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Loyalty programs may limit competition, and they could be pushing prices up for everyone

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alexandru-nichifor-1342216">Alexandru Nichifor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-duke-kominers-1494057">Scott Duke Kominers</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</a> Loyalty programs enable firms to offer significantly lower prices to some of their customers. You’d think this would encourage strong competition. But that isn’t always what actually happens. <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4377561">New research</a> shows that paradoxically, by changing the way companies target customers, loyalty programs can sometimes reduce price competition. The research also points to solutions. <h2>A win-win proposition?</h2> Joining a loyalty program is supposed to be a win-win. You – the customer – get to enjoy perks and discounts, while the company gains useful commercial insights and builds brand allegiance. For example, a hotel chain loyalty program might reward travellers for frequent stays, with points redeemable for future bookings, upgrades or other benefits. The hotel chain, in turn, records and analyses how you spend money and encourages you to stay with them again. Such programs are commonplace across many industries – appearing everywhere from travel and accommodation to supermarket or petrol retailing. But they are increasingly coming under scrutiny. In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/publications/customer-loyalty-schemes-final-report">cautioned</a> consumers about the sheer volume of personal data collected when participating in a loyalty program, and what companies can do with it. Hidden costs – such as having to pay a redemption fee on rewards or losing benefits when points expire – are another way these schemes can harm consumers. But a larger question – how loyalty programs impact consumers overall – remains difficult to settle, because their effect on competitiveness is unclear. As the ACCC’s <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/publications/customer-loyalty-schemes-final-report">final report</a> notes, on the one hand: "Loyalty schemes can have pro-competitive effects and intensify competition between rivals leading to competing loyalty discounts and lower prices for consumers." But on the other hand: "Loyalty schemes can also reduce the flexibility of consumers’ buying patterns and responsiveness to competing offers, which may reduce competition." <h2>How a two-speed price system can hurt everyone</h2> A new economic theory research <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4377561">working paper</a>, coauthored by one of us (Kominers), suggests that on competitive grounds alone, loyalty programs can sometimes harm all consumers – both ordinary shoppers and the program’s own members. It’s easy to see how the ordinary shopper can be worse off. Since a firm’s loyalty program enables it to offer discounted prices to its members, the firm can raise the base prices it offers to everyone else. Those not participating in the program pay more than they otherwise would have, and the firm can respond by saying “join our program!” instead of having to lower its price. But sometimes, even the program’s own members can end up worse off. When a given customer’s loyalty status is not visible to a firm’s competitors – as is the case in many loyalty programs today – it’s hard for those competitors to identify them and entice them to switch. The main way to compete for those customers becomes to lower the base price for everyone, but this means missing out on the high base margins achieved through the existence of your own loyalty program – remember, having a loyalty program means you can charge non-members more. It’s often more profitable for firms to just maintain high base prices. This, in turn, reduces overall price competition for loyal customers, so firms can raise prices for them, too. <h2>What’s the solution?</h2> Despite these effects on competition, loyalty programs still offer benefits for consumers and an opportunity for brands to form closer relationships with them. So, how do we preserve these benefits while enabling price competition? The research suggests an answer: making a customer’s loyalty status verifiable, transparent and portable across firms. This would make it possible for firms to tailor offers for their competitors’ loyal customers. This is already happening in the market for retail electricity. While there aren’t loyalty programs there per se, a consumer’s energy consumption profile, which could be used by a competitor to calibrate a personalised offer, is known only to their current electricity supplier. To address this, in 2015, the Victorian government launched a <a href="https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au">program</a> encouraging households to compare energy offers. This process involved first revealing a customer’s energy consumption profile to the market, and then asking retailers to compete via personalised offers. By opening information that might have otherwise been hidden to the broader market, this approach enabled firms to compete for each other’s top customers, in a way that could be emulated for loyalty programs. Such systems in the private sector could build upon “<a href="https://thepointsguy.com/guide/airline-status-matches-challenges/">status match</a>” policies at airlines. These allow direct transfer of loyalty status, but currently rely on a lengthy, individual-level verification process. For example, a design paradigm known as “<a href="https://hbr.org/2022/05/what-is-web3">Web3</a>” – where customer transactions and loyalty statuses are recorded on public, shared blockchain ledgers – offers a way to make loyalty transparent across the market. This would enable an enhanced, decentralised version of status match: a firm could use blockchain records to verifiably identify who its competitors’ loyal customers are, and directly incentivise them to switch. Both startups and established firms have experimented with building such systems. <h2>What next?</h2> New academic research helps us model and better understand when loyalty programs could be weakening supply side competition and undermining consumer welfare. A neat universal solution may prove elusive. But targeted government or industry interventions – centred on increasing the transparency of a customer’s loyalty status and letting them move it between firms – could help level the playing field between firms and consumers.<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/220669/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alexandru-nichifor-1342216">Alexandru Nichifor</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-duke-kominers-1494057">Scott Duke Kominers</a>, Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</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/loyalty-programs-may-limit-competition-and-they-could-be-pushing-prices-up-for-everyone-220669">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

“Sky’s the limit”: Why Alex de Minaur is the one to watch at the Australian Open

The tennis world is buzzing with excitement as Alex de Minaur, the 24-year-old Australian sensation, extends his remarkable winning streak in the lead-up to the Australian Open. In a recent charity match held in Melbourne, de Minaur displayed his lethal form by securing a notable victory over the reigning Wimbledon champion, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the match's charitable nature, this win marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, who is now ranked No.10 in the world – the highest ranking he has ever achieved. As he gears up for the upcoming Australian Open, de Minaur's triumphs and confidence are setting the stage for an electrifying tournament. The charity match against Alcaraz proved to be more than just a philanthropic endeavour, as de Minaur secured his first-ever win over the reigning Wimbledon champ. Alcaraz, currently ranked No.2 in the world, faced a resilient de Minaur who claimed victory with a 6-4, 5-7, (10-3) scoreline. This triumph not only adds a feather to de Minaur's cap but also instills a newfound confidence as he prepares for the intense battles ahead in Melbourne. De Minaur's recent success in the charity match adds to his growing list of upsets, notably highlighted by his stellar performance in the United Cup tournament. The Australian tennis star showcased his prowess by defeating formidable opponents, including Team USA's Taylor Fritz, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, and world No.7 Alexander Zverev. Leading Australia into the semi-finals, de Minaur's exceptional form during the United Cup laid the foundation for his current confidence and high world ranking. Despite his commanding victory in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena, de Minaur remains humble and focused on the challenges ahead. In a post-match statement, he expressed his gratitude and outlined his motivational mantra, quoting, "'How big would you dream if you knew you couldn't fail?' ... I'm pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky's the limit." As the Australian Open approaches, de Minaur's exceptional form and recent triumphs are capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide. With a newfound confidence and a career-high ranking, de Minaur is poised for an exciting and potentially groundbreaking performance in Melbourne. The stage is set for a riveting Aus Open, and fans eagerly anticipate witnessing how far de Minaur can push the limits in 2024. Image: Getty

