News

Placeholder Content Image

This will warm your heart: The truth behind Prince William and Kate's "dancing" photo

<p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were captured in an incredibly rare moment – and royal fans have gone wild over it.</p> <p>A new picture of the royal couple from those who attended an event at Buckingham Palace shows what appears to be Duchess Kate and Prince William dancing.</p> <p>The garden party earlier this week has revealed a sweet moment between the two, but the real story is just as adorable.</p> <p>The rare picture shows Prince William wearing a top hat and holding an umbrella, while Duchess Kate is flashing her husband a dazzling smile in her <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/english-rose-duchess-kates-flawless-style-pretty-in-pink" target="_blank">gorgeous summery outfit</a> and holding his hand.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="/media/7827233/kate-william2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dd03ac6963614b03bf8b31156ac0c300" /></p> <p>The moment certainly caught they eyes of those at the special event, and Lucy Stafford, the one who took the happy snap, told <em>Hello!</em> she was overjoyed to have seen them.</p> <p>“As they were leaving the party, Kate was spending a lot of time talking to the guests and William had to hurry her along, which is the moment the photo was taken.</p> <p>“I feel so fortunate to have attended the party and will definitely never forget it!”</p> <p>Writing to Instagram, Lucy shared intimate details she had with the Queen – a moment we doubt she will ever forget.</p> <p>“We had the most delicious afternoon tea in the gardens and even finished the day by meeting the Queen (who told us about how a cricket ball almost killed her in 1994) and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,” the caption read.</p> <p>She continued: “Can’t quite believe it all really happened!”</p> <p>The cricket ball thankfully was caught at the last minute as it flew towards her Majesty’s head, and she has lived to tell the tale.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Duchess Kate just broke a BIG rule with the Queen

<p>There are certain royal traditions royal family members must abide by when it comes to interacting with the Queen, and the Duchess of Cambridge has broken a big one.</p> <p>On Monday, Duchess Kate was joined by the Queen and other royal family members, including her husband in support for a project she had been working on for a number of months, her Back to Nature garden.</p> <p>While the royal gave a grand tour of the incredible displays and pointed out key features of each garden, the grandmother-in-law smiled and nodded in approval.</p> <p>But before the quick journey around the Chelsea Flower Show began, Duchess Kate made a grand gesture of kissing her grandmother-in-law on both cheeks, followed by a quick curtsy.</p> <p>The moment, albeit a sweet one, is a big no in the world of the British royals.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsUAe7hEYo/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsUAe7hEYo/" target="_blank">A post shared by Catherine Duchess Of Cambridge (@katemiddleton_kurdistan)</a> on May 20, 2019 at 10:17am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The tradition goes, all women in the royal family are required to curtsy before the Queen – and although it may seem minor, Duchess Kate’s quick decision to greet her esteemed family member with a royal kiss instead tells a bigger story about the dynamics of their relationship.</p> <p>For the mother-of-three to be able to address Her Majesty with such an informal greeting spells a massive tick of approval.</p> <p>Although it is a minuscule moment, one the Duchess may have gotten mixed up whilst in a public setting, it is more likely she is comfortable enough with the Queen to know her place – after all, image matters deeply to the royal family.</p> <p>This is not the first time Queen Elizabeth has showed her delight and approval towards the 37-year-old Duchess.</p> <p>In March, Her Majesty and Kate <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/duchess-kate-steps-out-for-her-first-ever-solo-outing-with-the-queen" target="_blank">spent a few hours together for a solo public engagement</a> – one that was not overlooked by royal fans.</p> <p>Further, on April 29, the royal was bestowed with the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/highest-seal-of-approval-the-queen-awards-duchess-kate-with-significant-honour" target="_blank">highest honour a royal can receive from the Queen</a> – the special title as the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.</p> <p>The role is so big, it is the equivalent of being a knight, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8966354/kate-middleton-dame-grand-cross-of-the-royal-victorian-order-queen/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em>.</a></p> <p>Awards of this level are given personally by the Queen as recognition for their services to the Sovereign.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Blanche d'Alpuget opens up: Bob Hawke was "more than prepared" for death

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Former prime minister Bob Hawke was “more than prepared” for death, his wife Blanche d'Alpuget has revealed.</p> <p>In her first interview since Hawke’s death, d’Alpuget told Leigh Sales on ABC’s <em>7.30</em> that he was ready for the end of his life as he could not “make any further contribution”.</p> <p>The country’s 23rd prime minister died last week at the age of 89.</p> <p>She said, “In fact two days before he died, we had a friend over here, a very old friend, and he said, ‘Well, it’s not long now. It’s very soon.’</p> <p>“He said to me, ‘I can’t make any further contribution. I’ve got no contribution to make now.’ Which was one of the reasons he wanted to die because he thought of his life as contributing to society.”</p> <p>d’Alpuget revealed that the former Labor leader did not vote in the federal election before he died. “He decided he wasn’t going to postal vote,” she said. “He was going to go up in his wheelchair and vote, but he didn’t get there.”</p> <p>Given Labor’s shocking loss, she said it was “probably a good thing that he died when he did”.</p> <p>She said while the final year of Hawke’s life was difficult, it was also “one of the best times of our lives”.</p> <p>d’Alpuget shared that being her husband’s carer gave her a new perspective on their relationship. </p> <p>“We often said to each other, we’ve been blessed to have this period together,” she said.</p> <p>“We had the joy of mature love and then the love of old age.</p> <p>“People don’t realise — now I really am not going to cry — how wonderful it can be to look after somebody you love when they’re old and dying.</p> <p>“There’s a great deal of intimacy. There, there are no secrets, there are no pretenses. You’re getting the true human being on both sides.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/leighsales?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@leighsales</a>: How do you think the love of old age does differs to young love? Because people don't talk about this very often.<br />Blanche: There's a great deal of softness. There's a great deal of intimacy. There are no secrets, there are no pretenses. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abc730?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#abc730</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/5wUgkJqqqx">pic.twitter.com/5wUgkJqqqx</a></p> — abc730 (@abc730) <a href="https://twitter.com/abc730/status/1131492716150263809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>When discussing Hawke’s public achievements, d’Alpuget said her husband was most proud of his role in helping end apartheid, ban mining on Antarctica and the release of Nelson Mandela.</p> <p>The rivalry between Hawke and Paul Keating had also dissolved in recent years, d’Alpuget said. “Paul really wanted to come over and see him, it was lovely. And it was great. They sat and they yarned about old times. Paul came a few times.</p> <p>“They always took each other’s phone calls, where there were party issues to discuss. So it wasn’t as the press presented this. It wasn’t at all like that.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Statement from Blanche d’Alpuget on Bob Hawke’s passing. <a href="https://t.co/oA39fxzZNT">pic.twitter.com/oA39fxzZNT</a></p> — Craig Emerson (@DrCraigEmerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrCraigEmerson/status/1128959806105014272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>d’Alpuget released the statement on Hawke’s death last week. “Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues. We will miss him,” she wrote.</p> <p>“The golden bowl is broken.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

