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Millions of Aussies set for pay rise

Millions of Aussies are in line for a boost on July 1, with the Fair Work Commission set to hand down their decision on minimum pay rates on Monday morning. The workplace umpire's annual wage review, which affects minimum and award wage earners, is expected to hand down an increase of between 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent on the pay rate of $23.23 an hour. These wage increases factor in economic conditions and broader goals such as closing the gender pay gap. A substantial boost was handed out last year - 5.75 per cent for awards and 8.6 per cent for the national minimum - with the commission basing their decision on factors like low unemployment, falling wages and high inflation. The Albanese government has submitted that it would prefer the “real wages of Australia’s low-paid workers do not go backwards." “We want to see strong and sustainable wages growth because we see this as part of the solution to the cost-of-living challenge, not part of the problem,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said ahead of the decision. No number was specified but they are advocating to an increase which keeps up with inflation, which was at 4.1 per cent annually in the March quarter. In their submission, the government also said that tax relief due to kick in mid-year should not be viewed as a replacement to a wage boost. Meanwhile, peak employee representative the ACTU, has advocated for an increase of 5 per cent, arguing that workers affected by the cost-of-living pressures deserve a hike to their pay. Australian Industry Group has proposed a wage increase of 2.8 per cent, warning that an excessive pay boost could increase the risk of job losses, as the economy is slowing and labour market is weakening. Economists have also warned that an increase of over 4 per cent could further complicate the Reserve Bank’s efforts in fighting inflation, which have already slugged borrowers with 13 rate hikes in the last two years. But AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said that an increase of at or just below 4 per cent, could help the RBA return inflation back to its target band of two to three per cent. “A rise around 4 per cent would give workers a real wage rise, it’s not so high as to add to the risk of a wage price spiral, … and in line with the rough assessment that 4 per cent wages growth is consistent with 2 per cent to 3 per cent inflation.” Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacinta-l-johnson-1441348">Jacinta L. Johnson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsten-staff-1494356">Kirsten Staff</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It’s very common and usually nothing to worry about; about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15525840">half of Australian men</a> show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15525840">over a quarter of Australian women</a> report hair thinning by the same age. It’s often genetic. But if you’ve noticed hair loss and are worried by it, see a GP or dermatologist for a diagnosis before trying any treatments. Products claiming to reverse hair loss are everywhere, but few have been scientifically tested for how well they work. One group of products that have actually been scientifically tested, however, are known as topical minoxidil products. These include products such as Regaine®. So, do they work? Here’s what the research evidence says, what you can realistically expect and what you need to know if you’re considering this treatment. <h2>What is minoxidil – and does it work?</h2> Topical minoxidil usually comes as a kind of foam or serum you apply to your scalp. It’s been approved by the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a>, Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods, for the treatment of hereditary hair loss in males and females. Minoxidil is also available in tablet form, but this isn’t currently approved for hair loss (more on that later). So, is topical minoxidil effective? In short – yes, but the results vary widely from person to person, and it needs to be used consistently over several months to see results. Scientists don’t know exactly how minoxidil works. It may affect the different phases of the hair life cycle, thereby encouraging growth. It also <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2021.1945527?casa_token=KhIM_u0u8nwAAAAA:5njp_XE5cHhip454ycvU1p9p_t0VVzpjRu0ozDZ9YqNb04fmhmngWzYeiowZcG5UugLQkTVIzCcj7A">opens up blood vessels</a> near hair follicles. This increases blood flow, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the hair. While minoxidil is unlikely to restore a full head of thick, lush, hair, it can slow down hair loss and can <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007628.pub4/full?highlightAbstract=minoxidil">stimulate regrowth</a>. It is the over-the-counter option with the most evidence. Two strengths are available: 5% and 2%. An analysis of randomised controlled trials found minoxidil applied to the scalp twice a day increased the number of hairs per square centimetre by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28396101/">eight to 15 hairs</a>, with the higher strength treatment having a slightly greater effect. <h2>Can I use it for non-genetic balding?</h2> There are many causes of hair loss. The main cause in both males and females is a hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia. Although topical minoxidil is only approved for use in Australia for androgenic alopecia, there is some evidence it can also help in other conditions that cause hair loss. For example, it may hasten hair regrowth in patients who have lost hair due to <a href="https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(96)90500-9/abstract">chemotherapy</a>. Unfortunately, minoxidil is not effective when the hair follicle is gone, like after a burn injury. Although small studies have found promising results using minoxidil to promote hair growth on the face (for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1346-8138.13312">beard</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24471459/">eyebrow</a> enhancement), topical minoxidil products are not currently approved for this use. More research is required. <h2>What else do I need to know?</h2> Minoxidil won’t work well for everyone. Early in treatment you might notice a temporary increase in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22409453/">hair shedding</a>, as it alters the hair cycle to make way for new growth. Minoxidil needs to be trialled for three to six months to determine if it’s effective. And as it doesn’t cure hair loss, you must <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.14624?casa_token=P-zW7kDNRs8AAAAA%3AaUgUzxU7lbwBpg1BYPajOfXFhpb_mU5g_ounZ6GtjsLLkHO_AdVQ2Kf-8zZkW80ykBj3N_sOsyn392uc">continue</a> to use it each day to maintain the effect. If you stop, you will start losing the new hair growth <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/1f8127a5-2a98-4013-a7c3-a53300feb0e5-reduced.pdf">within three to four months</a>. Minoxidil products may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using minoxidil products. It has not been tested for safety in <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/1f8127a5-2a98-4013-a7c3-a53300feb0e5-reduced.pdf">people under 18, over 65, or those who are pregnant</a>. You can read the <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/regaine-for-men-regular-strength-application">consumer medicines information sheet</a> for more information about using over-the-counter minoxidil products. Many people do not like to use minoxidil solution or foams long-term because they need to be applied everyday day, which can be inconvenient. Or they may notice side effects, such as scalp irritation and changes to hair texture. Some people <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.14624?casa_token=P-zW7kDNRs8AAAAA%3AaUgUzxU7lbwBpg1BYPajOfXFhpb_mU5g_ounZ6GtjsLLkHO_AdVQ2Kf-8zZkW80ykBj3N_sOsyn392uc">tolerate the foam products better</a> than the solution, as the solution contains more of a compound called propylene glycol (which can irritate the skin). <h2>What about the oral tablet form of minoxidil?</h2> Minoxidil is also available on prescription as an oral tablet. While traditionally used for high blood pressure, it has also been used as a treatment for hair loss. In 2020, a <a href="https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)32109-5/abstract">systematic review</a> identified 17 studies involving 634 patients using oral minoxidil for various hair loss conditions. The authors found oral minoxidil was effective and generally well tolerated in healthy people who were having trouble using the topical products. The review noted oral minoxidil may increase hair growth over the whole body and may cause heart-related side effects in some patients. More research is required. In Australia, oral minoxidil is available under the trade name <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/df29e16f-6464-4652-ba1f-a53300fed275.pdf">Loniten</a>®. However, it is currently only approved for use in high blood pressure. When people seek a prescription treatment for a non-approved purpose, this is called “off-label” prescribing. Off-label prescribing of oral minoxidil, potentially for use in alopecia, may have contributed to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10170338/">shortages</a> of Loniten® tablets in recent years. This can reduce availability of this medicine for people who need it for high blood pressure.<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/223736/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacinta-l-johnson-1441348">Jacinta L. Johnson</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsten-staff-1494356">Kirsten Staff</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-minoxidil-the-anti-balding-hair-growth-treatment-heres-what-the-science-says-223736">original article</a>. Image: Getty