The sky’s the limit: A brief history of in-flight entertainment

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/olusola-adewumi-john-1490381">Olusola Adewumi John</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a> As the winter holidays draw near, many of us are already booking flights to see friends and family or vacation in warmer climates. Nowadays, air travel is synonymous with some form of in-flight entertainment, encompassing everything from the reception offered by the aircrew to the food choices and digital content. These services all add value to flying for customers. Passengers are now so familiar with in-flight entertainment that to travel without it is unthinkable. <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/10/19/2762903/0/en/In-Flight-Entertainment-Connectivity-Market-to-Worth-21-03-Bn-by-2030-Exhibiting-With-a-15-9-CAGR.html">The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market grew to US$5.9 billion as of 2019</a>, a testament to its economic impact on both the airlines and the GDP of countries with airline carriers. In-flight entertainment is so ubiquitous that, even if all other airline services were offered, <a href="https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/19427/will-airlines-compensate-me-if-my-entertainment-system-is-not-working">the airline ensures a refund is made to the passenger affected</a> if television content cannot be accessed. <h2>A brief history</h2> In-flight entertainment has evolved significantly over the years. Before in-flight entertainment media was introduced, passengers entertained themselves by reading books or with food and drink services. The original aim of bringing in-flight entertainment into cabins was to attract more customers, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including the theatrical and domestic media environments. It was not initially for the comfort and ease of travelling, as it is today. <a href="https://www.academia.edu/5023683/A_History_of_INFLIGHT_ENTERTAINMENT">Inflight entertainment began as an experiment</a> in 1921, when 11 Aeromarine Airways passengers were shown the film Howdy Chicago! on a screen hung in the cabin during the flight. Four years later, another experiment was carried out in 1925 when 12 passengers on board an Imperial Airlines flight from London were shown the film The Lost World. <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/when-did-inflight-movies-become-standard-on-airlines-180955566/">It wasn’t until the 1960s</a> that in-flight movies became mainstream for airlines. Trans World Airlines became the first carrier to regularly offer feature films during flights, using a unique film system developed by <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1962/06/02/inflight">David Flexer, then-president of Inflight Motion Pictures</a>. Starting in 1964, in-flight entertainment evolved to include various media types like 16-mm film, closed-circuit television, live television broadcasts and magnetic tape. In the 1970s, for example, airplanes might feature a large screen with a 16-mm projector in one part of the plane, while small screens hung overhead in another section. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/when-did-airlines-install-seatback-entertainment-20190711-h1g51b.html">Seatback screens were introduced in 1988</a> when Airvision installed 6.9-centimetre screens on the backs of airline seats for Northwest Airlines. They have since morphed into the larger screens we are familiar with today, which are found on nearly every airline. <h2>In-flight entertainment today</h2> Most airlines nowadays have personal televisions for every passenger on long-haul flights. On-demand streaming and internet access are also now the norm. Despite initial concerns about speed and cost, in-flight services are becoming faster and more affordable. In-flight entertainment now includes movies, music, radio talk shows, TV talk shows, documentaries, magazines, stand-up comedy, culinary shows, sports shows and kids’ shows. However, the rise of personal devices, like tablets and smartphones, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/the-weird-and-wonderful-history-of-in-flight-entertainment/">could spell the end for seatback screens</a>. A number of U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Air, have <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/airline-seatback-screens-may-soon-become-an-endangered-species">removed seatback screens from their domestic planes</a>. This decline is par for the course. To arrive at the complex system used by aircraft today, in-flight entertainment went through a number of different stages, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0641-1_10">as identified by aviation scholar D.A. Reed</a>. It started with an idea phase, which saw the conception of the idea, followed by an arms race phase where most airlines adopted some form of it. Currently, airlines are facing challenges in the final — and current — phase of evolution, and are dealing with failures linked to business concept flaws or low revenue. Now that most air travellers carry electronic devices, fewer airlines are installing seatback screens. From an economic standpoint, this makes sense for airlines: removing seatback screens <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/business/airlines-travel-entertainment.html">improves fuel costs</a> and allows airlines to <a href="https://www.flightglobal.com/systems-and-interiors/united-ups-757-density-with-new-slimline-seats/126574.article">install slimmer seats</a>, allowing for more passengers. <h2>More than entertainment</h2> At some point in the evolution of in-flight entertainment, it started to serve as more than just a form of entertainment or comfort. Now, it’s also a competitive tool for airline advertisements, and a form of cultural production. In-flight entertainment has become an economic platform for investors, business people, manufacturers and entertainment providers, especially Hollywood. It also plays a key role in promoting the national culture of destination countries. However, the evolution of in-flight entertainment hasn’t been without its challenges. As a form of cultural production, it often reflects the interests of advertisers, governments and business entities. It also follows that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0641-1_10">certain ideas, products and cultures are sold to passengers</a> via in-flight entertainment. The lucrative practice of capturing and selling passengers’ attention to advertisers was not limited to screens, either. In-flight magazines have always been packed with advertisements, and by the late 1980s, these advertisements had spread to napkins and the audio channels. Despite its shortcomings and precarious future, in-flight entertainment still offers passengers a sense of comfort, alleviating concerns about being suspended over 30,000 feet above sea level. If you end up flying during the holidays, remember your comfort is partly thanks to this innovation.<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/218996/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/olusola-adewumi-john-1490381">Olusola Adewumi John</a>, Visiting Researcher, Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/the-skys-the-limit-a-brief-history-of-in-flight-entertainment-218996">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

It’s time to limit how often we can travel abroad – ‘carbon passports’ may be the answer

