Latest news with #ASX
ABC News
17 minutes ago
- Health
- ABC News
Childcare workers still don't have to take sleep safety training
Despite repeated warnings from experts and a formal recommendation from the NSW coroner more than three years ago, safe sleep training isn't mandatory for childcare workers. In December 2021, the NSW Coroner, following an inquest into the death of a seven month old baby at a family daycare service, recommended that the NSW Government in consultation with governments of other jurisdictions amend the law to require all family day care educators undertake mandatory safe sleep training. Red Nose Australia, the country's leading authority on infant sleep safety, is urging governments to urgently adopt the Coroner's recommendation — and go further by extending mandatory, accredited safe sleep training to all early childhood educators, not just those in family day care. The training, it says, must be updated regularly. "Just like CPR and First Aid training are mandatory and require regular updates to maintain currency and safety, safe sleep training should be evidence based, compulsory and updated annually for all ongoing for Early Childhood Educators caring for babies and toddlers," Red Nose boss Amy Cooper said. Since the coroner's recommendations, Red Nose said at least three infants had died during sleep or rest time or suspected to be during sleep and rest time, noting that the causes of death were still under investigation. "There is no shortage of evidence or urgency, yet we are still seeing avoidable risks in early childhood settings," Cooper said. "Safe sleep and rest practices must not be left to chance. Every educator, in every service, must be trained to the same evidence-based standard — because little lives depend on it." Under current national regulations, services must have a safe sleep policy and conduct regular risk assessments but there is no requirement for educators to undergo accredited training, nor any obligation for refresher courses like those required for CPR or First Aid. The calls for action come amid growing scrutiny of systemic failures in the $20 billion childcare sector following a series of investigations by the ABC which uncovered shocking cases of child abuse, neglect and injury highlighting gaps in childcare safety and accountability. The sector is under pressure over fast-tracked educator qualifications, for-profit operators cutting corners, and widespread failures in Working With Children Checks. That focus intensified after the arrest of a 26-year-old male educator charged with more than 70 counts of child sexual abuse at a Melbourne childcare centre. The Victorian man facing charges, Joshua Dale Brown, worked at an estimated 20 childcare centres over eight years, all of them owned by private operators including private equity-owned Affinity Education, listed ASX giant G8 Education and United States-owned Only About Children. A cache of NSW regulatory documents obtained by the ABC reveals dozens of childcare centres where educators were unaware of safe sleep policies or failed to follow them. Inspectors recorded cases of babies placed face down, wrapped unsafely, covered with pillows or blankets, and one incident where a child was put to sleep with a dummy chain that became wrapped around their neck. At a family day care centre in Western Sydney in 2022, an educator was caught placing an infant in a bouncer with a bottle and the child fell asleep. "I placed the child into the cot while the child was still wearing a hooded jacket. The hood of the jacket sat around the back of her head and neck. Authorised officers discussed the dangers of the hooded jacket and asked her to remove it from the child…." It said the bouncer had mould on the material lining. There were cases of a child found asleep with a soft toy with a blanket attached and it was covering the side and back of the child's head. In another part of the centre children were found laying on their beds drinking bottles of milk. In one centre a regulator observed a baby asleep, lying on their stomach underneath a blanket on a stretcher bed. "The authorised officer did not observe any staff member conduct a safe sleep check, or sit near the child to check their breathing or skin colour for 20 minutes." Red Nose recommends checks every 10 to 15 minutes. Lynette Rieck, an early childhood trainer and assessor of 35 years, said every child had the right to a safe sleep environment that is guaranteed by the provision of annual, standardised and mandatory training for all educators working in the sector. She said the