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ABC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
What has Anthony Albanese promised to do for West Australians after the election?
Voters across the nation have given Anthony Albanese's Labor government a second term in office. What specifically has been promised for West Australians? Cost-of-living sweeteners Firstly, let's deal with the big-ticket cost-of-living pledges that will apply to all Australians, including the almost 3 million residents of WA. The prime minister spent the campaign spruiking a tax cut that will kick in from 2026, equating to an eventual $10 a week saving for the average taxpayer. Meanwhile, people will be able to opt-in to automatically deduct $1,000 from their 2026-27 tax return for work expenses. A $75 credit will also be applied to the final two household electricity bills of this year. The centrepiece of Labor's healthcare re-election pitch is to tip $8.5 billion over four years in Medicare and expand the bulk-billing incentive. Housing Labor says it will spend $10 billion building an extra 100,000 houses specifically for first homebuyers across the country. It also committed another $800 million in its pre-election budget to help people buy a home with a smaller deposit. It means eligible homebuyers can apply for finance to buy a home with an equity contribution from the federal government. All first homebuyers are also Loading Big ticket public infrastructure This is where the bulk of the specific Western Australian promises are. Federal Labor has committed $200 million to upgrade Midland's public hospital, with the state government tipping in another $155 million. Photo shows An election sign of Wil Anderson in a neighbourhood with a dog urinating on it with Gruen Nation Election edition and iview. It's election season and politicians are trying to sell you the world. The team at Gruen isn't about to buy it. They're taking a big swing at the election, showing you how the democracy sausage is made, all the sizzle and none of the meat. WA will share some of the $1 billion fund to build new childcare centres in under-serviced areas, as well as the establishment of six new urgent care clinics in Bateman, Ellenbrook, Geraldton, Mirrabooka, Mundaring and Yanchep. The Albanese government also pledged to spend $9.7 billion on major transport projects like the completion of Metronet passenger rail line extensions and major upgrades to Tonkin Highway in Perth's south-east. Federal Labor will also fund half the $450 million cost of building an interchange at the Erindale Road and Reid Highway intersection, while $90 million will be spent doing the same at the intersection of Manning Road and Leach Highway in Bentley. The federal government will also fund half of a $700 million project to widen a large stretch of the Kwinana Freeway, ahead of the future construction of the Westport container port. The prime minister visited Perth during the campaign to announce the spend of $60 million on an $167 million project to expand Transperth ferry services on the Swan River, with new terminals to be built at Applecross and Matilda Bay. An artist's impression of one the new ferries headed to Elizabeth Quay. ( Supplied: WA Labor ) As part of the project, a future stage could see stations built at Maylands, Point Fraser, Burswood, Optus, Claisebrook, Belmont and Rivervale. Completion of a brand-new swimming pool and recreation centre in Alkimos is also expected to finish by September 2026, with the Albanese government covering about a third of the $88 million cost. Labor has also pledged $2.5 million towards developing a proposal to bring the state's freight rail network back into public hands, after it was privatised in 2000. Planning for an $8 billion expansion of Perth's HMAS Stirling naval base will continue so it can house the nuclear-powered submarines set to be acquired under the AUKUS deal. The Holocaust Institute of WA in Yokine will also be given $2 million to upgrade its education facility in the wake of the October 7 attacks in Israel. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on Education The federal government will tip an additional $785 million into upgrading public schools in WA over the next four years. Tradies working in construction can apply to receive a $10,000 cash bonus during their apprenticeships, as well as concessional loans to help with living expenses. Students will have 20 per cent wiped off their HECS debt from June 1, while about 100,000 fee-free TAFE places a year would be offered from 2027 if the legislation passes. The state Labor government has also made available a further 2,140 fee-free TAFE places for housing and construction trades. The 2025 election explained: Sheep ban to go ahead One of the most controversial policies for regional communities in the west continues to be Labor's commitment to stopping live sheep exports by 2028. Premier Roger Cook has publicly opposed the move and advocated for more