Latest news with #ACT
ABC News
6 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Canberra's rent hikes are losing pace but some renters say the market's still pricey and competitive
International student Gabriel Batholazzi plans to move in with his partner but Canberra's rental market has become a less-than-romantic hurdle in his love story. "It was quite exciting but then when we started looking, going on the websites, checking … and it starts to be more interesting and daunting," the postdoctoral researcher said. New rental data from property analysts Cotality, formerly CoreLogic, has shown Canberra is the fourth most expensive Australian capital city in which to rent. Three years ago it was the most expensive. Canberra's median weekly rental price is now $679 — that's compared to almost $800 in Sydney, which was the most expensive city for renters, before Perth and Brisbane. Canberra experienced the slowest quarterly growth in rental values in the country, and the lowest 12-month increase in rent prices for units. But that comes after years of significant jumps, with Canberra's five-year median rent prices increasing 18 per cent for houses and 20 per cent for units. Mr Batholazzi said news of the slowed growth was cold comfort for tenants. Mr Batholazzi said he and his partner were organised and had created a calendar of inspections "because we're not going to get the first place, so we need to look for many". Real Estate Institute of the ACT Chief Executive Maria Edwards said recent changes in Canberra's rental market were due to supply and demand, as well as government policy. "Over the past three years, over 75 per cent of the dwellings that have been in progress or completed have been high density apartments," she explained. "And the rents on those are generally lower and that brings down the average cost of renting a property in the ACT. She said that was coupled with negative net interstate migration and lowering overseas migration. "There's also government policy that restricts rent increases on existing tenants in the ACT. That's having an effect as well." The ACT government has restricted rent increases to once a year with eight weeks' notice, capped at 10 per cent above the increase to the Consumer Price Index. She said many landlords were under financial stress and some had sold up. "There's also been a real slow down in the sales prices of apartments because there are so many available," Ms Edwards said. "So, there are actually owners who have bought apartments 10 years ago who will not make a profit if they sell now."
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Race-Based Hiring Rot Must Not Spread To The Private Sector
ACT spokesperson for Tertiary Education and Skills, Dr Parmjeet Parmar is raising the alarm after a concerned parent raised concerns that a major engineering firm is actively discriminating based on race when hiring interns. A job application form for a summer engineering internship states that Māori, Pasifika, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be moved directly to the interview stage of the recruitment process. 'We must not let the rot that is so pervasive in our public institutions spread into the private sector,' says Dr Parmar. 'ACT is working hard in Government to remove race-based requirements from our public institutions. Businesses need to get the memo that they no longer need to engage in identity politics to secure Government contracts. 'Last year the Government ditched race-based requirements from procurement rules, including the 8% quota for contracts going to Māori-owned businesses and the requirement that when procuring agencies must consider how they can create quality employment opportunities specifically for Māori. Councils should follow suit. 'When councils set race-based procurement requirements and targets, it's no surprise that companies feel the need to respond by changing their own employment practices. 'More broadly, we're seeing the consequences of a divisive culture being incubated in our universities and public institutions. 'When academics, bureaucrats and politicians constantly promote the idea that people should be treated differently based on race, it's no wonder some start to believe it – and act on it. 'Universities in particular are fuelling these corrosive ideas, teaching the HR managers of tomorrow that a person's ancestry matters more than their character, capability or contribution. 'Race-based hiring, in any sector, is wrong. The ACT Party will keep fighting to stop this rot from spreading any further.'
ABC News
15 hours ago
- ABC News
Canberra man who led ACT police on hours-long chase in stolen car sentenced
A Canberra man who led police on a wild chase around Canberra in a stolen car and drove at officers trying to stop him, has been sentenced to nearly three years jail by the ACT Supreme Court. Jordan Massey, 25, pleaded guilty to taking a Mercedes Benz from Moncrieff in August 2023, and a Dodge RAM ute from Gungahlin. Police in an unmarked car came upon the ute after a search of the area, as Massey was driving it out of a garage. He drove around the police car, mouthing the word "f***", and sped off, crossing green belts and driving on the wrong side of the road, in a bid to avoid police, in heavy traffic. The on-again, off-again chase continued for several hours across Canberra, ending in the south of the ACT, where police deployed tyre deflation devices. Massey then drove at the police officers who hid behind their cars. The ute eventually stopped because the front tyre was flat and Massey fled, although he was caught about 100 metres from the car. In a pre-sentence interview Massey told a forensic psychologist he had been going straight after a day program, but went back to using drugs after a traumatic event. He said he was "getting cars to get drugs and then avoiding the cops" and that he wanted to "pump the music loud and forget about what has happened". After the fact, Massey acknowledged the harm he had done and said he would like to offer the owners "a big apology". During the sentencing Acting Justice Rebecca Christensen acknowledged Massey's difficult past. "What Mr Massey was raised to understand was a world of violence, substance misuse, neglect, abandonment, insecure housing, inadequate formal education opportunities, and the challenges of parental incarceration and mental ill health," Acting Justice Christensen said. "The experience of the courts shows that a person who has not been raised in the environment of a supportive 'village' is limited in their capacity to respect the broader community in which they come to live as an adult. Acting Justice Christensen said rehabilitation should still be a consideration in Massey's sentencing, which he said he is keen to do. "Despite all of his challenges, Mr Massey also presents with an inner strength and resilience that assists him to strive for a better life for himself," Acting Justice Christensen said. She said in weighing the sentence, she took on board concerns Massey ran the risk of becoming institutionalised, after spending only a few years of his adult life outside custody. Acting Justice Christensen sentenced Massey to two years and eight months jail, with a non parole period to end next year.
