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NSW government announces driverless bus trial in 2023

NSW government announces driverless bus trial in 2023

Self-driving buses could hit NSW roads as soon as next year, with trials for the futuristic vehicles preparing to begin.

The Perrottet government has announced it will invest $5m for an on-road connected and automated vehicle (CAV) bus trial to kick off the beginning of the future on NSW roads.

With driverless vehicles predicted to hit our roads commercially in less than a decade, the government is working to set up a CAV-friendly road network to keep up with the likes of San Francisco, Paris and Singapore.

The state government says the trial will be subject to “robust testing” to ensure the buses will operate safely.

A government spokesperson said where and when the vehicles will pop up will depend on proposals from industry groups, which are being called on to get involved with the first 18-month trial in 2023.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello is hoping the project puts NSW on the map as a world-leading adopter of CAV technologies.

“Vehicle connectivity and automation are game-changing technological innovations with the potential to sustainably transform the future mobility of people and goods,” Mr Dominello said.

“Globally, these technologies are advancing rapidly and already appearing in vehicles on the market today.”

He said the move would put NSW “in the front seat” in the race to roll out of the new technology.

The strategy will introduce, test and deploy CAVS on the road network, shape policy, prepare the road network ready for the new models and develop physical and digital testing capabilities for the driverless cars.

Part of the project will also include supporting freight services and increasing knowledge of autonomous vehicles.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the strategy would “revolutionise the way we travel”.

“The CAV readiness strategy outlines six priority areas focused on integrating this new technology into our transport system,” Ms Ward said.

“This will include working within the national regulatory framework over the next five years so we’re ready for the safe commercial deployment of CAVS in Australia.”

Ms Ward said adopting the new technology would help the state keep up with constituents’ expectations.

“Getting ahead of the game will make it easier to upskill our transport staff so customers have a seamless service when it is officially on our roads,” she said.

Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said NSW had already set several national and international firsts in autonomous vehicle technology.

“This is big-picture thinking – by putting NSW one step ahead it will bring investment opportunities, knowledge and better customer outcomes,” he said.

The state introduced the world’s first fully automated shuttle service in a public setting through the Coffs Harbor BusBot trial, which was completed late last year.

“This builds on what NSW has already achieved through autonomous shuttle trials, partnerships with local universities and investment in the Future Mobility Testing and Research Center at Cudal,” Mr Farraway said.

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Fears Melbourne building company Blint is on the brink of collapse

Fears Melbourne building company Blint is on the brink of collapse

A Melbourne builder has “disappeared” placing homeowners under a “horrendous” amount of stress as they are left with half finished homes they have poured hundreds of thousands into that they may struggle to complete.

One family impacted are Dean and Nolle Fuller, who have five children between them, and have already shelled out $480,000 to the builder called Blint, since signing on in January.

The couple had demolished their existing home last November and had engaged Blint Builders to build two townhouses for $1.5 million, due to be delivered early next year.

The slab for the two homes was laid and the first floor framing has been done on both but then work started to slow down in the middle of this year, according to Mr Fuller.

But the 54-year-old said alarm bells really started to sound when his wife drove past the site in the first week of June and discovered that the portaloo had been taken away and a tradition was on site collecting his materials.

She then went straight to the builder’s office only to discover it locked up, while her calls went unanswered.

Two days later on June 9, the owner of Blint told the Fullers he was going into voluntary administration but since then they have heard “nothing”, with emails and phone calls left unanswered and the office empty.

Building site targeted

Their building site has been broken into leaving it a “mess”, Mr Fuller said.

“In that time, we have had two lots of vandalizing and trespassing and damage caused to our property, which has been lodged with police,” Mr Fuller told news.com.au.

“We have had a truck back up and dump three to four square meters of rubble and waste material on the property and the truck also smashed the gates down.

“Recently someone turned up and stole the electrical meter box within the property.”

The project manager said the experience had caused an “unbelievable amount of stress and anxiety”.

