Matt Coughlan and Paul Osborne (Australian Associated Press) Scott Morrison has talked up reuniting families at Christmas despite surging coronavirus cases in Sydney and uncertainty over Melbourne’s lockdown. NSW reported a record 356 new local cases of coronavirus and four deaths on Tuesday, while Melburnians are facing an anxious wait after 20 new infections. The prime minister warned the nation was in a tough fight against the Delta strain… Read more
Georgie Moore (Australian Associated Press) Australians might not be ready for nuclear power, but deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud thinks it’s a good idea. Nationals senator Sam McMahon is trying to overturn Australia’s nuclear power ban through changes to a bill aimed at streamlining environmental approvals. While Mr Littleproud supports the idea behind it, he doesn’t believe the public is ready. “We need to have a mature, broad conversation… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) Australians who have had their coronavirus jab, or intend to do so, appear to be more upbeat about the outlook than those not willing to take part in the country’s vaccination program. Overall, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index fell 4.4 per cent in August, but at 104.1 points and above 100, the index still indicates there are more… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) Australia’s recovery marches on with the economy posting its biggest monthly trade surplus on record and skilled vacancies striking their highest level in well over a decade, pointing to a further fall in the jobless rate. But there is little sign at this stage of the Reserve Bank of Australia changing its view on its interest rate outlook, even… Read more
Daniel McCulloch (Australian Associated Press) Tourism operators are pleading with people to get vaccinated as coronavirus outbreaks force fresh border closures ahead of the crucial school holiday period. Australia lost almost $80 billion in tourism revenue last year and the sluggish vaccine rollout could push the industry to the brink. Queensland and Victoria have both closed their borders to travellers from Sydney as NSW responds to a growing cluster… Read more
(Feedsy exclusive) Three Factors to help you make the right decision Every home owner has been there. You look around your home and try to decide: are you better off renovating the home you have or selling and purchasing a new home? While the decision is very individual, these are a few of the most important factors to consider. Is your current home livable? Sometimes renovations are about aesthetic… Read more
Steven Deare (Australian Associated Press) Australians are slowly turning away from Facebook for their news and choosing rival platforms such as YouTube. A study of Australians’ news habits also found while most remain unwilling to pay for online reports, those aware of the media industry’s financial struggles were more likely to pay. The seventh annual Digital News Report: Australia found the proportion of people using Facebook for news dropped… Read more
Marion Rae (Australian Associated Press) For the average Australian worker, legislated rises in superannuation will mean an extra $85,000 in their super account at retirement. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia on Wednesday released a report on how the increases set to kick in from July 1 will “super-size” retirement balances. Super balances are also set for a whopper year of double-digit gains, despite COVID-19 wobbles. The rise… Read more
(ATO) Salary sacrifice is an arrangement with your employer to forego part of your salary or wages in return for your employer providing benefits of a similar value. One example of a salary sacrifice arrangement is to have some of your salary or wages paid into your super fund instead of to you. If your employer makes super contributions for you through a salary sacrifice agreement you should be… Read more
Crop Plant Matt Coughlan (Australian Associated Press) Australian farmers are forecast to get within one per cent of a record crop planting on the back of healthy rainfall and strong prices. Rabobank on Wednesday released its 2021/22 Winter Crop Outlook, which forecasts 22.93 million hectares will be planted across the nation. That’s a two per cent increase on last year when crops planted soared as drought eased in many… Read more
Hannah Ryan (Australian Associated Press) Nine has struck deals with tech giants Google and Facebook that will mean it gets paid for its news content. The media company announced the deals in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday. Facebook will pay Nine for news video clips and access to digital news articles on Facebook news products. The deal will initially last for up to three years. The parties… Read more
Luke Costin (Australian Associated Press) A bid to overturn Health Minister Greg Hunt’s ban on Australians travelling overseas has been dismissed by the Full Court of the Federal Court. Lobby group LibertyWorks had argued the restriction, imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, was invalid and unduly impinged on individual rights. Apart from the recent opening of the New Zealand travel bubble, people seeking to travel overseas have since March… Read more
We help you define a clear DIRECTION with your finances to re-gain CONTROL of your life to achieve meaningful lifestyle CHOICES. Click to the link to view our first episode of the series Direction Control Choice where Troy discusses all things, Professional and Personal Goal Setting, Accomplishing your Goals and how we at Collins Financial Group can assist you. Visit our Collins Financial Group website to download your free Goals… Read more
MoneySmart (ASIC) Who to contact to make a claim To make a claim on your insurance, speak to the person or company you bought the policy from. If you bought insurance through: an insurer — contact the insurance company an insurance broker or financial adviser — speak to them first a superannuation fund — contact your fund an employment arrangement — speak to your employer Ask how the claims process works and what forms… Read more
June 3, 2021 (Australian Associated Press) NSW authorities hope a new app will help hold domestic violence perpetrators to account and increase compliance with court-ordered protection orders. NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman has launched the government-funded Avow app as part of a package of products to help people understand their legal obligations under an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. The app provides information to perpetrators about the consequences of breaching an… Read more
What do coral reefs, climate change, and physical fitness, all have in common? Jonathan Cybulski will tell you and share how building our “climate fitness” can help erase the climate catastrophe by focusing on small, everyday wins. He will help us change the decade old narrative from ‘humans are the creator of the climate change problem’ to ‘humanities climate fitness is the solution to change the climate problem’. Jonathan… Read more
Steven Deare(Australian Associated Press) Australians buying new cars have been warned sellers have the upper hand while a supply shortage continues. The nation’s peak industry group on Wednesday said buyers continued to face delays for deliveries as global supply chains remain crippled by the coronavirus. Car manufacturers are struggling to gain ample semiconductors to meet demand, as the ramifications of the virus outbreak last year continue. Deliveries of Sony’s… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) The rush to secure a grant under the Morrison government’s HomeBuilder program has led to a fresh peak for house approvals in March, while the construction industry remains close to a record expansion. The number of private sector houses approved edged up 0.1 per cent to 14,117 to a new record high in March, to stand 60.9 per cent higher… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) A majority of Australians believe the age pension should be increased, with many fearing they won’t have enough money when they enter retirement. An Australian National University survey of 3500 adults found more than seven out of 10 adults think the current age pension of $944.30 per fortnight for a single person isn’t enough. The average age pension supported… Read more
When most people say they want to be a millionaire, they’re really saying that they want to spend one million dollars. Besides winning the lotto or inheriting money, you’ll learn three key elements used by the most successful people who have ever lived. You’ll not only be able to learn how to become a millionaire, but you’ll learn the real reason of why it helps our society to alleviate… Read more