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It’s official – cats despise your music collection

To the long list of things your cat despises about you, you can now add your music collection. <a href="http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591(15)00060-X/abstract?con&dom=pscau&src=syndication" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scientists in the United States have discovered</a> there is a feline preference for “species-appropriate” music – purring tempos and sliding wails are the things that soothe the average cat. Two psychologists, Charles Snowdon and Megan Savage, and a composer, David Teie, teamed up for the project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They created three purpose-written melodies and tested them out on a group of 47 domestic cats, also compared in “human” music by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Gabriel Fauré. The cats showed trademark disdain for the great composers but when “their” tunes came on they reacted positively rubbing the speakers with their faces. “We looked at the natural vocalisations of cats and matched our music to the same frequency range, which is about an octave or more higher than human voices,” says Snowdon. “We incorporated tempos that we thought cats would find interesting – the tempo of purring in one piece and the tempo of suckling in another – and since cats use lots of sliding frequencies in their calls, the cat music had many more sliding notes than the human music.” The same team of researchers has done this sort of thing before. In 2009, they showed tamarin monkeys ignored human music but were calmed by music tailored for them. They say that the finding could provide a way to soothe the nerves of animals in zoos and other forms of captivity. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/its-official-cats-despise-your-music-collection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Bill Condie.

Music

Nespresso launches limited-edition festive collection

Nespresso and world-renowned pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé are thrilled to join forces and announce a limited-edition capsule collection to kick off the festive season. The exclusive coffees and accessories are a celebration of refined tastes and indulgence, representing the best when it comes to tasting pleasures. The limited-edition collaboration builds upon Pierre Hermé’s extensive background as an expert of flavour, bringing to life a collection that focuses on shared moments with friends and family over the festive period. Of all the festive scenes in the world, Parisian design and culinary science is the pinnacle - the lights, the Christmas markets, the extravagant art, the city’s infectious energy - all these make Paris during Christmas a dream. Australians have long looked to Europe for inspiration when it comes to Christmas and with this new collection, Aussies will have the chance to experience Parisian finesse without leaving the country. From the creator of the Haute Pâtisserie, Pierre Hermé’s pastries are at the apex of avant-garde design, skilled technique and refined flavours. Decades of experience beginning with an apprenticeship at age 14 for Gaston Lenôtre, widely considered the father of modern pastry, led to Pierre Hermé being crowned the prestigious title of World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2016. With namesake boutiques and cafés all over the globe, Pierre Hermé’s creativity and sophistication in gastronomy is unparalleled. His unmistakably modern imagination pairs with technique to craft the ultimate coffee for the most discerning of palates – foodies will delight in the complex flavours while rejoicing in the ease of use, all from the comfort of home. If you're a devote Nespresso fan make sure you pick up the limited edition advent calendar. Containing 24 coffees and a surprise gift for the last day. The coffees are a mix of favourites from Nespresso’s permanent range and Pierre Hermé’s co-created limited edition collection. All presented in an exquisite box designed to be reused afterwards. In addition to the limited edition coffee pods, Nespresso have come out with three limited edition coffee machines including: <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/Coffee-machines-new.jpg" alt="" width="835" height="414" /> The Nespresso | The Pierre Hermé collection is available now in Nespresso boutiques worldwide and online. As with all shared moments, the collection is available for a limited time only and while supplies last. You can check out the beautiful new collection here: Images: Supplied

Food & Wine

This law makes it illegal for companies to collect third-party data to profile you but they do anyway

