Latest news with #Coles
ABC News
4 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Labor seeks to legislate to protect penalty rates for award workers
Workers employed under the award system could not have penalty or overtime rates bargained away under new government legislation to be introduced in the House of Representatives today. The bill is a response to a proposal from the retail employer lobby to allow some low-paid retail managers to opt out of those entitlements in exchange for a 35 per cent pay rise, a matter currently before the Fair Work umpire. The Albanese government took the unusual step of making a submission to Fair Work, arguing that pay loadings in awards were a safety net for low-paid workers and should be protected, and had foreshadowed legislation to override the matter. The bill would prevent Fair Work from varying any award to reduce or substitute either overtime or penalty rates, which Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said would protect the "safety net" for Australia's 2.6 million award workers, roughly one in every five of the total number employed. "Hard-working Australians rely on penalty rates and overtime rates to keep their heads above water, which is why this bill is so critical," she said. The award system, which sets out minimum pay and conditions for all workers in certain sectors, has declined in usage over time as the alternative approach of bargaining has grown, but it remains common for staff in retail, hospitality, and the care sector. The proposal to vary the retail award applied to store managers earning between roughly $54,000 and $62,000, and was backed by Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, and Costco. The legislation is likely to draw frustration from industry groups and support from unions and the Greens, although a party spokeswoman told the ABC it had not made a decision yet. Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Tim Wilson said the Coalition had been briefed on the bill, and is not yet guaranteeing his party's support either. "When it comes down to it, we have concerns about making sure it doesn't hurt small businesses. "When the Minister was asked whether it was going to have impact on small business, she gave a very explicit firm commitment that it wouldn't. "But we are not going to know that until we have a clear consultation with small business." The issue also dovetails with ongoing discussions about how workplace contracts should accommodate working-from-home rights. Fair Work is considering that question in the context of the award for clerical and administrative workers, and business groups have argued that those given the right to work flexibly should not be entitled to overtime or weekend pay loading, since they can choose when they want to do their work. Unions have instead suggested the right to work from home should be presumed unless an employer can offer a compelling justification for refusing it. Depending on the details, a bill protecting penalty rates and overtime rates in all circumstances for award workers could prevent Fair Work from adopting the business groups' suggestions. The government has given some indication that it may consider legislating work-from-home rights, but has not suggested it favours any particular model for doing so.
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Supermarket chain lodges plan to heat up competition in Lake hotspot
Residents in western Lake Macquarie could soon have greater options at the checkout when doing their weekly grocery shop. German supermarket giant ALDI has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council to build a supermarket at Morisset as part of the $75 million retail supercentre approved for 66 Mandalong Road. The supercentre is being built by Newcastle developers Winarch, which is also behind the proposed 10,000-capacity indoor live music arena on Mandalong Road. The retail supercentre is also expected to feature a Bunnings warehouse, a gym, homeware shops, cafes, and three fast-food outlets on the northern side of Mandalong Road, a kilometre west of Morisset's CBD. Morisset is already serviced by a Coles and Woolworths supermarket. The western Lake Macquarie suburb is expected to undergo a dramatic transformation over the next two decades. Morisset, and the nearby suburbs of Cooranbong and Wyee are forecast to see their population grow from 18,093 people in 2021 to 32,322 by 2046. The ALDI supermarket will be positioned at the southern end of the retail centre and boasts a gross floor area of 1561 square metres, which includes a retail space of 1100 square metres. The development will also include liquor trading and 83 car parking spaces. It proposes to be open seven days from 8.30am to 8pm Friday to Wednesday and from 8.30am to 9pm on Thursday. The store is expected to employ 20 people. "We are excited to bring our unique shopping