“We have half a million dollars outlaid on something that is sitting still and… sitting on a block that is wasting away and not covered by insurance potentially,” he said.

“We are in a situation that we may be forced to compromise significantly on what was our dream home to build.

“We are financially impacted and may have sell off things to complete the build as there have been cost increases and delays. The property we have might have to be stripped right back to be rebuilt, notwithstanding that we have got to pay rent and that we have to be out of this rental by Christmas.”

left in limbo

Mr Fuller said his family would have to negotiate to stay in the rental meaning his, including three of their children, would be forced to be crammed into the small property for another 10 to 12 months.

I have added it’s been almost impossible to find out information when “all we want to do is build a house” and instead they are left in “limbo”.

“It takes a lot of time and hours with pursuing legal options and between the Housing Industry Association and banks and insurance companies it’s relentless,” I explained.

“We are all sitting on insurance policies but because the trigger is Blint going into voluntary administration, none of us can trigger the insurance policies. So we are sitting on property we can’t do anything with as we can’t engage new builders.”

Mr Fuller said it’s a “frustrating” experience and just wants answers from the builder.

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Offices seized

Blint Builder’s office in the Melbourne suburb of Highett has also been seized by the landlord.

Legal documents posted on the front door show the landlord has executed their right to re-entry, terminating the lease and demanding all property be removed and the keys be returned.

The legal notice also revealed that Blint Builders owe the landlord close to $14,000 in unpaid rent and rates.

Emails to Blint are undeliverable, while news.com.au has called, left voicemails and sent text messages to the builder but has not heard back.

‘Horrifying strain’

Another family who are under “horrendous strain” are Tony and Jo Firman and their two children, who are building a home specially designed for her disability.

Mrs Firman has multiple sclerosis and the couple were building a home to meet her needs in the Melbourne suburb of Mordialloc, which included a swimming pool.

They had demolished the original home and signed up to build their $1.2 million house with Blint, which was scheduled to be finished in mid February.

The couple said they have paid $1.14 million so far to the builder and the house is at lock up stage but no work has happened since early June, according to Mr Firman.

“There is no carpet, it hasn’t been painted and there are serious defects that need to be rectified, so there’s still quite a bit of work,” he claimed.

The 54-year-old said he even went to Blint’s office twice in June to find out about the progress of the home.

But since then the builder has “disappeared off the face of the Earth” with Mr Firman’s calls and emails going unanswered, he claimed

“It went from talking to him every day to him never ringing me back and never hearing from him,” he said.

Being left in limbo has taken a toll on him with the online retailer saying he has “never felt more depressed in my life”.

“It’s a massive strain on us as a family, both financially as we are paying rent as well as paying off part of the house that we can’t even live in it as we have no occupancy certificate,” he added.

‘Sending us broke’

Mr Firman said they can’t get a payout from the insurance company until Blint goes into liquidation and it could “cost a lot of money to force that to happen” through the courts.

“Even with the full insurance payout it might not be enough money. We skimped and saved and borrowed quite a substantial amount of money. We are worried we won’t make enough money to repay the loan and be able to live,” he said.

“I fear that this will send us broke.

“It’s very touch and go for us at the moment … My daughter turns 21 next month and her only wish was to have the party at the new house and that won’t happen.”

‘Derelict sites’

Dad-of-three Jamie* had also signed up with Blint in March 2021 to renovate and extend their two bedroom house in the Melbourne suburb of Murrumbeena for $730,000.

The family had planned a double storey addition out the back with a new kitchen, living area and kids’ bedrooms and are currently living in a rental.

Jamie said the work was “slow going” and the family had forked out $600,000 so far.

Now they’ve been left with a half built home, even though it was due to be complete in April, and he describes the site as “quite derelict”.

Jamie confronted the builder at his home in June and was told Rodger Reidy had been appointed to handle the voluntary administrators.

But when he contacted the insolvency specialist firm he was told that it was not the case and Rodger Reidy also confirmed with news.com.au they had not been appointed.