Certificate III in childcare covers safe sleep practices in several units, but it is only covered indirectly and inconsistently. She is calling for it to be embedded across all mandatory training — Certificate III, First Aid, annual CPR refresher courses — and enshrined in national law and quality standards. Early childhood consultant and advocate Lisa Bryant said the delays around mandatory safe sleep training are hard to justify, particularly when lives are at stake. "When we know better in regards to children's safety we should always do better," she said. Bryant said educators shouldn't be expected to know everything but when properly trained, they generally follow best practice. "We know that once they have received high quality training on something, they are usually good at adhering to it. Why wouldn't we give them this basic training then? Children's lives may well depend upon it." Jozef Maragol lost his 16-month old daughter Arianna on August 24, 2018, shortly after she was found unresponsive at a Sydney childcare centre and taken to hospital. He said he was shocked when he discovered safe sleep training isn't mandatory, nor is physical checking. CCTV footage showed Arianna had been left alone for an extended period, with sleep checks carried out via a CCTV screen and an audio monitor rather than in person. He later learned that the centre's sleep practices had been flagged in 2014 by a regulatory inspector visiting the centre, who noted an educator was doing sleep checks via a screen. Despite expert advice that physical checks are more reliable, allowing educators to observe critical signs like skin colour or breathing, they are not mandatory in childcare centres. States, territories and the federal government were asked if they were considering introducing mandatory accredited safe sleep training. Jess Walsh, Minister for Early Childhood Education, didn't answer the question but said in a statement that every child deserved to be safe in early learning, and every parent deserved to know their children were safe. She said all early learning services were required to have sleep and settling policies and procedures in place, "and we expect them to be delivered." The NSW acting education minister, Courtney Houssos, said some progress had been made to improve sleep safety but conceded the introduction of a mandatory safe sleep course had been too slow and NSW would move independently if a national agreement wasn't reached soon. "Though all educators receive initial educator training in safe sleep practices, as with a number of other changes to the national law, the introduction of a mandatory safe sleep course has been too slow and provides another example where NSW will forge ahead independently to make changes in the wake of the Wheeler Review should a national consensus not be reached imminently," she said. Northern Territory Minister Jo Hersey said in a statement if there were any changes to the national law and regulations, particularly relating to the supervision and safety of children, they would be implemented accordingly. A spokesperson for the ACT government said centres were required to have policies and procedures in place that include induction, training and knowledge of staff in relation to best practice for children's sleep and rest. "These policies and procedures must be consistent with current health guidelines on best practices from recognised authorities (such as Red Nose Australia)," the spokesperson said, noting that the upcoming education ministers meeting in August would consider further measures to strengthen quality and safety in our early education and care sector. South Australian Minister for Education Blair Boyer said family day care educators in SA were "required" to have completed safe sleep training in the past two years to be registered and operate with the department of education. It said it offered safe sleep training to 200 educators in 2025. "We would welcome a nationally consistent approach to sleep safe training, but will not accept changes that lower the standard we have already set here in South Australia," he said. "She was healthy. She passed away," Maragol says. "Six months later Jack Loh passed away. How many more will it take before authorities stop sitting behind their towers? Is anyone accountable in this whole sector?" Maragol and his family have spent the past seven years searching for answers. An inquest has been scheduled for October this year. "I couldn't save my own child but I hope I can help others," he said. "They are voiceless, they are vulnerable, this is what we know."