A little-known provision of the Privacy Act makes it illegal for many companies in Australia to buy or exchange consumers’ personal data for profiling or targeting purposes. It’s almost never enforced. In a published <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4224653" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research paper</a>, I argue that needs to change. “Data enrichment” is the intrusive practice of companies going behind our backs to “fill in the gaps” of the information we provide. When you purchase a product or service from a company, fill out an online form, or sign up for a newsletter, you might provide only the necessary data such as your name, email, delivery address and/or payment information. That company may then turn to other retailers or <a href="https://www.oracle.com/au/cx/advertising/data-enrichment-measurement/#data-enrichment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data brokers</a> to purchase or exchange extra data about you. This could include your age, family, health, habits and more. This allows them to build a more detailed individual profile on you, which helps them predict your behaviour and more precisely target you with ads. For almost ten years, there has been a law in Australia that makes this kind of data enrichment illegal if a company can “reasonably and practicably” request that information directly from the consumer. And at least <a href="https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/privacy-act-review-discussion-paper/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=60&uuId=926016195" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one major data broker</a> has asked the government to “remove” this law. The burning question is: why is there not a single published case of this law being enforced against companies “enriching” customer data for profiling and targeting purposes? <h2>Data collection ‘only from the individual’</h2> The relevant law is Australian Privacy Principle 3.6 and is part of the federal <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022C00199" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Privacy Act</a>. It applies to most organisations that operate businesses with annual revenues higher than A$3 million, and smaller data businesses. The law says such organisations: <blockquote> must collect personal information about an individual only from the individual […] unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so. </blockquote> This “direct collection rule” protects individuals’ privacy by allowing them some control over information collected about them, and avoiding a combination of data sources that could reveal sensitive information about their vulnerabilities. But this rule has received almost no attention. There’s only one published determination of the federal privacy regulator on it, and that was against the <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/AICmr/2020/69.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Defence Force</a> in a different context. According to Australian Privacy Principle 3.6, it’s only legal for an organisation to collect personal information from a third party if it would be “unreasonable or impracticable” to collect that information from the individual alone. This exception was intended to apply to <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-3-app-3-collection-of-solicited-personal-information#collecting-directly-from-the-individual" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limited situations</a>, such as when: <ul> <li>the individual is being investigated for some wrongdoing</li> <li>the individual’s address needs to be updated for delivery of legal or official documents.</li> </ul> The exception shouldn’t apply simply because a company wants to collect extra information for profiling and targeting, but realises the customer would probably refuse to provide it. <h2>Who’s bypassing customers for third-party data?</h2> Aside from data brokers, companies also exchange information with each other about their respective customers to get extra information on customers’ lives. This is often referred to as “data matching” or “data partnerships”. Companies tend to be very vague about who they share information with, and who they get information from. So we don’t know for certain who’s buying data-enrichment services from data brokers, or “matching” customer data. Major companies such as <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202075050&ref_=footer_iba" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-privacy-notice-privacy-policy?id=4260&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=705-53470-19255-0&campid=5337590774&customid=&toolid=10001#section4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eBay Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/?subpage=1.subpage.4-InformationFromPartnersVendors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meta</a> (Facebook), <a href="https://www.viacomcbsprivacy.com/en/policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10Play Viacom</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/en/privacy#twitter-privacy-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> include terms in the fine print of their privacy policies that state they collect personal information from third parties, including demographic details and/or interests. <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US#infocollect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google</a>, <a href="https://preferences.news.com.au/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News Corp</a>, <a href="https://www.sevenwestmedia.com.au/privacy-policies/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seven</a>, <a href="https://login.nine.com.au/privacy?client_id=smh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine</a> and others also say they collect personal information from third parties, but are more vague about the nature of that information. These privacy policies don’t explain why it would be unreasonable or impracticable to collect that information directly from customers. <h2>Consumer ‘consent’ is not an exception</h2> Some companies may try to justify going behind customers’ backs to collect data because there’s an obscure term in their privacy policy that mentions they collect personal information from third parties. Or because the company disclosing the data has a privacy policy term about sharing data with “trusted data partners”. But even if this amounts to consumer “consent” under the relatively weak standards for consent in our current privacy law, this is not an exception to the direct collection rule. The law allows a “consent” exception for government agencies under a separate part of the direct collection rule, but not for private organisations. <h2>Data enrichment involves personal information</h2> Many companies with third-party data collection terms in their privacy policies acknowledge this is personal information. But some may argue the collected data isn’t “personal information” under the Privacy Act, so the direct collection rule doesn’t apply. Companies often exchange information about an individual without using the individual’s legal name or email. Instead they may use a unique advertising identifier for that individual, or <a href="https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/4402890310671" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“hash” the email address</a> to turn it into a unique string of numbers and letters. They essentially allocate a “code name” to the consumer. So the companies can exchange information that can be linked to the individual, yet say this information wasn’t connected to their actual name or email. However, this information should still be treated as personal information because it can be linked back to the individual when combined with other <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2017/4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">information about them</a>. <h2>At least one major data broker is against it</h2> Data broker <a href="https://www.experian.com.au/business/solutions/audience-targeting/digital-solutions-sell-side/digital-audiences-ss" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Experian Australia</a> has asked the government to “remove” Australian Privacy Principle 3.6 “altogether”. In its <a href="https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/privacy-act-review-discussion-paper/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=60&uuId=926016195" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submission</a> to the Privacy Act Review in January, Experian argued: <blockquote> It is outdated and does not fit well with modern data uses. </blockquote> Others who profit from data enrichment or data matching would probably agree, but prefer to let sleeping dogs lie. Experian argued the law favours large companies with direct access to lots of customers and opportunities to pool data collected from across their own corporate group. It said companies with access to fewer consumers and less data would be disadvantaged if they can’t purchase data from brokers. But the fact that some digital platforms impose extensive personal data collection on customers supports the case for stronger privacy laws. It doesn’t mean there should be a data free-for-all. <h2>Our privacy regulator should take action</h2> It has been three years since the consumer watchdog recommended <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Digital%20platforms%20inquiry%20-%20final%20report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">major reforms</a> to our privacy laws to reduce the disadvantages consumers suffer from invasive data practices. These reforms are probably still years away, if they eventuate at all. The direct collection rule is a very rare thing. It is an existing Australian privacy law that favours consumers. The privacy regulator should prioritise the enforcement of this law for the benefit of consumers. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/this-law-makes-it-illegal-for-companies-to-collect-third-party-data-to-profile-you-but-they-do-anyway-190758" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Even if TikTok and other apps are collecting your data, what are the actual consequences?

