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7 ways you’re shortening the lifespan of your refrigerator

How you may be shortening the lifespan of a refrigerator Refrigerators are a necessity in the home, but they cost a pretty penny. They can range in price from $700 to thousands of dollars, depending on which refrigerator brand you buy and which bells and whistles you want. Since it takes a good chunk of change to pay for this appliance, it makes sense to take great care of it so it lasts as long as possible. The typical lifespan of a refrigerator is 10 to 15 years, but it could last up to 20 years if you take superb care of it. Knowing how you may be shortening the life of your fridge helps you nip bad habits in the bud and make those well-spent dollars go the extra mile. That’s why we’ve rounded up the ways you may be knocking valuable time off your fridge’s life – read on and take note! Then, brush up on the signs your refrigerator is about to die and what your refrigerator temperature should be – both important things to know for fridge upkeep. You’re not cleaning the internal mechanics “If the defrost drain is clogged with debris, or frozen, the water dripping off the coils will overflow the drain trough and drip into the bottom of your refrigerator,” experts at the Repair Clinic told Reader’s Digest. Not only can this overwork your fridge, leading to a shorter lifespan, but it potentially causes your fridge/freezer to leak water all over your kitchen floor. Leaking water is a sign you should get any appliance looked at – it’s also a symptom of some of the ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer. You’re not cleaning the fridge itself Additionally, debris, foodstuff, sticky spills and more common food mishaps that stay on the gasket of the refrigerator’s door too long can tear or break the seal of your refrigerator door. That can cause a leak, allowing cold air to escape. This makes learning how to clean your refrigerator properly all the more important (psst – these are the best fridge cleaners that’ll get the job done). To keep your fridge in tip-top shape as long as possible, wipe down the door edges often. And while you’re wiping down your fridge, see if you’ve organised your refrigerator the right way to keep ingredients fresh and avoid food poisoning. You’re not cleaning the coils More than 70 per cent of service calls for your fridge can be eliminated by cleaning your coils once a year – so experts recommend upping that to twice a year if you have furry pets (like an adorable but extra-fluffy pup). Debris on the coils can stop your fridge from properly dissipating heat, which means your compressor works harder and longer than it was designed to. That makes your fridge use more energy and shortens its lifespan. It's too full We’ve all played a few games of Tetris with our refrigerator after we get home with the groceries, but be careful when stocking up and storing. While this isn’t a huge problem with newer models, some older models have fan blades that are less protected. You may even be able to see the fan blades in your freezer or fridge. Cramming your food into the fridge and freezer to the point of applying undue pressure on this small part can affect its shape and fit among related parts of your fridge, risking a break. Ineffective fridges are overworked fridges, which will eventually lead to a refrigerator that doesn’t work. To avoid overfilling your fridge, do a deep clean of the contents of your fridge every once in a while and eliminate clutter. You’re not changing the water filter often enough If you have the type of fridge that makes ice – with the dispenser either within the freezer or on your door – the water filter is key to keeping this part of your refrigerator in great condition. An old, broken or dislodged water filter can create all kinds of problems for your fridge. At best, your ice dispenser breaks. At worst, your fridge overworks itself to an early death and you’re stuck footing the bill for a new one. Luckily, CNET reports that you likely can detect this problem early, as your ice cubes will start coming out smaller, oddly shaped or not at all. Keep this in mind next time you’re filling up your water bottle. Your freezer temperature is too high “Ideally, the temperature should be set -18 degrees Celsius,” said experts at Repair Clinic. The wrong freezer temperature can affect the longevity of your ice maker, as well as the safety of the food you’ll be eating. A temperature higher than -9 degrees Celsius can also cause the defrost thermostat to stop working, which, in turn, overworks your refrigerator and shortens its life. You ignore weird noises or constant running If you notice that your fridge is always running, or is running louder than usual, do something about it right away. Some fixes are easy enough that you can do them yourself, or they’re inexpensive for a professional, but even if that’s not the case, allowing a fridge to work itself harder than it is intended to is a good way to put an early expiration date on it. Depending on the age of your fridge, you may want to decide not to fix it and invest in a new, more energy- and cost-efficient option. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/7-ways-youre-shortening-the-lifespan-of-your-refrigerator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. <div class="slide-image" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div>

Home & Garden

Duke and Duchess ordered to shorten their baby's name

In a world where baby names have become battlegrounds for parental creativity, one Spanish duke is learning the hard way that there's such a thing as too much of a good thing. Meet Fernando Juan Fitz-James Stuart y de Solís, the 17th Duke of Huéscar and heir apparent to the dukedom of Alba. He and his wife, Sofía Palazuelo, recently welcomed their second child into the world, and they didn't hold back when it came to naming her. In fact, they let their imaginations run so wild that they've run into a bit of a royal roadblock. Their darling daughter was bestowed with a grand total of TWENTY-FIVE NAMES. Yes, you read that right. It's like they were trying to set a new record for the world's longest moniker. The poor girl's full name is Sofía Fernanda Dolores Cayetana Teresa Ángela de la Cruz Micaela del Santísimo Sacramento del Perpetuo Socorro de la Santísima Trinidad y de Todos Los Santos. In English, that translates to "Sofía Fernanda Dolores Cayetana Teresa Ángela de la Cruz Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament of Perpetual Help of the Holy Trinity and All Saints." Young Sofia would almost certainly need perpetual help writing that out on school and official documents were it not for the obstacle now preventing the 'normous name from sticking. Now, before you start thinking this was just a case of overly enthusiastic parents throwing every possible name they could think of at their child, hold on a moment. There's a method to this naming madness. Each of those 11 names was carefully chosen to honour important family members, including her mother, grandmother, father and great-uncle. The couple also included a nod to religious devotions, just in case little Sofía needed some divine intervention to carry her name around. However, the Spanish Civil Registry, apparently not a fan of name-related acrobatics, has thrown a royal wrench into the works. According to their rules, a child's name must contain "no more than one compound name and no more than two simple ones". In other words, they're putting a cap on the number of monikers a person can have, and Sofía's name blew right past that limit like a speeding chariot. So, the Duke and Duchess find themselves in a bit of a naming pickle. They need to trim their daughter's name down to size, and that's not a task for the faint of heart. After all, it's not every day that you have to decide which family member's name makes the cut and which one gets the royal snip. In the meantime, young Sofía will no doubt need a papyrus scroll just to keep track of all those names – and if she ever loses her way, she can simply follow the trail of syllables to find her identity again. This entire baby-naming escapade is reminiscent of the late Duchess of Alba, who for a time held the Guinness World Record for "most titled aristocrat", holding more than 50 titles in her lifetime. She passed away in 2014 at the ripe old age of 88, and while the young Duke of Huéscar may not be aiming for the world record, he's certainly giving it a good-natured run for its money. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Why Peter FitzSimons has defended Prince Harry

