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Landlord slammed for listing $300-a-week "coffin"

A Sydney landlord has sparked outrage online after advertising a “coffin” for rent at an astonishing price. A Reddit user shared the Facebook Marketplace advertisement for the “pantry room”, located in an apartment at the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The room contains just one single mattress that fills the entire width of the room, with no window and just a small patch of space between the bed and the room’s door. The questionable listing is advertised for $300 a week. Initially advertised as a “Penthouse small room” for $300 a month - or $75 a week - the Reddit user who found the ad confirmed this was false. “I have clarified with the person who posted this ad, it is $300/week to sleep in a CBD apartment pantry room,” they said. Fellow Reddit users were dumbstruck by the listing, saying that it goes to show how “out of hand” Australia’s rental crisis has become. “This is how far Sydney has fallen. F*** this shit,” one wrote. Another added, “At this point in the rental crisis I shouldn’t be surprised, but wow ... what a scam!” “Worst part is I guarantee people would consider it.” a third wrote. “Lol this is what I pay for a one bedroom apartment near the beach in Newcastle.” Another response read. Another noted, “It’s a cupboard - not a bedroom.” Others questioned if it was legal to rent the room as it has no window. According to the National Construction Code, in order for a bedroom to be “habitable” it has to have access to daylight and natural ventilation. Experts said this usually calls for a window. “That’s illegal anyways, every habitable room must have a window. You could report it,” wrote one Reddit user. “But my lord ... is that legal?” another questioned. Many users commented that they “weren’t surprised” given the lows that some landlords are going to in the current climate. “Amazed they didn’t put a bunk bed in there,” one wrote. Another added, “Yeah, I think the eternity I spend in a coffin will be time enough to enjoy these sorts of conditions.” While a third joked, “Would the person that rents this out please sub-let the top 30cm of this penthouse to me? I’d sleep in a submarine hammock bed up there. Say, $200 a week?” Image credit: Reddit

Real Estate

Landlord rents out balcony for $300 a week

As the housing crisis in Australia continues, one landlord has decided to capitalise on the desperation of renters by leasing a balcony for $300 a week in a bizarre listing. The landlord shared the “room” on Facebook, sharing photos of the enclosed balcony with city views, obscured by tarps and heavy curtains, along with a peculiar list of questions for prospective tenants. “Man Private Room Sydney Cbd. 1 boy only. $300/week,” the ad read. “Quick response 04******** Please kindly send me your information.” The ad then prompts tenants to list what items they will be bringing into the apartment, before the landlord asks applicants to provide their nationality. The balcony room is in Haymarket’s Miramar building in the Sydney CBD, although any views of the city skyline have been obstructed with silver tarpaulin, while the glass sliding doors leading to the actual apartment were concealed by blue curtains. A blue single mattress has been squeezed into one corner of the balcony room, opposite a small desk and TV, with both walls adorned with tropical-themed art. When the landlord was contacted on the phone by news.com.au, they answered several questions before refusing to speak further with a female journalist. He said he had received “a lot of interest” and several calls about the property, though wouldn’t specify how many people had been in touch. A three-bed, two-bath unit in the building sold for $1.15 million in September last year, while the estimated rental income for a two-bed, one-bath unit is $810 per week. Even a parking space in the Miramar can be rented out for $650 a month. The listing comes amid unprecedented pressure on the Sydney rental market, with record-low vacancy rates pushing prices sky-high. The median rent for a house in Sydney reached a record high of $650 per week at the start of the year, while the median rent for a unit was also at a high of $550. Tenants have little choice but to pay up, with the national vacancy rate at just 0.9 per cent. Image credits: Facebook