By now, most of us are aware social media companies collect vast amounts of our information. By doing this, they can target us with ads and monetise our attention. The latest chapter in the data-privacy debate concerns one of the world’s most popular apps among young people – TikTok. Yet anecdotally it seems the potential risks aren’t really something young people care about. Some were <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1548962230741487617">interviewed</a> by The Project this week regarding the risk of their TikTok data being accessed from China. They said it wouldn’t stop them using the app. “Everyone at the moment has access to everything,” one person said. Another said they didn’t “have much to hide from the Chinese government”. Are these fair assessments? Or should Australians actually be worried about yet another social media company taking their data? What’s happening with TikTok? In a 2020 Australian parliamentary hearing on foreign interference through social media, TikTok representatives <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=committees/commsen/1a5e6393-fec4-4222-945b-859e3f8ebd17/&sid=0002">stressed</a>: “TikTok Australia data is stored in the US and Singapore, and the security and privacy of this data are our highest priority.” But as Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) analyst Fergus Ryan has <a href="https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-time-tiktok-australia-came-clean/">observed</a>, it’s not about where the data are stored, but who has access. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 'Where the data is stored is really immaterial if the data can be accessed from Beijing at any point, and that's what we have known for a couple of years' | <a href="https://twitter.com/ASPI_ICPC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASPI_ICPC</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/fryan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fryan</a> spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/abcnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abcnews</a> about Tik Tok & data security 📺 Watch the interview: <a href="https://t.co/iKIXqj2Rt2">https://t.co/iKIXqj2Rt2</a> — ASPI (@ASPI_org) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASPI_org/status/1549185634837102592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2022</a></blockquote> On June 17, BuzzFeed published a <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access">report</a> based on 80 leaked internal TikTok meetings which seemed to confirm access to US TikTok data by Chinese actors. The report refers to multiple examples of data access by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, which is based in China. Then in July, TikTok Australia’s director of public policy, Brent Thomas, wrote to the shadow minister for cyber security, James Paterson, regarding China’s access to Australian user data. Thomas denied having been asked for data from China or having “given data to the Chinese government” – but he also noted access is “based on the need to access data”. So there’s good reason to believe Australian users’ data may be accessed from China. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> TikTok Australia has replied to my letter and admitted that Australian user data is also accessible in mainland China, putting it within reach of the Chinese government, despite their previous assurances it was safe because it was stored in the US and Singapore <a href="https://t.co/ITY1HNEo6v">pic.twitter.com/ITY1HNEo6v</a> — James Paterson (@SenPaterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenPaterson/status/1546957121274621952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> Is TikTok worse than other platforms? TikTok collects rich consumer information, including personal information and behavioural data from people’s activity on the app. In this respect, it’s not different from other social media companies. They all need oceans of user data to push ads onto us, and run data analytics behind a shiny facade of cute cats and trendy dances. However, TikTok’s corporate roots extend to authoritarian China – and not the US, where most of our other social media come from. This carries implications for TikTok users. Hypothetically, since TikTok moderates content according to Beijing’s foreign policy goals, it’s possible TikTok could apply censorship controls over Australian users. This means users’ feeds would be filtered to omit anything that doesn’t fit the Chinese government’s agenda, such as support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, as an example. In “shadowbanning”, a user’s posts appear to have been published to the user themselves, but are not visible to anyone else. It’s worth noting this censorship risk isn’t hypothetical. In 2019, information about Hong Kong protests was reported to have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing">censored</a> not only on Douyin, China’s domestic version of TikTok, but also on TikTok itself. Then in 2020, ASPI <a href="https://www.aspi.org.au/report/tiktok-wechat">found</a> hashtags related to LGBTQ+ are suppressed in at least eight languages on TikTok. In response to ASPI’s research, a TikTok spokesperson said the hashtags may be restricted as part of the company’s localisation strategy and due to local laws. In Thailand, keywords such as #acab, #gayArab and anti-monarchy hashtags were found to be shadowbanned. Within China, Douyin complies with strict national content regulation. This includes censoring information about the religious movement Falun Gong and the Tiananmen massacre, among other examples. The legal environment in China forces Chinese internet product and service providers to work with government authorities. If Chinese companies disagree, or are unaware of their obligations, they can be slapped with legal and/or financial penalties and be forcefully shut down. In 2012, another social media product run by the founder of ByteDance, Yiming Zhang, was forced to close. Zhang fell into political line in a <a href="https://chinamediaproject.org/2018/04/11/tech-shame-in-the-new-era/">public apology</a>. He acknowledged the platform deviated from “public opinion guidance” by not moderating content that goes against “socialist core values”. Individual TikTok users should seriously consider leaving the app until issues of global censorship are clearly addressed. But don’t forget, it’s not just TikTok Meta products, such as Facebook and Instagram, also measure our interests by the seconds we spend looking at certain posts. They aggregate those behavioural data with our personal information to try to keep us hooked – looking at ads for as long as possible. <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/holding-facebook-accountable-for-digital-redlining">Some real cases</a> of targeted advertising on social media have contributed to “digital redlining” – the use of technology to perpetuate social discrimination. In 2018, Facebook came under fire for showing some employment ads only to men. In 2019, it settled another digital redlining <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/28/facebook-ads-housing-discrimination-charges-us-government-hud">case</a> over discriminatory practices in which housing ads were targeted to certain users on the basis of “race, colour, national origin and religion”. And in 2021, before the US Capitol breach, military and defence product ads <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/facebook-profits-military-gear-ads-capitol-riot">were running</a> alongside conversations about a coup. Then there are some worst-case scenarios. The 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html">revealed</a> how Meta (then Facebook) exposed users’ data to the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica without their consent. Cambridge Analytica harvested up to 87 million users’ data from Facebook, derived psychological user profiles and used these to tailor pro-Trump messaging to them. This likely had an influence on the 2016 US presidential election. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="A phone shows a TikTok video playing on the screen, with a person mid-dance." /></a><figcaption>To what extent are we willing to ignore potential risks with social platforms, in favour of addictive content? Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> With TikTok, the most immediate concern for the average Australian user is content censorship – not direct prosecution. But within China, there are recurring instances of Chinese nationals being <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3176605/crackdown-chinas-moderate-rights-voices-how-tweets-are-now">detained or even jailed</a> for using both Chinese and international social media. You can see how the consequences of mass data harvesting are not hypothetical. We need to demand more transparency from not just TikTok but all major social platforms regarding how data are used. Let’s continue the <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/tiktok-s-privacy-fundamentally-incompatible-with-australia-20220713-p5b18l">regulation debate</a> TikTok has accelerated. We should look to update privacy protections and embed transparency into Australia’s national regulatory guidelines – for whatever the next big social media app happens to be.<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/187277/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ausma-bernot-963292" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ausma Bernot</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Griffith University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/even-if-tiktok-and-other-apps-are-collecting-your-data-what-are-the-actual-consequences-187277" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Incredible collection of 200 "lost" Elvis Presley items up for auction