Outspoken journo and author Peter FitzSimons has defended Prince Harry in the wake of the slew of intimate bombshell revelations the young royal’s memoir Spare has presented to the public. Mr FitzSimons, who is the husband of Lisa Wilkinson, responded firmly to a Twitter commenter who branded the prince a “sook” and a “weak man” who was effectively being “controlled by a manipulative woman” – stating that Harry’s wife Meghan Markle was in fact the direct cause for him “knifing his own family” with the release of Spare, and that “this is her revenge…using him to do the dirty work.” “That is way too simplistic, in my view,” wrote FitzSimons in response to the Twitter user. “His broad point is, "They have leaked against me and my wife for years. I am not leaking, I am putting my name to my views, and this is what happened." And to me he sounds credible.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> That is way too simplistic, in my view. His broad point is, "They have leaked against me and my wife for years. I am not leaking, I am putting my name to my views, and this is what happened." And to me he sounds credible. <a href="https://t.co/S0owBdBiMP">https://t.co/S0owBdBiMP</a> — Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Peter_Fitz/status/1612380697603473408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote> Prince Harry has recently defended his actions in revealing family secrets in the biography during interviews with UK and US TV networks, saying that he was simply retaliating against being leaked against by other royals – including his stepmother Camilla Parker Bowles. FitzSimons appears to agree with this stance, continuing: “As to the notion that he shouldn't tell family secrets, his equal point is that everyone else in the Royal Family has been leaking to the press for years. They have told several books worth, courtesy of the tabloid press. So, for once, he can tell his own story.” In response to a different Twitter user who asked why an “intelligent man” would waste time thinking about the royal family, FitzSimons further revealed his reasons for defending Prince Harry, suggesting that the fallout between the young prince and the rest of the royal family would almost certainly have implications in the Australian republic debate. “One reason is, the whole imbroglio speaks to the republic. The notion that this is a special family - put there by God to be so much better than the rest of us, that they must reign over us - is wearing a bit thin, yes?” he tweeted. Despite having stepped down as head of the Australian Republican Movement last October, FitzSimons continues to lobby for Australia to dispense with heads of state that lie within a royal family. On Tuesday morning Jan 10, Bill Shorten – Minister for Government Services for the Albanese government – also pushed for Australia to become a republic by saying on the Today show: “It's a shame to see a family bust-up but perhaps at the deepest level, why do we need to keep borrowing a dysfunctional British family to be the Head of State of Australia? 'It's gossip but scintillating. To me it just shows there's a lot of damage and trauma but at another level this is just family gossip. “And it reminds me that this family are the head of state of Australia, so it really puts a question mark around our government structures, where we've got a feuding family on the other side of the world who seem to really not like each other very much - they're actually the head of Australia.” Images: Instagram

News

Brekkies, barbies, mozzies: why do Aussies shorten so many words?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-burridge-130136">Kate Burridge</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/howard-manns-111255">Howard Manns</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Australians sure do like those brekkies, barbies and mozzies. We’re not talking about “actual” mozzies here. We’re defo (definitely) talking about words — and Aussies can’t seem to get enough of these shortened words. <a href="https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1988059">Some</a> say we’re lazy for clipping them. <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-in-society/article/abs/does-language-reflect-culture-evidence-from-australian-english/75BDD40DC2429903CABAA39BB9CA83B7">Others</a> claim it’s just Aussies knocking words down to size — ta, we’ll have a glass of cab sav or savvy b instead of whatever that is in French. Our most beloved shortenings end in -ie/y and -o. Journos often ask us why Aussies use them, and whether they’ll last. Well, not only are we still using them, seppos (Americans) and pommies (Brits) are joining the action, too. Here’s an uplifting story for your hollies (holidays) about Australia’s “<a href="https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/story-australian-english/">incredible shrinking words</a>”. <h2>Endings that bond and bind us</h2> These alternative forms of words are often described as “diminutives” (or hypocoristics). Pet names with such endings can show we have a warm or simply friendly attitude toward something or someone (think of the -s on Cuddles). Certainly, on names, -ie/y and -o are often affectionate (think Susy and Robbo). But the vast majority of Aussie diminutives are doing something different. Indeed, saying journo or pollie doesn’t usually indicate we’re thinking of journalists and politicians as small and endearing things. These “diminutives” are also a world away from the birdies and doggies of the nursery. Adult Australians might cheerfully talk about blowies and trackies, but not birdies and doggies — well, unless it’s on the golf course or perhaps in reference to the Western Bulldogs getting a specky (spectacular mark). For Australian National University linguist <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Semantics_Culture_and_Cognition.html?id=5XM8DwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y">Anna Wierzbicka</a>, these expressions are among the most culturally salient features of Australian English — expressions of informality and solidarity that are “uniquely suited to the Anglo-Australian ethos […] and style of interaction”. Experiments by Australian linguists have empirically confirmed the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298354067">social effects</a> of these embellished words. Colloquialisms such as barbie and smoko are like accents – part of the glue that sticks Australian English speakers together. <h2>Are -ie/y endings darlings or weaklings?</h2> Diminutives can die out when they take on the burden of new social meanings. One of the oldest endings (found as far back as Anglo-Saxon times) is -ling. We see it still on words like twinkling and darling. However, by modern times it had flipped and become contemptuous, especially when used of humans (think of weakling and underling). In contrast to -ling, our -ie/-y endings carry important, positive meanings, and there’s no sign yet that we’re giving up on them. Those sunnies, scungies, boardies, cozzies, stubbies and trackies are still the stuff of our sartorial summer fashion. <a href="https://theconversation.com/get-yer-hand-off-it-mate-australian-slang-is-not-dying-90022">Slang</a> might come and go, but the process that transforms sunglasses into sunnies and tracksuit pants into trackies continues to thrive. So thriving in fact are these expressions that some are among Australia’s <a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150427-pervs-greenies-and-ratbags">successful exports</a>. International celebrities include greenie, pollie, surfie, mozzie, budgie (and its offshoot budgie smugglers). And let’s not forget the linguistic rockstar that is selfie – its meteoric rise to stardom in 2013 saw it crowned <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/19/living/selfie-word-of-the-year/index.html">Word of the Year</a> by Oxford Dictionaries, and also by the Van Dale dictionary in the Netherlands. We are, however, constantly refreshing our stock of -ie/y words. Many of the gems in Wendy Allen’s 1980s collection of youth slang in Melbourne (Teenage speech) have bitten the dust (for example, scottie from “he’s got no friends” -> “s’got no friends” -> “s’got + ie”). But the second edition of the Australian National Dictionary shows us how many -ie/y words have proliferated since the 1980s/1990s (firie, tradie, trackie daks). <h2>Bottle-o, milko and smoko: still alive-o?</h2> That other long-time favourite ending -o occurs all round the English-speaking world. However, as the Oxford English Dictionary describes, its use “is especially associated with Australia”. The earliest Australian examples (like milko, rabbito, bottle-o) date from the 19th century and are abbreviated nouns referring to a person’s trade (“milkman”, “rabbit-seller” “bottle-collector”). Sometimes they appear with -oh because of their association with street calls, and this use is old – think of those cockles and mussels of 18th century London, all very much “alive, alive-oh”. Our love of this -o suffix may also owe something to Irish English. However, Australian linguist <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110208412.2.398/html?lang=en">Jane Simpson</a> points out it has much wider applications in Australia (and New Zealand), as shown by place names such as Rotto (Rottnest Island), Freo (Fremantle), Paddo (Paddington) and common nouns such as compo (compensation), ambo (ambulance driver) and bowlo (bowling club). And we’re exporting these too – demo, preggo and muso have made it into the wider world. As with -ie/y endings, our -o endings don’t seem to be going anywhere in a hurry. However, their long-term survival seems slightly less assured than -ie/y. We’re still seeing newer coinages (such as housos), but a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241095924_Did_you_have_a_choccie_bickie_this_arvo_A_quantitative_look_at_Australian_hypocoristics">2011 study</a> suggests young people might be using this one less than previous generations. <h2>Rellies or rellos, garbies or garbos: is there a pattern?</h2> There are wharfies and truckies but not wharfos and truckos; garbos and musos but not garbies and musies. People who ride motorcycles are generally bikers; those who belong to motorcycle gangs tend to be bikies. So what’s wrong with bikos? And why are there gaps? Those who build houses are neither buildos nor buildies. Undoubtedly there are nuanced differences of meaning involved here. Does weirdie describe unconventional people more affectionately than weirdo, or even weird person? Certainly there’s a world of difference between the sicko (psychologically sick person) and the sickie (leave you take when you’re sick – or is that when you’re not sick?). You tell us: do you prefer a lammo or a lammie for the small chocolate and coconut–covered cake? And are members of your family rellos or rellies? There’s a lot of lexicographers, linguists and other word nerds who haven’t figured this out.<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/192616/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-burridge-130136">Kate Burridge</a>, Professor of Linguistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/howard-manns-111255">Howard Manns</a>, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brekkies-barbies-mozzies-why-do-aussies-shorten-so-many-words-192616">original article</a>. Image: Getty