News
Placeholder Content Image

$900m pay day: Reg Grundy's "long-lost son" reveals DNA test results

<p>A man who claims to be the long-lost son of Reg Grundy has appeared in court for the first time to claim a part of the late TV mogul’s $900 million fortune.</p> <p>Simon Russell, a former mayor of Bayside in Victoria, has joined the legal battle with Grundy’s widow Joy Chambers-Grundy and estranged daughter Viola La Valette over the division of the estate.</p> <p>The three were present at Sydney’s Supreme Court on Wednesday as Russell’s barrister Nicolas Kirby revealed that the result of the DNA test to prove Grundy’s paternity was “inconclusive”.</p> <p>“Sadly, the fortuitously found biological sample... once tested, yielded insufficient DNA to construct a completed profile,” said Kirby.</p> <p>“So those results came back inconclusive.”</p> <p>Justice Geoff Lindsay asked Kirby why he would not do a test with a biological sample from La Valette. “If they are half brother and sister won’t that not show?”</p> <p>Kirby said they had received expert advice that full or half siblings would provide a “statistical likelihood” that they share a parent, but it would be “a poor substitute” and “not conclusive”.</p> <p>He also said testing La Valette could expose her to the possibility that she is not Grundy’s biological daughter.</p> <p>However, Justice Lindsay said this should not be a reason to rule out having the potential sibling tested. “It may be if there is a positive sibling test that comes up, everyone may agree that Mr Russell is technically a child of the deceased,” he said.</p> <p>Grundy, who created popular TV shows such as <em>Wheel of Fortune, </em><em>Scrabbl</em>e and <em>Neighbours</em>, died in 2016 at the age of 92.</p> <p>La Valette, previously Kim Grundy, commenced legal proceedings the following year disputing her father’s will which made Chambers-Grundy the main beneficiary of his estate.</p> <p>La Valette’s lawyers argued that the will was created when Grundy was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p>This year, Russell became the second plaintiff against Chambers-Grundy. Despite the striking resemblance to the late TV icon, Russell has remained silent about what led him to believe he could be Grundy’s son. “We’ll get some DNA then will go from there, but there’s no story until the DNA turns up,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a190522lkbqj/did-tv-icon-reg-grundy-have-a-secret-son-dna-results-are-in-20190522" target="_blank"><em>10 News First</em></a> outside the court.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

“Could you explain that for me?” Waleed Aly grills Anthony Albanese on climate change and Adani coal mine

<p>Labor’s potential new leader Anthony Albanese has deflected a question about how his party will reconcile its climate change policy with coal mining jobs.</p> <p>The Labor Party lost the federal election after its primary support in Queensland dropped to just 27.4 per cent, reaching a record low since 1996 when John Howard defeated Paul Keating.</p> <p>According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-19/election-results-how-labor-lost-queensland/11122998" target="_blank">observers</a>, Labor’s inability to negotiate its environmental agenda with its support for the multi-million-dollar Adani coal mine project led voters in key Queensland seats to opt for the LNP for better job security.</p> <p>Albanese, who could run unopposed as the new Labor leader after Chris Bowen left the race, said Labor would have “common sense propositions” under his leadership.</p> <p>“Labor has to stand for jobs, economic growth, good distribution when it comes to social policy and to stand up for the environment and climate change,” he said on<em> </em><em>The Project</em> Wednesday night. “I don't think there's a contradiction between the two things.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheProjectTV%2Fvideos%2F829861854058236%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>Host Waleed Aly asked Albanese, “How do you stand up for jobs and the environment if those jobs happen to be in the coal industry?”</p> <p>Albanese dodged the question, saying “good sustainability policy creates jobs”.</p> <p>“Look at the renewable energy target, we introduced a 20 per cent target and that has created many thousands of jobs around Australia,” the frontbencher said.</p> <p>Aly asked whether these jobs would go to coal mine workers, who will presumably lose their jobs as coal production declines.</p> <p>“We have the challenge to explain our position, clearly, we didn't do well enough and we need to engage with our base as well as people who didn't vote for us,” said Albanese.</p> <p>Earlier this month, Albanese slammed the “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/they-think-everyone-wants-to-stop-adani-anthony-albanese-slams-left-wing-groupthink-20190509-p51lkn.html">increasingly extreme</a>” groupthink amongst voters that he believes is damaging Australian politics.</p> <p>“There are people in my electorate in the inner west [who] get really angry that I keep getting elected – because the people they speak to, they don’t know anyone who doesn't vote Green,” he said.</p> <p>“They think everyone wants to stop Adani. They think everyone wants particular things. They don’t know where Adani is! They don't! I asked someone the other day and they said, 'It's on the Great Barrier Reef.' Actually, it's not, you know.</p> <p>“The point I made is that not everyone thinks the same on any particular issue, including on this.”</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Why Prince Charles' meeting with Donald Trump could be controversial