A stunning collection of lost jewellery and other memorabilia and items that Elvis Presley gave to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is going up for auction on August 27 with the backing of his ex-wife, Priscilla. Up to 200 items, including gold rings encrusted with jewels, cufflinks, watches and chains, have been brought together by GWS Auction. Also included is the V-2 guitar played by Presley during his famous 'comeback' TV special of 1968, which alone is listed at US$750,000. Presley's 9.81 carat-to-weight Diamond 'First' TCB ring – where "TCB" stands for "taking care of business"' a favourite expression of the music legend – is also listed for a minimal bid of US$500,000. His 18 karat lion ring, which Elvis wore in the documentary 'Elvis: That's The Way it Is' is for sale too for a minimal bid of US$25,000. Other accessories, including watches, rings and necklaces, are mostly listed between US$1,000 to US$10,000 per item. The King's “Heartbreak Hotel” original lyrics board is also for sale for a minimal bid of US$50,000. Other items in the auction include: The King's "Speedway" Racing Jumpsuit, listed for a minimal amount of US$20,000; his 1976 Harley Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide for US$100,000; his 1973 Lincoln Continental 'Last' Limo for an amount of US$50,000; and his personally owned jet purchased for his father, listed at US$100,000. Many of the jewellery pieces were provided by Priscilla, although she doesn't own them. The lost collection's total estimated value, as well as its current owner's identity, remain unknown and it is also unclear how the items were found. Priscilla has also said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them herself, including artefacts with the logo for TCB Band, the musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Presley's backing band in his later years. She also said she supported the auction in part because she was weary of seeing so many fake Elvis items for sale online. “There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me,” she said. “I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it.” The auction will be held in Los Angeles, California, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel starting at 10 pm on August 27. Image: Kruse GWS Auctions

Money & Banking

Platinum jubilee Barbie becomes a hot commodity

In what surely must be one of the most iconic collaborations of the modern era, a special limited-edition Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll has been released to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the beloved monarch. Not surprisingly – given how outrageously cute its hairstyle is – the diminutive doll has sold out in just three seconds upon release – and has now become the subject of many fierce bidding wars on eBay and other sites. UK department store John Lewis said its stock of the GBP95 ($A168) dolls sold out, seen as a key piece of royal memorabilia. The doll is now a highly sought-after collectable. The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll comes with an ivory gown and blue riband adorned with decorations of order. Her miniature tiara is based on Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara – famously worn by the Queen on her wedding day. Barbie’s manufacturer Mattel have hinted that more could be released before next month’s celebrations kick-off – an announcement that has caused quite a stir among fans. Stay tuned! Image: Mattel

Beauty & Style

Bob Dylan to publish essay collection in celebration of songwriting

Bob Dylan is set to release a celebratory essay collection, dedicated to the art of songwriting by peers such as Nina Simone, Hank Williams and Elvis Costello. The veteran artist began work on The Philosophy of Modern Song in 2010, which is set to contain over 60 essays in which the 80-year-old musician “analyses what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal.” According to publisher Simon & Schuster (S&S), the essays are described as “mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition.” Combined with nearly 150 “carefully curated photos as well as a series of dreamlike riffs”, the collection “resembles an epic poem,” said S&S. Jonathan Karp, president and chief executive of S&S, said in a statement, “The Philosophy of Modern Song could only have been written by Bob Dylan.” “His voice is unique, and his work conveys his deep appreciation and understanding of songs, the people who bring those songs to life, and what songs mean to all of us.” In 2016, Bob Dylan won the Nobel prize for literature, after his lyrics and previous published works have made a lasting impact on music fans and book lovers alike. The Philosophy of Modern Song is set to be published on November 8th, with an audiobook partially narrated by Bob Dylan in the works as well. Image credits: Getty Images

Music

How Dubai is building an art collection without buying any art

In recent years, Dubai has established a vibrant and unique local arts scene due to their position between Africa, Asia and Europe. These global cultural influences have seen a boom in the local artists showcasing their works in private galleries all through the capital of the UAE. Due to this increase of the art scene, the Dubai government is building its first institutional art collection from scratch with a very unique twist. Instead of purchasing art for the collections, Dubai will be borrowing pieces to showcase. The initiative was developed by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Art Dubai and will boast a unique digital museum that can be enjoyed by all, as well as annual physical exhibitions of carefully curated works. National art collections and museums were made popular during the 19th century in Europe and are typically built over a long period of time, but Dubai’s initiative aims to fast-track the process. The idea behind the initiative is to promote a collective culture and create a canon of art history that has not been available in the Middle East. A spokesperson for Art Dubai said this idea is the first of its kind, and is happy to rely on government funding to boost the arts industry. “Contributors are invited to lend their works to the Dubai Collection for a period of 10 years, while remaining legal owners of their pieces." So far, 87 works have been commissioned during the first curation process: most of them by Emirati artists or artists from the wider Arabic world. Part of the Dubai Collection initiative is a digital museum, which will allow more people to see the art, and will include educational materials. This easily accessible digital museum will encourage art lovers to engage with a collection of international pieces, with the aim of highlighting emerging artists and their important stories. Image credit: Shutterstock

Art

IKEA makes fashion waves with new collection

Ikea has already made a name kitting out our homes and now they’re expanding to our wardrobes. From Thursday, May 13, the Swedish furniture giant will offer its first-ever limited-edition fashion and accessories collection. Now you can show your love for Ikea through your everyday wear. The <a href="https://www.ikea.com/au/en/new/eftertraeda-limited-collection-puba4401ab0">EFTERTRÄDA collection</a> - with EFTERTRÄDA meaning ‘successor’ in Swedish - offers the same minimalist style as their home furnishings. The range features t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, keyrings, towels, and bottles that feature the iconic Ikea logo at centre stage. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COxNSSPJmmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COxNSSPJmmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by IKEA Australia (@ikea_australia)</a> </div> </blockquote> This isn’t the first time the retailer has made waves in the world of fashion. In 2017, Balenciaga made a $2,850 version of Ikea’s iconic blue shopping bag, and more recently the furniture giant turned their bags into bucket hats that sold out immediately in-store and online. “We’ve seen great excitement and demand for products like the KNORVA bucket hat, so we’re very excited to be able to offer a complete and full apparel and accessories line for Australians,” said Maria Langford, Ikea Australia’s business leader. Prices range from $3 to $39 and it’s likely that the collection won’t stay on shelves for long. To own a piece of Ikea history, head online or to your nearest store.