Domestic Travel

13 ways you’re shortening the life of your vacuum cleaner

You don't remove clogs Do a quick visual check for clogs to the hose and wand after every time you use your vacuum cleaner. Unclogging your hoses not only improves suction power, but it can help the vacuum run more efficiently and last longer. If you can’t reach the jammed debris with your hand, use a mop handle or a gardening stake to push it through. An easy test: After detaching the hose and wand, try sliding a coin through them. If it gets stuck, you know it’s clogged. Not winding up the cord after you've finished It’s easy to get lazy and leave the power cord out to get stepped on by family and pets. But by winding the cord into a tidy coil after vacuuming, you can prevent damage, while also avoiding potential hazards including electrocution for family pets or inquisitive crawlers who like to chew. If you don’t have time to wrap up the cord, at the very least, you should always unplug it. You're not detangling brushes Most vacuum cleaners have rotating brushes at the intake port that kick dust and dirt loose from the carpet so they can get sucked up by the air stream. But when hair, pet fur, or loose string gets trapped in the brushes, they can’t work as effectively. Using a small pair of scissors, gently cut through the debris to free up the brushes, then use a comb to smooth them out. Not replacing the bag or emptying the canister Whether your vacuum uses a bag, canister, or cup, an overfilled unit will run less efficiently and not last as long. While it’s easy to tell when a bagless unit is full, it can be harder to tell when a vacuum bag needs replacing. If you notice a drop in suction, it could be a sign it’s full of lightweight, fluffy material such as pet hair. For maximum performance and to make your vacuum last longer, replace the bag or empty the canister or cup when it is half to two-thirds full. You're not changing out or cleaning the filters Each vacuum is different, but your manual should indicate how often filters need to be replaced or cleaned. Many vacuum models come with an accordion-shaped paper filter and a sponge-like ring filter. For units with washable filters, be sure to follow the washing guidelines from the manual. Of course, the frequency will vary depending on how often you vacuum and how messy your floors are. If the filter looks dirty, it’s time to switch it out or clean it. You're not replacing the drive belt This belt wraps around the beater brush allowing it to turn. If it’s not working correctly, the beater brush won’t loosen dirt and debris from the carpet fibres. By flipping the power-head over, you can glance at the belt, looking for tears or cracks. If the belt looks loose, that’s another sign it’s time for a new belt. Using the wrong setting Most vacuum cleaners have different settings depending on the type of flooring you are cleaning, i.e. wood or carpet. If you’re using the wrong setting, this can render the vacuum cleaner less effective and may shorten the life of your unit. “Setting your vacuum on the lowest setting may not be the best option to get enough airflow for the suction action,” reports Angie’s List. Storing attachments separately Attachments usually come with a storage spot, either on the vacuum itself or in a separate box or bag, yet it’s easy to get lazy. Sometimes, we leave a dusting brush or an upholstery tool on the side table instead of walking it down to the hall cupboard. Not that big of a deal, right? Until it gets lost or stolen by your puppy for her new chew toy. By storing the attachments together with the vacuum cleaner in a safe spot, parts are less likely to be damaged or get lost. Not pre-cleaning the areas To stretch out the life of your vacuum cleaner, give the room a once-over. Move backpacks, socks, or clothing with drawstrings to prevent them from catching in the belt. While you can turn off the vacuum and pull them out, over time it could loosen the belt and shorten the life of your vacuum cleaner. Next, check for fallen food items like chips or cookies or small toys like building bricks. Scoop them before vacuuming the area. Not stopping when there's smoke This might seem really obvious, but sometimes we get into turbo-mode – pushing the vacuum beyond its limits. Then even when we smell smoke, we optimistically assume we can fit in just one more room before problem-solving. But prevention is key. “When stress to the motor is present, the motor heats up and usually burns the belt, causing smoke,” suggests Do It Yourself. They advise cutting the burnt belt off with scissors, then replacing it before continuing to vacuum. Using it too often Think about what’s making your floors dirty in the first place, then try to circumvent it so you can use your vacuum cleaner less frequently. Try storing your shoes in a bin by the front door, for instance. Other tricks: Instead of taking snacks to your TV-room, eat at your kitchen table so you don’t get crumbs everywhere, and brush pets outdoors on a regular basis to decrease the amount of pet hair on your floors and furniture. Not using a surge protector These aren’t just for your computers or TVs. A surge protector can “prevent an electronic shortage from spurts of electricity that go beyond the voltage limits.” The stronger the burst, the more likely your vacuum can get damaged. Causes of power surges vary from downed power lines to lightning storms. Not reading the manual Many people skip reading the manual until there is a problem, but by then it might be too late. Each company’s manual contains important safety instructions and warnings, such as “Do not handle the machine or plug with wet hands.” Pretty obvious – sure – but it could save your life. They also give troubleshooting tips for how to care for and maintain your vacuum cleaner along with warranty information, which is especially important if you are switching to a new brand. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-vacuum-cleaner?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Karl blows up over bringing IS brides back to Australia

Karl Stefanovic has lashed out at Bill Shorten after it was announced that Islamic State brides and their children stranded in Syria will be brought back to Australia. More than a dozen families in the war torn Middle Eastern country underwent “risk assessments” following a secret ASIO mission in order to bring them home. The secret mission was conducted at the al-Roj refugee camp in northeast Syria near the Iraqi border where 16 Australian women and 42 children have been for three-and-a-half years since the fall of Islamic State (IS) in 2019. A furious Karl said that “no way” should the families be brought back to Australia after they willingly joined their husbands in fighting the terrorist group. He questioned former Labor leader Bill Shorten as to why the wives and their children are being allowed to come back to Australia when the women went willingly. “I mean a lot of these kids are under six of course and they didn't have any say in what happened to them, but it is a national security matter and there is probably not much more I can add,” Mr Shorten said. Karl quizzed Mr Shorten saying that it seemed that he was against the operation to which he quickly disagreed. “No not at all…I don't have sympathy for some of those blokes who went over there, no sympathy at all, but if you're a kid under six let's not pretend anyone really asked their permission,” Mr Shorten argued. “I can see both points of view. “I just want to reassure people it's about national security first, they'll be the considerations, a lot of these are kids are under six so I'm not going to pretend you just give up on Australian citizens under six.” Karl however stood by his decision saying that the families made a decision and it's not up to Australia to help them. “I think if you make a decision to go overseas with someone and fight for Islamic State, you're making the decision as a family, there's no way in the world you should be allowed to come back here,” he said. As part of the operation, the women and children will be taken to another third world country in the Middle East before coming back to Australia. Images: Facebook

