Latest news with #JohnGass


Perth Now
15-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Aussie towns marked for census testing
Tens of thousands of households have been selected to participate in the upcoming Australian Bureau of Statistics census test, which technicians use as an exercise to ensure IT systems and data-gathering processes are all working in the lead-up to the five-yearly survey of the Aussie population. The ABS census general manager Jenny Telford said the test was taking place to ensure the real one happened as smoothly as possible. Tens of thousands of Aussies will be required to take part in the census test. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia 'We are testing our collection processes and IT systems to ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information in the right way,' she said. 'You can complete your form as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who will be home on census test night.' About 60,000 preselected homes will take part in the test across eight key regions across Australia. In NSW, homes in Coonamble and Gilgandra will be surveyed. In Queensland, the cities of Rockhampton and Gladstone will take part, as will the regional township of Yeppoon. Homes have been selected in Western Australia's Wheatbelt Region, as have households in Perth and Albany. Regional Victorian homes miss out this time, and surveying will only take place in Melbourne. Testing is conducted before the five-yearly census. NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia The ABS has noted that not every home in the selected locations will be required to participate in the test. 'If you don't receive instructions in the mail, there's nothing you need to do,' the organisation said in a statement. 'The information you provide in the test is confidential. The ABS is legally required to keep data secure and not release information in a way that will identify any individual, household or business.' Test night will take place on Tuesday August 5.


Perth Now
16-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
‘Inevitable': Grim news for Aussie drivers
Australian motorists will 'inevitably' pay more when they fuel up their cars in the coming days, as energy producing stocks soar from the fallout in the Middle East. Futures markets for Brent oil have spiked in recent days and are now buying $US77 a barrel, when it was just over $US65 this time last week. It comes as tensions out of the Middle East flare up, after Israel undertook pre-emptive attacks on Iran. It said the strikes were aimed at eliminating Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. Iran has fired missiles back at Israel in response. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Monday it was 'inevitable' Aussies will have to pay more at the pump. Mr Marles said the extent of the impact hostilities would have on Australia's economy 'depends a bit on how long the conflict goes and the way in which it plays out'. But he said it was 'right to focus on fuel'. Motorists could soon be paying more for fuel. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia Inevitable price rise set to hit motorists: NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia 'Already we have seen over the course of the last few days the global oil price go up and it's the inevitable consequence of any conflict,' Mr Marles said. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver wrote in his latest economic note fuel prices could be on the rise for motorists, but how much they pay will depend on how long oil prices remain higher. 'Oil prices were already rising this month on signs of increasing risks and have spiked further – with the rise so far this month threatening a flow of around 12 cents a litre for Australian petrol prices if sustained at these levels,' he said. While motorists could be paying more to fuel up their car compared with the start of May when oil was at $US65 a barrel, Janus Henderson investment portfolio manager Oliver Blackbourn said the recent spike is still within the usual range for oil. 'The price of a barrel of oil had ranged between $70 and $90 through 2024, to put the recent moves in context,' he said. 'This period includes prior exchanges of strikes between Israel and Iran, and is still far below the levels above $100 per barrel in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.' Despite the price rises it is important motorists keep the price rises in context: NewsWire John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Blackbourn said any further moves in the price of crude oil will be dependent on what happens next in the Israel-Iran conflict. On the ASX, the energy sector was up 5.7 per cent amid the higher oil prices and a takeover bid from Abu Dhabi state owned company logging a $30bn bid for Santos. Shares in Santos soared 11.87 per cent to $7.78 after the takeover announcement. Oil and gas giant Woodside jumped after the opening bell and is up more than 3.3 per cent to $26.05 at the time of writing due to the increase in oil prices. Petrol and diesel producer Ampol also climbed 1.70 per cent to 426.25 while Woodside was also rallying on Monday, up 3.1 per cent, petrol and diesel producer Ampol climbed 1.9 per cent and Beach energy shares are up 2.69 per cent to $1.33.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rowena Fire continues burning overnight, I-84 reopens
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Rowena Fire, between Mosier and The Dalles in Wasco County, continued burning strongly overnight, although Interstate 84 has been reopened in both directions. Burning 2,500 acres and currently 0% contained, the fire was first reported just after 1:30 Wednesday, leading to evacuations in the surrounding area. Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations: Rowena Ferry Road east to River Road. Seven Mile Hill Road to Mountain View Drive; south to Chenowith Creek and Browns Creek roads, east to West Seventh Street. Level 2 'Be Set' evacuations: Evacuation Snipes Street, West to Chenoweth Loop Road, Chenowith Creek Road, to Browns Creek Road. Level 1 'Be Ready' evacuations: Snipes St, east to River Rd, south to Bargeway Rd., west to I-84; From the intersection of Seven Mile Hill Rd, east to Browns Creek Rd, East to Snipes St. to Cherry Heights Rd, south to Browns Creek Rd, Port area of The Dalles. The fire is threatening hundreds of homes in the area, and authorities said that 20 residences have already been destroyed. The fire even led Oregon Governor Tina Kotek to invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act, calling in six state fire teams to back up local crews. 'It's an unfortunate reality that we have to live with, and they seem to be getting more and more frequent, a little bit earlier and quite often more intense,' said John Gass, a retired firefighter. The Red Cross has opened a shelter at The Dalles Middle School and the Wasco County Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley is allowing in livestock and horses affected by the fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
New report reveals Aussie women are bearing the brunt of rising costs widening the retirement gap
A new report reveals Australian women are bearing the brunt of the nation's cost of living crisis and are sacrificing their own financial futures to keep households afloat. Insights Exchange's Consumer Trends report found women were excessively squeezed by rising living costs and family obligations that were causing stress, worry and anxiety. Researchers surveyed 1474 Australians finding women were 21 per cent less confident than men about their retirement, with only 27 per cent feeling positive about their financial future. More than half of the women surveyed said their ability to meet household expenses had worsened over the past year. Camera Icon Insights Exchange chief executive officer Nichola Quail said women were caught between caregiving and rising costs leaving little room to think beyond the next bill. Supplied Credit: Supplied The report found 43 per cent of Australians supported dependent children and ageing parents but women carried most of the responsibility. Insights Exchange chief executive officer Nichola Quail said when women were meant to be most financially stable, they were caught between caregiving and rising costs leaving little room to think beyond the next bill. 'It is a national issue hiding in plain sight,' she said. 'It's not just stressful; it's unsustainable.' Camera Icon New research reveals Australian women are 21 per cent less confident than men about their retirement with only 27 per cent feeling assured about their financial future. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia One female respondent aged 56 said she could not see herself surviving until retirement. 'I don't eat to ensure I pay my rent. My electricity is about to be disconnected,' she said in the report. One woman aged 57 said the cost of living crisis had left her with a general feeling of hopelessness. While another women aged 38 said being able to afford to live a comfortable life without working insane hours was a big struggle that would only get worse. 'Female caregivers experience heightened financial vulnerability and workplace anxiety while navigating complex social connections,' the report stated. 'These patterns suggest women are carrying a heavier psychological burden, potentially exacerbated by financial stressors and societal responsibilities.'


