I am by nature wildly sociable but election nights are different. For me, the worst possible outcome is the ABC’s chief election analyst Antony Green being drowned out by amateur pundits and drinking games. I want to be left to watch the numbers. By 8pm on election night, those scrutineering for the ALP already knew Labor would not win. I went to bed just before 10, filled with grief and loss. Australians had believed the endless polls and assumed the Liberal Party’s only path was to defeat. For so many of us, these have been prosperous times where we could afford to share. Instead, that’s no longer in our future. We've lost the possibility of a kinder, fairer Australia. It's easy to be bitter in the face of defeat and to lack generosity to each other. In the immortal words of Chumbawamba, we need to get up again.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/labor-failed-to-heed-warning-bells-in-queensland-20190520-p51pb8.html
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Today we ventured out to the JAMES CHARLES SISTERS Pop-up store at Pacific Fair on the beautiful Gold Coast, QLD.
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https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/google-deals-huawei-major-blow-by-cutting-android-licence/video/eb12cca595526ee48ce05a1b94fd4e1d Are you at the end of lease and battling with the rust stains on your bathroom tub, kitchen sink or toilet? If yes, then this blog post will help you get rid of them quickly and effectively.
Friends, rust stains are the result of exposure of metal to air and humidity, and thus they often occur at the places which are in direct contact with water. And if we are dealing with hard water, then the problem can be worse. These stains should be cleaned thoroughly from time to time using adequate natural cleaning products, or they can make permanent marks on our porcelain sink or tub. Let'shave a look at some practical ways to get rid of them. https://www.bondcleaningingoldcoast.com.au/how-to-remove-rust-stains-from-toilets-tubs-and-sinks/ Billions of dollars will be allocated to natural disaster response as part of the 2019-20 Budget, and farmers can expect a boost to drought support and foreign market access but there will be no agriculture visa if the Coalition is returned to Government.
Budget key points - regional Key points:Government commits $3.9 billion to Emergency Response FundFarm Household Allowance eligibility to be extended$30 million to boost trade access to foreign markets Treasurer Josh Frydenberg used his pre-election Budget to announce a $3.9 billion Emergency Response Fund. Mr Frydenberg said the fund would "ensure additional resourcing is available to support future natural disaster recovery efforts". The Coalition expects to establish the fund in October by rebadging the dormant, Rudd-era, Education Investment Fund. New legislation is required to determine how and when the funds can be accessed. Farm spending The 201920 Budget has also committed $29.4 million over four years to enhance Australia's agricultural exports. The package includes money to increase market access, improve access to plant genetics for the horticulture sector and more than $11 million to minimise the impact of non-tariff trade barriers. What Budget 2019 means for you: What Budget 2019 means for you: The Government has also expanded access to an instant asset write-off, increasing the limit from $25,000 to $35,000. It means any business with an annual turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible. Farm labour Despite senior Nationals ministers giving their support for an agriculture-specific visa last year, there was no funding for it in this year's Budget. Farmers have long argued Australian produce is going unharvested due to a lack of on-farm workers, and some say it has led to an increase of illegal farm workers. However, the Government announced a 12-month pilot that it said would address seasonal worker shortages in three selected regions, known for farm worker shortages. It also committed $24 million to incentivise Australians to take up seasonal work opportunities, by expanding the existing Harvest Labour Service and committed $1.9 million, over four years, to develop a National Agriculture Workforce Strategy. It follows recent announcements about changes to expand regional skilled and backpacker visas. The Budget includes a range of measures to help recruit seasonal farm labour. (ABC News: Carla Howarth) The Budget includes a range of measures to help recruit seasonal farm labour. ABC News: Carla Howarth Drought support The National Farmers' Federation call for a comprehensive national drought policy has been ignored in this year's Budget. However, the Government has committed more than $3 million to increase access to the Farm Household Allowance. The changes mean, from July 1, farmers who put the income from the forced sale of livestock into a Farm Management Deposit, will have the proceeds exempt from an income means test to access the assistance. Currently there are fewer than 6,300, of more than 85,000 Australian farming families, who access the fortnightly Farm Household Allowance payments. The 2019-20 budget also includes a $5 million grant for the Country Women's Association to help farmers and families that experience hardship due to drought, and $4.2 million to maintain a National Drought Map. The Bureau of Meteorology will benefit from $28 million over four years to install new radars and rain gauges in Queensland. Earlier this year, the Government legislated a $3.9 billion Future Drought Fund, funded off-budget, to set aside $100 million a year for drought-preparedness. Labor has also