Now, he can’t get in touch with Blint with the phone turned off and emails unanswered.

The 43-year-old said he just wants to be able to finish the home, even if it costs the family an extra $50,000, but he has been left in limbo, adding he is “exhausted and frustrated”.

News.com.au understands a number of suppliers are also owed money from Blint.

*Name changed for privacy reasons

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‘Trade me or fire them’: Kevin Durant’s bombshell Brooklyn Nets demand, Kyrie Irving

'Trade me or fire them': Kevin Durant's bombshell Brooklyn Nets demand, Kyrie Irving

NBA megastar Kevin Durant has reportedly given Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai a bombshell ultimatum, demanding coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks are fired — or he is traded.

Durant requested a trade in June but any move will require a massive package in return, none of which have eventuated, The New York Post reported.

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The Athletic reported Durant had a face-to-face meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai in London over the weekend in which he issued an ultimatum: Trade me or fire them.

According to the report, the Nets have “direct knowledge” concerning why the 12-time All-Star has asked to be moved on a year after he signed a four-year, $198 million extension. Also according to the report, Durant “does not have faith” in the direction of the team.

A source close to the Nets organization indicated Durant is not the only Nets star unhappy with the team’s leadership.

“Kyrie Irving hates these guys,” the source said. “He feels that Nash is terrible and Marks is bad.”

“KD came to the same conclusion,” the source added.

The two-time NBA champion and 2014 MVP’s discontent reportedly stems from the fact the Nets were swept by Boston in the playoffs, after struggling to a 44-38 record last year, despite having the likes of Durant and Irving, while James Harden also played on the side for most of the year.

But the demands have fallen on deaf ears as Tsai tweeted on Tuesday: “Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”

Nash, a 48-year-old Canadian and two-time NBA MVP as a guard, got his first coaching job with the Nets in 2020 and has gone 92-62 in two seasons guiding Brooklyn.

Marks, 46, was the first player from New Zealand in the NBA and won two league titles, one as a forward with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and the other as an assistant coach with the Spurs in 2014.

He spent most of the next two seasons as the Spurs’ assistant general manager before being hired to oversee the rebuilding Nets.

The Nets have yet to find a trade offer that would prompt them to deal Durant, and according to the report, Tsai and the Nets have made it known they would take “every last asset from a team that trades for Durant.”

In stating the lofty hope for the trade return, perhaps the Nets believe Durant would be less motivated to leave and more likely to report to September’s training camp.

But as the ultimatum becomes publicly known, it is difficult to imagine an avenue toward Durant playing again with the Nets or showing up to pre-season action with a team put together by Marks and coached by Nash — unless Tsai chooses the player over the organization’s leaders.

The Nets are seeking a young All-Star and a collection of draft picks for Durant, but finding equal value for a 33-year-old prodigious talent signed through 2025-26 is challenging.

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.

With AFP

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ABS: Monthly household spending indicator reveals 10 per cent more spending

ABS: Monthly household spending indicator reveals 10 per cent more spending

Household spending in June was up more than 10 per cent compared with the same time last year, as Australia struggles through skyrocketing cost of living.

The latest monthly spending figures, released on Tuesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, show household spending increased 10.2 per cent through the year, with a 15.9 per cent increase on services and a 5.0 per cent increase on goods.

Both discretionary and non-discretionary spending increased – not surprising given the rate of inflation is 6.1 per cent.

Discretionary spending rose by 10.8 per cent, driven by spending in recreation and cultural activities, while non-discretionary spending on essentials rose 9.8 per cent, due to the rising cost of transport.

The most significant area of ​​spending was on transport, up 22.7 per cent, driven by higher oil prices due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the demand for air travel.

Spending at hospitality businesses like hotels, cafes and restaurants was up 17.1 per cent in what is viewed as a positive return to pre-pandemic levels.

There was also strong growth in spending on clothing and footwear – up 16.3 per cent; as well as a 15.5 per cent increase in recreation and culture.