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-bennett-cook-1301368">Ross Bennett-Cook</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-westminster-916">University of Westminster</a> The summer of 2023 has been very significant for the travel industry. By the end of July, international tourist arrivals globally <a href="https://www.unwto.org/news/international-tourism-swiftly-overcoming-pandemic-downturn">reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels</a>. In <a href="https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/eu-tourism-almost-full-recovery-pre-pandemic-levels-2023-10-23_en">some European countries</a>, such as France, Denmark and Ireland, tourism demand even surpassed its pre-pandemic level. This may be great <a href="https://skift.com/insight/state-of-travel/">news economically</a>, but there’s concern that a return to the status quo is already showing dire environmental and social consequences. The summer saw record-breaking heatwaves across many parts of the world. People were forced to flee <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/greece-wildfires-corfu-evia-rhodes-heatwave-northern-hemisphere-extreme-weather-temperatures-europe">wildfires in Greece</a> and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/hawaii-fires-update-biden-b2393188.html">Hawaii</a>, and extreme <a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/world-news/foreign-office-issues-spain-weather-27339111">weather warnings</a> were issued in many popular holiday destinations like Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Experts <a href="https://theconversation.com/european-heatwave-whats-causing-it-and-is-climate-change-to-blame-209653">attributed these extreme conditions</a> to climate change. Tourism is part of the problem. The tourism sector <a href="https://wttc.org/Portals/0/Documents/Reports/2021/WTTC_Net_Zero_Roadmap.pdf">generates around one-tenth</a> of the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving the climate crisis. The negative impacts of tourism on the environment have become so severe that some are suggesting drastic changes to our travel habits are inevitable. In a <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/sites/intrepid/files/basic_page/files/A%20Sustainable%20Future%20For%20Travel%20From%20Crisis%20To%20Transformation-231016-02.pdf">report</a> from 2023 that analysed the future of sustainable travel, tour operator Intrepid Travel proposed that “carbon passports” will soon become a reality if the tourism industry hopes to survive. <h2>What is a carbon passport?</h2> The idea of a carbon passport centres on each traveller being assigned a yearly carbon allowance that they cannot exceed. These allowances can then “ration” travel. This concept may seem extreme. But the idea of personal carbon allowances is not new. A <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvaud/565/565.pdf">similar concept</a> (called “personal carbon trading”) was discussed in the House of Commons in 2008, before being shut down due to its perceived complexity and the possibility of public resistance. The <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/#:%7E:text=A%20carbon%20footprint%20is%20the,is%20closer%20to%204%20tons.">average annual carbon footprint</a> for a person in the US is 16 tonnes – one of the highest rates in the world. In the UK this figure sits at 11.7 tonnes, still more than five times the figure recommended by the <a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/the-average-british-carbon-footprint-is-five-times-over-paris-agreement-recommendations/152669/#:%7E:text=Despite%20rising%20environmental%20awareness%20across,equivalent%20(tCO2e)%20per%20year.">Paris Agreement</a> to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Globally, the average annual carbon footprint of a person is closer to 4 tonnes. But, to have the best chance of preventing temperature rise from overshooting 2°C, the average global carbon footprint <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/#:%7E:text=Globally%2C%20the%20average%20carbon%20footprint,tons%20doesn't%20happen%20overnight!">needs to drop</a> to under 2 tonnes by 2050. This figure equates to around <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/jul/19/carbon-calculator-how-taking-one-flight-emits-as-much-as-many-people-do-in-a-year">two return flights</a> between London and New York. Intrepid Travel’s report predicts that we will see carbon passports in action by 2040. However, <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/travel-short-haul-flights-europe-under-fire-climate-change-cop26/">several laws and restrictions</a> have been put in place over the past year that suggest our travel habits may already be on the verge of change. <h2>Targeting air travel</h2> Between 2013 and 2018, the amount of CO₂ emitted by commercial aircrafts worldwide <a href="https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_CO2-commercl-aviation-2018_20190918.pdf">increased by 32%</a>. Improvements in fuel efficiency are slowly reducing per passenger emissions. But <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231014004889">research</a> from 2014 found that whatever the industry’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, they will be outweighed by the growth in air traffic. For emission reductions to have any meaningful effect, ticket prices would have to rise by 1.4% each year, discouraging some people from flying. However, in reality, <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/news/increase-in-flights-will-outweigh-carbon-cuts-17875">ticket prices are falling</a>. Some European countries are beginning to take measures to reduce air travel. As of April 1 2023, passengers on short-haul flights and older aircraft in Belgium have been <a href="https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/12/private-jets-and-short-haul-flights-face-pollution-busting-tax-increases-in-belgium">subject to increased taxes</a> to encourage alternative forms of travel. Less than two months later France banned <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65687665">short-haul domestic flights</a> where the same trip can be made by train in two-and-a-half hours or less. <a href="https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/spain-to-follow-frances-lead-plans-to-ban-short-haul-domestic-flights/">Spain</a> is expected to follow suit. A similar scheme could also be on the horizon for Germany. In 2021, a <a href="https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/seventy-percent-germans-favour-banning-short-haul-flights-survey">YouGov poll</a> found that 70% of Germans would support such measures to fight climate change if alternative transport routes like trains or ships were available. <h2>Cruises and carbon</h2> It’s not just air travel that’s being criticised. An <a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-return-of-the-cruise-June-2023.pdf">investigation</a> by the European Federation for Transport and Environment in 2023 found that cruise ships pump four times as many sulphuric gases (which are proven to cause acid rain and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesellsmoor/2019/04/26/cruise-ship-pollution-is-causing-serious-health-and-environmental-problems/?sh=468ee2f637db">several respiratory conditions</a>) into the atmosphere than all of Europe’s 291 million cars combined. Statistics like these have forced European destinations to <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/8727387d-590d-43bd-a305-b5ec208a4dfe">take action</a> against the cruise industry. In July, Amsterdam’s council <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66264226">banned cruise ships</a> from docking in the city centre in a bid to reduce tourism and pollution – an initiative that has shown success elsewhere. In 2019 Venice was the most polluted European port, due to large numbers of cruise ship visits. But it dropped to 41st place in 2022 after a ban on large cruise ships entering the city’s waters <a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/europes-luxury-cruise-ships-emit-as-much-toxic-sulphur-as-1bn-cars-study/">reduced air pollutants from ships</a> in Venice by 80%. <h2>Changing destinations</h2> Intrepid Travel’s report also highlights that not only how we travel, but <a href="https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/global-warming-reshuffle-europes-tourism-demand-particularly-coastal-areas-2023-07-28_en">where we travel</a> will soon be impacted by climate change. Boiling temperatures will probably diminish the allure of traditional beach destinations, prompting European tourists to search for cooler destinations such as Belgium, Slovenia and Poland for their summer holidays. <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Travelers-seek-cooler-destinations-this-summer">Several travel agencies</a> reported seeing noticeable increases in holiday bookings to cooler European destinations like Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK during 2023’s peak summer travel months. Whatever the solution may be, changes to our travel habits look inevitable. Destinations across the globe, from <a href="https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/barcelonas-war-on-tourism-ada-colau/">Barcelona</a> to the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/italy-tourism-bans-controls-fees-restrictions/a-66453047">Italian riveria</a> and even <a href="https://theconversation.com/death-on-everest-the-boom-in-climbing-tourism-is-dangerous-and-unsustainable-114033">Mount Everest</a> are already calling for limits on tourist numbers as they struggle to cope with crowds and pollution. Holidaymakers should prepare to change their travel habits now, before this change is forced upon them. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-bennett-cook-1301368">Ross Bennett-Cook</a>, Visiting Lecturer, School of Architecture + Cities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-westminster-916">University of Westminster</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/its-time-to-limit-how-often-we-can-travel-abroad-carbon-passports-may-be-the-answer-216503">original article</a>.

International Travel

Limited edition King Charles stamps up for grabs

Australia Post has released a limited edition stamp collection to celebrate King Charles' 75th birthday. Two of the stamps will mark the King's birthday on the 14th of November, while the third will commemorate his coronation. This is the first time the King has featured on an Australia Post stamp since his coronation. Australia Post said that the special one-off collection “serves as a tribute to his dedicated service, education, and the betterment of society”. In a media release they also said that "The collection encapsulates the essence of King Charles III's legacy, embodying his continued commitment to tradition and progress." The first stamp features a black-and-white photo of young King Charles during his journey to Sydney in 1966, where he was greeted by then Prime Minister Harold Holt. The second one is of the King in 2018 which “showcases His Majesty seated at his desk, symbolising a lifetime of duty and leadership”. The third picture highlights his coronation as the King is pictured in his crown. All three limited edition stamps are priced at $1.20 and are now on sale across the country at participating post offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and <a href="https://auspost.com.au/shop/collectables" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online</a>. Images: Australia Post/ The Royal Family