committed to spend $100 million a year on drought, if elected. Biodiversity One of the largest agriculture-specific spends of 2019-20 budget is a $30 million pilot program to recognise and incentivise biodiversity on farms. Rural Newsletter Rural news in your inbox? Subscribe for the national headlines of the day. A methodology is yet to be determined. The Government has also committed $4 million to a biodiversity certificate scheme, which would seek to establish a market for biodiversity credits. The commitment has generally been welcomed by farmers and has in-principle support from the Opposition. Dairy code This year's Budget, for the first time, outlines spending for the already-announced mandatory dairy industry code of conduct. The Government will spend $8.7 million over 11 years on the code, which is designed to address an imbalance of power between farmers and processors. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is expected to enforce the code, which is currently being established with input from the industry, and will come into effect on July 1, 2020. Biosecurity A contentious new Biosecurity Imports Levy, initially expected to be charged on shipping containers, has been delayed by three months. The levy, announced in last year's budget, was expected to commence on July 1, but this year's Budget shows the start date has been extended until September. The delay, which the Government will use to consult further on the design of the levy, is expected to cut revenue by $20 million. An increase in biosecurity funding had strong support from farmers, but transport, logistics and shipping companies have called for the levy to be axed. http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-04-02/drought-trade-disaster-priorities-for-farmers-in-20169-budget/10958900?source=rss Updated March 15, 2019 10:28:39
Photo: Brent Harrison invested around $600,000 into his Jamaica Blue franchise. (ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh) Brent Harrison is out of a job and facing financial ruin. Key points:Senate committee finds franchising needs a drastic and immediate regulatory overhaulCommittee recommends a multi-agency investigation into many business practices at Retail Food GroupJamaica Blue franchisee Brent Harrison is locked in a legal battle with franchisor Foodco over a million dollars in alleged losses It has been a long and slow decline for the young Queenslander, who diligently amassed a neat little pile of cash toiling on oil rigs off Australia's north-west coast. Three years ago, Harrison decided it was time to come home, work regular hours and spend more time with his family. Attracted by the idea of running his own business, Mr Harrison looked at franchise operations and eventually settled on Jamaica Blue, a coffee shop chain run by Foodco. They offered him a new outlet on the Gold Coast, not far from the company's very first outlet in Coolangatta. But things didn't work out as planned. Mr Harrison claims Foodco owes him $1 million and he's using the last of his savings in a legal battle with the company. The case hinges around what Mr Harrison has alleged were the inflated sales figures Foodco sent him, claiming he took out a loan based on unrealistic earnings estimates. "The crux of our claim is misrepresentation that was used to induce me to buy the store," he told The Business. Mr Harrison was offered a franchise for $475,000 after doing a course with Foodco. He took on debt to fund the deal and the added expenses of establishing the operation. "On top of that, you've got your working capital, a bank guarantee, so by the time it adds up, you're around the $600,000 mark to get it up and running," he explained. The clincher for the deal was an email from Queensland Foodco executive Luke Stenner that estimated the shop would generate up to $30,000 a week in sales. That is $1.8 million a year. The company has since argued he should never have relied upon that information. When Mr Harrison ran into trouble and missed paying the rent and franchise fees, Foodco seized control of the cafe. Foodco refused to comment for this story, arguing that it was inappropriate given the matter was before the court. "It's supposed to be a partnership but it's more like a dictatorship," Mr Harrison said. Franchise sector requires drastic overhaul, report says Mr Harrison's story is not unique. Nor is it unusual. According to the findings of a recently released senate committee report triggered in part by a Four Corners investigation into 7-Eleven worker exploitation the entire franchise sector requires drastic and immediate overhaul. It recommended civil law penalties be included in the industry code along with greater enforcement power for the competition watchdog to help eradicate "exploitative behaviour" in the franchise sector. In addition, the senate committee has called for better disclosure, particularly around financial performance when franchises are sold, and it has demanded greater accountability about how compulsory marketing levies are spent. Photo: Brent Harrison, a former Jamaica Blue franchisee, is taking legal action against the franchisor, Foodco. (ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh) The committee wants the Federal Government to establish a taskforce to oversee and implement its recommendations. It also took aim at Foodco rival, Retail Food Group, demanding a multi-agency investigation into the company from the competition regulator, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. It wants the agencies to probe current and former directors over allegations of insider trading, short selling, market disclosure obligation breaches and tax evasion. Retail Food Group, which is behind Michel's Patisserie, Gloria Jeans, Brumby's Bakery, Donut King and Crust Pizza, has been embroiled in controversy over worker exploitation and tales of hardship from franchisees. There was no mention of the latest developments on its website after the committee's findings were delivered. Instead, under its "Latest News" heading, RFG had stories that included: "On a roll: Brumby's Bakery at Baking Awards" and "Kings of Pizza Spin Out New Look Store". 