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Value of dwelling bites as almost one-in-two Australians dread Christmas
Simply 51 per cent of individuals say they’re trying ahead to Christmas this yr, in keeping with a brand new survey by on-line funds large PayPal.
Amid value of dwelling pressures, round 60 per cent of Australians plan to spend lower than $500 on Christmas presents this yr and one in six hope to spend underneath $200.
A technique Aussies are planning to chop prices is by purchasing the tip of yr gross sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday which this yr fall on November 25 and 28.
Some say they may even wait till Boxing Day to purchase presents, to take full benefit of potential financial savings.
For extra on how individuals are coping with the rising value of dwelling, learn how 5 Australians are responding going into Christmas.
– with AAP
Analysts learn RBA tea leaves for hints of future price rises
All eyes can be on the Reserve Financial institution of Australia this week to see the way it’s factoring in current sturdy wages and jobs knowledge, forward of its subsequent rate of interest assembly in December.
At its board assembly earlier this month, the central financial institution floated the close to time period chance of holding the money price regular at 2.85 per cent as much as Christmas to permit financial coverage tightenings to this point to stream by way of the economic system.
However since then, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed strong wages and employment figures that counsel the economic system continues to be roaring alongside and additional price rises could also be wanted to mood demand.
RBA governor Philip Lowe is because of communicate at a Committee for the Financial Growth of Australia dinner in Melbourne on Tuesday and his speech can be scanned for any adjustments within the central financial institution’s messaging.
However AMP Capital economist Shane Oliver stated a pause was unlikely given the stable 3.1 per cent rise in wages within the yr ended September and a surprisingly low jobless price of three.4 per cent for October.
“A pause is unlikely in December although and we proceed to anticipate one other 0.25 per cent price hike however a pause is probably going from early subsequent yr the place we anticipate the money price to peak at 3.1 per cent,” he stated.
The RBA board doesn’t meet in January however will collect on the primary Tuesday in February.
– AAP
Investigator arrives at WA’s Burrup to look at business’s affect on rock artwork
Conventional homeowners on the Burrup peninsula in Western Australia have welcomed the arrival of a government-appointed investigator chargeable for analyzing the affect of close by industrial operations on rock artwork.
Alison Stone was appointed as a part of an evaluation secured by the Save Our Songlines marketing campaign to look at the cumulative impact of all business on the Burrup peninsula.
Stone has till November 30 to take submissions from conventional custodians as a part of the evaluation course of and her findings can be thought of by the minister when deciding to impose everlasting protections by way of laws.
It’s the first time the affect of local weather change is to be thought of as a part of the method.
Raelene Cooper, Mardudhunera lady and former chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Company who’s a part of the Save Our Songlines marketing campaign, stated in assertion:
We welcome the arrival on the Burrup of the Part 10 Reporter Alison Stone to permit all conventional custodians to have their say on the total cultural heritage evaluation of all business on the Burrup Hub.
The extension of the submissions course of by the federal authorities will enable our complete neighborhood to have interaction totally on this important course of and allow detailed scientific submissions from consultants.
The newest analysis gives well timed proof of the numerous harm being carried out to our sacred Murujuga rock artwork by emissions from these crops. It clearly demonstrates the necessity to make everlasting protections to restrict the long run affect of emissions along with stopping the rapid removing of rock artwork to facilitate these initiatives.
The Burrup is residence to a big industrial operations, together with Woodside Vitality’s Pluto Practice 2 plant being constructed as a part of its $16bn improvement of the Scarborough fuel discipline.
A notice about Twitter embeds
We’ve additionally been getting a number of feedback concerning the continued use of Twitter embeds within the weblog and I simply wished to deal with this briefly: regardless of all of the chaos that has unfolded with Twitter within the final two weeks, the platform stays a key line of communication for a lot of emergency companies and authorities businesses.
The flexibility to shortly share and embed Tweets into the weblog permits us to quickly talk data to those that could must it, wherever they’re – particularly when it’s climate or flood-related. Typically this data is advanced and the Tweets comprise hyperlinks to probably the most correct and up-to-date statements.
Proper now we’ll to proceed sharing important data as wanted, whether or not it’s a significant authorities announcement, or details about flood warnings, climate forecasts and different materials which will assist individuals make selections about their security.
Twitter lifts Donald Trump ban, however will he return?
His Twitter account could also be unlocked however former US president Donald Trump has been coy about whether or not he’ll make a return to the platform.
