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Insider spills on Robert Irwin's plans for I'm a Celeb

<p>Robert Irwin received rave reviews for his co-hosting skills alongside Julia Morris on this year's<em> I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here</em>, but an insider has claimed that he won't be returning for another season. </p> <p>"His easygoing and faultless live TV skills have won over the nation. But his career at Ten will only be short-lived, and he is heading back to Seven," a source told <em>Woman's Day</em>. </p> <p>The negotiation is believed to have been orchestrated by the ultimate "mumager" Terri Irwin. </p> <p>"The Irwins are very smart when it comes to negotiations," the insider added. </p> <p>The source also claimed that Robert's decision to join<em> I'm a Celebrity</em> was seen as a one-off opportunity to elevate his television profile - which he has achieved after bringing fresh energy into the show. </p> <p>Channel Seven is reportedly keen to welcome Robert back with a massive deal, according to the source. </p> <p>"Seven want Robert back and have thrown a king's ransom at him," they said.</p> <p>If the deal goes through, Julia Morris will have to find a new partner to head to the jungle with. </p> <p>Many fans have praised Robert for bringing some fun into the jungle. </p> <p>"I have not ever been keen on watching this show but Robert you have brought some class and good honest fun to the jungle. Thank you," one fan wrote under a clip of the show's grand finale that Robert posted on his Instagram. </p> <p>"How awesome was Robert? This gig was like it was made for him. What a natural," another added. </p> <p>"Best year of I'm a Celebrity, and it was because you added something to the show as Co-Host. Brilliant job for somebody with no experience but with a lot to give," commented a third. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Keep warm this winter without breaking the bank

<p dir="ltr">With winter right around the corner, many of us (me included) are dreading the frost-bitten mornings, increased heating bills, and feeling too frozen to enjoy our days. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, with winter comes a long list of simple things to appreciate, such as layering up with your favourite scarf before heading out, curling up under a blanket with a good book, endless cups of tea, and of course, the ultimate season for soup.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another thing to add to this unspoken list of winter essentials is the very thing that keeps us warm all day everyday: our most trusted pair of ugg boot slippers. </p> <p dir="ltr">This winter, it’s never been more important to make sure your uggs are in tip top shape, as there’s nothing more miserable than having cold toes in the middle of June. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, Ugg Express is here to help. </p> <p dir="ltr">This Australian owned and based footwear brand has been crafting a wide range of high-quality ugg boots, street wear shoes and accessories for the Australian community for over 30 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">From <a href="https://uggexpress.com.au/collections/ugg-boots-for-women">women’s</a> and <a href="https://uggexpress.com.au/collections/mens-ugg-boots">men’s</a> collections to styles made for little feet, every pair of UGGs is meticulously constructed using a combination of robust soles, reinforced stitching and high-quality suede or leather exteriors to deliver long-lasting wear and endless warmth. </p> <p dir="ltr">If it's boots you’re looking for, or if slip-on slippers are more your speed, Ugg Express have what you’re after, with their entire range coming in at very affordable prices. </p> <p dir="ltr">I was lucky enough to be sent a pair of <a href="https://uggexpress.com.au/products/as-ugg-slippers-homey-unisex-sheepskin-slippers?variant=19690173005882">sheepskin Ugg slippers</a>, and can confidently say I have found my go-to Uggs for winter. </p> <p dir="ltr">These slippers are not a full boot, making them easy to slip on and off if you struggle with mobility issues, while still keeping your heels and ankles snug. </p> <p dir="ltr">As someone who has long suffered with circulation problems (even in the depths of summer will be fingers and toes be entirely too cold) these sheepskin slippers have answered my winter prayers. </p> <p dir="ltr">The ultra-soft sheepskin lining gently moulds to the contours of your feet, providing a cushioned and cloud-like sensation with every step, without leaving your feet feeling overheated or sweaty.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sheepskin also contains natural antimicrobial properties that wick away moisture and help keep nasty odours at bay, so your pair of Uggs smell fresh and new, even with extended wear.</p> <p dir="ltr">The warmth and comfort of these Uggs are unmatched, with a comfy sole adding much needed support, so you can wear them all day long. </p> <p dir="ltr">You can shop the entire range of Uggs, slippers, boots and much more <a href="https://uggexpress.com.au/">online</a>, with the Ugg Express website offering free shipping on orders over $100, and a no risk 30-day returns policy to ensure every customer is happy with their purchase. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you prefer to try before you buy, Ugg Express have stores located all across Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">Don’t wait before you’re frozen solid to make your ultimate winter purchase! Explore the range today to discover a pair of stylish UGG boots you’ll be reaching for whenever the temperature dips.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Beauty & Style

"I was angry": Julia Morris comes clean about Dr Chris Brown's departure

<p>We are all well aware that Dr Chris Brown, beloved former co-host of the jungle rollercoaster known as <em>I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!</em>, bid farewell to the show last year. Host Julia Morris, renowned for her vivacious wit and boundless charm, recently shed some light on her inner turmoil when her long-time partner in jungle antics decided to hop over to rival network Seven.</p> <p>The departure of Chris, after nine glorious seasons of quips and critters, left Julia in a state of bewilderment. "I was shocked," Morris <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/julia-morris-admits-she-was-angry-when-chris-brown-quit-im-a-celebrity-004322904.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Yahoo! News</a>. "I was angry, but I was also fine because it's what my friend needed to do. It was a super confusing time."</p> <p>Morris then faced the daunting prospect of finding a new partner-in-crime; enter Robert Irwin, the youthful wildlife enthusiast and heir to the Crocodile Hunter legacy. After a rigorous audition process involving around six Aussie personalities, Robert emerged as the chosen one. Julia described the moment as if the clouds parted, and a celestial spotlight shone down on young Irwin. "Everybody dissolved immediately and everybody knew it," Julia recounted. </p> <p>Now, the burning question on everyone's minds: Will Julia be just as flirtatious with the sprightly 20-year-old Irwin as she was with Chris? On that matter, Julia has remained coy: "I don't know how and why it's already working so beautifully." she teased.</p> <p>Julia also reassures us that she and Robert have already formed a bond akin to that of two koalas clinging to the same eucalyptus tree. "Now we have fun. I'm learning along the way from Robert, which is fantastic," she gushed. And thus, a new era dawns in the jungle, where critters roam, celebrities squirm and Julia Morris reigns supreme as the queen of quips and camaraderie.</p> <p><em>Image: Network 10</em></p>

