first for Australia, the budget will dedicate a chapter to wellbeing, including outlining how the government plans to measure wellbeing going forward. For the first time since the Abbott government, the Treasury has also been asked to model the impact of climate change on the economy in this year’s budget. Legislation has been introduced for a disaster ready fund intended to help fund projects that mitigate and prepare for climate change. This will provide up to $200 million a year for projects such as flood levees, cyclone shelters, fire breaks and evacuation centres. General expectations Mr Chalmers has shared some predictions for what will happen over the next few years in relation to food costs, inflation and unemployment. The Treasurer said it’s expected that the price of food will increase significantly later this year due to the floods across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. He said Treasury officials think annual inflation will peak at around 7.75 percent at the end of this year before declining in mid-2023, while unemployment will likely rise from its current 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent in 2023-24. Image: Jim Chalmers MP (Facebook)

Money & Banking

Small group of Aussies set to be $9000 better off

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to hand down his Labor government's first federal budget on October 25th, in the face of soaring inflation and an ongoing cost of living crisis. Despite the cost of groceries continuing to rise in the wake of the devastating floods, treasurer Jim Chalmers is warning Australians to brace for spending cuts and limited cost-of-living relief. While most Aussies are battling day to day with the reality of inflation and a dark outlook for the global economy, Labor has refused to cancel the former government’s stage three tax cuts – meaning some 600,000 high-income earners will be better off by up to $9075 per year when the changes come into effect in 2024-25. “There will be a substantial impact on the cost of living [from the floods], there will be a substantial impact on the budget and there’s no pretending otherwise,” Dr Chalmers told the Nine’s Today on Tuesday. “We don’t yet know what the full impact will be on the cost of living, we don’t yet know how many billions of dollars this flood and its recovery will cost. What we don’t want to do, and we’ve seen this overseas, is provide cost-of-living relief in a way that just creates more inflation and pushes interest rates up higher than they would otherwise be.” Chalmers then referenced the UK, where Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng’s tax-cutting mini-budget last month caused chaos in money markets and brought the country’s pensions schemes to the brink of implosion, while the cost of the Great British Pound tanked around the world. “The UK government itself is recognising that perhaps they got this balance wrong and they’re trying to recalibrate their settings,” he said. “That is an important lesson for all of us. What we’ve tried to do is make sure that the cost-of-living relief that we give doesn’t make the job of the Reserve Bank harder.” Labor has warned of a tough budget as global recession fears continue to loom, with Chalmers saying, “It won’t be fancy. It won’t be flashy. It will be responsible. It will be solid.” Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Treasuring the Queen's final official photo

Just days before her death, Queen Elizabeth was seen in what was her final official engagement. The monarch met with Britain's new prime minister, Liz Truss, at a ceremony inside the green-carpeted room at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Due to the Queen's ongoing health issues, the appointment of the new PM broke with tradition by taking place in Scotland, rather than in Buckingham Palace. The monarch was supported by her walking cane as she invited Truss, Her Majesty's 15th prime minister in her 70-year-reign, to form a new government. During the Queen's final official act before her death, she looked lively and happy as she smiled for photos and shook the hand of the new prime minister. Despite her positive demeanour, people were quick to spot the large bruise on the Queen's hand, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/worrying-photo-sparks-fresh-concerns-for-queen-elizabeth-s-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reigniting concerns</a> about the monarch's health. ITV's royal editor Chris Ship said the bruising was a sign of changing times in the Queen's advancing years. "I'm no medic but it could be some form of cannula that the Queen's had, we are guessing," Ship told Today. "Buckingham Palace never tells us about her ongoing medical conditions. She's 96 years old. A frail lady, let's be clear. And queen of advancing age." Just days later, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-at-96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully</a> at the age of 96. The monarch was under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health but unfortunately died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8th at 8:30pm local time (3:30am AEDT). “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” The Royal Family tweeted. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” The public was notified of her death through the traditional form of a formal message placed on an easel on the railings outside the Palace. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

New Treasurer claims ScoMo left economy in "a mess"

New Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers has claimed Scott Morrison left Australia's economy in "a mess", and warned Aussies of a "serious economic challenges" ahead. At a press conference on Wednesday, Chalmers told the media that inflation and interest rates were higher since the end of March, petrol prices were up 12 per cent since the end of April, and wholesale electricity and gas prices were also significantly higher under the Morrison government. “We do have labour shortages and we do still have Covid absenteeism, and the international environment has become more challenging as well,” he told reporters. “There is no point tiptoeing around these serious economic challenges. There is no point mincing words about the sorts of conditions that we have inherited." “We have inherited high and rising inflation and rising interest rates, we’ve inherited falling real wages and we’ve inherited $1 trillion in debt.” He went on to say that the economy forecast was weaker in March than the Morrison government claimed at election time, while saying, “Consumption, dwelling investment, new business investment, exports and nominal GDP were all weaker in the March quarter than was anticipated by our predecessors.” “These national accounts are a glimpse of the mess that the former government left behind for us to clean up." “Obviously, we want the economy to recover strongly. Obviously, we want household consumption and other key elements of the national accounts to be as strong as possible. “But even when, on the surface, they might look stronger than they have been during the worst of Covid, they are still short of what the government was hoping for.” In relation to growing energy costs, Chalmers said there was a "perfect storm" of challenges facing the energy market. “These are the costs and consequences of almost a decade now of a government with 22 different energy policies failing to land the necessary certainty to improve the resilience of our energy markets,” he said. “This is the chickens coming home to roost when it comes to almost a decade now on climate change and energy policy failure from our predecessors." The Albanese government has been passionate about their climate change policy, with a strong goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Despite the government's passion for energy reform, financial experts have warned that growing oil and gas prices could plunge Australia into a recession before Christmas if radical change isn't made sooner rather than later. Chalmers also said that workers on a minimum wage should not be further disadvantaged through the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Minimum wage workers were in many cases the heroes of the pandemic. They shouldn’t be going backwards in this cost of living crisis,” he said. Although Labor are dedicated to reducing the cost of living, The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said global events – including the rolling conflict in Ukraine – would continue to impact the Australian economy in the months ahead. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Beloved music treasure Marcia Hines to hit the stage

Former Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines is set to hit the stage to perform music which shaped her into the woman she is today. The beloved musical treasure will “bare her soul” at St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney alongside a 12-member choir and live band in an intimate and exalting live concert. The concert will be held on two nights - June 9 and 10 - during Sydney’s fantastic light show, Vivid. Marcia is excited to share a part of her soul during her upbringing in America as a black child. "The word that comes to mind is joy. And I often listen to a lot of the Baptist Church music that comes out of America – it's praise, it's joy and it's so nice to listen to. I personally find it uplifting," she told <a href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/marcia-hines-vivid-sydney-festival-gospel-music-live-performance-concert-exclusive-interview/95b86f1c-cb26-4462-946a-1a55351a0c7d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a>. "It's a new venture for me doing the gospel music. I was brought up in church, like most black kids in America, and it was a very large part of my upbringing." The singer has her blind aunt Florence James to thank, who she accompanied every Sunday to the church from the mere age of 10. The four churches they frequented were in Boston’s inner city, which aunt Florence led the choirs for and congregations. Through aunt Florence’s guidance, Maricia was able to travel to Australia where she became a sensation. "Luckily, when the opportunity came to come to Australia, [Australian producer] Harry M. Miller kind of took me under his wing and got me to do Jesus Christ Superstar. So I was the first black Mary Magdalene in the world to do the role," she told the publication. "I had this incredible influx of good people around me. I travelled and performed around the world with an incredibly big band and things like that. I've had success in Europe, which has been fantastic. But basically, when you've got work, you stay where you are." Marcia’s rise to popularity saw her become a judge on the popular talent show Australian Idol for a total of seven years from 2003. She was also inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007 and she received the Order of Australia in 2009. Click <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/event/music/the-gospel-according-to-marcia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to purchase tickets to see Marcia Hines live. Images: Instagram

Music

Child actor from Liar Liar all grown up

The child actor who starred in Liar Liar alongside Hollywood star Jim Carrey has completely grown up. Well, obviously, that’s what happens to humans. Justin Cooper played the role of Max Reede, the child whose birthday wish was that his father, Fletcher (Carrey), would not be able to lie for 24 hours. The 1997 film was an absolute box office smash, and while Cooper went on to star in other shows and movies, he has since left showbiz behind completely. The 33-year-old is currently an Executive Producer for FoxSports Radio. As one ages, their style changes too – and that’s certainly what happened in Cooper’s case. The adorable haircut he had in the film has disappeared to one of a grown up man, teamed with a beard and glasses. Is this what success looks like? Before quitting the big and small screen industry, Cooper went on to star in Full House, General Hospital, The Magnificent Seven, Dennis 2: Dennis Strikes Again, Brother’s Keeper, All About Us and The Practice. Images: YouTube and Twitter

Movies

One Nation treasurer arrested

A senior member of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has been charged with fraud. The party's national executive treasurer Alexander Jones was arrested on Wednesday following raids on his Brisbane home and the party's Queensland office. The 22-year-old financial administrator was found out following a complaint from the Electoral Commission of Queensland ion January, prompting an investigation from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Finance and Cyber Crime Group. In a text message meant for the One Nation treasurer, Senator Malcolm Roberts said, "Hang in there, Alex," before signing his name and mistakenly sending the text to a journalist from the Brisbane Times. Police allege that Mr Jones submitted fraudulent documentation to a 2020 election funding application worth $24,000. “Police will allege the man, a financial administrator for a political party, submitted fraudulent documentation relating to a 2020 election funding application for $24,000,” a police statement said. Alexander Jones was charged with two counts of utter forged documents, one count of fraud and one count of forgery. He is set to appear in a Brisbane court on February 4th. Image credits: Getty Images

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Incredible treasure trove of unseen royal images

Nat Barr quizzes Jim Chalmers over one major budget flaw