Latest news with #South Australia
ABC News
a day ago
- Health
- ABC News
Woman's heart surgery at Flinders Medical Centre delayed for months
A South Australian woman who feared she might not make it while waiting for heart surgery has been told her life-saving procedure has been scheduled for next week. Bek Batt told ABC Radio Adelaide on Tuesday morning that she was told in January that she needed a pacemaker and two stents in her heart, as well as a cardiac ablation, to treat an irregular heartbeat. The Victor Harbor woman said she had met a surgeon and was told she would be waiting for no more than a month. "He said if he had his way I'd be in within two weeks, I was promised it would be no more than two weeks, no more than four weeks, I'm still waiting," she said. "I think I'll be gone before I get the heart surgery." She said she was worried she would have a stroke while waiting for the treatment at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) but understood the significant demand on healthcare workers. "They're all under pressure and there's no way around it," Ms Batt said. After speaking with the ABC, Ms Batt was told her surgery had been scheduled for next week. The woman said she was "very relieved" to have a booked-in date. Earlier today, SA Health chief executive Robyn Lawrence said the health system was facing "unprecedented demand" in some areas because of "a really bad flu season this year". "It's not a crisis but it's definitely extremely busy right across our system," Dr Lawrence said. "We also have 261 patients waiting for residential aged care, which is a 40 per cent uplift since last year." She said the decision to postpone category 1 elective surgery was up to doctors at individual hospitals. "If the hospital needs to make that call and they can do it safely, they will make the appropriate decision," she said. The FMC, the biggest hospital in Adelaide's southern suburbs, is where ambulances spend more time waiting to offload patients — also known as being "ramped" — than any other Adelaide hospital excluding the Royal Adelaide, according to government data which dates back to 2017. The number of hours ambulances spent ramped outside the FMC increased from 876 in February to 1,121 in March — the biggest spike of any Adelaide hospital. In June, the SA Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) said the level of violence has increased in the hospital's emergency department where several patients have threatened doctors and caused property damage.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Rising debts put lives and economy on hold
Debts have nearly doubled for Aussie homeowners in the last decade, according to new data from financial comparison site Mozo. The data reveals that the average home loan size has jumped from $389,939 to $659,922, leaving homeowners spending $71 per day more on their mortgages than 10 years ago. Aussies are also taking out fewer loans, despite incredible population growth over the decade. ABS statistics showed 4,957 less new owner-occupier loan commitments for dwellings had been taken out in the March quarter of this year than the March quarter of 2015. Mozo personal finance expert Rachel Wastell said Australian borrowers are now navigating a mortgage market that looks nothing like it did 10 years ago. 'Borrowers aren't just feeling the impact of 13 rate hikes in under two years, they're carrying the weight of a decade of rising home loan sizes and relentless repayment pressure,' she said. 'Loan sizes are bigger, repayments have nearly doubled, and now people are paying the price.' Across the states, some borrowers have been hit much harder than others. Tasmania and South Australia have more than doubled their average home loan sizes since 2015, with Tasmania recording the fastest growth in loan sizes nationally (111 per cent over ten years). While NSW's decade-long growth was more subdued in percentage terms, the dollar-value increase – $327,699 – is the largest jump of any state. 'Even if rates fall dramatically, that won't change the fact Australians are now carrying significantly more debt than they were 10 years ago,' Ms Wastell said. She added that for families trying to manage rising living costs, this can mean putting off major life milestones. 'Not just renovations or home upgrades, but decisions like having kids or changing jobs may need to be rethought as the financial buffer just isn't there anymore,' she said. According to Ray White head of research Vanessa Radar, the loss of disposable income has a ripple effect on the nation's economy. 'As Australians struggle with larger debt obligations, they are more inclined to reduce spending which in turn has a slowing impact on the broader economy,' she said. 'Uncertainty and low sentiment sees decision making pushed out and this 'treading water' effect puts pressure on the economy moving forward.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eight-word taunt that Harley Reid said to Jason Horne-Francis comes to light
