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"I am so heartbroken": Tributes flow for bride-to-be stabbing victim

Family and friends of Dawn Singleton are in mourning after the 25-year-old was one of the six people stabbed to death by Joel Cauchi in Bondi Junction Westfield on Saturday. The 25-year-old was planning her wedding at the time of the stabbing, and was in the shopping centre looking for wedding makeup. Dawn, daughter of Aussie millionaire businessman John Singleton, had purchased her wedding dress just days before her life was tragically cut short. “Dawn, I should be writing your wedding speech, but instead I sit here sobbing,” Friend Jade O’Connor wrote on Facebook. “This year you were meant to get married to the love of your life — I’m so heartbroken and (I) can’t believe this reality.” Friend Emmi Shannon told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/heartbreaking-detail-emerges-after-john-singletons-daughter-dawn-singleton-named-as-bondi-junction-westfield-stabbing-victim-c-14313870" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>, “She was just the most perfect human being that I’ve ever met. She’s so sweet, so humble, so down to earth.” Dawn was engaged to her high school sweetheart Ashley Wildey, a police officer who had reportedly been on the scene at the shopping centre, attending the scene after finishing another shift. "He had arrived at Westfield when officers realised his fiancée was one of the victims," a source told The Daily Telegraph. Mr Wildey was then allowed to leave the scene to be comforted by family and friends, as is procedure. Singleton worked at White Fox Boutique, with colleagues saying they were “devastated” by her death. “We are all truly devastated by this loss,” the company said on social media. “Dawn was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing." “We send our love and deepest condolences to her partner, the Singleton family and her friends.” Dawn was one of six women killed by Joel Cauchi in the callous attack, which left several others injured. Cauchi's victims included Pikria Darchia, 55, Ashlee Good, 38; Faraz Tahir, 30; Dawn Singleton, 25; Jade Young, 47; and Yixuan Cheng, 25. A dozen others – mostly women – were also injured, including Good’s nine-month old baby girl. Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Jesse Baird's mother farewells her son in emotional memorial service

Slain TV presenter Jesse Baird has been farewelled by his loved ones at an emotional memorial service in Melbourne, one month after he was killed alongside his partner. Hundreds of friends and family packed into Melbourne’s Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, all donning bright colours to remember the 26-year-old. Baird's mother Helen spoke about her "darling boy" in a tear-jerking tribute, saying, “My beautiful, generous, loving, precious, caring and talented boy, our hearts and lives are changed forever,” “I promise to fight for you and make you proud. My heart is broken my darling boy, and I love you more than this world." "Our hearts and lives are changed forever and there is less sparkle in the world. There will never be another you." Jesse's father Gary added, “You squeezed 100 years of life into 26 and our hearts are broken. You’ll be missed but never forgotten.” Kourtnee, Jesse's sister, battled through floods of tears to farewell her brother, saying, "You are the absolute light of my life. My biggest inspiration and my biggest cheerleader." Jesse's Studio 10 colleagues were also in attendance, with co-host Daniel Doody saying that Baird "was more than a co-worker, he was a brother, a best mate." "Just like all your live on-air appearances, I wish there was more time." Balloons spelling out Baird’s name adorned the convention centre’s stage alongside photos of him smiling at different stages in his life. After the service, the large crowd gathered outside to blow a flurry of bubbles. Image credits: 7News

Family & Pets

Veteran slams Australia Day “dawn service”

An Australian war veteran has slammed a Sydney council for their decision to hold a dawn reflection service on January 26th, saying it is “disrespectful” to those who fought and died for their country. The Anzac-day style service, held by Sydney’s Waverley council, will acknowledge the resilience and survival of First Nations people, recognising Australia Day as a “day of mourning” for many Indigenous Australians. Michael von Berg, a Military Cross recipient who served as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War, has denounced the council’s decision, saying dawn services should only be held on Anzac Day, as the events are synonymous with honouring past soldiers. “For God's sake. It's a disservice not only to the veteran community but also to First Nations soldiers who fought and died for their country,” he said. Mr von Berg, who claims to have served alongside Aboriginal soldiers on his first tour of Vietnam in the mid-1960s, questioned the purpose of the event, describing it as “cheap symbolism”. “Personally, a dawn service of this nature flies in the face of what they traditionally stand for, which is honouring soldiers,” he said. “This stuff doesn't help anyone. I have nothing but respect for First Nations people but there's got to be another way.” Mr von Berg urged Waverley Council to “seriously reconsider” the event, suggesting they “Hold it on another date.” However, Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos hit back at criticism of the dawn service, given Australia Day was a day of mourning for many First Nations people. “As a Council that is committed to social justice, we understand that January 26 can be a difficult day for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that many in our community are still coming to terms with the result of the Voice to Parliament referendum,” Mayor Masselos said. Australia Day, observed each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook

Legal

Lilie James farewelled in emotional memorial service

Friends and family of Lilie James have honoured the 21-year-old water polo coach in an emotional memorial service. The memorial was held at Danebank Anglican School in Hurstville in Sydney's south on Friday morning, with Lilie's loved ones making the sweet gesture at the service. Friends, family and members of her school community at St Andrew's Cathedral school where she taught were asked to show up in bright colours, to remember Lilie fondly and celebrate her life, despite it being cut short. In a statement, Ms James' father Jamie said the 21-year-old was a vibrant young woman who was "always on the go". "On top of working and studying Lilie loved coaching and playing water polo. She loved to dance," he said. "Even with her busy schedule, she always still made time to support her brother Max, her friends and family." "We cannot thank the community enough for their thoughts, prayers, generosity and messages through this difficult time." "From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the many great memories we all share of Lilie." He concluded, "Lilie James we are so proud of you and thank you for sharing a wonderful and jam-packed 21 years together." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Family and friends are gathering at a private service in Sydney's south this morning, to farewell Lilie James - who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and colleague, at her workplace, last month. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/BXkRYdPkj1">pic.twitter.com/BXkRYdPkj1</a> — 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1725316273431527677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></blockquote> A white hearse arrived at the school at 9:30am on Friday morning, as friends and family cried and embraced each other during the procession. NSW Premier Chris Minns was also seen arriving to pay his respects, with as many as 500 mourners expected at the service. As per the wishes of Ms James' family, the memorial at Danebank was for friends and the school community only, while the service was live-streamed into St Andrew's Cathedral School for students and teachers to view together. Lilie James was working as an assistant water polo instructor for the elite inner-city school when she was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets on October 25th. Image credits: Nine News