Worried about price gouging? For banks, there’s a simple solution

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a></em></p> <p>Does it feel like you’re being charged more for all sorts of things these days, from <a href="https://theconversation.com/supermarkets-airlines-and-power-companies-are-charging-exploitative-prices-despite-reaping-record-profits-222755#:%7E:text=According%20to%20the%20inquiry%2C%20the,dairy%20products%20and%20breakfast%20cereals.&text=Farmers%20recently%20accused%20supermarkets%20of%20making%20too%20much%20profit%20from%20their%20crops.">groceries</a> to <a href="https://theconversation.com/see-when-australias-biggest-banks-stopped-paying-proper-interest-on-your-savings-and-what-you-can-do-about-it-200265">banking</a>? Turns out, you’re right.</p> <p>While we might be more likely to remember prices that go up than prices that go down, the very best evidence – assembled by Australia’s <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/competition-review-mergers-background-note.pdf">Treasury</a>, the federal government’s lead economic adviser – says your suspicions are right. We really are being charged more than we used to be two decades ago.</p> <p>Coupled with the latest profit reports from Australia’s biggest supermarkets and banks, including Tuesday’s half-year results from Coles, it suggests we are contributing more to company profits than we used to.</p> <h2>Climbing price markups</h2> <p>The Treasury estimates show in the 13 years between 2003-04 and 2016-17, the average price markup – the difference between the cost of a product and its selling price – across all Australian industries climbed 6%.</p> <p>That’s extra profit, taken from your wallet, going to the people selling you things.</p> <p>Those Treasury estimates are contained in a background paper prepared for the competition <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/review/competition-review-2023">inquiry</a> being undertaken by a panel including Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood, former Competition and Consumer Commission chief Rod Sims, and business leader David Gonski.</p> <p>At the same time, the average share of each industry held by its biggest four firms edged up from 41% to 43%.</p> <p>Profit margins are also higher here than in more competitive markets overseas.</p> <p>This is true in banking, where the big four have taken over St George, BankWest, and the Bank of Melbourne – and are about to take over <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/australian-competition-tribunal-authorises-anz%E2%80%99s-proposed-acquisition-of-suncorp-bank">Suncorp</a>.</p> <p>It’s also true in supermarkets, where the big two, Woolworths and Coles, have taken over or seen off Franklins, Bi-Lo and Safeway.</p> <h2>Bigger profit margins than overseas</h2> <p>Coles supermarkets reported earnings <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp#:%7E:text=EBITDA%2C%20or%20earnings%20before%20interest,generated%20by%20the%20company's%20operations.">before adjustments</a> of <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02777616-3A637432">A$1.73 billion</a> on sales of $19.778 billion in the half year to December – a profit margin of 8.7%.</p> <p>Last week, Woolworths supermarkets reported earnings of <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02774826-2A1506104">$2.45 billion</a> on sales of $25.648 billion – a margin of 9.6%.</p> <p>By way of comparison, the dominant UK supermarket group, Sainsbury’s, has a profit margin of <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/quote/lon/SBRY/statistics/">6.13%</a>.</p> <p>In banking, the Commonwealth Bank has just reported a return on equity (profit as a proportion of shareholders’ funds) of <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02772167-2A1504649">13.8%</a>. National Australia Bank reported <a href="https://www.nab.com.au/content/dam/nab/documents/reports/corporate/2023-full-year-results.pdf">12.9%</a>.</p> <p>While on a par with the big banks overseas, those recent returns are a good deal higher than CommBank’s <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank-assets/about-us/2021-08/2021-annual-report_spreads.pdf">11.5%</a> and NAB’s <a href="https://www.nab.com.au/content/dam/nab/documents/reports/corporate/2021-full-year-results-management-discussion-and-analysis.pdf">10.7%</a> reported two years ago.</p> <h2>Little hope for groceries</h2> <p>For supermarkets, there’s not a lot the government can do, apart from launching an <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/supermarkets-inquiry-2024-25">inquiry</a>, and perhaps giving Australian authorities the power to <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/break-up-firms-that-abuse-market-power-says-former-competition-tsar-20230709-p5dmtq">break up</a> firms that abuse their market power.</p> <p>But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he isn’t keen on giving Australian authorities the sort of powers available to authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom, saying (incongruously) Australia is “<a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/radio-interview-abc-radio-brisbane-mornings">not the old Soviet Union</a>”.</p> <p>And doing anything short of that would be unlikely to have much effect. Australia’s two supermarket giants have invested a fortune in high-tech <a href="https://theconversation.com/coles-and-woolworths-are-moving-to-robot-warehouses-and-on-demand-labour-as-home-deliveries-soar-166556">warehouses and distribution systems</a>, which new rivals would be hard-pressed to match.</p> <h2>Hope for more competitive banking</h2> <p>But for banks it’s altogether different. Richard Denniss of the Australia Institute has come up with the idea, and it’s a beauty.</p> <p>It’s for the government to provide a low-cost banking service – expanding on services it already offers.</p> <p>The costs would be so low, other banks might decide to add features and resell them in the same way as resellers sell <a href="https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Telstra-network-coverage-vs-ALDI-Woolworths-Belong-Boost">mobile phone</a> and <a href="https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/service-providers">NBN</a> services.</p> <p>The primary function of any bank is to provide a numbered account into which Australians can deposit and withdraw funds.</p> <p>The Australian Tax Office does this already, at an incredibly low cost.</p> <p>The tax office gives every working Australian a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/tax-file-number">tax file number</a>. Employers deposit money into these accounts, and – should the tax office owe a refund – taxpayers withdraw them.</p> <p>Some taxpayers ensure their tax is <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/international-tax-for-business/in-detail/income/refund-of-over-withheld-withholding-how-to-apply">overpaid</a>, so they withdraw later.</p> <p>Denniss describes it as a bank account with the world’s clumsiest interface.</p> <h2>The government could offer bank loans</h2> <p>It wouldn’t be much of a stretch from improving that interface to offering government loans.</p> <p>In fact, government loans are already provided in some circumstances: such as to retirees with home equity through the <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/seniors/benefits-payments/home-equity-access-scheme">home equity access scheme</a>, and to Centrelink recipients through <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink-online-account-help-apply-for-advance-payment">advance payments</a>.</p> <p>It woudn’t be much more of stretch to provide loans more broadly, at an incredibly low administrative cost. The government already lends against the <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-loan-under-home-equity-access-scheme">value of homes</a>.</p> <p>Back in the days when the federal government owned the <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/our-company/history.html">Commonwealth Bank</a>, it had to cover the high costs of running bricks and mortar branches.</p> <p>Freed from those costs, the government could now offer a low-cost, technology-enabled basic banking service that would tempt us away from the big four banks – unless they offered better value.</p> <p>Of course it would cost money, although a lot of it has already been spent setting up the system of tax file numbers and accounts. And of course the banks would hate the idea. That would be the point.</p> <p>But doing what we can to stop Australians being overcharged is important, not only for wage earners but also for businesses.</p> <p>The <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/review/competition-review-2023">competition inquiry</a> the government has launched is a good start. It shouldn’t be frightened about where it might lead.<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/223821/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709"><em>Peter Martin</em></a><em>, Visiting Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image </em><em>credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>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/worried-about-price-gouging-for-banks-theres-a-simple-solution-223821">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

"Too good to be true": Bank teller saves couple from losing $40k

<p>A Tasmanian couple have been saved from losing $40k into an online investment scam after a bank teller noticed the red flags. </p> <p>The couple visited the NAB branch in Rosny, Hobart after their account was blocked during an attempt to transfer the money to an ‘online investment firm’ in Perth. </p> <p>The payment was the first of two instalments that they were set to pay the "firm" but NAB Customer Advisor Erin Bugg saved them from a massive loss. </p> <p>Bugg became suspicious of the firm after they promised a 12 per cent return on their term deposit and a guaranteed pay out if the firm went bust. </p> <p>“If there was a scam red flags bingo card, ‘online investment opportunity’ would be top of the list,” the NAB Customer Advisor said. </p> <p>“Immediately, alarm bells went off for me. It sounded like an investment scam and I was concerned this couple could lose their life savings.” </p> <p>The couple, however, insisted that they weren't being scammed so Bugg decided to look into the matter further and found a website and article about the firm. </p> <p>When she looked into the rates they offered she realised it “was literally too good to be true." </p> <p>“No one likes to be told they’re being lied to, especially when they feel like they’ve done all the right things. They had done their own research, and even spoken to the company on the phone,” she said. </p> <p>She added that "alarm bells" started ringing when the wife explained that a man from the firm kept calling her to thank her for the investment and encourage her to open an account. </p> <p>The couple then rang the "firm" in front of Bugg to try and convince her it was real. </p> <p>“I declined to speak to the ‘firm’, but I could hear them telling the customers, ‘Oh, NAB always flags us as a scam’,’” she recalled. </p> <p>NAB’s fraud team then informed them that the firm had a bank account at another bank, and to call the bank to confirm whether it was legit. </p> <p>After calling the other bank, they found that the account was not connected to the investment firm and suggested them to not transfer anything. </p> <p>“It was such a relief to hear from the customer that they’d avoided being scammed,” Bugg said. </p> <p>This comes after Scamwatch received over 7,000 reports of investment scams collectively costing Aussies over $275 million in the last year. </p> <p><em>Image: NAB </em></p>