The eight-word taunt that Harley Reid uttered to Jason Horne-Francis has been revealed, after a fiery clash between the former No.1 draft picks on Sunday night. Reid and Horne-Francis came chest-to-chest during Port's 12.15 (87) to 9.6 (61) victory at Adelaide Oval, and could be seen exchanging words. Speaking on Channel 9 program 'Footy Furnace' on Sunday night, leading reporter Tom Morris revealed what was said. "They are two of the most fiery people in the game, and they were going at each other," Morris said. The journo revealed Reid told Horne-Francis: "Go back to mummy. Leave after one year." Morris added: "Horne-Francis left North Melbourne after one year. You love that sort of stuff don't you?" As Morris mentioned, Horne-Francis was drafted by the Kangaroos in 2021 before requesting a trade back to South Australia after just one season. Reid is in a similar boat in that many believe he might look to head home to Victoria once his contract with the Eagles expires. Speaking on 'Footy Furnace', Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel said Reid's sledge backfired in that it only fired up Horne-Francis and the Power players. "They're incredibly competitive customers like most people," Bartel said. "But once the byplay was happening he (Horne-Francis) kicked two goals from stoppages, and it actually helped Port Adelaide get up and over West Coast." Commentator Anthony Hudson said during the game: 'It's sort of like they're looking in the mirror a little bit." While Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton added: 'You've got the feeling they're going to be at each other for the next decade.' Horne-Francis responded after the game, but was quick to play down the incident. 'I think there was a bit of heat in it at the end there, which was, I guess, I like a little bit, and I know a few of their players like (it) as well,' he said. 'I think it's all part of the game, it's all in good spirit, but it was good to get over the line in the end.' "Go back to mummy, leave after one year" 🗣️The Harley Reid v Jason Horne-Francis battle was box office 🍿#9FootyFurnace | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️ — Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 13, 2025 In the end it was Zak Butters who inspired fast-finishing Port Adelaide to a comeback 26-point win over a plucky West Coast. The Power trailed by 33 points in the opening quarter before rallying to an important victory. Butters was brilliant, racking up 38 disposals and 14 in the first term, as Port booted the last five goals of the game. West Coast produced their highest-scoring quarter under first-year coach Andrew McQualter, booting 6.3 to 2.2 in the opening term. "I was really proud of the effort for a large part of the game (in a) challenging 24 hours for our footy club," McQualter said. "We competed really well. In the end, the Power's class was just able to shine through." RELATED: Michael Voss calls for AFL rule change as Carlton star sent to tribunal Luke Hodge reveals gesture from former teammate amid family dilemma West Coast's 25-point lead at quarter-time saw Power coach Ken Hinkley hit his players with some stern words. "They (the Eagles) got away to a good jump and we just left ourselves in vulnerable positions," Hinkley said. "And our skills didn't match those vulnerable positions, and when you play footy like that, you're going to get hurt on the scoreboard." with AAP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Tragic beach discovery sparks fresh alarm over ‘horror' issue in Australia: ‘Devastating'
One of the country's leading marine biologists is warning there may be long-term ecological consequences in the wake of the toxic algae bloom currently killing thousands of animals in waters of the South Australian coast. Professor Shauna Murray, from the UTS School of Life Sciences, said she doesn't believe the crisis has been managed poorly, in response to some commentary earlier this week insisting the event would have received much more attention and swifter action if it had impacted eastern states like New South Wales or Queensland. But, Murray said, there is an opportunity for Australia to take global leadership when it comes to marine ecosystem threats. For months now, many thousands of marine animals, spanning over 390 species, have been washing ashore dead along beaches in the south, with the toxic algae Karenia mikimotoi to blame. Some believe that figure is modest, with not all deaths being witnessed, and incidents being heavily reliant on reporting. In an interview with Yahoo News Australia, Murray said she believes "it's too early to say exactly what factors" are driving this particular harmful algal bloom (HAB) of Karenia mikimotoi, though in general, climate change is "certainly having long-term impacts on HABS". "Every species of harmful algae has highly individual conditions that it grows under, and these vary. Karenia mikimotoi is normally a temperate species, which blooms in the north of China, the north Atlantic, and other countries," she explained. "However, having said that, it could be that a one-degree increase in water temperatures over an extended time frame could be contributing to the growth of the species. Other conditions, such as currents, water nutrients, and other factors, are also contributing. HABs are almost always due to a specific combination of factors unique to the algal species." Murray believes there could be long-term ecological consequences, given that after a Karenia species bloom in Wellington Harbour in New Zealand in the 1990s, it took about three to five years for the ecosystem to recover. Though the current bloom involves similar Karenia species and brevetoxins, it is impacting a much larger area. "Hence, while I think habitat collapse is unlikely, I do think that we will need to closely monitor fish and invertebrate species abundances to understand impacts," Murray said. On social media, dozens of individual examples continue to emerge from beaches around the state that have been inundated with carcasses, attracting tens of thousands of responses from upset Australians, questioning if more could have been done. "This is literal horror," one person said. "We should all be losing it at this. This is devastating," another said, with each comment attracting hundreds of likes. 