Jacqui Vitas, from the Australia Bureau of Statistics, said June marked the 16th consecutive month of through-the-year increases in total household spending.

“This was off the back of consistent decreases in total household spending from March 2020 to February 2021, as responses to Covid-19 were experienced across the country,” she said.

“Spending categories most impacted from Covid-19 responses – transport, hotels, cafes and restaurants, and clothing and footwear – have now returned to pre-pandemic levels.”

Queensland and Victoria recorded the highest state-based increases in spending through the year, spending 12.4 per cent and 11.8 per cent respectively more.

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Australian social media company Linktree sacks 17 per cent of staff

Australian social media company Linktree sacks 17 per cent of staff

An Australian social media start-up that was recently valued at $1.78 billion is sacking 17 per cent of staff from its global operations.

The company, whose main offices in Australia are based in Sydney and Melbourne, said it has 25 million users and is one of the top 300 most popular websites globally with 1.2 billion monthly views.

Yet, his co-founder and chief executive Alex Zaccaria, revealed on LinkedIn that he was “heartbroken” to announce that staff would be axed.

The news came despite the company, which has been backed by billionaire Afterpay co-founder Nick Molnar, raising $US110 million ($A1578 million) in March.

It also announced a brand transformation in June and revealed plans for a whole suite of new tools and features set to be released over the coming months.

The company is believed to have around 300 employees, with the 17 per cent figure equating to around 50 staff that will be sacked, with roles impacted understood to cover talent acquisition, people and culture, design and marketing.

Mr Zaccaria said he had shared the “difficult news” with staff about the cuts, which were being made to “emerge stronger from the economic downturn”.

“Our people have built Linktree into what it is today: trusted by millions of people around the world. I’m heartbroken to say goodbye to some incredible teammates today, and want to do all I can to support them,” he said.

“On Friday, we will post a public, opt-in Airtable for those of our team impacted and ask you to please consider this group of incredibly talented and passionate people for roles you have open. I can assure you they will make huge contributions wherever they land.

“If you’d like to speak to me personally about any individual, my DM’s are open.”

The cuts come after the company introduced a $6000 reward annually to staff just six months ago, with the perk described as “mind-blowing” by employees at the time.

Linktree started off as a way for influencers to link to everything from their outfits, blog posts, podcast episodes and social media, but has evolved into a platform that enables brands, artists and businesses to monetize their content through social media.

Its high-profile users feature Selena Gomez and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as well as brands such as TikTok and Red Bull.

Mr Zaccaria also revealed that the company had made some “big bets” and hired in line with its ambitions, but economic conditions had changed in 2022 forcing the company to make the cuts.

“Conditions changed faster than expected and those assumptions I made were wrong,” he said. “I have many learnings to take into the next phase of building Linktree. That next phase involves narrowing our focus on our long-term strategy by reducing roles that are no longer aligned with our road map.”

In a further letter to Linktree staff, Mr Zaccaria said he would be hosting a weekly ‘Ask Me Anything’ session to staff for the next four weeks.

“Friday will be a company-wide mental health day at Linktree. For a company like ours, so focused on culture and camaraderie, this will be difficult news,” he said.

“I don’t expect anyone to be their normal selves. We will also be allocating you an additional mental health day that you can take at a time that suits you.

“The opportunity for Linktree is immense and I have no doubt we’ll achieve everything we intend to and more for our creators.

“The right path is rarely the easy path. Today’s change to our team is the hard way, but it puts us in a strong position to deliver on the opportunity we have in front of us.”

Staff that have been made redundant will receive an average of 11 weeks pay, mental health support for three months and laptops and work from home equipment will be gifted.

The company is still actively recruiting for roles on LinkedIn including product managers, integrated marketing managers and engineers, with 16 jobs currently advertised.

Tech sector bloodbath

Linktree’s staff are the latest casualties in the tech sector, which has seen a spate of companies firing staff as conditions get tougher.

