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Business

Australian IT company Megaport sacks 10 per cent of staff, pays them $1.6m

Australian IT company Megaport sacks 10 per cent of staff, pays them $1.6m

An Australian tech company sacked around 10 per cent of its staff despite announcing its revenue had jumped by 40 per cent to $109.7 million in the past financial year.

The Brisbane-based telecommunications and IT infrastructure company called Megaport revealed that a whopping $1.6 million was spent paying out employees who had been made redundant.

Around 35 staff members – out of its 345 estimated workforce on LinkedIn – were impacted by the cuts.

“On July 14 2022, management made the decision to reduce its workforce in order to reduce costs and prepare for rising prices and inflation across the group’s key markets,” Megaport revealed in its report to investors.

Its revenue had grown from $78.3 million from the previous financial year, its results showed, while its monthly recurring revenue soared by 43 per cent to $10.7 million in June, mainly as a result of new customers from the US.

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The 10-year-old company, which was founded by multi-millionaire Bevan Slattery, is one of the many Aussie tech outfits that have suffered from a battering on the share market this year.

Its shares have plummeted by 53 per cent since the start of the year, but its results reported on Tuesday helped its stock rise by 9 per cent defying the broader trend of investors selling off loss making tech shares.

Megaport reported a full year net loss of $48.5 million down from $55 million the year earlier, while it increased customers from 2,285 to 2,643.

It currently has $82.5 million in cash, according to its report.

tech bloodbath

Aussie employees from the tech sector have suffered a brutal round of cuts in recent times, with Megaport’s staff the latest casualties.

An Australian social media start-up called Linktree that was recently valued at $1.78 billion is sacking 17 per cent of staff from its global operations, it revealed this week.

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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Business

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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Australia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for greater ABC voice in the Pacific to protect national security

Anthony Albanese looks out to the audience, he wears a yellow tie with a suit

The Prime Minister says it is a matter of national security that the ABC makes more content that projects Australian values ​​and interests to the Indo-Pacific region.

Anthony Albanese delivered an address at the ABC in Sydney on Friday night to celebrate the broadcaster’s 90th anniversary.

The event was attended by ABC Chair Ita Buttrose, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, Opposition spokesperson for communications Sarah Henderson and award-winning actor David Wenham.

Current and former ABC luminaries were also in attendance, including former host of 7.30 Kerry O’Brien and former host of Lateline and parliamentary secretary Maxine McKew.

Anthony Albanese with ABC reporters
Anthony Albanese with past and present ABC identities (L-R) Fran Kelly, Jonathan Holmes, Kerry O’Brien and Maxine McKew.(Supplied: James Alcock)

The PM stressed the importance of a strong Australian voice in the Pacific in order to keep other influences out.

“When the ABC voice was removed from the Pacific, guess what nation moved in? Simple as that, a major mistake of foreign policy.”

He said Australia’s “identity, values ​​and interests” must be projected to the Pacific.

“On top of every other consideration, it is a prudent investment in our national security as well as our national interest.

“[This] was undervalued by the previous government, even trivialized. That was a mistake.”

Mr Albanese reaffirmed his government’s commitment to an Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy, which increases ABC International funding so Australian content can be boosted in the region.

Since taking office in May, Mr Albanese has vowed to counter China’s rising assertiveness in the Pacific region and restore Australia as the partner of choice.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has already made four trips to the Pacific, and both she and Mr Albanese have met with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, who signed a security pact with China in April.

Ita Buttrose stands at a reading
Ita Buttrose said the ABC was an essential contributor to Australian democracy.(Supplied: James Alcock)

Mr Albanese reiterated previous promises to restore $83.7 million in funding to the ABC, as well as five-year funding terms and options for financial sustainability which safeguard against political interference.

He appeared to aim at the former Morrison government, saying no government should ever fear the ABC “unless it fears the truth.”

“A government that chooses to attack a public broadcaster [is] motivated by either ideology or fear — or a toxic cocktail of the two,” he said.

“A government confident of its own ideas and principles should embrace independent questioning as crucial to the democracy it purports to uphold.”

He described the ABC as a “beacon of trust” and an “insurance policy” against misinformation and disinformation.