Body

How to receive criticism with grace and open arms

Tom Cronin is a meditation teacher, life coach and writer. He is the founder of The Stillness Project, a global movement that aims to help people on their journey towards calmness and fulfilment. Put your hand up if you like to receive criticism. Of course you kept your hand down. No one likes to be criticised. To the point where we often hold ourselves back from doing many great things in fear of being criticised. I saw a quote this week by Aristotle: “There is only one way to avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” Criticism can cut to the core of our ego. It challenges all the false beliefs that we’ve had about ourselves. We tend to measure ourselves by the perspectives of others and when that perspective becomes negative, then OUCH! It hurts. I’ll let you in on a secret, which is not so secret now. I’m a recovering perfectionist, recovering in that I’ve been in ‘perfectionist rehab’ trying to wean myself off being a perfectionist. One thing about perfectionists is that we love to be perfect…. and what does criticism from others say about our perfectness? That it doesn’t exist! Our illusion becomes shattered and it’s brutally painful. It was for this reason that I held back from writing, speaking, and teaching. I mean what if someone faulted what I did? Heaven forbid! But the compulsion became stronger and it was a tussle between what was the natural flow forward and my ego holding me back in fear. The block was in my ego, so that’s what I had to work on… dissolving that pesky little thing (only it wasn’t little, it was gargantuan!) Through my meditation practice I was able to slowly dissolve the big E and allow my clear fearless expression to shine through. (Mind you it’s not totally dissolved, there is still some there) Sure, I get criticised. It’s going to happen. But now I see criticism as something very constructive. It’s up to you; it can be destructive or constructive. I find it useful market research that helps me refine what I do and become better at it. In fact, only the other day I asked my children to critique me as a parent. I sat them both down and said to them (true story): “Hey kids, so I have never been trained as parent and this is my first time at it. So I may be doing things wrong or things that you don’t like. I’m still learning. I want you to let me know how you’d like me to change as a parent and what you think I could do better?” To which they replied along the lines of: “Nah, we think you’re doing a great job Dad, you don’t need to change anything.” It was a nice to hear but I was seriously looking for some constructive criticism to help me become better at parenting. I used to really struggle receiving criticism, it was a painful experience. But not I welcome it with gratitude. It teaches me to evolve and adapt. But coming back to Mr. Aristotle, and his quote. What would you prefer? Not being criticised and playing the small safe, game or growing, expanding and inspiring others while you expose yourself to potential criticism? You think Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Jesus, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela were never criticised? The choice is yours and you have greatness within you to share with the world. So what are you waiting for? Share with us how you would like to share your gifts with the world in the comments below. Written by Tom Cronin. First appeared on <a href="http://stillnessproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Stillness Project</a>.

Mind

Massive house price slowdown as interest rate climbs

After experiencing near-record high prices during the pandemic, the cost of a house in Australia’s capital cities is experiencing its biggest slowdown since 1989, according to new data. The slowdown in price growth over the past six months is worse than the stagnation and turbulence the housing market experienced in 2004 and 2008’s Global Financial Crisis. According to new analysis from PropTrack, the annual rate of home price growth in capital cities has dropped from January’s rate of 24 percent, to 14 percent. PropTrack has reported that Sydney prices have slowed at the fastest rate since 1989, Melbourne’s is the slowest since 2010 and Brisbane’s since 2008. Economist Paul Ryan told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-capital-city-home-prices-slow-down-slow-at-most-rapid-pace-in-more-than-30-years/e7d7b5cc-965d-480c-9b7f-20a6a9ef862d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a> the slowdown was “not surprising”, blaming recent interest rate rises and predicting it would continue due to additional rises expected over the rest of the year. “Looking ahead, the rapid slowdown in price growth signals the housing market is likely to continue to see slow growth over the rest of 2022,” he said. He added that buyers may be hesitant with the high level of uncertainty around the cost of mortgage repayments. “Resolving this uncertainty about the path of interest rates will be the key element buyers look for over the rest of the year,” he continued. Though it is normal for prices to decline after a period of growth, Ryan said this sudden six-month deceleration was of potential concern. “It’s not necessarily the case that growth falls rapidly after a run-up,” he said. “In general, the market moves more gradually, indicating there are other factors involved.” It comes after the Reserve Bank lifted the nation’s interest rates by 0.5 percent on Tuesday, making it the second month in a row with an increase. Image: Getty Images

Real Estate

Boss threatens to sue employees over wage talk

An employee has called out her manager after he threatened to fire staff for talking about their wages. The business owner of Planet Fitness gym in Kentucky, US, hung a poster on the wall informing staff not to talk about their wages because it is illegal. However, under the National Labor Relations Act, employees are entitled to speak about their wages freely. “ATTENTION ALL SUBORDINATES,” the letter, which was shared to Reddit began. “Effective immediately, conversing about wages (both on duty and off duty) is strictly forbidden, “This is considered proprietary information and as such, it is protected legally. “If you are overheard speaking (OR LISTENING TO!!) a conversation in which wages are discussed, you will receive disciplinary action up to and including termination.” One of the gym’s employees, Shelly, did not accept her boss's premise and decided to get back at him. Another photo shared to the post shows multiple hammers and sickles drawn on it - representative of the communist party. “Seeing as you’re a manager in the great illustrious word (sic) of Planet Fitness gym franchises, it may behoove (sic) you to become familiar with the laws pertaining to it,” Shelly wrote. “Sprinkling legalese and word-salad across an 8.5x11 paper you printed does not make a legal doc. “Needless to say, you can’t legally tell us not to discuss wages in the good ol’ U.S. of A. We will continue to do so.” She ended the note with “Love, $10.50 an hour Shelly” which then saw her colleagues write their own wages. Viewers commended Shelly for the move which showed a united front against the boss who was very much in the wrong. "I LOVE $10.50 an hour Shelly!" someone wrote. "Long Live Shelly. I hope she is $25.00 an hour Shelly very very soon,” another commented. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of SHELLY SHELLY!" another joked. Images: Reddit

Money & Banking

7 hacks that will revive almost any plant

1. Look for signs of life If your plant has turned brown and lost some leaves, don’t give up on it just yet. There is hope that you can revive a dead plant if the plant still has a few green leaves and pliable stems – buds are a sure sign too. Melinda Meyers, star and producer of Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio segments, says that reviving a plant takes patience (sometimes even years). 2. Think about the water Plants that are over-watered appear wilted and may have brown or yellow leaves that make it look dead but with very moist soil. By contrast, if you have forgotten to water your plants, the leaves will be brown but dried around the edges or curled up. Master gardener, Kristena LaMar, says that if you suspect over-watering is the cause of your plant’s demise, repot your plant in dry dirt. And if your plant is thirsty, water it! However, hold off on fertilising until the plant is in better health. Meyers warns that, “Fertilising a struggling plant can injure the tender roots of a recovering plant.” 3. Consider your lighting situation If you recently moved your plant to a new spot, it’s possible it’s no longer getting enough light. Even if you didn’t move it, it’s possible its lighting situation changed. Did you recently buy heavier drapes? Plant a tree outside that’s now blocking the indoor sunlight? Try moving your plant to a sunnier window if it needs a lot of light. (Same goes with a plant that’s now getting too much sun; try a different location in your home.) 4. Find a humid spot Plants absorb water through leaves as well as roots. So keep your plant in a humid spot that’s not too sunny and not too dry to help it recover. 5. Feed your plant carefully People and pets aren’t the only things in your house that need food; plants can get malnourished, too. (Signs are discoloured leaves or slow or no growth.) Meyers recommends a fertiliser/nutritional supplement. Depending on the nutritional deficiency, providing the nutrition can help the plant recover nearly immediately within days. Other deficiencies may take longer – as in weeks – while others are chronic and may not ever fully recover, although these are rare with houseplants. 6. IV for plants Another option for malnourished plants is a water-soluble fertiliser that will slowly release nutrients and is less likely to burn your plant’s roots. Add it to the watering can before watering plants. Only use fertiliser during the time when your plant should be growing. Over-fertilising or using the wrong fertiliser can burn the roots of the plant. 7. Compost If you’ve tried everything, and your plant still can’t be revived, it might be time to let go. By composting your plants, the remains can be recycled as nutrient-rich dirt that can help your next houseplant thrive. Don’t beat yourself up – and next time buy a hearty, nearly kill-proof cactus.