Legal

14 ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer

You run the washer/dryer more than you need to “The life of a laundry machine is completely dependent on how often it’s run,” say the tax experts at H&R Block. Try to stick to eight loads a week or less, which they say will “yield an average of a (low) double-digit life,” regardless of the type of machine (front-loading or top-loading, for example). Running only full loads will help to keep your energy bill down. You didn't have your washer/dryer professional installed Proper installation is critical for all laundry machines. For one, they must be installed “level.” Depending on the peculiarities of your floor, that can be more or less complicated. As for dryers, proper venting is critical, and proper venting means selecting the appropriate size and material for your venting tube as well as proper placement of the tube to permit optimal air flow. If you installed your own machines, consider having a professional eyeball your work. You're stuffing your machine Neither washers nor dryers work optimally when overstuffed, and worse, they have to work harder than they should when they’re too full. That increases wear and tear on the machine’s mechanisms such as the washing machine’s central agitator. Plus, if you pack too many clothes into the machine, some detergent residue could be left behind – which will attract more dirt next time you wear the clothes. Using too much detergent Using more detergent than the manufacturer recommends is bad for your washing machine, according to Angie’s List. Using too much soap leads to more suds, which could cause your washer to overflow. Have a high-efficiency washer? They require even less soap to wash clothing properly, so be sure to skimp on the detergent and only use soaps marked safe for HE washers. Washing stuff you shouldn't be washing Hand washing certain items is not just for the sake of said item, but also better for your washing machine, too. Hooks and underwires from lingerie can damage your washing machine’s drum, while zippers can scratch the door of your front-loading machine. Not cleaning out your washing machine's dispensers “When you’re done washing a load of laundry, wipe down the detergent and fabric softener dispensers,” Angie’s List advises. “If you don’t, the build-up could cause a clog.” You should also be washing your washing machine monthly if your owner’s manual recommends it. Not cleaning out the lint from your dryer You should be cleaning the lint out of your lint-catcher every time you run the dryer. Leaving lint in the dryer filter lowers the efficiency of the machine by slowing down the drying process. It can also cause the dryer to overheat and possibly catch fire. Not regularly maintaining your dryer vent Maintaining your dryer vent (the tube that directs moisture and lint out of the dryer drum and out of the house) is crucial to keeping your dryer in good working order. A good rule-of-thumb is to have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned out once per year, according to Ivey Engineering. Overusing dryer sheets “Dryer sheets might make your clothing soft, static-free, and smell fresh, but they have a waxy layer that melts in the dryer,” advises Angie’s List. Using too many can gum up the appliance. But no matter how many dryer sheets you use, you need to be cleaning your lint trap on a regular basis – not just cleaning out the lint but actually removing the lint trap and soaking it in sudsy water every couple of months (or more often if you’re also using fabric softener in the washing machine, which also leaves a residue in the dryer). Leaving stuff in your pockets Gum, tissues, even coins, and paper money can clog your washer drain, and if they don’t fall out of your pockets during the wash cycle, you’ll probably hear and/or see them spinning around the dryer, which isn’t good for your dryer’s inner workings. So empty your pockets before throwing your clothes in the wash for the sake of your laundry machines running smoothly, efficiently and over many years. Not taking clothes out of the washer right away A big problem with washing machines is mould. Mould can lead to a foul-smelling machine, which is definitely going to shorten its life. To avoid mould, take your clean clothes out right away. Bonus points if you also leave the washer door open to allow the machine to air-dry between loads. Drying stuff you shouldn't be drying If you’re planning on drying anything besides clothing, bedding, and towels, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you’re actually going to be harming your dryer in doing so. For example, some dryers are not meant to dry rubber, so if you’ve washed your bathroom rug (with a rubber back), don’t dry it in the dryer unless the instructions say it’s OK. Not reading and following the manufacturer's maintenance instructions When Consumer Reports asked laundry machine manufacturers what consumers can do to extend the life of their laundry machines, the same answer kept coming up: follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining the machine. With washing machines, that almost inevitably involves cleaning the washer itself. Many modern washing machines have self-cleaning cycles. Drying the wrong things together Sorting laundry isn’t just for the sake of keeping your whites white. An appliance salesperson Reader’s Digest spoke to told us never to dry “towels with t-shirts.” When we asked him to elaborate, he explained that your dryer works best when it’s drying items of similar weight and that mixing items of significantly different weight can throw off the balance of the machine. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/14-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-washer-and-dryer?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Government announces shortened booster window

The federal government has announced that the timeframe between the second COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shot has been shortened, from five months to four. The change will come into effect on January 4. This is an additional reduction, following an initial interval of six months in between shots. Furthermore, on January 31, the gap between shots will be reduced to just three months. These changes will enable millions of Australians to receive their booster shots, which are increasingly being seen as necessary to resist the Omicron strain and maintain immunity amidst rising cases across the country, far sooner. This includes over 60s, many of whom were not fully vaccinated until late in the year due to eligibility criteria. Tony Blakeley, an epidemiologist from the University of Melbourne, described the five-month gap between the second and third shots as “bordering on unethical”, particularly for older Australians who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. “AstraZeneca recipients are often 60-plus, they're often more vulnerable, yet they had a vaccine where they had to wait three months between the first and second dose and now they're not eligible,” he explained. The change follows advice from expert vaccination group ATAGI and is in response to the recent spike in cases as the Omicron variant spreads throughout the community. On Friday, Victoria recorded 2095 new cases and eight deaths, while NSW recorded 5612 and one death. Health Minister Greg Hunt explained that cutting the interval down would ensure roughly 7.5 million Australians would be eligible to receive a booster shot by early January, whereas as of Friday, only 3.2 million were eligible. Once the interval is reduced further at the end of January, about 16 million Australians will be eligible to receive their third vaccine. In a press conference on Friday, Mr Hunt said, “These dates have been set out of an abundance of caution to give Australians early continued protection.” Image: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images