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
ASX to fall, Nvidia lifts Nasdaq Composite to record high
Australian shares are set to open lower amid renewed concerns about President Donald Trump's trade wars and after June US consumer price data bolstered the Federal Reserve's case to hold rates steady for now. Shares in Nvidia were more than 4 per cent higher in afternoon trade, pacing the Nasdaq Composite to a record high. The Trump administration granted the company the right to sell advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence to Chinese customers. Should gains on the Nasdaq hold, it would be the fourth session in five that the technology-heavy index has posted a record close, and the eighth time since June 27, Reuters said. Market highlights ASX futures are pointing down 44 points or 0.5 per cent to 8567. All US prices as near 2.15pm New York time. Today's agenda Quarterly reports are expected on Wednesday from Rio Tinto, Evolution Mining and Amplitude Energy. There is no local data on the schedule. Overseas, the focus is on US PPI data to be released at 10.30pm. The prime minister continues his official visit to China. Nvidia boss Jensen Huang is expected to speak at an industry event in China, shortly after the company received approval to renew sales to Chinese customers. Top stories US inflation rises as Trump's tariffs lift prices | Consumer prices rose 2.7 per cent in June from a year earlier, while core CPI increased 2.9 per cent, challenging President Trump's low inflation narrative. Fix green laws before tax to create growth: Ken Henry | Revamping Australia's broken environment laws will do more for our ailing productivity than tax reform, the former Treasury secretary says. | Chinese President Xi Jinping has told the prime minister international turbulence shouldn't be allowed to derail improvements in the China-Australia relationship. | The view inside the boardroom is that the company has become too complex. Its new chief executive will be tasked with changing that.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Appointment of Non-Executive Director
PERTH, Australia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canyon Resources Limited (ASX: CAY) ('Canyon' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Adjou Ait Ben Idir as Non-Executive Director, as the Company continues to strengthen its team and work towards the commencement of operations at the flagship Minim Martap Bauxite Project, located in Cameroon, in early 2026. Based in Dubai, Ms Ait Ben Idir is a corporate finance and M&A lawyer, who brings more than 20 years of international experience across Europe, Middle-East, and Africa (EMEA). Ms Ait Ben Idir specialises in cross border mergers and acquisitions, privatisations, international joint ventures and special situations/boardroom crisis management in the mining, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors. Ms Ait Ben Idir brings a strong knowledge of different business and legal environments and systems across EMEA. She has worked at a listed international oil & gas company looking after corporate social responsibility and complex situations in emerging markets. She has also been a Partner at a large international law firm for many years where she has held different management and board roles including successfully heading and leading the corporate, M&A & Securities practice and driving growth in areas like transport, mining/infrastructure and Africa business while also focusing on boardroom crisis management and public private partnerships in Africa. Ms Ait Ben Idir brings to Canyon expertise in navigating high-value transactions across the energy, infrastructure, transport and commodities sectors in emerging markets. Ms Ait Ben Idir graduated from the University of Paris II Assas (Master's degree) and the University of Paris I Sorbonne (post-graduate degree in OHADA and African countries law, and politics; and post-graduate degree in MENA countries law and international relations). Ms Ait Ben Idir's appointment as Non-Executive Director is effective from July 14, 2025. Mr Mark Hohnen, Canyon Executive Chairman commented: 'As a leading corporate lawyer focusing on emerging markets and critical sectors such as mining and infrastructure, Adjou brings a different corporate background to our Board, strengthens our capabilities and knowledge across several key areas and brings extensive experience operating in the Middle East and Africa. 'Adjou is an excellent addition to the Canyon Board and I look forward to working with her, as we continue to execute on our growth strategy and develop the Company into the next major ASX-listed bauxite producer. 'Canyon is delivering a company-defining year as we work towards the start-up of production at Minim Martap in early 2026.' This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Directors of Canyon Resources Limited. Enquiries: Peter Secker Cameron Gilenko Chief Executive Officer Investor Relations & Media Canyon Resources Limited Sodali & Co T +61 8 6385 2263 T +61 6160 4909 E: info@ E: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Market Online
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Market Online
Montage Gold grows its resource in West Africa's gold sector