Home & Garden

Woman "stuck" in the body of a child reveals dating problems

A woman who says she is "stuck" in the body of a child has revealed the extraordinary measures she must take in the dating world. Shauna Rae measures 1.16m in height, making her the average height of an 8-year-old. However, the US woman is actually 22 years of age, and had her growth stunted by chemotherapy when she was young. In an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/tv/tlcs-shauna-rae-recalls-when-she-stopped-growing-at-age-16/" target="_blank">People</a> ahead of the release of her upcoming TV show I am Shauna Rae, Shauna said he has to take extra precautions when it comes to her dating life. “I have to have in-person conversations before we even think about going on a date. I have to know how this person reacts in public areas,” she said. “I have to know if they’re going to be able to deal with all the issues I have, because I can’t date someone unless they can take all of that on. And it’s a lot to ask someone to take on.” Despite her best efforts to meet her soulmate, Shauna said her "romantic life sucks". “I think I’ve dated like seven people. I attract creeps, a-holes – you know the typical ‘bad boy picture’ situation – and idiots,” she said. In the trailer for her new series, Shauna is seen meeting a man for a blind date, with the man thinking he is being pranked when she shows up. When Shauna was just six-months-old, she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatment. “My pituitary gland was rendered almost dormant because of the chemotherapy,” Shauna says in the trailer. “The doctor told me I was done growing. My bones were fused, and my height is three feet and 10 inches (1.16m).” Shauna admitted to People that when she stopped growing at age 16, the revelation was "like a hammer crashing into glass". “It was a very difficult time,” she said. “It probably was the lowest time of my life, because I always imagined that I would be tall.” After spending time devoted to "bettering" herself, Shauna has learned to look on the bright side of life, and has come to terms with her size. “Being positive is just the best advice I can give, because at the end of the day, the only person that controls how you feel is yourself,” she said. Check out the trailer for I Am Shauna Rae here. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s7In-KGxduU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Image credits: Youtube

Relationships

George Calombaris admits to “crying a lot" during wage theft scandal

Former MasterChef judge and restaurateur George Calombaris has opened up about his wage theft scandal in 2019, admitting that he “cried a lot” as it unfolded. Talking to Sam Newman and Don Scott for their You Cannot Be Serious podcast, Calombaris said of the scandal, “It was brutal and I cried a lot.” In 2019, the Fair Work Ombudsman ordered his hospitality group, Made Establishment, to pay back $7.8 million to workers after failing to pay them penalty rates for several years. Calombaris was also personally penalised $200,000 for the underpayments. His decade-long stint as a judge on MasterChef was brought to an end that year, after contract negotiations between judges Calombaris, Matt Preston, and Gary Meighan, and Network Ten, broke down. Throughout the scandal, he maintained that it was a mistake caused by inexperience. In addition, as the scandal was unfolding, Calombaris was charged with assault after shoving a 19-year-old at the 2017 A-League grand final for heckling him about the controversy. Early last year, it was announced that Made Establishment had entered voluntary administration. Calombaris admitted on the podcast that he drank during this time, and was an “emotional wreck”. He said, “I drank a lot, I really did. When I drink, I don’t get aggressive, but when I drink excessively like I did in that period, I’m an emotional wreck. “I probably should have opened up more. I was trying to fix it all behind a closed door and I was literally fist-punching myself internally and emotionally.” In 2017, Made Establishment calculated that its current workforce had been underpaid $2.6 million and publicly disclosed the issue, immediately repaying 162 people and committing to working with Fair Work Australia to ensure the matter was finalised. It eventually came out that the problem was much worse than that, however, with the company being informed in 2019 that they had underpaid staff by $7.8 million, affecting 515 employees over a six-year period. Of the revelation, Calombaris said, “We went to Fair Work and said, ‘Guys we found these issues, we’re paying up, every cent, but we also want to give it to a journalist to talk the story.” "Hopefully that will get everyone else in an industry that is rife with payments under tables and stuff like that, for everyone to pull their socks up. That turned. That became, ‘George Calombaris the wage thief’, ‘George Calombaris in his Toorak mansion living the big life’, blah blah. It went disgustingly bad. “Unfortunately, the name George Calombaris, when it was high, everyone was flying and loved it, everyone wanted to be around it. But when they did that list I became this poster boy as the wage thief. It punched us right in the face.” Image: Daniel Munoz/WireImage