Throughout an look by video hyperlink on the Republican Jewish Coalition annual management assembly in Las Vegas on Saturday, Trump advised his viewers that Twitter had “a number of issues” and inspired them to stay to his personal social media platform, Fact Social.
I hear we’re getting an enormous vote to additionally return on Twitter. I don’t see any purpose for it, and a number of issues at Twitter. You see what’s occurring, they might make it, it could not make it, however the issues are unbelievable, the engagements are damaging. And you’ve got a number of bots and a number of faux accounts. Fact Social has taken the place for lots of people and I don’t see them going again onto Twitter.
The final submit on Trump’s twitter account is dated 9 January 2021 and reads: “To all those that have requested, I can’t be going to the Inauguration on January twentieth”. It has not been up to date since.
Elon Musk made the choice to reinstate the previous president to the platform after an internet Twitter ballot.
He posted the outcomes of the ballot, exhibiting a slender win for permitting Trump again to Twitter with 51.8% voting sure and 48.2% voting no. “The individuals have spoken,” Musk tweeted.
Sarcastically, it’s not clear what number of of these votes had been official as Musk acknowledged through the ballot that vote numbers had been being influenced by automated bot accounts.
“Bot & troll armies could be working out of steam quickly. Some fascinating classes to scrub up future polls,” Musk stated.
For all the small print, learn the total story:
NSW Labor pledges to ban telephones in excessive colleges if elected
Cellphones can be banned in NSW excessive colleges if the Labor celebration wins next year’s state election.
Dad and mom have been calling for the change however the NSW authorities has not been listening, opposition chief Chris Minns stated in a press release on Sunday:
As a father or mother of three kids myself, I share the considerations of oldsters frightened concerning the affect of telephones and gadgets on our children and their studying.
NSW Labor will prohibit telephone use in colleges to assist reduce distraction, take care of cyber-bullying and assist enhance scholar outcomes.
Telephones are already banned in NSW major colleges however there are not any obligatory restrictions in place for highschool settings.
Below Labor’s proposal, all NSW public faculty college students could have their telephones turned off throughout faculty hours and stored out of sight till the tip of the day.
There can be exemptions for college kids with particular circumstances, like these needing to observe well being circumstances.
South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia have already applied a cell phone ban in colleges.
NSW residents will go to the polls on 25 March.
– by way of AAP
Victorian premier responds to MP’s name for him to be changed into ‘crimson mist’
Benita Kolovos
Daniel Andrews says Victoria is “higher than violent extremism” after higher home MP, Catherine Cumming, advised a crowd of protesters that he must be changed into “crimson mist”.
Cumming is being investigated by police for inciteful behaviour after she was filmed giving a speech exterior Flinders Avenue Station on Saturday afternoon.
She advised the gang:
I joined the Indignant Victorian Social gathering for one purpose – to make Daniel Andrews flip into crimson mist.
Within the military, we’d name it pink mist, however I need him into crimson mist. Give anybody right here within the military a job to blow somebody up, and they’ll.
“Pink mist” is a navy time period used to explain the blood that comes out of a sniper’s goal when they’re hit.
Talking in Narre Warren South on Sunday, Andrews stated Cumming’s speech was a “matter for police”:
I’ll simply say this. I feel we’re higher than this. Our multicultural, multi-faith state, a considerate, inclusive, compassionate state. We’re a lot better than this. We’re a lot better than violent extremism. We ought to go away that to america.
This isn’t America, and I for one will do nothing to contribute to the Americanisation of our politics. We’re placing a optimistic and optimistic plan to the Victorian neighborhood, after which will probably be their selection.
I’ll depart it to others to defend their actions, their statements, their choice offers that stand – certainly the conduct of their candidates. That’s a matter for them.
Andrews was referring to the Liberal celebration’s determination to choice fringe events above Labor in each seat.
He introduced that if re-elected, Labor will spend $584m to determine 50 new low-cost youngster care centres throughout the state by 2028. It’ll additionally spend $159m to draw and retain early childhood educators.
Aaand he’s again. Donald Trump’s Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, has been reinstated.
Benita Kolovos
Victorian opposition chief defends candidate who railed in opposition to Indigenous recognition and abortion
Victorian opposition chief, Matthew Man, has defended a Liberal party candidate who railed in opposition to Indigenous recognition, local weather change, abortion and described a senior MP as a “prick”.