Montage Gold (TSXV:MAU) has closed its latest investment in Aurum Resources Ltd. (ASX:AUE), marking a significant step in its broader strategy to expand its footprint in West Africa's gold sector Montage now holds a 9.9 per cent equity interest in Aurum Aurum plans to deploy the proceeds from the investment to accelerate exploration and development activities in Côte d'Ivoire Montage Gold stock (TSXV:MAU) last traded at C$4.71 Montage Gold (TSXV:MAU) has closed its latest investment in Aurum Resources Ltd. (ASX:AUE), marking a significant step in its broader strategy to expand its footprint in West Africa's gold sector. This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with Montage Gold Corp. and is intended for informational purposes only. The investment was executed through a share exchange transaction, with Montage receiving 32,887,521 fully paid ordinary shares of Aurum at a deemed issue price of A$0.356 per share. In return, Aurum was issued 2,887,496 Montage common shares at a deemed price of C$3.61 per share. The Montage shares issued to Aurum are subject to a four-month hold period, expiring on November 15, 2025. Following the transaction, Montage now holds a 9.9 per cent equity interest in Aurum. The company joins a group of strategic investors that includes the Lundin Family and their associates, as well as Zhaojin Mining Industry Company Ltd., which participated through its wholly owned subsidiary, Zhaojin Capital Limited. Aurum plans to deploy the proceeds from the investment to accelerate exploration and development activities in Côte d'Ivoire. Key initiatives include resource definition drilling at the Boundiali gold project and exploration drilling at the Napié gold project. The funds will also support technical studies and permit applications as Aurum advances its project pipeline. Montage, which is advancing its flagship Koné Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire (pictured above), views this investment as a strategic alignment with its long-term vision of becoming a leading multi-asset African gold producer. Montage Gold stock (TSXV:MAU) last traded at C$4.71 and has risen 166 per cent in the past year. Join the discussion: Find out what the Bullboards are saying about Montage Gold Corp. and check out Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here .
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
News Corp Authorizes New $1 Billion Stock Repurchase Program and Intends to Accelerate Pace of Buyback
Total authorization to increase to $1.3 billion including $303 million remaining under the Company's existing repurchase program NEW YORK, July 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS; NWSLV) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a new $1 billion stock repurchase program. This program is in addition to the existing $1 billion program authorized in September 2021, of which $303 million remains outstanding. Given trading black-out restrictions, the Company intends to begin executing share repurchases at an accelerated rate following the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter earnings release in early August. Subject to market conditions and the market price of the Company's stock, as well as other factors, the Company intends to repurchase, from time to time, in the open market or otherwise, a combination of the Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock. This stock repurchase program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. News Corp has undergone significant transformation since its inception, with a focus on strategic investments in its core growth pillars—Dow Jones, Digital Real Estate Services and Book Publishing—and delivered its four most profitable years from fiscal 2021 to 2024, with continued strong performance through the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Amid a period of rapid change, News Corp has thrived thanks to a focus on recurring and digital revenues, new high-margin content licensing deals, the changed composition of Dow Jones with scaled B-2-B product offerings and a streamlined asset base, including through the recent sale of Foxtel Group to DAZN. "We believe our stock is trading at a significant discount to its intrinsic value, so we are launching a new $1 billion buyback program, which is in addition to the $303 million remaining under our existing program. We also expect to increase meaningfully and materially the pace of repurchases from the current daily rate," said Robert Thomson, News Corp Chief Executive. "We believe our balance sheet is immaculate, our cash flow has been fundamentally transformed over the last decade, and we are confident in the company's potential for robust growth. We sincerely believe that expanding our repurchase program will enhance value for all shareholders and the expected pacing reflects our belief in the financial health of our company." Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intent to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock, trends and uncertainties affecting the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition, and the Company's strategy and strategic initiatives. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by such statements due to, among other factors, changes in the market price of the Company's stock, general market conditions, applicable securities laws and alternative investment opportunities, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The "forward-looking statements" included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. We do not have and do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any "forward-looking statements" to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, and we expressly disclaim any such obligation, except as required by law or regulation. About News CorpNews Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. The company comprises businesses across a range of media, including: information services and news, digital real estate services and book publishing. Headquartered in New York, News Corp operates primarily in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, and its content and other products and services are distributed and consumed worldwide. More information is available at: View source version on Contacts News Corp Corporate CommunicationsArthur Bochner646-422-9671abochner@ News Corp Investor RelationsMichael Florin212-416-3363mflorin@ Anthony Rudolf212-416-3040arudolf@