The organisation, he said, would play an important role in the discussions about an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

He also made a small jibe at ABC critics who claim the broadcaster is too focused on “inner-city elites.”

“We’ve all heard the mantras about the ABC as a haven of inner-city elites, repeated with straight faces by critics based in our inner cities.

“I hope those commentators take note of the 48 regional ABC bureaus spread in a great constellation across the country, and the continued existence of Landline.”

Anthony Albanese holds hands with human-size Bluey characters
Anthony Albanese poses with Bluey and Bingo from the hit ABC TV show Bluey.(Supplied: James Alcock)

Ms Buttrose, who once described the broadcaster’s relationship with the Morrison government as “strained”, implored Mr Albanese to keep defending the ABC even if that meant intense pressure on his government.

“Prime Minister, I have no doubt that our brilliant journalists will occasionally irritate your government. Let us all be grateful for it,” she said.

“This process strengthens the Australian democracy we all love.”

Ms Buttrose, who paid special tribute to the ABC’s focus on arts and culture, hit back at critics who have suggested the broadcaster does not represent “mainstream” Australians.

“Can you be any more mainstream than reaching 20 million Australians each week? I don’t think so,” she said.

ABC managing director David Anderson said the government’s commitment to the ABC was “reassuring” and public broadcasters should never be taken for granted.

“We will continue to hold the highest editorial standards and remain fully accountable to the Australian people,” he said.

“As global giants offer more news and entertainment choices, and commercial investment in Australian content declines, the ABC will need to play an even bigger role in sharing and promoting Australian stories and culture.”

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Categories
Australia

Anthony Albanese lashes out at Sussan Ley’s ‘totally hypocritical’ claims after the Coalition were ‘disruptive’ in Parliament

Anthony Albanese lashes out at Sussan Ley's 'totally hypocritical' claims after the Coalition were 'disruptive' in Parliament

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended claims made against him over a “dismissive gesture” towards Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

Ms Ley called out Mr Albanese for his “hypocrisy” in Parliament following the Prime Minister’s dismissive hand motion made towards her during a typical heated Question Time on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Albanese spoke with ABC Melbourne on Friday where he brushed off the suggestions and claimed the Opposition was itself being “completely disruptive” towards him.

“I dismiss the comments as being totally hypocritical given the yelling that occurred every time I was on my feet, including non-stop gestures, yelling for me to sit down,” he said.

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“People who ask questions should expect to hear the answer.

“The Coalition had a bad day yesterday. They continue to be completely disruptive during Question Time.”

Paul Fletcher, Manager of Opposition Business, stepped up to the dispatch box shortly after Ms Ley and demanded Mr Albanese “withdraw”.

“The Prime Minister made a dismissive gesture towards the Deputy Leader of the Opposition,” he said on Thursday.

“It was disrespectful to a sitting woman parliamentarian and (I) asked him to withdraw.”

Mr Albanese was pressed further by the ABC host on the incident where he declared, “I have been respectful and I’ll continue to be”.

“We engage respectfully across the Parliament, in order to get the legislation through including with independents and crossbench members,” he said.

“The Opposition have chosen the road of disruption. That is what they’re engaged in.

“The Opposition counted themselves out of the debate on climate change when Peter Dutton, for reasons beyond my comprehension, ignored the mandate and ignored the message that the Australian people gave that they wanted action on climate change.”

Ms Ley was questioned earlier on Friday by Sky News Australia host Peter Stefanovic about what happened where she unleased on the Prime Minister.

“I can take the rough and tumble, every woman in this place knows how to do that,” she said.

“What I can’t accept is the hypocrisy.

“Anthony Albanese said it was going to be a family-friendly parliament.”

The Albanese Government is celebrating a win after its Climate Change Bill passed the lower house, but Opposition Leader Peter Dutton warned Labor’s focus away from cost-of-living proved it would take Australia down “very dangerous path”.

The legislation will enshrine the government’s 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets into law and received support from a majority of the crossbench and Bridget Archer – the only Liberal member who crossed the floor.

But the Liberal Party remained staunchly opposed to the legislation which would prevent a future government ratcheting down the 43 per cent 2030 target.