Immutable, an Australian crypto company valued at $3.5 billion was facing a fierce backlash last week after sacking 17 per cent of its staff from its gaming division, while continuing to “hire aggressively” after raising $280 million in funding in March.

Australian healthcare start-up Eucalptys that provides treatments for obesity, acne and erectile dysfunction fired up to 20 per cent of staff after an investment firm pulled its funding at the last minute.

Debt collection start-up Indebted sacked 40 of its employees just before the end of the financial year, despite its valuation soaring to more than $200 million, with most of the redundancies made across sales and marketing.

Then there was Australian buy now, pay later provider Brighte, that offers money for home improvements and solar power, which let go of 15 per cent of its staff in June, with roles primarily based on corporate and new product development.

Another buy now, pay later provider with offices in Sydney called BizPay made 30 per cent of its redundant workforce blaming market conditions for the huge cut to staffing in May.

Earlier this year, a start-up focused on the solar sector called 5B Solar, which boasts backing from former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, also sacked 25 per cent of its staff after completing a capital raise that would inject $30 million into the business

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Kane Cornes slams Port Adelaide boss David Koch’s ‘watch out’ warning amid Ken Hinkley drama

Kane Cornes slams Port Adelaide boss David Koch's 'watch out' warning amid Ken Hinkley drama

Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes has blasted club chairman David Koch after he appeared to say no one’s job is safe after a horror 2022 season.

The team has made the preliminary final in the last two seasons but not been able to get over the hump to a grand final but have slumped to miss the playoffs, sitting 14 points out of the finals with just two matches remaining.

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It was a slump few saw coming and sparked fury from certain supporters, who plastered a “sack Hinkley” poster over a sign near the club’s headquarters last week.

Although Hinkley brushed it off, his ears no doubt would have pricked up when Koch appeared to state on radio he was “not afraid to make change”.

“It’s not just about one individual person, it’s the whole program. Turn it around or watch out,” Koch told Fiveaa on Monday.

“Every single person’s role will be assessed at the end of the year, as we do each year.”

But for Cornes, those comments were not good enough, believing Koch had bowed to the pressure from the loudest voices.

“This is a classic example of a chairman kicking with the breeze,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.

“He had felt the angst from the supporter group, he felt like he needed to make a strong statement to alleviate some of the concerns from the very Port Adelaide supporter group who share their feedback regularly.

“Their desire to sack Ken Hinkley right now, Kochie (Koch) listened to that and he’s said, ‘even though my language has been one way all year, with two games to go I’m going to alleviate some of the concerns from the Port Adelaide supporter group and make a big, strong, sweeping statement about the coaching with two weeks to go’: ‘turn it around or watch out’.

“Turn what around? There are two weeks left in the season. What do you need to know in the next two weeks regarding Ken Hinkley’s ability to coach this club that you haven’t already discovered in the last ten years?

“Either make a call or back him in… ‘turn it around or watch out’, what a ridiculous thing to say.”

Although it appeared to be somewhat supportive of Hinkley’s position, Cornes continued, calling for Koch to make a decision, whether sacking the long-term coach or wholeheartedly committing.

“The thing that David Koch needs to do is make a call, is he your coach or is he not your coach?” Cornes continued.

“And if he’s not your coach, you have to tell him now so that he has the opportunity and you give him the respect to go and find another job.

“There are two vacant coaching jobs right now that Ken Hinkley would absolutely be in the mix for, but he can’t be in the mix for it if he thinks he’s going to be coaching Port Adelaide next year.

“Conversely, if he is your guy and you’ve contracted him for next year, which they have, back him in now. There’s nothing to be learned in the next two weeks that you don’t already know and you haven’t already discovered in the last 10 weeks.

“It was a stupid thing to say, it sent the media into a spin and it now has everyone questioning if Ken Hinkley will be there next year.”

Hinkley has coached Port Adelaide since 2013 and twice won AFLCA coach of the year but the Power have not made a grand final since 2007.

Hinkley is the second longest-serving coach behind only Mark Williams, the club’s sole AFL premiership winner.