Caring

Dawn French hits back at "shameful" weight loss comments

Dawn French has hit back at hurtful comments about her drastic weight loss almost a decade ago, admitting she "never rejected" the size she was. In 2014, the British comedian and actress dropped over 45kg after undergoing a hysterectomy following a terrifying cancer scare. The dramatic weight loss came after French's surgeon said she would heal better from the procedure if she lost weight. At the time, dozens of articles were written about French's transformation, praising her weight loss. Now, the 65-year-old has taken umbrage with the comments, telling <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/id-never-felt-so-ugly-how-dawn-french-learnt-to-love-her-flaws-3z95kc823" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times</a> how unfair it is that women are in the public eye are often “reduced” to descriptions of their appearance. “I have never rejected the bigger woman I have been. Lots of people do it and say, ‘Oh, you look so much better – now you look well.’ And I think, ‘F*** off! Don’t judge that other person who I loved,’” she said. “[British singer] Alison Moyet is a very good friend and so often she has been reduced to descriptions of her physicality.” “She’s this giant talent, why reduce her to that? I’m not taking any s*** from anyone about any of it,” she said. French went on to reflect on the early days of her career, which began in the late 1980s alongside Jennifer Saunders. Despite the success of their BBC show French and Saunders, they were often described by how they looked, something she says “never” happened to their male colleagues. “For many years Jennifer [Saunders] and I were always described by how we looked, especially me, because I was the bigger one.” “It was always about ‘running to fat’ or ‘plump’, and they never said that about any of the male comedians.” “I absolutely own whatever my size is and I will call myself whatever I want. But if I feel like the intent is to shame me, I will not have it,” French said. Image credits: Getty Images

Body

Dawn French tells all in candid interview

Dawn French spills all in her latest interview with 60 minutes. The beloved British comedian revealed that being imperfect is perfect for her, in a world where unrealistic beauty standards are starting to dominate social media. "I can't believe that we, especially women, have come this far to hand our daughters a life where they have to do selfies and be filtered to try to look perfect," she told 60 minutes reporter Tara Brown. "I don't know how to connect to all those perfect people. I'm in the anti-perfection league frankly." The comedian revealed that the secret to her happiness is finding joy in the simple things in life, an outlook that she gained following the devastating loss of her father when she was 18. "I find joy in lots of tiny things. I'm the sort of person who doesn't need to be swimming with dolphins, I find happiness in the simple things," she added. French said that losing her father to suicide at such a young age shaped who she was, and that she was grateful for the love he showed and the lessons he taught her. "Now that I look back on it as an adult, I think he needed to give me some armour, he told me that I should value myself and that I deserved the very best," she said. "As a little chubby girl I could have grown up with all kinds of insecurities, but because of him I have never doubted that I'm not worth something." Her father's struggle with mental health gave her a deeper understanding of the complexity of depression and a greater appreciation for her own emotional stability. "He kept his depression very well hidden, so most of the time dad was very cheerful but he also had these black dog moments where he just couldn't cope," she said. "Then he would get stronger and he would be back on the horse again." "I've had sadness, but I haven't sunk to depths like that. I have worried that it's inherited, but I don't seem to have that, I've got too much to live for I think," she added. The French and Saunders actress is currently enjoying her life in a quaint village in the English countryside with her husband, therapist Mark Bignell. "I've got a love for life, and I love and am loved back by a lot of people, so I can't ask for more than that," she said. You can find the full episode <a href="https://www.9now.com.au/60-minutes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: 60 minutes

Restaurant under fire for denying entry to war veteran with service dog

A Perth restaurant has been slammed after denying entry to a US war veteran and his service dog. David Pearce and his English Labrador, Gunner, were denied entry to the Chinese restaurant Juice Bao Bao on May 19. Gunner is a certified service dog who assists Pearce through life as he suffers from PTSD, hearing loss and a brain injury. "I tried to explain he's a service dog and they have to allow us in and they said no service dogs, the owner doesn't want any dogs," Pearce said "It was embarrassing, [and] a bit humiliating.” Pearce sustained his injuries while serving in Iraq and Syria. He has served in the US military for nearly 20 years. He and Gunner have been “best buddies” for nine years. "He's saved my life a couple of times," Pearce said. Pearce has launched an official complaint to the Western Australian government following the ordeal. Juice Bao Bao manager Elaine Hsu took responsibility for the decision to refuse entry to Pearce. "That was my personal decision so that's my fault," she told 9News. "We want to sincerely apologise to him and we want to ask him to come here [for a] free meal. "[We will] make sure this [does] not happen again.” The restaurant has received a number of negative reviews since Pearce shared his story. "I'm not really interested in a free meal, although some dumplings would go down really nicely," Pearce said . "I'm just happy that they're changing their policy." Assistance and service dogs are legally allowed to enter any public venue if their certification is displayed on their vest and the owner can provide a service animal ID. Image credit: 9News / Nine

Travel Trouble

"This is terrible": Woman halts TV interview until her name is pronounced correctly