financial support for affected industries, which currently stands at almost $140 million. A plan outlining how the government intends to spend $45.5 million specifically earmarked for the sheep and wool sectors But Resources Minister Resources One of the biggest outstanding issues from the Albanese government's first term is a decision on Woodside wants to extend the life of its North West Shelf project until 2070 and the final decision is set for May 31 after a series of delays. A decision on whether to extend the life of the North West Shelf gas project in northern Western Australia is expected in 2025. ( ABC Pilbara: Charlie Mclean ) Amid political pressure from the Greens to block it, and the Coalition to fast-track its approval, the prime minister has not indicated whether he would support or oppose it. The prime minister will also push ahead with a $17 billion program to provide production tax credits for critical minerals, much of which is unearthed in WA. Under the scheme, companies involved in processing and refining 31 specific critical minerals will receive a 10 per cent tax credit on eligible costs from 2027 to 2040. Some of those minerals will then be placed in a $1.2 billion critical minerals strategic reserve to secure the country's supply of essential minerals. Loading
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Truth behind Rolling Stones' NYC truck stunt 50 years ago: 'Complete shock'
They went from 'Get Off of My Cloud' to 'Get Off of My Flatbed Truck.' That was the case when the Rolling Stones, taking their name quite literally, wheeled down Fifth Avenue in a surprise performance on a flatbed truck 50 years ago on May 1, 1975. But photographer Bob Gruen — who shot the promotional stunt to announce the Stones' Tour of the Americas '75 — had a premonition about the top-secret mission. 7 The Rolling Stones rocked Fifth Avenue in a surprise performance on a flatbed truck that shocked New Yorkers. Getty Images 'I was at the Bottom Line the day before, and I saw Paul Wasserman, who was the Rolling Stones' press agent, and I said to him, 'I heard there's going to be a press conference or something.'' Gruen told The Post. 'And he said, 'Yes, we were trying to get a permit for Times Square, but it didn't work out. We're looking for a place.'' But unbeknownst to Gruen, he stumbled upon the solution. 'Totally joking, I said, 'Oh, What are they gonna do? Get on a flatbed truck?'' he said. 'And he looked at me, he put his finger to his lips, and he says, 'Be quiet.' He didn't want anybody else to hear, and I thought, 'What did I say?'' Indeed, the next day the Rolling Stones eschewed the traditional press conference that was expected and played 'Brown Sugar' down Fifth Avenue as their way to announce the tour in a twist that would also serve as the debut performance of new guitarist Ronnie Wood, who was replacing the recently departed Mick Taylor. It was drummer Charlie Watts' idea to take it to the NYC streets in this big-wheeled way. 7 Drummer Charlie Watts came up with the idea for the Rolling Stones' 1975 flatbed truck performance on Fifth Avenue. Getty Images 'This was Charlie's doing,' wrote Wood in his 2007 memoir 'Ronnie: The Autobiography.' 'He read somewhere that black jazz artists used to roll through Harlem playing on a flatbed, so he nicked the idea for us.' On the morning of May 1, 1975, a telegram was sent to journalists about the Stones press conference — in a time before emails and cellphones. 'They sent out a telegram at 9 o'clock in the morning and told you to be someplace at 10 o'clock,' recalled Gruen. 'It says to go to Flowers, the restaurant on Fifth Avenue, like 8th Street or something.' But when Gruen got there and saw comedian 'Professor' Irwin Corey appearing to lead the press conference, he knew something was off. 7 The Rolling Stones debuted new guitarist Ronnie Wood during their 1975 performance on a flatbed truck in NYC. Getty Images 'There's no way the Rolling Stones are going to be interviewed by a comedian on the level of Irwin Corey,' he said. 'It just didn't make sense at all … and I was thinking about what Paul had said the night before about a flatbed truck. So I left the press conference, I went outside, and I walked up the street. 'And sure enough, there was a flatbed truck, and the Rolling Stones were getting on it,' Gruen continued. 'When I got there, they were just getting out of limos.' The Rolling Stones — in New York to rehearse for the summer tour that would begin on June 1, 1975 —had been lodging in luxury at the Plaza and Pierre hotels near Central Park. 'We gathered at the Plaza, went out the rear door, sneaked into an ice cream van, and went downtown to the corner of 12th Street and 5th Avenue,' wrote Wood in 'Ronnie.' 'A flatbed truck was waiting for us, all set up with amps and instruments.' 7 The Rolling Stones played 'Brown Sugar' on a flatbed truck down Fifth Avenue to announce their Tour of the Americas '75. Getty Images The show — and the stunt — went on from there. 'It was a complete shock to everybody,' said Gruen. 'Of course, we flipped and started taking pictures. And then the truck started moving, and they started playing. 'The Rolling Stones were playing live in the street. It was phenomenal … It was like the Rolling Stones are on tour. They're already traveling.' And although the band stopped briefly at Flowers, they didn't disembark for the usual press conference as suggested. 'They usually did a Q & A,' said Gruen, 'but this time they didn't.' 7 The Stones' surprise stunt playing on a flatbed truck down Fifth Avenue 'was chaos,' said photographer Bob Gruen. Getty Images Gruen doesn't recall any police presence or street closure during the Stones' roll down Fifth Avenue from 12th Street to Waverly Place, crossing at the intersection of Washington Square Park. 'I was literally running and trying to get a spot to turn and focus and get some pictures, but they were moving, you know, not fast, but fast enough that you had to kind of work to keep up with them,' he said. 'And you know, most of my pictures are blurry.' The most dangerous aspect of it all was people hanging out of their windows to get a glimpse of the Stones. 'It's lucky nobody actually fell out of their window, because people opened their windows and they were flipping out that they were playing,' said Gruen. 'People are leaning over trying to see what's happening. It was chaos.' 7 'It was absolutely mind-blowing,' said photographer Bob Gruen of the Rolling Stones playing on a flatbed truck in 1975. Getty Images But as Gruen followed the Stones down Fifth Avenue, there wasn't enough time for a real crowd to gather on the streets. 'It didn't really turn into a big crowd, because they kind of drove down the street and around the corner, and they were gone,' said Gruen. 'I remember the truck going around the corner where the park was … and then that's when they got into limousines, took off and disappeared.' Gruen also took off on his bike to develop his film as quick as possible. 7 Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones performed at NYC's Madison Square Garden on their Tour of the Americas '75. Penske Media via Getty Images 'I got on my bicycle, rode home, immediately developed the film, used a hair dryer to dry some of the negatives, and immediately made a bunch of prints,' he told the Post. 'I stopped on 57th Street and dropped them at Paul Wasserman's office, which was a big step for me, because from then on, he knew that I was the best and the fastest. He couldn't believe he came back from lunch, and there were already pictures sitting on his desk.' Gruen would go on to cover other Stones promotional stunts in New York— from arriving by train for the 'Steel Wheels' tour launch at Grand Central Station in 1989, to arriving by presidential yacht to announce the 1994 'Voodoo Lounge' tour, to landing by blimp at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx to kick off the 2002-03 Licks tour. But for Gruen, the flatbed truck down Fifth Avenue — which would inspire similar stunts by AC/DC and U2 – remains a special street-fighting memory. 'It was absolutely mind-blowing,' he said.
ABC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Gruen Nation unpacks the campaign trail tricks that politicians use to snag your vote
From corflutes on street corners to 'brain rot' memes on social media, political parties have pulled out all of the stops in an attempt to snag your vote this election. Gruen's panel of advertising brains are here to break down the tricks from the (campaign) trail, telly and TikTok. From silly to thought-provoking, here's how they work. Campaigning as 'emotional warfare' Cost of living has been a popular theme throughout the campaign, and former ALP strategist Annie O'Rourke says Labor would have braced for an onslaught of emotional ads from opposition parties. "You've got to grab someone's attention, and then you've got to flood their guts with feelings," Ms O'Rourke says. But, she says some ads depicting families doing it tough have not struck a chord with audiences. "Instead, they got served up [a] sad guy eating his soggy Weet-Bix," she says. "Election campaigning is emotional warfare. It's visual warfare. "Luckily for the ALP, these ads don't do that." A Liberal National Party ad depicting cost of living pressures. ( Supplied: LNP ) Advertising executive Todd Sampson says ads of this nature show the major political parties are working off the premise that "if you're ahead, be positive, if you're behind, be negative". "Fear has been used in political advertising since the beginning of political advertising, because it works," he says. " Research shows that when people are scared, they're less likely to research policy and more likely just to react illogically in many cases. " He says ads will often use dim colours and "droning" sound effects to bring the message home. The truth, the whole truth? Some might be surprised to find that political parties aren't