Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes migration into Australia seen to reach 400,000 this year, the high cost of living is pushing Aussies to make use of ‘buy now, pay later’ plans, Qantas has launched flights between Melbourne and Exmouth, and that two in three Australians will be overweight or obese by 2030.
Nation
Australian overseas migration to reach record high
Net overseas migration into Australia will reach a “record 400,000 this year” before settling down to a more sustainable level, Sky News has reported. “It says that measures such alterations to the immigration points tests and lifting the salary threshold for skilled migrants from $53,900 a year to $70,000 a year is about fewer migrants, not more, and the ‘right migrants’,” Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell said. “The government also announced it would allow all those on temporary skilled visas to have a pathway to permanent residency and it believes this is key as previously cooks, carpenters, engineers, plumbers and others have been given three-year visas here and then, as one senior government source put it, told to get lost.”
Economy
The cost of living is pushing people to buy now, pay later
Most people with BNPL debts have exhausted other credit options since it allows customers to buy products before paying for them, often in staggered repayments, The Guardian reported. Calls to the debt helpline have also increased by up to 37 per cent from the same period last year, a period that coincides with rapidly rising borrowing costs, high rentals and increasing food and energy prices. BNPL is now accepted by about 160,000 Australian businesses, an increase of 17 per cent compared with the previous financial year. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/30/australias-rising-cost-of-living-is-pushing-people-to-buy-now-pay-later-but-debts-are-stacking-up
Business
Rio Tinto acquires high-grade scandium project in Australia
Rio Tinto has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Platina Scandium Project, a high-grade scandium resource in New South Wales, from Platina Resources Limited for $14 million, the Business Wire has reported. The project, near Condobolin in central New South Wales, comprises a long-life, high-grade scalable resource that could produce up to 40 tonnes per annum of scandium oxide, for an estimated period of 30 years.
Companies
WA brick company to shut last manufacturing site
Australia’s largest brick manufacturer concrete block and brick producer Brickworks revealed that its Western Australian subsidiary Austral has been running at a loss in recent years off the back of a reduction in building activity. As a result, the company has made the “difficult decision” to shut down its last manufacturing centre in the state, located in Cardup about 46km southeast of Perth. Brickworks’ Cardup closure comes as insolvencies in the construction sector continue to rise and are alarmingly yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, News.com has reported.
Travel
Qantas takes off between Melbourne and Exmouth
Qantas has launched flights between Melbourne and Exmouth, with the new direct seasonal route cutting travel time by three hours for Victorians who previously connected through Perth, Mirage News has reported. From now until October the national carrier will operate two return services each week between Melbourne and Exmouth with its Boeing 737 aircraft, making more than 18,000 seats available across the peak tourism season. Qantas has a limited number of $399 one-way special fares currently on sale. Usual lead-in fares on the route start from $531 one-way. Mirage News reported.
https://www.miragenews.com/flying-kangaroo-takes-off-between-melbourne-and-996428/
Health
Obesity rates show tax on sugary drinks needed
Data showing two in three Australians will be overweight or obese by 2030 highlights the urgent need for a tax on sugary drinks to prevent disease and save lives, the Australian Medical Association said. Obesity is the second biggest modifiable risk factor contributing to the disease burden in Australia after tobacco. A tax on sugary drinks would reduce consumption by 31 per cent by 2025-26, and was estimated to result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, 4,400 fewer cases of heart disease and 1,100 fewer cases of stroke. The Blue Mountain Gazette has reported.
0 Comments