Category: Australia

Categories
Australia

Corporations’ profits soaring as inflation skyrockets and real wages fall, report reveals

Business generic

There are fresh calls for big business to rein in their big or “supernormal” profits in order to provide low wage earners some desperately needed household budget relief.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) wants businesses to share a large portion of their profits with their workforce.

The latest national accounts show Australian companies are taking a record share of company earnings in the form of profits.

The latest profit results from Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and BP show record half-year earnings.

Half-yearly profits for all companies together had almost doubled to $US55.2 billion ($79.6 billion), up from $US28.7 billion for the same period last year, the ACTU noted.

“These energy giants are posting staggering profits while fueling our cost-of-living crisis,” ACTU president Michele O’Neil says.

“Their shareholders are pocketing billions while working people are wondering how on Earth they can afford to fill up their car or heat their homes.

“The big oil and gas companies booked super windfall profits while Australian taxpayers have subsidized the bowser price of petroleum.

Vehicle at petrol bowser at Shell and Coles Xpress service station in Brisbane
The latest profit results from big energy corporations Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and BP show record half-year earnings.(ABC News: Lucas Hill )

“It’s time that big businesses do their part to address the cost-of-living crisis gripping Australians right now.

“If the bargaining system was working the way it is supposed to, workers’ standard of living wouldn’t be hit as hard by big increases in power, gas and petrol prices.”

Productivity first, according to businesses

Business groups argue that for real wages to lift, worker productivity needs to lift.

The Productivity Commission’s interim report confirms that the productivity growth that drives real wages is languishing at 60-year lows, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott says.

“This challenge is monumental because it is productivity that has overwhelmingly driven better living standards and higher wages for Australians since the Federation.

But labor market economists say there should be less focus on the trend in the rate of productivity growth and more attention given to the difference between wage growth and productivity.

Figures from the Center for Future Work, part of the progressive think tank The Australia Institute, show productivity growth has beaten wages growth for over a decade.

That should, in theory, mean a higher rate of pay growth for workers.

A line char shows productivity rising far above wages
Productivity growth has beaten wages growth for over a decade, data from the Center for Future Work shows.(Greg Jericho, ABS)

Impact Economics and Policy lead economist Angela Jackson says stubbornly low wage growth is a symptom of a broken industrial relations system.

She says the basic formula is that inflation plus productivity growth should equal wage growth.

“The system of wage determination and enterprise bargaining hasn’t factored in productivity gains for decades,” she says.

“It’s frustrating.”

The latest private-sector check on corporate profitability may only add to that frustration.

Double-digit rise in private infrastructure company profits

The big end of town, according to the latest gauge of corporate profitability, is swimming in cash.

Consulting firm Deloitte Access Economics has released its quarterly Investment Monitor.

.

Categories
Australia

Geraldton methamphetamine trial hears drugs worth $160 million transferred mid-ocean

Geraldton methamphetamine trial hears drugs worth $160 million transferred mid-ocean

The seizure of 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine in the port city of Geraldton almost five years ago was preceded months earlier by the “successful importation” of hundreds of kilograms of the drug, the WA Supreme Court has been told.

The revelation came at the start of a new trial for five men accused of involvement in the massive drug importation in December 2017 — Jabour Anthony Lahood, 56, Peter Harb, 48, Christos Cafcakis, 48, Serupepeli Anthony Rasaubale, 38 and Khalid Elia Kaena , 57.

The court was told the methamphetamine, or ice — worth about $160 million — had been transferred onto a 55-foot vessel, called the Valkoista, in a mid-ocean rendezvous with another vessel dubbed “the Asian boat.”

It is alleged the crew members on each boat provided a half-torn Hong Kong bank note to verify their identities before the transfer took place.

Police were watching

Commonwealth prosecutor Chris O’Donnell SC said the Valkoista then made its way to Geraldton where a “ground crew” was waiting to collect the drugs.

Unbeknown to those involved, the importation was being watched by police, who swooped as the 60 bags containing the drugs were loaded into a van.

Two AFP officers with faces blurred next to an open van door containing sacks of drugs.
A van containing the methamphetamine was seized by authorities in Geraldton in December, 2017.(Supplied: AFP)

Mr O’Donnell said Mr Cafcakis was one of the crew on the Valkoista, Mr Rasaubale and Mr Kaena were members of the ground crew, and Mr Lahood and Mr Harb were the organizers of the operation and oversaw what was happening from Sydney.