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Categories
Australia

Anthony Albanese reveals he is taking leave and traveling within Australia – as he takes a dig at Scott Morrison’s Hawaii trip

Anthony Albanese reveals he is taking leave and traveling within Australia – as he takes a dig at Scott Morrison's Hawaii trip

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced he is “having a bit of a break” next week as he takes leaves and travels in Australia.

Mr Albanese will be on leave from August 6 to 14, with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles taking on acting Prime Minister duties.

“I will be on leave next week, traveling in Australia, having a bit of a break – the first break I’ve had this year,” the Labor leader told ABC Melbourne on Friday.

“And Richard Marles will be doing a great job, I’m sure, in my absence as acting Prime Minister.”

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The Prime Minister also took a swipe at his predecessor Scott Morrison, who was heavily criticized for holidaying in Hawaii during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

Mr Albanese said there was a “the lack of transparency” around Mr Morrison’s trip, including the initial confusion about where he was and who was in charge of the country.

“When people didn’t even know whether Michael McCormick was the acting prime minister. And at the time they wouldn’t say where he was,” he said.

“I just think that it was a very unwise decision that added to the controversy, which was, in my view, pretty unnecessary had it been handled differently.”

The Prime Minister last month told how he had “not had a day off for a very long period of time” as he defended his overseas trips since Labor took power in May.

Mr Albanese’s leave comes after what he described as a “busy first sitting fortnight” of the 47th Parliament.

He took to Twitter on Friday morning to post a video message about how his government has “begun the work of delivering a better future for all Australians”.

“Aged care reforms were made into law. We introduced legislation for 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. The Treasurer provided an important economic update,” Mr Albanese said.

“We made progress on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Our climate bill passed the House of Representatives.

“We appointed leads for the Defense Force Posture and Structure Review. And the National Cabinet came together to coordinate our response to the pandemic.”

Mr Albanese said the government will next week make a submission to the Fair Work Commission asking for aged care workers to receive a pay rise.

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Business

Online brokerage company Robinhood lays off almost a quarter of its staff

Online brokerage company Robinhood lays off almost a quarter of its staff

A US online trading platform, which experienced a boom in customers during the pandemic, has slashed its staff by 23 per cent after being hit by the cryptocurrency market crash and record inflation.

It’s the second round of staff sackings for the company called Robinhood, which laid off 9 per cent of its 3,900 employees in April.

Yesterday’s announcement saw the company shed 23 per cent of remaining positions — about 815 jobs — meaning the company will have sacked more than 1000 employees in a matter of months between the two rounds of redundancies. Roles in operations, marketing and program management the most impacted by yesterday’s decision.

Robinhood was embroiled in the Gamestop controversy early last year when Reddit renegades and amateur investors blew up the share price of the brick-and-mortar video game retailers, but this momentum has failed to continue.

Robinhood’s chief executive Vlad Tenev said that letting go of 9 per cent the workforce in April to focus on “greater cost discipline” for the organization “did not go far enough” in a blog post on the company’s website.

“Since that time, we have seen additional deterioration of the macro environment, with inflation at 40-year highs accompanied by a broad crypto market crash. This has further reduced customer trading activity and assets under custody,” Mr Tenev said.

“Last year, we staffed many of our operations functions under the assumption that the heightened retail engagement we had been seeing with the stock and crypto markets in the Covid era would persist into 2022.

“In this new environment, we are operating with more staffing than appropriate. As CEO, I approved and took responsibility for our ambitious staffing trajectory – this is on me.”

Last year, Robinhood grew from 700 roles at the end of 2019 to nearly 3,900 by the first half of 2021, but its 2,022 cuts take its total workforce down to 2,600.

Mr Tenev said staff would receive an email and Slack message with their employment status after the company wide meeting announced the redundancies on Tuesday.

He added the cuts were a “painful decision” and meant the company would be “parting ways with many incredibly talented people”, although staff would be given the opportunity to remain with the company until October 1.

Robinhood also revealed its second quarter results which showed its monthly active years plunged to 14 million down by 34 per cent from a year earlier.

Revenue also plummeted by a whopping 44 per cent to $US318 million ($A461 million).

Robinhood became a trading phenomenon during the pandemic as it offered an easy to use, mobile first platform and in the second quarter of last year it boasted more than 21 million active users who were keen to trade crypto and meme stocks.