Hinkley’s contract runs until the end of 2023.

Despite the comments, he told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he knew where he stood as Port Adelaide coach.

“David (Koch) himself has said that he expects me to be coaching Port Adelaide in 2023, as I do and that’s what I am preparing for,” he said.

“I think I’ve been given enough assurances (he’ll see out his deal) through the season, not that I needed them to be fair.

“We all get there’s a finish line for everyone at some point.

“But as I sit here tonight, I’m more than confident that that won’t be at the end of 2022.”

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Groupon lays off over 500 staff after reporting net loss of $129m

Groupon lays off over 500 staff after reporting net loss of $129m

Online coupon business Groupon has culled more than 500 employees in a bid to reduce costs due to poor business performance.

It’s understood staff were cut from the business’s merchant development, sales, recruiting, engineering, product and marketing teams, with the cuts representing roughly 15 per cent of the company’s global 3416 work force.

The move comes as Groupon reported a US$90.3 million (A$129.3 million) net loss in its second quarter results on Monday. The company reported a steep “decline in engagement” and a 42 per cent year-on-year drop in revenue at $153.2 million.

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In Groupon’s earnings release statement, chief executive Kedar Deshpande said the company would be prioritizing “taking decisive actions to improve our trajectory” after the lower-than-anticipated result.

“We are significantly reducing costs, and based on the progress we’re making on our initiatives to drive customer purchase frequency, we are now ready to begin

reinvesting in marketing to drive growth,” he said.

In a letter to staff sent on Monday, Mr Deshpande stressed the business would be “leaning on” outsourcing staff and focusing “only on mission-critical activities”, TechCrunch reports.

The letter indicated Groupon would also be re-evaluating its real estate assets, in what could be a shift to more remote or a blended working environment.

Mr Deshpande said he believed the company could begin to generate positive cash flow by the end of 2022, while increasing “purchase frequency and customer retention”.

In order to turn around the business, the quarterly report flagged “reducing our cost structure” and improving their customer experience as their two key strategies. Part of this included reducing their tech costs by $US60 million ($A85.99 million), which equates to 30 per cent of Groupon’s annual spend.

In Australia, Groupon has been operating since 2011, with its website claiming the company has built a customer base of 3.3 million across 26,000 merchants.

The site allows customers to buy discounted experiences and products, with the business earning affiliate revenue for the sales. A wide range of offers are available on products from discounted pink slips and car safety checks, to massages and helicopter rides.

It’s unclear how the staff cuts will impact the company’s Australian workforce, however news.com.au has reached out for comment. As it stands, the company is still advertising for four sales and buying roles within their Sydney offices.

While the latest round of lay-offs are significant, they’re a fraction of what the company experienced as a result of the Covid pandemic. In April 2020, the company stood down about 2,800 employees, which amounted to 44 per cent of its work force.

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Phil Rothfield, Buzz, NRL 360, Melbourne Storm, Paul Kent, wrestle, Craig Bellamy, Anasta Braith, Michael Carayannis, Cameron Munster

Phil Rothfield, Buzz, NRL 360, Melbourne Storm, Paul Kent, wrestle, Craig Bellamy, Anasta Braith, Michael Carayannis, Cameron Munster

The Storm have been accused of having a “chip on their shoulder” after the club blew up over claims they are responsible for an influence of dangerous tackles in the game.

Penrith legend Greg Alexander targeted the Storm after Broncos star Patrick Carrigan was banned for a hip-drop tackle that broke the leg of Tigers playmaker Jackson Hastings.

Melbourne legend Cameron Smith bit back at Panthers deputy chairman Alexander before Storm owner Matt Tripp exploded at the accusations.

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“For the deputy chair of one of our biggest competitors, a week out from having to play them, to make unfounded and stupid comments as he has done, just goes to the arrogance of that club and their perceived status in the game at the moment ,” Tripp told The SMH.

That prompted the NRL 360 panel on Monday night to slam the Storm for being too sensitive, as Phil Rothfield’s called Tripp’s comments a “brutal response”.