Former editor and commentator Dawn Neesom was put on blast by Shola Mos-Shogbamimu for mispronouncing her name on TV. The exchange happened on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show where Ms Neesom was presenting as a host. Dr Shola appeared on the panel to talk about stories and current issues. When the introductions began, there was an error which was quickly highlighted. Dawn said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be joined by lawyer Dr Shola” but then struggled to pronounce her surname and asked her, “How do I pronounce your name Shola?” The lawyer replied, “'Read it my darling, read it.” Dawn made another attempt but appeared to have mispronounced it again. Dr Shola, appearing amused, said, “This is terrible, especially from a presenter.” Dawn was then instructed by her to pronounce it phonetically, saying “Shola Mos Shog Bam Imu.” Dr Shola responded, “Do it again.” Dawn went on to say “Oh come on, I got the Shola right” but Dr Shola said, "Do it again and do it phonetically.” When she again mispronounced it, Dr Shola said “You just missed the B try again” Dawn, proceeded to put her hand on her face said, “'Shola, Shola welcome to the show!” Dr Shola then told her, “No you will say my name and read it phonetically,” Dawn attempted to say her name again, this time nearly correct and Dr Shola said, “It's Shogbamimu but well done.” The exchange was posted online and both parties tweeted about it. Dawn explained, “The most fun with the best panel this morning. That's what three hours sleep does for you.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The most fun with the best panel this morning <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyVineOn5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeremyVineOn5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Extra?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Extra</a> 😂 That's what three hours sleep does for you🤪 Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/thecarolemalone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thecarolemalone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SholaMos1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SholaMos1</a> for being such great sports & to all the excellent callers today 🙏 Back from more fun & games live tomorrow 9.15 sharp. The… <a href="https://t.co/dSVUvBrN3H">https://t.co/dSVUvBrN3H</a> — Dawn Neesom (@DawnNeesom) <a href="https://twitter.com/DawnNeesom/status/1656286485547737088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote> Dr Shola retweeted the video but added no comment. The lawyer, who recently wrote an anti-racism book called This Is Why I Resist, spoke about Meghan Markle’s decision to not attend the coronation. Speaking to GMD, she said, “I think Meghan's decision to say no to the most powerful family in Britain and to say no to the most talked about party in town is both admirable and inspiring. “What Meghan is doing is exercising the power of no that comes from a place of self-worth, growth, maturity and self preservation.” When asked if it was because Meghan “didn’t feel welcome” in the UK, she responded “I don't think that's the case here. "I think that any wife out there that has bad in-laws like Meghan has with the Royal Family can deduce that she has drawn a line in the sand. She is saying I will attend royal events, but on my own terms. “But what is more powerful is that Meghan is telling the whole world that I am rejecting any notion that because I married into the Royal Family I should be bait for toxicity, rage and abuse. “She is saying to society as a whole: you don't get to tell me who I should be as a woman, as a mother and as a wife." Image credit: Instagram

Streaming service giant pays woman 5 figures to watch content

If you think you spend too much time on Amazon Prime, think again as one lucky lady has snatched up her “dream” job with the streaming service. The woman, Alex Bain, 36, has been dubbed Prime Video’s “Buff”, and her job entails reviewing content for Amazon Prime, which came after the platform searched nationwide to fill the role of watching new content. Here’s the real kicker, the 36-year-old will be paid $40,000 for three months of viewing new content and sharing her opinions. She is not new to the scene of content review as she frequently posts to her Instagram, TikTok and Youtube reviewing various TV shows and movies. Upon seeing the advertisement from Amazon Prime, one of Bain’s friends encouraged her to apply. “Everything on it, it was like seeing a list of what would be my ideal job,” Ms Bain told NCA NewsWire. “I’m 36, so I want to do something I’m passionate about, so I decided to just go for it. “I got a phone call from Amazon saying I’d been short-listed, and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’” She said the time between applying for the role and being told she was successful went “so quickly”. Not long after, she received the news she was the lucky one chosen to fill the role. Image credit: Instagram

Olivia Newton-John's daughter's emotional memorial tribute

Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi has delivered an emotional speech at her mother’s memorial service, saying she “feels like a little girl”. Almost six months after her death at the age of 73, Newtown-John was remembered at a star-studded service at Hamer Hall in Melbourne. She passed away on August 8, 2022, after battling breast cancer for three decades. Newtown-John’s husband John Easterline spoke at the beginning of the service followed by his daughter’s emotional tribute. “My heart is broken in two. The other half is with my Mumma,” Lattanzi said with tears. “I know she is holding it for me until we meet again. I stand here before you so desperately wanting to feel strong and confident and speak eloquently. But the truth is, I feel like a little girl lost without her mother. “She was my safe space, my guide, my biggest fan and the Earth beneath my feet.” Lattanzi also said she knew her mother was “standing beside her” and could hear her voice telling her not to be afraid. The grieving daughter mentioned her and her mother had the same “cackle,” and revealed although her mother would never tell a dirty joke, she would “laugh the hardest at them”. “I loved making her tea and then making it five times again until I got it right. I loved our snuggles. I would crawl into bed with her late at night even until I was 20 years old. I loved the way that she smelled,” Lattanzi said. “I loved writing music and singing with her and how she would always notice if I was slightly off-key. “She cherished her friends and her family and she was so grateful to her fans and she loved you all so dearly. She would want us all to laugh and reminisce together, enjoy and celebrate her life.” Aussie singer and actress Delta Goodrem broke down at Newtown-John’s memorial service as she was giving a speech about how the late actress was so special to her. “It’s beautiful to see everybody,” Goodrem said as she was interviewed at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, ahead of a moving performance. “It’s beautiful,” Goodrem continued, flooded with emotion. “Sorry.” “I’m so happy to see everybody coming together on a day to celebrate someone who touched all of our lives,” she said when asked why she was so emotional. “I think that’s really what it is.” In a video shown at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Dolly Parton said, "The world lost one of its greatest talents when Olivia left us.” Nicole Kidman also paid tribute, saying that Newton-John was "just a light in the world" and that growing up, she "wanted to be Olivia Newton-John.” Some of the other celebrities and friends who paid tribute to Newtown-John during the service included Hugh Jackman, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, RuPaul, Pink and Sir Elton John. Image credit: Getty

Family & Pets

“It isn’t a good move": Woolies under fire over massive change to popular service

Woolworths supermarket has caused a stir after implementing a major change to a popular shopping service. Woolies has dramatically increased the minimum spend for online shoppers who are using their Direct to Boot shopping service. Earlier this month, the retail giant upped its minimum spend from $30 to $50, which is a 66 per cent climb. The free service allows customers to shop online and collect it from their local Woolworths without having to leave their car. “We bring your groceries to you. We’ll pick it, pack it, and pop it in your boot for free,” Woolworths says. The increase in minimum spend is not sitting well with the public, with one shopper arguing that it is a disadvantage to vulnerable customers. “Increasing the minimum spend on click and collect/direct to boot orders is only going to make shopping harder on pensioners and people with disabilities who will now either be forced to buy items they don’t need or can’t afford, or made to physically shop for themselves when they might struggle,” one customer said. “It also makes it more frustrating for single person households when they don’t need to buy bigger amounts at a time.” “It isn’t a good move, and I hope you reconsider and look to go back to putting customers first.” “I’m not sure how this improves the way I shop or allows anyone to ‘enjoy greater convenience’ though. It actually reduces convenience.” The customer added. A Woolworths spokesperson defended the minimum spend increase, telling <a href="http://7news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7NEWS</a>, “Our free direct to boot services and pick up has remained unchanged for a number of years,” “Earlier this month, the minimum spend was increased by $30 to $50.” “We’re continuing to let customers know about this change through our stores and online.” A Facebook user also came to the supermarket’s defence, saying that Woolies shouldn’t have to “lose money” because of the service. “It costs them to have someone pick your order and deliver it to your boot,” the user said. “It also means no impulse purchases in the store so they aren’t making any extra that way. Why should they lose money by delivering things to your boot?” Image credit: Getty

