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Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Grim warning for future of Aussie jobs
Australia's white collar workers will soon be under threat as experts warn the job slow down is 'more complicated' this time around. In its latest release of jobs data, the ABS revealed Australia's unemployment rate soared to 4.3 per cent, its highest level since the post pandemic recovery. The falls were broad-based with NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all seeing strong spikes in unemployment. Drilling down into the figures, so far it has impacted blue collar workers disproportionately, but it is expected major technological advancements will flip the script in the next year. ABS data released in June shows workers living in Sydney's west, including the Parramatta district have an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent, compared to Sutherland in Sydney's south, which recorded just a 2.3 per cent unemployment rate. The job market is impacting Australian workers differently. NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Meanwhile, those in Melbourne Inner East and South have seen a 0.2 per cent spike in unemployment while those in Geelong have actually seen the market strengthen. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said this could change as unemployment becomes 'more complicated this time' as the number of new public sector roles drops and AI use becomes more commonplace within corporations. 'Normally it's the more cyclical parts that are vulnerable including manufacturing, construction, and retail,' he told NewsWire. 'This time could be a little different.' 'You've also got the overlay of AI coming in which suggests there could be more of an impact on white collar jobs, as companies seek to lower their costs through the emergence of the new technology.' White collars are tipped to be the hardest hit by the rise in unemployment. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia Seek's monthly jobs data also points to less need for white collar workers. The construction sector was the only area that recorded a lift in job ads in June as a whole, while there were some pockets in growth for those in professional services including markets and communications and accounting. Meanwhile available information and communications technology positions continued to decline, with job ads falling 3.5 per cent in June or 10.5 per cent for the year. Advertised positions in the sector have now fallen below covid levels. Seek senior economist Blair Chapman said there had been a 5.5 per cent fall in job ads, and an increase in the number of Australians looking for work. Traditional construction jobs are less likely to be impacted by the change in workers. Construction Generics. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia 'On the other side of the market, applications per job ad have never been higher, and have now surpassed the peak recorded in 2020 when job ads were at their lowest,' he said. 'This rise is due to an increased candidate pool, rather than candidates applying for more roles. 'Over the past couple of years more Australians have taken on a second job, or are looking to do so, and more workers have entered or re-entered the workforce. 'This is likely in response to increased living costs, and as a result, competition is extremely strong for most available roles.'
Courier-Mail
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Revealed: How Australia's cities rank for electric vehicle readiness
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Shocking new data has painted a grim picture for Australia's electric vehicle future, revealing that our major cities are among the least EV-friendly in the entire world. A comprehensive global analysis by Compare the Market, which assessed 106 cities, found that some of Australia's major cities consistently landed in the bottom 10 across five crucial factors for EV readiness, including incentives and charging station availability. Each city was ranked based on the following factors: chargers per capita, national average electricity cost, incentives score, EV sales relative to the city's population, and the number of EVs per capita. While some cities are better equipped for electric vehicles than others, it doesn't look good for Australia. Canberra emerged as Australia's top performer, securing the 33rd spot globally with a score of 2.94 out of 10. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Sydney placed 74th in the rankings. Picture: Daily Telegraph / Monique Harmer MORE: Major brand's unthinkable act in EV war Hobart ranked 89th, trailing behind the Gold Coast, which secured the 88th position. Perth performed a little better, achieving 66th place in the rankings. Brisbane also outperformed Hobart, landing in 85th position. And in a closely contested comparison, Melbourne was ranked 73rd, just ahead of Sydney, which came in at 74th. The most EV-friendly cities in the world Ranking City Chargers per capita # of EVs by city population INDEX SCORE 1 The Hague (Netherlands) 744.92 26,526.39 5.14 2 Rotterdam (Netherlands) 467.13 33,456.32 5.10 3 Amsterdam (Netherlands) 664.22 41,478.52 5.00 4 Paris (France) 8.97 142,820.30 4.86 5 Oslo (Norway) 120.00 78,956.70 4.71 6 Utrecht (Netherlands) 606.05 16,248.82 4.45 7 Montreal (Canada) 55.28 124,384.59 4.31 8 Trondheim (Norway) 77.47 20,030.36 3.95 9 Bergen (Norway) 52.43 29,075.80 3.94 10 Lisbon (Portugal) 163.76 10,448.34 3.86 While electric cars have gradually made their way into the Australian market, they haven't achieved mainstream appeal, and most states and territories have limited incentives for EV owners. While Queensland and New South Wales have previously offered rebates and subsidies for EV purchases, they initiatives have since ended, with EV owners getting at least one incentive: discounts on car registration fees every year. Canberra emerged as Australia's's best city when it comes to EV friendliness. Picture: Jonathan Ng MORE: Jet pilot tech to change Aussie cars Canberra stood out as an exception, receiving full marks for its comprehensive incentives, which included registration discounts, rebates on the purchase of an electric car, and grants for installing charging stations, helping it achieve a higher ranking than other Australian cities. Another significant challenge affecting the adoption of electric vehicles in Australia is the national average electricity cost, which is notably higher than the global average. In addition to this, Australians encounter further obstacles in embracing EV technology, such as range anxiety and high initial purchase costs, which are often associated with soft resale values. Photo of roadside EV charging MORE: What is the best car of the 21st century? Dutch cities claimed the top three positions in the ranking: The Hague (5.14/10), Rotterdam (5.10), and Amsterdam (5.00). The report highlighted that these cities had the highest number of charging stations per capita, a key factor in the ranking system that allowed them to surpass other EV-friendly cities. Originally published as Aussie cities ranked among the least friendly for EVs
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Perth Now
Permanent Bondi Westfield memorial revealed
The first early details of a planned permanent memorial to the victims of the Bondi Westfield attack have emerged, with initial proposals for a new 'garden space' that might serve as a place for 'reflection and respite'. Waverley Council, which takes in the eastern Sydney suburbs of Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach, is proposing the memorial, with the council's Arts Committee discussing the project in April. A key theme for the memorial could include acknowledging women victims and the council will likely preference a female and Australian artist for the new installation. 'Key themes about women victims and need for mental health care,' Waverley's July 15 meeting document states. 'Preference expressed for a female artist. Garden space / mental health space, a place for reflection and respite, not just an artwork. 'Pressed flowers were such a great part of the one-year anniversary, would be good to keep this intimate, curved, sweeping, softer space (not angular). Waverley Council is considering a permanent memorial for the victims of the Bondi Westfield attack. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia 'Location will inform input into the type of memorial and potential artist.' Designs and an exact location are still to be decided. The council is now seeking feedback on memorial examples and possible artists. It is expected the council will select artists rather to go to public tender. Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six people – five women – and injured 10 others in a stabbing rampage at the busy Westfield shopping centre on the afternoon of April 13, 2024. Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia lost their lives in the attack. NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott shot Cauchi dead, ending the rampage. A five-week coronial inquest into Cauchi's state of mind both before and during the fatal attack took place in April. The attack happened at the Bondi Westfield shopping centre on April 13, 2024. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia The 40-year-old killer was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 17 and was medicated for more than a decade to treat the condition until he ceased taking all psychotropic medication in June 2019, the inquest heard. On the day of the attack, Cauchi was 'floridly psychotic', a panel of five psychiatrists told the court. To date, makeshift memorials have been set up for the community to mourn the event. From April 10 to 16 this year, two commemorative display boards were installed in Oxford Street Mall in Bondi Junction. The displays showcased photographs, messages and images from the floral tributes and vigil, offering a space for reflection. 'One year on, we pause and reflect on the tragic events of April 13 and remember the strength of the community in the days following,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said in April. 'Our thoughts are with the victims' families, those injured, first responders and all those whose lives were changed forever.'