bound to tell the truth when it comes to advertising. Sampson says there are more legal requirements and regulations around selling toilet paper than there are around selling the country's political leaders. "There is no legal requirement for political advertising to be factual; it is incredible," he says. According to the Australian Electoral Commission, the AEC has "only limited powers with respect to regulating the content or truth of electoral advertising". Former Liberal strategist Toby Ralph says it's all about persuasion, not information. He says political strategists use the foundation of truth to create a narrative, "and hope it doesn't collapse before the vote comes". Media and marketing brain Russel Howcroft says it's also common to see political ads that aren't particularly well made. "It's almost like part of the idiom of political advertising is that it's cheap, and you want to spend as much money as you possibly can on the media, not on the production of the actual advertising itself." It's left to the voters to do their own research on what the truth really is. 'Brain rot' advertising not about the message From a party leader fighting an octopus to skeletons being engulfed in flames while filling up their car, there has been a new approach to political advertising when it comes to attracting younger voters. An Australian Labor Party ad depicting Peter Dutton fighting an octopus. ( Supplied: ALP ) As absurd as some of the videos may seem, Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson says it's not about the content itself. "[These videos] don't work in the sense that they're actually spreading any kind of message," Ms Ferguson says. "They're only working in the sense that they communicate to young people that there's an obsession with achieving their vote, with earning it. "They're trying to appeal to me and that want is enticing. It's not about the message, it's about the ego stroke. "We're now trying to find the worst one to enter the group chat, or to call my brother or sister about, because people think it's hilarious." Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 ALP strategist Ms O'Rourke says the pay off really comes for political parties when young people engage with the memes. "If they're sharing it and looking at it, even getting to the end of it without scrolling on, it actually improves the algorithm," she says. "A lot of the time, these ads are [there] to do the job of scaling for the other ads, because these things get the eyeballs." A new media and celebrity influence What do Grindr, Fortnite, OnlyFans and a corflute have in common? They've all been Celebrities and influencers have also regularly featured on the campaign trail, after the 2024 US election saw party leaders engaging with new-age media. Former US president Joe Biden was interviewed on the SmartLess podcast, while President Donald Trump appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. Abbie Chatfield posing while Greens leader Adam Bandt DJs. ( Supplied: Australian Greens/Abbie Chatfield ) Back home, Ms Ferguson interviewed both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt on her podcast The Big Small Talk. Podcast host Abbie Chatfield has also interviewed the ALP and Greens leaders, and has appeared in advertising for the Greens. Sampson says the reach of influencers and podcasters shouldn't be dismissed. "They're called influencers for a reason, because their reach and impact is huge, particularly podcast influencers, because podcasts have out-mainstreamed mainstream media," he says. Photo shows a male politician talking to a young woman on a podcast The AEC has issued advice after the prime minister appeared in a co-authored Instagram post with social media personality Abbie Chatfield. "Why pay for a 30-second ad when you could have a two-hour ad? Would you rather be grilled by Sarah Ferguson or hugged by Abbie Chatfield?" Ms Ferguson says this is the first time Australia has seen politics "made hot". "I think in the US, it's like a fun conversation where celebrities get involved, but this is the first federal election in Australia where people are actually excited and think it's cool to get engaged," she says. "I think that Abbie Chatfield and other influencers in this space are saying it is cool to care. "We expect that you wear your values on your sleeve, and you communicate with your friends and family about [them], and that's one of the most powerful parts." Election ads coming from every angle So, if you're having trouble switching off from the avalanche of political advertising, there are good reasons why: advertising tricks and sheer volume. Our phones are overloaded with According to Gruen Nation host Wil Anderson, more than $27 million has been spent on election advertising during the federal election campaign so far. "The major parties have over 500 unique ads on YouTube, 300 on TikTok and 800 on Instagram," Anderson says. Watch at 8:00pm Wednesday on ABC TV, or on ABC iview.