Food & Wine

Loyal service dog's emotional final flight

A service dog has been honoured on her final flight after being diagnosed with an untreatable cancer. German Shepherd Kaya was trained to support veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and was in the care of handler Cole Lyle. After years of loyal service to Cole, Kaya was diagnosed with terminal cancer and recently boarded a South West Airlines flight in the US to live out her final days at home by Cole's side. Kaya received the very best treatment on the flight, and was honoured by the pilot and her fellow passengers in a heart-warming moment that has since gone viral online. "We have a special guest on today's flight," the pilot said. "Kays is a German Shepherd service dog who has been with her handler, Cole, since 2014. She was specifically trained to help veterans cope with mental health issues." "Since the integration of the PAWS act, it is federal law that allows us to unify service dogs with Veterans with post-traumatic stress which was signed into law in 2021," continued the pilot. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 617px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7197534710090812715&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40southwestair%2Fvideo%2F7197534710090812715&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2Fea43bd3c48f54df8b328f42f35d8665a_1675806650%3Fx-expires%3D1676246400%26x-signature%3Drrq5YNMF5lC2JmunRKdaFD4SFQ4%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> "Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer so we have the solemn honour of taking her on what will be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole." The pilot then encouraged the passengers to "show her some love", as cheering and applauding erupted for Kaya. The tear-jerking moment was captured and posted to TikTok by the airline, with the video racking up over 18 million views. The video was shared along with the caption:"We were honoured to fly our loyal friend and hero, Kaya, home to rest after a lifetime of hard work. Throughout her career, Kaya flew with us over 250 times to help establish the PAWS Act which united Veterans with service dogs." "We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for their many years of service." The comments were flooded with praise for the canine, with one person writing, "Bawling my eyes out. God bless you Kaya". Another wrote, "I'm literally in a puddle we Stan kaya she's so beautiful and perfect we love you sweet girl." "We don't deserve dogs," another simply said. It was later revealed in the comments of the video the Kaya had passed away at home by Cole's side. Image credits: TikTok

Family & Pets

Slain police officers farewelled in emotional memorial service

Queensland police officers Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have been honoured for their service, after they were gunned down on a remote property last week. Thousands of people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to the young officers in an emotional memorial service, which was telecast live across the nation. "Matthew and Rachel are side by side today. They're worthy of equal honours, they worked together, they served their community together, sadly they died together on the 12th of December," Police Chaplain Jeffrey Baills said. The officers were executed while responding to a missing persons check, but there was no mention of the men who inflicted the terror at the service. "Rachel and Matthew were just doing their job that day and the McCrow and Arnold families paid the ultimate sacrifice," Ballis said. "We have had a major attack on the police in Queensland, but… we will not be broken," Ballis said. Matthew Arnold, 26, was remembered by family friend Senior Sergeant Laura Harriss as a protector, leader and charmer. "Matt's smile and his charisma were his best tools and he used them relentlessly," Harriss said. Rachel McCrow, 29, had only been stationed in the town of Tara for six months when the shooting happened, as her best friends from the police academy spoke of the loveable larrikin who made friends with everyone. "Rach was so much more than the uniform she so proudly wore. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a colleague and an amazing mum to her beloved four-legged (dog) Archibald," Senior Constable Melissa Gibson said. Archibald, Rachel's blue heeler dog, sat calmly in the front row for the service. Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll paid tribute to the duo's courage, bestowing on both officers the highest of honours: two national police service medals and two from Queensland. Image credits: A Current Affair

News

Pubs and clubs – your friendly neighbourhood money-laundering service, thanks to 86,640 pokies