Real Estate

Banksy’s shredded work sells for 300 percent over estimated price

British street artist Banksy has reappeared in the headlines after his painting that shredded itself after it sold for $US 1.4 million ($AUD 1.9 million or $NZD 1.98 million) has been sold again, this time for an even greater sum. Love is in the Bin, formerly known as Girl With Balloon, <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/world/shredded-banksy-artwork-sells-at-auction-c-4240790" target="_blank">was sold</a> for $USD 25 million ($AUD 33.71 million or $NZD 35.37 million) at Sotheby’s in London. With a pre-sale estimate of 4 to 6 million pounds ($AUD 7.4-11.0 million or $NZD 7.75-11.52 million), the work was sold for more than three times its estimated price. The artwork consists of a half-shredded canvas depicting a spray-painted image of a girl reaching for a heart-shaped balloon, with half of the piece still in one piece within an ornate gold frame. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844914/banksy1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9a381196478843a3bd62b6f88e30edcb" /> Image: @Sotheby’s / Instagram When the artwork was first sold at Sotheby’s in 2018, a shredder embedded in the frame started tearing it just as the winning bid was made. Banksy later implied that the work was supposed to be turned entirely into scraps, but didn’t due to a malfunction. Sotheby’s said the work created by the stunt is “the ultimate Banksy artwork”. “It was a big moment because nothing like that had been done before,” art historian Matthew Israel told CNN in an earlier email interview. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bokt2sEhlsu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bokt2sEhlsu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Banksy (@banksy)</a> </div> </blockquote> The self-destructing artwork was “entirely at odds with the aims of the auction house, where the condition of an artwork is paramount and the knowledge and expertise about it is core to its authority and value”, he explained. The most recent auction took the artist’s record for the highest sale price, beating the sale of Game Changer last year. That artwork sold for 16.7 million ($AUD 31 million or $NZD 32.47 million) to benefit UK hospitals, with the piece depicting healthcare workers as superheroes. Though the identity of the new owner of Love is in the Bin has not been revealed, Sotheby’s described the person as a female collector from Europe with a long-standing history with the auction house. The buyer can also choose to pay for the work in cryptocurrency. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Handyman builds his wife a pub in their garage for just $300

After eight weeks in lockdown, one Sydney man has had enough. Unable to visit the pub due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, Daniel Rule decided to bring the pub to him. His wife Kaylyn told Sunrise that she had mentioned to her husband that lockdown was making her miss going to her local pub for a cold one. Agreeing with her, Daniel pulled his resources and decided to build a pub in the garage of their Sydney home. “I honestly didn’t think it would happen as fast as it did - it was all done within a couple of hours,” Kaylyn told the Channel Seven breakfast show. The impressive set-up features a bar bench made out of wooden pallets, flashing lights and bar stools. Daniel purchased all the materials at a cost of $300, after browsing Bunnings Warehouse and local businesses on Facebook Marketplace. Kaylyn decided to document the construction process on her TikTok account, and the video has been viewed over half a million times. In the video, Daniel creates the bar by nailing together wooden pallets before sanding down the surface and applying varnish. He also mounts two shelves to the back bar to hold alcohol and a television for watching their favourite sports. Kalyn said the reaction to the video has been “crazy”. <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-qyun7f-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0"> “I just wanted to make the video so I could show our friends and family - we honestly didn’t think it would blow up like this.” <div class="hide-print css-drbrjk-StyledCardContainer e148s7sr3"> <div class="e148s7sr1 Card-Media css-m8orbs-StyledMedia-StyledCardMedia e1m2h3dd6"> <div class="Card-Media-Content css-1kaoam0-StyledMediaContent e1m2h3dd7">Image credit: TikTok @kaylyn.rule</div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

Hotel where Michael Hutchence died sells for 300 percent profit

The Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay, the spot where Princess Diana stayed in 1996 and INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was found deceased in 1997 has been sold for $180m to an apartment developer. Sources told the Wentworth Courier the deal was brokered by the Agency’s Steven Chen. The buyer, Melbourne apartment developer Fridcorp, later released a statement confirming the purchase of the refurbished 140-room hotel, refurbished by Bates Smart, and land in a joint venture with Piety Group from vendor Shanghai Group, who had paid $140m four years ago. The 3670-square-metre luxury hotel originally opened as a Ritz Carlton Hotel in 1991 and was the hotel of choice in the 90s for famous guests, including Princess Diana, Madonna, Bill Clinton, and Elton John. The circa $180m price tag is triple the $60m that the site sold for only eight years ago. It is understood the deal was done on Friday, May 7. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PG1gNlTij/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PG1gNlTij/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by InterContinental Double Bay (@intercontinentaldoublebay)</a> </div> </blockquote> Several other prominent Sydney-based apartment developers are known to have been interested in the hotel and given its record price, sources say it “Absolutely must be a development site”. In a statement sent to The Courier, Fridcorp confirmed the sale and noted that in 2011, Woollahra Council granted a permit to demolish the existing hotel and take advantage of the gorgeous harbour views by adding an eight-storey residential building and retail offering. Prior to this, the hotel was rebranded as the Sir Stamford Double Bay in 2001 and operated until 2009, then underwent a complete facelift and became the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay in 2014.