Beauty & Style

Bunnings launches LEGO-style collectables perfect for the grandkids

Bunnings have just announced their latest drop that is sure to give kids across Australia something to enjoy as the summer holidays come to an end. The mega warehouse store has just released a range of five “building blocks” toys for fans to collect. It is very similar to the Woolworths “Ooshie” campaign that took Australia by story, however the five Building Block collectibles have been designed to complete a Bunnings Black Warehouse. For the 168-piece scales-down model of the store, it retails for $30. However pint-sized DIY experts can recreate with just a few assembly blocks. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839471/bunnings-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/97931a12d91c403a815ef0a5056017b9" /> "Each add-on will be a replica of features you can easily spot inside a Bunnings Warehouse so that customers can collect and build some of their favourite in-store features," a Bunnings spokesperson said. A new mystery collectible items will be available with every Bunnings person from January 14 up until May. The first add-on feature includes Bunnings truck, which has been described as a replica of "the quiet hero, always ensuring the shelves are fully stocked with more than 40,000 products for customers to choose from." "This model truck always delivers and can be assembled using 117 durable building blocks. Wherever you live, this Bunnings Truck will transport you and your kids to a fun place, every single time you play with it." <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839472/bunnings.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f1911d73782340d6982b7a023026102e" /> Each item will cost $10, and is available storewide and online while stock lasts. WA restrictions have limited availability for Bunnings Building Block add-ons. It will be available in Armadale, Broome and Bunbury stores and through Click and Deliver online in WA only.

Home & Garden

Unhappy customer slams Coles over Click and Collect

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> A shopper in Canberra has been left furious over Coles Click and Collect during the coronavirus pandemic. She explained her situation on the supermarket's Facebook group, saying that previously she has been able to not have plastic bags included with her online shop. However, as coronavirus has taken over the globe, that option has been removed. She has questioned why she could not refuse the bags, especially with coronavirus cases at an all-time-low in NSW and the ACT. “I’ve been using your Click and Collect service in Canberra, and ALWAYS say no to the plastic bags,” she wrote. “Since Covid kicked off, however, I haven’t been given the option to say no to the bags. Given things are getting back to normal in the ACT, are you going to give us back the option to refuse the bags? I now have a pile of bags that I’ve paid for but never wanted in the first place. “I’m trying to reduce my plastic usage, not increase it.” Others were quick to say they think it's wasteful, saying that they have "kilos" of the bags. “I have kilos of them. To the point where I now have no option but to throw them out,” the customer commented. “What a waste of money." This isn't the first time Coles has had scandal over its use of plastic in online orders, with a woman in Melbourne complaining that one or two items were put in each bag. “It would be nice if there was a cardboard box option for delivery from Coles, even if it costs more they decompose and can be put in household recycling,” the woman said. </div> </div> </div>

Money & Banking

Woolworths launches new Disney-themed collectables

Parents and kids alike are going to be thrilled to know Woolworths is bringing back the wildly popular Ooshies collectables. The supermarket giant has partnered with Disney+ to keep kids entertained with their favourite Disney+ characters following the success of its Lion King Ooshies program last year. Shoppers will be able to get their hands on the adorable figurines which include characters such as Elsa, Woody, Captain Marvel and the Mandalorian, for every $30 they spend online or in store. The collection features nine Ooshies from each of the four Disney+ universes (Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar) with 36 to collect in total. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837391/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/db41d501ec534297b49b1b14e4295116" /> Because of the pandemic, people are currently spending more time at home which is why Woolworths chief marketing officer believes this is the perfect time for them to be entertained by their favourite Disney+ characters and programs. “We’re thrilled to offer a new level of excitement to customers with some of the most iconic characters in the Disney+ universe,” he said. “It’s been a difficult year as Australians navigate the challenges of the pandemic, so our goal by partnering with Disney once again is to bring more magic, surprise and delight to our customers.” Customers can drop their preloved Ooshies in store through TerraCycle, which will be turned into plastic pellets to help create products such as garden beds, decks and fences. Disney+ Ooshies will be available from August 26 in Woolworths supermarkets across Australia - excluding Victoria. “We know some customers in Victoria will be disappointed by the delayed roll out, but the safety and wellbeing of our customers, team members, and community remains our number one priority,” Mr Hicks said. “Once restrictions ease and we can safely roll out the program, we look forward to sharing the Disney magic with our Victorian customers.”

