Latest news with #Hetherington
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michael Maguire forced into huge backflip after reversing Kevin Walters decision
Michael Maguire has finally made the call to move Patrick Carrigan back to lock as Broncos board member Darren Lockyer refused to guarantee the coach's future at the club if they fail to make the eight. Maguire cut a 'grim' figure in the coaching box on the weekend as he watched Manly put 34 on his team at Brookvale Oval. Maguire even addressed his team behind closed doors after the embarrassing result in a rare move from the coach. The Broncos have now lost six of their last seven games with the club finishing the round in 12th place. On Tuesday, Kotoni Staggs slapped down suggestions there is player unrest at the club with talks Maguire's style of coaching is taking its toll on the players. Staggs and Adam Reynolds denied this claim and said the players have let down the side. But Maguire has finally wilted and dropped Hetherington from the starting XIII. Only days after his arrival in Brisbane, Maguire reversed the decision from previous coach Kevin Walters on Hetherington's future. Under Walters, Hetherington appeared to be on his way out the door with the coach looking elsewhere in his forward stocks. But Maguire liked Hetherington's work rate in defence and has started him at lock in every game so far. This saw Carrigan move to the front-row alongside Payne Haas. However, as the losses have stacked up for Brisbane, calls have grown for Carrigan to move back into his preferred position. And Maguire finally decided Hetherington's form in attack was not good enough after last week's effort. Hetherington only ran for 29 metres against Manly on Saturday. While he made 37 tackles in his 47 minutes on the field, his efforts in attack were uninspiring. Hetherington averages 69 metres a game in 2025, but only has three tackle breaks across the season. And Maguire has moved Hetherington to the bench for the first time in 2025 and shifted Carrigan back to lock. This allows another bigger body to start in the front-row with Corey Jenson moving alongside Haas. Maguire will be hoping Carrigan can also help ignite the failing Broncos attack with some of his ball-playing abilities at lock. the park that brought the club so close to a premiership in now prop's output that year at lock is on average more than double Hetherington's in some categories like run metres where Carrigan averaged over 125 metres a match. — JOSH BIRD (@palejawsh) June 2, 2025 On Tuesday, club legend and board member Lockyer refused to guarantee Maguire would be at the club if their season continues to unravel after a telling comment. Questions are being asked of Maguire halfway through the season after the Broncos started the campaign so strongly, only to be outside the top eight during the State of Origin schedule. On the weekend, Penrith legend Greg Alexander was left bewildered at the capitulation of the Broncos with a number of representative players still in the squad. "I don't know where Michael Maguire goes to from here…there has got to be some improvement, but where?' Alexander said in commentary. After their loss to the Sea Eagles on Saturday night, Maguire locked his players away behind closed doors to deliver his post-mortem. The coach and players usually sit in a room where cameras are present, and the vision is often shown on Fox League or Channel 9. But on Saturday night, Maguire took his players to a separate part of the locker room that doesn't have cameras, and closed off the area so no-one else could gain access. Maguire was clearly feeling the pressure after yet another loss. And speaking on the QLDER show, Lockyer made a telling comment when asked whether Maguire's job was safe if the team continues their free-fall. "If you we don't make the top eight, given what we thought at the start the year and the early signs, that would be a disappointment," Lockyer said on the show. Lockyer didn't go in to any further detail, but claimed Maguire's coaching style is very different to that of former coach Walters. Maguire was brought into give the Broncos a hard edge after the team went from the 2023 NRL grand final to missing the top eight in 2024. While Maguire's coaching career at the Broncos started well, second-half capitulations have seen the side drop six of their last seven games.