Real Estate

Foster mother to 300 children killed by COVID-19: “They’ve already lost their family

A woman who was a foster parent to over 300 children has tragically died following her COVID-19 diagnosis. Susan Braley devoted decades of her life giving kids a second chance at a happy family, and adopted 7 children along the way. And now, the hundreds of children taken under Braley’s wing are mourning the beloved mother’s death. Braley died after contracting COVID-19 and being rushed to hospital with low oxygen. However, even through her pain, she worried for her family. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839711/1280x720.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bba06c546fdf450ca7e254152805b264" /> During the ride there she told her grandson, Thomas Bartholomew, to make sure the family keep holiday traditions and always make sure to care for and feed anyone in need. "Right before my grandmother passed, I got to talk to her, you know, when they were wheeling her out, first thing I wanted to tell her was that I love you and thank you for everything you've done in my life," Bartholomew said, via ABC News 4. "And she said, 'I love you too'." Sadly, Braley's husband was later admitted to hospital as well. Braley died soon after her husband arrived at the same hospital as her. Now he's battling the virus in ICU as the hundreds of children they helped raise are grieving Braley and hoping for her husband's recovery. "They've already lost their first family, this is their second family and we have kids who are older who understand that," said Bartholomew. "Like Jazmin, who's 18 years old, she lost her mother and now she's lost her second mother. We don't want them to go through that experience." An online fundraiser has been set up to help raise money to support Braley's family. In just seven days, it has attracted over $24,000 in donations.

Caring

3.5 million Aussies to get $300 pay cuts

3.5 million Australians will lose $300 from their government funded $1,500 Job Keeper pay check from September 28. The new scheme was legislated earlier this month. As of now, Aussies receiving JobKeeper are eligible for $1,500 per fortnight. However, 28 September, those who are working more than 20 hours per week will receive $1,200 per fortnight. This is around 80 per cent of the minimum wage and is called Extension 1. The new system is two-tiered and those who work less than 20 hours per week will receive $750 per fortnight. "We are now extending and transitioning," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. "Transitioning and looking to a day when Australian communities don't need JobKeeper and when Australians can then run their businesses and hold their jobs sustained by a vibrant and growing economy instead." The first extension period runs until 4 January, and Extension 2 will kick in from that date and last until 28 March 2021. This scheme will see those working more than 20 hours per week eligible for $1,000 per fortnight, and those working less than 20 hours per week eligible for $650 per fortnight. To be eligible for Extension 1, businesses will need to show that their actual GST turnover declined 30, 50 or 15 per cent (depending on the size of your business) in the September 2020 quarter compared to September 2019. Businesses will also need to have satisfied the original decline in turnover test unless they are enrolling in JobKeeper for the first time. To meet the criteria for Extension 2, businesses will need to show their actual GST turnover declined 30, 50 or 15 per cent (depending on the size of your business) in the quarter ending 31 December 2020.