News

10 ways you’re shortening the life of your non-stick cookware

The benefits of non-stick pans Non-stick pans are a must-have for every home chef. Not only are they easy to use, but they also promote a healthier lifestyle because you don’t need to use as much oil with them. This type of cookware also shortens your clean up time because there should be less stuck-on food. As wonderful as they are, there’s just one problem: non-stick pans often need to be replaced because they lose their efficacy. Regardless of the quality of the pan itself or what you paid for it, all types of non-stick pans – whether they have ceramic, enamel, Teflon, or another type of coating – are sensitive to high heats. They also need to be cleaned in a very specific way. To help your non-stick cookware last as long as possible, avoid making the following mistakes. Not seasoning your pan before first use It’s common knowledge that you should season your cast iron skillets with cooking oil before using them for the first time. However, some people assume that this rule doesn’t apply to non-stick pans, which isn’t the case. “As with most fine cookware, always season it before first use with oil or butter to avoid food from sticking,” says Daniel Winer, CEO of HexClad Cookware. “Once you’ve seasoned it during the first use, you don’t need to season your pans every time. This will help your pans to stay in good shape.” Cleaning your pans in the dishwasher When you’re done cooking a large meal, you may want to take shortcuts and clean your non-stick cookware in the dishwasher, but that’s a mistake. Culinary consultant Clare Langan says that generally speaking, you want to get in the habit of handwashing cookware. “Some cookware, particularly those with wooden handles, can deteriorate in a dishwasher.” You’ll always want to check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. A gentle yet effective detergent thoroughly cleans pots and pans. Cleaning with an abrasive sponge or tools Not only is it important to handwash your non-stick cookware, but you’ll also want to do it the right way. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t immediately stick your pan in the sink and douse it with water the second you take it off the stove. “To clean non-stick cookware, let it cool first, then use soap and a non-abrasive sponge,” says Langan. You use cooking spray Using cooking spray might feel like a good idea or even a healthy choice, but according to lifestyle director Lisa Freedman, it can damage non-stick cookware. “A lot of people use cooking spray with non-stick cookware thinking that less is more. But over time, you’ll start to see a build-up of the spray that doesn’t burn off during cooking. It gets sticky and gross,” she says. She recommends using whole fats like oil and butter instead. You put non-stick cookware in the oven To be clear, it is safe in some instances to use non-stick cookware in the oven, however, that doesn’t mean you should do so without checking the manufacturer’s instructions. Jeff Malkasian of Viking Culinary explains that most non-stick cookware has a maximum temperature it can safely withstand for oven use, but most of us aren’t checking what it is before we do. “If you are finishing off your dish in the oven, make sure you know what temperature it can handle first,” he says. To prevent any accidental mistakes, it’s best to buy a set of non-stick cookware that can withstand high heat. You use metal cooking tools Using a metal spatula with non-stick cookware is a major no-no, says culinary expert Ligia Lugo. “The non-stick coating on your pan, known as Teflon, is not as hard as metal and can get damaged very easily if you use metal tongs, forks, spoons, spatulas, etc. in the cooking process,” she says. “To avoid ruining your expensive cookware, avoid using metal utensils at all costs and swap them out for wooden or high-heat silicone ones.” You're storing your pans incorrectly When organising your cupboards and drawers avoid placing the pans in one another so that the bottom of one pan is in contact with the non-stick coating of another pan. The metal exterior of a pan can damage the polymer coating and ruin it. A better idea is to hang your pans from a pot rack or hooks, or place a face washer or other small cloth between each pan. You cook very acidic foods When organising your cupboards and drawers avoid placing the pans in one another so that the bottom of one pan is in contact with the non-stick coating of another pan. The metal exterior of a pan can damage the polymer coating and ruin it. A better idea is to hang your pans from a pot rack or hooks, or place a face washer or other small cloth between each pan. You try to brown food in a non-stick pan While you can cook lots of dishes in a non-stick pan, it isn’t ideal for everything. Jake Kalick cautions against searing vegetables or proteins in a non-stick pan. “If you’re looking to sear chicken, steak or get a char on vegetables you’re much better off using a pan with a stainless cooking surface,” he says. “A non-stick coating creates somewhat of a steaming effect which prevents your food from browning.” Purchase a stainless-steel frying pan for searing. You will need to add oil, but you’ll save your non-stick pans. You cook your food at the wrong temperature for your non-stick pan Most non-stick pans aren’t meant for high heat cooking. “Extremely high temperatures can lead to warping, blistering of the finish, and shorter life in general,” says Lam. But if you like cooking certain foods at a high temperature, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo non-stick cookware altogether. You just have to choose the right type. Avoid Teflon coated pans, which can be very dangerous to use at high heat or if scratched. Instead, opt for enamel, porcelain or ceramic-coated stainless steel pans, which can be used at temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius. You're using your non-stick pan under the grill An oven grill is great for certain dishes like steak, chicken and pork chops. But make sure you aren’t using your non-stick cookware under the grill because it can reach up to 260 degrees Celsius, which is way too hot for even the most oven-friendly non-stick pans. Written by Amanda Lauren. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/10-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-non-stick-cookware" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home Hints & Tips

“Sooks”: Bill Shorten slams tennis “whingers”

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has slammed tennis players and their entourage who are complaining about the strict quarantine measures in place for the Australian Open. There are currently 72 players in hard quarantine. They are unable to train outside their hotel rooms for 14 days after there were positive COVID-19 tests on tournament charter flights. The strict measures follow after there were six positive cases. They have been linked to three international charter flights that carried players, coaches, staff and officials to Melbourne Park for the year's first grand slam. Aussie Bernard Tomic is among those in quarantine. The controversial Aussie player’s girlfriend Vanessa Sierra has come under criticism after she posted clips of her and Tomic’s experience in lockdown. As they spend 14 days togethers in hard quarantine, Ms Sierra has complained about the quality of the food provided to them and the fact she has to wash her own hair. "This is the worst part of quarantine. I don't wash my own hair, I've never washed my own hair. It's just not something that I do. I normally have hairdressers that do it twice a week for me," Sierra told her followers. "This is the situation that we're dealing with. I can't wait to get out of quarantine just so I can get my hair done." Channel Nine's Karl Stefanovic showed the clip to Shorten on the Today Show to get his opinion on the matter, to which the former Labor leader sent a scathing message to the “pampered sooks”. "At a human level, sure, it's not great to be cooped in a hotel room for that period of time. But they just need to get a grip," Shorten said. "Covid's been shocking. People have died, people have lost their jobs, people haven't been able to go to the funerals of their loved ones and you've got these pampered sooks who are having a cry over their conditions. "They're elite athletes, I can sympathise. But they get paid a lot of money to come to the Australian Open. Maybe they've just got to see how the rest of the world is putting up with Covid as well." World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has not let any ill words affect him however and has reportedly sent a list of quarantine demands to Australian Open officials, on behalf of the players. A Spanish tennis website reported that Djokovic's "demands" to Craig Tiley included reduced isolation periods, better food and having players moved to "private houses with tennis courts”. Nick Kyrgios took aim at the tennis star, on Monday night, saying: "Djokovic is a tool.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Djokovic is a tool. I don’t mind Bernie but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes 🤦🏽‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/MMgeriH2GJ">https://t.co/MMgeriH2GJ</a> — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1351131106993725443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote> The players will pocket a minimum $100,000 if they take part in the Australian Open main draw.

News

"Everyone in Australia wanted to say it" but Bill Shorten actually did

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten amused Today host Karl Stefanovic when he decided to say exactly what everyone has been thinking after Gladys Berejiklian’s relationship with an allegedly corrupt MP was exposed. “She’s a smart lady who I think has been punching below her weight with perhaps a much more average guy. I have sympathy for Gladys at the human level,” Shorten said of the NSW Premier. Stefanovic laughed in response and said: “Bill, you have summed it up perfectly. Everyone in Australia wanted to say it.” The NSW Premier’s personal life was thrown into the spotlight on Monday after she gave evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, revealing she was in a relationship with Daryl Maguire for five years. Despite an increasing amount of pressure from the Opposition for her to resign, Berejiklian said despite the mistakes she made in her personal life, it will not stop her to serve her state. Shorten said he wanted to take his “Labor hat (off) for a moment”. “I was surprised, but I don’t know … It’s all pretty human isn’t it?” he said. “I don’t hold that against Gladys. She’s a very dignified person. “I think she would have been embarrassed by listening to the phone tapes of her conversation.” Shorten believes Berejiklian deserves a break and “to at least try and get through this and not have her personal life thrust in front of the world”. “Given what she’s done and how she’s helped,” he said. The NSW Opposition will call for a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, but Berejiklian is confident she has the support of her party.