Talking in Bentleigh on Sunday, Man stated Timothy Dragan – the Liberal candidate for Narre Warre North – had apologised for feedback reported by the Age on Sunday, together with that Australia mustn’t recognise First Nations individuals as a result of “we gained this land truthful and sq.”.
Requested if he was assured having Dragan on his staff, Man replied:
He’s apologised for foolish feedback. He’s not alone on this world for making foolish feedback and he’s apologised for those he made … A few of these had been disrespectful. I do know they had been disrespectful. I noticed what was printed. He apologised for these as he ought to. However the very first thing you’d ask of somebody who makes any disrespectful remark is for an apology. And he gave that and I feel that’s truthful and cheap.
Elon Musk reinstates Donald Trump’s Twitter account
Elon Musk has simply introduced he’ll be reinstating former US president Donald Trump’s Twitter account, after working a Twitter ballot on whether or not or not he ought to.
Benita Kolovos
Victorian Liberal chief criticised over determination to dump Senate candidate
Tim Smith, as soon as a detailed ally of Victorian opposition chief, Matthew Man, has criticised the choice to dump an higher home candidate who’s a member of a conservative church from the Liberal party every week earlier than the state election.
Renee Heath continues to be anticipated to be elected to parliament, given she occupies the highest place on the Liberal celebration’s ticket for the japanese Victorian area.
However her involvement with the Metropolis Builders Church, the place her dad and mom are pastors, has repeatedly come underneath scrutiny, together with in an investigation revealed by the Age on Saturday.
The report prompted Man to announce she wouldn’t sit within the Liberal celebration room if elected.
Smith, the present member for Kew, who won’t contest the election after crashing his automobile whereas drunk final yr, has weighed in on the choice:
I hadn’t wished to touch upon the election, however given @MatthewGuyMP try and cancel Renee Heath I’ve modified. Man has no energy to do what he is proposed. That is Andrew Thorburn on steroids.
That is cultural Marxism and while I’m a member of our Social gathering I’ll name this crap out.— Tim Smith MP (@TimSmithMP) November 19, 2022
The Age on Sunday reported 9 senior Liberal Social gathering members wrote to Man and different celebration leaders weeks in the past warning about Heath’s candidacy and acquired no response.
Talking in Bentleigh on Sunday morning, Man says he doesn’t bear in mind receiving any letters:
Frankly, that matter has been handled.
Man says Heath’s preselection went by way of the suitable “checks and balances”:
As [state director] Sam [McQuestin] says at this time, the fabric that [Heath] had introduced to them is how they’ve to guage somebody – you may’t decide issues on issues they don’t know that’s not truthful and cheap.
Right here’s McQuestin’s assertion:
I’ve reviewed all correspondence and knowledge out there to me relating to the preselection of Ms Renee Heath.
None of that data reveals Ms Heath’s ongoing and up to date engagement with Pastor Jonathan David and his organisation.
On November 11, I had a dialog with Ms Heath to debate questions Ms Heath had acquired from 60 Minutes.
Yesterday morning, it was clear that the responses Ms Heath supplied throughout that dialog had been inconsistent with stories in The Age newspaper.
Josh Butler
Australia’s sports activities minister and Coalition counterpart to attend FIFA World Cup
Federal sports activities minister, Anika Wells, and her Coalition shadow counterpart Anne Ruston are heading to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this week, in a bid to advertise Australia’s internet hosting of the Ladies’s World Cup subsequent yr.
Wells stated she hoped Qatar’s internet hosting of the boys’s match could be a “highly effective affect for social and cultural change”, and plans to speak about human rights reform within the Center Jap nation.
“Qatar’s internet hosting of the occasion has enabled it to point out indicators of progress in direction of advancing reform in human rights, significantly labour, which we hope will proceed past Qatar’s World Cup host yr,” she stated on Sunday.
Australia’s marketing campaign kicks off on Wednesday morning, with their first sport in opposition to reigning champions France.
“Australia and Qatar have a optimistic bilateral relationship, primarily based on commerce and funding, aviation and schooling. The go to can be a worthwhile alternative for minister Wells to have interaction in conversations on human rights reforms in Qatar,” her workplace stated.
Wells stated she would promote the 2023 ladies’s World Cup, to be co-hosted in Australia and New Zealand subsequent yr, in addition to cheering on the Socceroos.