'Lives ruined' by shattered franchise dreams Mr Harrison explained that things began going off the rails almost immediately, as his sales fell well short of projections. "Three months into it and turnover wasn't anywhere near where we needed we weren't exactly streets apart, we were planets apart," he explained. A little more than 15 months into the venture, Mr Harrison was experiencing severe cash flow problems and missed rent and franchise payments, prompting Foodco to seize control of his business. The business performance has not improved, according to documents sighted by the ABC. Reflecting that, Foodco now has Mr Harrison's Jamaica Blue coffee shop up for sale at just $220,000 less than half the price at which it sold the greenfield operation to him. The senate inquiry uncovered examples where others had similar experiences. Senator John Williams quizzed Foodco managing director Serge Infanti about a case where a loss-making business was sold for $300,000 in Sydney's Burwood. "Had the business been making a profit prior to her buying it?" he asked. "Not that we believe," Mr Infanti replied. "But there was no profit/loss in the sale contract." "So she bought the business and it wasn't really making a profit and she paid $300,000?" the senator continued. "I'm not sure of the price," Mr Infanti replied. For Mr Harrison, the report's findings are timely, but cold comfort. "There's a lot of people out there whose lives have been ruined, just been destroyed," he said. Topics:retail,food-and-beverage,consumer-protection,regulation,federal-parliament,australia,coolangatta-4225,qld First posted March 14, 2019 16:21:59 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-14/franchise-senate-report-slams-exploitation/10900582?source=rss Updated March 10, 2019 14:19:52
Photo: The State Development Minister said Gold Coast City council would lead any push to build a cruise ship terminal. (Supplied: Queensland Government) An ocean cruise ship terminal remains an option for The Spit on the Gold Coast in the Queensland Government's latest blueprint for rejuvenating the area, despite "significant concerns" about the plan uncovered by the ABC in 2017. Key points:The blueprint sets aside 140 hectares of The Spit for parklandAn oceanside cruise ship terminal remains an option for the Philip Park areaPremier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the plan would turn The Spit into one of the best parks in the world The latest "Ocean Park" blueprint for The Spit, released on Sunday for public discussion, flags a cruise ship terminal as one of two options for Philip Park, an area adjacent to the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. A second option would be to simply upgrade the parklands. State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the Gold Coast City Council would lead any development of a shipping terminal. "Because the Gold Coast City Council is a valued partner, we've made provision for that to happen or not happen," he said. "Through good faith by working together we've been able to find a pathway forward, and we put in the final draft options for a cruise terminal and something without a cruise terminal. "But ultimately that'll be for the Gold Coast City Council to consider how they want to move it forward in the future." The latest blueprint divides The Spit into seven precincts, setting aside 140 hectares of The Spit's 201 hectares for "park activities". Photo: The ASF consortium wanted to build a casino resort on The Spit. (Supplied: ASF) New features include 4,000 square metres set aside for a restored littoral rainforest, a light rail extension to Sea World, a super yacht marina and improved cycle and walkways through the dunes. An underwater sculpture garden for scuba divers is also proposed for a section of the Broadwater off Wave Break Island. Development plans for The Spit have been mired in controversy since Chinese consortium ASF proposed building a $3 billion casino resort on the oceanside peninsula. The State Government rejected that plan in August 2017, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at the time an oceanside ship terminal remained a possibility. However, a month later, the ABC's Four Corners program obtained a Gold Coast City Council feasibility study that said cruise ship operators had "raised a number of significant concerns with the proposed design", which included a jetty reaching hundreds of metres out into the Pacific Ocean. Among those concerns was the risk that ships could be washed to shore by strong winds and swell. Photo: A light rail extension is planned to extend down The Spit from the Gold Coast Highway. (Supplied: Queensland Government) Last week, the State Government announced it was also searching for a developer to build a second Gold Coast casino at a location that was yet to be determined. Ms Palaszczuk said on Sunday the new plan would mean The Spit could rival the best parks in the world, including New York's Central Park and London's Hyde Park. "The open space areas on The Spit will be more than eight times the size of Brisbane's South Bank parklands, 12 times the size of the public spaces in Barangaroo, Sydney, and two-and-a-half times the size of Mt Coot-tha's Botanic Gardens," she said. "And the Gold Coast Ocean Park has something none of them have the Broadwater and the surf." Gecko Environment Council spokeswoman Lois Levy said she looked forward to seeing the detail in the plans for The Spit. "At long last, we're going to see this unique area preserved for all of us to enjoy, not only now but into the future," she said. "I hope that everybody will get behind us and work towards a goal of making this the best open space parkland in the entire world." Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the Ocean Park blueprint. Photo: The plan divides The Spit into seven precincts. (ABC News: Tim Swanston) "This is another great example of what can be achieved for the Gold Coast when we work together," Councillor Tate said. "My council will continue to work with the State Government to deliver something really special everyone can be proud of." The latest plan would retain and improve existing facilities such as the kiosk, marine rescue, boat ramps, and construct an improved marina for local prawn trawlers. Mr Dick said the proposal was the result of 18 months of consultation with community groups and Gold Coast City Council. "We're confident going forward this will give one of Queensland's most iconic spaces the planning and the future design that it needs so the community can benefit," he said. State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the plan still lacked important details. "The LNP have been calling out for a master plan for The Spit for many years," Ms Frecklington said. "This announcement, very much like many Labor announcements, leaves many questions yet to be answered. "How much will it cost and when will it be delivered?" Topics:urban-development-and-planning,sea-transport,state-parliament,local-government,environmental-management,southport-4215,brisbane-4000,qld First posted March 10, 2019 13:10:45 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-10/cruise-ship-terminal-and-light-rail-in-plan-rejuvenate-the-spit/10887330?source=rss Updated March 15, 2019 10:28:39
Photo: Brent Harrison invested around $600,000 into his Jamaica Blue franchise. (ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh) Brent Harrison is out of a job and facing financial ruin. Key points:Senate committee finds franchising needs a drastic and immediate regulatory overhaulCommittee recommends a multi-agency investigation into many business practices at Retail Food GroupJamaica Blue franchisee Brent Harrison is locked in a legal battle with franchisor Foodco over a million dollars in alleged losses It has been a long and slow decline for the young Queenslander, who diligently amassed a neat little pile of cash toiling on oil rigs off Australia's north-west coast. Three years ago, Harrison decided it was time to come home, work regular hours and spend more time with his family. Attracted by the idea of running his own business, Mr Harrison looked at franchise operations and eventually settled on Jamaica Blue, a coffee shop chain run by Foodco. They offered him a new outlet on the Gold Coast, not far from the company's very first outlet in Coolangatta. But things didn't work out as planned. Mr Harrison claims Foodco owes him $1 million and he's using the last of his savings in a legal battle with the company. The case hinges around what Mr Harrison has alleged were the inflated sales figures Foodco sent him, claiming he took out a loan based on unrealistic earnings estimates. "The crux of our claim is misrepresentation that was used to induce me to buy the store," he told The Business. Mr Harrison was offered a franchise for $475,000 after doing a course with Foodco. He took on debt to fund the deal and the added expenses of establishing the operation. "On top of that, you've got your working capital, a bank guarantee, so by the time it adds up, you're around the $600,000 mark to get it up and running," he explained. The clincher for the deal was an email from Queensland Foodco executive Luke Stenner that estimated the shop would generate up to $30,000 a week in sales. That is $1.8 million a year. The company has since argued he should never have relied upon that information. When Mr Harrison ran into trouble and missed paying the rent and franchise fees, Foodco seized control of the cafe. Foodco refused to comment for this story, arguing that it was inappropriate given the matter was before the court. "It's supposed to be a partnership but it's more like a dictatorship," Mr Harrison said. Franchise sector requires drastic overhaul, report says Mr Harrison's story is not unique. Nor is it unusual. According to the findings of a recently released senate committee report triggered in part by a Four Corners investigation into 7-Eleven worker exploitation the entire franchise sector requires drastic and immediate overhaul. It recommended civil law penalties be included in the industry code along with greater enforcement power for the competition watchdog to help eradicate "exploitative behaviour" in the franchise sector. In addition, the senate committee has called for better disclosure, particularly around financial performance when franchises are sold, and it has demanded greater accountability about how compulsory marketing levies are spent. Photo: Brent Harrison, a former Jamaica Blue franchisee, is taking legal action against the franchisor, Foodco. (ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh) The committee wants the Federal Government to establish a taskforce to oversee and implement its recommendations. It also took aim at Foodco rival, Retail Food Group, demanding a multi-agency investigation into the company from the competition regulator, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. It wants the agencies to probe current and former directors over allegations of insider trading, short selling, market disclosure obligation breaches and tax evasion. Retail Food Group, which is behind Michel's Patisserie, Gloria Jeans, Brumby's Bakery, Donut King and Crust Pizza, has been embroiled in controversy over worker exploitation and tales of hardship from franchisees. There was no mention of the latest developments on its website after the committee's findings were delivered. Instead, under its "Latest News" heading, RFG had stories that included: "On a roll: Brumby's Bakery at Baking Awards" and "Kings of Pizza Spin Out New Look Store". 