News

Karl Stefanovic lets rip on children’s deaths

Today host Karl Stefanovic has delivered a scathing message into the much-maligned National Disability Insurance Scheme, labelling it a “national disgrace”. A story published by the Adelaide Advertiser this morning revealed the scheme was particularly bad in South Australia, with the southern state enduring the longest wait time for NDIS support packages. South Australians are having to wait over 200 days to receive support, with kids younger than six waiting seven months to be helped by the government. The abysmal national statistics also revealed over the last three years, 1279 people had died while waiting for support from the scheme. Among the 1279, 65 of those deaths were children – 35 of whom were aged six and under. Stefanovic described the deaths as “disturbing”. “More than 400 people have died every year waiting for access to the NDIS. 65 children, 35 of whom are under six years of age. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “Late last year the minister in charge Stuart Robert said waiting times categorically weren’t a problem. If 65 people dying in this are children, if those figures are to be believed isn’t a problem, then you need help minister.” Speaking to ABC Radio late last year, Mr Robert said that he had reduced waiting times for the NDIS. “Waiting times, when I came not the portfolio, in terms of access to a plan, were 130 days. And they have come right down now into the 80s. So, they’re coming down as well,” he said in November. “Importantly, after the election there were over 13,000 Australians waiting over 21 days for access into the NDIS. That, of course, now is zero. There is no waiting list for people to access into the NDIS scheme.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> "If 65 children dying in this country... isn't a problem, then you need help Minister." <a href="https://twitter.com/karlstefanovic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@karlstefanovic</a> has launched a scathing critique of Minister Stuart Robert after it was revealed 1,200 people died while waiting for NDIS access. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/X10gH9O5XC">pic.twitter.com/X10gH9O5XC</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1217177763884470272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">14 January 2020</a></blockquote> When the question was raised whether complaints from service providers about wait times were wrong, Mr Robert doubled down. “It’s a large scheme and there’s a lot of people all over the country. And I look at the big macro numbers at the top and I know categorically there is no-one waiting for access,” he said. Issuing a statement to Today this morning, Mr Robert said the government was “focusing on improving access decision times for the NDIS”. The government also referenced data from December 31 last year that showed access decisions were taking “on average four days to complete”. “I’m not sure where he’s living,” Stefanovic responded. “Those facts aren’t right for a lot of people across this country.” Labor’s NDIS spokesman and former Labor leader Bill Shorten also said there needs to be “more staff and accountability”. “It’s disgraceful more than 1200 people died before receiving equipment or care they needed,” Shorten said. “Well said Bill Shorten,” Stefanovic added. “Those figures are a national disgrace.”

News

5 appliances you’re shortening the life of through misuse

Buying electronics and appliances can be a huge investment, and when something goes wrong with them, it can also cause a huge headache. So, of course, you want to keep everything working for as long as possible. While many of us blame the seemingly shorter lifespan of these products on the fact that things just aren’t made like they used to be, that’s not entirely true. It turns out that much of the time, the culprit is us! Read on for the mistakes you probably don’t even realise you’re making, which can cause the early demise of everything from your laptop and your phone to your stove and your toaster. 1. Laptop There’s nothing more frustrating than a laptop that goes from on the fritz to suddenly needing to be replaced. It turns out the key to keeping our laptops longer is turning them off at least once a day. This allows the operating system to install software updates and patches so everything can run smoothly and up to snuff. Another mistake that causes the early demise of this essential and expensive device? Failing to install anti-virus and malware programs. 2. Smartphone If you feel you need to replace your smartphone way before the newest one comes out, it’s probably because you’re letting it overheat. According to PCMag, a major cause of this is something most of us are guilty of: charging our devices overnight. In fact, your phone is at risk of overheating every time you keep it plugged in with a full battery. And while many of us know it’s best to leave our phone at home when we go to the pool or beach, water damage isn’t the biggest risk. An article from Time reveals that too much heat exposure from the sun can cause lots of problems, including battery leakage and loss of data. 3. Vacuum No one wants to empty the dirt cup after vacuuming your entire home or even before you vacuum, but an overfilled unit will not only run less efficiently – it will also ultimately shorten the life of the appliance. While most bagless units have a line indicating it’s time to empty the cup, it’s less obvious for bag machines. A sudden decrease in suction is a good indicator. 4. Car A good car doesn’t come cheap, and to get yours to last as long as possible, you can’t skimp on regular maintenance. One biggie: oil changes. If you wait too long to change the oil, you’re asking for trouble. So how often are you really supposed to be doing this? According to Cars.com, it depends on the make and model of your car. Check the owner’s manual. Changing the oil keeps the corrosive material and debris out of your engine, so if you live in a city, it’s best to change the oil even a little sooner than the manufacturer recommends. 5. Fridge If you have a big family and you find yourself with a fridge that’s constantly full, it might be time to consider buying a larger one. That’s because overloading it places pressure on the fan blades, causing them to work improperly or even break. Cleaning the fridge is another way you can extend its life. The coils, the internal mechanism and the outside of the fridge need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Source: <a href="https://www.rd.com/advice/ways-youre-damaging-home-appliances/">RD.com</a> Written by Amanda Lauren. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/12-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-home-appliances">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Home & Garden

Bill Shorten announces class action into Centrelink robo-debt system

Bill Shorten has unveiled a new “David and Goliath” class action against the federal government’s controversial robo-debt scheme. The proposed action, which will be brought by Gordon Legal, would allege that the automated debt recovery system wrongfully collected money that belonged to welfare recipients. “The Commonwealth has used a single, inadequate piece of data, the robo-debt algorithm, and used it to seize money and penalise hundreds of thousands of people,” Peter Gordon, senior partner at the law firm, told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. Shorten said his research into the robo-debt program “has led me to believe it is almost certainly illegal”. “I just have to do research through the stories [the media has] covered to say there is a sickness at the heart of robo-debt which needs to be cured,” Shorten said. “The scheme – including its reverse onus of proof – is at best legally dubious and should rightly have its legality determined by a court. It is right that this action be pursued by the lawyer who pursued justice in David and Goliath battles with Big Tobacco and Big Pharma.” Gordon said he expected up to 160,000 people could fall under the class action, which would seek repayment for falsely claimed debts and compensation for those affected. Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said the class action announcement was a “political stunt”. In July, Robert confirmed that <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/robo-debt-scheme-ramped-up-with-new-medicare-data-matching-initiative-20190730-p52c62.html" target="_blank">one in five debt notices issued by the system may be incorrect</a> before apologising to a woman who had received a debt letter for her dead son. The robo-debt scheme has been in place since mid-2016, when it was introduced by Malcolm Turnbull’s government. In June, Victoria Legal Aid launched <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/retirement-income/im-being-made-out-to-be-a-criminal-woman-shocked-by-8-000-centrelink-debt" target="_blank">two federal court cases</a> against the scheme. The firm’s executive director Rowan McRae said more than 500 people had asked for legal assistance after receiving robo-debt letters. “We know it’s unfair. We know it’s having a terrible impact on our clients,” said McRae. “But we also think the scheme is unlawful and we’d like a court to test that.”