Money & Banking

“Nothing wrong with writing 300 poems”: Delta Goodrem stalker defends actions

A man has been convicted of stalking after he went to Delta Goodrem’s home five times in one day and sent her 300 love poems. James Joseph Lafferty, 47, on Tuesday pleaded guilty in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court to three charges including stalking and intimidation, using a carriage service to harass, menace or offend, and failing to comply with a police direction. The Grafton man went to Goodrem’s Sydney CBD apartment on February 14 and attempted to leave a Valentine’s Day gift but was blocked by the concierge. The Grafton man returned four more times that day. On February 15, the Voice judge went down to the concierge desk to pick up a dress when Lafferty walked past and called out “Delta, Delta”. He then sent messages to Goodrem’s Instagram account including “I’m here”, “please come down and meet me”, and “I’m at concierge”. Police were called and Lafferty was arrested outside the building. He reportedly told police he had sent the singer 300 poems in the lead up to Valentine’s Day and said, “You’d think she’d at least reply”. Lafferty told the court that Goodrem’s “address is on Google anyway”. Legal Aid lawyer Richard Ikaafu said father-of-three Lafferty did not at any point threaten Goodrem’s welfare or safety. Magistrate Jane Mottley noted Lafferty’s previous convictions dating back to 1991 for aggravated break and enter whilst armed, drug possession, damage of property, trespass, drink driving, intimidation and, in January last year, assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Lafferty was placed on an 18-month community corrections order and fined $600. He was also ordered to stay away from Goodrem’s home. Following his sentencing, Lafferty told reporters there’s “nothing wrong with writing 300 poems to somebody” before adding, “It’s better than a sleazy one-liner in a nightclub, isn’t it?”

News

Woolworths’ $300 million wage scandal expands to include Dan Murphy’s and BWS staff

Woolworths Group chairman Gordon Cairns has revealed that the Woolworths underpayment scandal – which saw close to 6000 workers underpaid by $300 million across a decade – also involved staff from liquor arms Dan Murphy’s and BWS. Speaking to shareholders in Sydney today, Cairns said Woolworths had “fully expected” to discover more cases across the business, “and we have”, though “not to the same extent as in the supermarket business.” Cairns felt that that the fact so many staff members were underpaid was “incredibly disappointing”, he said at today’s annual general meeting. “It was brought to our attention by three of our team members in February this year. We immediately investigated, found their assertions about their individual circumstances to be correct, and we remedied. “We then began an across-the-board investigation, which continues given we are checking every shift for every salaried team member back as far as this has been an issue or records exist.” He proceeded to say that he and CEO Brad Banducci were “accept[ing] responsibility by voluntarily taking reductions in [their] pay” with Banducci forfeiting his short-term incentive while Cairns would face a 20 per cent reduction in his director fees. Back in October, Banducci had said that he was fully prepared for his bonus to be cut due to the underpayment incident. Last financial year, he pocketed $2.66 million as well as $4 million in bonuses. “I fully expect to have a conversation with the board on the consequences of this and I fully expect it will be impacting bonuses for myself and maybe there will be other things that come out of it,” he said. “We apologise to our team, we’re going to make it right, but it’s a very complex issue.” Law firm Adero Law has filed a class action against the grocery giant, saying the total amount is over $620 million. “Adero is instructed that current and former Woolworths employees have suffered underpayments and systemic wage theft during their employment at Woolworths on a far greater scale than the retail giant has disclosed,” Adero’s website stated. But Woolworths said it will “fully defend” the proceedings. “In the context of its commitment to fully remediate all affected salaried team members, Woolworths Group believes the class action proceedings are without merit,” the company said. “Woolworths estimates that the one-off impact for remediation is expected to be in the range of $200-300 million (before tax).”

Legal

BREAKING: Woolworths found to underpay workers by up to $300 million

Woolworths has been found to underpay nearly 6,000 of its employees by as much as $300 million due to non-compliance with the industry award. In a statement released by Woolworths this morning, the company revealed that it has failed to pay approximately 5,700 of its salaried workers across its supermarkets and metro stores in compliance with the General Retail Industry Award. The underpayments were identified by the company after it reviewed its workers’ salaries prior to implementing the company’s newest enterprise bargaining agreement. Here, inconsistencies were identified between the workers contractual salary obligations and what they were entitled to be paid under the new award, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/woolworths-underpays-workers-by-up-to-300-million-20191030-p535l5.html" target="_blank">Sydney Morning Herald</a>. "The review has found the number of hours worked, and when they were worked, were not adequately factored into the individual salary settings for some salaried store team members," the company said. "As a business we pride ourselves on putting our team first, and in this case, we have let them down. We unreservedly apologise," chief executive Brad Banducci said in a statement. "The highest priority for Woolworths Group right now is to address this issue, and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again." Underpayments could track as far back as 2010, and the company has estimated that the total cost of remediation is to be between $200 and $300 million. The company will make the first backpayments to the affected workers before Christmas.

