Don’t expect the economy to come roaring back to life

Judith Sloan An almost empty Bankstown Central shopping centre in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: Flavio BrancaleoneThe Australian, September 21, 2021 Last week’s unemployment figures for August painted a paradoxical story of the state of the labour market and the economy. The recorded figure for the unemployment rate was 4.5 per cent, the lowest figure for 13 years. It was down from …

Families fill gap left by absent skilled migrants

Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott. Picture: Gary Ramage exclusive Stephen Lunn SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR The Australian, September 20, 2021 A plunge in skilled migration brought on by pandemic travel restrictions has allowed the federal government to increase the number of family visas issued to their highest level in at least a decade. Official figures obtained by The …

Why it’s time more men opened up to therapy

Maintaining your mental health is just as important as your physical wellbeing, making yourself fitter and more able to enjoy life and its inevitable challenges. Sam Delaney Financial Review, Sep 18, 2021 When Tony Soprano sat down with his therapist for the first time in episode one of the eponymous hit drama, he reflected the attitudes of most men towards …

Millennial pet worship is not twee, it’s tragic

Using a dog to replace dreams of having children, a career or just some friends is a lot of pressure to put on a beagle. Janan Ganesh Contributor Financial Review, Sep 19, 2021 Princess Diana called it the “moving carpet”. In the weeks after her death, others weren’t so forgivingly droll about the royals’ corgis. Here, went the theory, which …

SME financial advisers reject capital buffer call

Aleks Vickovich Wealth editor Financial Review, Sep 20, 2021 Small and independent financial services licensees have pushed back against a proposal to beef up their minimum capital and professional indemnity insurance requirements, urging the government to instead bring fund managers under its “compensation scheme of last resort”. The Financial Services Council on Friday called for additional minimum capital buffers to …

Indigenous businesses plead for fairer partnership deal amid procurement boom

Kate Purnell The West Australian, 20 September 2021 John O’Driscoll, Rishelle Hume and Tyler Lovell will be part of the Indigenous Emerging Business Forum. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian The number of Indigenous-owned businesses is growing in WA but experts warn there is still a long road ahead to ensure their opportunities are equal and sustainable. John O’Driscoll, Aboriginal engagement …

Mark McGowan’s predicted $2.8 billion Budget surplus poised for $1 billion hit

Joe Spagnolo The West Australian, 20 September 2021 Premier Mark McGowan. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian Mark McGowan’s predicted $2.8 billion Budget surplus for this year is already in serious doubt — just 10 days after the release of the State Budget. Since Budget day on September 9, the iron ore price has fallen to US$100 — down 12 per …

WA’s daily COVID-19 vaccine doses decline almost 20 per cent

Peter Law The West Australian, 20 September 2021 People arriving at the COVID vaccination centre at Claremont Showgrounds. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian The number of COVID-19 vaccines being jabbed into the arms of West Australians each day has fallen almost 20 per cent compared with a month ago. An analysis of daily vaccine doses showed a steady increase between …

Retailers hoping for busy Christmas sales

Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business CorrespondentAAP The Westb Australian, 20 September 2021 7:57AM Retailers are pinning their hopes for a bumper Christmas on NSW, Victoria and the ACT reopening. Credit: AAP Retailers struggling to keep afloat as a result of coronavirus lockdowns are being given a glimmer of hope for a busy Christmas trading period. Australian Retailers Association CEO …

Loneliness, isolation worsened by discrimination against people with dementia

A survey by Dementia Australia found 75 per cent of respondents who identified themselves at risk of dementia expected to be treated differently if they are diagnosed. exclusive Stephen Lunn SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR @lunns The Australian, September 20, 2021 If you’re one of up to half a million Australians living with dementia, none of the following will surprise you. Almost …