Money & Banking

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865"><em>University of Canberra</em></a></em></p> <p>Imagine the dentist has just said you urgently need a A$2,000 dental crown. A week later, a pipe in your bathroom bursts, causing $8,000 worth of damage. Suddenly, you’ve been hit with a $10,000 financial shock.</p> <p>As the cost-of-living crisis plunges more households into financial uncertainty and at least <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/data/taking-the-pulse-of-the-nation-2022/2023/australians-face-challenging-budgetary-constraints#:%7E:text=Over%20the%20past%20six%20months,has%20increased%20to%2060%20percent.">one-third</a> of Australians struggle to make ends meet, it’s more important than ever to ask yourself: how financially resilient am I?</p> <p>Being financially resilient means you aren’t left financially devastated when an expensive emergency creeps up on you. Here are five key signs of financial resilience.</p> <h2>1. You have a plan for what you’d do if you suddenly lost your salary</h2> <p>Financial resilience means having a plan to fall back on during tough times. This extends to how you’d make money if you lost your job.</p> <p>In practice, that means things like making sure your skills and contacts are kept up to date so you can more easily find a new job. You might also consider whether a “side hustle” job such as tutoring could work for you in the short term, and how you’d put that plan into practice if needed. Perhaps you have a spare room in your home you could rent out for a period of time if you lost your salary.</p> <p>Those examples won’t work for everyone, of course, but it’s still worth asking yourself the question: what would I do if I lost my salary tomorrow?</p> <h2>2. You have enough liquid assets to meet an unexpected financial expense</h2> <p>Liquid assets means money that can be accessed quickly and easily to overcome an unplanned financial expense. Savings are a good example. They provide a buffer so you can cope in the short term if a financial shock strikes. The federal government’s Moneysmart website suggests you aim to have enough in your emergency savings fund to cover <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/saving/save-for-an-emergency-fund">three months of expenses</a>.</p> <p>Having an <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/glossary/offset-account">offset account</a> as part of a mortgage is another option that provides a buffer. Putting money in an offset account helps you save while reducing the amount of interest on a home loan. You can still access the money in an offset account at any time.</p> <h2>3. You have bought the right financial products, such as insurance</h2> <p>Financial products, such as insurance, hedge against potential losses.</p> <p>Personal insurance is important because it provides income in the event of death, illness or injury. Examples include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>life insurance (which pays out to your beneficiaries, such as your partner or children, when you die)</p> </li> <li> <p>total and permanent disability insurance (which means you may get some money if you acquire a disability that prevents you from working)</p> </li> <li> <p>income protection (which provides you with an income if you can no longer work)</p> </li> <li> <p>trauma cover (which covers a life-changing illness or injury, such as cancer or a stroke).</p> </li> </ul> <p>Check if your superannuation has any of these insurances included in it. <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/295770/FPRJ-V4-ISS1-pp-53-75-insurance-literacy-in-australia.pdf">Research</a> has found that many Australians are underinsured.</p> <h2>4. You can still pay your debts when times are tough</h2> <p>Being able to borrow money can help when you’re in a tight spot. But knowing where to borrow from, how much to borrow and how to manage debt repayments is crucial.</p> <p>Financially resilient people use debt responsibly. That means:</p> <ul> <li> <p>not using debt for frivolous expenses like after-work drinks</p> </li> <li> <p>staying away from private money lenders</p> </li> <li> <p>being cautious about buy-now-pay-later services</p> </li> <li> <p>watching out for debts with high interest rates, such as payday loans and credit card debt</p> </li> <li> <p>maintaining debt repayments consistently.</p> </li> </ul> <p>If you’re having debt problems, talk to your lender about renegotiating your repayment arrangements, or contact the <a href="https://ndh.org.au/">National Debt Helpline</a> on 1800 007 007.</p> <h2>5. You are financially literate</h2> <p>Being financially literate means you can assess the benefits and risks of using savings or taking out debt to meet an unplanned financial need.</p> <p>As I have <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-you-financially-literate-here-are-7-signs-youre-on-the-right-track-202331">written</a> before on The Conversation, key signs of financial literacy include tracking your cashflow, building a budget, as well as understanding what debts you have and which to pay first.</p> <p>It also means storing your money across different places (such as superannuation, savings accounts, property and the share market) and understanding how financial assets like cash, shares and bonds work.</p> <p>Being aware of your financial strengths and weaknesses, and having financial goals is also important.</p> <p>Nobody is born knowing how to make sound financial decisions; it’s a skill that must be learned.</p> <p>It’s good to think about the resources you would draw upon to help get yourself out of a difficult financial situation – well before disaster strikes.<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/218126/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577"><em>Bomikazi Zeka</em></a><em>, Assistant Professor in Finance and Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/could-you-cope-with-a-shock-to-your-bank-balance-5-ways-to-check-you-are-financially-resilient-218126">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

Bring a plate! What to take to Christmas lunch that looks impressive (but won’t break the bank)

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-kirkegaard-1401256">Amy Kirkegaard</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/breanna-lepre-1401257">Breanna Lepre</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>Christmas lunch is at your friend’s house this year, and they’ve asked you to bring a plate. Money is tight. So, you find yourself wondering, “What’s cheap, healthy but also looks impressive?”</p> <p>While a tray of mangoes would certainly be a cheap, healthy and colourful contribution, you want to look as if you’ve put in a bit of effort.</p> <p>If you’re struggling for inspiration, here are some tried and tested ideas.</p> <h2>First, choose your ingredients</h2> <p>Check your pantry for inspiration or ingredients. Crackers, dried fruit or nuts are great ideas for a charcuterie board. You can use herbs and spices to add flavour to dishes, or you could use up packets of dried pasta to make a <a href="https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/salmon-and-pasta-salad">pasta salad</a>. This is also a great way to clean out your pantry.</p> <p>Focus on fruit and vegetables that are in season, so are cheaper and more readily available. Keep an eye out at your local fruit and veggie shop or market as it will usually have in-season fruit and vegetables in bulk quantities at reduced prices. Check out <a href="http://seasonalfoodguide.com/australia-general-seasonal-fresh-produce-guide-fruits-vegetables-in-season-availability.html">this seasonal food guide</a> to help you plan your Christmas menu.</p> <p>Ask around for deals by chatting to your local butcher, fishmonger or grocer and let them know your budget. They may suggest cheaper cuts of meat (such as, <a href="https://www.australianbutchersguild.com.au/the-blog/the-abg-blog/underrated-cuts-of-beef/">oyster</a>, <a href="https://www.australianbeef.com.au/know-your-meat/beef-cuts/">blades, rump caps</a>). Try cooking <a href="https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/slow-cooker-corned-beef-mustard-sauce-recipe/z47lwrbv?r=entertaining/9clz7475&h=entertaining">corned beef</a> or <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-roast-chicken">roast chicken</a> in a slow cooker with lots of vegetables. Slow-cooked meals can be frozen and can come in handy for left-overs.</p> <p>Lean into <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4608274/">legumes</a>. These are packed with fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also budget-friendly and a great way to add texture to salads. Tinned chickpeas, or cannellini, kidney, or butter beans are quick and easy additions that can make filling dishes go further. You could even turn tinned chickpeas into homemade hommus for a healthy and delicious side dish. Check out these healthy legume <a href="https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/filter/keywords--legumes">recipes</a>.</p> <h2>7 ways to keep food costs down this Christmas</h2> <p><strong>1. Plan ahead</strong></p> <p>Plan your menu by asking how many people are coming and checking for any food preferences or dietary requirements. Check for items you already have at home, and make a shopping list for only what you <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/BFJ-12-2017-0726/full/html">need</a>.</p> <p><strong>2. Use free recipes</strong></p> <p>Use free online recipe collections and e-books tailored for budget cooking that can help you design your Christmas menu to meet your budget. This <a href="https://nomoneynotime.com.au/uploads/Our-Guide-to-the-Perfect-Christmas-Feast.pdf">one</a> was created by a group of <a href="https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/working-dietetics/standards-and-scope/role-accredited-practising-dietitian">accredited practising dietitians</a> and has healthy, budget friendly recipes and ideas. You could also try this budget friendly collection of Christmas recipes from <a href="https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/budget-christmas-recipes">taste</a>.</p> <p><strong>3. Involve the family</strong></p> <p>Get together with other family members and make it a challenge to see who can make the cheapest, most delicious dish. Get the kids involved in fun activities, such as making a DIY gingerbread house or putting together mixed skewers for the barbecue.</p> <p><strong>4. Pool your resources</strong></p> <p>Larger quantities of a single dish will be cheaper than multiple different dishes (and easier to prepare).</p> <p><strong>5. Frozen is fine</strong></p> <p>Use frozen fruits and vegetables if you need to. These can have just as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25526594/">many vitamins and minerals</a> as fresh, are often cheaper than fresh produce and last longer. Try using frozen berries to decorate the pavlova or add them to your favourite cake, muffin or pie.</p> <p><strong>6. Make your own drinks</strong></p> <p>You could make your own drinks, such as home-brewed iced tea. See if anyone in your family has a soda stream you can borrow to make sparkling mineral water. Add some freshly squeezed lemon or lime for extra flavour.</p> <p><strong>7. Reduce waste</strong></p> <p>Use your own crockery and re-use leftovers to reduce waste. After all, washing up is cheaper than buying plastic or paper plates and better for the environment. Remember to save any leftovers and re-use them. Leftover fresh vegetables could be used to make a hearty soup or chutney.</p> <h2>It doesn’t have to be perfect</h2> <p>Christmas comes and goes quickly. If your cooking ideas don’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. Choosing healthy foods on a budget is important all year around, so you may like to think about trying these tips throughout the years to come. <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/196565/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718"><em>Lauren Ball</em></a><em>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-kirkegaard-1401256">Amy Kirkegaard</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/breanna-lepre-1401257">Breanna Lepre</a>, Research Fellow, Mater Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Dietitian and Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/bring-a-plate-what-to-take-to-christmas-lunch-that-looks-impressive-but-wont-break-the-bank-196565">original article</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