Billions of dollars in proceeds of crime are being funnelled through clubs and pubs in New South Wales, <a href="https://www.crimecommission.nsw.gov.au/final-islington-report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> the NSW Crime Commission. Predictably, the industry is claiming it’s not an issue and solutions are too difficult. Laundering money through a local club or hotel involves loading cash into one of the state’s <a href="https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/resources/gaming-machine-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">86,640 poker machines</a>, then cashing out and claiming the money as winnings. This is not a preferred method for most organised criminals, the crime commission says. Sophisticated criminals have other methods. But it is still a sizeable proportion of the estimated $20 billion in criminal proceeds laundered in NSW each year. In Queensland, you can put only $100 into a poker machine at one time. In Victoria the limit is $1,000. In NSW, newer machines allow $5,000, and older machines up to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/14/nsw-poker-machine-laws-may-increase-risk-of-money-laundering-says-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$10,000</a>. For supposedly harmless suburban fun it’s hard to understand why such sums are allowed. The findings of the NSW Crime Commission’s <a href="https://www.crimecommission.nsw.gov.au/final-islington-report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquiry into money laundering via clubs and hotels</a> follow scandalous money-laundering revelations from casino inquiries in <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-suitable-where-to-now-for-james-packer-and-crowns-other-casinos-154938" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/illegal-dishonest-unethical-and-exploitative-but-crown-resorts-keeps-its-melbourne-casino-licence-170625" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victoria</a>, Western Australia and Queensland. Those inquiries found Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to pass through their casinos, in contravention of anti-money-laundering regulations. Both companies were found not fit to hold their licences. Crown has been fined <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-30/crown-casino-fined-80-million-dollars-china-union-pay/101111660" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$80 million</a> in Victoria. Star has been fined <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-16/star-casino-set-to-be-fined-100-million/101541354" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$100 million</a> in NSW, and had its licence suspended. Both have been required to undergo extensive “renewal”. They have agreed to adopt cashless gaming to better protect against money laundering. It’s therefore unsurprising the NSW Crime Commission’s principal recommendation is to introduce a cashless system for all electronic gaming machines in NSW. Also unsurprising is that the industry is focused on why it shouldn’t. <h2>Cashless gambling recommended</h2> The NSW Crime Commission’s report recommends a cashless gambling system for pubs and clubs the same as for casinos – consistent with the identification requirements of Australia’s <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021C00243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act</a>. Electronic gaming cards would record amounts loaded and withdrawn, times, turnover, and losses/wins. The maximum amount of cash able to be loaded on to a player’s account in a single day would be $1,000. Josh Landis, the chief executive of ClubsNSW (which represents most of the state’s 1,200 licensed clubs) <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/sydney/programs/breakfast/breakfast/14090002" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has said</a> that such technology has not been trialled, and was uncosted and unproven. But Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment are implementing such systems. Similar systems have been operating successfully in Norway <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-571970219/view" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since 2009</a>, and in Sweden <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/pre-commitment-systems-electronic-gambling-machines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since 2013</a>. Victoria has already implemented a card-based <a href="https://www.yourplay.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">precommitment system</a>, incorporating most necessary characteristics. Every poker machine in the state is linked to this system. Its flaw is that it is voluntary, allowing those who wish to clean dirty money, or avoid a limit, <a href="https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/safer-communities/gambling/evaluation-of-yourplay-final-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to simply opt out</a>. <h2>It’s not just about money laundering</h2> Money laundering isn’t the only reason to introduce cashless gaming systems. On any day in NSW, <a href="https://www.responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/881279/NSW-Gambling-Survey-2019-report-FINAL-AMENDED-Mar-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hundreds of thousands of people</a> are experiencing significant gambling harm, mostly using poker machines. Many hundreds of thousands more – <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14459795.2017.1331252" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partners, children, employers</a> – are also harmed as a consequence. A pre-commitment system incorporating all the features of the NSW Crime Commission’s cashless model would stop money laundering and also help those struggling to control their gambling. For those who want to stop it would provide a truly effective gambling self-exclusion system. The Tasmanian government <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-16/tasmania-pokies-gambling-limits-reform-explained/101446788" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has promised to implement</a> a statewide system by 2024. <h2>A matter of political commitment</h2> The real test here isn’t technology. It’s political will. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has expressed concern at the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/premier-says-pokies-taxing-on-the-misery-of-others-vows-to-do-better-20221002-p5bmjz.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exploitation of vulnerable people</a> via gambling. Opposition leader Chris Minns has <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/nsw/coalition-labor-set-to-be-wedged-on-cashless-gaming-card-as-crossbench-pushes-for-reform-20221027-p5bteh.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said the crime commission’s report is concerning</a> but will not commit to a cashless card. ClubsNSW and the Australian Hotels Association are two of Australia’s most powerful lobby groups. According to an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-23/how-gambling-industrys-biggest-political-donors-influence-votes/100592068" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC investigation</a>, they have doled out about a third of $40 million in political donations disclosed by gambling-related organisations over the past two decades. Since 2010, ClubsNSW has signed <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-million-dollar-men-who-run-the-clubs-industry-20221011-p5bowp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memorandums of understanding</a> with incoming governments to protect its members interests. In the first six months of 2022 (the <a href="https://nswgov.sharepoint.com/sites/GamingMachineReports/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most recent data</a> available), people in NSW lost $4 billion using pokies – $2.4 billion in clubs, $1.6 billion in pubs. This is 23% more than the same period in 2019, before pandemic restrictions. Yet according to the Australian Hotels Association, the industry is on “<a href="https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/why-a-pokie-crackdown-will-have-pub-owners-nervous-20221026-p5bt48" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on its knees</a>” and being told to introduce “an unproven, untested, un-costed and unnecessary cashless system”. In NSW, gambling operators are not permitted to donate to state political campaigns. But ClubsNSW (and its member clubs) can because they are “<a href="https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Funding-and-disclosure/Political-donations/Unlawful-political-donations/Prohibited-donors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not for profit</a>”. If this continues, political parties will be open to the allegation that they, like clubs, are benefiting from the proceeds of crime. Pokie operators have billions of reasons to assert this is no big deal. Politicians should take a different view. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/pubs-and-clubs-your-friendly-neighbourhood-money-laundering-service-thanks-to-86-640-pokies-193312" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Ads are coming to Netflix soon – here’s what we can expect and what that means for the streaming industry