Money & Banking

Why ALDI’s latest Special Buy will be worth queuing for

Fans of ALDI have learnt to love most of the items that come out of the grocery chain’s bi-weekly Special Buys range, and its latest release may just have ticked a few boxes for those looking to expand their furniture range. Among the chaos of waiting in line and rushing to find a good bargain, customers can invest in an item never-before-seen at ALDI – a $299 sofa bed. The affordable price means it may fly off shelves faster than anticipated so it's better to get in quickly. “The competitive retail, on-trend design and quality construction will make this a popular Special Buy,” an ALDI spokesperson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/interiors/aldi-to-sell-affordable-sofa-bed-in-special-buys-deal-this-saturday/news-story/64760df1995d26e3851cbbf15e61b7c7" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. The couch comes with a solid wood frame and legs, durable fabric upholstery, and two bolster cushions with removable covers. To turn the sofa into bed, it comes with a click-clack mechanism. The item comes in two colours – grey and cream – and if you are planning to get your hands on one, the German retailer is urging shoppers to ensure they have someone to help them. “Product is likely to cause injury to customer if risk controls are not utilised,” it specifically states on the ALDI website. Only some stores across the country will stock this Special Buys deal, including: <ul> <li> Aurora </li> <li> Bell Park </li> <li> Bentleigh </li> <li> Bondi </li> <li> Brunswick </li> <li> Carnegie </li> <li> Charlestown </li> <li> Doncaster East </li> <li> Forster </li> <li> Gosford </li> <li> Highton </li> <li> Joondalup </li> <li> Kelvin Grove </li> <li> Lower Templestowe </li> <li> Manly </li> <li> Miranda </li> <li> Moonee Ponds </li> <li> Northcote </li> <li> Plenty Valley </li> <li> Preston </li> <li> Taree </li> <li> Tarneit Central </li> </ul> “Despite our careful planning, we apologise if selected items may sell out on the first day due to unexpected high demand,” ALDI warns on its site. The item will be available from Saturday, August 7. Scroll through the gallery above to see the ALDI sofa bed available from August 7.

Money & Banking

The surprising road rule that could cost you $300 and two demerit points

Cyclists are demanding for authorities to better enforce a little-known road rule that comes with a $330 fine and two demerit point punishment. In March 2016, safe-passing road rules were introduced which protects cyclists from motorists who fail to keep a safe distance when sharing the road. Newly released data shows that the worst offenders of this rule were found in NSW with Frenchs Forest, Sydney CBD and Kensington having the highest rate of incidents. Since the law has been introduced, only a small number of people have been fined – 65 to be exact, and out of those 65, 43 of those have come from Sydney, with residents from the area being the least compliant. According to Dulwich Hill cycle club member, David Maywald, seven fines were from the North Coast, six in the Hunter Region, four on the South Coast, three in regional New South Wales and two on the Central Coast. In 2017 alone, 1967 cyclists were reported to have been critically injured according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/where-sydney-drivers-get-busted-for-not-giving-cyclists-space-20180902-p50199.html" target="_blank">Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “The burden of evidence and prosecution has fallen onto the victims of dangerous close passes,” said Mr Maywald. Lodging a petition, Mr Maywald is asking the New South Wales police to enforce the law, so cyclists are not faced with the burden of providing evidence of the offence. The petition has currently accumulated over 3000 signatures. “Every day the lives of decent hard-working cyclists are being threatened by a small minority of reckless drivers,” he wrote on change.org. A spokesperson for New South Wales police said that whoever believes an offence has been committed should report it to the police.

Legal

Coles forced to pay $300,000 to customer who slipped on iced coffee

Coles has been forced to pay $293,597.30 in damages to a tradesman who was injured after slipping on a puddle of iced coffee. The New South Wales District Court heard Paul Mansell, a self-employed glazier, explain how he fell over in a Coles store in Vincentia on the south coast. Paul was wearing thongs during the time of the incident and after slipping on the puddle, landed on the floor. “His right should and right side of his neck came into contact with the floor or a support post or his shopping basket, or perhaps all of those things,” said court documents viewed by <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/11/22/13/18/nsw-tradie-awarded-295000-for-coles-slip-and-fall-accident" target="_blank">Nine News</a>. “Only one foot slipped. He had no opportunity to put out his hands to break his fall.” After the fall, Paul gave his contact details to the junior manager and was contacted the next day by a Coles manager who had watched the CCTV footage. The manager told Paul there was footage of another customer spilling iced coffee on the floor after taking the drink from a fridge inside the store. Paul asked for a copy of the footage at least five times but never received it and was later told the video had been deleted. Medical examinations revealed Paul suffered an “extensive tear” in his right shoulder, making him no longer able to run his business, which he was then forced to sell. Justice David Russell heard Coles employees were supposed to do floor inspections every hour and a half. He found Coles failed to uphold their duty of care to Paul and ordered Coles to pay him $293,597.30. The damages cover loss of earnings and past and future out of pocket expenses. Do you think this payout is fair? Tell us in the comments below.