Food & Wine

Three lifelong friends collectively self-isolate together

<div class="body_text "> A trio of lifelong friends in the UK have decided to ride out the coronavirus pandemic in isolation together. Doreen Burns, Carol Spark and Dotty Robinson were interviewed on BBC Breakfast on Thursday to share details of their situation. Burns explained to BBC host Jayne McCubbin in a video chat that they had already spent a week apart in their own homes just to be sure that each person is “fit and well” before deciding whose home to live in. <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/videos/538215660140428/"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/videos/538215660140428/">Coronavirus | Isolating with friends</a> 🥰🥰 Lifelong friends Doreen, Dotty and Carol have been through divorce and loss together. Now they're planning on getting through isolation together, literally ⤵️ Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/">BBC Breakfast</a> on Wednesday, March 18, 2020</blockquote> </div> “We’re in Carol’s at the moment,” Burns says, gesturing to her friend in the middle. “Dotty’s got a lovely, long back garden, which would be great for exercising.” “Mine has as well,” Spark interjects, before clarifying that it’s more of a yard — a “yarden,” she says. The three amigos have admitted that they might need a little space from time to time. “I have got a front room, in case we get tetchy with each other,” says Burns. “That might be handy.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 💕 "You must never underestimate the value of friendship" Dotty, Carol and Doreen chose to isolate together. <a href="https://twitter.com/JayneMcCubbinTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayneMcCubbinTV</a> has caught up with them (from a distance)... <a href="https://t.co/iGIvunudC3">pic.twitter.com/iGIvunudC3</a> — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1241480201160101888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2020</a></blockquote> The pair were interviewed again after the video went viral, as so many people fell in love with them worldwide and called the trio “the real life Golden Girls”. “I said to Doreen on the phone, ‘if we all have to go into lockdown for 12 weeks, they’ll find me dead with all colouring books on the floor, with a notice on saying “I have died of loneliness’. After that phone call, the trio decided to self-quarantine together so that they won’t be apart and will be safe during isolation. </div>

Relationships

Government makes changes to error-prone robo-debt collection

The government has overhauled its much-criticised robo-debt scheme which has seen many welfare recipients asked to repay money they do not owe. A Tuesday email to staff in the Human Services department’s customer compliance division said “additional proof” would now be required when using income averaging to identify overpayment and raise a debt. “This means the department will no longer raise a debt where the only information we are relying on is our own averaging of ATO [Australian Taxation Office] income data,” the email said. “In the past we have asked people to explain discrepancies to us. In the future, even if someone does not respond to these requests, we will seek more information to help us determine if there is a debt.” There will also be a freeze on some existing debts while they are re-examined. The email said the department would focus on those where the person had not replied to requests for clarification. An assessment would then be made about whether further information was available to clarify what debt there was. The Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert played down the changes and did not apologise for past errors under the system. “The government makes no apologies for fulfilling our legal obligation to collect debts with income from clients and of course, with wider debt collection.” He said the present income averaging system would continue to be used in assessing debt. The key “refinement” would be the addition of “proof points”. Robert said he had asked for the review of the “small” cohort “who have a debt raised solely on the basis of income averaging so we can commence discussions with them and seek further points of proof”. People did not need to contact the department – it would contact them. A robo-debt class action lawsuit is investigating whether the more than 400,000 debt notices issued since mid 2016 were lawful. The claim is that “averaging” an individual’s fortnightly earnings based on a “simplistic application of an imperfect computer algorithm”, does not appear to be lawful. Opposition spokesman Bill Shorten said for years the government claimed there was “nothing wrong with its revenue raising monster.” “But now under immense pressure from Labor and with a looming class action [Robert] has hit the emergency brakes on this scheme. "They’re junking the reverse onus of proof where victims have to prove they don’t owe the debts. That means robo-debt is being taken to the wreckers yard. "Other changes signify the regime going forward will not be robo-debt as we know it.” But Shorten said questions remained, particularly what happened to those who had been wrongly assessed and to the money wrongly collected. Written by Michelle Grattan. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/government-makes-changes-to-error-prone-robo-debt-collection-127324">The Conversation.</a>

Legal

Coles launches high-quality collectables for adults as part of their new range

The criticism of the overuse of plastic collectables has been heard by both Coles and Woolworths, with Woolworths releasing the Discovery Garden for children. However, the new unveiling from Coles will be a winner for their older customers. Customers are now able to earn credit towards wine glasses or champagne flutes when spending $20 or more in Coles supermarkets, Liquorland and First Choice stores. Each $20 equals one credit and once a customer has reached 25 credits, the equivalent of $500, they can redeem a box of two Spiegelau glasses. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831841/coles-glasses.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bc161a710c754a9595ade7a217c4f011" /> “We believe it’s going to be very popular with customers, like all the other collectables schemes ranging from plastic storage containers to Stikeez to Little Shop,” Mr Cain told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/coles-brings-touch-of-glass-to-collectables-war-with-woolworths-20191014-p530ei" target="_blank">Australian Financial Review</a>. Coles launched the glasses as part of their 2019 Christmas range which specifically caters those customers who have trouble pulling together the highly-anticipated festive lunch. “Our mission is to help all Australians to have healthier, happier lives,” Coles chief marketing officer Lisa Ronson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/free-spiegelau-wine-glasses-for-coles-liquorland-first-choice-customers/news-story/bd47efa0c1636d548fa1717613108501" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “So everything we do on a day-to-day basis is to ladder up to that purpose, to inspire our customers with the best food and drink solutions to make their lives easier. There’s no greater time that we try to do that than at Christmas.” One dessert Ronson is particularly excited about is the $15 Coles Finest Chocolate Melting Pudding, which is a different take on the Christmas pudding. The dessert is a chocolate sponge pudding that starts off initially as a pretty tempered chocolate dome with a gold finish. Once everyone has gathered at the lunch table, warm caramel is poured over the top and melts to reveal the delicious chocolate pudding. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831842/coles-pudding.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5e5ba3110e8441a79ed8d4cf720075c7" /> “Coles Finest Chocolate Melting Pudding is exclusive to Coles and is a bit of theatre at the table,” Ms Ronson said. “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year for most Australians, but it’s also a stressful time and because we are so customer obsessed and put the customer at the centre of everything we do, we really want to make this Christmas a delicious one with some great Coles products,” Ms Ronson added.