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Aussies' confidence rocked by shock RBA call
Australians are saying they are less confident about their financial situation as well as feeling poorer about the national economy following the Reserve Bank's shock decision not to cut interest rates. Fresh figures released by ANZ-Roy Morgan shows consumer confidence slumped 2.1 points to 86.5 over the week since the RBA announced its decision on July 8. Worse still, more than 44 per cent of Australians are now saying they feel worse than this time last year, up 2 per cent from last week. ANZ economist Sophia Angala says the fall in confidence is likely due to the RBA shocking experts and markets by holding the cash rate at 3.85 per cent, instead of cutting it by a further 25 basis points as was widely expected. Consumer confidence fell on the RBA holding the cash rate. Credit: News Corp Australia, NewsWire/ Monique Harmer 'While the previous upward trend in consumer confidence is stalled for now, we expect a resumption of the improvement this year, as robust yearly growth in disposable incomes and further rate cuts flow through to households,' Ms Angala said. Meanwhile, Westpac is reporting consumer confidence rose slightly for the month of July up 0.6 per cent to 93.1. But Westpac consumer data shows Aussie mortgage holders felt worse following the RBA decision. Those surveyed at the start of month gave a score of 95.6 while those asked after the RBA's call scored 92. Anything over 100 is considered optimistic. Westpac head of Australian macro-forecasting Matthew Hassan said sentiment Australia's consumer sentiment recovery experienced another 'false start' in July. 'While the mood improved a touch for the month as a whole, responses over the survey week show a clear disappointment following the RBA's surprise move to leave rates on hold at its July meeting,' Mr Hassan says. 'This is the third time since late last year that events have conspired to undermine promising improvements in the consumer mood.' RBA governor Michele Bullock says the board wants to wait for quarterly inflation data. Christian Gilles / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The falling consumer sentiment follows homeowners being left frustrated with the RBA after a widely anticipated rate cut was not passed down by the central bank. The RBA handed down its decision on Tuesday July 8 to hold interest rates, which some experts called a 'cruel blow' for households. It is at odds with key economists and all four major banks who previously predicted a cut of 25 basis points. Australia's cash rate remains at 3.85 per cent. NED-9108-Monthly-Inflation-Indicator bRight Agent co-founder Aaron Scott called the surprise hold a 'cruel blow' for millions of Australian homeowners. 'Despite the fact that a July cut would not have been enough to give most mortgage holders a meaningful reprieve, it would have been welcome by the millions of Aussies who are holding out for more cost-of-living relief,' he said. 'Nobody will be breaking out the Wagyu beef or shiraz. RBA governor Michele Bullock said the board was waiting to confirm whether inflation was 'still on track' awaiting the release of the more complete quarterly ABS data. 'The board decided to wait a few weeks to confirm that we're still on track to meet our inflation expectation,' she said. 'This is a very fluid situation and we will continue to watch the data here and overseas to see how it plays.
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Perth Now
City rocked by $3m ‘blessing scams': cops
Police have shared new details of an alleged series of Chinese blessing scams, which have cost Sydneysiders a collective $3 million, as a woman is charged for allegedly targeting a 77-year-old. The scam generally targets elderly Chinese women and exploits their cultural fears by convincing them their families are at risk, and demanding money to protect them from illness or curses. 'The women are deceived and once the scammers are in possession of their money and valuables including jewellery, the items are swapped with items of no value and the women are encouraged not to open the bags for an extended time,' police said. In April, police launched Strike Force Sentinel to investigate reports of the scams across the Sydney area, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby areas. To date, they have received more than 80 reports of alleged scams, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen. A 63-year-old woman has been charged over an alleged 'Chinese blessing scams'. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia On Thursday, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to an alleged 'Chinese blessing scam'. Police allege the woman was involved with defrauding a 77-year-old woman of a 'large sum of money and jewellery' in Parramatta in June. She was taken to Mascot Police Station where she was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, participate criminal group contribue criminal activity and demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal. She was refused bail and is set to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police. Police have urged the public to be hyper vigilant of scammers, and to avoid following people to a doctor or letting strangers inside a home. 'Beware of people you don't know and can't identify seeking access to money and valuables,' they said. 'Beware of people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer. 'Do not follow people you have just met to a doctor or healer. Do not continue conversation with strangers and leave the location. 'Do not bring strangers home,' they added. 'Do not hand over money, jewellery, or valuable items to stranger, and do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual.' The woman allegedly scammed a 77-year-old. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia
