Latest news with #ValeriuCampan
Perth Now
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussies battle it out for free flights
Aussies have stormed a quiet neighbourhood park in medieval get-up in an epic battle to win $50k worth of free flights. Eight contestants chosen from the ultimate costume contest geared up to compete in a Live Action Role Play (LARP) event 'Knight of the Skies' in a bid to win a free trip, or a few, in celebration of Jetstar's 21st birthday. Contestants fought to win $50k free flights in a massive LARP battle for Jetstar's 21st birthday. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia The eight were split into two teams, Team Jet and Team Star – to wield battle alongside long-time LARP warriors from Australia's largest LARPing organisation, Swordcraft. The event was co-hosted with Swordcraft – biggest LARPing organisation in Australia. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia With $50k worth of free flights on the line, no one held back, and insane battle scenes roared out on the quiet Saturday morning. Puzzles, politics, and full on battle all ensued in the crisp Melbourne air at Edinburgh Garden, North Fitzroy as the LARPers fought it out. People were pommeled to the ground, hit over the head with swords, kicked and punched – all in the name of good old medieval fun. Aussies had to face up against ogres, Vikings and everything in between for a shot at the free flights. Credit: Supplied They will be split into two teams to wield battle alongside long-time LARP warriors from Australia's largest LARPing organisation, Swordcraft. Australian comedian and radio star Liam Stapleton is playing the role of Jetstar birthday host and LARP wizard himself, joining in on the action this Saturday. 'The folks from Jetstar reached out and look, it's not too far from a stretch, like I dress up and chase my wife around as Shrek and that sort of stuff on the weekend, so I've never done LARPing before though, but I felt like I was the right man for the job,' Stapleton told NewsWire. Liam Stapleton led the massive LARPing group. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia Radio and TV star Stapleton said impressions and role-play have been a big part of his career. 'It's something I've done like since I was a kid … and it's led to fun opportunities like this. Like now I'm dressed as a wizard in a park speaking to you.' Radio and TV star Liam Stapleton will also be trying his hand in medieval battle. Credit: Supplied The event centres around 21 being the age of knighthood in medieval times, and everyone is dressed the part with knights, fire mages, goblins, alchemists and everything in between. 'When you work in radio, you are always afraid of the axe. But this is, you know, today I'm afraid of real axes because people have that sort of weaponry,' Stapleton said. There was a variety of weaponry, each deadlier than the last. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia If he wins, Stapleton said he would love to fly to Japan. 'Top of the list. Yeah. It's somewhere I've always wanted to go … I've heard cherry blossom season is the time, it's literally like the top of my wife's and myself's bucket list. So that's where I'd love to go.' But Stapleton is not sure about his chances of winning. 'Look, I'm an optimistic man, but there is some genuine giants. LARPers were very well prepared in their medieval armour. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia 'There's some people who are like dressers giants and there's other people who are like, no, you are actually seven foot. 'There's some intimidating looking figures with proper armour. I'm wearing basically a dressing gown. So I don't know how we're going to go.' Stapleton did not win – Team 'Jet' emerged victorious, and four lucky winners won the ultimate $50k prize – Genevieve Maisey, Cameron Riches, Nicole Brownlie and Julian Dods. Four lucky Aussies walked away with $50k in free flights, to share. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia Either way, Swordcraft head of advertising Lou Harwood is glad more people got to take part in LARPing and hopes the contestants enjoyed the medieval role-play. 'The rush you get when you're in combat is like nothing else. So if they even if they don't win, if they just come away, just feeling excited, having had given it a go, that's a win in our books,' she told NewsWire. Ms Harwood said she is glad more people have been able to experience LARPing. Credit: Supplied 'I've really found my chosen family in this crew. And I wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. 'We're so grateful for the opportunity to show off lap to the wider community and get people to see how much fun it can be.'
