Negligence ruling upheld for Ruby Princess COVID-19 cruise
Carnival's Ruby Princess set off from Sydney on a 13-day tour of New Zealand in March 2020 with 2671 passengers and 1146 crew on board.
The voyage was cut short after 11 days just as Australia shut its borders when COVID-19 ran rampant globally.
Twenty-eight people on the vessel died during the outbreak and 663 positive cases were reported amongst passengers.
A class action lawsuit headed by Shine Lawyers and lead applicant Susan Karpik found that Carnival was misleading and negligent in October 2023.
The company knew or ought to have known about the heightened risk of COVID-19 infection on the vessel and owed a duty of care to Karpik to take reasonable care of her health and safety as a passenger, Federal Court Justice Angus Stewart said.
A panel of three judges unanimously dismissed an appeal on Tuesday after Carnival challenged those findings.
The Ruby Princess cruise should have been cancelled, Justices Brigitte Markovic, Sarah Derrington and Darren Jackson wrote.
'It was a foreseeable consequence of Mrs Karpik's boarding (the ship) that she would be exposed to the heightened risk of there being COVID-19 on board the Ruby Princess,' they said.
The court also tossed a separate appeal seeking to increase the damages awarded to her by Justice Stewart.
While she was allowed $4423 plus interest for out-of-pocket medical expenses, the judge declined to award non-economic damages as she had not been diagnosed with long COVID.
She had originally sought more than $360,000 in damages for injuries, distress and disappointment.
Carnival offered to settle the case for $15 million before a trial began in October 2022.
But the offer was rejected by the passengers, who asked for $69 million.
Carnival has been contacted for comment on the appeal's dismissal.
Shine Lawyers joint head of class actions Vicky Antzoulatos said the firm was pleased with the appeal court's decision.
'Passengers can now proceed to have their individual claims assessed,' she said in a statement.
'We hope this result will lead to a meaningful resolution of their claims so that they can finally put this sorry episode of their lives behind them.'
Justice Stewart will determine the next steps in the case at a later date.
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The US economy keeps chugging along. Does everyone owe Trump an apology?
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Contrary to Trump's claims, he did not inherit an economic mess from his predecessor, but one of the fastest-growing developed economies in the world post-COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said it was better to focus on the combined growth figures for the first half of the year, to smooth out the volatility, which showed GDP rose at 1.2 per cent – down from an average 2.5 per cent last year. 'The moderation in growth largely reflects a slowdown in consumer spending,' he said on Wednesday. Business investment in equipment and intangibles was broadly up, he said, while activity in the housing sector remained weak. But generally speaking, the economy was solid, though inflation was still 'somewhat elevated'. 'It seems to me, and to almost the whole committee, that the economy is not performing as though restrictive policy is holding it back inappropriately,' Powell said, explaining the bank's decision to leave interest rates on hold at 4.25 to 4.5 per cent – despite Trump's intense pressure to cut. Consumer spending rose 1.4 per cent for the quarter, up from 0.5 per cent, even as Trump's new tariffs are raking in tens of billions of dollars in new tax revenue, and amid significant uncertainty about who is footing the bill and how much more there is to come. 'We're going to look back and either say, 'Wow, the economy was super resilient' … or we're going to say, 'Yeah, you could kind of feel it was weakening'.' Louise Sheiner, Brookings Institution And consumer sentiment, measured by the long-running University of Michigan survey, has bounced back into the 60s from just above 50 points. An update is due this Friday, US time. 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Board appointees break ranks Trump is also desperate to stimulate economic growth with lower interest rates, hence his constant badgering of Jerome 'Too Late' Powell to cut the rate. Despite Trump insisting 'there is no inflation' (it is 2.7 per cent), the majority of the bank's board wants to see more data before it makes a move – although the market expects cuts later this year. Loading But for the first time in three decades, two governors dissented from Wednesday's decision. Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman – both Trump appointees to the board from his first term – voted to cut rates by 0.25 points. Both are considered candidates to replace Powell when his term expires next year. [In his dissenting reasons, published Friday in the US, Waller said tariffs only caused a one-off increase in prices, which the bank should 'look through', while soft growth meant monetary policy should be 'close to neutral'. The 'wait and see' approach was overly cautious, he said. Bowman said inflation had fallen - excluding tariff-related increases - and noted the slower growth in private domestic final purchases, a leading indicator of consumer spending.] Arthur Sinodinos, a former Australian ambassador to the US who now works at the Asia Group, says now that Australia's tariff rate has been confirmed at 10 per cent, its main worries will be what impact the tariff regime has on global economic conditions, as well as the US economy.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
The US economy keeps chugging along. Does everyone owe Trump an apology?