Julia Roberts shares rare throwback pic on twins' birthday

<p>Julia Roberts, the timeless Hollywood icon, recently spread waves of joy and nostalgia across the internet as she celebrated the 19th birthday of her delightful twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus Moder.</p> <p>In a heartwarming Instagram post, the 56-year-old actress opened the treasure trove of old photo albums to share a precious throwback, capturing a moment from the early 2000s when her twins were just infants.</p> <p>The enchanting snapshot reveals Roberts, adorned with the timeless grace that made her a <em>Pretty Woman</em>, seated cross-legged on the floor, cradling her tiny bundles of joy in her arms.</p> <p>The image is a testament to the unspoken joy, the endless fun, and the wild rumpus of life that the actress cherishes with her beloved children. In a caption that twinkles with emotion, Roberts expressed, "✨✨19✨✨ There are no words for the joy, the fun, the wild rumpus of life together. 💕"</p> <p>Roberts shares this beautiful journey of parenthood with her husband, the talented cinematographer Daniel Moder. The couple tied the knot in 2002, their love story unfolding on the set of <em>The Mexican</em> two years prior.</p> <p>The twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus, made their entrance into the world in 2004, followed by the arrival of their younger brother Henry in 2007.</p> <p>While the world has been privy to glimpses of Roberts' family life through occasional throwback photos, the actress has been deliberate in keeping her children away from the prying eyes of social media.</p> <p>In a candid interview with <em>The Sun</em> in 2019, Roberts shared her thoughts on navigating parenthood in the digital age, acknowledging the unique challenges it presents.</p> <p>"It's interesting trying to raise kids in this day because it's all so new — the pressures, the resources, having the world in your hand like that," Roberts mused. "I try to keep them off social media because I don't really understand what they need that for right now."</p> <p>Last year, Roberts commemorated Hazel and Phinnaeus' milestone 18th birthday with yet another heartwarming throwback, a testament to the enduring bond she shares with her twins. The caption read simply, "🌟🌟18🌟🌟 Love you." The image, taken in the heart of the family kitchen, captured a moment of pure maternal bliss as Roberts lifted one twin in the air while the other sat surrounded by toys.</p> <p>In the preceding year, for their 17th birthday, Roberts treated her followers to a delightful selfie featuring the radiant trio. The caption exuded pride and love, "17 of the Sweetest years of life ✨ 👫♥️🥳," adorned with celebratory cake emojis.</p> <p>As Julia Roberts and her family continue to celebrate the passage of time, these glimpses into their lives serve as a reminder of the beauty of family, the enduring bonds of love, and the joy found in the simple, precious moments of life.</p> <p>Here's to many more years of love, laughter, and unforgettable family memories for the Roberts-Moder clan! ✨🎉💖</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Julia Morris promises "a little less shameless flirting" with new co-host

<p>In a surprising yet thrilling development, the popular reality show <em>I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!</em> has finally confirmed its new co-host for the upcoming 2024 season.</p> <p>Joining the charismatic Julia Morris is none other than young wildlife expert and television personality Robert Irwin. This "unlikely pairing", as they humorously describe it, has generated a buzz of excitement among fans of the show.</p> <p>The announcement of Irwin as the new co-host has come after months of speculation – and while some may find it an unexpected choice, given the 35-year age gap between the two hosts, it's evident that this decision was carefully considered.</p> <p>Morris playfully quipped about the transition, "I've become so powerful at the network I am now allowed to trade in for a younger model, and of course when you trade in, you always upgrade." Her humour and enthusiasm highlight the anticipation for this fresh partnership.</p> <p>Irwin's ascent to co-host might be surprising to some, but for those familiar with his impressive TV career, it makes perfect sense. Irwin has been a TV veteran since he was just nine years old, earning a Best Newcomer Logie nomination at the tender age of nine. As an animal expert, he continues the legacy of former co-host <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/darryl-somers-jumps-the-gun-with-major-dr-chris-brown-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Chris Brown</a>.</p> <p>The decision to bring Robert on board became clear during their initial screen test as a duo. Julia fondly recalls, "I thought it'd be a very tricky race [to find a new co-host], but the second Robert walked through the door, there was no contest. Everybody in the room was spellbound." Irwin's undeniable charisma and competence won over everyone present.</p> <p>The dynamic between Morris and Irwin promises to be a refreshing change for fans who have followed the show for nine seasons. Julia herself hinted at a "different energy", while also cheekily mentioning there might be "a little less shameless flirting" than viewers were accustomed to with Dr Chris Brown.</p> <p>Despite the age gap, both hosts are excited about this unique collaboration. Julia humorously acknowledges, "Robert is only just a whisper older than my eldest child, so I've really got my mummy protection pants on." She also jokes about needing Robert's assistance with a zimmer frame in the distant future.</p> <p>Irwin is embracing this new role, acknowledging that it's a significant step in his career, considering he is just 19 years old. "I'm the first to say, this is something new for me, but that's what makes it so exciting," Irwin commented. His deep passion for wildlife and conservation, coupled with his love for Africa, promises to bring a fresh perspective to the show.</p> <p>The official announcement of Robert Irwin's inclusion in <em>I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!</em> was made at the Channel 10 Upfronts, alongside a host of other exciting revelations for the network. Some of the highlights include the reboot of <em>Gladiators</em> in early 2024, a new season of <em>Australian Survivor</em> with a Titans vs. Rebels theme, and the return of popular shows like <em>MasterChef</em>, <em>Hunted</em>, and <em>Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition</em>. Additionally, Grant Denyer is set to embark on a new adventure as the host of <em>Deal or No Deal</em>.</p> <p><em>Images: Network Ten</em></p>