Food & Wine

Women retire with less than men: Boosting compulsory super won’t help

All sorts of claims are being made following the release of the Retirement Income Review, including that it paid insufficient attention to issues of gender. Among other things we are being told that the gap between female and male super would narrow if compulsory contributions were lifted from 9.5% to 12%. It wouldn’t, not at all. As the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2020-100554">review</a> of which I was a member states, “maintaining the superannuation guarantee at 9.5% would avoid the increases in inequities associated with the superannuation guarantee rate rising to 12%”. Since men on average earn more than women, increasing the superannuation guarantee rate would widen — rather than narrow — the retirement income gap. By design, superannuation is a contributory scheme. That means what you get in retirement depends largely on how long you have been in the workforce and how much you have been paid. In that respect women are at a disadvantage, firstly due to the gender pay gap. Women get less super because they get less pay The review points out in November 2019 the gap in total average weekly earnings was 16.9% for women and men working full-time. The Bureau of Statistics reported in December 2020 that the pay gap had fallen to <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/gender-indicators-australia/latest-release#economic-security">13.4%</a>. While there is still a way to go, it’s an improvement. However, the second and greater disadvantage for women is that they are far more likely to take on caring roles that lead to career breaks and part-time employment. Some 93% of all primary carer leave is taken by women. The result is a gender pay gap of closer to <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-work-hours/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release">30%</a> when part-time and full-time work are taken together. Several things could help <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/390716/original/file-20210321-15-1jrip39.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/390716/original/file-20210321-15-1jrip39.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf" class="source">The Retirement Incomes Review modelled retirement outcomes by gender.</a> To understand the contribution of career breaks to super balances and retirement incomes, the review constructed and modelled <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf">five different scenarios</a> for female workers based on observed patterns of career breaks and part-time work. Not surprisingly the modelling found that when women take more time out of the workforce, the gender gap in superannuation balances increases. Breaks earlier in careers have a greater impact on balances than breaks taken later. In recent decades the impact of career breaks has been declining as women take less time out of the workforce. Average female working life climbed from 24 years in 1980 to around 38 years in 2019. There are a number of measures that could improve super outcomes for women. The review found one would be to require the payment of superannuation on employer paid parental leave and <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/parental-leave-pay">government parental leave pay</a>. The super gap isn’t as wide as the pay gap Another would be to require employers to make superannuation contributions to workers earning less than <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Super-for-employers/">$450 per month</a>. The present exemption impacts directly on those who work part-time and who work for a number of different employers, 63% of whom are women. Both options would improve the retirement incomes of women, but only marginally mitigate the gender gap inherent in the way superannuation is structured. But here’s what else we found. A number of measures already in place do quite a bit to lessen the gap. Among them are the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/In-detail/Growing-your-super/Low-income-super-tax-offset/">Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset</a> and the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/In-detail/Growing-your-super/Super-co-contribution/">government superannuation co-contribution</a>. Because women earn less than men, both benefit women far more than men. Also, women benefit from the imposition of <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/In-detail/Growing-your-super/Division-293-tax---information-for-individuals/">Division 293 tax</a> which limits concessions for higher income earners, who are more likely to be men. Half as worse off in retirement And women also make higher <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf">voluntary super contributions</a> as a proportion of incomes then men. This is particularly so for women over the age of 50, suggesting some make a concerted effort to catch up. As a result, in 2017‑18 the median gap in superannuation balances between men and women aged 60‑64 was <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf">22%</a>, considerably less than the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-work-hours/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release">30%</a> gender gap in pay. And the age pension means test means that once women move into retirement, they are more likely than men to get the age pension, and to get more of it. When the age pension and superannuation income are combined, the retirement income gap for women who have worked full time with no career break falls to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf">8.4%</a> For women with two career breaks and part-time work it falls to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud03_equity.pdf">14.5%</a>. We could do better, and the review spelled out steps to take. It found that boosting compulsory super contributions was not one of them. An increase in the proportion of income sent to super would lift the retirement incomes of high earners more than the retirement incomes of low earners. Until things change, increases in compulsory super will boost the retirement incomes of men more than women.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/157412/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/deborah-ralston-107436">Deborah Ralston</a>, Professorial fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-women-retire-with-less-than-men-but-boosting-compulsory-super-wont-help-157412">original article</a>.

Retirement Income

Harvey Norman slammed for "revolting irresponsible" tweet

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Department store Harvey Norman has been slammed on social media for a "revolting" response to a tweet from its official company account. The company replied to a tweet from a former employee who claimed that working for the company made them "suicidal". "Working for your god forsaken company drove me to suicide in 6 months," they wrote. "To the 50 people paid $200k a year to manage one account — go f*** yourselves." The HarveyNormanAU Twitter account tweeted two emojis, which were a facepalm and a waving hand. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Lol <a href="https://twitter.com/HarveyNormanAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@harveynormanau</a> blocking people for talking about the wage strikes Working for your god forsaken company drove me to suicide in 6 months To the 50 people paid $200k a year to manage to one account - go fuck yourselves. I know you do, that Sydney conference is a fucking mess — Sisyphysical (@sisyphysical) <a href="https://twitter.com/sisyphysical/status/1398244255043260420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2021</a></blockquote> Twitter users were furious about the company's response. “I made the decision to never step into one of their stores last year,” one man said. “This is the most revolting, irresponsible response to a tweet containing sensitive health information I’ve seen from a corporate entity,” a woman wrote, saying she will never spend another cent there. “Congrats Harvey Norman, you have lost me, my friends and family as customers,” another man said. The day prior to the “out of line” response, the same Twitter handle posted: “Twitter is no longer a customer service channel and is unmanned.” </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"> <div class="right-box-container"> <div class="post-editor-container"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Money & Banking

Pauline Hanson wages war on welfare recipients

Pauline Hanson has claimed people on welfare have “lost their rights” in a scathing speech where she was also asked directed to withdraw personal comments she made towards an Aboriginal senator. Speaking in support of cashless debit cards that critics have dubbed as “racist”, the One Nation leader shocked the chamber on Wednesday by declaring anyone relying on welfare had forfeited their right to decide how they spend the money. The card links 80 per cent of welfare payments to a cashless card to stop the purchase of drugs, alcohol and pornography. “That’s what this card is about. It’s not about a person’s rights,’’ Senator Hanson said. “When you go onto this card, you basically lose your rights as well. If you go on a welfare system, you’ve lost your rights.” The Morrison Government’s plan to introduce to welfare card as a permanent initiative didn’t go down too well after Senator Rex Patrick announced he would oppose the legislation. But the plan was back in action after Stirling Griff from Centre Alliance indicated he would back changed to extend it for two years. Hanson has said there have been many positive effects that came from the cashless welfare card, which restricts recipients from spending money on drugs, alcohol and pornography. “There have been increased purchases of baby items, food, clothing, shoes, toys and other goods for children,’’ she said. “That’s why they are quite happy to be on the card. They can say: ‘I can’t give you money. I haven’t got it.’ Humbugging is in these communities. They know that family members are taking money from them.” However, the One Nation leader then turned her sights on the Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe who has described the card as “racist.” “I can’t let go what Senator Thorpe said earlier in this chamber. She commented that it’s her land,’’ Senator Hanson said. “Senator Thorpe talks about her land. What about the white part? Where’s her white father in all of this, who I should say is a member of the One Nation party?.” The remarks then prompted a demand from the Deputy President of the Senate Sue Lines that Senator Hanson withdraw the remarks. “Senator Hanson, are you arguing with the Deputy President of the Senate? I’ve directed you to withdraw those remarks,’’ she said. “It is my responsibility under the standing orders of the Senate to ensure that debate is within the standing orders. I further remind you of a statement the President made on several occasions in this place about how this is a workplace and how we need to respect one another and to not refer to other senators in a personal way. So I would ask you to withdraw the remarks that you made about Senator Thorpe’s family. “It’s not a debating point. I’m directing you to do that, so please do that."

News

Sylvia Jeffreys wages war against Woman’s Day

Sylvia Jeffreys has slammed Woman’s Day over an article about her husband Peter Stefanovic. The magazine ran a two-page spread claiming Peter is “at war” with his brother Karl Stefanovic. Appearing on Today Extra alongside David Campbell, Jeffreys held up a copy of Woman’s Day and said: “I just couldn’t help but notice the Stefanovics are at war … brothers Pete and Karl are at war … jealousy over career things.” Mocking the magazine, Campbell asked: “So this fan fiction’s in what?” “Woman’s Day, the greatest fan fiction of all time,” Jeffreys replied. “It’s almost science fiction!” The article claimed Karl was “jealous that his little brother and rising star Peter got to go to Washington D.C. to head up the coverage for Sky News Australia” whereas Channel 9 allegedly refused to send him. The story included quotes from a “close family friend” that said: “It’s no secret Karl regards himself as one of best broadcasters in the country, so this latest blow has him pretty hot under the collar. He could see his rivals over at Seven’s Sunrise dig deep and send Natalie Barr over to the US – it was fair enough he was miffed! “It didn’t help seeing younger brother Pete standing on the White House lawn in the US capital, while Karl was forced to make an awkward appearance at the State of Origin opening match.” Jeffreys joins a list of Aussie TV stars who have slammed publications for false stories, with Richard Wilkins and Lisa Wilkinson taking aim at tabloids in the past few weeks.