experience to Morisset and will update the community as our plans progress," a spokesperson for ALDI said. ALDI, which markets itself as a cheaper and "good different" option to Australia's most dominant brands Woolworths and Coles, already has 17 stores in the Hunter and seven in the Lake Macquarie LGA. The other Lake Macquarie stores are in Edgeworth, Cardiff, Charlestown, Mount Hutton, Warners Bay, Belmont, and in western Lake Macquarie could soon have greater options at the checkout when doing their weekly grocery shop. German supermarket giant ALDI has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council to build a supermarket at Morisset as part of the $75 million retail supercentre approved for 66 Mandalong Road. The supercentre is being built by Newcastle developers Winarch, which is also behind the proposed 10,000-capacity indoor live music arena on Mandalong Road. The retail supercentre is also expected to feature a Bunnings warehouse, a gym, homeware shops, cafes, and three fast-food outlets on the northern side of Mandalong Road, a kilometre west of Morisset's CBD. Morisset is already serviced by a Coles and Woolworths supermarket. The western Lake Macquarie suburb is expected to undergo a dramatic transformation over the next two decades. Morisset, and the nearby suburbs of Cooranbong and Wyee are forecast to see their population grow from 18,093 people in 2021 to 32,322 by 2046. The ALDI supermarket will be positioned at the southern end of the retail centre and boasts a gross floor area of 1561 square metres, which includes a retail space of 1100 square metres. The development will also include liquor trading and 83 car parking spaces. It proposes to be open seven days from 8.30am to 8pm Friday to Wednesday and from 8.30am to 9pm on Thursday. The store is expected to employ 20 people. "We are excited to bring our unique shopping experience to Morisset and will update the community as our plans progress," a spokesperson for ALDI said. ALDI, which markets itself as a cheaper and "good different" option to Australia's most dominant brands Woolworths and Coles, already has 17 stores in the Hunter and seven in the Lake Macquarie LGA. The other Lake Macquarie stores are in Edgeworth, Cardiff, Charlestown, Mount Hutton, Warners Bay, Belmont, and in western Lake Macquarie could soon have greater options at the checkout when doing their weekly grocery shop. German supermarket giant ALDI has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council to build a supermarket at Morisset as part of the $75 million retail supercentre approved for 66 Mandalong Road. The supercentre is being built by Newcastle developers Winarch, which is also behind the proposed 10,000-capacity indoor live music arena on Mandalong Road. The retail supercentre is also expected to feature a Bunnings warehouse, a gym, homeware shops, cafes, and three fast-food outlets on the northern side of Mandalong Road, a kilometre west of Morisset's CBD. Morisset is already serviced by a Coles and Woolworths supermarket. The western Lake Macquarie suburb is expected to undergo a dramatic transformation over the next two decades. Morisset, and the nearby suburbs of Cooranbong and Wyee are forecast to see their population grow from 18,093 people in 2021 to 32,322 by 2046. The ALDI supermarket will be positioned at the southern end of the retail centre and boasts a gross floor area of 1561 square metres, which includes a retail space of 1100 square metres. The development will also include liquor trading and 83 car parking spaces. It proposes to be open seven days from 8.30am to 8pm Friday to Wednesday and from 8.30am to 9pm on Thursday. The store is expected to employ 20 people. "We are excited to bring our unique shopping experience to Morisset and will update the community as our plans progress," a spokesperson for ALDI said. ALDI, which markets itself as a cheaper and "good different" option to Australia's most dominant brands Woolworths and Coles, already has 17 stores in the Hunter and seven in the Lake Macquarie LGA. The other Lake Macquarie stores are in Edgeworth, Cardiff, Charlestown, Mount Hutton, Warners Bay, Belmont, and in western Lake Macquarie could soon have greater options at the checkout when doing their weekly grocery shop. German supermarket giant ALDI has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council to build a supermarket at Morisset as part of the $75 million retail supercentre approved for 66 Mandalong Road. The supercentre is being built by Newcastle developers Winarch, which is also behind the proposed 10,000-capacity indoor live music arena on Mandalong Road. The retail supercentre is also expected to feature a Bunnings warehouse, a gym, homeware shops, cafes, and three fast-food outlets on the northern side of Mandalong Road, a kilometre west of Morisset's CBD. Morisset is already serviced by a Coles and Woolworths