Mr O’Donnell said the importation had not “come out of the blue” but had followed a successful operation five months earlier, when the Valkoista had been purchased for $350,000.

Those who bought the boat were told they needed to look for a vessel that had a carrying capacity of between 400 kilograms and 800 kilograms.

The methamphetamine smuggled in during the July operation was transferred to the Valkoista mid-ocean, then driven from Geraldton to Sydney, Mr O’Donnell said.

He said that earlier importation was the beginning of a “chain of events” that culminated in the December drugs seizure.

Boat running low on fuel

The court heard the drugs were again transferred to the Valkoista in a mid-ocean rendezvous in December 2017, and while they were meant to be taken back to Hillarys, in Perth’s north, they ended up in Geraldton because that was the nearest port and the Valkoista was low on fuel.

Mr O’Donnell said the “successful” importation happened after meetings in Sydney involving Mr Lahood.

A van with its back doors open with a charge of bags containing meth, at Geraldton harbour.
The drugs ended up back in Geraldton because the vessel that was meant to transport them was low on fuel. (Supplied: AFP)

Witnesses in the case are expected to include two men who were involved in the December importation—the captain of the Valkoista and one of the “ground crew.”

At the beginning of the case, Justice Michael Corboy informed the jury members there had been a previous trial involving the men, but it had concluded for reasons he said were not relevant to anything they will have to consider.

.

Categories
Australia

Bupa patients worried Ramsay Health Care hospital dispute will leave them out-of-pocket

signage outside hospital with blue sky

A funding dispute between one of Australia’s largest private hospital operators and a major insurer could result in millions of people being out of pocket if they need treatment.

A contract between insurance giant Bupa and Ramsay Health Care, which operates 72 hospitals and day surgeries across Australia, expired on Tuesday after months of negotiations failed to secure an agreement.

The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman has offered to mediate between the parties.

It has left Bupa customers, including Sue Burrin from the NSW far north coast, angry and confused.

“It has really thrown me,” she said.

“You would think in this day and age you could come up with an agreement and it obviously hasn’t happened.”

The Banora Point resident recently had surgery for breast cancer and was receiving follow up radiation treatment across the Queensland border at Ramsay Health Care’s John Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast.

“If I need a follow up with my doctor or at John Flynn, I’m in a quandary as I can’t use that hospital,” Ms Burrin said.

“I have to go public at Tweed Hospital and that’s booked up to the never ever.”

woman walking into entry of John Flynn hospital
There will be a transition period before Bupa patients are charged more at John Flynn Private Hospital.(ABC Gold Coast: Steve Keen)

Ms Burrin said she was working out whether or not she could transfer to another health insurance fund.

She said it was an added complication to being part-way through treatment of a major disease.

“I have to go through the process of saying to them ‘I have actually got breast cancer’,” she said.

She was concerned about paying more money and having to go through another waiting period.

“It’s not a good situation to be in,” she said.

Hospital boss says costs rising

John Flynn Private Hospital chief executive Adam Stevenson said there would be a two month transition period before Bupa patients were charged more.

He said Bupa members would begin charged out of pocket at Ramsay hospitals if no agreement was reached before the end of 60 days.”There will be no impact for 60 days on patients, but after that if there is no agreement, after that patients will begin to be charged out of pocket if they are Bupa members and needing care at our hospitals.”

Pindara Private Hospital chief executive Mark Page, whose facility is also owned by Ramsay, said the costs of masks, protective equipment and nurses’ wages were increasing.

“Costs have gone up significantly for hospitals over the last two-and-a-half years and now everyone is feeling and seeing the inflation impacts on all of us,” he said.

signage of hospital outside entry with person walking in background
Mark Page says the cost of providing health care has risen significantly.(ABC Gold Coast: Steve Keen)

Mr Page said Ramsay Health Care had about 130,000 people admitted across its six hospitals from Southport to Ballina in the year to June 30.

He said 40,000 of them went to emergency departments at Pindara and John Flynn hospitals.

He said he hoped to see a resolution with Bupa quickly.

“All this is doing by not being able to reach an agreement … it just creates worry and distress for patients,” he said.

Patients ‘worried about their future’

.

Categories
Australia

Paddington’s Indian Home Diner allowed to trade until 3am after council reverses decision

Paddington's Indian Home Diner allowed to trade until 3am after council reverses decision

A cult favorite Sydney diner has been “saved” after Woollahra Council reversed course and decided late-night Indian kebabs were in the public interest after all, agreeing to let the restaurant trade until 3am on weekends.