8 tips for keeping pets healthy that won’t break the bank

<p>Australia is a nation of animal lovers. Collectively, we have more pets than people (<a href="https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia/#ftn1">28.7 million pets</a> vs <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/population-clock-pyramid">26.7 million people</a>) and <a href="https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia/#:~:text=Overall%252C%2520Australian%2520households%2520are%2520estimated,spent%2520per%2520animal%2520each%2520year.">spent $33 billion on them</a> in 2022. Not only is a healthy pet a happy one, but healthy = wealthy with fewer vet bills and medications, plus less time off work to look after them. But how can you keep spending under control without sacrificing your pet’s health? Read on!</p> <p><strong>1. Choose the right pet</strong></p> <p>Save yourself considerable drama – and money – by getting the right pet for your family from the outset.</p> <p>For instance:</p> <ul> <li>Small dogs eat less, making them more suitable for tighter budgets.</li> <li>Energetic breeds won’t thrive if you can’t exercise them sufficiently. </li> <li>Low-allergy breeds (like Poodles and Burmese cats) can save allergy suffers on antihistamines and tissues.</li> </ul> <p><strong>2. Secure your yard</strong></p> <p>Prevention is always better than cure, so a secure yard/enclosure is a worthwhile investment.</p> <p>The cost of a new fence (especially if split with neighbours) often dwarfs the vet bills if your beloved is hit by a car. </p> <p>A secure pet is less likely to fight with other animals or eat things they shouldn’t. </p> <p>Plus, many areas impose fines for unrestrained pets.</p> <p><strong>3. Be organised</strong></p> <p>An old phrase says: “For every minute spent organising, an hour is earned.” I’d suggest that hour earned also brings dollars saved.</p> <p>For pets, organisation includes:</p> <ul> <li>Staying up-to-date with treatments and veterinary visits. Overdue parasite treatments, vaccinations, and check-ups often cause unnecessary and expensive complications.</li> <li>A tidy home, which saves replacing destroyed shoes etc and fees on overdue bills where the notice was chewed.</li> <li>Keeping household dangers – e.g., toxic plants, chemicals, foods (chocolate!) – out of your pets’ reach to avoid accidental poisoning.</li> </ul> <p><strong>4. Weigh up insurance</strong></p> <p>Many people say they’ll put money aside instead of buying pet insurance. But they don’t – the money winds up elsewhere.</p> <p>When considering insurance, weigh up each policy’s conditions, your pet’s health, and your ability to pay unexpected bills.</p> <p>Without insurance, small amounts may not be problematic. But unexpected surgeries or specialist tests and treatments could see you thousands of dollars out of pocket. </p> <p>The more claims you’re likely to make, the more valuable insurance may be.</p> <p>If you do get insurance, choose a reputable provider with positive reviews for paying claims promptly.</p> <p><strong>5. Master DIY </strong></p> <p>Put your hands to work and make your pet’s essentials at a fraction of buying new. </p> <p>Consider making your own:</p> <ul> <li>Toys – such as uncooked rice or pasta in a PET bottle. (Beware things like sticks, which can cause injuries and splinters.)</li> <li>Meals – cook in bulk and freeze portions for added savings and convenience. Homemade meals may be healthier too, since you know exactly what they’re eating.</li> <li>Bedding and towels – from your old clothing, linen etc.</li> </ul> <p>Always use safe materials and ingredients that won’t be a choking hazard. Monitor items for wear and tear.</p> <p><strong>6. Involve your kids</strong></p> <p>Getting kids/grandkids involved with animal care is good for everyone – including your wallet.</p> <p>Kids love animals. Pets love children’s playtime energy. And you’ll save paying someone else to do it when you’re short for time. </p> <p>Ask them to walk the dog, clean the litter tray, collect the eggs, top up food and water. </p> <p>You can make it form part of their pocket money – teaching them the value of earning – all while helping them develop important life skills like empathy and responsibility.</p> <p><strong>7. Consider legalities</strong></p> <p>Custody and inheritance matters affect furbabies too, so it’s important to have a plan:</p> <ul> <li>Wills – who will have guardianship if you die suddenly? Is that person willing and able? Have you left money to pay for their ongoing care?</li> <li>Separation/divorce – pets sadly are sometimes used as weapons in a separation. It could be emotional blackmail over custody, or one partner is given custody but cannot afford to keep them on a single income. The stress adversely affects everyone – including your pet. </li> </ul> <p><strong>8. Spend time with them</strong></p> <p>Companionship is important for your pet’s health – and yours. And it’s free!</p> <p>Research suggests <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart--literally">dog ownership improves heart health for humans</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologicalhealthcare.com.au/blog/mental-health-benefits-pets/">patting pets lowers blood pressure and stress hormones</a>. Plus, you’ll both benefit from being more active and making new friends (such as at the dog park).</p> <p>So, what are you waiting for? Hitch up the lead or pick up a toy and give your furbaby some love!</p> <p><strong><em>Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women (Ventura Press, $32.99). Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a></em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Family & Pets

Julia Morris' "eye-opening" transformation

<p>Julia Morris has opened up about her most recent transformation with before and after pictures of her cosmetic procedure. </p> <p>The TV personality had undergone an eyebrow lift and an eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty, with the transformation pictures shared on the Instagram page of Melbourne-based plastic surgeon Andrew Greensmith. </p> <p>The surgeon shared that Morris was "happy to share her journey," with the pictures taken five months apart. </p> <p>“A really challenging heavy brow was the major contributor to the upper eyelid appearance,” he shared. </p> <p>“Not only can this surgery help improve some visual field compromise but what a wonderful refreshing and rejuvenating effect it has on the overall face.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwMBOE9vPC7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwMBOE9vPC7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DrAndrewGreensmith (@drandrewgreensmith)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Morris added her own thoughts in the comment section of the surgeon's Instagram. </p> <p>“Best decision I EVER made,” she wrote.</p> <p>“You opened my eyes, on so many levels," she quipped. </p> <p>“This comment is not spon (sponsored), just wide-eyed praise and so happy.”</p> <p>A blepharoplasty is a procedure which allows someone to remove excess skin and fat from their eyelids, which help tighten the skin around it, according to Health Direct. </p> <p>It is often done by people who are older, as their skin begins to lose elasticity. </p> <p>A few followers took to the comments to share their thoughts on the procedure. </p> <p>"Lovely natural result," wrote one person. </p> <p>"Julia looks sensational," commented another. </p> <p>"@ladyjuliamorris just gorgeous.. and done so beautifully..looks completely natural xx" commented a third. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Concerns for seniors in shift to cashless society

<p>Experts have voiced their concerns that senior Aussies will be left behind as the banking industry continues to move away from using cash.</p> <p>National Seniors Australia chief operating officer Chris Grice said there has been a "big shift to getting people off cash", as many financial institutions favour digital transactions. </p> <p>While this shift is geared towards leaning into technological and advancements and making things as convenient as possible, there are worries that older Aussies will be left struggling with the change. </p> <p>"The feedback we're getting it is not as easy as, you know, just tap and go and away you go," Mr Grice told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/commonwealth-bank-statement-on-claims-of-cashless-branches/63ed8948-8dbc-40a9-a2cc-a58b2b94255e" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Today</em></a>.</p> <p>"Some of these regional communities in particular, have challenges around internet access."</p> <p>While cash will still be readily available, Mr Grice warned that people trying to access their cash could face increasing transaction fees at ATMs. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Commonwealth Bank has responded to reports that it has increased the number of "cashless" branches, where a general banking teller is not provided to service customers, saying Cash withdrawals and deposits are available at all Commonwealth Bank branches and Specialist Centres."</p> <p>They went on to say that Specialist Centres, for people who require a face-to-face service, will remain in "major metropolitan locations".</p> <p>There are fears that a growing number of cashless branches across the entire banking industry would disadvantage older Australians who rely on cash as their primary form of banking, leaving many wonder how they will access their money given the limitations. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

