Latest news with #DanPeled
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
‘Dropped the ball': Dire Covid warning
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. Australians have 'dropped the ball' when it comes to vaccination. NewsWire / Adam Yip Credit: News Corp Australia 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Young Aussies tipped to work until they drop
The Boomers are the last generation of Australians who feel semi-confident about being able to retire, with younger people saying they will work until they drop. New data released by People2People shows only 7 per cent of Gen Z and 8 per cent of Millennials believe they will one day be able to retire. The outlook is so grim that three in five older Aussies even think young Australians will never be able to stop working, something that the majority of younger Australians agree with. People2People head of HR solutions Suhini Wijayasinghe says the data should be a wake-up call for Australians. Aussies workers now believe they will need to work until their late 70s. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia 'Younger generations aren't just adjusting expectations, they're preparing for the reality of working longer,' she said. Younger Australians are not just expecting to work for longer, they also believe they will be able to work into their 70s. More than half of the younger Australians asked said they can work until at least 70 while 38 per cent say they can work into their late 70s. People2People survey data follows the ABS latest seasonable unemployment data which shows the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 per cent despite 89,000 new Aussies finding a job in April. The addition of 6000 unemployed people meant the labour force grew by 95,000 people and the participation rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 67.1 per cent. The participation rate for 35-44 year olds had the largest annual growth, up 1.9 percentage points to 88.3 per cent. Australian workers are looking to stay employed for longer. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia Despite the growing expectation of having to work for longer, around a third of Australians across all generations are still hoping to be able to exit the workforce by the age of 65. But keeping a job for these young Australians could prove problematic. According to the survey data nine in 10 Australians believe employers rarely or never higher people near or past retirement with a third saying Australians over 65 have virtually no chance of getting a job. 'We have an ageing population and a declining birthrate,' Ms Wijayasinghe said. 'Inaction on age inclusion isn't just unfair, it's economically unsustainable. Creating age-inclusive workplaces is no longer optional. It's a strategic imperative. 'As the workforce evolves, so must employer mindsets. 'Ending ageism isn't just about ticking boxes, it's about fostering inclusive cultures where employees of all ages can thrive, contribute, and feel genuinely valued.'
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Major lender slashes rates in just three days
Australia's fifth biggest bank, Macquarie Bank, will pass on the May interest rate to its customers a week earlier than its competitors, citing cost of living pressures. Macquarie has become the first major lender to cut variable interest rates just days after the Reserve Bank of Australia officially announced a rate reduction. Variable mortgage rate customers will get the full 25 basis point rate cut passed on by the 23rd of May. Macquarie announced it has cut interest rates faster than the big four banks. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Macquarie Bank head of personal banking Ben Perham said it was important to pass on rate relief quickly during the current cost of living climate. 'We know homeowners across Australia are watching rate movements closely and that every dollar counts,' Mr Perham said. 'That's why we're reducing the time it takes for this rate cut to be effective from 10 days to three so our customers can feel the benefit of lower rates, and more money in their pockets at the end of each month, sooner.' From May 23 home loan rates will start at 5.64 per cent and Macquarie will automatically drop if paying the minimum and also have a direct debit set up. The changes come just days after the Reserve Bank of Australia slashed the official cash rate from 4.10 to 3.85 per cent in a widely predicted move. Michele Bullock during a press conference following the RBA announcement to cut the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Tuesday. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Meeting for the second time under its new dual-board structure, the RBA cut the national cash rate by 25 basis points, but surprised everyone by saying they open to a super-sized 50 basis point rate cut. 'There was an argument and we did debate it (a 50 basis point cut) but it wasn't the strongest argument in the room,' RBA governor Michele Bullock said. She stressed 'inflation hurts everyone', particularly those on lower incomes and renters. Responding to a question from NewsWire on whether households could expect further relief, she acknowledged Australians had gone through a 'really rough few years', typied by sharp rises in everyday prices. 'I would say that bringing inflation down is the best thing we can do to help them, while keeping employment strong,' she said. 'At the moment we are on track to deliver that. I know you're doing it tough, but conditions are improving.' Australia's four big banks Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, will all pass on the interest rate cut. NewsWire Credit: NCA NewsWire All four of the major banks have announced they will also move on interest rates but it will take a week longer. NAB confirmed it would decrease its standard variable home loan interest rate by 0.25 per cent, effective from Friday, May 30, with the 10-day delay in line with previous changes to interest rates in the wake of a cash rate change. ANZ was quick to follow, also dropping its variable rate by 0.25 per cent, effective on May 30. A large lender has jumped the queue and slashed interest rates. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NewsWire The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has moved in line with the other majors and will also drop variable interest rates on home loans by 0.25 per cent. Westpac told customers it too would pass on the rate cut in full – to mortgage holders and savers, albeit a touch slower. It was the only one of the major banks to make an announcement on savings rates. From June 3, the bank will decrease its variable interest rates by 0.25 per cent for new and existing customers. Speaking about the change, Westpac acting chief executive consumer, Carolyn McCann said it will give welcome relief to mortgage holders facing cost of living pressures. 'Our customers have shown remarkable resilience when it comes to managing their finances through a challenging economic period,' she said. 'However, we recognise things are still tough and every dollar counts in the family budget.' From May 30, variable rates on Westpac Life accounts will decrease by 0.25 per cent, while new customers applying online for a Westpac eSaver account will also cop a 0.25 per cent interest rate cut.
Perth Now
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Millions of drivers to cop price hike
Millions of drivers are set to cop increased fees as a 12-month price freeze in one state thaws out. In the 2024 budget, the former Queensland Labor government paused all price increases for government services – including driver's licence fees and fines – for 12 months, in an effort to reduce the strain on residents struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. However, now the Liberal government is in power, the freeze has been axed, with costs set to increase by July 1. The price hike is set to take place from July 1. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia In a statement shared by Treasurer David Janetzki, the government was 'working tirelessly' to 'restore' the state's finances after the former Labor's government's cost-of-living measures, including 50 cent public transport fees and scrapping stamp duties. 'The Crisafulli government is working tirelessly to repair the state's finances after a decade of Labor's fiscal vandalism, and that includes restoring respect for taxpayers' money,' he said on Friday. The cost of obtaining a five-year licence will increase from $198.35 to $205.10. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia The 3.4 per cent price rise is the same as previous increases by the Labor government, but remains above Brisbane's annual consumer price index (CPI) of 2.7 per cent for the March quarter, as well as the national CPI of 2.4 per cent. Some of the services in the hike include a five-year licence, which is set to increase from $198.35 to approximately $205.10. The Crisafulli government's price hike will exclude car registrations, holding onto its 20 per cent cut until September 16, 2025. From then, the previously frozen prices will increase by 3.4 per cent. Currently, it costs $708 to register a four-cylinder car, including compulsory third-party insurance and traffic improvement fees.