The Indian Home Diner on Oxford Street, Paddington, has become a Sydney institution with a loyal following among eastern suburbs partygoers en route home from the city. The “#5” garlic cheese is the go-to favorite for mopping up booze.

The beloved Indian kebab store has won its battle to stay open past midnight, after attracting some high-profile supporters.

The beloved Indian kebab store has won its battle to stay open past midnight, after attracting some high-profile supporters.Credit:Nick Moir

The shop had been dishing out carby, butter-chicken filled naan rolls until the early hours for years, apparently in breach of its development consent. Following a complaint, the council cracked down earlier this year, enforcing a midnight closure.

Later, the council rejected the diner’s first application to extend its trading hours to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, citing possible noise concerns and declaring it was “not in the public interest” for the diner to open until 3am.

Such was the restaurant’s cultural cachet that a popular community Instagram page, Bondi Lines, took up the fight, and was soon joined by the then candidates for the federal seat of Wentworth, Dave Sharma and Allegra Spender. Spender, now the MP, called the diner a “national treasure.”

The restaurant requested a formal review and at a meeting on Tuesday night, Woollahra Council relented and approved the diner to trade until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Planning officers said the proposal was in the public interest and would not have any adverse social impacts.

The popular community Instagram page Bondi Lines took up the cause to “save” the diner from the new rules.

The popular community Instagram page Bondi Lines took up the cause to “save” the diner from the new rules.Credit:Instagram

Liberal councillor Sean Carmichael, who in May tabled a petition with more than 4000 signatures supporting the diner, said it was a magnificent result and “a well-loved slice of Oxford Street has, for a change, been saved”.

But he said the case was a lightning rod for “widespread public anger” about the decline of Oxford Street and Sydney nightlife due to excessive regulation.

Categories
Australia

Corruption watchdog investigates Queensland Building and Construction Commission as complaints almost double

Portable toilet outside house under construction

The state’s corruption watchdog has revealed the number of complaints about the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) or its board has almost doubled in the past year, and one investigation has been launched.

Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) chair Bruce Barbour outlined the figures while appearing at a budget estimates hearing at Queensland Parliament on Wednesday.

The details and nature of the complaints are not known.

“It would be inappropriate for me to discuss any specific matters that are currently, or may be currently, before the commission,” Mr Barbour told the committee.

“What I can indicate is that in the past year we’ve received 30 matters raising complaints regarding the QBCC and/or the board.

“This was an increase from 16 in the previous year.”

Building materials piled up at a house being built, which can be seen in the background
One matter is currently under investigation by the corruption watchdog.(ABC NewsAlice Pavlovic)

The session heard the majority of the complaints came from the QBCC, another four were made by members of the public, and two were “self-generated” by the CCC.

Of those 30 complaints, one matter is currently under investigation by the corruption watchdog, Mr Barbour said.

“[Another] nine are currently subject to reviews and monitoring by the CCC, 11 were referred back to the QBCC, and eight were deemed to require no further action,” he said.

“Of the nine matters that were selected for monitoring, one has resulted in the dismissal of the subject officer.

“One matter was finalized managerially, two matters were not substantiated, and five matters are ongoing.”

‘An astonishing figure’

Shadow Public Works Minister Tim Mander called the tally of complaints “an astonishing figure.”

“The CCC mentioned this morning that somebody is under investigation. Minister De Brenni needs to ensure that person is stood down while the process takes place,” he said.

“He also needs to call a royal commission – nothing short of a royal commission will allow whistleblowers to speak freely.”

At a media conference, Public Works Minister Mick De Brenni said it was the first time he had heard of the numbers of complaints.

“And of course, when you make a complaint those matters are kept confidential, they’re certainly not briefed to me,” he said.

.

Categories
Australia

Three people reported overdue traveling back from Alice Springs, NT Police say

A composite image showing three people's faces side by side - a man, a woman and an older woman

Northern Territory Police is seeking help to locate three people returning from a trip to Central Australia, who haven’t been seen for several days.

Bonnie Edwards, 70, Eldride Edwards, 41, and Virginia O’Neill, 49, were last seen on Sunday, when they attended a weekend function in Alice Springs, according to a statement issued by Northern Territory Police this afternoon.