It is true that recession fears have subsided, though not entirely. In April, JPMorgan gave the United States a 60 per cent chance of falling into recession this year. By May, after Trump paused most tariffs, the bank had revised that to 40 per cent, where it stands today. But the headline GDP figures are not the full story. And Trump's tariffs – and threats of tariffs – have a lot to do with it. In the first few months of the year, as Trump began announcing border duties and the world awaited his so-called 'Liberation Day' on April 2, America's imports surged, with businesses and consumers rushing to beat the tariffs. Imports negatively affect GDP calculations. As such, GDP contracted by 0.5 per cent. In the most recent quarter, imports fell, and GDP returned to 3 per cent – the same strong growth figures the US posted in the middle of last year, under former president Joe Biden. 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While tariffs have been in place for months and raised tens of billions of additional dollars for US government coffers, the new tariffs, which go into effect in a week, represent the first time since Trump came to power that there has been the semblance of certainty over what the rates will be – at least for now. Still, the US economy seems to be more robust than the doomsday predictions considered. So, do the world's economists owe Trump an apology? Maurice Obstfeld, of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, says it is too soon to decide. 'These behavioural shifts have made GDP data more volatile than usual,' he says. 'Let's wait for the tariffs to settle down at new, predictable levels and see what happens before we shoot the economists.' Louise Sheiner, an economist at the Brookings Institution, espoused a similar view to The New York Times: 'We're going to look back and either say, 'Wow, the economy was super resilient and these things didn't matter as much as we thought they would', or we're going to say, 'Yeah, you could kind of feel it was weakening'.' Justin Wolfers, an Australian economics professor at the University of Michigan, and a regular critic of Trump's economic agenda, says there is still a decent chance of the US economy heading south later this year. 'When I was asked in the first half of the year for a forecast of the chances of a recession, I was careful to give a conditional forecast: if they go for the 'Full Trump', then 75 per cent, and if they drop their nonsense, then 25 per cent,' he says. Loading 'As it happened, he started with the Full Trump, then TACO'd. So perhaps the correct probability is somewhere between 25 and 75 per cent, and probably something like 40 per cent. That still seems right to me.' The term TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out – a popular critique of the president's tendency to make scary announcements, before backtracking or reverting to the norm. 'The idea that a single quarterly reading on a single measure says anything about [the economy being a] miracle or mirage is silly on its face,' Wolfers says. 'The economy isn't as bad as folks forecast, but neither was the actual policy that the White House was telling us we should expect.' In moments of candour, the Trump administration acknowledges American consumers might pay higher prices for some goods, but it is convinced economic growth will compensate. Hassett said as much this week, noting real wages had grown, which 'means people have more money in their pockets than the price increases that they've seen'. Board appointees break ranks Trump is also desperate to stimulate economic growth with lower interest rates, hence his constant badgering of Jerome 'Too Late' Powell to cut the rate. Despite Trump insisting 'there is no inflation' (it is 2.7 per cent), the majority of the bank's board wants to see more data before it makes a move – although the market expects cuts later this year. Loading But for the first time in three decades, two governors dissented from Wednesday's decision. Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman – both Trump appointees to the board from his first term – voted to cut rates by 0.25 points. Both are considered candidates to replace Powell when his term expires next year. [In his dissenting reasons, published Friday in the US, Waller said tariffs only caused a one-off increase in prices, which the bank should 'look through', while soft growth meant monetary policy should be 'close to neutral'. The 'wait and see' approach was overly cautious, he said. Bowman said inflation had fallen - excluding tariff-related increases - and noted the slower growth in private domestic final purchases, a leading indicator of consumer spending.] Arthur Sinodinos, a former Australian ambassador to the US who now works at the Asia Group, says now that Australia's tariff rate has been confirmed at 10 per cent, its main worries will be what impact the tariff regime has on global economic conditions, as well as the US economy.
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Night economy boost for Hunter bars and clubs as state grants leave Sydney for first time
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Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy.