News

Sam Newman wages war on Caroline Wilson: “What a piece of work”

Controversial former AFL player and Channel 9 star Sam Newman is going out with his arms swinging as his TV career comes to an end. Nine parted ways with Newman after he made explosive comments about George Floyd, the American man who died in police custody and ignited the Black Lives Matter movement across the world. The 74-year-old ex-Geelong Cats player said Floyd was a “piece of s***” and consequently Nine got push-back from some sponsors. Wilson and Newman used to go head to head back on his time with the Footy Show and she was one of the more vocal critics of his comments about Floyd. “Sam, you’ve got a terrible history in the area of race relations, and you’ve done it again, unleashing a series of bitter and divisive rants,” she said on Footy Classified before Newman left Channel 9. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> This paper published this delightful piece of racism - then pretended they didn’t. Carolin Wilson was their Chief football writer at the time. Can only presume she ok’d it. <a href="https://t.co/GIqeIarZp8">pic.twitter.com/GIqeIarZp8</a> — Sam Newman (@Origsmartassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/Origsmartassam/status/1281122243087499264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> “What an unfortunate piece of timing that the Sunday Footy Show decided to bring you back this week and portray you as the venerable football bead after you had unleashed so much bitterness.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Disgraceful and reprehensible. Why would Carolin Wilson remain employed? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleStandards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleStandards</a> 🤮 <a href="https://t.co/C7MGCs5Kl9">pic.twitter.com/C7MGCs5Kl9</a> — Sam Newman (@Origsmartassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/Origsmartassam/status/1281183494182330368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> Newman responded by pointing out in Wilson’s closet, tweeting: “What a piece of work Caroline Wilson is … Check HER record on disabled sport and fellow women commentators. “You’ll be staggered.”

Retirement Life

Is slowing Australia’s population growth really the best way out of this crisis?

After weeks of pressuring the government to do more to support temporary migrants who fall outside the criteria for government support, the opposition took a surprising stance in <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/do-we-want-migrants-to-return-in-the-same-numbers-the-answer-is-no-20200501-p54p2q.html">The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald</a> on Sunday. Labor immigration spokesperson Kristina Keneally called for a rethink of our migration program and asked: when we restart our migration program, do we want migrants to return to Australia in the same numbers and in the same composition as before the crisis? She said Australia’s answer should be “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/do-we-want-migrants-to-return-in-the-same-numbers-the-answer-is-no-20200501-p54p2q.html">no</a>”. To me, as an economist, the answer should be a resounding “yes”. Keneally’s piece covered a lot of ground – in addition to making claims about whether or not permanent migrants take the jobs of local workers (<a href="https://www.ceda.com.au/CEDA/media/General/Publication/PDFs/TemporaryMigrationAppendix.pdf">they don’t</a>) she broached the topic of reconsidering our temporary migration intake and held open the possibility of further lowering our permanent intake. Migration is a complex often convoluted area of policy Temporary migrants can’t just turn up Ms Keneally’s comments imply that coming to Australia as a temporary migrant is easy. As the following (rather long) flowchart indicates, it is anything but. Temporary migration is uncapped: there are no in-principle limits on the number of temporary migrants who can come here. This is by design, so the program can meet the skill needs of our economy at any given time. However, the government has a number of tools it uses to contain the program and target the right skills. Keneally makes the point that the arrival of migrants has made it easier for businesses to ignore local talent. But there are requirements that Australian businesses to tap into the Australian labour market before hiring from overseas. She is right when she says unions and employers and the government should come together to identify looming skill shortages and deliver training and reskilling opportunities to Australian workers so they can fill Australian jobs. But no matter how good our foresight and our education and training systems, we will always have needs for external expertise in areas of emerging importance. Training local workers for projects that suddenly become important can take years, during which those projects would stall. Permanent migrants don’t take Australian’s jobs Keneally says Australia’s migration program has “hurt many Australian workers, contributing to unemployment, underemployment and low wage growth”. Australian research finds this to be untrue. Research I conducted for the <a href="https://www.ceda.com.au/CEDA/media/General/Publication/PDFs/TemporaryMigrationAppendix.pdf">Committee for the Economic Development of Australia</a> updating research coducted by Robert Breunig, Nathan Deutscher and Hang Thi To for the <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/assets/documents/hilda-bibliography/working-discussion-research-papers/2015/migrant-intake-draft-supplementc-1.pdf">Productivity Commission</a> found that the impact of recent migrants (post 1996) on the employment prospects of Australian-born workers was <a href="https://crawford.anu.edu.au/files/uploads/crawford01_cap_anu_edu_au/2018-05/policy_note_-_immigration.pdf">close to zero</a>. If anything, the impact on wages and labour force participation of locals was <a href="https://www.ceda.com.au/CEDA/media/General/Publication/PDFs/TemporaryMigrationAppendix.pdf">positive</a>. Flexibility gives us an edge Australia’s migration program is the envy of other countries. Indeed, its success has prompted Britain to consider changing its system to an Australian skills-based system <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-future-skills-based-immigration-system">assessed through points</a>. Temporary migration is certain to look very different over the next few years than it has over past few. That’s its purpose – to adapt to changing circumstances. It is difficult to see how a sustained cut in temporary arrivals could assist our recovery. The bridge to the other side of this downturn will depend on migration. It will depend on us continuing to welcome migrants. Written by Gabriela D’Souza. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-slowing-australias-population-growth-really-the-best-way-out-of-this-crisis-137779">The Conversation.</a>

Legal

$1500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy in massive $130 billion program

The Morrison government will provide a flat $1,500 a fortnight JobKeeper payment per employee for businesses to retain or rehire nearly six million workers, in a massive $130 billion six-month wage subsidy scheme to limit the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus. Describing the initiative as “unprecedented action” for “unprecedented times”, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this was a “uniquely Australian” solution to keep enterprises and their workers connected through to “the other side” of the crisis. He said no Australian government had ever made such a decision “and I hope and pray they never have to again.” The payment, made through the tax system, applies for workers of large, medium and small enterprises, and not-for-profits. It will start flowing from May 1, but will be backdated to March 30. It will be a flat rate for all those eligible, who include full-time, part-time, and casual workers (provided they have been with their employer for a year). Self-employed individuals will also be eligible. The payment is about 70% of the national median wage. For workers in the accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors - sectors hardest hit by the crisis - it will equate to a full median replacement wage. To be eligible, enterprises with an annual turnover of less than $1 billion must have lost at least 30% of their revenue after March 1, relative to a comparable period a year ago. For businesses with turnovers of more than $1 billion the reduction in revenue has to be at least 50%. Where workers have already lost their jobs, they can be rehired by their employer, provided they were attached to the enterprise on March 1. This will mean some people who have applied for a Centrelink payment will reconnect with their firm and will move to the JobKeeper payment. Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced the scheme at 4 pm and almost 8000 businesses had registered by 5 pm. The $1,500 a fortnight will be paid whether the employee is working (in the case of an enterprise still operating) or not (if the business is not trading). Businesses that keep operating will have to pay each employee at least the $1,500, but there may be discretion about what’s paid above that, depending on whether there is an award. The $130 billion JobKeeper scheme is the third tranche of emergency assistance the government has unveiled since March 12. “This is about keeping the connection between the employer and the employee and keeping people in their jobs even though the business they work for may go into hibernation and close down for six months,” Morrison said. “We will give millions of eligible businesses and their workers a lifeline to not only get through this crisis, but bounce back together on the other side,” he said. The latest initiative brings the total support made available in the crisis to $320 billion, including $90 billion assistance from the Reserve Bank. The total amounts to the equivalent of 16.4% of GDP. Frydenberg said Australia was “about to go through one of the toughest times in its history”. The government had doubled the welfare safety net and now had gone even further, he said. Parliament - in a “mini” form - will sit to pass the package as soon as the legislation has been drafted. Business welcomed the scheme. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was a “game changer”. The Business Council of Australia said the government had “made the right choice to work through the systems we already have in place to get assistance where it is needed as soon as possible.” But ACTU secretary, Sally McManus, expressed concern that $1,500 a fornight might not be enough. She said the full median wage of $1,375 a week “is what is needed”. The government is also temporarily liberalising access to income support. The JobSeeker payment has been subject to a partner income test of about $48,000. This is being temporarily relaxed so an eligible person can receive the JobSeeker payment and the associated new Coronavirus supplement of $550 a fortnight provided their partner earns less than $79,762 a year In other coronavirus developments on Monday, Victoria announced it had moved to “stage 3” of the response to the crisis, with the two-person restriction on gatherings to become legally enforceable. The two-person rule was announced by Morrison on Sunday but it was left up to the states to decide whether to make it enforceable. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said: “If you are having friends over for dinner or friends over for drinks that are not members of your household, then you are breaking the law”. “You face an on-the-spot fine of more than $1,600.” NSW is also announced it will enforce the rule. Queensland, which has closed its border, is toughening border controls. Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly flagged modelling the government is using in its response will be made available later this week. Morrison has faced pressure for the modelling’s release. Kelly told a news conference he had asked his staff “to organise a meeting later this week where the modelling and the epidemiology and the public health response will be unlocked, and people will be able to ask questions about that. "I think we have been quite open with components of the modelling, but I respect that there is a large number of ways that modelling can be done, and so we need to be more transparent, and we will be.” Written by Michelle Grattan. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-500-a-fortnight-jobkeeper-wage-subsidy-in-massive-130-billion-program-135049">The Conversation.</a>

