Australians urged to search for ‘better deals' as energy prices set to soar
The Australian Energy Regulator announced significant power price increases across New South Wales, South Australia, and south-east Queensland, driven by rising wholesale and network costs.
New South Wales is set to see the highest hike, while consumers are urged to shop around for better deals as default offers may not reflect the best market prices.
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Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
CFMEU stain on our society must be removed
Disclosures by the Herald last week involving a gangland associate, a Gold Coast developer and the CFMEU are disturbing – not only because they are innately concerning, but also because they show yet again that the cancerous network of thuggery, intimidation and misfeasance that contaminates business, industry and wider society throughout this country continues. It is a stain on the nation. The Herald reported that gangland associate John Khoury was paid $110,000 by Queensland-Melbourne joint venture Glen Q to help secure industrial peace on the Gold Coast, where the developer was building a 16-level project at Broadbeach. A meeting was held between influential CFMEU figures and Khoury. This occurred four months after the federal government forced the union into administration. There is no suggestion the union attendees have done the wrong thing and the administration has also cleared them. But the payment to Khoury by the developer was uncovered during federal police raids. A money trail was thus revealed between a front company in the name of Khoury's accountant to Glen Q's project. Also involved was Nick Maric, a Melbourne construction boss now a Queensland government contractor, who has separately retained the services of Khoury and Mick Gatto to deal with the CFMEU. Glen Q's payment to Khoury focuses light on how business and construction is done. Our reporting also highlights the rivalry between the CFMEU and the Australian Workers' Union. Representatives of the latter support two firms led by figures with criminal links to foil the CFMEU.
SBS Australia
10 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Google threatens to sue if YouTube is included in Australia's kids social media ban
Google has been warned threats to sue won't sway the potential late inclusion of YouTube in Australia's world-first social media ban for children. The tech giant wrote to Communications Minister Anika Wells declaring it was considering its legal position if its video sharing platform was included in the ban for children 16 and under. The letter, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, flagged the ban could be challenged on the grounds it restricts the implied constitutional freedom of political communication. Signals the Australian government was contemplating an "abrupt policy reversal" prompted Google to seek further clarity. "YouTube is a video sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians," a YouTube spokesperson said. "We have written directly to the government, urging them to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and protect the age-appropriate experiences and safeguards we provide for young Australians." The social media ban is due to come into effect in December. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat were among platforms covered when legislation passed parliament. YouTube was exempted, in a move TikTok described as a "sweetheart deal". But e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has recommended a rethink, citing research showing children were exposed to harmful content on YouTube more than any other platform. Children are exposed to harmful content on YouTube, e-safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch "The new law will only restrict children under the age of 16 from having their own accounts - not accessing content on YouTube or any other service through links from the school or in a 'logged-out' state," she told the National Press Club in June. "There is nothing in the legislation that prevents educators with their own accounts from continuing to incorporate school-approved educational content on YouTube or any other service just as they do now." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took a dim view of Google's attempt to muscle in on the decision-making process. "The minister will make these assessments ... independent of any these threats that are made by the social media companies," he told ABC TV on Sunday. "I say to them that social media has a social responsibility. A YouGov poll suggested widespread support for the ban. "There is no doubt that young people are being impacted adversely in their mental health by some of the engagement with social media and that is why the government has acted." The early findings of an age-verification trial found technologies could block young kids from social media platforms, but not without loopholes. Platforms will face penalties worth up to $50 million if caught not taking reasonable steps to prevent children 16 and under from creating accounts.
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- News.com.au
Search for Aussie millionaires as $116m in lotto prizes remain unclaimed
A group of Aussies could be secret millionaires as Lotto tickets worth more than $100m remain unclaimed. Aussies have been urged to check their lotto tickets to see if they could be one of the 17 mystery winners of prizes totalling a combined $116 million. This includes a staggering $100 million prize from the June 12 Powerball this year. The ticket was purchased at the Bondi Junction Newsagency & Internet Cafe in NSW. Other major prizes yet to be claimed include $4.8m from the Set for Life game on April 8, 2021, purchased at the Thistle Kiosk. Another Set for Life winner is yet to claim $4.8m from the November 30, 2024 draw, the ticket bought at the Nextra Kiama. Majority of the unclaimed prizes are from NSW, the figure sitting at about $107m followed by $5.3m in the ACT, $2.7m in Queensland, and $1m in Victoria. A Lott spokesperson said they were eager to connect Aussies with their unclaimed cash and 'help kickstart their dreams'. 'So, whether you're digging through old receipts in preparation for tax time or deep cleaning the house, keep an eye out for any unchecked lottery tickets,' the spokesperson said. 'We'd love to pair the winners with their prize!' However, they warned prize claim periods vary across each state and territory. Those in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia have only 12 months to claim their winnings, with the claim period extending to three years in the Northern Territory, six years in ACT and NSW, and seven years in Queensland. Just last month a Wonthaggi man discovered he'd won more than $2.1m from a ticket his wife gifted him for Christmas, but had forgotten to check as 'life got in the way'. 'It's very surreal,' the man said following the discovery. 'My wife always buys a lottery ticket for everyone in the family for Christmas. 'I completely forgot about the ticket … I only thought the other day that I should check the ticket. I couldn't believe it. 'Things like this never happen to us.' He said he would divide the prize up between his family. 'It will help many people!' he said. The Lott spokesperson emphasised the importance of registering entries to ensure winners can be easily identified and contacted.