Canberra Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Canberra Times
What the Federal Government's solar rebates mean and how to cut your power bills
WATCH: Where Aussie Airbnb hosts earn THE MOST | | 7NEWS The Federal Government's new solar battery rebate, announced as part of the 2025 Budget, is an important piece of the puzzle that is Australia's energy transition and quest for Net Zero by 2050. While one in three Australian homes currently have solar panels, shockingly, only one in forty is equipped with a battery. That's about to change. Slimline batteries are unobtrusive and blend into your home. Pic Solar Battery Group From 01 July, the new scheme gives eligible households across Australia a 30 per cent upfront discount on solar batteries, unlocking long-term power bill savings, helping to reduce grid pressure, and supporting the country's carbon-neutral mission. But, what does the rebate really mean for Australian homeowners and how does the scheme fit into the bigger picture? To find out, View reporter Jessica Agoston Cleary did a deep dive into the research and talked to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Solar Battery Group, James Hetherington. As the man in charge of the largest solar battery provider in Australia, Hetherington is not only an expert on the topic, he's also firmly committed to making energy sustainable and affordable. Here's what you need to know. How much could you save? The new scheme "is a win for family budgets and for the country's energy transition," Mr Hetherington says. "The savings are significant. A family with a 5kW solar system and a 10kWh battery can trim grid usage by about 60 to 80 per cent. At today's tariffs, that's roughly $2,300 a year." What's equally as impressive is that the benefit appears from the very first quarterly bill - provided usage habits remain consistent. These savings go beyond reductions in your power bill. Having lower energy costs translates into an increase in disposable income, which is always a good thing in today's economy. According to an LBL report, even a $100 drop in annual energy costs leads to a 2.3 per cent drop in mortgage default odds. How does the rebate work? Unlike state-based schemes, the Federal Government's rebate applies at the point of sale. . "From 1 July 2025 the accredited installer applies the 30 per cent Federal discount; you see the price reduction on your invoice and the installer later redeems the value," Mr Hetherington says. This makes it simpler and more immediate than many state incentives, which typically provide fixed rebates or interest-free loans after installation. The Federal solar scheme is national, uncapped, and percentage-based, with a one batter per household limit. Can I combine it with state incentives? The short answer that we all want to hear is yes! "The Commonwealth has designed the new rebate to be 'stackable'," Mr Hetherington confirms. "In Victoria, New South Wales or Western Australia, for example, you may add the 30 per cent discount to your state rebate or loan, provided the combined support does not exceed the installed cost." It's important to note that while the battery rebate scheme is 'stackable', the other available incentives and schemes vary from state to state. To find out more about how to maximise your savings visit your state government website. Against natural timber cladding the batteries may stand out more but theyre part of sustainable design choices. Pic Solar Battery Group Who's eligible - and what are the common traps? Eligibility for the scheme is broad, with owner-occupiers, landlords and small businesses connected to the grid able to access the rebate, as long as they install an approved battery between 5kWh and 100kWh with a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer. As with any new government scheme, there are a few misconceptions floating around. "Retrospective claims on existing batteries are not allowed," Mr Hetherington cautions. He also points out that "taking the Federal rebate does not cancel your state incentive." What are people asking - and what should they be asking? Since the announcement, Solar Battery Group has seen inquiries triple. Most callers want to know how cheap a battery can be. But Hetherington says the better questions to ask are: "What is my evening usage profile? What is the warranty of batteries? Can the system join a virtual power plant?" For those new to the solar conversation, a virtual power plant (VPP) probably sounds more like science fiction than reality. However, there are numerous VPP's around the country. In Victoria, for example, more than 700,000 households use solar energy. Essentially, a VPP creates a microgrid. By connecting individual household batteries in an energy-sharing network, small amounts of surplus energy are fed back into the network for use by others in the community. This not only helps balance out supply and demand on the electricity grid, it also reduces individual power bills as you can even be paid for your contribution. WATCH: What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)? | Solar Victoria Asking the questions Mr etherington suggested, together with finding out if your community has a VPP, will help to determine the real-world performance and revenue potential of your solar energy system. What kind of system does a typical home need? The right size depends on your night-time energy usage and the capacity of your solar panels. The most important factor is that your battery is able to store every kilowatt of precious energy your solar panels generate so that none of it gets lost. "Most families would require a 10kWh unit, which after the rebate, allows us to bring our prices down to $5,000," Mr Hetherington says. Solar Battery Group's batteries feature