“The Australian authorities can be dedicated to advancing human rights globally and Qatar’s internet hosting of the FIFA World Cup has supplied alternatives to advertise significant reform in human rights which we hope will proceed past the match,” she stated.
“Main sporting occasions may be highly effective influences for social and cultural change, and I hope that’s the case with the FIFA Males’s and Ladies’s World Cups.
Flood warnings have been issued throughout NSW and Victoria
Flood warnings have been issued throughout New South Wales and Victoria as rain continues in components of those states.
This WATCH & ACT – RIVERINE FLOOD – Put together Now has been issued for King River
Minor flooding is probably going alongside the King River at Docker Highway Bridge Sunday morning, with additional rises to the average flood stage doable.
Extra particulars at https://t.co/QFVutUBmbA pic.twitter.com/4ZnoBVzsIX
— VICSES Information (@vicsesnews) November 19, 2022
Thunderstorms and harm wind warnings have been issued over northwest Queensland.
A “vigorous” chilly entrance is sweeping throughout the southeast from South Australia and throughout Victoria.
One other vigorous chilly entrance and related westerly airstream are forecast to cross southern and japanese components of South Australia at this time. Regionally damaging wind gusts are to redevelop throughout southern components of the state at this time. Maintain updated right here: https://t.co/5wxFrWeCue pic.twitter.com/lMYXaAaif9
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) November 19, 2022
⚠️ Extreme Climate Warning for Damaging Winds ⚠️
Westerly winds averaging 40-60km/h with gusts to 100km/h are doable over western districts of Victoria, extending eastwards through the day.
See newest warnings: https://t.co/pAAxNQztIP pic.twitter.com/gLMO1XZDdI— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) November 20, 2022
Flood warnings have additionally been issued for the Macquarie River in Tasmania.
Out west new hearth hazard scores have been issued for components of Western Australia.
☀️ Fireplace Hazard Scores have been forecast for WA. Yow will discover which Native Authorities Authorities are affected and related neighborhood security messages on https://t.co/hYCrBsWsIr
— DFES (@dfes_wa) November 19, 2022
Treasurer pledges motion on industrial relations and anti-corruption fee
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has spoken to reporters in Queensland forward of parliament returning for the following fortnight.
He says parliament can be contemplating payments on a nationwide anti-corruption fee, cheaper youngster care, a catastrophe fund, “progress for older individuals who wish to work extra” and the federal government’s proposed adjustments to industrial relations legal guidelines.
Chalmers says underneath the earlier authorities “wage stagnation and wage suppression” was a “deliberate design characteristic” of its economic system coverage – however the present authorities is cautious on negotiations with the senate crossbench.
We take no consequence with no consideration within the Senate. We are going to proceed to have interaction in a significant method and in a respectful method with colleagues within the Senate, significantly the crossbench, as a result of that is the Parliament’s huge probability to get wages shifting correctly once more.
We can’t do this with out fixing a damaged bargaining system and that’s what our industrial relations adjustments are all about.
Medical knowledge from 1,500 clients launched after Medibank refuses ransom demand
Michael McGowan
Cyber criminals have launched the data stolen from about 1,500 Medibank customers, together with particulars of sexually transmitted infections and remedy for psychological well being.
On Sunday the non-public well being insurer confirmed the Russian-linked hackers had launched a fifth tranche of stolen affected person knowledge, after the corporate refused to pay a US$10m ransom.
The info was launched in 4 folders on the darkish internet labelled labelled ‘sexually transmitted illnesses’, ‘HIV’, ‘psycho’ and ‘viral hep’. In a press release, Medibank confirmed the info included power circumstances equivalent to coronary heart illness, diabetes and bronchial asthma, individuals with most cancers, individuals with dementia, individuals with mental-health circumstances, individuals with infections and individuals who have sustained accidents, amongst different circumstances.
Medibank’s chief govt officer, David Koczkar, stated Medibank was working to find out the accuracy of the leaked knowledge. He stated that a few of the knowledge was from beforehand launched recordsdata, and that some beforehand launched knowledge had not matched the corporate’s data.
Koczkar stated:
We are going to proceed to help all individuals who have been impacted by this crime by way of our Cyber Response Help Program. This contains psychological well being and wellbeing help, id safety and monetary hardship measures.
For extra on this story:
No finish to rain as New South Wales residents assess flood harm
Main flooding is forecast to proceed alongside a number of river methods in NSW as flood-hit communities survey the harm and authorities warn it might be months earlier than the deluge involves an finish.