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Victoria budget 2025: Winners and losers
With an ever-growing debt and a promise of no new taxes, the Victorian government has revealed a 'responsible' state budget with a primary focus on cost-of-living measures and supporting struggling families. Here are the winners and losers. The state budget for 2025-256 has arrived. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia WINNERS Health Treasurer Jaclyn Symes' first budget includes a record-breaking investment in hospitals and the health sector. The state will injecting an additional $11.1bn into health, including $634.3m to build or expand nine new hospitals. A further $9.3bn will be invested into existing hospitals, including Footscray Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Maryborough and District Hospital. There will also be a $48.2m investment into expanding the network of state-run urgent care clinics and Community Pharmacy programs across the state. The budget has allocated $57m for upgrades to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, with funding also invested to redevelop regional emergency departments, including Swan Hill District Health, Albury Wodonga Health and University Hospital in Geelong. The capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department will 'almost' triple with a $473m investment. The budget has zeroed in on mental health with a $7.5m investment into the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement program, LGBTIQA+ Aftercare support, and Strong Brother Strong Sister and Yarning Safe N Strong for Aboriginal Victorians. Treasurer Jaclyn Symes handed down her first budget on Tuesday. NewsWire / POOL/ Eamon Gallagher Credit: News Corp Australia Community safetyThe government will commit $727m to expand the state's prison and youth crime network. This investment includes adding an additional 1000 adult prison beds and 88 youth prison beds in Cherry Creek and Parkville to accommodate the increasing number of offenders being denied bail. There is also a $13m investment to ban machetes and implement a drop-off box for people to hand in their weapons. As part of the state's crackdown on crime, $106.4m will be invested in the youth justice system, including in-house rehabilitation, intensive oversight for high-risk offenders and family support workers. Public transport users In the lead-up to the budget release, the Victorian government announced it would allocate $1.2bn for public transport, including a $318m investment for a free public transport scheme for kids under 18 that would save a family an average of $755 per year per child. . Seniors will haveaccess to free public transport on weekends, with the government investing $2.2m for statewide free transport. A further investment of $162m will be put aside to deliver new and improved bus services. The Allan government will invest $4.1bn to develop Sunshine station, and a further $46m to deploy additional services from the Craigieburn, Sandringham, Upfield and Werribee lines. The government said it would inject $727m to 'operationalise' the Metro Tunnel, which is already been built and set to open at a later date. Drivers It's not just public transport users set for an investment boost, with the West Gate Tunnel expected to open this year. Regional transport networks will receive a $777m investment, including $137m for regional road maintenance. Across the state, the government will invest $976m to repair potholes and upgrade roads, with a further $50m for maintenance on the San Remo Bridge at Phillip Island. In conjunction with the federal government, $250m will be used to upgrade the Werribee Main Rd. $137m will be invested in regional road upgrades. NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia FamiliesThe government is investing $152.3m to increase funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, which will provide $400 for eligible students. Free kinder for three and four-year-olds will continue with an injection of $859m, saving families up to $2600 per year per child. The government has also committed to delivering $272m into child protection and family services and a further $90m to support kids in out-of-home care. Energy bills are set to be cut for struggling families, with the government investing $50m for the $100 Power Saving Bonus, which will be available for households with an eligible concession card. A further $29.7m will be committed to deliver an additional 27,000 hot water rebates and $12m to support training for the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, which is set to half the cost of ceiling insulation and save families up to $400 off their energy bills. SchoolsThe Victorian government is committing $133m for improved literacy and maths, including a $16.3m investment for a new Numeracy Check grade. TAFE and training courses will continue to be subsidised with a $171m investment. The Living Learning program with Melbourne City Mission and Hester Hornbrook Academy will also receive an investment of $7.5m to offer young people a chance to finish their education. The government is also committing $25.6m into its Navigator program, which aims to address chronic student absenteeism. The government will invest $133m to improve literacy and maths skills. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia Small businessesThe government will invest $627m into supporting business across the includes $150m into the Victorian Investment Fund, which aims to deliver grants and expand priority sectors for businesses and industries, and a commitment of $240m to the Economic Growth Statement. Homebuyers Ahead of the release of the budget, Ms Allan announced a commitment of $61m to continue the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for another 12 months. The Victorian economy is forecast to reach a net debt of $194bn by June 2029. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia LOSERS Farmers The government's promise of no new taxes in the budget excludes the new emergency services levy, which was passed through the upper house on Thursday and is intended to increase funds for the State Emergency Services (SES), triple-0 and the state control centre. The levy has triggered massive outrage from farmers across the state who took to the streets of Melbourne's CBD in protest, labelling the tax as an 'insult to farmers'. Thousands of Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers also took to the streets to protest the fire levy at Parliament House on Tuesday in the wake of the budget, urging Ms Allan to 'scrap the tax' and arguing that it would cripple already struggling farmers. Public servantsMore than 1200 full-time equivalent public servant jobs are on the chopping block in an effort to claw back some of the debt racked up by the government, though Ms Symes said natural attrition would account for some of the cuts. Thousands flocked to the streets of Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the government's emergency services levy. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia PolicePolice officers will receive a minor 0.2 per cent increase in funding compared with last year, with $7.2m committed to recruit more officers. Campers Outdoor lovers will feel the pinch as the government's free camping deal, which spanned all 131 paid campsites for Parks Victoria, comes to an end in June. It will be replaced with half=-price camping fees, which will be in place until June 2027. The economy The budget has projected a $600m operating surplus, which is about $1bn less than its forecast last year. Net debt is forecast to grow and hit a record high of $194bn by June 2029, with the state's forecast debt of $167.9m in 2025-26 sitting at 25.1 per cent of Victoria's economy. However, it is the first operating surplus since the Covid-19 pandemic, a feat Ms Symes said demonstrated the government could 'service that debt while delivering the infrastructure and services that Victorians need'. 'From here, net debt will continue to fall as a share of the economy, and we will see continued surpluses in the years to come – allowing us to continue to provide services and infrastructure that Victorians need,' Ms Symes said.
