Is your house your home? By Peter Kelly on 24 November 2021 As many people approach or enter retirement, their thoughts often turn to retirement housing options. Often, family members enter the conversation, either by invitation, or they simply gate-crash the discussion and present their own views on the subject. For many, staying in their current home, at least for the foreseeable future, will be their preferred choice. There is nothing to suggest… Read more
Andrew Brown and Matt Coughlan (Australian Associated Press) Australia is expected to allow quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated international arrivals into at least four states before Christmas. South Australia will scrap isolation requirements for overseas and domestic travellers with two coronavirus jabs when the state reaches 90 per cent immunisation coverage. Premier Steven Marshall expects the milestone to be reached before Christmas, weeks after state borders open on November… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) Australians are worrying about cost of living pressures, fuelled by a jump in petrol prices to record highs, which may curb their future spending habits. The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer survey found inflation expectations for the next two years jumped 0.3 percentage points to five per cent, the highest level since December 2014. “The rise in average petrol prices… Read more
Money and Life (Financial Planning Association of Australia) If you’re in a relationship, it can be tricky to work out when to start sharing income and expenses. Here are a few ways to successfully merge money as a couple. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to… Read more
Matt Coughlan (Australian Associated Press) Children aged under 16 would need their parents’ consent to use social media platforms under a proposed online crackdown. Attorney-General Michaelia Cash on Monday released an exposure draft of new legislation to create a binding privacy code for social media services, data brokers and other large online operators. All platforms would be forced to receive parental consent for users under the age of 16.… Read more
Gus McCubbing (Australian Associated Press) Australians continue to turn to pet ownership for company amid enduring COVID-19 lockdowns. Demand for dogs, cats, kittens and puppies at the Melbourne-based Lost Dogs’ Home reached a decade-long high in August, with 416 adoptions. The home also recorded 92 dog adoptions last month – the highest figure since the coronavirus pandemic began. Demand could soon outweigh supply, with the number of dogs coming… Read more
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press) Josh Frydenberg is confident the unemployment rate can remain relatively low, even with the significant economic shock of having the nation’s two most populous states in lockdown. In an address to an online forum on Monday, the treasurer also said he did not share concerns of an inflation spike as central banks around the world provide support by pumping… Read more
Georgie Moore (Australian Associated Press) Women account for about six per cent of top bosses across ASX 300 companies in a “wake-up call” for gender equality at work. Chief Executive Women has found 20 women are leading ASX 300 companies. Just one of 23 chief executive appointments in 2020/21 were women. It will take until 2086 for women to account for 40 per cent of line roles in executive… Read more
Matt Coughlan (Australian Associated Press) Australia will begin issuing coronavirus vaccine passports from next month as preparations to restart international jetsetting continue. Travel is not expected to start until vaccination coverage for people aged 16 and over reaches 80 per cent, which is likely months away. The first international immunisation certificates are set to be rolled out in October with the federal government also working with other countries to… Read more
Matt Coughlan (Australian Associated Press) Australia’s pandemic mental health chief has warned the nation faces one of its most significant crises as more young people present to emergency. Leading psychiatrist Ruth Vine is the deputy chief medical officer appointed to oversee the mental health impacts of the pandemic. Dr Vine said the cumulative effect of uncertainty and insecurity stemming from lockdowns and other restrictions were taking a toll. “This… Read more
Money and Life (Financial Planning Association of Australia) How healthy are your finances? Isn’t it time you put your own financial wellbeing front and centre? You can take control of your financial future quickly and easily, with a simple financial health check. Just like your physical health, it’s worth giving your finances a check-up once in a while. Over time, unhealthy spending habits can creep in, threatening to derail… Read more
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