Money & Banking

Where it went wrong for Bill Shorten and the Labor party

Questions are still being asked as to how Labor failed so badly. With all signs pointing to a Labor victory, many are asking how and where it went wrong. Bill Shorten’s concession speech tried to motivate supporters on Saturday, but as the results came out, the crowd thinned out. “We are a resilient and proud movement and we never give up,” he told them. However, Shorten gave a hint as to where it went wrong. “The test even beyond victory, which I set myself in the lead-up to this election, was that at 6 pm when the polls closed, when the final votes were cast, I wanted to be able to look at myself in the mirror and say there was nothing more that I could have done,” Mr Shorten said. “No more ideas that we should have expressed.” With Labor’s ambitious plans for the country, including negative gearing, a top bracket tax and initiatives for climate change, this could have been what put voters off. With the big ideas and ambitious policies that were raised by Labor, they failed to win the support in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Practice makes perfect <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ausvotes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ausvotes</a> <a href="https://t.co/DqO92J234W">pic.twitter.com/DqO92J234W</a> — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/billshortenmp/status/1129563778478104578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2019</a></blockquote> A Labor insider also revealed to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/bill-shortens-promise-to-himself-ended-up-being-his-biggest-problem/news-story/f5321acff0564dc466c434e342459692" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> that booths with voters dominated by those aged 65-plus punished Labor with double-digit swings against the party for Liberal. ABC journalist Patricia Karveleas said that the PM turned Labor’s strategy into a perfect attack against the party. “His message was sharp, piercing and he never deviated from the one central claim — that Labor was a high-taxing risk to the economy, and Mr Shorten would take money ‘from your pocket’. “By contrast, Labor drifted from message to message — it started on health, moved to wages and staggered into climate change. “Labor took considerable policy risks in this campaign, making itself the big target with a suite of policies which had identifiable and quantifiable losers.” Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek conceded that the party’s policy agenda was too big on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/insiders/" target="_blank">Insiders</a>. “Our policy agenda was big and it was bold, and perhaps we didn’t have enough time to explain the benefits of it,” Plibersek explained. “We had the option of having a whole campaign based on the chaos and disunity of the last six years — the three prime ministers, the three treasurers, the fact they all hate each other,” she said. “We had a really ambitious policy agenda that deals with the big issues.”

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The life and legacy of Bob Hawke - the people's Prime Minister

Politicians from all sides have paid tribute to the beloved leader. Bob Hawke is one of the most popular and well-known politicians and easily Australia’s most beloved prime minister. He sadly passed away on Thursday, May 16 in his Sydney home. All over Australia, people from all walks of life have paid tribute to Mr Hawke. Labor party leader Bill Shorten took to social media to honour the late former prime minister. “When I visited Bob last week, I tried to tell him what he meant to all of us. I couldn’t quite find the right words,” the post read. “But Bob knew. He knew what he meant to Australia; he knew what he had achieved for the country. He knew he was loved, right to the end.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> When I visited Bob last week, I tried to tell him what he meant to all of us. I couldn’t quite find the right words. But Bob knew. He knew what he meant to Australia, he knew what he had achieved for the country. He knew he was loved, right to the end. <a href="https://t.co/DVB3JL0V5S">pic.twitter.com/DVB3JL0V5S</a> — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/billshortenmp/status/1129126276634038272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en"> The labour movement salutes our greatest son. Australians everywhere remember and honour a man who gave so much to the country and people he cared for so deeply. May he rest in peace. <a href="https://t.co/NzKwxW1e4X">pic.twitter.com/NzKwxW1e4X</a> — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/billshortenmp/status/1128962007317659648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> Prime Minister Scott Morrison also took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Hawke. The post read as follows: “Bob Hawke was a great Australian who led and served our country with passion, courage, and an intellectual horsepower that made our country stronger.” “He was true to his beliefs in the Labor tradition and defined the politics of his generation and beyond.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Bob Hawke was a great Australian who led and served our country with passion, courage, and an intellectual horsepower that made our country stronger. He was true to his beliefs in the Labor tradition and defined the politics of his generation and beyond. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1128969361547354113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> Greens party leader wrote kind words about the former PM, calling him a “Silver Bodgie” and “giant among PMs.” “Vale Bob Hawke. A giant among PMs. He had the courage to save the Franklin River when all looked lost. He got World Heritage listing of the Daintree Wet Tropics. He introduced Medicare. Legend. You’ll be missed Silver Bodgie,” he wrote. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Vale Bob Hawke. A giant among PMs. He had the courage to save the Franklin River when all looked lost. He got World Heritage listing of the Daintree Wet Tropics. He introduced Medicare. Legend. You’ll be missed Silver Bodgie. — Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardDiNatale/status/1128979322499239936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> Former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard called Mr Hawke the “greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had” in a heartfelt post about her former leader. “Bob Hawke liked Australians and Australians liked him,” she wrote in a lengthy tribute to Hawke. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Bob Hawke was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had. As a teenager Bob inspired me, as a PM he guided me. I will miss him. I wish so very much that Bob had been able to see one more election day. My condolences to Blanche, his children and grandchildren. <a href="https://t.co/4wPHdIeBUZ">pic.twitter.com/4wPHdIeBUZ</a> — Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuliaGillard/status/1128985301769117697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> “As a teenager he inspired me, as a Prime Minister he guided me. I will miss him.” Scroll through the gallery above to see Bob Hawke through the years.

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Bill Shorten's "shopper's hack" for affordable booze

Bill Shorten has shared his top money-saving tip ahead of Saturday’s federal election. The Labor leader revealed his personal trick to score affordable alcohol in an interview with KIIS FM Melbourne on Thursday morning. Asked whether he had been to Dan Murphy’s to stock up on booze for the election night parties, Shorten said he plays the discount liquor chain off against rival retailer First Choice. “This is a little, if you like, a shopper’s hack and potentially a very useful thing,” he said. He said he capitalises on the stores’ price-matching policies as they pay dividends. First Choice’s Price Beat policy and Dan Murphy’s Lower Liquor Price Guarantee both offer to match advertised competitor instore pricing within a 10 kilometre radius of a given store, provided that the advertisement is current and that the items are identical and in stock. “See, I’m not just another pretty face am I?” Later on, the same day, Shorten made his final major speech of the five-week election campaign at the site of Gough Whitlam's 1972 “It’s Time” address in Blacktown. He declared that climate change action and wages would be high on his government’s agenda. “I promise, we will send a message to the world, when it comes to climate change, Australia is back in the fight,” he said. “We will take this emergency seriously and we will not just leave it to other countries or to the next generation.”

Money & Banking

"He will serve our nation well": Bob Hawke backs Bill Shorten in open letter to voters

Bob Hawke has issued an open letter to voters encouraging them to vote for Bill Shorten and his team at the federal election on Saturday. The former Labor prime minister argued that Shorten’s trade union background is an “asset” that will allow him to manage Australia’s economy well. “While Bill’s political opponents argue his trade union background is a liability for a future prime minister, I consider it an asset, as it was for me,” wrote Hawke. “Bill Shorten is ready to be Prime Minister of Australia. He will serve our nation well.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Here’s Bob Hawke’s letter to the nation on why he believes Australia needs a Shorten Labor government. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ausvotes19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ausvotes19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/BgZPqYLyg5">pic.twitter.com/BgZPqYLyg5</a> — Tom Minear (@tminear) <a href="https://twitter.com/tminear/status/1128423571108196352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2019</a></blockquote> Hawke was the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, while Shorten was the secretary for the Victorian branch of the Australian Workers’ Union. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has argued that a vote for Labor would lead to “union control of the government”. However, Shorten said he will not be a “handmaiden” for unions should Labor win the election. “We’ve got some very good initiatives for business,” Shorten told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/bill-shorten-i-wont-be-union-handmaiden/news-story/095acc4a812f591eaac8d8d43eb45adf" target="_blank">The Australian</a>. “I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m a member of a trade union, but I’ll be very clear because the government loves to muddy this water. To borrow from R.J. Hawke, I will work with all sectors, but I’ll be a handmaiden to none.” In the letter, 89-year-old Hawke also delivered a blow to the Coalition government, criticising its strategy to “divide and frighten” constituents to gain seats. “Labor’s political opponents are seeking to divide and frighten Australians ahead of this election – just as they did back in 1983 when I was seeking the prime ministership,” he wrote. “It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.” Hawke also referred to the instability within the Coalition’s top ranks. “Over the past six years, the Liberals have had three leaders while Labor has had one, and three treasurers while Labor has had one shadow treasurer,” he wrote. “As I said repeatedly when I was prime minister, if you can’t govern yourselves, you can’t govern the country.” The letter came days after Hawke signed a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/a-dubious-proposition-even-for-him-bob-hawke-and-paul-keating-reunite-to-slam-pm-scott-morrison/" target="_blank">joint letter</a> with fellow former prime minister Paul Keating in support of Labor’s economic credentials.