Money & Banking

Channel 10 newsreader admits to driving while four times over the legal limit

Natasha Exelby, a well-known journalist and former Channel 10 newsreader, recently found herself in the spotlight for an entirely different reason than her on-air mishap in 2017. On a fateful day last June, she was involved in a drink driving incident in Toorak, Melbourne. This incident marked a low point in her life, but it also sheds light on the profound impact of mental health struggles and the road to recovery. Exelby, 34, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court and made a candid admission: she had driven while suspended and under the influence of alcohol, registering a blood alcohol concentration of .220, over four times the legal limit. She narrowly escaped conviction but didn't escape the consequences of her actions. In her statement to the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/journalist-natasha-exelby-busted-drink-driving-after-crashing-into-parked-car-while-four-times-over-legal-limit/news-story/f710cdbc849622fb4e298b61c049c1f3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a>, Exelby took full responsibility for her actions, citing her ongoing battle with major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She courageously acknowledged her struggles and the role they played in her regrettable choices that day. "It's no secret that I've suffered from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for many years," she said. "At the time of the incident, I was going through a very dark period with multiple medication changes. Never in my life did I think I would be capable of what happened but regardless of my mental health, my actions were shocking beyond words and I take full responsibility." Her journey towards this dark moment was marked by openness about her mental health. In September 2022, she appeared on Studio 10, where she revealed the depths of her internal battles. She discussed experiencing episodes of inexplicable crying, a common symptom of depression. This revelation was crucial in the context of R U OK? Day, emphasizing the importance of checking on the well-being of those around us. Natasha's admission serves as a stark reminder that mental health issues are every bit as valid as physical ailments. She compared her experience with depression to "drowning" and disclosed that she had been on medication and in therapy for major depression for years. Her message is clear: it's okay to seek help when battling these internal demons, and recovery is possible, even if it's a long and winding road. Exelby's struggle with mental health is by no means a recent development. She revealed that she had been dealing with major depression since the age of 15, highlighting the enduring nature of the condition. Her story is an inspiration for others who are going through similar challenges, proving that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even when it feels like the journey will never end. Before her battle with depression and her recent legal troubles, Exelby made headlines in 2017 for an <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/flashback/one-year-later-why-natasha-exelby-isnt-haunted-by-abc-blooper/news-story/24398919d522c0029e6d7963f165897d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on-air gaffe</a> during an ABC news broadcast. Despite the initial shock, she took the incident in stride, even finding humour in it and acknowledging the role that social media and celebrities like Russell Crowe played in making the video go viral. It was a moment of resilience and self-awareness that foreshadowed her future ability to face her own mental health struggles. Exelby's open honesty, her admission of her mistakes and her ongoing battle with mental health challenges is a reminder that anyone can face difficulties, regardless of their public persona. By sharing her experiences, Exelby is contributing to the ongoing conversation about mental health, helping to break down the stigma that often surrounds it. Images: Instagram

Legal

Limited edition Mother's Day treat for the mum who has everything

Tim Tam has released a limited edition gift box just in time for Mother’s Day. The Australian made Tim Tam scented candle and reed diffuser set will leave the house smelling like a “rich and decadent chocolate oasis”. At just $100, the scented candle and reed diffuser is vegan and cruelty-free. “This premium set has been carefully blended to truly immerse yourself in the aromatic layers of Tim Tam decadence,” the Tim Tam website reads. “Indulge your senses with rich, decadent, cocoa notes from a chocolate absolute accented with layers of caramel, tonka bean and a hint of sandalwood.” Each box contains a one Tim Tam scented Diffuser 200ml, a Tim Tam scented Candle 300g, a packet of Tim Tam Deluxe Salted Caramel Brownie 175g and a packet of Tim Tam Original 200g. For more brilliant gift ideas for Mum, check out the full range of <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #d90000; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: #ffffff; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; font-size: 16px; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/gifts/mothers-day-gifts?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=MothersDayGifts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations Mother’s Day Gift Ideas here</a>. Image: Tim Tam Shop

Family & Pets

Air travel spreads infections globally, but health advice from inflight magazines can limit that

“Travel safe, travel far, travel wide, and travel often,” <a href="https://thoughtcatalog.com/matthew-kepnes/2014/01/53-travel-quotes-to-inspire-you-to-see-the-world/">says</a> <a href="https://www.nomadicmatt.com/">Nomadic Matt</a>, the American who quit his job to travel the world, write about it and coach others to do the same. But there’s a downside to all this travel, with its unprecedented volume of passengers moving from one side of the world to the other, largely by plane. There’s the risk of those passengers spreading infectious diseases and microorganisms resistant to multiple drugs (superbugs) around the world. Yet, our recently published <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893919301218">research</a> into health advice provided by inflight magazines shows plane passengers are given practically no advice on how to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Should we be worried about the part air travel plays in spreading infectious diseases? And what can we do about it? How big is the risk? Low airfares and a series of social and economic factors have made global air travel more common than ever. According to the Australian government department of infrastructure, transport, cities and regional development the <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/International_airline_activity_CY2018.pdf">number of passengers taking international scheduled flights in 2018 was 41.575 million</a>. But the International Air Transport Association projects passenger demand will <a href="https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2019-02-27-02.aspx">reach 8.2 billion by 2037</a>. There are many examples of infectious diseases spread via international flying. The World Health Organization documented <a href="https://www.who.int/ith/mode_of_travel/tcd_aircraft/en/">transmission of tuberculosis</a> (TB) on board commercial aircraft during long-haul flights during the 1980s. Research published in 2011 documents the <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/17/7/10-1135_article">transmission of influenza</a> on two transcontinental international flights in May 2009. More recently, the current <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-people-born-between-1966-and-1994-are-at-greater-risk-of-measles-and-what-to-do-about-it-110167">global outbreak of measles</a> in many countries, including the Philippines and the United States, gave rise to the risk of transmission during international travel. In a recent case a <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/measles-alert-january.aspx">baby</a> too young to be vaccinated who had <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/measles-alert-after-infectious-baby-flew-from-manila-went-to-central-coast-20190603-p51tzs.html">measles</a> returned from Manilla in the Philippines to Sydney, exposing travellers on that flight to infection. Then there is the risk of transmitting antimicrobial-resistant organisms that cause disease, such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-tb-and-am-i-at-risk-of-getting-it-in-australia-75290">multi-drug resistant TB</a>. Recently, patients in Victoria and New South Wales were identified as carrying the drug-resistant fungus <a href="https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/candida-auris-case-detected-in-victoria">Candida auris</a>, which they acquired overseas. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27890665">One study</a> estimates that over 300 million travellers visit high-risk areas, such as the western Pacific, Southeast Asia and Eastern Mediterranean, each year worldwide, and more than 20% return as new carriers of resistant organisms. These popular destinations, as well as the Middle East, have high rates of drug resistant organisms. How is this happening? Aircraft move large volumes of people around the world swiftly. But what sets them apart from buses and trains is that passengers are close together, in confined spaces, for a long time. This increases the risk of transmitting infections. Passengers interact with high-touch surfaces, such as tray tables, headsets, seats and handles. We cough, sneeze and touch multiple surfaces multiple times during a flight, with limited opportunities to clean our hands with soap and water. Many infections, such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, are spread and contracted by touch and contact. What can we do about it? Providing plane travellers with relevant health advice is one way to limit the spread of infectious diseases via air travel. This would include information and advice on routine hand washing with soap and water, or using alcohol-based hand rubs, and other basic measures including cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow and covering your nose and face. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/4/2/102/1847252">Researchers</a> have looked at the role commercial websites and travel agencies might play in providing that advice. And since the 1990s, airline magazines have been <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/4/2/102/1847252">highlighted</a> as an underused source of traveller health advice. More than 20 years on, we discovered little has changed. In our recent study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893919301218">Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease</a>, we looked at the content of inflight magazines from 103 airlines issued during January 2019. Of the 47 available online, only a quarter (11) included an official section on passengers’ general health and well-being, of which only two contained information related to infection control and the preventing infectious diseases. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?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/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Inflight magazines have a potential audience of billions. So why not include advice on hand hygiene and coughing etiquette? <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/download/confirm/1424594042?src=vUDfEziJwFDV7GZr5OYMRA-1-2&studio=1&size=medium_jpg">from www.shutterstock.com</a></figcaption></figure> The first magazine, from a UAE-based airline, had an official section on passenger health and well-being that included very limited relevant content. It advised passengers “with blood diseases or ear, nose and sinus infections should seek medical advice before flying”. There was no further explanation or information, nor were there any strategies to prevent these or other infections. The second magazine, from a USA-based airline, contained general travel health advice, but none specifically about infectious diseases. However there was a full-page, colour advertisement next to the health section. This contained images of many disease causing microorganisms on passengers’ tray tables and advocated the use of a disinfectant wipe for hands and other inflight surfaces. The slogan “because germs are frequent fliers” was displayed across the tray table. This was accompanied by information about the use and effectiveness of disinfectant wipes for hand hygiene and disinfecting surfaces during air travel, public transport use, and in hotels and restaurants. Inflight magazines are valuable assets for airlines and are the source of considerable advertising revenue. They are read by potentially billions of passengers every year. The results of this study show that they are a greatly underused source of information about infection control and measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Airlines should also provide health advice to passengers in other media, in particular video screens, about infection prevention and basic control measures such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette and personal hygiene. Such advice should be provided before, during and after the flight. It could also include destination-related advice for particularly risky travel routes and destinations. More information for passengers Airlines providing health advice to passengers is just one way to limit the spread of infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant organisms around the world via air travel. This would need to sit alongside other measures, such as <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-industry-information-center">information and guidelines</a> provided to those who travel via the sea. The simple, low-cost measures highlighted in our research could go a long way to help passengers stay healthy and avoid illness from infectious diseases. At the same time, these measures could reduce the impact of outbreaks of infectious diseases for airlines and society as a whole.<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/120283/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Ramon Zenel Shaban and Cristina Sotomayor-Castillo. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/air-travel-spreads-infections-globally-but-health-advice-from-inflight-magazines-can-limit-that-120283" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