Ads are coming to Netflix, perhaps even sooner than anticipated. The Wall Street Journal has <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/netflix-seeking-top-dollar-for-brands-to-advertise-on-its-service-11661980078" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Netflix has moved up the launch of their ad-supported subscription tier to November. The Sydney Morning Herald, meanwhile, is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/netflix-with-ads-is-coming-this-year-here-s-what-we-know-20220902-p5bezy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reporting</a> that Australia is amongst the first countries likely to experience ads on Netflix later this year. Netflix first announced they would introduce a new, lower-priced, subscription tier to be supported by advertising in April. This was an about-face from a company that had built an advertising free, on-demand television empire. Indeed, it was only in 2020 <a href="https://bgr.com/entertainment/netflix-ads-why-no-commercials-cheap-tier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings ruled out advertising</a> on the platform, saying “you know, advertising looks easy until you get in it.” The change of heart followed Netflix’s 2022 first quarter earnings report which saw a <a href="https://theconversation.com/in-a-market-swamped-with-streaming-services-netflixs-massive-loss-of-subscribers-is-a-big-deal-181780" target="_blank" rel="noopener">subscriber loss</a> for the first time in over a decade. The addition of ads to the platform is a clear sign of the emerging period of experimentation across the streaming landscape. <h2>How will it work?</h2> It’s important to note that not every Netflix subscription tier will carry advertising. The current plan is there will be one newly introduced and cheaper subscription tier supported by advertising, targeting in the US market around USD $7-9 a month as the price point. This will represent a discount from the current cheapest plan of US $9.99 (AUD $10.99) a month. These prices will be adapted to the different currency markets Netflix operate across and the existing price points in those markets. By bringing a hybrid advertising/subscription tier, Netflix is adopting a business model already present on other streamers like Hulu. Netflix is keeping this a hybrid tier, meaning while the new tier will be cheaper, it will not be free, like ad-supported streaming available on Peacock. Advertising presents complex new technological and business challenges for Netflix, which has not worked in this market before. To enter this new market, Netflix announced advertising would be <a href="https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-partners-with-microsoft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delivered through a partnership with Microsoft</a>. Partnering with Microsoft allayed some fears around Netflix entering a new media market and gives Netflix access to Microsoft’s extensive advertising delivery infrastructure. Netflix has announced that original movie programming may stay free of ads for a limited period upon release, and that both original and some licensed childrens’ content will remain free of ads. As well as staying away from children’s advertising, which in Australia is highly regulated by government and industry codes, Netflix is also avoiding any advertising buyers in cryptocurrency, political advertising, and gambling. Advertising will run around 4 minutes per hour of content - for context Australian commercial free-to-air TV networks are limited on their primary channels to 13 minutes per hour and 15 minutes per hour on multi-channels between 6am and midnight. Netflix will also have limits on the number of times a single ad can appear for a user and there is expectation that ads for movie content will be delivered in a pre-roll format, not interrupting the feature. <h2>Advertising in the streaming sector</h2> Netflix is not the only subscription service to announce advertising as part of new pricing strategies. Earlier this year <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/disney-raises-streaming-prices-services-post-big-operating-loss-rcna42600" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disney announced a highly successful quarter</a> from a subscriber uptake perspective, growing by 15 million subscribers, however streaming-induced losses were $300 million greater than estimated. Disney also announced that an ad-supported Disney+ subscription option will become available in December. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-price-increase-shows-limits-of-subscriber-growth-push-11660256118" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal reported that</a> the December timeline given by Disney is what drove Netflix to bring forward their ad plans. TV consumers are historically well accustomed to advertising in television - in Australia, commercial free-to-air networks Seven, Nine, and Ten carry advertising, public broadcaster SBS carries a limited amount of advertising, and even pay-TV provider Foxtel is supported by both subscription fees and advertising. Advertising itself is not new to audiences, but it has not been present on a number of premium streaming platforms like Netflix before. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ are seeking ways to both reach new audiences and to maximise their revenues from each user. There is a belief amongst top executives that providing a cheaper ad-supported tier will tap into the market of audiences who both do not mind advertising and see current subscription prices as too high. There is also evidence from other streaming platforms, such as Hulu and Discovery+, that have offered ad-supported subscription tiers, that these tiers can generate greater average revenue per user <a href="https://baremetrics.com/academy/average-revenue-per-user-arpu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(ARPU)</a> than higher priced subscription-only tiers. The ARPU is a metric used in the streaming industry that looks at how much money a company makes from each subscriber after deducting business costs. Having higher revenues from a subscriber can be driven by increasing subscription prices, driving subscribers to more expensive subscription tiers, reducing business costs, or by adding additional revenue streams like advertising. In 2021, <a href="https://www.nexttv.com/news/david-zaslav-says-discovery-gets-more-revenue-per-sub-dtc-than-with-cable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Discovery CEO David Zaslav noted</a> that Discovery+ was generating more revenue per subscriber from their cheaper ad-supported tier than their more expensive subscription-only tier thanks to the advertising revenue. Zaslav commented that advertisers were keen to reach an audience that was largely not accessible through other television means. With this in mind, Netflix and Disney are betting that their ad-supported tiers can perform similarly and increase the revenue they can generate per subscriber. <h2>Experimentation across the streaming sector</h2> Experimentation around established business strategies is ruling the current streaming landscape. HBO Max, under newly merged corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery, is now switching to licensing content in select markets rather than streaming on its own platform. With the airing of The Lord of the Rings prequel <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-new-lord-of-the-rings-prequel-the-rings-of-power-is-set-in-the-second-age-of-middle-earth-heres-what-that-means-175333" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Rings of Power</a>, Amazon Prime Video is discovering whether its experiment with the most expensive television production ever at US $715 million (AUD $1.05 billion) will pay off with audiences. There is experimentation across the streaming industry in licensing strategies, spectacle television, pricing models and beyond. The results of this experimentation will take time. But what the arrival of advertising on Netflix signals is that established strategy no longer rules the streaming landscape. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/ads-are-coming-to-netflix-soon-heres-what-we-can-expect-and-what-that-means-for-the-streaming-industry-190236" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

"The time for lip service is over": Dylan Alcott serves it up to Centrelink

During his appearance at the Jobs and Skills summit in Canberra, Aussie tennis legend Dylan Alcott delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of all people with disabilities, demanding they be allowed to work more hours without losing their Centrelink benefits. His plea comes as the nation suffers through what's been widely characterised as an extreme labour shortage – with Alcott's rallying cry to change the current rules surrounding employment and the disability pension powerfully underlined by his parting shot that "the time for lip service is over". <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> "My whole life it hasn't changed": Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott has called for an increase in workplace participation for Australians living with a disability during the government's jobs and skills summit in Canberra. Read more on the jobs summit: <a href="https://t.co/iyFrzKUT9l">https://t.co/iyFrzKUT9l</a> <a href="https://t.co/MFdrsEoADy">pic.twitter.com/MFdrsEoADy</a> — SBS News (@SBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBSNews/status/1565218388716261377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote> The Australian of the Year suggested that people with disabilities should have the advantage of picking up more work without losing Centrelink payments. Presenting the moving speech to 140 attendees, he spoke passionately about the current state of affairs for people with disabilities in the workforce. “Nearly 4.5 million people in this country have some form of physical or non-physical disability, visible or invisible, and only 54% of them are enrolled in the workforce,” he said “I'm 31 years old, that participation rate hasn't changed in 28 years. My whole life. It hasn't changed. “And to be honest, that's not fair. That really isn't fair. Because people with a disability are ready to have the choice if they want to work, just like anybody else.” “The time for lip service is over to be honest, because we've been getting that for a long time.” Australia's unemployment rate currently sits at 3.4% – however, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is almost triple that. Alcott suggests the best solution to combat the problem is to allow those on disability support payments to work more hours without losing their benefits. Currently someone on that payment loses 50c in every dollar they earn over $190 a fortnight, putting them off working extra hours. “There are so many opportunities to get out there and work at the moment, yet it's not really translating into people with disabilities getting that chance,” Alcott said. “We need to have the opportunity to get out there and have a crack.” Image: Getty

Money & Banking

“People are going to die”: Over 1000 uncared for after council aged care services end