integrated smart technology to monitor usage, and their team of dedicated agents are available to help homeowners understand and optimise their systems. There are also a number of great resources and tips for optimising your solar energy system at Smaller batterys can be easily mounted to any external wall. Pic Solar Battery Group When will I break even? As with anything to do with property, return on investment (ROI) is always top of mind, and thanks to the rebate, payback periods have shortened dramatically. "Most households can expect a return on investment in three to four years," Mr Hetherington says. "Well within the 10-year product warranty and well before the battery's 15-year expected lifespan." How can I check I'm not being misled? "Make sure you do your research," Mr Hetherington says. "Start by understanding your power consumption and current solar generation. Then check the Clean Energy Council approved suppliers and products list and speak to a certified installer." Once again, has some excellent guides and resources about making the switch to solar. From installation, maintenance, figuring out what size system you need, to estimating your cost savings. Beyond bills: what else can a battery do for me? The benefits of having a solar battery storage system go well beyond cutting costs. "Black-out resilience, the ability to join virtual power plants and earn credits, readiness for EV charging, higher property value, and a lower carbon footprint," Mr Hetherington says. "It also eases peak-demand pressure on the grid." As already noted, energy-efficient homes command a premium sale price, which is music to any property owner's ears. But, there are far greater benefits to owning and living in an energy efficient, sustainable home. As noted on prefab modular home website Ecolive, "A sustainable energy efficient home provides lifestyle benefits, such as cross-ventilation, north-facing orientation, heat recovery ventilation, and solar panels." Track usage and monitor savings digitally. Pic Solar Battery Group Is now the right time to act? There are two ways to look at answering this question. On a larger, macro level, as part of the Paris Agreement, Australia has set itself the goal of being Net Zero by 2050. As stated by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, "A strong Australian contribution to emissions reduction helps in the global effort to reduce major environmental, health and economic risks from the dangerous effects of climate change. This global effort is essential to protecting Australia from the worst climate impacts." You might be thinking 'I'm all for playing my part, but what impact will transitioning to solar really have in the grand scheme of things?" You'd be surprised. On a micro level, the impact of individual household choices has a significant part to play. "Residential buildings are responsible for around 24 per cent of overall electricity use and more than 10 per cent of total carbon emissions in Australia." The time to act is now, and there is no time like the present - especially when it comes to climate change and taking full advantage of government incentives. "Early adopters capture the full 30 per cent discount; the percentage tapers down each year to 2030," Mr Hetherington says. With 2050 just 25 years away, winter bills looming and installer demand set to spike, getting your ducks in a row - such as working out your energy needs and doing your due diligence on installers - will put you in the perfect position to maximise savings and realise the multifaceted ROI benefits as soon as July first arrives.
Boston Globe
25-04-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Windsor and Detroit were close-knit cities on the US-Canada border. Then Trump ripped them apart.
Normally, those would be a major attraction for the 145 well-heeled attendees who ponied up Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Despite the border, the two cities have had a symbiotic relationship, tied tightly together for decades by the major auto industry presence on both sides of the Detroit River. Advertisement Then President Trump stormed into office in January, levying tariffs against Canada and suggesting it should become the 51st US state. His actions and rhetoric have strained that cross-border kinship like nothing since the War of 1812, jeopardizing the Windsor area's economy and doing something thought nearly impossible: making the easygoing Canadians mad as hell. Those Pistons tickets (including unlimited food, drink, and a hotel stay), were valued at $6,000, but only brought in $1,500, Hetherington said. Bids on a luxury vacation in Florida featuring private jet transportation, worth $30,000, topped out at just $12,000. And a seven-night trip to Las Vegas, which sold for $6,000 last year, fetched only $1,500. Advertisement People were hesitant to bid on anything involving the United States, he said, while everything else was in high demand on 'We don't hate the United States. We love the United States. I mean, we're partners, we're neighbors,' Hetherington said. 'It's just that there seems to be one guy in your country that is being a real jerk to our country, and we're not happy about it. And I think that was the vibe in the room.' That was also the vibe around Windsor just days before Monday's federal elections. Trump has become the pivotal issue, helping propel the ruling Liberal Party from a large polling deficit at the start of the year to 'We should all light candles to Donald Trump,' said John McKay, a liberal member of Parliament from the Toronto area for three decades. 'He has brought Canadians together like I've never seen in my lifetime.' 'We don't need their oil. We don't need their lumber. We don't need their cars. We don't need anything,' Trump said while significantly overstating the US trade deficit with Canada. 