International Travel

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

Woman cops eye-watering fine for being just 6km/h over speed limit

A Melbourne woman who copped a massive $3,635 fine for going less than 10km/h over the speed limit has taken to social media to share her horror story. Jane Agirtan uploaded a TikTok showing the eye-watering fine she received for speeding 6km/h over the speed limit in a 60km/h zone on the 3rd of March. “A bit excessive, no?” she said in the caption of the video. In the clip, Ms Agirtan can be heard saying: “Six kilometres. Are you kidding me? Six kilometres, are you serious?” The woman appeared to have also been fined a few weeks prior for going 106km/h in a 100km/h zone, resulting in a $3661.20 fine. The TikTok post has since received more than 17,000 likes and hundreds of comments. However, Ms Agirtan, a former local candidate for Chelsea in Melbourne, didn’t receive the response she was expecting, with the majority of commenters being less than sympathetic, pointing out the high penalty is likely because she is driving a company car. Under Victoria’s current road rules, exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h in a corporate vehicle will result in a fine of more than $3,000. The fine can then be reduced once the company nominates the employee who was behind the wheel at the time of the infringement. “It’s to stop people abusing corporate cars. If you pay it you won’t lose points. If you nominate, the fine will be like normal,” one person said. Ms Agirtan then responded in the comments confirming her company had followed the process and nominated a driver. Commenters suggested she wouldn’t have to worry about paying a fine if she had simply followed the road rules. “Maybe don’t speed,” one person said. In turn, this prompted Ms Agirtan to say: “106 in 100 zone is prob calibration issue, not speeding”. However, there were some people who agreed with Ms Agirtan that $3,635 was excessive, even for a company car. “That’s absolutely whack. That amount of money is ABSURD even if it is a company car!” one person said. Ms Agirtan responded saying that was the “exact point” she was trying to make. Fines Victoria explained the large fine amount was used to incentivise companies to out the driver behind the wheel. If the company fails to nominate a driver, they are liable for the $3,365 fine – and if the company does this three or more times over a 12-month period they then run the risk of copping a $21,000 penalty. Image: TikTok

Legal

The immigration numbers bidding war is pointless – there are limits to how many migrants Australia can accept