Australia can learn from the UK’s experience by making banks pay for scam losses

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/muhammad-al-mamun-1454182">Muhammad Al Mamun</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a></em></p> <p>British banks will soon be required to reimburse customers who fall victim to authorised push payment fraud – where a scammer convinces you to authorise a payment, generally by masquerading as a legitimate business or person.</p> <p>The new rules from the UK’s <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/">Payment Systems Regulator</a> are intended to incentivise all businesses involved in payments to take more action against scam activity, with reimbursement costs split 50:50 between the bank that sends and the bank that receives the payment.</p> <p>There is a strong case that banks and other payment providers in Australia (and New Zealand) should be made to do the same. Scam-related losses are soaring, and banks are falling short of detecting, stopping and recovering losses.</p> <p>In 2022 Australians <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Targeting%20scams%202022.pdf">lost at least $3.1 billion</a> to scams – an 80% increase on 2021. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the actual losses were far higher, because about 30% of victims don’t report their loss to anyone.</p> <p>While the biggest losses came from investment scams (totalling $1.5 billion), payment redirection scams – where a scammer impersonates a business or individual asking for payment – amounted to A$224 million.</p> <p>Among the most vulnerable groups are older people (25% of losses were reported by those aged 65+), people with a disability (6% of reported losses), and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (almost 10% of reported losses).</p> <h2>What are Australian banks doing?</h2> <p>No regulations oblige Australian banks to reimburse scam victims, though some banks have self-governed reimbursement policies.</p> <p>While banks have dedicated fraud teams to prevent scams and support victims, the most recent review of the four major banks’ processes by the Australian Investments and Securities Commission, <a href="https://download.asic.gov.au/media/mbhoz0pc/rep761-published-20-april-2023.pdf">published in April</a>, says they detected and stopped just 13% of scam payments.</p> <p>Reimbursement policies and practices varied from bank to bank but the overall rate was low – ranging from 2% to 5%.</p> <p>The review described the banks’ approaches to liability, reimbursement and compensation as “inconsistent and generally very narrow”.</p> <h2>Why the UK has made banks responsible</h2> <p>The greater obligations being imposed on British banks follows attempts by the UK’s <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/">Payment Systems Regulator</a> to improve consumer protections through a voluntary code of conduct.</p> <p>Introduced in May 2019, this voluntary code was intended, under certain conditions, to ensure the reimbursement of victims of “authorised push payment” scams. These conditions included the customer taking reasonable care and notifying any scam incident to the bank.</p> <p>It had modest success, with <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/news-and-updates/latest-news/news/psr-sets-out-proposals-to-give-greater-protection-against-app-scams/">46% of reported scam losses</a> being reimbursed between 2020 and 2022.</p> <p>But the Payment Systems Regulator wants 95%. So it has pressed for a mandatory reimbursement scheme. Under the new provisions money must be reimbursed within 48 hours of a fraud being reported.</p> <p>The idea is to get banks to put more effort into detecting and preventing scams.</p> <p>Overall, the UK has accepted the need for a more regimented regulatory approach over a market-based one.</p> <h2>A more pragmatic approach needed</h2> <p>While the Australian Investments and Securities Commission’s own reports have revealed the sorry state of scam prevention, management, and reimbursement practices at major banks, the regulatory body is still not walking in the footsteps of the UK. It is instead advising banks to improve their governance and scam management practices.</p> <p>The Australian Banking Association, which represents the banking sector, has strongly argued against regulation supporting mandatory reimbursement. It has even suggested this <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/big-banks-fight-push-for-billions-of-dollars-in-scam-refunds-20220131-p59sp3.html">could increase scamming losses</a> because of the risk customers will take less care if they know any losses will be covered by their bank. It has called for greater personal responsibility in preventing scam losses.</p> <p>But such an argument ignores the effects of the digitisation push by financial service providers, which has made scamming so much easier. Scammers are also becoming more sophisticated.</p> <p>The statistics speak for themselves. Scamming losses are increasing. Recovery rates are meagre. A more pragmatic approach based on this reality and banks’ fiduciary responsibilities is needed.<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/209585/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/muhammad-al-mamun-1454182">Muhammad Al Mamun</a>, Senior Lecturer in Finance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/australia-can-learn-from-the-uks-experience-by-making-banks-pay-for-scam-losses-209585">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

“Breaking Aussies’ spirits”: Karl rips into Reserve Bank

<p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic has ripped into the Reserve Bank for their decision to pause interest rates at an all time high. </p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Today</em> host blasted their decision to freeze the cash rate at an 11-year high of 4.1 percent, as Aussies continue to struggle through the cost of living crisis. </p> <p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic has accused the Reserve Bank of “not giving a toss” about the millions of Australians struggling to keep their homes amid seemingly endless interest rate rises. </p> <p dir="ltr">On Thursday, Karl let loose on the RBA, slamming their decision to put Aussies under further financial strain.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuQTWInBqdU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuQTWInBqdU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“They have single-handedly crushed, strangled Australian households,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Aussies who go to work, pay their bills, and just made the mistake of wanting to own their own home. Now you are being held to ransom.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everything you have built is now on the line because our central bank missed the inflation tidal wave. This is what's worse though.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's not over-spending respective governments carrying the can. It's you at home.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“It's you trying to put food on the table, pay your power bills and keep a roof over your family's head. It's no wonder it's breaking Aussies' spirits right now.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday, the RBA moved to pause interest rates at an 11-year high of 4.1 per cent for the next month. </p> <p dir="ltr">Governor Philip Lowe hinted at more monetary policy tightening because inflation is still too high, even after the most aggressive rate rises since 1989.</p> <p dir="ltr">Even if interest rates don't rise again, mortgage repayments could still be hiked.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Today</em></p>

“Prime contender” for Dr Chris Brown’s replacement revealed

<p dir="ltr">The “prime contender” for Dr Chris Brown’s replacement on <em>I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here</em> has been revealed by Channel 10 insiders. </p> <p dir="ltr">The source told <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12255915/Im-Celeb-AU-Household-set-replace-Dr-Chris-Brown.html">Daily Mail Australia</a></em> that Sam Pang is in the running to join Julia Morris as the co-host of the reality television show, following the celebrity vet’s shock departure. </p> <p dir="ltr">While Dr Chris has long been a fan favourite with his charismatic charm, one network spy said, “Pang could provide a fresh spin on the popular reality show with his comedic genius”, saying he is the “prime contender to fill the big boots left behind” by the dashing vet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pang, best known for his witty retorts and deadpan humour on <em>Have You Been Paying Attention?</em>, seems ready to trade in the studio for the wild world of the jungle. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Our viewers love a good laugh and Sam's knack for making even the most serious situations hilarious is just what we need to bring a new dynamic to the show,” the source added.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news of Dr Chris’ replacement comes after Julia Morris told <em><a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/julia-morris-spills-on-new-im-a-celebrity-co-host-completely-different-012241033.html">Yahoo Lifestyle!</a></em> that the show will go in a “completely different way” following the departure of her co-host after they shared the screen for almost a decade.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also admitted she is testing her “chemistry” with potential candidates for the highly sought after role. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm going to have to leave everything of the past behind,” the 55-year-old told the publication. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Whoever comes in is going to want to build that together,” Julia went on. </p> <p dir="ltr">“So there's plenty of space for that person, we're just looking forward to finding out who that's going to be.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whoever that person is is going to have a huge effect on whether I'm working over the next few years, so I want it to work,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Between nostalgia and amnesia: the legacy of Julia Gillard as PM, 10 years after her ousting

