Latest news with #BrentonEdwards
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
One thing Aussies no longer do
Divorces are becoming less common because of the heightened cost of living, an Australian lawyer says, with government data backing up the anecdotal evidence. 'The question we're hearing more and more is: Can either of us afford to live after this?' family law specialist Kylie Burke said. 'In 2025, we're seeing more disputes over school fees, medical costs and even basic shared-care logistics – because everyone is under pressure.' Government data shows divorce rates in 2023 hit their lowest since the mid-70s. The rate of divorce in Australia has decelerated over the past few decades but not as abruptly as the marriage rate. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia In 1975, no-fault divorce was written into law, removing the need to prove adultery or desertion, meaning divorces could be granted because of irreconcilable differences. Divorce rates fell by almost half over the next decade and have gradually tapered down since, as the overall marriage rate continues to dip at an even quicker rate. In 1976, 6.3 people (aged over 16) per 1000 got divorced versus 13 people per 1000 getting married. In 2023, 2.3 people per 1000 called it quits, while 5.5 per 1000 tied the knot. Burke Mangan Lawyers partner Ms Burke said she was seeing more and more couples stay together because they could not afford to live separately. Australian marriage rates have fallen about one-third since the turn of the century. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia 'Dividing assets is just one part of the picture now – it's also about ensuring both parties can afford to live, support the children and plan for their financial future,' she said. 'With rents up 30 per cent in some capital cities and lending conditions tight, many people are being forced to stay under the same roof – even after they've split. 'The old model, where one person keeps the home and the other rents nearby, is increasingly off the table.' Living together after separation was called 'financial flatmates' among lawyers, and 'fraught with emotional and legal risk'. 'It might feel like a short-term fix, but without proper agreements in place, they often lead to major conflict down the track,' she said.
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Warning after deadly virus kills horse
A deadly animal-borne virus that can also infect humans has resurfaced in South East Queensland, with authorities confirming the state's first case of Hendra virus since 2022. An unvaccinated horse died on a property last week after rapidly deteriorating, with tests later confirming it had contracted the highly infectious virus. Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland Health are now working to manage the risk to humans and other animals. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries released a statement on Sunday confirming the incident. Biosecurity Queensland acting chief veterinary officer Fiona Thompson said staff were working closely with the horse owner to ensure the risk was contained on the property. 'Unfortunately, in this case, the deceased horse had not been vaccinated for Hendra virus,' Dr Thompson said. An unvaccinated horse has died from Hendra virus. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia Dr Thompson said the property was under active surveillance, and health authorities had already assessed potential exposure to other animals and people. 'Tracing and exposure assessments have been undertaken on other horses and animals on the property,' she said. 'We are also working with Queensland Health in relation to humans who may have had contact with the infected horse so their experts can manage the health of people involved.' Queensland chief health officer Heidi Carroll confirmed that public health staff had already contacted those believed to have been exposed. 'While the Hendra virus can spread from horses to people, it is rare,' Dr Carroll said. 'We know from past cases of Hendra virus infection in horses that most people exposed remain well and don't contract the infection. 'People who are assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing for the virus.' Hendra virus is spread from flying foxes to horses. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia Racing Queensland also released a statement, encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses. 'The horse involved was not a racehorse. The location of the property has not been disclosed at this time,' the statement read. 'Racing Queensland joins Biosecurity Queensland in encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses.' Queensland Health also warned that horses could be infectious before showing signs of illness and urged people who worked with horses to maintain strict hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and covering wounds with waterproof dressings. Hendra virus is spread from flying foxes to horses and can then be transmitted to dogs or humans. There is no vaccine for humans, and the disease has proven fatal in the past. Since the virus was first identified in 1994, more than 90 horses are known to have been infected. All either died from the virus or were euthanised. Seven people have contracted Hendra virus after close contact with infected horses, and four have died. The most recent fatal case occurred in 2009. More than 90 horses are known to have been infected since the virus was first identified. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia Dr Thompson urged horse owners to act quickly if their animal became sick. 'Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year, so it's important that horse owners and people in contact with horses take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times,' she said. 'We'd urge them to continue to practise good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures, even if a horse is vaccinated against Hendra virus.' Dr Thompson also commended the vet involved for their quick action in managing the case and containing the risk. Queensland Health said people infected with Hendra virus typically experienced flu-like symptoms and, in some cases, encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain that can cause headaches, fever and drowsiness. In horses, symptoms of the virus can vary but often include fever, increased heart rate and restlessness. Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland president Mel Brennan has previously highlighted the critical role flying foxes play in maintaining local ecosystems. 'Without them, there is no native forest or koalas,' she said. 'If you don't touch them, they're not a risk.'