“There’s no doubt the Storm have a chip on their shoulder as soon as anyone mentions the word wrestle,” Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.

“You know what I think about Melbourne, I think they only hear the negative,” Braith Anasta said.

“We sit here every week and we commentate their games and we praise them every week about the powerhouse they’ve been since they’ve come into the competition.

Kenty dives deeper into Sticky situation | 03:02

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“The success they’ve had, their continued success year after year after year under Craig Bellamy and their organization and the head honchos has been unbelievable and unrivalled.

“But if anyone criticizes or criticises Melbourne in any way, shape or form it’s Sydney against Melbourne and we’re attacking Melbourne Storm.”

Melbourne have enjoyed unparalleled success in the NRL over the past two decades under Bellamy.

They’ve played finals in every season they were eligible since 2002 and in the past decade have clinched nine top-four finishes.

But Paul Kent questioned if they would have been as successful without “the wrestle”.

“Are they in decline the Storm, do you think?” Kent questioned.

If Munster leaves are Storm in decline? | 00:53

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“Depends what happens with Cameron Munster,” Phil Rothfield answered.

“If Munster leaves I think they are definitely in a serious decline.

“If he stays, I know they’ve lost a couple of forwards who are getting on but I think they’re going to be ok if Cameron stays.”

“Ironically their defense on the weekend was not what you’d expect out of Melbourne,” Kent said.

“16-0 to let the Titans of all teams back in.”

“I think some of the forwards they’re losing are at the right age to lose them though,” Carayannis said.

“They’re going to be hard to replace and they’ve given them great service but they’re on the back end of their careers.”

“We’ve just talked about their success over a long time, this is going to be their biggest challenge,” Anasta said.

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Australia rent prices: Real cause of property market crisis revealed

Australia rent prices: Real cause of property market crisis revealed

The cause of Australia’s worsening rental crisis runs far deeper than the economic pressures behind rising interest rates and soaring inflation, a prominent real estate expert has revealed.

Ray Ellis says the crisis will deepen without swift action from state governments on social housing and new build “red tape”.

Mr Ellis, former director of the Real Estate Institute of Australia and First National Real Estate chief executive, warned Australia has nowhere near enough homes to cater for its population, let alone accommodate migration increasing in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

He said state governments must urgently take responsibility for the immediate need for more social housing to remove pressure on the private sector.

“Between 1955 and 1964, state governments built about 140,000 social houses. We’ve never built that amount again,” Mr Ellis told news.com.au.

“There have been government incentives for landlords to become property owners and rent properties, and that has been the mainstay of any government policy.

“Social housing has become the responsibility of the private sector.”

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Significant lags on new developments largely hindered by “bureaucracy” also meant it was taking several years before construction could even begin.

“In the last 25 years, the provision of new land to build more houses by more private developers has been very slow and very cumbersome,” Mr Ellis said.

“It will take two years to go from the concept to the start of construction.

“Its just bogged down in bureaucracy by non-action or slowness in action.”

Slow-moving developments and underfunded and underresourced social housing were major contributors to the crisis, alongside a shift in attitude among landlords, Mr Ellis said.

He had observed landlords becoming frustrated at new regulations weighted towards tenants and immense pressure to provide rent so low that it would barely cover their costs.

“A landlord wants nothing more than a good tenant, so they will provide rent and services at a reasonable rate and comply with government legislation, but it’s not their responsibility to reduce their rent below what their source of income is,” he said.

Many landlords had become entirely turned off maintaining rental properties and as a result were offloading them, often to investors keen to make the most profit possible by using them as “zombie homes” such as Airbnbs.

“This is a genuine crisis. It doesn’t matter where you are in Australia, there is no rental stock available,” Mr Ellis said, adding that as “migration picks up again, it’s going to get even worse”.

“Australia is just not building enough houses for us to live in, let alone to be rented.”