<p>On a controversial state visit to the UK next month, US President Donald Trump is going to meet with Prince Charles.</p> <p>Trump and the Prince of Wales could turn the meeting into an awkward one due to a diplomatically awkward exchange over climate change.</p> <p>The pair are expected to meet for afternoon tea at Clarence House, which is the official residence of the Prince and his wife Camilla.</p> <p>A state visit usually guarantees an audience with the Queen but visiting leaders don’t automatically get access to the Prince of Wales.</p> <p>With Prince Charles’ office declining to comment publicly on the meeting or the agenda, there’s no official word from the Palace as to what the royal thinks about the upcoming meeting.</p> <p>However, given Charles’ passionate and lifelong stance on environmentalism and Trump’s well-documented climate change scepticism, it’s likely that the issue is going to be discussed.</p> <p>Prince Charles warned against "potentially catastrophic global warming" in a speech during a tour of the Caribbean in March.</p> <p>"We demand the world's decision-makers take responsibility and solve this crisis," he said.</p> <p>The most likely date for the afternoon tea between Trump and Prince Charles is June 3, which is the first day of the US President’s visit.</p> <p>According to tradition, a state banquet is hosted by Queen Elizabeth and will take place on the first evening.</p> <p>However, whether or not Charles even brings up the issue with politics isn’t certain. He recently promised in a <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/08/uk/prince-charles-on-becoming-king-bbc-documentary-intl/index.html" target="_blank">BBC documentary</a> to not meddle in matters of public debate.</p> <p>"You know I've tried to make sure whatever I've done has been nonparty political, but I think it's vital to remember there's only room for one sovereign at a time, not two. So, you can't be the same as the sovereign if you're the Prince of Wales or the heir," said Charles.</p> <p>"But the idea somehow that I'm going to go on exactly the same way if I have to succeed is complete nonsense because the two ... the two situations are completely different. You only have to look at Shakespeare plays, 'Henry V' or 'Henry IV, Part 1 and 2,' to see the change that can take place – because if you become the sovereign, then you play the role in the way that it is expected," he said.</p> <p>"So, clearly ... I won't be able to do the same things I've done, you know, as heir, so of course you operate within the ... the constitutional parameters. But it's a different function."</p> <p>This is, of course, once he takes on the role of the monarch. As he’s still a Prince, he’s going to give his opinion as freely as he already has been.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Royal Danish tour: Princess Mary's impeccable week of style

<p>Denmark’s Princess Mary has had quite a whirlwind week as she accompanied her husband Crown Prince Frederik on an official visit to South Korea.</p> <p>The trip was made to signify and strengthen the relationship between the two countries as they toured different parts of the province.</p> <p>They stopped at the demilitarised zone – a 253-kilometre-long and four-kilometre wide no-man’s land between North and South Korea – which is considered to be one of the most fortified areas in the world.</p> <p>This isn’t their first time visiting, as the royal couple first travelled to South Korea in 2012.</p> <p>Other occasions on their itinerary included meeting with the county’s President, Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook.</p> <p>They also had dinner with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.</p> <p>The trip was also filled with opportunities for Mary to show off her impeccable style, as she proves time and time again that she really is one of the best dressed royals.</p> <p>One of her looks featured a Burberry silk-georgette dress, a number that she previously wore in 2016.</p> <p>And that was just the beginning of what became a series of fashion successes.</p> <p>The Aussie royal also attended the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, where she advocated for more sustainable choices when it comes to clothing.  </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Princess Mary’s impeccable week of style.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

English rose! Duchess Kate's flawless style – pretty in pink

<p>The royal family hosted the second annual garden party of the season and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance alongside their grandmother, the Queen.</p> <p>Duchess Kate looked absolutely stunning in a classic and regal look for the special occasion, choosing a summer baby pink.</p> <p>The royal member paired a coat-dress from one of her favourite designers, Alexander McQueen, along with a gorgeous matching headpiece by Juliette Botterill.</p> <p>The 37-year-old also adorned a pair of delicate pearl earrings which once belonged to the late Princess Diana.</p> <p>To tie the look altogether, the royal threw on a pair of classic nude suede pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a clutch by Loeffler Randall.</p> <p>The Queen dressed in a powder blue Stuart Parvin coat with a flora silk dress in shades of pink, blue and taupe. On her head, the royal member adorned a gorgeous hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan.</p> <p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted with Jonathan Jenkins and Lindsey Dixon from London’s Air Ambulance while at the event.</p> <p>The annual Buckingham palace garden parties began in the 1860s by Queen Victoria as a way to recognise and reward the hard work of those in public service jobs.</p> <p>While discussing the Chelsea Flower Show, Ms Dixon shared a hearty congratulations while the Duchess replied: “Oh no, it was a real family affair, I couldn’t have done it without William and the children. We were all very involved.”</p> <p>Royal fans have been spoilt the last few days by the Duchess of Cambridge, who has appeared at a number of events in breathtaking looks, thanks to the Chelsea Flower Show.</p> <p>The magnificent event involved a special garden the Duchess co-designed alongside other landscape designers to create a “back to nature” theme and yesterday after months of planning it was finally unveiled.</p> <p>Every year the Queen invited over 30,000 people to attend the parties, and while men are asked to wear morning or lounge suits, women are requested to dress in a “day” dress and usually with a hat or fascinator.</p> <p>Also present at the event was the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the royal family’s gorgeous looks for the royal garden party.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Dr Chris Brown launches Fur-deral Election: “Fur Go for ALL Australians”