Family members in Western Australia reported the trio overdue for their return on Tuesday.

The group is traveling in a red Toyota Hilux with the WA registration plate, PH27156.

Police believe the group may be traveling to Western Australia.

However, NT Police would not say specifically where the trio was traveling to or when they were expected to arrive.

A dark red ute parked in a driveway.
The group is traveling in this red Toyota Hilux.(Supplied: Northern Territory Police)

According to the statement, the trio have not made contact with anyone and there have been no signs of financial activity since Sunday.

Anyone with information on where the trio may be or have seen their vehicle is being asked to contact police.

.

Categories
Australia

German backpacker was allegedly suffocated to death by boyfriend, court hears

slain German backpacker Simone Stroble’s boyfriend allegedly suffocated her to death and told police several lies about the nature of their relationship, a sydney court has been told.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn in the Downing Local Court on Wednesday reserved her decision about whether to grant Tobias Friedrich Moran bail.

Prosecutor Kim Gourlie opposed bail saying the circumstantial case was potentially strong, and that new witness statements had been obtained from people in Germany about their relationship.

German backpacker Simone Strobel was found dead in Lismore in 2005.
German backpacker Simone Strobel was found dead in Lismore in 2005. (Supplied)

Gourlie said Moran lied to police about events surrounding Strobel’s death, alcohol drunk, the clothing she was wearing and the “nature of their relationship.”

Defense lawyer Tim Game SC submitted the crown case was fundamentally flawed based on theories and ideas.

Police allege Moran suffocated or smothered his girlfriend in a camper van in Lismore and disposed of her body nearby.

“There is no direct or indirect evidence that Mr Moran assaulted her in the van,” Game said.

Tobias Moran Simone Strobel
Moran was charged with murder and extradited to NSW. (9News)

And it would be an “insane thing for a person to do,” to dump the body 100 meters away from where he is accused of murdering her, before booking back into the campsite with two alleged accomplices on the same day.

“This statement of facts is not a reliable document. It’s a theory.”

His client had volunteered DNA in recent times, and there was nothing to suggest it incriminated him.

“New DNA from 2019 … shows on the black top found on the street there is DNA from another person, an unknown male.”

He said there was no explanation why Moran was suddenly arrested early one morning in Perth 17 years after the woman was killed.

Tobias Moran, formerly known as Tobias Suckfuell, has been extradited from Perth to Sydney on Wednesday, July 27. He is an ex-boyfriend of a German backpacker Simone Strobel.
Moran’s lawyers fronted court today during the bail application. (9News)

The magistrate was told the criminal trial was particularly complex to prepare for, with more than 300 witness statements.

Moran had been traveling around Australia with the 25-year-old school teacher before she was reported missing.

According to court documents, Moran made false statements to police and withheld relevant information about her disappearance.

But Moran had been living “in plain sight” of the German authorities who did their own extensive investigation and then in Perth with his wife and family, Game said.

The man formerly known as Tobias Suckfuel altered his surname following his marriage, and was not trying to be “sneaky” as police claimed, he said.

The officer in charge of the investigation “has an adverse view of him and has had for many years.”

Police told an inquest in 2007 they believed Strobel was murdered by Moran, who refused to return to Australia to give evidence at the inquest.

Tobias Moran Simone Strobel
Strobel and Moran had been traveling around Australia together in 2005. (9News)

Gourlie said he had not willingly co-operated with investigating officers and only did when compelled.

Police last week confirmed they were communicating with German authorities about two arrest warrants for suspects who had been “persons of interest from the very beginning”.

Moran’s sister Katrin Suckfuel and friend Jens Martin were also traveling with the pair.

His wife has offered $200,000 in security to relieve her husband of the “inhumane conditions” he has been subject to in custody, the court was told.

Moran watched his bail application via video link from custody and will learn at midday on Thursday whether he will be released.

Categories
Australia

Cat found alive and well after spending 10 days missing in the cold at Melbourne Airport

An elderly cat has remarkably been found alive and well after being missing around melbourne Airport for 10 days in freezing conditions.

An airport worker found Buggsy the cat hiding down a muddy drain near Terminal 2 at the airport late on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the pet being reunited with her owners last night.

The much-loved cat had gone missing at the airport on July 23, with her distressed owners unable to find her.

Buggsy the cat was found in a drain at Melbourne Airport. (Facebook)

Their daughter took to Facebook to explain the situation and plead for help to find the pet.

