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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
McDonald's promises 12-month price lock on McSmart Meal, Loose Change menu
McDonald's will lock its prices on a range of popular menu items for 12 months in a bid to keep cost-conscious customers rolling through its stores. CEO Joe Chiczewski announced the price lock on Thursday, casting it as a move to help Australians power through the cost-of-living crisis that has crushed spending power for millions in the aftermath of Covid. 'In today's cost-of-living climate, we know the promise of value matters more than ever to our fans across Australia,' he said. 'My commitment to Australian customers is clear, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, you can count on us for great value at Macca's.' The price lock is for the McSmart Meal, which includes two hamburgers, fries and a drink for $6.95. Prices on the Loose Change menu, all set at $4 or below, will also remain in place for 12 months. Sausage McMuffins will sell for $4, hamburgers will go for $2, frozen cokes for $1 and soft serve ice creams for 50c. The company sells more than 600,000 McSmart Meals a week, Mr Chiczewski said. 'It's also available at every single one of our locations nationwide, whether you're dining in, driving-thru, or ordering through the MyMacca's app,' he said. 'No gimmicks, no catches, just real McDonald's value.' McDonald's Australia, a division of the larger New York-listed McDonald's Corp, boast 1050 restaurants nationwide. It has been operating in Australia since 1971, when its burgers sold for 20c. Mr Chiczewski said keeping its products 'accessible and affordable' had remained a constant for the business. 'Like many Australian businesses, we've experienced rising costs over the past five years, driven by inflation and other economic factors,' he said. 'And yes, that means some of our menu prices have increased – we're not denying this. 'However, our focus and commitment remain unchanged, keeping our menu as accessible and affordable as possible for our customers. 'Our price promise on the McSmart Meal and Loose Change Menu is at the core of this commitment and ensures we can keep serving up Macca's favourites for less.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Never mind the economy, climate change is bad for the health
Your article (' Pocock springs test on fate of future children ', July 31) quotes Anthony Albanese, saying that rejecting any moratorium on new fossil fuel projects is 'disastrous for the economy'. Try telling that to the Greeks, or to the 33 million victims of the Pakistani floods in March, or to the flood and fire victims of the eastern half of Australia over recent years. Not only were these events 'disastrous for the economy', but at what cost to human health and welfare and to the environment? Bring on the moratorium. We cannot afford not to. Hugh Barrett, Sanctuary Point May the noise made by the main parties not drown out the sane and sensible discussion in federal decision-making. Changed thinking and behaviours are needed about the approval and assistance provided to fossil fuel projects. When community and expert concern and worsening outlooks concerning 'global boiling' are being raised time and time again, stronger federal leadership is needed. The public values considerations that go well beyond party-political eyes being focused on getting past the next election and maintaining sources of donations, and the current yet still modest 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets. Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT) Pocock's bill to force legislators to consider the impact on future generations of new fossil fuel licences will be unpopular with Labor if it threatens new coal and gas, which Labor relies on for revenue and to contain energy prices. It throws up in stark relief whether future generations must be considered against winning the next election. It seems surprising that it needs legislation. I was under the naive assumption that governments should consider all our welfare in any legislation anyway. Or is it only those who can afford lobbyists who are considered? The independents are doing a good job of forcing government to face up to difficult issues. Gary Barnes, Mosman Pocock says we have a 'moral duty to young people and future generations'. The burden on the youngest members of our society is not just logistical, it is an overwhelming emotional burden. Today's children and young people with whom I work as an occupational therapist are more anxious (scared, fearful, despondent) than this group have been in the last thirty years – and it is over climate. The rest of the article makes it clear that the federal Labor government is trying to shrink the scale of the task in our eyes. Their attempt to displace the emotional burden they promised to take up when they entered office is hurting our children right now. Jo Jackson King, Gidgegannup (WA)
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil confirms extra 5001 homes rubber-stamped under signature HAFF policy
Labor has rubber-stamped funding for 5001 new social homes across every state and territory set to be built under it flagship Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), despite criticisms the $10bn fund has yet to build any new homes. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil will confirm on Thursday that more than 18,000 homes are now under the construction or planning using funding from the HAFF, with Labor targeting the creation of 55,000 social and affordable homes by June 30, 2029. Of the 55,000 homes, the HAFF, which offer loans and grants to incentivise developers to build social and affordable housing, will contribute 40,000 dwellings. The latest round of funding is set to deliver an extra 5001 homes with 1535 earmarked for NSW, 1275 in Victoria, and 1005 in Queensland. Investment is also expected to build 515 homes in Western Australia, 149 Tasmania, 335 in South Australia and 187 across the ACT and Northern Territory. The fund has been criticised for having yet to deliver any purpose-built homes since it was established on November 1, 2023, with former opposition leader Peter Dutton threatening to scrap the policy if the Coalition claimed government. As it stands, 370 homes have been delivered through the HAFF through instances of developers releasing more homes onto the market, or the purchasing or conversion of homes into affordable or social stock. Lagging construction times for homes are also an issue. Across Australia it takes an average of 10.3 months to build a detached house from commencement to completion, with townhouses taking 12.9 months and build times for an apartment stretching out to 27.8 months, according to ABS figures from October 2024. However fresh figures released on Wednesday found housing approvals had increased by 3.2 per cent to 15,212 in May, however the pipeline still puts Australia behind the ambitious 1.2 million National Housing Accord target. Ms O'Neil welcomed the speedy approvals of the 5001 homes, and said the program was 'hitting its stride'. 'Every one of these homes represents hope for a family doing it tough – whether it's a mum escaping violence, a veteran needing somewhere safe, or a nurse priced out of her own community,' she said. 'This round was progressed much faster than previous rounds with more than 18,000 homes now in stages of building and planning, a clear sign that the HAFF is hitting its stride. 'We're creating a pipeline of homes that will make a difference for decades.' In NSW, where $1.2bn of funding has been committed across 14 projects, state Housing Minister Rose Jackson said dwellings will give 'thousands of people the stability and dignity they deserve'. 'In just one year, we've delivered the biggest increase in public, social and affordable housing for NSW in over a decade – this new funding means we can build even more,' she said.
