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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

Australian churches collectively raise billions of dollars a year – why aren’t they taxed?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dale-boccabella-15706">Dale Boccabella</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ranjana-gupta-1207482">Ranjana Gupta</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a> There’s a good reason your local volunteer-run netball club doesn’t pay tax. In Australia, various nonprofit organisations are exempt from paying income tax, including those that do charitable work, such as churches. These exemptions or concessions can also extend to other taxes, including fringe benefits tax, state and local government property taxes and payroll taxes. The traditional justification for granting these concessions is that charitable activities benefit society. They contribute to the wellbeing of the community in a variety of non-religious ways. For example, charities offer welfare, health care and education services that the government would generally otherwise provide due to their obvious public benefits. The tax exemption, which allows a charity to retain all the funds it raises, provides the financial support required to relieve the government of this burden. The nonprofit sector is often called the third sector of society, the other two being government and for-profit businesses. But in Australia, this third sector is quite large. Some grassroots organisations have only a tiny footprint, but other nonprofits are very large. And many of these bigger entities – including some “megachurches” – run huge commercial enterprises. These are often indistinguishable from comparable business activities in the for-profit sector. So why doesn’t this revenue get taxed? And should we really give all nonprofits the same tax exemptions? <h2>Why don’t churches pay tax?</h2> The primary aim of a church is to advance or promote its religion. This itself counts as a charitable purpose under the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2013A00100/asmade/text">2013 Charities Act</a>. However, section five of that act requires a church to have only charitable purposes – any other purposes must be incidental to or in aid of these. Viewed alone, the conduct of a church with an extensive commercial enterprise – which could include selling merchandise, or holding concerts and conferences – is not a charitable purpose. But Australian case law and <a href="https://www.acnc.gov.au/for-charities/start-charity/role-acnc-deciding-charity-status/legal-meaning-charity#:%7E:text=Taxation%20Ruling%20(TR)%202011%2F,set%20out%20in%20taxation%20rulings.">an ATO ruling</a> both support the idea that carrying on business-like activities can be incidental to or in aid of a charitable purpose. This could be the case, for example, if a large church’s commercial activities were to help give effect to its charitable purposes. Because of this, under Australia’s current income tax law, a church that is running a large commercial enterprise is able to retain its exemption from income tax on the profits from these activities. There are various public policy concerns with this. First, the lost tax revenue is likely to be significant, although the government’s annual tax expenditure statement does not currently provide an estimate of the amount of tax revenue lost. And second, the tax exemption may give rise to unfairness. A for-profit business competing with a church in a relevant industry may be at a competitive disadvantage – despite similar business activities, the for-profit entity pays income tax but the church does not. This competitive disadvantage may be reflected in lower prices for customers of the church business. <h2>What about taxing their employees?</h2> Churches that run extensive enterprises are likely to have many employees. Generally, all the normal Australian tax rules apply to the way these employees are paid – for example, employees pay income tax on these wages. Distributing profits to members would go against the usual rules of the church, and this prohibition is <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2013A00100/asmade/text">required</a> anyway for an organisation to qualify as a charity. Some churches may be criticised for paying their founders or leaders “excessive” wages, but these are still taxed in the same way as normal salaries. It’s important to consider fringe benefit tax – which employers have to pay on certain benefits they provide to employees. Aside from some qualifications, all the usual <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/hiring-and-paying-your-workers/fringe-benefits-tax/how-fringe-benefits-tax-works">fringe benefit tax rules</a> apply to non-wage benefits provided to employees of a church. Just like their commercial (and taxable) counterparts, the payment for “luxury” travel and accommodation for church leaders and employees when on church business will not generate a fringe benefits taxable amount for the church. One qualification, though, is that a church is likely to be a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/hiring-and-paying-your-workers/fringe-benefits-tax/fbt-concessions-for-not-for-profit-organisations/fbt-rebatable-employers">rebatable employer</a> under the fringe benefit tax regime. This means it can obtain some tax relief on benefits provided to each employee, up to a cap. <h2>We may need to rethink blanket tax exemptions for charities</h2> Back in an age where nonprofits were mainly small and focused on addressing the needs of people failed by the market, the income tax exemption for such charities appeared appropriate. But in the modern era, some charities – including some churches – operate huge business enterprises and collect rent on extensive property holdings. Many are now questioning whether we should continue offering them an uncapped exemption from income tax, especially where there are questions surrounding how appropriately these profits are used. Debates about solutions to the problem have focused on various arguments. However, more data may be needed on the way charities apply their profits to a charitable purpose, particularly those involved in substantial commercial activities. An all-or-nothing rule exempting the whole charitable sector may no longer be fit for purpose if it fails to take into account the very different circumstances of different nonprofits.<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/228901/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dale-boccabella-15706">Dale Boccabella</a>, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ranjana-gupta-1207482">Ranjana Gupta</a>, Senior Lecturer Taxation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-churches-collectively-raise-billions-of-dollars-a-year-why-arent-they-taxed-228901">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

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

Muffin Break’s new menu item brings back childhood memories

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

Food & Wine

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

These ‘tin heads’ are looking for apprentices

When Robert and Margaret Gaston realised they had a lot of tins some 16 years ago, it signalled the start of collecting spree. Today the West Australian duo have a collection of more than 12,000 unique tins on display in a huge shed on their Geraldton property dubbed the Tin Heads Museum. With some dating back hundreds of years, it wasn’t long before their collection drew overseas tourists, journalists, and even an international TV crew. “I can claim the biggest collection in Australia,” Mr Gaston said. But as dementia started to affect Mrs Gaston’s memory and Mr Gaston’s health began declining, Robert started the search for the next generation of tin heads. “There’s too much history in the place to chuck it all away,” he said. The Tin Heads Museum is more than just a collection for the pair who relish finding new tins, discovering the stories behind them, and chatting with similarly-interested visitors. The oldest tin in their collection was made in about 1635. Another features Queen Victoria and dates from 151 years ago. “You could come along and say ‘oh, my grandma used to have a tin like that and I was only allowed to have a biscuit when she said I could’. It brings back memories in people,” Mr Gaston said. The profits from museum visitors are all donated to the Heart Foundation, with Mr Gaston planning to hand over $2,000 this year alone. Mr Gaston said the new owners could take the museum on as a business or donate the funds to a worthy cause. “I was hoping to spend the rest of my life here but that’s not going to happen now,” Mr Gaston said. “I would love to know that it was going to be in good hands so that it can carry on because I would love to be able to come back myself in a few years' time and have a look at it again. "And it should mean a lot to the people of Geraldton — that there's something in Geraldton that you won't find anywhere else in Australia.” Image credit: ABC

Retirement Income

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>

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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.

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

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