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Horror Nazi symbol spotted at Nakba rally
A sign bearing a Nazi swastika was sighted at a 'Nakba' rally in Melbourne on Sunday in an apparent affront to state laws banning Nazi symbols from public display. The sign, which appeared at the rally marking the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948, shows a red swastika imprinted against the Israeli flag, with the words 'Zionism' at the top of the sign and 'Nazism' on the bottom. The man holding up the poster wears a jacket, cap and a keffiyeh scarf, a widely-adopted symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israel. Victoria has outlawed the display of Nazi symbols, which embody German dictator Adolf Hitler's war machine and the slaughter of six millions Jews in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. Victorian Police has confirmed with NewsWire it is investigating an 'an offensive sign' sighted at the State Library shortly after midday. A sign sporting a Nazi symbol was spotted at the Melbourne Nakba rally on Sunday. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia The display of Nazi symbols is illegal in Victoria. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia 'No arrests were made however police have been made aware an offensive sign was sighted at the State Library shortly after midday,' a police spokeswoman said. 'Police will assess the image against state legislation to determine if an offence has been committed. 'Depending on the assessment a referral may also be made to AFP for further investigation.' About 2000 protesters took to the streets across Melbourne for the May 18 rally. The Arabic word 'nakba' translates to 'catastrophe' and is associated with widespread fury in the Arab world over the displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. In Melbourne, the protesters gathered in the CBD before marching to Catani Gardens in St Kilda via the US consulate. Other signs as the rally read: 'Israel kills one child every 10 minutes' and 'Free Palestine: From the river to the sea'. A Pro Israel group confronted the Nakba rallygoers on Princes Bridge. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia 'Officers were also told a water bottle was thrown while the group was walking along Princess Bridge,' the spokeswoman said. 'No one was injured however police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. 'The groups dissipated peacefully at the conclusion of the protest.' Victoria's laws came into effect in October 2023. 'Such displays cause harm to members of the Victorian community and this is unacceptable,' the government has said. 'The ban sends a clear message that Nazi ideology and the hate it represents is not tolerated in Victoria. 'There are several exceptions to the offence. These include where the display is made reasonably and in good faith for genuine academic, religious, artistic, or educational purposes.'Convicted offenders face a maximum penalty of a $23,000 fine or 12 months in prison, or both. Thousands or people rallied across Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia Thousands of protesters attended Nakba rallies in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia South Australia introduced a similar ban across 2023 and 2024 as the country grappled with how to beat back a nationwide explosion in anti-Semitism following the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner, speaking at the Adelaide Holocaust Museum in late 2023, said he had begun to see 'concerning cracks' appear in Australian society. 'We are extraordinarily successful multicultural, homogeneous society,' he said. 'However, there are unfortunate, concerning cracks which have appeared and need to be dealt with. 'But our emphasis here at the museum is one of being caring, harmonious, compassionate, everybody historically equal, there are no differences, we are all totally the same as human beings.' NSW outlawed Nazi symbols in 2022. Nakba rallies were also held in Brisbane and Adelaide.