<p>Dr Chris Brown wants to hear about your four-legged furry friends when it comes to the larger issues that affect them.</p> <p>With a witty play on words, Brown launched the “first ever Fur-deral Election for 2019”. The election aims to ensure that the health and happiness of your furry friends is a priority to all levels of government.</p> <p>It’s part of Brown’s personal mission to ensure that Australia is kept pet-friendly.</p> <p>His 476,000 strong audience on Facebook got behind him and completed the ballot paper, which includes questions that the different levels of government want to know.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdcbpets%2Fphotos%2Fa.1512188539102428%2F2392306571090616%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="740" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>The ballot paper asks pet owners what the biggest issues facing their pets today are.</p> <p>42 per cent of respondents answered that the biggest issue was puppy farms, with another 29 per cent answering the lack of pet-friendly rental accommodation.</p> <p>However, it wasn’t all serious. Another question participants are asked is:</p> <p>“If your pet could form their own political party, their biggest policy would be?”</p> <p>Respondents could then choose from four options, which included more time with you, more time in the park, more treats or more homes for pets in shelters. The last answer was the favourite, with a whopping 56 per cent of respondents saying that their four-legged friend would choose that one.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdcbpets%2Fphotos%2Fa.1513353065652642%2F2392941031027170%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="721" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>People were able to nominate their pets for the Australia’s next “Fur-deral Prime Minister”, which many took up the chance to. With 2.5K comments on the above Facebook post, Dr Chris Brown fans argued their cases for their pets, whether they’re going to abolish puppy farms or help out rescues.</p> <p>Many also added a cute photo of the next “Fur-deral Prime Minister”.</p> <p>If you’re interested in completing the ballot paper, which ensures that our furry friends across the nation get a “fur go”, <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2YE24AB%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2qUJf82hyX9iFWGtL43w84_GvjZWLXDfYOzhtHifLVgDoGkVroNJDhQ6E&amp;h=AT2ppLy8EUtuxZ5Oe-Gwdnl9xSsRCktZWLOl63HGV9XMgm447ERQOuVAJB6DcVvpzGhWI27LEDnuZNeWFq1a7H8-rm3evHqmqS_of5i6PrOHJ--wzEEu1vS-RJlSlSDXpw9ioihjDb5VMo7eVd2-K-v2FRPhYKBHWKdmh4jNnKHVw-0ILrN4q51DzfMiFNoULr2bzLTkULf3VEbKE6FmDwpRImCS9z-cLlKdMKytfqZcuCnqXvIyidVyc6871Cu-4-6h6vtNIXQNHWq09AnwD3F8r8LuuT7OmBsIsEZ5dpdYuRNldR_66gB-UCmlsA47N8ma5PoQviSwf5h_pDoeBZcuf04a9rFNevuSrz6Ekri8-hdugCXwaOfxC4-89tgC6-ABop1JzPq808QNzkyd7KhNHqNz-FHa-wEpgdeorFklkOEKMGqsv0A-t-cjn4aOhF-2m2MAguosg9xYUCy-d1fkj0QASXCq4kLuYtja2sPOqcL73_nhGh0HuSl67a7KDQKaA21AmoK5Oo-VJyEdTGW-kcn1qNJOBCshONwreKTxj0DHbG2MymH9vmNNegLJV9CRHSM4te3smWHrRuHyp3g6Lo2adH-xwLOueO44_v3VSSg7FhBe37khYPpEREIpyJF37gYtQFbYpQ">click here.</a></p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Jacinda Ardern's heartwarming letter rejecting girl's cheeky $5 "bribe"

<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has returned a $5 “bribe” from an 11-year-old girl who asked her government to conduct research into dragons and psychics.</p> <p>“Turns out my littlest sister (11yo) tried to bribe Jacinda,” the girl’s sibling posted on Reddit alongside a picture of a letter from the PM’s office.</p> <p>In it, Ardern thanked the girl – who is only identified as Victoria – for getting in touch with the government, but rejected her suggestions.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/7827115/redditl.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4f644fd6c6f64308a0811a8943324a15" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Source: Reddit (u/<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/newzealand/comments/bmwpmp/received_this_in_the_post_turns_out_my_littlest/">honeybee6992</a>)</em></p> <p>“We were very interested to hear your suggestions about psychics and dragons, but unfortunately we are not currently doing any work in either of these areas!” the letter read. “I am therefore returning your bribe money, and I wish you all the very best in your quest for telekinesis, telepathy, and dragons.”</p> <p>However, the PM promised to “keep an eye out for those dragons”.</p> <p>Victoria’s sibling explained that the young girl “wanted the government to make her telekinetic when they are able”, and was looking to see “what they know about dragons and if they had found any yet, so she could train them”.</p> <p>The girl took inspiration from her favourite film and TV show. </p> <p>“She does love <em>How to Train Your Dragon</em>,” the sibling wrote. “She also loves <em>Stranger Things</em>, that’s where the request for telepathy and telekinesis comes from.”</p> <p>The prime minister office confirmed to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48262955" target="_blank">BBC</a> that the letter – which was dated April 30, 2019 – was genuine.</p> <p>This is not the first time Ardern’s office replied to a letter from a young constituent. In March, a Twitter user posted a letter from Ardern to an eight-year-old girl who had said it was “a good idea to ban dangerous guns” after the Christchurch terror attacks.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a>, from the bottom of my heart, and that of my 8-year-old. 💕 <a href="https://t.co/h8rSUWOhIX">pic.twitter.com/h8rSUWOhIX</a></p> — Rachel Prozac (@rachelz) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachelz/status/1111780754294333440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“I can tell from your letter that you are a kind and compassionate girl, Lucy, and I would just like to encourage you to keep spreading that kindness through your life,” wrote Ardern.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Alan Jones' awkward moment on Q&A: "Oh my god"