supermarket. The western Lake Macquarie suburb is expected to undergo a dramatic transformation over the next two decades. Morisset, and the nearby suburbs of Cooranbong and Wyee are forecast to see their population grow from 18,093 people in 2021 to 32,322 by 2046. The ALDI supermarket will be positioned at the southern end of the retail centre and boasts a gross floor area of 1561 square metres, which includes a retail space of 1100 square metres. The development will also include liquor trading and 83 car parking spaces. It proposes to be open seven days from 8.30am to 8pm Friday to Wednesday and from 8.30am to 9pm on Thursday. The store is expected to employ 20 people. "We are excited to bring our unique shopping experience to Morisset and will update the community as our plans progress," a spokesperson for ALDI said. ALDI, which markets itself as a cheaper and "good different" option to Australia's most dominant brands Woolworths and Coles, already has 17 stores in the Hunter and seven in the Lake Macquarie LGA. The other Lake Macquarie stores are in Edgeworth, Cardiff, Charlestown, Mount Hutton, Warners Bay, Belmont, and Toronto.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Melbourne family claims to find lizard inside can of cannellini beans
A Melbourne family claims to have found a dead lizard inside a can of beans purchased from their local supermarket. Harrison Razzi and his family were preparing one of their favourite meals when they made the horrifying discovery on the weekend. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Family finds lizard in canned beans, sparks investigation. Razzi said the family was making minestrone to 'have a good food, a good dinner'. But when he opened a can of Carmelina's cannellini beans, Razzi said he found a small lizard inside. 'I was looking in the can of beans and found a lizard, a baby lizard in there,' he said. 'My mum was crying, my sister was screaming.' Razzi said the sight was 'horrifying' and it looked like the lizard had been fermented in the can of beans. The importer of the beans, Leo's Imports, told 7NEWS it 'takes all consumer complaints seriously and is committed to upholding the highest standards of product quality and safety'. However it added: 'We are unable to substantiate the claim which raises questions regarding its credibility and intent.' The company says it has committed to a full and proper investigation. According to the product's packaging, the beans come from Italy. It is not the first time an animal has made its way into a tinned product. Last year a South Australian woman claimed she found the remains of rat in a Coles brand can of red kidney beans. Melbourne University food scientist Senaka Ranadheera said it was common for amphibians to be found in fresh produce. 'They have previously found even birds or small mammals like mice,' he said. 'We need to further improve these food safety management systems.' Razzi said his family has been buying the same brand of Italian beans for years without issue. But he said they are not in a rush to buy another can and attempt to make minestrone again. 'Maybe in the near future but not anytime soon,' he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Aussie mum's 4 ingredient roast using $1.20 Coles essential: 'Couldn't be easier'
The only thing better than serving up a delicious home-cooked meal to your family is knowing that you didn't have to spend a fortune doing so. Even better if you weren't required to buy a selection of ingredients you'll likely only use once, or spend the entire afternoon in the kitchen. Anyone on TikTok would know that the social media platform is filled with viral recipes requiring few ingredients, such as the cottage cheese, sweet potato and beef bowl, or the baked feta pasta. As winter has well and truly arrived in Australia, content creator Bec (@mummyandmeeatallergyfree) recently posted a video making her four-ingredient roast lamb recipe. The video, which has racked up over 100,000 views, shows Bec simply placing a boneless lamb leg roast on top of chopped potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker and rubbing it with a packet of salt-reduced French onion soup mix. While you can buy the Continental brand soup mix from Coles or Woolworths for $1.20, the grocery stores also sell packets for 55c. RELATED: Aussie mum's 4 ingredient recipe using unlikely $1.15 Coles product: 'Ridiculously easy' Aldi shopper's secret ingredient to make lazy lasagne: 'Feel dumb I never thought of this' Aussie dad's 'amazing' slow cooker recipe using Aldi ingredients: 'Just $5.50 a serve' She then cooks it 'low and slow' for six to eight hours, and bakes it on a light tray at 180 degrees for 30 minutes to crisp up. 