Impact of ‘zombie homes’ on rental market

A zombie home is a property that is occupied only part of the time – such as a holiday house listed on Airbnb – that is not available to rent on a short or long term lease but can generate large profits for the owner.

Throughout any city there are “hundreds if not thousands” of zombie homes, especially in coastal areas, that are occupied one or two days a week, Mr Ellis said.

“There’s now too many occurring in most cities in Australia.”

The benefit for owners – aside from the financial element – ​​is not having the long-term commitment of dealing with renters, he added.

Zombie homes are widespread, with last year’s census revealing that during lockdown and while Australia’s borders were closed, there were more than one million unoccupied properties.

While it’s a win-win for landlords, renters are suffering from soaring costs, and have to put up with long queues of desperate prospective tenants lining up to inspect properties. This has forced some to live in their cars, a motel or caravan – even couch surfing – to keep a roof over their heads.

“Investors are putting their properties out for Airbnb, but it’s taking rental properties away from renters and that lack of … properties available to rent is driving demand and prices up,” Finder money expert Rebecca Pike told 7NEWS.com.au.

PropTrack’s latest rental report for the June quarter found the number of renters per property listed on realestate.com.au had risen 28 per cent year-on-year across capital cities, with Sydney and Melbourne experiencing the greatest increase.

The number of rental listings in Sydney fell 21 per cent in the last year. The largest declines in listings were recorded in Melbourne (-25.7 per cent) and Brisbane (-24 per cent).

Overall, the number of new listings coming on to the market was 13.8 per cent lower than the decade average in June.

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Categories
Sports

Hairdresser reveals sick ‘happy ending’ texts

Hairdresser reveals sick 'happy ending' texts

An Asian-Australian hairdresser has posted what she claims is one of hundreds of text messages from male clients asking her to perform sex acts on them.

Amy Tran, who owns the Walk In Barber Shop in Geraldton, Western Australia, said she’s fed up with customers who assume “Asians are mostly prostitutes”.

Since opening her shop two years ago, Ms Tran said she has been asked to provide lewd services such as “happy endings” almost every day so she’s decided to start publicly shaming those who overstep the mark.

“Enough is enough,” she told Daily Mail Australia.

“I can’t take it anymore.”

The hairdresser of 15 years posted screenshots of a text exchange with a male customer to the Facebook page “Geraldton Neighborhood Watch” in an apparent bid to detect others.

“I would like to book in for a shave and trim with a happy ending please text me a time and cash amount,” the man’s first message reads.

“What happy ending are you asking about?” Ms Tran replied, to which the customer responded: “Just nice rub to unload please!”

Ms Tran told the man: ‘I don’t do a happy ending! You have to stop this, ”and she threatened to report him to local police.

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In her post, Ms Tran pleaded with others not to mistake her hairdressing services with those of a sex worker.

“I am often looked down upon by others because I am Asian,” she wrote.

“Many people think that Asians are mostly prostitutes, so I am often texted or harassed by customers at the store.

“I believe there are many other women who have the same problem as me but the difference is that they don’t dare say to say it because they are shy or don’t want people to judge them.”

Ms Tran also included the man’s personal phone number.

“If anyone is a relative of the person with the phone number below I hope they will find out the true face of the husband and father they are living with,” she wrote.

She ended the post by saying she hoped others wouldn’t do things that “affect the work psychology, joy or vitality” of others.

“I am just a barber. Please respect. Barber only,” Ms Tran added.

Many residents of the mining town were quick to come to her defense with dozens of Facebook users condemning the “disgraceful” request.

“That is disgusting and no one should have to be subjected to such disgraceful and disrespectful behaviour,” one woman wrote.

One man slammed the customer as a “sad individual” and encouraged Ms Tran to “rise above” and leave it “along with the person who felt it in the gutter”.

“So sorry you have to deal with this revolting creep and others like him,” another wrote.

“Hold your head high and good on you for posting this sicko’s number.”

One woman said she had received the same request midway though a haircut and urged her fellow hairdresser to “stay safe”.

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