<p>Alan Jones has argued that Australia should not act on climate change on <em>Q&amp;A</em>’s post-election wrap.</p> <p>The 2GB host reiterated his argument that anthropogenic climate change was a “hoax” on the ABC show on Monday night.</p> <p>The panel was asked if the Coalition Government will be able to bring about change in climate policy despite opposition from climate change deniers.</p> <p>“What is climate change?” said Jones. “Young people are highly intelligent. They have many platforms from which they can [glean] their information and knowledge. I wonder whether they’re being told all the facts in relation to this.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The Government has previously been “paralysed by climate change deniers” - can Scott Morrison exercise his party authority to effect change? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://t.co/8A7NNgynqo">pic.twitter.com/8A7NNgynqo</a></p> — ABC Q&amp;A (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/1130457836448669696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The broadcaster then attempted to explain how little Australia contributed to the world’s carbon emissions levels.</p> <p>“It’s 0.04 per cent, and of that 0.04 of a per cent, human beings around the world create 3 per cent. And of that 3 per cent Australia creates 1.3 per cent. So, for the 1.3 per cent of 3 per of 0.04 per cent we then decide to have a national economic suicide note.”</p> <p>Two weeks ago, he explained the same model in a Sky News segment with Peta Credlin using a bag of rice to illustrate his theory.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftheweeklytv%2Fvideos%2F295288728074680%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=476" width="476" height="568" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p><span>“Oh, my God,” Alice Workman, political reporter at <em>The Australian</em> cut in.</span></p> <p>“Alan, Alan, Alan, Alan, I’m happy for you to have made that point which you’ve made many times on radio but it has to be answered by others, and particularly by scientists in the long-term,” said host Tony Jones to the audience’s applause.</p> <p>Business leader Ming Long also criticised Jones when the 2GB host asked where businesses get their advice from about climate change.</p> <p>“We listen to the scientists,” she said. “We do an analysis, not just because one party says one thing or another, we look at it from a risk perspective and we look at it from a return perspective. The return from fossil fuels is going to decline long term.</p> <p>“This is not a viable investment option for our country.”</p> <p>Jim Chalmers, Labor’s Shadow Minister for Finance and another member of the panel, said Australia should face the climate change issue head-on.</p> <p>“We need to deal with pollution. We need to deal with rising energy costs. We want to see proper investment in renewables. As Ming rightly points out, that’s not just our view, it’s the view of the scientists, the economists, the financial institutes, the Reserve Bank.”</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

"Just call Jacinda”: Lisa Wilkinson pens emotional open letter to Scott Morrison

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Media personality Lisa Wilkinson has penned an open letter to Scott Morrison, the re-elected Prime Minister, in light of his victory.</p> <p>In the heartfelt letter, the <em>Studio 10</em> co-host congratulated the Liberal Party leader on his win while also urging him to “start the healing.”</p> <p>Yesterday in his victory speech, Morrison called Australia the greatest country in the world although, Wilkinson took to <a rel="noopener" href="https://10daily.com.au/views/a190518iwosb/a-letter-to-the-new-prime-minister-by-lisa-wilkinson-20190518" target="_blank">Ten Daily</a> to bring light to how toxic Australian politics has become.</p> <p>In the letter, the journalist and media personality wrote Australia needs a “real leadership” with “genuinely clear direction.”</p> <p>“We are sick and tired of the energy spent on infighting, political point scoring and the tribal, factional warfare of recent years. We are aching for inspiring solutions put together by serious people, at a time when we are facing serious problems,” Wilkinson penned.</p> <p>She explained climate change and mental health issues are affecting Australians all around the country as well as homelessness, gender inequality and domestic violence.</p> <p>“Most of us now fear the kind of planet we are leaving behind for our kids and grandkids,” she wrote.</p> <p>“We need to be more content as a people, with a greater sense of community, and cohesion.</p> <p>“The wound that is the deeply troubled history between white Australia and the First Peoples – and the ongoing social issues that stem from it – is far from healed, and we can all hope for great progress on that front in the life of your government.”</p> <p>The TV host urged Morrison to look past politics and instead see what “true leadership with a united party” has the ability to do.</p> <p>Wilkinson finished the letter off by wishing the re-elected PM luck for the next three years, and a nod towards New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who was widely praised for her actions and leadership in the event of the Christchurch mosque attack.</p> <p>She wrote: “If you're ever in doubt when those big decision-making moments arise, when all the nation turns its lonely eyes to you, if despite all your best efforts you find that wisdom is failing you, can you do us a favour? <span>Just call Jacinda.”</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="details"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div></div>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Where it went wrong for Bill Shorten and the Labor party

<p>Questions are still being asked as to how Labor failed so badly.</p> <p>With all signs pointing to a Labor victory, many are asking how and where it went wrong.</p> <p>Bill Shorten’s concession speech tried to motivate supporters on Saturday, but as the results came out, the crowd thinned out.</p> <p>“We are a resilient and proud movement and we never give up,” he told them.</p> <p>However, Shorten gave a hint as to where it went wrong.</p> <p>“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.</p> <p>“No more ideas that we should have expressed.”</p> <p>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.</p> <p>With the big ideas and ambitious policies that were raised by Labor, they failed to win the support in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Practice makes perfect <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ausvotes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ausvotes</a> <a href="https://t.co/DqO92J234W">pic.twitter.com/DqO92J234W</a></p> — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/billshortenmp/status/1129563778478104578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A Labor insider also revealed to<span> </span><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><span> </span>that booths with voters dominated by those aged 65-plus punished Labor with double-digit swings against the party for Liberal.</p> <p>ABC journalist Patricia Karveleas said that the PM turned Labor’s strategy into a perfect attack against the party.</p> <p>“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’.</p> <p>“By contrast, Labor drifted from message to message — it started on health, moved to wages and staggered into climate change.</p> <p>“Labor took considerable policy risks in this campaign, making itself the big target with a suite of policies which had identifiable and quantifiable losers.”</p> <p>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"><em>Insiders</em></a>.</p> <p>“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.</p> <p>“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.</p> <p>“We had a really ambitious policy agenda that deals with the big issues.”</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