Since late last year, various business lobby groups, the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/australia-needs-explosive-surge-of-2-million-migrants-20211011-p58z0n" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW government</a>, management consultant <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/skilled-migrant-cap-stifles-economy-kpmg-analysis/news-story/dbeec35037ef1b117114bb8e6bdad394" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KPMG</a>, the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/migration-boost-critical-to-recovery-business-council-20220217-p59xfc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Council</a> and now a number of <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-we-open-up-lets-open-up-big-top-economists-say-we-need-more-migrants-177359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economists</a> have been throwing numbers around, talking up the need for higher levels of immigration. I have written previously on the <a href="https://johnmenadue.com/australias-facile-immigration-policy-debate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facile nature</a> of the immigration debate in Australia, on the part of both the groups calling for “immigration to be cut wherever possible” and the groups calling for a bigger Australia. The problem is the debate focuses on targets and numbers for permanent migration, often confusing this permanent migration program with what matters for population which is net migration. At the same time, too little attention is paid to how migration targets would be delivered, the risks involved, and how the risks would be managed. So let’s start with basics. <h2>What matters is net migration</h2> The <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official migration program</a> reflects the number of permanent resident visas issued in any one year, irrespective of whether the person is already in Australia (perhaps for a long time on a different sort of visa) or has been living overseas. Over the past 15 years, more than half of these permanent resident visas have been issued to people who have already been living long-term in Australia. <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net migration</a> as calculated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is a measure of long-term and permanent arrivals, including new people issued these visas, less departures of people who have been living long-term in Australia and intend to remain overseas for 12 out of the next 16 months. It is blind to visa status or citizenship. Net migration can fall sharply even when the migration program is large, as happened in <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2014-15</a> when we had one of the largest permanent migration programs in Australia’s history, yet net migration fell to 180,000. A sharp fall in net migration is usually associated with a weak labour market leading to large outflows of Australians, or Australians deciding not to return, as happened in 1975-76, 1982-83, 1991-92 and 2008-09. On the other hand, even when the migration program is being cut, net migration can be forecast to rise. This is what happened in the 2019 budget, when Treasury forecast the <a href="https://archive.budget.gov.au/2019-20/bp1/download/bp1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest</a> sustained level of net migration in our history, after a year in which the migration program was <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/plan-australias-future-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut</a> from 190,000 to 160,000 per year. <h2>How many migrants, and which ones?</h2> Before discussing the various immigration targets that have recently been proposed, it’s useful to understand the government’s current forecasts and how it intends to deliver them – something surprisingly few do. The 2021-22 program has been set at <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/plan-australias-future-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener">160,000</a> per year. But Treasury’s 2021 Population Statement assumed to increase to <a href="https://population.gov.au/publications/statements/2021-population-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">190,000</a> per year from 2023-24. There is no official government commitment to this increase to 190,000 – and there probably won’t be ahead of the election. There has also been no indication of the composition of this larger program, or what might be needed to deliver it. Planning documents say the 2021-22 migration program will be <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split evenly</a> between the family stream and the skill stream. This is because the government is at last clearing the very large <a href="https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/home-affairs-and-the-great-partner-visa-cover-up,14574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backlog</a> of partner applications it (unlawfully in my view) allowed to build up. If the planned 72,000 partner visas in 2021-22 are delivered, the government might only need to allocate around 50,000 places for partners in future years because it will have cleared much of the backlog it has allowed to build up, which will result in a future overall family stream of around 60,000. This means that to deliver its total program of 160,000 from 2022-23, the government will need an extra 22,000 skilled migrants, and from 2023-24 when the total program increases to 190,000, an extra 52,000 skilled migrants. The current skill stream planning level of 79,600 has four main components. <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/learn-about-sponsoring" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Employer-sponsored migration</a>: 23,503</li> </ul> There is scope to boost the number of these visas by processing them faster. However, even with a very strong labour market, it is highly unlikely that demand would rise much above 35,000 per year, especially if a more robust minimum salary requirement and strong monitoring of compliance with employer obligations are re-introduced to minimise the risk of wage theft. <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business innovation and investment</a>: 11,198</li> </ul> The passive investment subset of these visas, which provides visas to people who make a financial investment for a set period of time, is essentially a “<a href="https://johnmenadue.com/abul-rizvi-business-migration-should-focus-on-establishing-businesses-not-passive-investment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buy a visa</a>” scheme. It should be either abolished or modified to ensure active investment. I resisted establishment of the passive investment component until I left the department of immigration in 2007. Long-term, removing it would cut the number of business innovation and investment visas to around 5,000 per year. <ul> <li><a href="https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-folly-of-the-global-talent-independent-visa,14617" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global talent independent</a> 9,584</li> </ul> This visa is highly susceptible to cronyism and corruption and attracts few migrants who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for other more robust visa categories. It should either be abolished or pared back to a few hundred per year for highly exceptional candidates. <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/immigration-update-australian-states-open-skilled-visa-nomination-programs-for-2021-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State and government sponsored and regional</a> 27,853</li> </ul> While the labour market is strong, there would be merit in increasing the allocation of places for these visas, as state governments are well placed to understand the needs of their jurisdictions. But it is unlikely they would be able to fill more than an additional 10,000 places per year, given the occupational targeting and employment criteria they have in place. <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skilled independent</a> 7,213</li> </ul> Once again, while the labour market is strong, there is scope to increase the size of this category, but there are also risks that would need to be managed. As these migrants have no confirmed job and face a four year wait for access to social security, diluting criteria for this visa to increase the numbers would mean a rising portion would struggle to secure a skilled job. Those with options may leave to another country where job prospects are stronger. Others would be forced to take whatever job they can, including at exploitative wages. In my experience, increasing the size of this visa category to more than around 25,000 would involve substantial risks, especially if the labour market weakens once current stimulus measures are removed. <h2>190,000 won’t be easy to deliver</h2> In total, what I foresee gives us a skill stream of around 100,000. Together with a family stream of 60,000, that provides only enough to fill the existing program of 160,000 per year – not enough to increase it to the 190,000 proposed by Treasury or the 220,000 proposed by the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/migration-boost-critical-to-recovery-business-council-20220217-p59xfc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Council of Australia</a>. Those proposing much higher levels of immigration need to demonstrate how they would be delivered and how the risks of what might be a weaker labour market would be managed. And they need to acknowledge that the size of the migration program doesn’t determine net migration. That’s in large measure determined by the economy and how many Australians and migrants decide to leave, decide to stay overseas, or decide to return. This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

Travel Trouble

Coles to reinstate product limits across the country

Image: Getty Coles supermarkets across the country are set to reintroduce product limits as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the supply chain. The decision was announced to bring back buyer limits on some meat products and rapid antigen tests on Wednesday afternoon taking us all back to the memories of empty shelves and panic buying during the nation’s first lockdown. Customers are limited to two packs of chicken breasts, chicken thighs, mince and sausages. Covid tests have been limited to one pack per transaction. In the meantime, Woolworths have not announced any limits on customers purchasing items other than rapid antigen tests. Photos taken on Thursday night at a Woolies store in Sydney suburb Neutral Bay show the true extent of supply chain issues leaving shelves completely bare. Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed product shortages after an emergency national cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon. 'We're not just dealing with a health challenge, but the economic challenge of taking people out of the workforce, people that are doing very important jobs making sure there's food on the table,' Mr Morrison said. 'The Treasurer in particular has been working with Coles and Woolies and other suppliers, and we are monitoring these issues very closely. 'It will take us a few weeks to fully recover from this and importantly, we need to get those team member numbers that are isolating back into the workforce to recover all of those food supplies.' Meat suppliers have warned of huge supply chain disruptions with as many as 70% of staff off work and in isolation. 'This is an emergency as of now,' Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Patrick Hutchinson told Seven News. 'We're now seeing a large amount of meat workers who actually can't get to work. 'There's hundreds and hundreds of staff up and down the eastern seaboard, certainly Queensland, NSW and VIC who aren't able to get to work at this stage.' In Wednesday's press conference, Mr Morrison confirmed Australians will no longer need to seek a PCR test if they test positive on a rapid antigen test, and should count themselves as Covid positive. The Coles supermarket executive warns shoppers they may need to change brand to find their favourite products for the time being and shop sensibly.