'Why are we spending $200 billion to support and subsidize another country? Because if they didn't have us, and if we didn't spend that money . . . they would cease to exist.' Advertisement Those threats hit the Windsor area as hard as any place in Canada. Some of the Canadian-only products sold at Whiskeyjack Boutique in downtown Windsor, Ontario. Jim Puzzanghera/Globe Staff The Ambassador Bridge connecting the city to Detroit is But since Trump hit Canada with a slew of tariffs — on steel, aluminum, cars, and other products — border crossings here are down and weekend discretionary traffic to Detroit is off by 15 percent, according to Ryan Donally, president of the regional Chamber of Commerce. Business is booming at Advertisement Outside an Ontario cemetery, my favorite sign from a trip to see the impact of Trump's tariffs. — Jim Puzzanghera (@JimPuzzanghera) 'It's the uncertainty that's impacting business, impacting people, impacting investment, and it has everyone, frankly, on edge,' Dilkens said Wednesday from a conference room in City Hall with a view across the river to the Detroit skyline. 'I'll tell you, my mother hates Donald Trump. I said, 'You're giving yourself a coronary. He's not your president. Like, let it go. There's nothing you can do.' ' Canadians say they feel stabbed in the back. While For decades, the auto industry has operated seamlessly here, with major assembly plants and parts makers on both sides of the Detroit River. Auto parts cross the border multiple times in a manufacturing process that can feature many different companies, including the specialized tool, dye, and mold-makers that Windsor is known for. Advertisement In addition to a 25 percent US tariff on cars imported from Canada, Trump has said he'll decide by May 3 whether to extend that to Canadian auto parts. Canada already has responded with tariffs on some US vehicles and could retaliate on auto parts as well. Hitting those parts with tariffs each time they travel from one country to another would 'It's taken years, like literally half a century, for some of these relationships to get to where they are today. And then, in one fell swoop, you see that those relationships and those agreements are now in question, in doubt, or are being canceled,' said Jonathon Azzopardi, president of Laval, a mold and equipment manufacturer just outside Windsor that supplies auto parts. 'So it's pretty dramatic.' The Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant, a sprawling factory dating to 1928 that makes Chrysler minivans and the Dodge Charger Daytona, The uncertainty that has swept through the region and the rest of Canada has made Trump the focus of the federal elections. That's dramatically boosted the prospects of the Liberal Party after polls heading into this year showed voters eager for a change. But Advertisement Carney and Poilievre have both criticized Trump's tariffs and threat to Canada's sovereignty. Dilkens, a conservative, said he's dubious of polls pointing to a big liberal victory while acknowledging Trump has hurt his party's attempt to focus on other issues, like the cost of living. 'I think Pierre is speaking to Canadians and their concerns better than Mark Carney,' Dilkens said. 'But I think a lot of the political communication is still being overshadowed by the Donald Trump cloud.' Keith Pickard, a liberal candidate for the Canadian Parliament, with some of the food labels made by his company, Eclipse Packaging, at its factory in Kingsville, Ontario. Jim Puzzanghera/Globe Staff 'Donald Trump made the Canadian people say, 'Who's the best leader that we want in Ottawa?' It's not about the politics of yesterday,' said Keith Pickard, a business owner in Kingsville, Ontario, about 45 minutes southeast of Windsor. The son of a former member of Parliament, Pickard said he had never thought about running himself until Trump came into office in January. The looming tariffs forced him to put on hold a $30 million factory project to make corrugated boxes that he had been developing for two years. It would have employed 400 people using paper from Indiana and served the region's large greenhouse farming industry as well as foreign producers. Given his extensive business experience with cross-border trade, Pickard said he felt compelled to challenge the conservative lawmaker in his district and work to battle Trump's tariffs. 'A real fear struck me of what's going to happen with our kids. . . . Eighty percent of what we manufacture is exported. So what happens to those jobs?' Pickard said in the office of his company, Eclipse Packaging, which also makes food labels. 'Canadians feel betrayed.' Sam Brodey of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Jim Puzzanghera can be reached at
Agriland
22-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
NI woodland creation should be ‘bona fida agricultural activity'