Prince Louis' first steps caught on camera in stunning new royal photo album

<p>Prince William, Duchess Kate and their young royal family have been captured in a completely new light, after spending a day out in the garden, which resembled somewhat of an enchanted forest.</p> <p>In the private images newly released by the royal family, the two doting parents are seen playing with their three children, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince George, 1, as Duchess Kate unveiled her Back to Nature garden.</p> <p>Royal fans were also able to see Prince Louis walking for the first time on camera.</p> <p>In one picture, 36-year-old future heir Prince William is seen holding onto tiny Louis while he sits on a rope swing, while Charlotte showed the cameras she can swing all by herself.</p> <p>In another photograph, the Duke is pictured helping his eldest son George build a den while sitting on a wooden bridge in the tranquil gardens co-designed by the Duchess at the RHS Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.</p> <p>The sweet images were posted to the Royal Family official Instagram page where the caption explained all three children had helped their mother “gather moss, leaves and twigs to help decorate” the stunning garden.</p> <p>“Hazel sticks collected by the family were also used to make the garden’s den.”</p> <p>Duchess Kate told the BBC: “I really feel that nature and being interactive outdoors has huge benefits on our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for young children.</p> <p>“I really hope that this woodland that we have created really inspires families, kids and communities to get outside, enjoy nature and the outdoors, and spend quality time together.”</p> <p>See the gorgeous photographs taken of the royal family by scrolling through the gallery above.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

“You sad tiny man”: Lee Lin Chin slams Tony Abbott for Bob Hawke tribute

<p>With former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke passing away, he’s being remembered as one of the nation’s greatest leaders.</p> <p>Many tributes have flown in, remembering the man and his contributions to the nation. However, when former Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a tribute as well, his stood out for all the wrong reasons.</p> <p>"Bob Hawke was a great prime minister," Mr Abbott wrote of the 89-year-old in an official statement.</p> <p>"In my judgement, he was Labor's greatest prime minister.</p> <p>"But his key achievements, financial deregulation, tariff cuts and the beginnings of privatisation, went against the Labor grain, as Labor's more recent policy direction shows.</p> <p>"You might almost say he had a Labor heart, but a Liberal head.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Statement on the death of The Hon Bob Hawke AC, GCL: <a href="https://t.co/M8fzbFlVTE">pic.twitter.com/M8fzbFlVTE</a></p> — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR/status/1128969163911811072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 May 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Many have accused Abbott of using the tribute as a last-ditch effort to gain votes for the electorate of Warringah.</p> <p>Many Australian politicians, celebrities as well as annoyed citizens lashed out at the former Liberal Prime Minister online. This included Lee Lin Chin.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">You want to make Bob Hawkes death about politics <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyAbbottMHR</a>? Okay, let's do it. He was a better Prime Minister than you ever were, but to be fair so was every other one including Scott Morrison you sad tiny man.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPHawkey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPHawkey</a></p> — Lee Lin Chin (@LeeLinChin) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeeLinChin/status/1128994383347322882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 May 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Chin was scathing in her criticism, saying:</p> <p>“You want to make Bob Hawkes death about politics Tony Abbott? Okay, let’s do it. He was a better Prime Minister than you ever were, but to be fair so was every other one including Scott Morrison you sad tiny man.”</p> <p>Others were quick to condemn the statement.</p> <p>“You lack grace. In fact, you are complete trash,” Labor MP Nick Staikos wrote.</p> <p>“You’re trying to score political points from the death of one of Australia’s greatest public figures within hours of his passing?” journalist Paul Syrvet said on Twitter.</p> <p>Australian comedian Tom Gleeson succinctly said:</p> <p>“This tribute to one of Australia’s most loved PMs by Tony Abbott, reminds you why he is one of the most loathed.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">This tribute to one of Australia’s most loved PMs by Tony Abbott, reminds you why he is one of the most loathed. <a href="https://t.co/lwTnx0YQhV">https://t.co/lwTnx0YQhV</a></p> — Tom Gleeson (@nonstoptom) <a href="https://twitter.com/nonstoptom/status/1128975408693514240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 May 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Australian Financial Review’s Joe Aston said that Abbott’s comments were “actually disgusting”, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/tony-abbott-slammed-bob-hawke-tribute-214818946.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFZ4m5FEWzLbY-1qfPltwuuk9mlrvSGNPi3RCgAiSTNZBRVkaPpief5Cv7IifBTqCUUjs1WQh9zHRcNyZVenyNwUYUD-CwmzGdy9eC5wAiRurOdUMF0OlY7A6vMri4CTC_tQai1kXS5hlWJiHDmFCC7MH_N5w2rqZbu2EfYoNqDN" target="_blank">Yahoo! News</a>.</p> <p>“[Tony Abbott] uses Bob Hawke's death to make a political point. Apologies to the late Ann Shorten, but this surely sets a new campaign low,” the journalist said.</p> <p>The backlash was too much for Abbott, who appeared to make a more heartfelt tribute later, but for many, the damage had been done.</p> <p>“Too late,” dozens of comments read.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Being more awful than your regular awfulness is an incredible achievement.</p> — Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) <a href="https://twitter.com/KetanJ0/status/1128991043641331718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 May 2019</a></blockquote>

News
Placeholder Content Image

John Howard remembers Bob Hawke: "Undoubtedly a very fine Prime Minister"