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-black-729708">Joshua Black</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p>On June 26 2013, as she fronted the press gallery in Canberra after her removal as leader of the Labor Party, Julia Gillard was determined not to cry. In her prime ministerial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0uhHuEw8LY">resignation speech</a>, she asked not for pity, but rather for a meaningful national conversation about gender and politics, specifically the politics of her demise.</p> <p>"It doesn’t explain everything; it doesn’t explain nothing. It explains some things. And it is for the nation to think in a sophisticated way about those shades of grey."</p> <p>Ten years after the fact, that conversation is ongoing. At times, it has been a progressive and sophisticated one. The events of recent weeks, including the puerile debate about Katy Gallagher’s <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/gallagher-faces-censure-motion-20230622-p5dirm.html">prior knowledge</a> of Brittany Higgins’ sexual assault allegations, and the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-15/peter-dutton-dumps-senator-david-van-from-liberal-party-room/102481814">allegations</a> against Senator David Van, remind us there is still a long way to go.</p> <p>However, it is worth pausing to reflect on what has happened to Gillard’s reputation over the decade. Why has it thrived? Is it all about gender? And if we have forgotten key aspects of the Gillard years, what does that partial amnesia say about us?</p> <h2>From ‘Juliar’ to feminist icon</h2> <p>For much of her premiership, Gillard was singularly unpopular among Australian voters. Her efforts to put a price on carbon (damned by critics as a broken promise not to introduce a carbon tax) proved electorally damaging, as did her failure to end the deadlock over asylum-seeker policy. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-line-has-been-crossed-gillard-acts-on-thomson-and-slipper-20120429-1xsiz.html">Controversies</a> surrounding Labor MP Craig Thompson and Speaker Peter Slipper (selected for the role by Gillard) further undermined her standing.</p> <p>There was much sexism at play. Her critics incessantly argued this was a woman not to be trusted. Critics of carbon pricing infamously dubbed her “Juliar” on their angry placards. Her body was objectified in the public domain, and the shock jocks of commercial radio questioned the sexuality of her then partner.</p> <p>One commentator, the irascible Alan Jones, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsaVpepMyA8">even suggested</a> the prime minister ought to be “put in a chaff bag” and drowned at sea. The shocking thing is not that these things were said, but rather that they were accepted as legitimate contributions to public debate by the community at large.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/533611/original/file-20230623-24-4cz05p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The language used to criticised Gillard was often deeply sexist, and opposition politicians often did little to discourage it.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Alan Porritt/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Stories about Gillard’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/31/julia-gillard-did-not-commit-any-inquirys-counsel-assisting-says">alleged corruption</a> as a lawyer in Perth in the early 1990s also proved a distraction from the government’s agenda. Not until 2014 – in the witness box of a royal commission, no less – was Gillard finally able to clear her name.</p> <h2>The misogyny speech</h2> <p>The passage of time can make things seem as if they always were as they are now. But Gillard’s renowned <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd7ofrwQX0">misogyny speech</a> was not an instant sensation in Australia. The context – a censure motion on the disgraced speaker Peter Slipper – was unpropitious, and when Gillard made her speech, the conservative press called her a hypocrite who now played the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/gillard-reveals-true-nature-in-playing-gender-card-20121010-27cnq.html">“gender card”</a> for political expediency.</p> <p>The speech’s global impact was immediate, but only after Gillard’s removal from power did it capture the hearts and minds of some Australians. New developments – the sexist attacks on US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, the #MeToo movement beginning in 2017, and latterly the backlash against gendered discrimination and abuse in parliament house – gave it further acuity in the following years.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ihd7ofrwQX0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>A decade after its muted reception in Canberra, the speech is circulated on TikTok, featured in stage productions, and in 2020 it was even voted Australia’s most <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/feb/07/julia-gillard-misogyny-speech-voted-most-unforgettable-moment-in-australian-tv-history">“unforgettable” television moment</a>.</p> <p>Though not always enamoured with the way it dominated her political legacy, Gillard ultimately leaned in to it, as the saying goes. She started a podcast called A Podcast of One’s Own (a clear nod to Virginia Woolf), published two books about women and leadership, and established the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, and latterly the Australian National University.</p> <h2>Star status</h2> <p>As prime minister, Gillard was regularly criticised for her “wooden” media appearances and her cautious approach to public engagement. It is ironic, then, that her transformation from untrustworthy politician to venerable feminist advocate depended on the media and celebrity industries.</p> <p>It began with a series of ticketed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoCpHkPr8lE">public talks</a> in venues such as the Sydney Opera House with longstanding feminist advocate, author and historian Anne Summers. Gillard’s memoir, <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/my-story-9781760893330">My Story</a>, and a high-profile book tour followed in 2014.</p> <p>In her advocacy work as chair of the Global Partnership for Education she also rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as <a href="https://www.vogue.com.au/celebrity/interviews/rihanna-and-julia-gillard-the-unlikely-friendship-between-a-global-superstar-and-our-former-prime-minister/news-story/3263d3e95e6d9780c0535b8cfea8840d">Rihanna</a>.</p> <h2>The policy legacy</h2> <p>Several of the Rudd-Gillard government’s policy initiatives were unravelled by their successors. The <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-10/gillard-reveals-carbon-price-scheme/2788842">$23-per-tonne carbon price</a> was repealed by Tony Abbott’s government, as was the (clearly deficient) <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/FOI_2247.pdf">Minerals Resource Rent Tax</a>. The National Broadband Network, the rollout of which began under Gillard, was dramatically reimagined by Malcolm Turnbull as communications minister and then as prime minister.</p> <p>Some of the less-savoury aspects of Gillard policy legacy have been forgotten for more convenient reasons. Gillard herself has not often discussed her government’s revival of mandatory offshore processing for asylum seekers in Australia. The cutting of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-julia-gillard-forever-changed-australian-politics-especially-for-women-138528">single parents’ benefit</a>, on the very same day as Gillard’s misogyny speech, has earned perhaps not enough discussion. It is her <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-16/julia-gillard-same-sex-marriage-feminism-debate/102290962">failure to support</a> same-sex marriage as prime minister that now draws the most condemnation from pundits.</p> <p>But policy legacies have also played a huge part in the revival of Gillard’s public standing. The Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings was a hugely important initiative. It earned Gillard significant credit across the political spectrum when its findings proved so damning.</p> <p>The NDIS, largely overlooked in media coverage in favour of “carbon tax” and “deficit”, has become a sacred element in Australian social and welfare policy. The subsequent policy debate has not hinged on the design of the scheme, but rather how best to fund it.</p> <h2>Between nostalgia and amnesia</h2> <p>There is a dissonance in the way Australians talk about Gillard today. Her magnanimity is respected, her embrace of a life after politics admired. Above all else, Gillard’s status as Australia’s first woman prime minister and now a global women’s ambassador prevails. As a rule, she does not parade her views on contemporary politics before the public, except at a conceptual level. (Her memoir was perhaps the exception.)</p> <p>But when commentators refer to the decade of egos, ambitions and failed leaders, they are increasingly likely to elide her name entirely. It is a disservice to the historical record, and to Gillard herself. She was a fierce combatant in parliament, and endured a period of intense conflict within the Labor Party. Her victory over Kevin Rudd in February 2012 – one of their many spills and shadow contests – was larger than any ballot that Rudd, Abbott or Turnbull ever contested.</p> <p>People have been quick to wipe their hands clean of yesterday’s sexism in order to make Gillard yesterday’s heroine. But they ought to be careful that, in the process, they do not erase her from other political histories.</p> <p>To segregate her story as one of women’s leadership while neglecting it in wider histories of Australian politics and policy would, in its own way, be an act of sexism.<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/208283/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-black-729708">Joshua Black</a>, PhD Candidate, School of History, National Centre of Biography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/between-nostalgia-and-amnesia-the-legacy-of-julia-gillard-as-pm-10-years-after-her-ousting-208283">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Julia Morris sheds light on I’m A Celeb co-host casting

<p>Julia Morris has shared some insight into the casting for her new <em>I’m A Celebrity </em>co-host following the departure of her long-time on-screen partner Dr Chris Brown.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em>, the TV presenter said that casting was currently underway and after almost a decade, the reality show would now be going in a “completely different way”.</p> <p>“I’m going to have to leave everything of the past behind,” she told the publication, explaining that she would soon do “chemistry” tests with six potential candidates.</p> <p>“Whoever comes in is going to want to build that together. So there’s plenty of space for that person, we’re just looking forward to finding out who that’s going to be.”</p> <p>Morris, 55, also highlighted the pressure that was on her and the successful candidate.</p> <p>“Whoever that person is going to have a huge effect on whether I’m working over the next few years, so I want it to work,” she added.</p> <p>Brown’s departure from Ten after 15 years was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/the-doctor-is-out-chris-brown-changes-the-script" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> in early 2023, with news he had been poached by rival network Seven.</p> <p>Morris has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/dr-chris-brown-and-julia-morris-open-up-on-final-show-together" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously confessed</a> her devastation about her co-host’s departure, with Dr Chris Brown adding that it was challenging saying goodbye to the show he “loves so much”.</p> <p>Brown had initially joined Ten in 2008 to host <em>Bondi Vet</em>, based on his real-life training as a vet in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, which became an unexpected major success and has since been syndicated in multiple countries.</p> <p>He later made appearances as a panellist on <em>The Project</em> and co-hosted <em>I’m A Celeb</em> alongside Morris for nearly a decade.</p> <p>Brown was also one of the hosts of lifestyle program <em>The Living Room</em> which is currently on hiatus.</p> <p>His role at Seven — set to begin in July 2023 — is yet to be officially announced, however, there is speculation he will be hosting the brand-new renovation program, <em>Dream Home</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris open up on final show together