Buzz Feed
28-02-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
A Back And Neck Pain Specialist Says Why These Famous Pillows Are Actually Worth The Investment
Poor sleep position is the number one cause ofneck- and back-related pain, according to what Ben Gruen, lead chiropractor for New York City's Move Well MD and member of the American Chiropractic Association, observes in his practice. It's also largely avoidable with the proper pillow and a little bit of education. When broaching the idea of a 'proper pillow' it's not unrealistic to think of Tempur-Pedic, a well-known mattress and sleep brand that will forever be recognized for its responsive, NASA-developed 'viscoelastic memory foam, which the brand calls Tempur-Material, an open cellular structure that instantly and precisely adapts to factors like body weight and shape. 'I myself have been sleeping with different Tempur-Pedic [pillows] for decades,' Gruen told us in an email exchange. According to him, Tempur-Pedic pillow designs are widely known to help support neutral alignment of the neck. This is important because, as Gruen explained, 'a spine that is put in a non-neutral position is putting unnecessary pressure on your neck joints and can cause muscles to compensate as a result of that change.' Gruen reminds us that it's not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to selecting the right pillow. 'For side sleepers, you would want the pillow to be supportive and fill the gap between your head and shoulder,' he said, while back sleepers should choose a thinner down-style pillow that allows your head to sink towards the bed and the pillow to surround your ears. Fortunately, Tempur-Pedic offers several pillow options for every type of sleeper, each one made with some variation of the brand's signature Tempur-Material that promises to be supportive and pressure-relieving. We laid out each of those pillows below, with information on exactly who those pillows are best designed for and the difference between each of them. 1. The most popular "Cloud Pillow" Who it's for: Back and stomach sleepers. The Tempur-Cloud is the brand's most popular pillow option for its adaptive support. It's made with an extra-soft version of Tempur-Pedic's famed memory foam that's ultra-conforming to the neck and face and low profile, which means it allows the head to sink toward the bed in back sleeping positions, a desirable factor for back sleepers according to experts. This plush pillow comes in a removable and machine-washable knit cover and is easily compressed for easy travel. 2. A contoured neck pillow Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: Side and back sleepers This specially designed contoured pillow is made from an extra-firm version of Tempur-Pedic's responsive memory foam material for optimal support for back and side sleepers, depending on which side of the pillow is used. Available in three sizes to best serve your specific anatomy and sleep positioning, this ergonomic pillow is meant to follow the natural curve of the head and neck to offer proper alignment and support and, like most of Tempur-Pedic's pillow offerings, it comes with a removable and machine-washable knit cover. Get it from Tempur-Pedic for $89+ (originally $189+; available in three sizes). 3. Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: All sleepers, especially if you toss and turn. We mentioned earlier that the Cloud Pillow is Tempur-Pedic's best-selling design, however, it's not the best option for side sleepers. This adjustable medium-soft version allows all sleepers to fluff, scrunch and fully customize the amount of fill inside the pillow to suit their positioning needs. Inside the stretchy inner liner is a proprietary blend of loose Tempur-Pedic fill, which contains a mixture of pressure-relieving foam, a pillowy soft material and high-density support foam that won't go flat over time. The brand claims it's the perfect balance of adequate support and cozy comfort, even if you're prone to tossing and turning at night. It's available in two sizes and the removable machine-washable cover is treated with an anti-allergen guard. Get it from Tempur-Pedic for $48.44+ (originally $69+; available in two sizes). 4. Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: All sleepers, especially anyone who runs hot. This is another iteration of the popular Cloud Pillow, specially meant for those who run hot. This is because of an outer layer of cooling gel that absorbs excess heat on each side of the pillow. Sandwiched in between these layers of gel is Tempur-Pedic's medium-destiny memory foam that the brand considers to be highly adaptive and suitable for all sleep positions. The removable and machine-washable cover is made from 100% cotton for added breathability. Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in two sizes). 5. A pressure-relieving hybrid pillow Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: All sleepers. The Cloud Hybrid Pillow is an extra-plush design stuffed with not just a solid piece of the brand's signature memory foam at the pillow's center, meant to offer an adaptive and head-cradling feel. It also contains Tempur-Pedic's proprietary fill blend, a mixture of pressure-relieving foam, a pillowy soft material, and high-density support foam that won't go flat over time. According to the brand, this combination can relieve aches and pains in areas like the neck and shoulders. Get it from Tempur-Pedic for $149+ (available in two sizes). 6. Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: Side sleepers and pregnant people. This 48-inch-long body pillow provides flexible support in key areas of side sleepers, like between the knees. Its huggable design is medium firm and filled with shapeable micro-cushions that easily conform to the shape and pressure of the body. It has a removable and machine-washable knit cover. Get it from Amazon for $119. 7. A versatile support pillow Tempur-Pedic Who it's for: Frequent travelers, loungers and sedentary workers. Tempur-Pedic's versatile and travel-friendly pillow has a clever cradling peanut shape, which allows it to offer the perfect dose of support in areas like the lower back, the neck, between the knees or even propping up a book while reading. It's made with the brand's exclusive firm memory foam material and features convenient carrying and a removable, machine-washable cover for easy cleaning. Get it from Amazon for $37. 8. A travel neck pillow with Tempur-Pedic material Tempur-Pedic