She posted that Buggsy had sneakily “decided to hitch a ride” in the car with her 72-year-old dad when he drove from their home in Bendigo to pick up her mum at the airport.

She said that when the couple opened the car door on Level 1 of the carpark, Buggsy had “a little freak out” and bolted.

“The spent a great deal of time at 1am and the age of 72 trying to find her with no luck and returned home to Bendigo distraught,” the daughter explained.

Buggsy the cat was found in a drain at Melbourne Airport. (Facebook)
Buggsy is happily back at home. (Nine)

The airport worker who discovered Buggsy posted about his find on Facebook, leading to him being connected with his owners.

Thousands of animal-lovers have celebrated the happy ending on Facebook, with many sharing how concerned they had been for the cat and her owners.

“This is the best news, so happy for the owners,” one woman shared.

“I am so happy to hear that Buggsy is safe. I’ve been worrying about him and wishing I lived near the airport so I could help look,” another posted.

Cows swept 20km in Sydney floods

Categories
Australia

Greens will vote with Labor on climate bill, leader Adam Bandt announces

the Greens will vote with Labor to pass the government’s climate bill, leader Adam Bandt has confirmed.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Bandt said: “The Greens have improved a weak climate bill, but the fight to stop Labor opening new coal and gas mines continues.

“And in this parliamentthe only obstacle to greater climate ambition is Labor.

“People need to be clear-eyed about the importance of this bill and that this government is bringing a bucket of water to a house fire.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has confirmed his party will vote with Labor to pass the government's climate bill.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has confirmed his party will vote with Labor to pass the government’s climate bill. (Sydney Morning Herald)

“Worse, even this smallest of steps on the road to tackling the climate emergency could be wiped out by just one of the 114 new coal and gas projects in the government’s investment pipeline.

“The fight begins now to get Labor to stop opening coal and gas mines.”

The bill updates Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement – committing to a 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

It hands authority back to the Climate Change Authority to monitor Australia’s progress, and also requires the Minister for Climate Change, Chris Bowen, to report annually to Parliament on Australia’s progress towards these targets.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he is “very confident” the bill will pass through the lower house following Bandt’s announcement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (9News)

“This is an opportunity to end the climate wars,” Albanese said.

He urged the Coalition to agree to the climate bill so the “whole of parliament can be on the right side of history.”

“If the Coalition decides to break with their rhetoric and actually come to the table and listen to the business community who are saying that what we need is investment certainty… investment in clean and cheap energy,” Albanese said.

Albanese also said the Coalition is “obsessed by nuclear reactors” but is ignoring “the biggest nuclear reactor of all” which he says is the sun.

“They are stuck in the past, they are frozen in time while the world warms around them,” he said.

“We will not be held hostage to that behaviour, we will continue to advance our agenda.”

On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the Coalition would push for a debate about pivoting to nuclear energy after deciding to vote against the government’s climate bill.

What sea level rise will look like around the globe

The opposition said it was “high time” to have a debate about nuclear energy.

Dutton claimed nuclear energy could contribute to Australia’s energy security and reduce rising power prices.

Following today’s developments, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said today is a “good day for Australia”, the economy and “the future” as the government embarks on passing its climate bill.

“The climate wars may not be over, but they are certainly in retreat,” Bowen said.

Bowen echoed Albanese’s confidence that the bill will pass through the lower house after Greens leader Bandt confirmed the party would vote with Labor.

“We do not need this legislation to get on with the agenda but we wanted the legislation to send the message to the world that Australia is open to business when it comes to renewable energy,” he said.

Categories
Australia

Drift restaurant removal after 2022 Brisbane floods cost taxpayers $3.8 million

an image of the floating restaurant drift on the Brisbane river, damaged by flood

Taxpayers have forked out $3.8 million to remove a flood-damaged restaurant from Brisbane’s Bicentennial Bikeway and river after it was damaged in this year’s floods.

The structure of the former floating restaurant known as Drift was swept onto the Bicentennial Bikeway during the late February floods.

The state government then enacted special powers to remove the 200-tonne pontoon in late March, under the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Act, which had only been exercised once before following the 2011 floods.

The state government in late March said an independent engineering report had found serious safety issues with the structure, warning “in its current state, the pontoon is considered to be at risk of immediate and sudden collapse.”

Workers in April began cutting the structure into several sections in order to remove it from the bikeway.

.