<p>Former and current Australian leaders have shared their memories of Bob Hawke following the former prime minister’s death on Thursday at the age of 89.</p> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Hawke was a “political legend” and Labor’s greatest prime minister.</p> <p>“Profoundly Australian, Bob Hawke was a conviction politician who became a political legend,” Morrison said in a statement. “We remember him for his unique capacity to speak to all Australians as one – from everyday battlers to business leaders.</p> <p>“It was his ability to connect with everyday Australians – with a word, with that larrikin wit, with that connection and an understanding of everyday Australian life – that we will most remember Bob Hawke.”</p> <p>Labor leader Bill Shorten paused his election campaign on Thursday evening to honour the party’s longest-serving prime minister. “The nation and Labor are in mourning,” said Shorten in a speech from Sydney. “We have lost a favourite son. Bob Hawke loved Australia and Australia loved Bob Hawke.”</p> <p>Julia Gillard, who was the prime minister from 2010 to 2013, remembered Hawke as an inspiration, a friend and “Australia’s greatest peacetime leader”. She said Hawke approached the end of his life with serenity. “When I last saw Bob, he was facing his own mortality with a sense of calm. He was ready and taking great comfort looking back on a life lived so well.”</p> <p>Another recent Labor leader, Kevin Rudd praised Hawke for his ability to unite the people of the country. “Bob Hawke was an Australian institution,” Rudd said. “He could connect with any Australian, workers, academics and business leaders alike. And when elected as Prime Minister, he was able to bring the country together like no other.”</p> <p>Former Labor leader Paul Keating, who served as Hawke’s treasurer before successfully challenging his leadership in 1991, said the legacy of their partnership was “the monumental foundations of modern Australia”.</p> <p>“With Bob Hawke's passing today, the great partnership I enjoyed with him passes too … But what remains and what will endure from that partnership are the monumental foundations of modern Australia,” Keating said in a statement.</p> <p>“The country is much the poorer for Bob Hawke’s passing.”</p> <p>Earlier this month, Keating and Hawke made their first <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 statement</a> in 28 years in support of Shorten’s run for the prime ministership.</p> <p>Former Liberal prime minister John Howard said while he and Hawke “clashed fiercely on many occasions”, the two enjoyed each other’s company outside of politics. “He was undoubtedly a very fine prime minister,” Howard told ABC Radio National on Friday.</p> <p>“He brought to the office of prime minister and also to the position of leader of the Labor Party a great deal of authority, and in politics, the greatest commodity a leader can have is authority.”</p> <p>Another former Liberal leader Tony Abbott agreed with Morrison’s statement that Hawke was Labor’s best prime minister, but his following swipe has raised eyebrows.</p> <p>“[Hawke’s] key achievements — financial deregulation, tariffs cuts, and the beginnings of privatisation — went against the Labor grain, as Labor’s more recent policy direction shows,” said Abbott. “You might also say he had a Labor heart, but a Liberal head.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Statement on the death of The Hon Bob Hawke AC, GCL: <a href="https://t.co/M8fzbFlVTE">pic.twitter.com/M8fzbFlVTE</a></p> — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR/status/1128969163911811072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Abbott’s statement has been slammed as “tasteless” and “awful”. “A rare combination of thoughtless, tactless, heartless, clueless and tasteless,” <em>The Monthly</em>'s Richard Cooke posted on Twitter.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

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

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

News
Placeholder Content Image

Nick Kyrgios slams tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic: “Can’t stand them”

<p>Nick Kyrgios has shared his thoughts with tennis writer Ben Rothenberg about tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.</p> <p>Kyrgios was brutal in the interview, which was for The New York Times <em>No Challenges Remaining</em> podcast.</p> <p>Kyrgios blasted Nadal for having double standards and also mentioned Djokovic over his “sick obsession” with wanting to be liked.</p> <p>“He’s my polar opposite, like literally my polar opposite. And he’s super salty,” Kyrgios said about Nadal’s character.</p> <p>“When he wins, it’s fine. He won’t say anything bad, he’ll credit the opponent, ‘He was a great player’. But as soon as I beat him, it’s just like, ‘He has no respect for me, my fans and no respect to the game’. And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about? I literally played this way when I beat you the other previous times and nothing changed, nothing changed’.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxWxDsqg0t3/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxWxDsqg0t3/" target="_blank">Muchas gracias #Madrid jugar en casa siempre es especial. 🇪🇸🙏💯👋🏻 Nos vemos pronto!!!!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/rafaelnadal/" target="_blank"> Rafa Nadal</a> (@rafaelnadal) on May 12, 2019 at 1:26am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It’s not a good look for you, I feel. And then (Nadal’s former coach) Uncle Toni came out saying, ‘He lacks education’. I’m like, ‘Bra, I did 12 years at school, you idiot. I’m very educated. I understand that you’re upset I beat your family again’. Rafa gets me vexed.”</p> <p>After roasting Nadal, he took aim at Djokovic who is known to celebrate with his fans after a win by making a gesture to the crowd.</p> <p>“I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger (Federer),” Kyrgios said. “For me personally — I don’t care right now, I’ve come this far — I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaJ8hhAAub/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaJ8hhAAub/" target="_blank">On to quarters 👐😃🙌💪 @rolexmontecarlomasters</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/djokernole/" target="_blank"> Novak Djokovic</a> (@djokernole) on Apr 18, 2019 at 12:30pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like so cringe-worthy. It’s very cringe worthy.</p> <p>“The celebration just kills me. Every time he does the celebration it just kills me. Honestly, that’s what I’m doing next time: if I play him and beat him, I’m doing his celebration, in front of him. That would be hilarious, right?</p> <p>“Djokovic, again, just rubs me the wrong way. He always says what feels like he needs to say, never speaks his opinion.”</p> <p>Despite praising Djokovic for being an “unbelievable player”, Kyrgios doesn’t believe he should be held in a higher regard than Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtuF-tmAZnz/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtuF-tmAZnz/" target="_blank">Real recognises real ✌🏽🎮</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/k1ngkyrg1os/" target="_blank"> NK</a> (@k1ngkyrg1os) on Feb 10, 2019 at 3:46pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We’re talking about a guy [Djokovic] who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many grand slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me,” Kyrgios said.</p> <p>“Simply because, I’ve played him twice (Kyrgios has won both times) and like, I’m sorry, but if you can’t beat me, you’re not the greatest of all time. Because if you like look at my day-to-day routine and how much I train and how much I put in, it’s zero compared to him.”</p> <p>Kyrgios has ruffled feathers after a fit of rage and a chair throwing incident saw him being defaulted and fined from the Italian Open, where he is currently playing.</p> <p>Other players have called for a higher ban, especially his opponent, Norwegian qualifier Casper Ruud, who said Kyrgios should be banned for six months or more.</p> <p>However, Swiss legend Roger Federer disagrees as the current punishment is already enough. As Kyrgios was defaulted on the game, he forfeited his 45 ATP ranking pointed that were earned during the tournament, was fined $32,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour and sacrificed his $55,000 in prize money.</p> <p>“I don’t think he should be suspended,” Federer said. “He walked off the court. What did he do? He hurt a chair. That’s not enough for me.</p> <p>“I don’t know if he’s on probation or not from his Shanghai thing. If that’s the case, then obviously you can maybe look into it. If that’s run its course, I don’t think he should be suspended.”</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