But with lockdowns in the past, revenue tied to customer’s trading dropped 55 per cent in the latest quarter to $US202 million ($A292 million).

The company has also been slugged with a $US30 million ($A43 million) fine from the New York State Department of Financial Service for alleged violations of anti-money laundering and cybersecurity regulation in its cryptocurrency trading unit.

A global tech bloodbath has seen a spate of companies laying off staff.

In Australia a crypto company called Immutable, which valued at $3.5 billion, is facing a fierce backlash 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.

Meanwhile, Australia healthcare start-up Eucalyptus, which 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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Business

Australian crypto platform Immutable sacks 17% of staff despite plans to ‘hire aggressively’

Australian crypto platform Immutable sacks 17% of staff despite plans to 'hire aggressively'

An Australian crypto company valued at $3.5 billion is facing a fierce backlash 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.

The crypto platform, which is an Australian unicorn called Immutable, could be hit with legal action as the union questioned the validity of the redundancies.

The union called Games Workers Australia has disputed the number of staff members that were fired claiming it was at least 30 roles, while Immutable has insisted just 18 workers were let go.

The staff came from the company’s flagship video game Gods Unchained and were advised of the redundancies 24 to 48 hours before being told to leave.

Staff were fired from roles including video effects artists, senior engineers and a marketing director and the process involved a 30-minute company wide meeting last Monday.

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‘devastating news’

Game Workers Australia, a branch of Professionals Australia, said it is supporting staff from Immutable Games Studio who received the “devastating” news that they would be made redundant.

“Based on information we have received, Game Workers Australia believes there are at least 30, but potentially more, job losses at Immutable,” said Professionals Australia CEO Jill McCabe.

“Immutable has provided varying reasons to their employees as to why the redundancies were necessary.

“While some employees were advised that the reason for their redundancy was due to individual performance metrics, others were advised the cause was due to an organizational restructuring or the non-alignment of their role to business goals.

“While staff were advised that they were able to request information about other roles in the company, their were given the impression that they would not be suitable for these roles.”

However, an Immutable spokesperson said the restructure was a “difficult choice” and was performed to meet business goals, while individual performance was not a reason for any redundancies.

They added individual staff were given the opportunity to respond to the redundancies and most were found unsuitable for redeployment to vacant roles.

Hiring 80 more roles

Concerns have been aired that Immutable is still hiring for similar roles that were made redundant such as product managers and engineers.

An Immutable spokesperson said the restructure impacted 6 per cent of the total number of employees at the company and it continued to “hire aggressively”.

“As we grow, the nature of the expertise the company needs is changing. We needed fewer artists, unity engineers and card designers and are hiring more tokenomics experts, blockchain engineers and crypto product managers,” they said.

“We have established new roles for Gods Unchained which we will be hiring for over the next six months; in total we will be hiring more new roles into Gods Unchained than were made redundant.

“Immutable is growing from 280 employees today to over 360 by the end of the year.”

The company started the year with just 120 employees and has already more than doubled, they added.

Game Workers Australia also claimed that Immutable provided no opportunity for employees to respond to the company’s intention to make them redundant and most of the redundancies were advised and executed within 24 to 48 hours.

“Sadly, the experience of game workers at Immutable is emblematic of the broader problems across Australia’s growing $3 billion games sector,” Ms McCabe said.

“While game workers are highly qualified and skilled, wages are unsustainably low, the hours are long, and unpaid overtime is common.

“Many people burn out of our industry and leave before even making it to five years.”

But the Immutable spokesperson defended its process and said the company “followed a fair and consistent process in relation to the restructure that is in line with legal obligations”.

Earlier this year, Immutable’s founders James, 30, and Robbie Ferguson, 25 were one of 13 new entrants that placed on the Australian Financial Review rich list with an estimated combined wealth of $1.01 billion.

Tech sector bloodbath

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

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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Categories
Entertainment

Prince Charlotte watches swimming with William, Kate at Commonwealth Games 2022 | photos

Prince Charlotte watches swimming with William, Kate at Commonwealth Games 2022 | photos

Princess Charlotte was all smiles as she watched the Commonwealth Games with her mum and dad.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took Charlotte, seven, to see the swimming at the Sandwell Aquatics Center in Birmingham, The Sun reports.