Food & Wine

Road rule myth that WILL see you slapped with fines

When it comes to speed limits, many drivers will say that you are safe if you only slightly exceed the limit as police give a 10 per cent leeway when checking speed. Believing this urban legend could be a costly error to make as authorities can punish anyone driving beyond the speed limit even if it is just a couple of kilometres over the actual limit. We all know speeding comes with heavy penalties, fines and demerit points and poses a danger to not only the driver, but fellow passengers and other cars on the road alike. Why has this myth become so prolific? No matter where you go in Australia, every road has a speed limit that must be obeyed and police officers say they won’t give any leeway to anyone being caught breaking it. Their argument is backed by Australian Road Rules where Rule 20 spells out that going over the limit is an offence no matter how small or large the breach may be. Of course, speed limits do vary depending on the environment that you are in. Many states apply the same limits as one another with some of the most common limits including: <ul> <li>60 km/h in residential areas and estates.</li> <li>80 km/h on major urban roads</li> <li>110km/h on freeways and rural roads.</li> </ul> If you were to believe the 10 per cent rule then you would expect that police would not fine you if were going 66km/h or under in a 60km/h zone. That would mean on freeways you would be able to go 11km/h over the limit which would put you into the higher tier of punishments and see you run the risk of copping some serious fines. This thought echoed by Victoria Police when asked about the truth behind the myth. In a statement a spokesperson told Yahoo news Australia that “our role is to prevent people from becoming seriously injured or dying on our roads”. If you are detected travelling over the limit you should expect to be caught” the statement said. As you would expect anyone caught speeding and given a ticket will find themselves staring at a combination of both fines and demerit points. The punishments for speeding differ depending on how far over the limit you are. Fortunately, only slight breaking the speeding limit (less than 10km/h) comes with a fairly lenient penalty will that allows you to keep your license with some penalty points added. If you are caught prepare to take a double penalty combo wherever you go. These vary across Australia with each state offering the following combinations: <ul> <li>NSW: Speeding penalties are based on the vehicle type. Most road users will have a Class A vehicle which will see you given a $123 fine and issued one demerit point. The penalty is harsher for new drivers, as P-platers will be issued four demerit points instead of one.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>VIC: Drivers are given the same penalty regardless of their experience level and face a $227 fine and one demerit point if they break the speed limit by less than 10km/h.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>QLD: Drivers are driven a bit more leeway with speeds as the lowest penalty boundary is stretched to 13km/h. However, offenders can still get a fine of $183 and one demerit point will be added to their license.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SA: Drivers must be 9km/h or under if they want to escape harsh penalties. Those caught just breaking the speed limit face a combined fine of $275 and could receive two demerit points to their license.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>WA: A slight enigma as they are the only state not to issue demerit points for speeding just over the limit. If you are caught doing 9km/h or less over the limit you will only receive a $100 fine.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>TAS: These rules are lenient for anyone who is found only just breaking the speed limit. If you aren’t move than 10km/h over the limit, you will be given an $83 fine as well as two demerit points added to your license.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>ACT: The lowest penalty band is extended to 15km/h however, the penalties are some of the harshest in the country. Anyone caught travelling just over the speed limit faces a fine of $301 and one demerit point. If it occurs in a school zone the fine increases to $325.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>NT: Similar to the ACT, the NT extends penalty band to 15km/h. The penalties for getting caught are harsh with $150 fine and one demerit point issued to offending drivers.</li> </ul> Despite risk of fines, there are some leeway’s given to drivers as authorities do acknowledge speedometers and other measuring devices have a slight degree of inaccuracy. This thought was echoed by the NRMA to spokesperson Peter Khoury who says that drivers are “given restricted leeway to accommodate slight inaccuracy of measuring devices within a reasonable degree of concession”. “We strongly urge drivers to stick to the speed limits regardless of a potential leeway given to them by police” he added. It is always best to stick to the speed limit, even when in a rush.

Legal

The surprising road rule you never knew about that can cost you

Many drivers are aware of the hefty fines that come from travelling over the speed limit. However, most don’t know that there is a harsh punishment for driving too slow! Despite the strict rules, there is no specific minimum speed publicly available for Aussies to follow on the roads. Due to the lack of clarity, police tend to decide if a motorist is driving too slow if they are obstructing the safe movement of other drivers or pedestrians. Based on their locations and circumstances, they can then be dealt with under part 2 of Rule 125 of the Australian Road Rules, which is applied across all states and territories. It falls under the category of “unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians”, with the rules stating that “a driver must not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a pedestrian”. No specific speed is listed, but an example is provided, of driving 20km/h in an 80km/h zone when there is no reason to do so. There are exceptions to the rule, which include being stopped in traffic, and if the driver is driving more slowly than other vehicles around them. Those who are pinched by the rule won’t receive any demerit points, but can be dealt large fines based on each state’s laws. In NSW, the fine stands at $272, compared with $364 in Victoria, $137 in Queensland, $219 in South Australia, $100 in WA, $130 in Tasmania, $193 in the ACT and $157 in the Northern Territory. Image credit: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Aussie states and territories planning 30km/h speed limits

A number of Australian states and territories are trialling or planning 30km/h speed limits and zones in a move that could benefit the economy. Western Australia, NSW and VIC have implemented the measure with other states following their lead. “By building safer streets, governments and cities around the world are creating more liveable cities,” Matthew Mclaughlin, Ben Beck, Julie Brown and Megan Sharkey wrote for <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/busted-5-myths-about-30km-h-speed-limits-in-australia-160547" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. “The benefits include low crime levels, more physically active citizens, greater social connectedness, increased spending in local businesses and less pollution.” Research by the Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety found that the speed limits reduce our national toll by 13 per cent. “The evidence is very clear: the chance of a pedestrian surviving when hit by a car skyrockets when the car’s speed is reduced,” The Conversation piece read. Road Safety NSW says that the chance of someone surviving after being hit by a vehicle at 50km/h is just 10 per cent whereas the rate spikes to 90 per cent if someone is hit by a car going at 30km/h. “Speed is the most common contributor to road trauma – more common than alcohol, drugs and fatigue,” the group wrote. “To reduce serious injury, 40km/h speed limits aren’t low enough. The chance of survival when hit by a car improves from 60 per cent at 40km/h to 90 per cent at 30km/h. “Reducing speed limits to 30km/h in urban areas such as high pedestrian zones, school zones and local traffic areas is urgently needed to reduce deaths and severe injuries.”

Legal

Furious ALDI shoppers call for buying limits

An ALDI shopper’s behaviour has sparked a furious response on social media after he was caught trying to sell five of the prized $149 air fryers at almost twice the price - just four days after the Special Buys favourite sold out nationwide. The man’s ad for five ALDI 16L Multifunction Air Fryers was shared on the Facebook group ALDI Australia Buy, Swap & Sell on Sunday, priced at $279. "Brand new in box un open, 5 available [sic]," the ad description reads. A screenshot of the ad was later posted to the Facebook group ALDI Mums, with many ALDI fans dubbing the man as a “jerk” and a “price gouger”. "Appalling. Should be illegal!" one commentator wrote. "What a jerk," another agreed, with a third asking: "What is wrong with people!" Many called for the German supermarket to apply customer limits to prevent this from happening. "Aldi should limit per customer each!" one wrote. "Special electronic buys should be restricted to one per customer. It's a no brainer." Another shopper thought two seemed fair: "Aldi should just have a 2 per person limit on special buys." But some disagreed and said the man did nothing wrong. "He's paid for it. He has the right to do whatever he wants with it. If someone is silly enough to pay that much for it then nothing to get worked up about." ALDI have previously said they’re not in the practice of restricting the volume of items sold to customers.

Food & Wine

Supermarkets reinstate buying limits

Supermarkets have reinstated buying limits after Victoria’s announcement to reintroduce stage three coronavirus restrictions saw a resurgence of stock shortages across the state. Residents in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be placed under stage three restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday for six weeks, and will only be allowed to leave their homes for four reasons: food and supplies shopping, medical care and caregiving, exercise, and study and work. Coles and Woolworths reimposed purchase limits on Wednesday morning after queues were seen in stores following the announcement yesterday. Woolworths stores and online services in Victoria now observe two-pack limits on: <ul> <li>Frozen vegetables</li> <li>Frozen potatoes</li> <li>Frozen fruit</li> <li>Frozen fish</li> <li>Frozen poultry</li> <li>Pre-packed sausages from the meat department</li> <li>Pre-packed burger patties, rissoles and meatballs from the meat department</li> <li>Pre-packed carrots</li> <li>Pre-packed potatoes</li> <li>Chilled fresh milk</li> <li>Sliced bread loaves from the bakery department</li> <li>Frozen pizza</li> <li>Frozen party snacks</li> <li>Frozen meals</li> <li>Frozen seafood</li> <li>Chilled juice</li> <li>Pre-packed bacon</li> <li>Tissues</li> <li>Dry pasta</li> <li>Eggs</li> <li>Flour</li> <li>Hand sanitiser</li> <li>Long life milk</li> <li>Mince</li> <li>Paper towel</li> <li>Rice</li> <li>Sugar</li> </ul> The two-pack limit also continues to apply to toilet rolls in all states and territories. “We have more than enough stock flowing from our distribution centres into stores to support all our customers’ food and grocery needs,” a Woolworths spokesman told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/coles-and-woolworths-reinstate-buying-limits-in-victorian-supermarkets/news-story/e7042d64ead514b2911390ee2125e217">News.com.au</a>. “We encourage our customers to continue shopping as they usually would.” Coles said all its supermarkets, Express stores and online services within the affected areas now have two-pack limits on the following items: <ul> <li>Pasta</li> <li>Flour</li> <li>Sugar</li> <li>Rice</li> <li>Chicken breast</li> <li>Hand sanitiser</li> <li>Chicken Thigh</li> <li>Liquid soaps</li> <li>Chilled pasta</li> <li>Long-life milk</li> <li>Eggs</li> <li>Mince meat</li> <li>Paper towels</li> <li>Fresh white milk</li> <li>Frozen chips</li> <li>Frozen desserts</li> <li>Frozen fruit</li> <li>Tissues</li> <li>Frozen vegetables</li> </ul> The supermarket giant’s one-pack limit on toilet paper remains.

