NewsMatch Alert: Press Release Summary | 18 November 2024
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Today's highlights
DCA reveals 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers, welcomes Sam Mostyn as Patron during Inclusion at Work Week
To celebrate Inclusion at Work Week, Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has announced its 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers and welcomes Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor General of Australia, as its new Patron. This year over 60 organisations were recognised as Inclusive Employers across the nation, highlighting their commitment to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.?
Workplace exclusion is rising as employees with disability are twice as likely to face discrimination
New data shows a concerning rise in workplace exclusion, with employees in Australia living with a disability experiencing discrimination at twice the rate of their peers living without disability. The issue is compounded by recent research from Diversity Council Australia, which found that nearly 1 in 5 Australian workers (19%) don’t feel valued, respected, or able to contribute and progress at work – a figure that has almost doubled since 2019.
GPs urge government to make healthcare more affordable as patients delay care
GPs are urging the government to do more to make essential GP care affordable after a national survey showed more people are delaying care they need due to financial concerns amid the cost-of-living crisis.?ABS data released today revealed the proportion of patients citing cost as a reason they have delayed or avoided seeing their GP has increased from 7% to 8.8%.?
Australians missing out on homelessness support as services buckle under strain: report
A landmark study finds the number of people at risk of homelessness has surged 63 per cent to three million, overwhelming the capacity of homelessness services who have had to close their doors to people desperately seeking help. A new Impact Economics and Policy report, Call Unanswered, surveyed 23 specialist homelessness services over two weeks in September 2024, revealing the drastic measures taken to manage overwhelming demand, with 83% of services unable to answer phone calls at times, 74% unable to respond to urgent emails; and nearly 40% of services forced to close their doors during operating hours.
Trump’s trade policies pose potential challenges for Australian property market
In the wake of Donald Trump US presidency victory,? Moxin Reza , CEO of Investor Partner Group, warns Australian property investors to brace for potential economic turbulence. Trump’s controversial policies, particularly his proposed tariffs on Chinese imports and Australian exports, may have a substantial impact on Australia’s economy, especially in resource-dependent regions.
The Cashless Society is DEAD and BURIED
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced new plans to require all businesses in Australia selling food, fuel, medicine and health care supplies to accept cash for payment. The government has clearly heard the voice of consumers and retailers, through our petition calling for mandated acceptance and access and from retailers complaining about merchant fees at their points of sale. "This is exactly what we have been asking for," said Jason Bryce , spokesperson for the Cash Welcome campaign.
Ombudsman's small business guide to dealing with debt
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, The Hon Bruce Billson GAICD , has released a guide to help small business navigate the challenge of paying or collecting a debt. “Outstanding debts can be overwhelming for a small business – whether you are owed money by a customer or you owe money to a supplier,” Mr Billson said. “We have seen a 50 per cent increase in calls from small businesses worried a supplier might be insolvent or their own business might be heading that way."
Unprecedented: St Vincent’s Private Hospitals nurses and midwives start industrial action for safe staffing
Almost 1000 nurses and midwives across St Vincent’s Private Hospitals’ four Melbourne healthcare facilities have started unprecedented protected industrial action from 7am, Monday 18 November. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch) has been negotiating a new enterprise agreement since June with St Vincent’s Private Hospitals management for its hospitals in Fitzroy, East Melbourne, Kew and Werribee.
Climate crisis having a profound impact on adolescent girls’ safety, education and health in Pacific – new research
A new report launched today at COP29 on children and youth day, by humanitarian and girls’ rights organisation Plan International Australia and the Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) paints a stark picture of the immense hardship adolescent girls in the Pacific are facing due to more frequent and devastating climate disasters.
Bathurst latest city to detect PFAS chemicals
A recent GIPA request to Bathurst Regional Council has revealed that the Council has detected PFAS chemicals in its drinking water supply numerous times since 2017. The GIPA request also reveals that the monitoring conducted by Bathurst Regional Council is much more thorough than that done by Sydney Water in 2024.
Regularly eating nuts supports healthy lifespan in older Australians
Regular consumption of nuts is associated with maintaining a healthy lifespan, new research from a Monash University-led team has found.?The study involved 9,916 adults aged over 70 years, who reported on their usual diet as part of the *ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study.
Experts put business impact on public health under the spotlight
Economists and public health experts will gather in Melbourne today and tomorrow, 18-19 November, to discuss how commercial factors affect our collective health, and how to balance these priorities. Hosted at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and VicHealth, the inaugural Commerce, Economy, Trade, and Public Health Conference represents an important gathering for advancing economic and public health collaboration.
Pedal to the metal: Demand for Lime e-bikes skyrockets after scooter ban
Lime’s Senior Director of Government Relations William Peters said they have seen a drastic increase in e-bike demand in the last month which is a great reflection of how valued Lime is in the City of Melbourne . “Riders are heavily relying on e-bikes since the e-scooter ban with the average trips per vehicle per day growing from 1.4 in September to 3.5 in October, and trips per day on weekends reaching as many as 4.7,” Will said.
Global travellers show desire for technology-led frictionless journeys
Entrust, a global leader in providing identity-centric security solutions, today released key insights from its Seamless Travel Experience Survey, which aimed to understand international travellers' expectations for a smoother, more efficient travel experience. Surveying 1,750 frequent flyers across the G20 (including Australians), the study highlights the increasing demand for friction-less border control and enhanced security technologies.
It takes a village (and some Aunties & Uncles) – celebrating 50 years of extending families
They say it takes a village (and some Aunties and Uncles) to raise a child, an adage that rings true for more than 5000 children, who have been mentored through Wesley Mission’s Aunties & Uncles program, celebrating 50 years of extending families. Created in in 1974, Wesley Mission Aunties & Uncles Program Manager, Michelle Parrish , says it offers children from disadvantaged homes an extra family environment.
Australian Koala Foundation adds new mums and bubs to its adoption program
Last week, the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) announced the addition of two ‘Mum and Bub’ combos to their Adoption program - Paradise Country duo Kalari and Priyanka, and wild pair Casey and Pip.
Inaugural Canberra Sunflower Ceremony & Memorial Service to remember lives lost to suicide
Leading suicide prevention and mental health advocates, along with those who have been impacted by the death of a loved one or friend through suicide, will have the opportunity to come together to remember at a special memorial service in Canberra. The first ACT Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service will be held at the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club on Thursday 21 November 2024, with people invited to honour their loved one by laying a sunflower.
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