Greater than 70 NSW native authorities areas are topic to catastrophe declarations.
The newest emergency warning was issued early on Sunday for the township of Euabalong on the Lachlan River the place residents had been warned to shelter in “a sturdy raised construction” as evacuation routes are prone to be reduce off.
“Chances are you’ll now be trapped with out energy, water, and different important companies and it could be too harmful for NSW SES to rescue you,” the SES warning stated.
The Bureau of Meteorology stated the Lachlan River at Euabalong could attain round eight metres with main flooding larger than the 1952 flood.
The NSW State Emergency Service carried out eight flood rescues within the 24 hours to 7am on Sunday and acquired 255 requires assist.
“We predict to see the impacts of flooding for weeks, even months to come back as this water makes its method downstream throughout a number of river catchments,” assistant commissioner Sean Kearns stated.
Main flooding is predicted to proceed alongside a number of river methods, together with the Lachlan, Darling and Murrumbidgee, affecting cities together with Forbes and Condobolin within the central west, Bourke within the northwest and the Riverina city of Hay.
Extended main flooding in Forbes isn’t anticipated to ease till early subsequent week.
– AAP
Main flooding anticipated alongside Lachlan River
Ashley Sullivan, chief superintendent of the New South Wales state emergency service, has given an replace on flood waters to the ABC.
He stated river ranges round Forbes and additional downstream have receded. Emergency companies are actually supporting communities within the space with harm assessments and cleanup operations.
The second cleanup right here in Forbes in as many weeks. An enormous many affect of this neighborhood, significantly in Forbes from the foremost flooding they’ve skilled.
Sullivan stated main flooding is predicted alongside the Lachlan River, with “important quantities” of water in western and southern New South Wales presenting a “important danger” to communities.
In the meantime the Esk River has reduce off communities, however Sullivan stated the SES are sending assets into Avalon the place there are considerations concerning the levees locally.
We’ve seen some levees fail and early this morning we did see the levee breach.
We’ve helicopters and personnel heading into these communities are supporting and evacuating those who wish to be evacuated. Out to a significant city with help.
Sullivan stated it’s anticipated flood waters will peak at Condobolin alongside the Lachlan River round Monday with a sandbagging effort underway.
For extra on this story:
NSW authorities discover physique of Eugowra man misplaced in flood waters
New South Wales police have discovered the physique of an 85-year-old man misplaced in flood waters on Saturday.
Authorities had been looking for Ljubisa “Les” Vugec late on Saturday afternoon in a wide-ranging search in Eugowra.
A physique was discovered on the outskirts of city.
No formal identification had taken place however it’s imagine to be Vugec.
He was final seen at his Eugowra residence on Monday morning and was reported lacking when relations couldn’t contact him.
The discover brings the demise toll to 2 after the physique of 60-year-old Diane Smith was recovered from floodwaters days earlier.
– with AAP
PM ready to increase parliament sitting days to ship IR reform
Prime minister Anthony Albanese says he’s ready to increase parliament this yr in a bid to ship on the federal government’s industrial relations reform.
The laws can be debated within the Senate within the coming fortnight, having handed the decrease home.
We would have to take a seat additional days and that’s high-quality, I don’t thoughts the parliament sitting in any respect.
That’s what we’re paid to do, so if the Senate wants additional time to provide consideration to any issues earlier than it, then I’d welcome that.”
Albanese stated the invoice demonstrated it had struck the appropriate steadiness, as each employers and unions had disagreed with features of the laws.
We’ve sat down constructively with employers over many weeks now, and we’ve sat down with unions as effectively.
I do know that there’s some disagreement from employers, there’s some disagreement from some unions, that to me says we’re getting the steadiness proper.
Opposition chief Peter Dutton stated there was consensus amongst independents that the method for the economic relations laws had been rushed.
The multi-employer bargaining preparations are simply the beginning of this dangerous invoice.
We should always apply a number of scrutiny and the invoice must be voted down.
Albanese additionally flagged a choice on a doable value cap on fuel to assist ease cost-of-living pressures for struggling households additionally bearing the brunt of rising inflation and rates of interest, would come earlier than the tip of the yr.
We’re taking a look at a spread of choices that are there.
I’ll be briefed once I get again to Australia. We’ve stated that we’ll look to make an announcement earlier than Christmas and we intend to do this.
– from AAP