Perth Now
09-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Big changes coming to BNPL from Tuesday
Big changes are coming for Buy Now Pay Later providers as tighter regulations aim to stop consumers being affected by potentially harmful credit contracts. From Tuesday June 10, BNPL products – including Afterpay, Zip and Humm, as well as low cost credit contracts for significant purchases, including solar panels or dental work – will be regulated in the same way as credit cards. The new legislation was introduced by the Albanese government in June 2024, requiring BNPL providers to hold an Australian credit licence, comply with existing credit laws regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and establish a new category of low cost credit under the Credit Act. BNPL providers, under ASIC, may be required to complete mandatory checks and inquiries about a consumer's financial situation, including in relation to their income and expenditure, to prevent financial strain. Major changes are coming for BNPL products like Zip, Afterpay and Humm from Tuesday June 10. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia BNPL products are the third-most used credit product in the country, sitting behind credit cards (58 per cent) and home loans (21 per cent), according to CreditSmart. This means consumers may begin to see missed or late repayments appearing on their credit reports. It also means consumers can expect to undergo mandatory credit checks, which could impact their credit scores. 'Some BNPL providers will report additional information, such as repayments, on consumers' credit reports,' Arca chief executive officer Elsa Markula said. 'However, BNPL providers such as Afterpay will report credit checks only.' The majority of BNPL customers are younger Australians. NewsWire /Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia A study from CreditSmart revealed one fifth of Australian consumers use a BNPL service such as Afterpay or Zip, but one third (33 per cent) have never checked their credit reports. Younger Australians are the biggest consumer of BNPL, with Millennials making up 38 per cent and Gen Z representing 13 per cent. However, 15 per cent of Gen Z said they didn't believe lenders would check their credit report during an application process. Ms Markula said the change in BNPL regulations would give consumers a harsh reality check when it comes to their credit scores, especially if they were hoping to apply for a loan or a mortgage.'BNPL is now the third most used credit product in Australia, behind credit cards and home loans,' she said. 'But too few people understand how it affects their credit profile, especially young Australians. 'Under the new rules, your BNPL behaviour could directly impact your credit score and your future ability to get a loan, a credit card, or even a mortgage.' The BNPL products will now be regulated like credit cards and home loans. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia She urged consumers to be wary as the changes may catch them off-guard. 'Not all providers will report the same data at the same time, so check updates from your BNPL provider,' she said. Ms Markula said the sweeping legislation changes could be a positive move for Australians hoping to improve their credit score. 'Done right, BNPL usage can now be a tool for strengthening your credit profile, especially for younger or credit-invisible consumers looking to access more traditional forms of credit down the track,' she told NewsWire. She urged consumers to make repayments on time to avoid a negative hit to the credit reports. 'While not all BNPL providers report payment history, where this information is reported it is the most important factor for building or protecting your credit score,' she said. Consumers have also been cautioned to check their credit score regularly, and watch for errors or missing information. 'Check your credit reports from all three major credit reporting bodies to ensure your information is accurate,' she said. Ms Markula said the regulation changes should make Australians consider when they use BNPL products, and limit credit applications if unnecessary. 'Apply for credit only when needed; multiple applications in a short time may signal financial stress to lenders,' she said. 'Only take on credit – including BNPL – you can comfortably repay.'