A leading forester has called for assurances from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) that existing afforested land in NI remains eligible for the new farm sustainability payment into the future. John Hetherington, managing director of forestry consultants Premier Woodlands', said: 'Previously, land planted out in trees under a woodland creation scheme retained full eligibility for the basic payment. 'I am fully aware of the transition arrangements to the new farm sustainability payment system, which will be retained as the core area-based support mechanism for farmers. 'So, it is vitally important that land deemed eligible for the Farm Expansion Scheme (FES) and Small Woodland Grant Schemes (SWGS) is fully recognised as also having and retaining full entitlement eligibility, where the new farm sustainability measure is concerned.' 'Private woodland creation must retain its full recognition as a bona fida agricultural activity, and a core land use option in Northern Ireland.' Hetherington added that 'this reality must be fully endorsed by DAERA', in particular with regard to the continuing availability of Category A – Farm Business registration. Meanwhile, planting continues on sites approved for both the FES and the SWGS. Hetherington noted that, due to the 'very late nature of the approvals issued by Forest Service', planting work has only gotten underway in recent weeks. 'There is also a serious question mark over the availability of tree stocks from nurseries, given that it is so late in the planting season. 'The bottom line is that a number of sites may not be fully planted out until the autumn of this year. And this will be through no fault of the forestry and woodland development companies involved in the work. 'This occurred last year, so Forest Service agreed an extension to the 2023/24 planting provisions until December 31,2024,' he added. But it is not all bad news. Hetherington acknowledged the strategic benefits associated with Forest Service announcing the FES and SWGS applications periods for both 2024/25 and 2025/26 last year. 'The closing date for the 2025/26 schemes is June 30. In turn this should allow Forest Service to confirm all relevant planting-approved sites by September. 'This then ensures that forestry and woodland development companies can avail of a full planting season for the first time in many years,' he said. NI farm sustainability Meanwhile, momentum continues to gather pace with regard to the carbon footprinting of all land use operations in Northern Ireland. It is expected that the official carbon calculator to be used for farm sustainability purposes will be publicly confirmed over the coming weeks. However, according to Hetherington, it is important that all woodland and forestry plantations are included within the calculations used to arrive at a carbon footprint figure for all farming and land-based enterprises. 'Unfortunately this did not happen when farm businesses were being sampled for the Soil Nutrient Health scheme, only areas of woodland where entitlements were being claimed were sampled. 'Trees have the capacity to sequester large tonnages of carbon from the atmosphere on an annual basis. 'And this reality must be reflected in all official carbon footprint calculations carried out in Northern Ireland, ' the Premier Woodlands' representative stressed. Meanwhile the NI Forest Service replanting grant scheme has been re-opened. The measure will be of specific interest to landowners who have recently clear felled areas of woodland or forest. According to Hetherington: 'The replanting grant scheme pays a one-off £600/ha on ground previously in trees that requires replanting, regeneration of the woodland is a statutory condition of the felling licence. 'Any afforested land that has previously availed of new planting grants and annual payments cannot be further considered for new woodland creation or annual payment measures. 'The £600 will cover approximately 20% of the entire costs associated with the replanting of land. 'This is a significant contribution to the overall replanting expense incurred by landowners,' Hetherington said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hunt intensifies for 50,000 tradies paying up to $300,000 a year: 'Sky's the limit'
Queensland is on the hunt for 50,000 construction workers to help build stadiums, roads and tackle the housing crisis. Tradies including carpenters, painters and electricians are among the most in-demand, with six-figure pay packages on the table for some jobs. The state currently has $53 billion worth of construction activity in the pipeline, but that figure is set to jump to $77 billion in 2026-2027. That's been driven by the state's growing population, which is expected to surpass six million by 2023, the upcoming Olympic Games, and the net zero transition. A new report by Construction Skills Queensland found meeting these demands will be harder than ever before due to a critical shortage of tradies. RELATED Tradie boss wages war on promise of $10,000-a-week pay fuelling apprentice dropout crisis Mark Bouris issues blunt retirement message for young Australians: 'Accept it now' Retirees facing 'profoundly worrying' superannuation reality as Aussies' inheritance threatened "What we're seeing is a shortfall of about 18,200 on average from now across the eight years, and that intensifies to about 50,000 shortfall in '26, '27,' Construction Skills Queensland director Kim Hetherington told 9News. The building pipeline is forecast to average $40.2 billion over the next eight years, with about 95,900 workers needed each year to meet labour demand. The engineering pipeline is projected to average $21 billion over the eight years, with an average workforce demand of around 26, top five trades needed in Queensland right now are: Carpenters Painters Electricians Plasterers Concreters There's also a shortage of earthmoving plant operators, structural steel workers and crane operators. Other jobs needed include building and plumbing labourers, plumbers, miscellaneous labourers, civil engineers and construction managers. Hetherington said there were good pay packages on offer for construction workers. But the salary does depend on the job in question. "The sky's the limit if you want to go into construction management, you know, $300,000 and beyond," Hetherington said. "But certainly, the trades are being well paid in this environment." The average full-time worker made $1,975.80 per week in November 2024, or $102,741.60 per year. Median employee earnings in a main job were lower at $1,396 per week, or $72, in to access your portfolio