'Lives ruined' by shattered franchise dreams Mr Harrison explained that things began going off the rails almost immediately, as his sales fell well short of projections. "Three months into it and turnover wasn't anywhere near where we needed we weren't exactly streets apart, we were planets apart," he explained. A little more than 15 months into the venture, Mr Harrison was experiencing severe cash flow problems and missed rent and franchise payments, prompting Foodco to seize control of his business. The business performance has not improved, according to documents sighted by the ABC. Reflecting that, Foodco now has Mr Harrison's Jamaica Blue coffee shop up for sale at just $220,000 less than half the price at which it sold the greenfield operation to him. The senate inquiry uncovered examples where others had similar experiences. Senator John Williams quizzed Foodco managing director Serge Infanti about a case where a loss-making business was sold for $300,000 in Sydney's Burwood. "Had the business been making a profit prior to her buying it?" he asked. "Not that we believe," Mr Infanti replied. "But there was no profit/loss in the sale contract." "So she bought the business and it wasn't really making a profit and she paid $300,000?" the senator continued. "I'm not sure of the price," Mr Infanti replied. For Mr Harrison, the report's findings are timely, but cold comfort. "There's a lot of people out there whose lives have been ruined, just been destroyed," he said. Topics:retail,food-and-beverage,consumer-protection,regulation,federal-parliament,australia,coolangatta-4225,qld First posted March 14, 2019 16:21:59 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-14/franchise-senate-report-slams-exploitation/10900582?source=rss Updated March 02, 2019 16:16:33
Map: Brisbane 4000 A Gold Coast man who allegedly ran a global investment scam worth almost $12 million has been charged with 25 fraud offences. Anthony David Gray, 54, from Paradise Point was arrested in New Zealand and extradited to Australia overnight. Mr Gray has appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 25 counts of fraud and did not apply for bail. His arrest follows a year-long investigation, dubbed Operation Quebec Kidback, following multiple complaints from people in Australia and overseas. Mr Gray's alleged victims trusted his legal and financial advice, handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars in what they thought was a sound property investment scheme. Police have alleged that between May 2007 and November 2016, Mr Gray acting as a solicitor and financial planner ran a bogus property investment scheme based on short-term bridging loans under a number of companies supposedly based in New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Mr Gray, whose company name was Synergy Gray Professional Services, allegedly promised investors that developers would pay high interest for funds borrowed over a short period until the banks funded the developers' projects. Police said the scheme did not exist. Mr Gray's co-accused, a 72-year-old woman, was arrested at a home on Dornoch Terrace in Highgate Hill on January 31. She appeared in court on February 25, charged with nine counts of fraud. To date, 21 alleged victims from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the United Kingdom, the USA and Europe have come forward with losses totalling $11,960,000. It is alleged one couple lost $2,814,416 and another woman lost $2,025,000. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Paskin said police had received a further six complaints in relation to the scheme and believed more alleged victims may still come forward. Asked about the relationship between Mr Gray and his co-accused, Detective Senior Sergeant Paskin said they were business partners. He said the alleged victims, who were either known to the pair or referred by others, had invested their personal savings. "People have potentially lost their entire superannuation savings as a result of this investment scheme," he said. It has been alleged Mr Gray had a background in law and finance but did not hold qualifications at the time. "We'll allege that the offenders were not qualified to act as solicitors or financial planners and this highlights the importance of questioning broadly each element of a proposed investment," Detective Senior Sergeant Paskin said. Detective Senior Sergeant Paskin alleged the 54-year-old left Australia in February 2017 to flee creditors. The case will return to court on April 1. Topics:courts-and-trials,law-crime-and-justice,fraud-and-corporate-crime,consumer-protection,business-economics-and-finance,brisbane-4000,qld,paradise-point-4216,australia,new-zealand First posted March 02, 2019 12:39:53 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-02/man-charged-over-alleged-bogus-property-investment-scheme/10864462?source=rss |
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