'It couldn't be easier! You just dump the lamb into the slow cooker, tip the seasoning on top, pop the lid on and walk away!' she tells Yahoo Lifestyle, adding that it's 'hands down the best roast' she's ever had. How to make 'the world's best gravy' Bec, who recently released her own slow-cooker recipe book, shares that the recipe is 'simple, delicious, and requires minimal effort', and only took her a few minutes to put together. 'At the end of the day, that's what people are after. Simple food that's easy to make but is big on taste,' she says. 'And if I can make it allergy-friendly but appealing to everyone and show everyone that allergy-friendly doesn't mean boring, then I've done my job'. The mother-of-two adds that you can save the juices from the slow cooker, drain through a sieve, and add to a pot with a tablespoon of flour to make 'the world's best gravy'. 'It's the ultimate winter comfort food and a great one to impress guests with,' she remarks. What else can you make with French onion soup mix? Bec has posted several videos on TikTok using the French onion soup mix and says it's 'fantastic' for making potato bake, creamy pastas and roast chicken. 'We use it for so many recipes, it's my all-time favourite! And it suits my family's allergy requirements, which is great,' she details. SHOP: ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 😃 Aussie's multi-million dollar business idea after job rejection: 'Went viral' 🧥 'Customer-obsessed' Aussie brand still going strong after 40 years Meanwhile, award-winning chef and restaurant entrepreneur Tom Walton tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he loves having the mix on hand to 'add excitement and convenience' to his home cooking. 'It's such a versatile pantry staple - an easy way to build depth of flavour without needing lots of extra ingredients,' he says. 'It can be used in a variety of dishes from pasta and risotto to potato bakes and braised chicken. It's one of those handy ingredients that can quickly make a meal feel more comforting. 'One of my favourites is adding it into a creamy braised chicken, potato and silverbeet dish. It adds a richness to the sauce and brings all the ingredients together beautifully.'
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Melbourne grocers are not playing around when it comes to their broccoli
A Melbourne grocer has sparked an online debate after posting a bold sign warning customers not to break off broccoli stems, or risk paying a $1 fine per stalk. The sign which reads 'DO NOT BREAK Broccoli' appears beside a display of $6.99 per kilo broccoli and warns 'You will pay $1 extra for each you break if we find out'. The strict policy has drawn attention after a photo of the sign was shared online by a Reddit user with the caption: 'Don't break the broccoli or else'. Shoppers have taken to Reddit to voice their concerns and frustration. One user wrote: 'Selling broccoli with long stems is relatively new … I'm convinced this changed so supermarkets and shop owners could charge more." 'Similar thing with capsicum, you'd never buy it with the green stalk and the red part was thin, they used to be really light to hold," they added. Another commenter said: 'This is so bizarre to me because back in NZ, we buy broccoli per unit, fixed price! I'd never heard of buying broccoli by weight before." While some see the crackdown as heavy handed, retailers argue it's the only way to deal with rising costs and stem snapping habits. One Reddit user who said they used to work at a small green grocer said small providers would make a loss on the broccoli when shoppers tried to cut down the weight. "The reason for this is because they buy broccoli from wholesalers/farmers by weight - so when people break the stalk off broccoli, they end up losing money because no one is going to pick a discarded stalk off the shelf to buy it," they said. "If we were serving a customer and noticed the stalks had been removed, we had to call the boss and he would find the stalk and make the customer pay for it/put it in their bag of broccoli." Since a broccoli is priced by weight, removing the stalk can result in significant losses for stores, especially during shortages and price hikes. To reduce losses, major chains like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have started pricing broccoli per head instead as well as per kilo which is a strategy already adopted for corn and truss tomatoes after customers began stripping those down too. Prices have soared to about $10.90 per kilo at both Coles and Woolworths and $3.71 for a head of broccoli, weighing "approximately 340g". The rise in costs is due to poor weather conditions in regions across Victoria and Queensland leading to supply shortages and increased demand. Co-founder of Farmers Pick Josh Ball told 9honey Kitchen that both baby broccoli and broccolini have been impacted by the cold weather conditions in the growing regions of Australia. Since December 2024 the prices have more than doubled rising from $4.90 per kilo to $10.90 per kilo.