<p>This season of I’m A Celeb has been jam-packed with drama, but it’s also marking the exit of co-host Dr Chris Brown after it was revealed he was switching networks from Ten to Seven by the time the season airs.</p> <p>Speaking to Brown and Julia Morris ahead of the show’s highly-anticipated finale, <em>news.com.au</em> reported that his longtime co-host was struggling to wrap her head around his departure.</p> <p>“I’m just sad in my heart,” she said.</p> <p>“I think I’m still in shock, and in a very healthy way, I’ve decided to completely ignore it in my brain. This series has felt even more fun than usual, so I’m just not allowing my brain to click over to the fact it won’t be in this incarnation anymore.”</p> <p>Brown’s move between networks has been unusually prolonged by TV standards, and he said it had been bittersweet to have one last hoorah in the jungle before he bids it farewell.</p> <p>“It’s definitely been [difficult], and that’s been because I love the show so much. It’s been hard to count down how many shows you have left, and realise it’s the last time you do this or that,” he confessed.</p> <p>“But it’s allowed me to treasure every single day I’ve had over here. It’s also given the entire crew the chance to crack jokes about it.”</p> <p>“If it’s laughing or crying, which one do you want to do?” Morris teased.</p> <p>Brown named former netball star Liz Ellis as this season’s natural leader, saying that other contestants “go to a trial and their motivation is they don’t want to let down Liz … it’s quite funny.”</p> <p>Below Deck reality star Aesha Scott, who has risen in fame since appearing on the show has reportedly been one of the season’s biggest surprise packages.</p> <p>“She’s been a revelation. Her energy, her humour, her determination to keep everyone entertained at every possible opportunity, and her open-mouthed silent laughing, would’ve been a big surprise for many people,” Brown said.</p> <p>Brown and Morris have had a front-show seat for the extensive drama seen this season, particularly with Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/it-was-unbecoming-domenica-calarco-opens-up-on-her-feud-with-kerri-anne" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feud with Domenica Calarco</a> leading to her abrupt exit.</p> <p>During the confrontation between Dom and KAK the cameras cut to the hosts looking uncomfortable at best.</p> <p>“In fact, it was the face of someone who realised they’ve got the front row seat to a true reality TV moment … and they’re dressed in comical tennis gear,” he said.</p> <p>Viewers noted that there was a snippet of the confrontation before the show later cut to KAK tearfully telling her fellow jungle-goers that she had quit, but there was no content shown of what happened in the middle.</p> <p>Brown added that there was “silence” among the crew as everyone tried to process what had happened.</p> <p>“Kerri-Anne was pretty clear – well, abundantly clear – about how she felt. We’re not about trying to change people’s minds. We had to mediate to a certain extent, and make sure everyone felt OK.”</p> <p>Brown and Morris have appeared to be much more nurturing towards the campers than hosts on other shows and Morris explained that it was an important aspect, emphasising cohesion over conflict.</p> <p>“The contestants are in the jungle for a long time, so to much making fun of them doesn’t go well. They become less seen to do trials and less keen to even see us in camp, which is not a nice feeling,” she said.</p> <p>The attitudes of the hosts paired with the bizarre humour has been a winning combination since the show’s debut in 2015.</p> <p>Morris revealed it was difficult to think about replacing her beloved co-host.</p> <p>“Chris and I, people think they know what this combination is and why it [works], but not even we’re really sure why that frisson is so great. How am I going to find a person who fills all that criteria?” she asked.</p> <p>“I really have someone special in mind, and I don’t want to blow it,” she revealed. “I’m hoping I can coax Dr Chris Brown over from Channel 7.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Bank of Mum and Dad: How much parents are gifting their children for first home deposit

<p>A lot of Aussies are turning to the “Bank of Mum and Dad” to buy their first home, with parents willing to fork out exorbitant funds to help their kids.</p> <p>Parents with children aged under 12 are planning to gift their children $33,278, on average, to put towards their first home deposit, according to new research by Finder.</p> <p>That amount is just about a third of the average first-home-buyer deposit ($96,274), based on the average first-home-buyer loan of $481,368.</p> <p>Victorian parents were the most generous, with plans to gift their adult children $52,716, on average, followed by parents in South Australia ($44,656) and New South Wales ($40,191).</p> <p>Queensland parents were willing to cough up $36,497, while Western Australian parents said they would gift $31,076.</p> <p>However, not everyone is prepared to dig so deep into their pockets as half of parents (51 per cent) said they would give their children $1,000 or less.</p> <p>About 40 per cent of Australians aged 25-34 are expected to reach out to the “Bank of Mum and Dad” to help them buy a property, according to a recent report by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.</p> <p>Finder money expert Sarah Megginson said, without the help of their parents, many young Australians will simply be priced out of the market.</p> <p>“Recent property price hikes, combined with interest rate rises, have made it extremely tough for young buyers to save a sufficient deposit, let alone qualify for a home loan,” she said.</p> <p>“Buying a home also comes with new responsibilities such as managing hefty council rates and strata fees, paying for ongoing repairs and managing your money.”</p> <p>Megginson said older Australians should make sure they “put their oxygen mask on first” before helping their kids, rather than risk damaging their own retirement fund.</p> <p>“It’s important to consider whether you are financially secure before helping family members, and look for ways to work towards a mutually beneficial outcome.” Megginson said.</p> <p>“For instance, you might pledge to match your kids’ home-deposit savings dollar-for-dollar, which gets them into the habit and discipline of saving, and means you don’t have to contribute as much.”</p> <p>Parents should also ask their children to prepare a household budget to help ensure they will b able to handle further rate rises, Megginson said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Real Estate

Julia Morris reveals debilitating health condition

<p>Julia Morris has taken to social media to ask her followers for help and advice on dealing with her debilitating medical issue. </p> <p>The <em>I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here</em> host shared a photo of herself looking unwell and miserable in bed, revealing that she has been suffering from vertigo. </p> <p>She simply captioned the photo, "Vertigo... Any thoughts?"</p> <p>Vertigo is an abnormal spinning sensation that causes you to feel dizzy, nauseous and off-balance.</p> <p>It can often be triggered by certain head movements or problems in your inner ear and makes all aspects of everyday life extremely difficult.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CslEhL-rJs8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CslEhL-rJs8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Julia Morris (@ladyjuliamorris)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Julia received help from her fellow famous friends in the comments, with comedian Dawn French sharing in her ailments. </p> <p>French wrote, "I’ve had it when on tour. Mine is related to the stage lighting. Sets m’brain off fizzin like a volcano. Try to diffuse the lighting maybe… ? and have an object that is lit in the darkness of the auditorium which your eyes can latch on to for focus. Good luck qweeeen x".</p> <p><em>Home and Away</em> star Lynne McGranger chose to keep her tips secret, advising Morris to "DM (direct message) me! I have the BEST remedy. Works every time."</p> <p>Former <em>Gogglebox</em> star Yvie Jones shared in the comments that she also suffers from the condition, and she was "scouring the comments section" for advice. </p> <p>Another, seemingly less helpful, commenter suggest Julia simply try the method of "vodka and valium" to feel better. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Insider spills on Robert Irwin's plans for I'm a Celeb

Keep warm this winter without breaking the bank

"I was angry": Julia Morris comes clean about Dr Chris Brown's departure

Worried about price gouging? For banks, there’s a simple solution

"Too good to be true": Bank teller saves couple from losing $40k

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

Bring a plate! What to take to Christmas lunch that looks impressive (but won’t break the bank)

Julia Roberts shares rare throwback pic on twins' birthday

Julia Morris promises "a little less shameless flirting" with new co-host

8 tips for keeping pets healthy that won’t break the bank

Julia Morris' "eye-opening" transformation

Concerns for seniors in shift to cashless society

Australia can learn from the UK’s experience by making banks pay for scam losses

“Breaking Aussies’ spirits”: Karl rips into Reserve Bank

“Prime contender” for Dr Chris Brown’s replacement revealed

Between nostalgia and amnesia: the legacy of Julia Gillard as PM, 10 years after her ousting

Julia Morris sheds light on I’m A Celeb co-host casting

Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris open up on final show together

Bank of Mum and Dad: How much parents are gifting their children for first home deposit

Julia Morris reveals debilitating health condition

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Insider spills on Robert Irwin's plans for I'm a Celeb

Keep warm this winter without breaking the bank

"I was angry": Julia Morris comes clean about Dr Chris Brown's departure

Worried about price gouging? For banks, there’s a simple solution

"Too good to be true": Bank teller saves couple from losing $40k

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

Bring a plate! What to take to Christmas lunch that looks impressive (but won’t break the bank)

Julia Roberts shares rare throwback pic on twins' birthday

Julia Morris promises "a little less shameless flirting" with new co-host

8 tips for keeping pets healthy that won’t break the bank

Julia Morris' "eye-opening" transformation

Concerns for seniors in shift to cashless society

Australia can learn from the UK’s experience by making banks pay for scam losses

“Breaking Aussies’ spirits”: Karl rips into Reserve Bank

“Prime contender” for Dr Chris Brown’s replacement revealed

Between nostalgia and amnesia: the legacy of Julia Gillard as PM, 10 years after her ousting

Julia Morris sheds light on I’m A Celeb co-host casting

Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris open up on final show together

Bank of Mum and Dad: How much parents are gifting their children for first home deposit

Julia Morris reveals debilitating health condition

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