William and Kate arrived on Tuesday shortly after the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise and James.

Before the duke and duchess’s arrival, Edward, who is vice patron of the Commonwealth Games, shared a joke with former prime minister Theresa May as he entered during the men’s 1500m freestyle heats.

The duke and duchess arrived shortly after with Princess Charlotte, dressed in a striped dress and her hair done up in pigtails.

Kate, dressed in a white blazer and trousers, embraced Edward, Sophie and their children before taking her seat next to Charlotte.

The duchess was pointing and explaining things to her daughter, while William held one of the official programs.

The royals were cheering and applauding alongside the crowd for England 1500m freestyle hopeful Luke Turley.

After rolling her eyes following a comment from her father, Charlotte then cracked a smile as Turley’s heat came to close.

It’s been a very sporty week for Charlotte, who also roared her support for the England Lionesses alongside Prince William ahead of Sunday’s Euro final.

She beamed as she wished the team good luck as they prepared to take on Germany at Wembley.

Wearing a short-sleeved polka dot top, Charlotte said: “Good luck, I hope you win. Bye.”

Charlotte is currently on her school summer holidays from her $34,000-a-year Thomas’s Battersea school.

This summer may also be particularly busy for the family who are reportedly preparing to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate.

This article was originally published by The Sun and reproduced with permission

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Categories
Australia

Anthony Albanese records highest satisfaction result for Australian prime minister in latest Newspoll survey

Anthony Albanese records highest satisfaction result for Australian prime minister in latest Newspoll survey

Anthony Albanese has recorded the highest satisfaction results for an incoming-Australian prime minister with more than half the public “satisfied” with the Labor leader so far.

The first Newspoll since the May 21 Federal Election showed Mr Albanese’s satisfaction ratings sitting at 61 per cent after the first couple of months in the top job.

It is the highest survey results for a Prime Minister in a post-election Newspoll since the question was asked back in 1985 under the Hawke government, according to The Australian.

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In comparison, former Australian leader Kevin Rudd was previously the highest with a rating of 59 per cent while Mr Albanese’s predecessor Scott Morrison reported a satisfaction result 10 points lower at 51 per cent.

Other prime ministers such as John Howard and Bob Hawke recorded satisfaction surveys high in the 50s around the same timeframe.

Australians have also resonated with Mr Albanese’s efforts early into his leadership with Labor’s primary vote rising from 32.6 per cent to 37 per cent.

But support for the Coalition has dropped almost three points since the Federal Election from 35.7 per cent down to 33 per cent.

It’s the lowest primary result since the leadership change from Malcolm Turnbull to Mr Morrison in 2018.

Mr Albanese has also extended his lead as preferred prime minister with a 59-25 lead to new Liberal leader Peter Dutton.

It is the largest margin reported since 2008.

Poll results showed the Opposition Leader record a satisfaction rating of 37 per cent and dissatisfaction result at 41 per cent.

Labor’s two-party preferred has also significantly increased with support rising to 56-44 compared to the election result of 52.1 per cent to 47.9 per cent.

But combined support for minor parties and independents, which has grown this election, sitting at 30 per cent, which is slightly down from polling day.

Greens remain steady after it fell 0.2 per cent to 12 per cent.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has increased to six per cent while Clive Palmer’s United Party dropped two points to two per cent.

The Newspoll surveyed 1,508 residents across the country between July 27 to July 30.

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Categories
Australia

The Prime Minister insists he’s willing to take a risk on a referendum, to ‘uplift our whole nation’

The Prime Minister insists he's willing to take a risk on a referendum, to 'uplift our whole nation'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants Australians to consider a draft question — released by the government this weekend — asking whether the constitution should be changed to create an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

He told ABC’s Insiders program that a referendum could be as powerful as the national apology for the Stolen Generations and the Mabo decision.

“This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our maturity as a nation, to uplift our whole nation. And I’m very hopeful that we can do so,” he said.

“I recognize that it’s a risk, but if you don’t try then you have already not succeeded.”

A Voice to Parliament, created via a referendum, was the key recommendation of hundreds of Aboriginal people at Uluṟu in 2017.

There is now a push from the Opposition and the Greens for more detail on what role and function the body would have.

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