Insurance

Bad news for shoppers: 300 Millers, Katies and Rivers stores set to close

The writing is on the wall for some of Australia’s favourite clothing brands, with Speciality Fashion Group set to close 300 Rivers, Katies and Millers outlets. The retrial giant said a six-year slide in earnings was to blame. The conglomerate currently runs 1,019, but they’re actively looking to reduce that number. “We continue to pursue cost management initiatives and business simplification by integrating shared service functions into the brands,” Specialty Fashion Group Chairwoman Anne McDonald said at the annual shareholders meeting on Tuesday. Former CEO Gary Perlstein blamed fierce competition and a reduction in sales for the results, but said online sales were continuing to increase across the brands. What are your thoughts?

Money & Banking

You can stay in this lovingly restored 300-year-old Italian cottage

Italy is one of the world’s most popular tourist locations and with properties like this it’s easy to see why. Set amongst panoramic hillside views in Puglia, this 300-year-old cottage, with traditional “trullo” cones, has been lovingly restored. The result is like something out of a dream. While the exterior retains its traditional features, the inside of the property combines modern fixtures and conveniences, with rustic charm, making it the idyllic base for any Italian adventure. To see the property, scroll through the gallery above. If you’re interested in booking it, or learning more, simply <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/53243/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_trullo" target="_blank">click here</a>. Have you ever been to Italy? Let us know in the comments. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</a>

Accommodation

Queen celebrates 300 years of the Royal Artillery

When you’re Queen there’s barely time for a moment’s rest, and Her Majesty was on the road again this week, this time celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Royal Artillery. Queen Elizabeth II was greeted with a spectacular display at a review of the Royal Regiment of Artillery at its Larkhill headquarters on the southern edge of Salisbury Plain. During the ceremony Her Majesty inspected the parade in her custom-built State Review Range Rover where weaponry from past and present was on display. The celebrations culminated in an awe-inspiring 21-gun salute, which reported left Queen Elizabeth II quite impressed at the power of the procession. To see photos of the day, scroll through the gallery above. There’s no denying Her Majesty is hard-working, and at 90 she’s showing no signs of slowing down. What’s your favourite memory of Queen Elizabeth II? Please let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/05/duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-pet-names/">Revealed: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nicknames for each other</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/what-you-didnt-notice-about-this-royal-photo/">The one thing no one noticed about this royal photo</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/10-photos-of-the-royal-family-at-the-chelsea-flower-show/">10 best photos of the Royal Family at the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show</a>

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Inside an utterly beautiful 300-year-old house

This house in Great Britain was built in 1680. And while it may seem small from the outside, a young couple have transformed it into a cosy, modern house. The modern amenities inside provide a stark contrast to the low ceilings, small windows and thick stone walls on the outside. It just goes to show you what you can achieve with a bit of creative thinking. To view this amazing house, scroll through the gallery above. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/">London’s 8 most photographed locations</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</a>

International Travel

Painting sells for record $300 million

A painting by Paul Gauguin has sold for reportedly close to US$300million, insiders have stated. If the reports are accurate, this would be one of the highest prices ever paid for any artwork.The painting, “Nefea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?)” was a part of a Swiss private collection belonging to Rudolf Staechelin, who had owned the painting through a family trust. Insiders believe the artwork was purchased by a Qatari buyer, but no confirmation was given by Staechelin, a retired Sotheby’s agent.“Nefea Faa Ipoipo” was painted in 1892, and up until the recent sale, had been on loan to the Kunstmuseum Basel (pictured above) for almost half a century.

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