More than 1000 elderly residents on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula have been left without care after the local council stopped providing care services and made more than 110 staff redundant. In July, private aged care service providers took over the care of more than 3500 residents who had previously been cared for by the council, with 2063 people transferred to Mecwacare and 1554 to Bolton Clarke, per <a href="https://www.watoday.com.au/national/victoria/nobody-s-checked-i-m-alive-more-than-1000-stranded-as-council-retreats-from-aged-care-20220808-p5b81l.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WA Today</a>. Aimee Bonfield, a spokeswoman for Bolton Clarke, said “essential services” were being provided for 300 residents, with services starting or scheduled for another 200. “All remaining clients have been contacted and we remain in touch on a regular basis to update on progress and to address any immediate needs,” she said. “Bolton Clarke has a strong track record of understanding local needs and supporting wellbeing and independence for older people on the Mornington Peninsula.” But, at least 1000 residents have been left without care, including Barbara Rimington, who has a fused back from spinal surgery and has undergone surgery for lung cancer and was receiving assistance with cleaning from the council. Since Bolton Clarke took over on July 1, the 77-year-old said she hasn’t received any care and is “one of the luckier ones” because she is still relatively independent. “The council said they are monitoring,” she said. “Pig’s arse they are. Nobody has contacted me to see if I am still alive.” Rimington said she was worried for others who needed help with shopping, since there are limited delivery options available on the peninsula. “Are any of these people eating?” she said. “People are going to die. Some people are totally isolated. It’s an indictment on the whole of society.” 89-year-old Michael Nolan said he and his wife, 85, were left in the lurch by Mecawacare and haven’t received care for more than a month. The council used to provide assistance to Nolan once a fortnight, helping with cleaning and tasks around the home, such as checking smoke alarms, changing light bulbs, and changing bed sheets. “[Mecwacare] has been on the job since July 1 and nothing is happening,” he said. “We have to try and do the cleaning ourselves and we tackle it a little bit at a time, but it takes us days and days to do because I can’t bend down, otherwise I fall over. “Mecwacare has had months and months to prepare for this. “It is typical of the former federal government, they want to give everything over to private enterprise.” Anthony Marsh, the mayor of Mornington Peninsula, said the council decided to “transition” away from using its own staff to prepare for the federal government’s open-market system, and that the council had no say in the providers that would replace them. “The peninsula had no provider other than council delivering these services and we needed to ensure our residents had choice and the advantage of a competitive market environment,” he said. “We did not get a say in the appointment of new providers; that was done by the federal government.” Marsh said the council was assured by both providers and the government that essential services would continue from July 1, and that an offer to keep some staff on “to help with the transition” was turned down. “The welfare of our older residents is a major priority for council, and we will continue to advocate to the federal government to make sure older people receive the support they need to remain independent and involved in the community,” he said. A government spokesman said the government was “continually reviewing” the transition and selection process for councils that chose to exit the Commonwealth home support program and was aware of the situation on Mornington Peninsula. “The department is aware of the transition of clients from Mornington Peninsula Shire council to Mecwacare and Bolton Clarke and is actively working with My Aged Care and the providers on outstanding transition issues,” he said. Image: Getty Images

Legal

The downside of digital transformation: why organisations must allow for those who can’t or won’t move online

We hear the phrase “digital transformation” a lot these days. It’s often used to describe the process of replacing functions and services that were once done face-to-face by human beings with online interactions that are faster, more convenient and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/%7E/media/mckinsey/industries/public%20and%20social%20sector/our%20insights/transforming%20government%20through%20digitization/digital-by-default-a-guide-to-transforming-government-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“empower” the user</a>. But does digital transformation really deliver on those promises? Or does the seemingly relentless digitalisation of life actually reinforce existing social divides and inequities? Take banking, for example. Where customers once made transactions with tellers at local branches, now they’re encouraged to do it all online. As branches close it leaves many, <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/123302983/asb-set-to-close-another-23-branches-as-customers-move-online" target="_blank" rel="noopener">especially older people</a>, struggling with what was once an easy, everyday task. Or consider the now common call centre experience involving an electronic voice, menu options, <a href="https://theconversation.com/sorry-i-dont-understand-that-the-trouble-with-chatbots-and-how-to-use-them-better-171665" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chatbots</a> and a “user journey” aimed at pushing customers online. As organisations and government agencies in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere grapple with the call to become more “digital”, we have been examining the consequences for those who find the process difficult or marginalising. Since 2021 we’ve been working with the <a href="https://www.cab.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Citizens Advice Bureau</a> (CAB) and talking with public and private sector organisations that use digital channels to deliver services. Our findings suggest there is much still to be done to find the right balance between the digital and non-digital. The ‘problematic’ non-user The dominant view now suggests the pursuit of a digitally enabled society will allow everyone to lead a “frictionless” life. As the government’s own policy document, <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/dmsdocument/193%7Etowards-a-digital-strategy-for-aotearoa/html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Towards a Digital Strategy for Aotearoa</a>, states: <blockquote> Digital tools and services can enable us to learn new skills, transact with ease, and to receive health and well-being support at a time that suits us and without the need to travel from our homes. </blockquote> Of course, we’re already experiencing this new world. Many public and private services increasingly are available digitally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/jan/07/new-zealand-uk-digital-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by default</a>. Non-digital alternatives are becoming restricted or even disappearing. There are two underlying assumptions to the view that everyone can or should interact digitally. First, it implies that those who can’t access digital services (or prefer non-digital options) are problematic or deficient in some way – and that this can be overcome simply through greater provision of technology, training or “nudging” non-users to get on board. Second, it assumes digital inclusion – through increasing the provision of digital services – will automatically increase social inclusion. Neither assumption is necessarily true. ‘Digital enforcement’ The CAB (which has mainly face-to-face branches throughout New Zealand) has documented a significant increase in the number of people who struggle to access government services because the digital channel was the default or only option. The bureau argues that <a href="https://inclusioncampaign.cab.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">access to public services is a human right</a> and, by implication, the move to digital public services that aren’t universally accessible deprives some people of that right. In earlier research, we refer to this form of deprivation as “<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/isj.12306" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital enforcement</a>” – defined as a process of dispossession that reduces choices for individuals. Through our current research we find the reality of a digitally enabled society is, in fact, far from perfect and frictionless. Our preliminary findings point to the need to better understand the outcomes of digital transformation at a more nuanced, individual level. Reasons vary as to why a significant number of people find accessing and navigating online services difficult. And it’s often an intersection of multiple causes related to finance, education, culture, language, trust or well-being. Even when given access to digital technology and skills, the complexity of many online requirements and the chaotic life situations some people experience limit their ability to engage with digital services in a productive and meaningful way. The human factor The resulting sense of disenfranchisement and loss of control is regrettable, but it isn’t inevitable. Some organisations are now looking for alternatives to a single-minded focus on transferring services online. They’re not completely removing call centre or client support staff, but instead using digital technology to improve <a href="https://deloitte.wsj.com/articles/at-contact-energy-digital-powers-human-centric-cx-01643821371" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human-centred service delivery</a>. Other organisations are considering partnerships with intermediaries who can work with individuals who find engaging with digital services difficult. The Ministry of Health, for example, is supporting a community-based Māori health and social services provider to establish a <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/digital-health/digital-enablement/digital-enablement-stories/digital-health-hub-supports-taranaki-whanau-access-services-closer-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital health hub</a> to improve local access to health care. Our research is continuing, but we can already see evidence – from the CAB itself and other large organisations – of the benefits of moving away from an uncritical focus on digital transformation. By doing so, the goal is to move beyond a divide between those who are digitally included and excluded, and instead to encourage social inclusion in the digital age. That way, organisations can still move forward technologically – but not at the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/23/the-guardian-view-on-digital-exclusion-online-must-not-be-the-only-option">expense of the humans</a> they serve.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/186905/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angsana-a-techatassanasoontorn-1292067" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn</a>, Associate Professor of Information Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auckland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonio-diaz-andrade-1361842" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antonio Diaz Andrade</a>, Professor of Business Information Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auckland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bill-doolin-1361879" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Doolin</a>, Professor of Technology and Organisation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auckland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/harminder-singh-1361833" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harminder Singh</a>, Associate Professor of Business Information Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auckland University of Technology</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-downside-of-digital-transformation-why-organisations-must-allow-for-those-who-cant-or-wont-move-online-186905" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Daniel Johns ordered to complete community service over drunk driving incident