Money & Banking

Queen of style! The surprising connection Duchess Kate has to Meghan’s new capsule collection

The Duchess of Sussex has returned from maternity leave this week to officially launch her capsule collection, The Smart Set. And the new initiative relates back to her sister-in-law, Duchess Kate. The clothing range which includes five items will be sold across a number of British brands around the country, one of which is Jigsaw, the Duchess of Cambridge’s former employer before she married into the royal family in 2011. Kate was an accessories buyer for the high street fashion chain in 2006, which means if Meghan is ever in need of advice, she knows exactly who to go to. However, Meghan’s decision to work with the UK retailer wasn’t due to her sister-in-law, as she explained the real motivation behind her choice. “The last company that I wanted to have be a part of this project was Jigsaw, and truth be told that was because I’d seen a campaign they had done a year before which was really highlighting the diversity of the UK and the immigrant culture and how that was a part of the fabric of the nation,” said the Duchess in her speech. “And when I saw that I was so touched by it and I said anyone who is seeing the world that way and seeing the community that way is someone that I think would be a great partner to have on this project.” Proceeds from the capsule collection will benefit the charity Smart Works, for which the Duchess is Royal Patron. Scroll through the gallery above to see Meghan’s capsule collection for Smart Works.

Beauty & Style

Run don't walk! Woolworths launches brand new collectables range

Woolworths has launched a new promotional campaign aimed at getting Aussie families to grow their own food. The Woolworths Discovery Garden came after the supermarket’s Ooshies plastic collectables series sparked widespread backlash over environmental concerns. Starting today, shoppers will be able to collect a seedling kit for every $30 spent in-store or online. Among the 24 varieties of fruits, veggies and herbs on offer are beetroots, tomatoes, basil, coriander, pansies and bok choi. The supermarket is also rewarding customers who spend at least $15 of their $30 purchase on fresh produce with an additional bag of seeds. According to research by agency T-garage, more than 40 per cent of Australians did not grow their own herbs and veggies – but of these, 70 per cent said they would be interested. Sarah De La Mare, Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Programs Manager said the program will help “encourage meaningful discussions” about food and fresh produce among Aussies of all ages. “Learning about fresh food, where it comes from, how it grows, how long it takes to grow, whether it’s easy or challenging are all questions that will encourage meaningful discussions at home, at school and even at work,” she said. “After planning this program for the past year, we cannot wait for our customers gardens to flourish across Australia.” Dr Shane Norrish, CEO of environmental non-profit Landcare said the campaign will help children develop a better understanding of where their food comes from. “A program like the Woolworths Discovery Garden enables children of all ages to learn about biodiversity and how to grow their own food.” Woolworths and Coles had become the subject of environmental campaigns and petitions, which called for the supermarket to ban plastic toys for their promotions. “With a total disregard for the delicate balance of our ecosystems, Woolworths has manufactured an ungodly number of cheap plastic toys in a bid to get you to spend more of your money in their stores,” the <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/woolworths-coles-backlash-plastic-toy-collectibles-future-landfill-070043724.html" target="_blank">Future Landfill campaign stated on its website</a>. Scroll through the gallery above to see Woolworths' new collectables.

Retirement Income

Lifetime of treasure: Bob Hawke's personal collection to go under the hammer

Former prime minister Bob Hawke’s treasure trove of paintings, art works, designer furniture, diplomatic gifts and serving ware are set to be auctioned off in a home clearance sale expected to raise $250,000. Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget is selling 300 items from the couple’s Northbridge home in Sydney's leafy north short – which was recently sold for an estimated $15 million – with the help of auctioneers Shapiro. Among the items on offer are the former prime minister’s cigar boxes, porcelain tea sets and coffee mugs. The couple’s sterling silver soup ladle will also be put up for sale at an estimated price of $100 to $200. Some of the former ACTU leader’s diplomatic gifts include Chinese scrolls ($300 to $500), a pill box from the Freedom of the City of London ($300 to $500) and a silver bowl inscribed “Presented by Dick Cheney Secretary of Defence, United States of America” ($500-$700). There will also be a framed and signed photo of Don Bradman ($800 to $1200) and two black-and-white pictures of Bob Hawke playing tennis ($200 to $300). Some boozes from Hawke’s collection will also make an appearance, including bottles of Chinese liquors (ranging from $100 to $500), a box of Penfolds cabernet sauvignon ($200 to $300), and a six pack of the Labor veteran’s lager beers in a signature esky ($200 to $300). The most expensive item to be auctioned is Euan Macleod’s 1991 oil painting titled Lone Figure in Gully, which is expected to sell for $14,000 to $18,000. The items will be available for public viewing on August 24-25 at the couple’s Northbridge residence with a $5 entry fee, said auctioneer Andrew Shapiro. “I think people are curious about what was dear to his heart. We will be selling his desk and a lot of personal items given to him when he was prime minister,” Shapiro said. Shapiro said d’Alpuget is ready to take the next step in her life after selling the house. “She’s a strong-willed person and looking towards the next move,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/08/06/bob-hawke-memorabilia-auction/" target="_blank">The New Daily</a>. “It’s always difficult to live in a house where you’ve been for many years with a spouse. There’s a new chapter.” The auction will take place on August 27 at Paddington RSL in Sydney. Scroll through the gallery above to see the items going under the hammer later this month.