Caring

How a ‘growth mindset’ helps us learn

One of the most influential phenomena in education over the last two decades has been that of the “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2018/jan/04/research-every-teacher-should-know-growth-mindset">growth mindset</a>”. This refers to the beliefs a student has about various capacities such as their intelligence, their ability in areas such as maths, their personality and creative ability. Proponents of the growth mindset believe these capacities can be developed or “grown” through learning and effort. The alternative perspective is the “fixed mindset”. This assumes these capacities are fixed and unable to be changed. The theory of the growth versus fixed mindset was <a href="http://155.0.32.9:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/55/1/Mindset_%20The%20New%20Psychology%20of%20Success.pdf">first proposed</a> in 1998 by American psychologist Carol Dweck and paediatric surgeon Claudia Mueller. It <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9686450">grew out of studies</a> they led, in which primary school children were engaged in a task, and then praised either for their existing capacities, such as intelligence, or the effort they invested in the task. Researchers monitored how the students felt, thought and behaved in subsequent more difficult tasks. The students who were praised for their effort were more likely to persist with finding a solution to the task. They were also more likely to seek feedback about how to improve. Those praised for their intelligence were less likely to persist with the more difficult tasks and to seek feedback on how their peers did on the task. These findings led to the inference that a fixed mindset was less conducive to learning than a growth mindset. This notion has a lot of support in cognitive and behavioural science. What’s the evidence? Psychologists <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Gollwitzer2/publication/312340264_Mindset_Theory/links/59e77e3baca272e940e0b309/Mindset-Theory.pdf">have been researching</a> the notion of a mindset – a set of assumptions or methods people have, and how these influence motivations or behaviour – for over a century. The growth mindset has its roots in Stanford University psychologist Alan Bandura’s 1970s social learning theory of a <a href="https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Self-efficacy%3A-toward-a-unifying-theory-of-change.-Bandura/953070a862df2824b46e7b1057e97badfb31b8c2">positive self-efficacy</a>. This is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or to accomplish a task. The growth mindset is also a re-branding of the 1980-90s study of <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-0663.80.3.260">achievement orientation</a>. Here, people can adopt either a “mastery orientation” (with the goal of learning more) or a “performance orientation” (with the goal of showing what they know) to achieve an outcome. The idea of the growth mindset is consistent with theories of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2896818/">brain plasiticity</a> (the brain’s ability to change due to experience) and <a href="https://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Basten-et-al.-2013.pdf">task-positive and task-negative</a> brain network activity (brain networks that are activated during goal-orientated tasks). The growth versus fixed mindset theory is supported by evidence too – both for its predictions of outcomes and its impact in interventions. Studies show students’ <a href="http://www.growthmindsetmaths.com/uploads/2/3/7/7/23776169/mindset_and_math_science_achievement_-_nov_2013.pdf">mindsets influence</a> their maths and science outcomes, their <a href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1111638">academic ability</a> and their <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1348/978185409X402580?casa_token=h8ioC3A2hkAAAAA%3Ac9rJPcLSWmi4NX8_U5wKBn1BKVsc4MQqbid4cQk1CMD4dEaPXC_5L1vKI2QHsn7NbUbbhwO1-8vFYlkb-Q">ability to cope</a> with exams. People with growth mindsets <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735820300040">are more likely to cope emotionally</a>, while those who don’t view themselves as having the ability to learn and grow are more prone to psychological distress. But the theory has not received universal support. A <a href="http://bahniks.com/files/mindset.pdf">2016 study showed</a> academic achievements of university students were not associated with their growth mindset. This could, in part be due to the way it is understood. People can show different mindsets at different times – a growth or fixed – towards a specific subject or task. <a href="https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means">According to Dweck</a> <blockquote> Everyone is actually a mixture of fixed and growth mindsets, and that mixture continually evolves with experience. </blockquote> This suggests the fixed and growth mindsets distinction <a href="https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means">lies on on a continuum</a>. It also suggests the mindset a person adopts at any one time is dynamic and depends on the context. What about teaching a growth mindset? The theory has been evaluated in a range of teaching programs. A <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323565554_To_What_Extent_and_Under_Which_Circumstances_Are_Growth_Mind-Sets_Important_to_Academic_Achievement_Two_Meta-Analyses">2018 analysis</a> reviewed a number of studies that explored whether interventions that enhanced students’ growth mindsets affected their academic achievements. It found teaching a growth mindset had minimal influence on student outcomes. But in some cases, teaching a growth mindset was effective for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds or those academically at risk. A <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/tsdwy">2017 study</a> found teaching a growth mindset had no effect on student outcomes. In fact, the study found students with a fixed mindset showed higher outcomes. Given the complexity of human understanding and learning processes, the negative findings are not surprising. Dweck and colleagues <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1466-y?fbclid=IwAR3eSTiOiVc3v8LARTfGwxTzlSDz4AiAFpLK-jK4VcJr57wI0eO8zyvwkEc">have noted that a school’s context</a> and culture can be responsible for whether the gains made from a growth mindset intervention are sustained. Studies show the <a href="https://www.scirp.org/html/8-6902186_77784.htm#ref37">mindsets of both teachers and parents</a> influence students’ outcomes too. Secondary science students whose teachers had a growth mindset <a href="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1045824.pdf">showed higher outcomes</a> than those whose teachers who had a fixed mindset. And a 2010 study showed the <a href="https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11218-010-9126-y">perceptions primary students</a> had of their potential for improvement were associated with what their teachers’ thought of the children’s academic ability. In another study, children whose parents were <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/113/43/12111.short">taught to have a growth mindset</a> about their children’s literacy skills, and to act accordingly, had improved outcomes. It exists on a spectrum Mindset theory seems to conflate two separate phenomena, both of which need to be considered in teaching: a person’s actual capacity such as intelligence, and how they think about it. Students should be aware of what they know at any time and value it. They also need to know this may be insufficient, that it can be extended and how to do that. Educators and parents need to ensure their dialogue with their children does not imply the capacity is fixed. The focus of the talk should be on: what you will know more about in five minutes? When I teach, in both schools and university, I encourage students at the end of a teaching session to identify what they know now that they didn’t know earlier. I ask them to explain how their knowledge has changed and the questions they can answer now. In the early stages of a teaching session, I encourage them to infer questions they might expect to be able to answer having learnt the content. These types of activities encourage students to see their knowledge as dynamic and able to be enhanced.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127710/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-munro-13237">John Munro</a>, Professor, Faculty of Education and Arts, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/you-can-do-it-a-growth-mindset-helps-us-learn-127710">original article</a>.