Daniel Johns has narrowly avoided jail time with a 10-month intensive corrections order to be served in the community over a high-range drink-driving car crash. The former Silverchair frontman has also been disqualified from driving for seven months and ordered to fit an alcohol-reading interlock device to his car for 24 months when he gets his driver's licence back. In March this year, Johns was charged with high-range drink driving after a head-on crash at North Arm Cove, north of Newcastle. When tested, he returned a blood alcohol reading three times the legal limit. The police report states that Johns was heading north when his SUV crossed onto the wrong side of the Pacific Highway and collided with a light commercial truck travelling in the opposite direction. Both vehicles ended up on a nearby nature strip, with the 51-year-old driver of the van and his 55-year-old female passenger being treated at the scene by paramedics. Johns entered rehabilitation of his own will for four weeks after the crash and the court was told he had not touched alcohol since. In his sentencing submission, defence lawyer Bryan Wrench said his client suffered from complex mental health issues from his time as a child musical star. "He was a very successful musician. He was 14 when that came to him in an unwanted fashion and that came with attacks and vitriol," Mr Wrench said. "He is a recluse, his house is his only safe place." These defence submissions are what helped Johns avoid time behind bars, as Magistrate Ian Cheetham said Johns was best served to continue with psychiatric treatment in the community. "There is no doubt a custodial sentence will not achieve an appropriate result for him or the community," Magistrate Cheetham said. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Loved ones remember newlywed bride who died on her honeymoon in moving funeral service

Family and friends have gathered to commemorate the “kind-hearted spirit” and “unconditional love” of the newlywed bride who tragically died in a golf buggy accident on her honeymoon in an emotional funeral service Marina Morgan, 29, had only been married to husband Robbie Morgan for 10 days when she died in a freak accident on the couples honeymoon in Hamilton Island. At 9 am on Saturday the 2nd of July, hundreds of friends and family filled St Mary & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox Church in Rhodes – the same place Marina and Robbie were married. A funeral notice posted to the church’s Facebook page in Arabic and English referred to her as the “bride of heaven”. Several men, including her husband, carried her coffin into the building and onto the altar, where a photo of Marina on her wedding day was placed on top of the casket. After prayers filled the church, friends and family shared their memories of Marina’s life. Marina’s brother, Mark Hanna, described his sister as a “sweet, young, independent woman who was loved by everyone.” “She was beautiful inside and out, loved to laugh, and always had a positive outlook on life.” In his emotional eulogy, Mr Hanna described the strong bond he shared with his sister. “I've lost someone who I shared so many things … we always shared with each other our hidden fears, and now it feels as though I’ve lost a part of myself, leaving a wound that stretches from the middle of my ribcage to the bottom of my gut,” he said. “It’s very difficult to accept that our gorgeous Marina is no longer here with us. “I will do my best to not let this scar be the death of me,” he promised as he broke down in tears. “Mum, dad, husband Robbie, me, your extended families, cousins, uncles, aunts, friends and everyone who knew you will never forget you.” While Mr Morgan did not stand to speak during the funeral, he briefly spoke to media after. “I can’t explain the sadness in my heart, my wife was loved by so many,” Mr Morgan said told reporters after the funeral. Cousin Miriam remembered her “partner in crime” who lived her life “fearlessly” and vowed to do the same. In a bespoke poem, Miriam also described how Marina fulfilled her life’s goal of getting married, filling her family with pride. “We never thought that day would be your last,” she recited. “To marry her soulmate Robbie and to be a bride, while always filling her family with so much love and so much pride While Mr Morgan did not get up to speak, the priest told the church how he had recalled the couple’s last few days together. “Please see this as a celebration. She is in a better place now alongside God and his angels.” Mrs Morgan’s casket was carried outside and placed into the back of a hearse, before it was driven to Rookwood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest. Images: Facebook

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Daniel Johns ordered to complete community service over drunk driving incident

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"I am so heartbroken": Tributes flow for bride-to-be stabbing victim

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Daniel Johns ordered to complete community service over drunk driving incident

Loved ones remember newlywed bride who died on her honeymoon in moving funeral service

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