Food & Wine

Coles imposes product limits after workers test positive for coronavirus

Coles has reinstated product limits in Victoria, Tasmania and parts of NSW after several workers at its Laverton chilled distribution centre tested positive for coronavirus. The supermarket giant said it is working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to have all staff members in the centre tested for COVID-19 after a number of employees were diagnosed with the virus. None of those who tested positive have been present at the centre since June 25, Coles said. “While the Laverton distribution centre has been able to maintain operations, the reduced number of available team members has temporarily impacted our ability to replenish our Victorian stores with chilled and fresh produce lines,” it said in a statement. All Coles stores and online services in Victoria and Tasmania as well as Lavington, Albury and Deniliquin in NSW have now implemented the following limits: Two-packs limit Chilled product (from Laverton DC) <ul> <li>Fresh Milk</li> <li>Cheese</li> <li>Butter</li> <li>Margarine</li> <li>Chicken Breast</li> <li>Chicken Thighs</li> <li>Prepacked Carrots</li> <li>Prepacked Potatoes</li> </ul> Ambient and frozen product <ul> <li>Canned Tomatoes</li> <li>Canned Beans</li> <li>Canned Garden Veg</li> <li>Pasta Sauce</li> <li>Canned Fruit</li> <li>Canned Baked Beans and Spaghetti</li> <li>Canned Meat</li> <li>Cheese</li> <li>Frozen Fruit and Veg (including Potato)</li> </ul> The one-pack limit for toilet paper and paper towel still applies in all states. Coles said it is working with suppliers to restock the stores immediately. “We apologise to customers of our Victorian and NSW border stores who may find some chilled and fresh produce lines are temporarily out of stock,” it said. The news came as Victoria deals with a new spike in coronavirus cases.

News

“She’s dead to me:” Tension reaches limit between Voice judges

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text ">Kelly Rowland and Guy Sebastian have seemingly reached their limits on The Voice whole mentoring together. For better or for worse however, their bitter feud was mentioned during a 9Now interview this week where Guy, 38, admitted they Kelly is “sort of, dead to me”. And their bitter feud was evident during an interview with 9Now this week. The singer went on to say with a laugh: “Because she follows everyone else on Instagram and she doesn't follow me, whatever.” However, the other coaches Delta Goodrem and Boy George had nothing but praise for their fellow judges. 35-year-old Australian pop star Delta, revealed how she met Guy when he was on Australian Idol back in 2003. “He had my poster on his keyboard!' she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Guy's singing to my poster!’” Boy George, shared the moment he first met Kelly. “I actually went up to Destiny's Child in a restaurant and I said, ‘I love your music, I'm a massive fan!’” Kelly made headlines last week when she stormed off stage after she admitted she felt Guy had made an “unfair” song choice for Bukhu Ganburged and Johnny Manuel's duet. Guy had allowed bookies' favourite Johnny to take the lead in the performance while Mongolian throat singer Bukhu only just had a supporting role. In an earlier episode, Kelly went head to head with Guy after he turned his chair for a singer in the blinds even though he already had a team that was full.</div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"></div> </div> </div>

Music

Mother caught speeding with toddler son in car while nine times over blood alcohol limit

A Sydney woman has pleaded guilty to drink driving at nine times the alcohol limit with a suspended licence and her three-year-old son in the car. Amber Lukunic, 44, was caught driving at 100km/h speed in an 80km/h zone on the Princes Highway in the city’s south on March 27, <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/stgeorge-shire-standard/amber-lukunic-pleads-guilty-to-high-range-drink-driving/news-story/7016f486c3dbc9e16cf13bad4ac91499">The Daily Telegraph</a> reported. The Thirroul mother was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.182, nine times the 0.02 limit for already suspended drivers. According to the outlet, police stated that Lukunic had travelled from Thirroul to Menai to “pick her three-year-old son up from childcare and was on her way home”. Agreed police facts stated: “Her reason for driving was that there was no-one else than could collect her child. “She had a strong smell of intoxicating liquor on her breath, she had watery, glazed eyes, her speech was slurred, and she was unsteady on her feet as she carried her son into the police station.” Lukunic told police officers she had one glass of white wine before driving. She pleaded guilty to high range drink driving and driving suspended, and is set to complete the traffic offenders’ program ahead of sentencing at Sutherland Local Court on May 28. Family and Community Services was notified after her young son was discovered in the back seat. Lukunic’s licence was suspended in February over a lower-range drink driving offence in Wollongong. Her other prior offences included three counts of speeding in school zones and one count of not stopping at a red arrow.

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Coles to reinstate product limits across the country

Road rule myth that WILL see you slapped with fines

The surprising road rule you never knew about that can cost you

Aussie states and territories planning 30km/h speed limits

Furious ALDI shoppers call for buying limits

Supermarkets reinstate buying limits

Coles imposes product limits after workers test positive for coronavirus

“She’s dead to me:” Tension reaches limit between Voice judges

Mother caught speeding with toddler son in car while nine times over blood alcohol limit

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

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Information

Keep up to date

Search

Loyalty programs may limit competition, and they could be pushing prices up for everyone

“Sky’s the limit”: Why Alex de Minaur is the one to watch at the Australian Open

The sky’s the limit: A brief history of in-flight entertainment

It’s time to limit how often we can travel abroad – ‘carbon passports’ may be the answer

Limited edition King Charles stamps up for grabs

Channel 10 newsreader admits to driving while four times over the legal limit

Limited edition Mother's Day treat for the mum who has everything

Air travel spreads infections globally, but health advice from inflight magazines can limit that

Nespresso launches limited-edition festive collection

Woman cops eye-watering fine for being just 6km/h over speed limit

The immigration numbers bidding war is pointless – there are limits to how many migrants Australia can accept

Coles to reinstate product limits across the country

Road rule myth that WILL see you slapped with fines

The surprising road rule you never knew about that can cost you

Aussie states and territories planning 30km/h speed limits

Furious ALDI shoppers call for buying limits

Supermarkets reinstate buying limits

Coles imposes product limits after workers test positive for coronavirus

​“She’s dead to me:” Tension reaches limit between Voice judges

Mother caught speeding with toddler son in car while nine times over blood alcohol limit

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“She’s dead to me:” Tension reaches limit between Voice judges