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Aussie man dies after bat bite
A man has died from a life-threatening illness after he was bitten by a bat. NSW Health confirmed a man in his 50s died after contracting NSW's first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus. 'We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss,' A NSW Health spokesperson said on Thursday afternoon. 'While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it.' A man has died after contracting lyssavirus. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia The virus, a close relative of the rabies virus, is spread to humans when saliva enters the body through cuts or scratches. It's been found in species of fruit bats, insect eating microbats and flying foxes. A Health Protection director from NSW Health, Keira Glasgow, on Wednesday said it was a 'tragic situation' following news the man was battling the virus. 'The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury,' Ms Glasgow said on Wednesday. 'Further investigation is underway to understand whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness.' Australian Bat lyssavirus particles. Supplied Credit: Supplied The tragedy marks the fourth Australian death from the disease since 1996, with the other three deaths occuring in Queensland. Bat scratches and bites left 118 people in need of medical assistance across the state last year, however this marks the first case of the virus in NSW. Ms Glasgow warned it was 'crucial' for anyone bitten or scratched by bats to urgently seek medical assessment. 'If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial,' Ms Glasgow said. 'You will need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as betadine, and allow it to dry. 'You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.' Any bats could carry the life-threatening virus, she warned, with a NSW Health spokesperson urging Aussies to avoid touching or handling the animals. 'Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats,' the spokesperson said. More to come
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Man critical after being bitten by bat
A man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was bitten by a bat in northern NSW and contracted a life-threatening illness. NSW Health urged people not to touch bats after a man aged in his 50's contracted Australian bat lyssavirus. It is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, which is closely related to rabies, it affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Only three cases of lyssavirus have been identified in Australia since 1996, all of those cases were in Queensland and all three people died. The man from northern NSW is the fourth reported case of lyssavirus in Australia and the first one in NSW. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia NSW Health director in health protection Keira Glasgow said it was a very tragic situation. 'The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury,' she said. 'Further investigation is underway to understand whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness. 'We know 118 people required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats in 2024, but this is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, and the fourth case in Australia.' While it is rare to contract Australian bat lyssavirus, authorities warned people to assume that all bats in Australia carry the incurable disease. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia Dr Glasgow said it was incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus started in people who were scratched or bitten by an infected bat there was no effective way to treat the disease. She urged everyone to assume all Australian bats carried the virus. 'This is why only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats,' she said. 'If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial.' Australian Bat lyssavirus is closely related to rabies, the disease affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Supplied Credit: Supplied Dr Glasgow recommended anyone who was bitten by a bat to immediately wash the wound with soap and water thoroughly for 15 mins and apply an antivirus antiseptic, such as betadine, and allow it to dry. 'You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine,' she said. There is no cure for lyssavirus which has been found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats. The World Health Organisation estimates more than 55,000 people died from rabies around the world each year.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Up to 6 million hit by Qantas cyber attack
Up to six million Qantas customers have been involved in a major cyber attack, with the airline warning that the amount of stolen data is expected to be 'significant'. While the data compromised did not include passport details and financial information, hackers were able to gain access to names, email addresses, frequent flyer numbers and date-of-birth details. The national carrier was alerted to suspicious activity on Monday after it detected 'unusual activity' on a third party platform used by Qantas airline contact centres. A statement released by the airline said staff took 'immediate steps' to contain the system breach and stressed there was no impact to the airline's operations or safety. 'We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant,' it said. Qantas has confirmed that up to six million customers were impacted in the major cyber attack. NewsWire/ Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia 'Importantly, credit card details, personal financial information and passport details are not held in this system. 'No frequent flyer accounts were compromised nor have passwords, PIN numbers or log in details been accessed.' Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson apologised to customers and said the company was 'working closely' with the national cyber security co-ordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and independent specialised cyber security experts. The Australian Federal Police has also been notified. 'We sincerely apologise to our customers and we recognise the uncertainty this will cause. Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously,' she said. 'We are contacting our customers today and our focus is on providing them with the necessary support.' The major Qantas cyber attack comes after similar large-scale international hacks targeting Hawaiian Airlines. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson apologised to customers. NewsWire/ John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia A government spokesman said any customers with concerns should contact Qantas directly and the cyber security co-ordinator was 'working closely' with the airline to provide assistance and advice. 'Qantas says no financial data has been accessed and is in the process of contacting customers,' he said.'The best way for Australians to protect themselves online is to follow three basic rules – keep your software up to date, use strong pass phrases and set up multi-factor authentication.' The Coalition's cyber security spokeswoman Melissa Price said the major cyber incident was 'concerning'. 'With up to six million customers potentially impacted, this is a nationally significant cyber incident and Qantas needs to maintain open and honest communications,' she said. 'Australians travelling today should be reassured by statements that the safety of Qantas' operations remains unaffected. 'This is a stark reminder for all Australian businesses to take every available step to protect the data of Australians.'