Mind

Economic growth near an end as Treasury talks of prolonged coronavirus downturn

Australia’s three-decade run of near continuous economic growth is set to end, with treasury warning of a hit to growth of “at least” 0.5% in the first quarter of this year, potentially followed by a “prolonged downturn”. If it came to pass, treasury’s preliminary assessment would most likely mean economic growth vanished and went backwards for several quarters, producing what is commonly known as a “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-really-lucky-country-talk-of-recession-as-australia-takes-world-record-20170601-gwiiwl.html">technical recession</a>” – two quarters or more in which income and spending shrink. Providing the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/speech/opening-statement-march-2020-senate-estimates">assessment</a> to a Senate estimates committee on Thursday morning, treasury secretary Steven Kennedy said the COVID-19 coronavirus would take “at least half a percentage point” from economic growth during the current March quarter and more beyond that. In recent quarters economic growth has been about half a percentage point. Treasury’s preliminary estimate of a hit of at least half a per cent took into account only the direct impacts of the virus on tourism and education, and some exchange rate effects. It did not take into account broader economic effects or the impact of the coronavirus on supply chains. The half a percentage point hit to growth would come on top of a hit of 0.2% from the summer bushfires, most of which would be felt in the March quarter. Dr Kennedy, a former nurse who retrained as an economist, stressed that the impact of the bushfires would extend well beyond the immediate hit to economic growth. “Evidence from past episodes suggest bushfires can lead to long-lasting physical and mental health effects and destroy cultural heritage,” he said. “Research by the University of Melbourne after the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 found mental health problems continued for three to four years.” The bushfires made clear the increased probability of such events in a world of climate change. “The CSIRO predicts climate change will make bushfires more likely, as fire weather patterns worsen as a result of an increase in weather patterns with hot and dry winds and fuel becoming drier.” Deeper, wider and longer lasting than SARS As of Wednesday there had been 91,868 confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide and 3,131 deaths, most in China. COVID-19 had spread to 77 countries. When the virus first emerged in China in December, the treasury saw it through the lens of the 2002-04 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic. It was now clear COVID-19 would be different. The impact of SARS took on a V shape, a relatively contained reduction in activity, mostly in Asia, followed by a quick bounce back. The economic impact of COVID-19 is likely to be deeper, wider and longer when compared with SARS. It will create more risk of a prolonged downturn, and fiscal support will be needed to accelerate the recovery of the economy, especially once the health and health management effects of COVID-19 begin to fade. The first phase of the economic support package to be delivered next week would target assistance to the businesses and sectors most affected in order to keep people in jobs. After that, support for aggregate demand (overall spending) would become more important. “A very substantial part of the impact is actually confidence among consumers and the business sector because of the uncertainty,” Dr Kennedy said. “Frankly, effective health management will be very important. The economy is actually quite solid. One of the key things will be to to explain to the community how well placed the economy is to manage such a short-term shock.” The shock would last for some time but the economy would “recover on the other side”. Keeping workers employed would be very important. Written by Peter Martin. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/economic-growth-near-an-end-as-treasury-talks-of-prolonged-coronavirus-downturn-133053">The Conversation</a>.

Legal

Woolworths’ $300 million wage scandal expands to include Dan Murphy’s and BWS staff

Woolworths Group chairman Gordon Cairns has revealed that the Woolworths underpayment scandal – which saw close to 6000 workers underpaid by $300 million across a decade – also involved staff from liquor arms Dan Murphy’s and BWS. Speaking to shareholders in Sydney today, Cairns said Woolworths had “fully expected” to discover more cases across the business, “and we have”, though “not to the same extent as in the supermarket business.” Cairns felt that that the fact so many staff members were underpaid was “incredibly disappointing”, he said at today’s annual general meeting. “It was brought to our attention by three of our team members in February this year. We immediately investigated, found their assertions about their individual circumstances to be correct, and we remedied. “We then began an across-the-board investigation, which continues given we are checking every shift for every salaried team member back as far as this has been an issue or records exist.” He proceeded to say that he and CEO Brad Banducci were “accept[ing] responsibility by voluntarily taking reductions in [their] pay” with Banducci forfeiting his short-term incentive while Cairns would face a 20 per cent reduction in his director fees. Back in October, Banducci had said that he was fully prepared for his bonus to be cut due to the underpayment incident. Last financial year, he pocketed $2.66 million as well as $4 million in bonuses. “I fully expect to have a conversation with the board on the consequences of this and I fully expect it will be impacting bonuses for myself and maybe there will be other things that come out of it,” he said. “We apologise to our team, we’re going to make it right, but it’s a very complex issue.” Law firm Adero Law has filed a class action against the grocery giant, saying the total amount is over $620 million. “Adero is instructed that current and former Woolworths employees have suffered underpayments and systemic wage theft during their employment at Woolworths on a far greater scale than the retail giant has disclosed,” Adero’s website stated. But Woolworths said it will “fully defend” the proceedings. “In the context of its commitment to fully remediate all affected salaried team members, Woolworths Group believes the class action proceedings are without merit,” the company said. “Woolworths estimates that the one-off impact for remediation is expected to be in the range of $200-300 million (before tax).”

Legal

Disgraced ex-Masterchef judge George Calombaris puts home on the market

Disgraced celebrity chef George Calombaris has put his beach house in the Mornington Peninsula on the market for a whopping $900,000 to $950,00. The four-bedroom residence that also features a well-equipped kitchen and outdoor entertaining area is ideal for any wannabe chefs who think they’ve got the same skills as Calombaris. The home is just one of many that the former TV chef and his wife Natalie Tricarico have bought in recent years. The couple also purchased two other homes in Arthurs Seat and Toorak, Melbourne. In 2013. The homes went for $580,000 and 2.2 million respectively, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/celebrity-chef-george-calombaris-beach-house-listed-for-sale-with-900000-to-950000-price-guide-918509/?utm_campaign=strap-masthead&utm_source=smh&utm_medium=link&utm_content=pos5&ref=pos1" target="_blank">Domain</a>. Calombaris made headlines this year after the hospitality group that he founded MAdE Establishment was ordered to backpay staff 7.83 million in unpaid wages and superannuation to a shocking 515 current and former employees. The staff were not paid at the correct classification, worked hours that were not adequately compensated by annualised salaries and were affected by the incorrect application of an award. The home is being marketed as an executive holiday residence or a family home. Set over two levels, the home offers open plan formal and informal living. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a walk-through dressing room and en suite in the master bedroom. The kitchen comes with a butler’s pantry, a large island store bench and a 900mm oven. The outside dining room is home to a pizza oven and a barbeque. Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.barryplant.com.au/for-sale/140-dromana-parade-safety-beach-vic-3936-82188/" target="_blank">BarryPlant.com.au</a> Scroll through the gallery to see the stunning home on Safety Beach.