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Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s scathing attack on Bill Shorten: “The end of life as we know it”

TV veteran Kerri-Anne Kennerley has launched a scathing attack on Bill Shorten, saying that if elected, the politician would spark an “end to life as we know it”. The Studio 10 panellist slammed the leader of the Labor Party this morning, only a few short days before the Federal Election, saying that his policies would damage Australia. She started her ferocious rant by criticising Labor’s taxation plan, which is aimed towards the “top end of town” in order to provide broader tax cuts for low-income earners. “If Bill Shorten gets in, it’s the end of life as we know it,” she said. “Honestly, without question.” She then unleashed her frustration on planned changes to franking credits, which allows retirees to receive a tax refund on dividends. “Taking money retrospectively, as they will do, that franking credits … this is the way (for) self-funded retirees to not leach off the government pension. They look after themselves. They’ve got a plan. He’ll rip that off them.” But she saved the majority of her anger for her last critique, as she fired up about Labor’s plan to establish a National Gender Centre. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> If I become one of those 60-something white blonde women ranting about shiz I have no understanding of on national TV, like I have some right to be heard on these issues because I used to be relevant 100 years ago, please just lock me away somewhere, away from cameras — Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmyRemeikis/status/1128472381566009345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 May 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> Dear Kerri Anne Kennerley, You don’t actually have a problem with Bill Shorten. You are - tragically - just terrified of change. X Van<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ausvotes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ausvotes</a> — Van Badham (@vanbadham) <a href="https://twitter.com/vanbadham/status/1128507080241860608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 May 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> Kerri-Anne Kennerley seems to have utterly lost the plot. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> — 💧 Nick the Ponderous Jarl 🤔 (@ponderousjarl) <a href="https://twitter.com/ponderousjarl/status/1128488354595495936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 May 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> kerri-anne kennerley once again showing everyone how batshit insane she is would be hilarious if it wasn’t so scary that a lot of people use these stupid day time tv shows as their only source of news and confuse the opinions of the hosts as factual statements — shaunjumpnow (@shaunjumpnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/shaunjumpnow/status/1128489420041048064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 May 2019</a></blockquote> “One thing I’m seriously outraged about, the millions and millions they’ll spend on a Gender Commission,” said Kennerley. “These kids out there who are gender confused, and there’s a percentage of people out there gender confused, they will put up this Commission and we, like Tasmania, will have a child and it won’t be male or female, it will be gender-free. “That’ll be national.” It’s worth noting that in Tasmania the Liberal Party is in power. The optional gender on birth certificates rule was introduced by the State Parliament in April. Shorten has not expressed any indication that he would force the nation to adopt the same procedure, and regardless, matters of this nature are controlled by each individual state. “And if your child is confused, the rights of your child will go to them, you will have no rights as a parent. That child will go, ‘I want to be either a boy or girl, please give me whatever I need’ and you as a parent will have no choice.” In the policy detail released by the opposition, they have not suggested that would be the case in any shape or form.

News

John Howard launches scathing attack on “sneering” Bill Shorten

Former Prime Minister John Howard is charming those who live in Warringah as he joins Tony Abbott on his campaign trail for one of Australia’s most affluent seats. As it has been in the hands of Abbott since 1994, he’s hoping it will stay that way. Howard, whose been a long time friend of Abbott for the last 30 years, stood in front of reporters and gave a scathing criticism of Bill Shorten’s focus on “the top end of town” as well as the demolition of the Labor party. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-took-john-howard-just-one-minute-to-deliver-the-campaign-s-most-potent-attack-on-bill-shorten-20190513-p51mvs.html" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a> reported: "I detect in the community a lot of growing suspicion that Bill Shorten is after your savings," started Howard. "They don't want it taken away through taxes by Mr Shorten." He then appealed directly to the voters of Warringah, who live on Sydney’s northern beaches. "They're not the big end of town. I mean, that is an insult to every successful small businessman who has worked hard, accumulated a bit and wants to leave it to his kids," he said. "I mean that's what this country is all about!" Howard continued to pick up steam and continued: "That's what people aspire to do! And this fella’ Shorten is after those people, and he sneers at them, says, 'You're the big end of town', and his putative treasurer Chris Bowen says if people don't like it, don't vote for us. "Well I hope that people don't like it and don't vote for it." His words roused the crowd, who applauded after Howard was finished. It was then Abbott’s turn to impress the crowd. He started by appealing to voters “who might be inclined to want to protest against things that may or may not have happened inside the Liberal Party". Abbott also said that voters should "remember someone is going to be the government on Sunday, and it is much better to have a Liberal government than a Labor one". "I'm more confident now than I was a month ago, but this is going to go down to the wire," Mr Abbott told the reporters. As the duo went through Warringah Mall, the sight of John Howard was too much for one excited retiree, who spilt their cappuccino in excitement. Naturally, Howard said it was his fault and bought her another one. They were welcomed by shop owners and shoppers, with many stopping to take a photo with former Prime Minister John Howard.

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"Everyone in Australia wanted to say it" but Bill Shorten actually did

Karl Stefanovic lets rip on children’s deaths

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Bill Shorten announces class action into Centrelink robo-debt system

Where it went wrong for Bill Shorten and the Labor party

The life and legacy of Bob Hawke - the people's Prime Minister

Bill Shorten's "shopper's hack" for affordable booze

"He will serve our nation well": Bob Hawke backs Bill Shorten in open letter to voters

Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s scathing attack on Bill Shorten: “The end of life as we know it”

John Howard launches scathing attack on “sneering” Bill Shorten

Our Partners

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Newspaper

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Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

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7 ways you’re shortening the lifespan of your refrigerator

Duke and Duchess ordered to shorten their baby's name

Why Peter FitzSimons has defended Prince Harry

Brekkies, barbies, mozzies: why do Aussies shorten so many words?

13 ways you’re shortening the life of your vacuum cleaner

Karl blows up over bringing IS brides back to Australia

14 ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer

Government announces shortened booster window

10 ways you’re shortening the life of your non-stick cookware

“Sooks”: Bill Shorten slams tennis “whingers”

"Everyone in Australia wanted to say it" but Bill Shorten actually did

Karl Stefanovic lets rip on children’s deaths

5 appliances you’re shortening the life of through misuse

Bill Shorten announces class action into Centrelink robo-debt system

Where it went wrong for Bill Shorten and the Labor party

The life and legacy of Bob Hawke - the people's Prime Minister

Bill Shorten's "shopper's hack" for affordable booze

"He will serve our nation well": Bob Hawke backs Bill Shorten in open letter to voters

Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s scathing attack on Bill Shorten: “The end of life as we know it”

John Howard launches scathing attack on “sneering” Bill Shorten

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