'Toxic to anything with gills': algal bloom spreading Algal bloom turns coast into a 'marine graveyard' Warning to Aussie beachgoers after deadly discovery in waves But according to Murray, the response was as appropriate as it could have been. "I think the event has been handled as well as it could be, given that there are very few (literally about five to 10) marine HAB experts in Australia, including myself," she said. Murray said Australia has an opportunity to develop a strong response to harmful algal blooms in future, which could serve as a model for other countries. She noted that threats to marine environments like coral bleaching and kelp forest dieback are well known, and the increasing incidence of harmful algal blooms is one of the more manageable challenges. "This is not a failing. HABs are very well managed in Australian waters relative to the marine aquaculture industry, as they are regulated, monitored and managed, and have been for many years," she said. "This particular SA situation is quite unusual in the length of time the HAB has persisted and the area over which it has extended, as well as the fish killing mechanisms and hence the wider impacts. I think we need to learn from this and build more expertise in the field, so that more people have the relevant knowledge and skills for when situations like this arise next time." While federal governments typically don't get involved in matters concerning state waters, Murray said it may now have a role to play given the scale of the outbreak, particularly in funding research and future monitoring systems. "I believe the best role would be for them to fund research and set up systems for future monitoring, so that if something like this were to happen again, we would be prepared," she said. "So far, we have learnt that the main microalgal species is Karenia mikimotoi. But it's not the only species of Karenia present, and it makes up around 50 per cent or more of the microalgae in the water in some regions, with the rest being a mixed standard marine microalgal community. "We still need to understand the identities of the other HAB species, their abundance and distribution, the microalgal producers of brevetoxins, and the toxic mechanisms of other Karenia species present. "We also need to fully investigate oceanographic conditions before, during and hopefully following the HAB to develop models to understand the drivers of this one." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Channel Seven star Elspeth Hussey reveals she's expecting her second child: 'It was a complete surprise'
Channel Seven star Elspeth Hussey has revealed she is expecting her second child. The Adelaide-based 7News presenter, 38, welcomed her 'honeymoon baby' with husband Alastair Dillon in October last year. Speaking to The Advertiser this week, Elspeth revealed that her second pregnancy had come as a 'complete surprise'. The journalist told the publication that the couple wanted to expand their brood quickly, but were not expecting to fall pregnant so soon after welcoming their nine-month-old, Monty. 'I fell asleep halfway through assembling Monty's cot and thought that was a bit odd. I did a pregnancy test and it lit up,' she said. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Elspeth added she was convinced the test was wrong, especially as it was 'out of date', but subsequent tests confirmed the good news. 'I was convinced it was wrong, particularly after discovering the box was out of date,' she said. 'I raced out and bought two more boxes, which confirmed it.' Elspeth added being pregnant while caring for a nine-month-old can be 'tough'. 'The morning sickness has been tough with a young baby to look after – and work,' she said. '[I have had] lots of power naps in the recliner chair in the meeting room.' She also confirmed to the publication that she and Alastair know the gender of their precious cargo, which is due in January, but are keeping it strictly under wraps. It comes after Elspeth and Alastair welcomed their first child back in October. The couple broke the happy news on Instagram, sharing a series of sweet photos and videos of the precious newborn. 10 days of loving our beautiful boy,' Elspeth captioned the post. 'Monty Michael Dillon arrived a little earlier than expected on 8th October at 1:39pm – weighing 2.9 kilos – and changing our lives forever. 'We've spent hours staring at him, our camera rolls are full, and our hearts are exploding.' Elspeth, who tied the knot with husband Alastair Dillon in January last year, revealed that the bundle of joy was a 'honeymoon baby'. 'It's been tough keeping it a secret at work,' she told the Advertiser at the time. 'I've disguised the bump behind the desk with black – and lots of borrowed clothes. 'A few people at work had their suspicions, though. The Maccas fries for lunch was probably a giveaway,' she joked. Elspeth also revealed that she found out she was expecting after trying a glass of champagne just weeks after her wedding. The journo was shocked that the bubbly tasted like metal. 'My friends said, "Oh my God, you're pregnant!",' she continued. 'I thought the bottle must've been corked, but I went home and did a test and it was positive. I was jumping around the bathroom. It was the best birthday present I've ever had.' Elspeth tied the knot with her beau in a lavish wedding at St Mary's Church, North Adelaide, in January 2024, and the happy couple later honeymooned on Hamilton Island. Elspeth has been a well-known face at Seven Adelaide for over a decade.