Legal

Shoppers boycott Coles' latest Little Shop collectibles: "It beggars belief"

A group of mums are calling for a boycott of Coles’ Little Shop collectables as the promotion coincides with Plastic Free July. Many Little Shop collectables fans were excited when the supermarket giant confirmed the news that yes, their second Little Shop range would be coming on July 17. There is a range of 30 mini items available, and will be sold with a collector’s case, mini trolleys, basket and aprons. There are also new additions to the Little Shop which include a toy cash register and a Coles replica truck. However, Coles has been slammed since the announcement for giving out “plastic junk” and a petition on change.org has been started to ban the toys. The petition has attracted almost 500 signatures. “Are you gobsmacked that Coles has brought out a new range of ‘Little Shop’ toys during Plastic Free July?” the petition says. “Wow ... Coles ... just wow ... you have just proved you really do not care for our children’s future by bringing these so called ‘collectables’ back. “This is when most people are doing their best to bring their own bags, choosing less packaging on their foods and saying no to straws. Here you are handing out plastic junk that will end in landfill or in our oceans.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828598/coles-little-shop.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0a11dd778ef94f14b92be55138c24e08" /> The petition has said that the Little Shop collectables are a “slap in the face” for all people who care about the planet. “It’s time to think of our children and what their future will look like with all this unnecessary plastic,” it reads. The petition comes after a woman found one of the plastic toys on a beach in Bali in November last year. Another man found one of the collectables washed up on Buddina Beach in Queensland in August 2018. Coles told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/absolute-joke-man-outraged-coles-little-shop-plastic-washed-beach-062450908.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a> at the time that the collectables used plastic that’s fully recyclable, including its packaging. “The Little Shop campaign only runs for a limited time and customers are able to recycle the wrappers at their nearest store through our in-store REDCycle program,” a spokesperson said. “For Coles Online deliveries, mini collectable packaging can be returned to the driver, and recycled through our REDCycle program.” Coles also responded to a woman’s Facebook post on its page, where the woman asked the supermarket giant to not launch the Little Shop promotion. “The Little Shop mini collectables are designed for customers to keep and not dispose of and customers can choose whether they would like to collect or not,” Coles replied. “Last year we saw customers collecting and swapping with their friends, family and colleagues, and they really valued the minis as collectables to be kept in the future.”

Money & Banking

Bargain hunters rejoice! You will be excited by Coles’ new offer

Savvy shoppers have found an opportunity to celebrate after Coles announced its latest promotional campaign will involve handing out store credit to go towards reusable plastic containers each time they shop. Starting on Wednesday, bargain hunters will receive container credits when they spend $20 or more at Coles stores around the country and use their flybuys card. The store credit can then be used towards a range of five different reusable plastic containers. Woolworths and Coles have both come under fire for their promotional campaigns in the past, which gave shoppers the opportunity to collect miniature toys. But the supermarket has taken the feedback into consideration, and despite the container being made of plastic, it has a recyclable and reusable theme. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FiBoughtAU%2Fposts%2F377570416423495&width=500" width="500" height="670" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/move-over-stikeez-new-coles-promo-excites-bargain-hunters/news-story/6dd54be281f67f671a7c3a410739206b" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>, Coles chief operating officer Greg Davis said, “We know our customers want to reduce food waste for environmental and family budget reasons, and these reusable containers are a great way to keep food fresh in the fridge or pantry without the need for more single-use plastic." Davis added, “Coles has removed 1.2 billion single-use plastic bags from circulation since we phased them out of our stores last year, and since 2011 we have diverted more than 542 million pieces of flexible plastic from landfill through our recycling partnership with Redcycle.” People took to social media to share their excitement, with one user posting a photo of the promotional leaflet on a Facebook group saying, “That’s a promo I can get around.” “About time they offered something practical and for adults,” said another. “Finally one for the mums!” commented one user. Others were sceptical, pointing out that the deal isn’t actually “free”, and shoppers would need to spend $200 in store to obtain 10 containers. “That is a shocking price for one container,” wrote Facebook user Rosie Lyons. “Considering some people do big weekly shops there, so many people will be sucked in and not think about it, thanks for the heads up.” According to the leaflet, the containers are microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. There are five different sizes to collect, starting from 600ml going up to 1.5 litres. The promotion will begin on Wednesday but is for flybuys members only. Will you be taking part in this exciting new collectable craze? Let us know in the comments below.

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How Dubai is building an art collection without buying any art

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Bunnings launches LEGO-style collectables perfect for the grandkids

Unhappy customer slams Coles over Click and Collect

Woolworths launches new Disney-themed collectables

Three lifelong friends collectively self-isolate together

Government makes changes to error-prone robo-debt collection

Coles launches high-quality collectables for adults as part of their new range

Queen of style! The surprising connection Duchess Kate has to Meghan’s new capsule collection

Run don't walk! Woolworths launches brand new collectables range

Lifetime of treasure: Bob Hawke's personal collection to go under the hammer

Shoppers boycott Coles' latest Little Shop collectibles: "It beggars belief"

Bargain hunters rejoice! You will be excited by Coles’ new offer

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It’s official – cats despise your music collection

Nespresso launches limited-edition festive collection

This law makes it illegal for companies to collect third-party data to profile you but they do anyway

Even if TikTok and other apps are collecting your data, what are the actual consequences?

Incredible collection of 200 "lost" Elvis Presley items up for auction

Platinum jubilee Barbie becomes a hot commodity

Bob Dylan to publish essay collection in celebration of songwriting

How Dubai is building an art collection without buying any art

IKEA makes fashion waves with new collection

Bunnings launches LEGO-style collectables perfect for the grandkids

Unhappy customer slams Coles over Click and Collect

Woolworths launches new Disney-themed collectables

Three lifelong friends collectively self-isolate together

Government makes changes to error-prone robo-debt collection

Coles launches high-quality collectables for adults as part of their new range

Queen of style! The surprising connection Duchess Kate has to Meghan’s new capsule collection

Run don't walk! Woolworths launches brand new collectables range

Lifetime of treasure: Bob Hawke's personal collection to go under the hammer

Shoppers boycott Coles' latest Little Shop collectibles: "It beggars belief"

Bargain hunters rejoice! You will be excited by Coles’ new offer

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