“Like parts in an old car”: Bob Hawke’s moving letter to a young girl on dying

<p>A mother-of-three has shared a heart-warming letter she received from former prime minister Bob Hawke when she was just seven years old.</p> <p>Tracey Corbin-Matchett was a young girl trying to cope with the loss of her grandmother when she wrote to Mr Hawke, who died at the age of 89 at his Sydney home on Thursday.</p> <p>“As a child struggling with my Nan's death, I wrote to PM Bob Hawke, to help my young mind understand why we die,” she wrote on Thursday evening.</p> <p>“His letter back to me is my most treasured childhood memory!”</p> <p>Now Tracey works in communications and shared the stunning reply that has struck a chord all throughout Australia as the letter has gone viral.</p> <p>“The question you asked me about dying is very hard to answer and I think most of us have different ideas about why we do eventually all die,” Mr Hawke replied on July 23, 1985</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">As a child struggling with my Nan’s death, I wrote to PM Bob Hawke, to help my young mind understand why we die. His letter back to me is my most treasured childhood memory! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBobHawke?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBobHawke</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votesoutforBOB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#votesoutforBOB</a> <a href="https://t.co/kqpEIYZKmq">pic.twitter.com/kqpEIYZKmq</a></p> — TraceyCorbinMatchett (@traceycm74) <a href="https://twitter.com/traceycm74/status/1128977101372002305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“Some people die because of unfortunate accidents, sometimes they become so ill that doctors are unable to help them to recover.</p> <p>“Perhaps when we grow very old, our bodies get worn out, or certain parts break down, like parts in an old car.</p> <p>“None of us can be sure of how long we will live. Because this is so I think you should try not to think too much about dying but think about all the nice things around you that make life so precious to us all.”</p> <p>On Twitter, Amanda Perram also shared a heart-warming letter she had received from Mr Hawke after she had written about her fears of a nuclear war as a child.</p> <p>She said his letter made her realise he “truly cared” and “had listened” to her concerns.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I can't remember why on earth I was so worried at such a young age about nuclear war to write a letter to the PM about it, but I sure remember getting this letter back from Bob Hawke. I felt like he truly cared. I felt like he had really listened. He was a true leader. RIP 💔 <a href="https://t.co/gylCIEVWTM">pic.twitter.com/gylCIEVWTM</a></p> — 💧💰 Amanda Perram (@AmandaPerram) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaPerram/status/1128975238325198849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“He was a true leader,” she wrote.</p> <p>The reply dated September 26, 1983 was written by a senior adviser on behalf of Hawke who agreed with her.</p> <p>“The Prime Minister was pleased to hear that you are taking an active interest in this very important matter,” the letter said.</p> <p>ABC journalist Connor Duffy received a letter that went on for two pages on behalf of the prime minister in 1991, who shared his concerns about the environment, poverty, the economy and recycling.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Vale Bob Hawke - woke up to the news via text from mum who sent me this letter I got back from his office after I’d sent him one asking about recycling, the environment, poverty and the economy! I remember being so chuffed they made time for a know it all 9 year old! <a href="https://t.co/VfTFMlxZHG">pic.twitter.com/VfTFMlxZHG</a></p> — Conor Duffy (@conorduffynews) <a href="https://twitter.com/conorduffynews/status/1129000318338064384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“I remember being so chuffed they made time for a know it all 9-year-old!” Duffy said.</p> <p>The lengthy reply said the government was sending foreign aid to countries’ in need and had waved a sales tax on products made from recyclable materials.</p> <p>It also detailed the government had “tried very hard” to create enough jobs for everyone despite the recession.</p>

News
Placeholder Content Image

“Should we bring back Karl?” Pauline Hanson’s outburst on Today show

<p>One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, faced a tough interrogation regarding her party’s latest antics while appearing on a breakfast show this morning – but she snapped back with equal amounts of ferocity.</p> <p>TV veteran and co-host of the <em>Today</em> show Deborah Knight grilled Hanson over the successive opinion polls that revealed her party’s primary vote has collapsed, almost halving over the duration of the campaign.</p> <p>“The latest Newspoll, it shows support for One Nation collapsing to four per cent, on par with Clive Palmer’s party,” said Knight.</p> <p>“In light of all the things you’ve faced, all the scandals, all the things that have been going on, can you really blame people for having doubts about One Nation and considering Clive (Palmer) over you?”</p> <p>And to absolutely no one’s surprise, the question was not received well by the Queensland senator.</p> <p>Hanson took aim at the <em>Today</em> show’s abysmal ratings, which have plummeted since Karl Stefanovic was sacked at the end of last year.</p> <p>Knight was his replacement, co-hosting the show with Georgie Gardner. But despite her years of experience in front of the camera, the new duo have not proven to be popular amongst viewers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPaulineHansonAu%2Fvideos%2F304848700436003%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="307" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“I’ve actually gone up since the last election, unlike your show, Deb, since you’ve actually taken over,” said Hanson. “You’ve actually gone down in your viewership.”</p> <p>“Ooh, you’re having a go,” Knight fired back.</p> <p>And that wasn’t the end of it, as the politician then criticised Knight’s ability as a host.</p> <p>“So, should you hand over your job or should we bring Karl back? Should we bring Karl back? You have a go at me about this all the time.”</p> <p>The attack, which visibly shocked Knight, was posted to <em>Today</em> show’s social media accounts, but was quickly taken down in a matter of minutes.</p> <p>A video of the segment was then posted on the <em>Today</em> show’s Facebook page, but was heavily edited to cut out Hanson’s comments regarding the program’s viewership.</p> <p>Hanson then took to her own Facebook page to comment on the altercation:</p> <p>“I got a little fired up in this interview but when the media attacks, you have to hit back,” she said.</p> <p>“Funny how they deleted my comments about their terrible ratings from the videos they put out on Twitter and Facebook. Just goes to show you can’t trust media to let you know what really happened!”</p>

News
Over 60