Business News Wales
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Why Business Leaders Must Step Up for Wales' Young People
As employers we often talk about the skills gap, about young people entering the workforce unprepared, and about the challenges of recruitment and retention. But the real question is: what are we doing to change that? Here in Wales, the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee is a much-needed commitment to our 16–24-year-olds, ensuring young adults have access to support, education, training and employment. But its success depends largely on us – the businesses of Wales. At ACT, we're calling on businesses to step up and join our Employer Pledge – a commitment to support Jobs Growth Wales + learners, aged 16 to 19, through work placements or early career opportunities. It's a simple but powerful action that can shape a young person's future and strengthen your business at the same time. This isn't just about doing the right thing. It's about doing something proactive for your organisation's output. Our experience working with thousands of employers across Wales has shown that young people bring energy, fresh thinking, and long-term potential to the workplace. They ask questions, offer new perspectives, and often challenge us when we're set in our ways. Crucially, through ACT's Employer Pledge, there's no cost to you for taking on a learner. We cover the learner's allowance while you benefit from a motivated individual eager to learn and contribute. What's more, our dedicated team supports you every step of the way to ensure the process is seamless for both parties. Of course, there's also a moral imperative here. For many young people, especially those who are often overlooked for opportunities or who haven't thrived in traditional education, a placement can be life changing. It offers a foot in the door, a boost to their confidence, and a glimpse of what their future could be in a sector they're passionate about. As employers, we have the ability – and I would say, the responsibility – to create those opportunities. Captiva Spa in Caerphilly is one business who has committed to supporting young people. They've taken on learners who have not only become valuable team members during their placements but have gone on to become long-term employees and even managers. Likewise, Cardiff-based finance company Ramsay & White have welcomed two Jobs Growth Wales+ learners as permanent staff after watching them flourish on placement. These are not one-off success stories, they're examples of what happens when businesses invest in potential. Supporting the Young Person's Guarantee through ACT's Employer Pledge isn't about ticking a box. It's about changing lives through building a talent pipeline, supporting the local community, and shaping the kind of workforce we all want to see – skilled, engaged, and future-proof. To those still on the fence, I say don't underestimate what a young person can bring to your team. Yes, they might need guidance but with the right mentoring they often surprise us with their initiative, drive, and ideas. At ACT, our purpose is 'improving lives through learning' but we can't do it alone. We need businesses across Wales to get behind the pledge and help support our future workforce to thrive.
Axios
17 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools
Tennessee is launching a first-of-its-kind college program this year that will send thousands of high school seniors automatic college admission letters along with personalized financial aid estimates. Why it matters: The "direct admissions" effort is meant to slash through the "forest of red tape" students face when navigating college searches, officials said. Participating students won't even have to apply to understand their options at dozens of participating in-state colleges. "No applications, no essays, no fees," said researcher Taylor Odle, who is evaluating the experimental program to see how it improves college enrollment. How it works: The program is in a pilot phase, and will only apply to students in about 230 randomly selected Tennessee high schools for now. Students at those schools only need to sign up for the Tennessee Promise program by Nov. 1 to participate. They'll get a letter later that month laying out their college options. During the pilot phase, about half of the direct admission letters will include personalized financial aid estimates, including merit-based scholarships students are likely to receive, as well as eligibility for Tennessee Promise, which offers students tuition-free community and technical college. Yes, but: They'll still have to file the FAFSA to secure need-based federal aid. Between the lines: During the pilot, researchers will track outcomes to see if including financial aid packages boosts enrollment numbers. They'll use their findings to shape recommendations for long-term services in Tennessee and nationwide. By the numbers: State leaders expect to send direct admission letters to 41,000 high school seniors this fall, telling them which colleges are saving a spot for them. Fifty-three in-state colleges and universities are participating. That total includes private and public universities as well as technical and community colleges. Colleges will use ACT and GPA thresholds to determine which students qualify. The big picture: Tennessee has led the effort to improve college access for years. Programs like the Tennessee Promise have inspired policies nationwide. The latest pilot program makes Tennessee the first in the nation to combine direct admissions with up-front financial aid estimates. The bottom line: Complicated applications and financial aid boondoggles can drive students away from considering college. Leaders hope that making the process more user-friendly will open up new opportunities, especially for low-income or rural students who are less likely to attend college. "This effort is really about removing barriers and shifting the conversation to make it easier for young people," said Tennessee Higher Education Commission director Steven Gentile. Participating Davidson County schools Antioch High School Cane Ridge High School Glencliff High School Hillsboro High School Hillwood High School Hume-Fogg High School Independence Academy High School John Overton High School KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School Knowledge Academies High School LEAD Academy LEAD Southeast Maplewood High School Martin Luther King Jr. School McGavock High School MNPS Virtual School Nashville Big Picture High School Nashville School of the Arts Pearl-Cohn High School Republic High School The Academy at Hickory Hollow The Academy at Old Cockrill Valor College Prep Whites Creek High School Participating Rutherford County schools Blackman High School Central Magnet School Eagleville School Holloway High School Lavergne High School Oakland High School Siegal High School Stewarts Creek High School Participating Sumner County schools Beech Senior High School Gallatin Senior High School Hendersonville High School Merrol Hyde Magnet School Portland High School Station Camp High School Sumner County Middle College High School Westmoreland High School White House High School Participating Williamson County schools Brentwood High School Centennial High School Franklin High School Fred J Page High School Independence High School Nolensville High School Ravenwood High School Summit High School Participating Wilson County schools