Home & Garden

Australia needs a national crisis plan that covers all natural disasters

Calls are growing for a national bushfire plan, including from former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who says they are an issue of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/10/national-security-issue-turnbull-tells-qa-morrison-must-step-up-response-to-bushfire-crisis">national security</a> and the federal government must provide hands-on leadership. It’s true that more people are living in high-risk bushfire areas, emergency services are stretched and the climate is rapidly changing. Future crises are inevitable. We must consider the prospect of a monstrous bushfire season, the likes of which we’ve never seen. But bushfires aren’t the only catastrophe Australia must prepare for. If we are to create a national crisis plan, we must go much further than bushfire planning. Not just bushfires In the decade since Victoria’s Black Saturday fires, <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245">we have improved</a> fire predictions, night-time aerial firefighting, construction codes and emergency warnings. All of these have no doubt saved many lives. There are calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/10/scott-morrison-rejects-calls-for-more-help-saying-volunteer-firefighters-want-to-be-there">more resources</a> to fight fires, as part of a coordinated national plan. But few people have proposed an all-encompassing vision of such a plan. For a start, it should not be confined solely to bushfires. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901114000999">Far more people die</a> during heatwaves and residential housefires. Tropical cyclones, floods and hail each <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17477891.2019.1609406">cost our economy more</a>. Any plan must provide a strategic vision across these various facets for at least the next ten to 20 years. A national firefighting force? Calls for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/11/former-fire-and-emergency-chiefs-push-for-national-bushfire-emergency-summit">national firefighting force</a> to supplement existing state resources are fundamentally short-sighted. A national force – quite apart from the level of duplication it would create – would spend much of its time idle. Even during severe fires, such as those now raging, there would be limits to its usefulness. At a certain point, the size and energy of the fires means no amount of firefighting technology will extinguish them all. Research conducted by Risk Frontiers, the Australian National University and Macquarie University through the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, has focused on better planning and preparedness for catastrophic events. This research concludes it is <a href="https://www.bnhcrc.com.au/research/catastrophic">unrealistic</a> to resource the emergency management sector for rare but truly catastrophic events. It is wildly expensive to remain 100% prepared for the worst-case scenario. Instead of simply scaling up existing arrangements, we need to think differently. Bush firefighting could be improved by innovation and research. Future investments must focus on rapidly detecting and extinguishing ignitions before they spread out of control. Everyone is responsible States and territories are traditionally responsible for emergency management in Australia. But almost by definition, a catastrophic disaster exceeds one’s capacity to cope - inevitably drawing on nationwide resources. This means preparing for catastrophic disasters is everyone’s responsibility. Existing plans allow for assistance across state borders, and between state and federal governments. But there is no national emergency legislation defining the Commonwealth’s role, or assigning responsibility for responding to a truly national disaster. The Australian Defence Force has a well-defined support role in natural disasters, but should not be relied on due to its global commitments. However, resource-sharing between states could benefit from more investment in programs that enable emergency services to work better together. International help in massive emergencies also needs better planning, particularly around timing and integration with local agencies. Non-government organisations, businesses and communities already make valuable contributions, but could play a more central role. We could look to the US, which successfully uses a whole-of-community approach. This might mean emergency services help community organisation provide aid or carry out rescues, rather than do it themselves. These organisations are also best placed to make sure <a href="https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-makes-homelessness-even-worse-heres-how-we-can-help-82758">vulnerable members of the community</a> are cared for. The most important task is to reduce the risk in the first place. The vast majority of disaster-related spending goes on recovery rather than risk reduction. Calls from the <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/disaster-funding#report">Productivity Commission</a> and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (<a href="https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/67832">APRA</a>) for more disaster mitigation funding have been largely ignored. The federal government’s recent <a href="https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/emergency/files/national-disaster-risk-reduction-framework.pdf">National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework</a> highlights the need to identify highest-priority disaster risks and mitigation opportunities. This would see priority investments in flood mitigation and strengthening of buildings against cyclones in northern Australia. (This will also help address insurance affordability.) Land-use planning needs to be improved to reduce the chance that future developments are exposed to unreasonable risks. Infrastructure must be constructed to the highest standards and, following a disaster, <a href="https://theconversation.com/moving-grantham-relocating-flood-prone-towns-is-nothing-new-4878">destroyed buildings should be rebuilt away from dangerous areas</a>. Finally, communities have the most critical role. We must understand our local risk and be ready to look after ourselves and each other. Governments at all levels must facilitate this spirit of self-reliance. Local leadership is crucial to any crisis plan and communities need to be involved in its construction. Eastern Australia’s bushfire crisis has triggered emotional arguments for throwing resources at the problem. But planning must be careful and evidenced-based, taking into account the changing face of natural disasters. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-gissing-272581">Andrew Gissing</a>, General Manager, Risk Frontiers, Adjunct Fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-eburn-107766">Michael Eburn</a>, Associate Professor in Law, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-a-national-crisis-plan-and-not-just-for-bushfires-128781">original article</a>.

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Millions of Aussies set for pay rise

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says

How to receive criticism with grace and open arms

Massive house price slowdown as interest rate climbs

Boss threatens to sue employees over wage talk

7 hacks that will revive almost any plant

Woman "stuck" in the body of a child reveals dating problems

George Calombaris admits to “crying a lot" during wage theft scandal

Women retire with less than men: Boosting compulsory super won’t help

Harvey Norman slammed for "revolting irresponsible" tweet

Pauline Hanson wages war on welfare recipients

Sylvia Jeffreys wages war against Woman’s Day

Sam Newman wages war on Caroline Wilson: “What a piece of work”

Is slowing Australia’s population growth really the best way out of this crisis?

$1500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy in massive $130 billion program

How a ‘growth mindset’ helps us learn

Economic growth near an end as Treasury talks of prolonged coronavirus downturn

Woolworths’ $300 million wage scandal expands to include Dan Murphy’s and BWS staff

Disgraced ex-Masterchef judge George Calombaris puts home on the market

Australia needs a national crisis plan that covers all natural disasters

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Millions of Aussies set for pay rise

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says

How to receive criticism with grace and open arms

Massive house price slowdown as interest rate climbs

Boss threatens to sue employees over wage talk

7 hacks that will revive almost any plant

Woman "stuck" in the body of a child reveals dating problems

George Calombaris admits to “crying a lot" during wage theft scandal

Women retire with less than men: Boosting compulsory super won’t help

Harvey Norman slammed for "revolting irresponsible" tweet

Pauline Hanson wages war on welfare recipients

Sylvia Jeffreys wages war against Woman’s Day

Sam Newman wages war on Caroline Wilson: “What a piece of work”

Is slowing Australia’s population growth really the best way out of this crisis?

$1500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy in massive $130 billion program

How a ‘growth mindset’ helps us learn

Economic growth near an end as Treasury talks of prolonged coronavirus downturn

Woolworths’ $300 million wage scandal expands to include Dan Murphy’s and BWS staff

​Disgraced ex-Masterchef judge George Calombaris puts home on the market

Australia needs a national crisis plan that covers all natural disasters

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Disgraced ex-Masterchef judge George Calombaris puts home on the market