Ruby Bisson expects to live her entire life in debt and a new rule passed by the government on Thursday has made her situation even more untenable. The 28-year-old Sydneysider is one of millions around the country who attended university and is now stuck paying back her HECS-HELP loan. FromContinue Reading
It’s not just the colder weather Australians should prepare for. As the nation heads into winter, many people are about to pay more for electricity, health insurance and their student loan repayments. After months of climbing grocery prices and higher mortgage repayments for thousands of homeowners, health insurance premiums, HELPContinue Reading
The Greens have walked back from some of their demands on housing, offering to pass Labor’s future fund bill in exchange for $2.5 billion in annual direct spending, and immediate action on soaring rents. In accusing the government of “not looking after” one third of Australians, the party say theyContinue Reading
The head of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment Association has brushed off any suggestion Ben Roberts-Smith should hand back his Victoria Cross after losing his marathon defamation case. Martin Hamilton-Smith played down the outcome of Thursday’s Federal Court ruling when he was asked if Australia’s most decorated living soldierContinue Reading
Smokers could soon be confronted with new health warnings and fresh graphic images in a fresh bid to get them to quit. Health Minister Mark Butler outlined the federal government’s plan to overhaul packaging as part of a suite of measures to slash smoking rates to below 10 per centContinue Reading
Canberra has urged Beijing to be more transparent about its military expansion as Australia’s Defence chief described the build-up as the biggest and most consequential undertaken by any nation since WWII. General Angus Campbell told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday Australia wouldn’t criticise any country for seeking to defendContinue Reading
Secret emails at the heart of a scandal engulfing consultancy firm PwC have been read out during a Senate Estimates hearing. Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill on Tuesday read what she described as the “famous last words” of PwC Australia partner Peter Collins — who is alleged to have shared confidentialContinue Reading
A young Sydney woman who became the face of Australia’s housing crisis has revealed the “interesting” outcome after she challenged a whopping $1400-per-month rent increase earlier this year. Chantelle Schmidt, 32, who lives in Redfern in inner Sydney, received a notice that her rent would jump by a staggering $350Continue Reading
The scandal gripping consultancy firm PwC has deepened, with nine of its partners to take immediate leave. One of the “big four” accounting firms in Australia, PwC has been rocked by a tax avoidance scandal since January. A criminal referral was made last week and there are reports that aContinue Reading
A shocking new report has discovered disposable vapes contain dangerous chemicals, such as metals including lead and formaldehyde. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ordered the lab tests over mounting concerns “lolly” flavoured vapes were appealing to children. Flavours tested included Strawberry Watermelon Ice, Cherry Ice, Summer Breeze and Apple Surge. “I askedContinue Reading