February 12 is a day Sue will never forget.

In a mere 15 minutes, a scorching bushfire tore through her Queensland home and destroyed everything she owned.

"I will never forget that date, that's for sure," she told 9news.com.au.

READ MORE: Little girl and TV reporter killed at crime scene

It was a sweltering day and Sue wasn't feeling well so she was lying down in the air conditioning in her bedroom at her Tara home, 300km west of Brisbane, in Queensland's Western Downs region.

But a short time later her son barged into the house yelling for her to get out as a bushfire was coming.

Sue managed to bundle her six cats, five dogs and elderly father into the car and drove to the town centre as the bushfire was close.

It seemed to be heading away from the home but changed course rapidly.

"The wind shifted and the fire tore towards my place," she said.

Five minutes later, her home was gone.

"Everything is gone. I only had the clothes on my back and the animals," she said.

The fire came without warning and the only reason Sue was able to evacuate in time was that her son was outside and spotted the wall of flames surging towards homes.

"Within seconds, it was roaring at us," she said.

Sue has been left with nothing.

She is crashing on her mum's couch, had to put her father into an aged care home, and all her animals are staying with a friend.

"I'm all twisted up with emotions inside and I'm on the verge of tears 24/7. I feel so lost at the moment," she said.

A few days later, Sue went back to the house to assess the damage.

"All that's left is one little animal pen, three tiny garden sheds and everything else is gone," she said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said more than 1500 hectares were destroyed in the Tara, Montrose and Wieambilla fires – and Sue's home was one of those impacted.

READ MORE: The Good Guys customers' personal data stolen

Sue is devastated that she's lost generations of family history and photos – treasured memories she can't get back.

"Those sort of things hurt the most," she said.

"I got out with my life and I'm grateful but I would give it all back to have what I had," she said.

"It was something for me to leave the kids."

Fires investigated as 'suspicious': police

Queensland Police are investigating the bushfire as suspicious, leaving Sue furious that the horrifying reality she and many in the Tara community are facing may be the consequences of another person's choice.

She recalled shaking with rage when she found out about the turn the police investigation had taken at a community meeting.

"How could someone even think to do that? The lives it has destroyed. I can't get my head around it," she said.

"Lightning and that, you get it, it happens, but for someone to make that choice.

"Every choice has a consequence and we were the consequence this time."

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

"Police are continuing to conduct proactive and intelligence lead patrols, and urge anyone who may witness suspicious behaviour to contact police," Queensland Police said.

Insurance premiums nearly doubled

Sue had to cancel her home insurance with Suncorp when her premium was raised, nearly doubling her fortnightly costs to $300. 

She believes the increase was linked to the flooding last year in Brisbane and northern NSW, which is 300km from her house.

"I fought black and blue with them that I'm not in a flood zone but they didn't care," she said.

"Why are we penalised for other areas?

"If they (the insurance) didn't do that, I could have kept paying my insurance and I would have had something to fall back on.

"I have nothing and no cover.

"They made it impossible."

She doesn't think homes in non-flood zones, or "in the sticks" as she described it, should be impacted by premium rises as insurers face increasing claims in other areas.

"We're not near a river or anything yet our insurance is hiked up to match a flood zone," she said.

A Suncorp spokesperson said each insurance policy is determined by an individual address, not a state-wide blanket policy.

"The impact of a rolling series of extreme weather events, rising reinsurance costs and high inflation has required us to adjust the premiums we charge all customers – particularly those in higher risk areas," the spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

"Our insurance pricing is based on a range of factors, including our assessment of risk at an individual property address, the increasing cost of rebuilding and repairs, and government taxes."

Sue is left waiting with her community for government grants

Sue is now waiting on approval for a grant to start rebuilding her home and life but this could take months.

"Everybody says there are these big grants out there but it isn't something we get straight away," she said.

"People are telling me it takes months and months and months, if not a year, to get this help."

READ MORE: Heatwave warning in place for Aussie state

Despite Sue's desire to return home and begin rebuilding her life, it is now tainted by the trauma of losing everything and the possibility of another bushfire.

"I will always worry, I shake when I hear a truck or a plane or I see a firetruck," she said.

"My son is going to clear all my land and I'll just have my big gum trees.

"I used to keep the bush for my own privacy but I don't want that now.

"I want it all gone."

'I need to be able to breathe'

Sue is counting down the days and minutes until a grant is approved so she can move back to the Tara property with her family – her son, daughter and animals.

The value Sue's animals bring to her life cannot be understated, she said.

The Queenslander puts their welfare before her own, using the little money she could scrape together to buy them beds.

"They (the animals) are what keeps me going. I've got to get out there and be there with them," she said.

READ MORE: How rich Aussies are 'skewing the stats'

Now, she simply wants to go home.

"I need to be able to breathe and I can only do that out there."

Sue has set up an online crowdfunding page to raise money to buy a caravan to put on her Tara property while she rebuilds her life and awaits government grants.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

February 12 is a day Sue will never forget.

In a mere 15 minutes, a scorching bushfire tore through her Queensland home and destroyed everything she owned.

"I will never forget that date, that's for sure," she told 9news.com.au.

READ MORE: Little girl and TV reporter killed at crime scene

It was a sweltering day and Sue wasn't feeling well so she was lying down in the air conditioning in her bedroom at her Tara home, 300km west of Brisbane, in Queensland's Western Downs region.

But a short time later her son barged into the house yelling for her to get out as a bushfire was coming.

Sue managed to bundle her six cats, five dogs and elderly father into the car and drove to the town centre as the bushfire was close.

It seemed to be heading away from the home but changed course rapidly.

"The wind shifted and the fire tore towards my place," she said.

Five minutes later, her home was gone.

"Everything is gone. I only had the clothes on my back and the animals," she said.

The fire came without warning and the only reason Sue was able to evacuate in time was that her son was outside and spotted the wall of flames surging towards homes.

"Within seconds, it was roaring at us," she said.

Sue has been left with nothing.

She is crashing on her mum's couch, had to put her father into an aged care home, and all her animals are staying with a friend.

"I'm all twisted up with emotions inside and I'm on the verge of tears 24/7. I feel so lost at the moment," she said.

A few days later, Sue went back to the house to assess the damage.

"All that's left is one little animal pen, three tiny garden sheds and everything else is gone," she said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said more than 1500 hectares were destroyed in the Tara, Montrose and Wieambilla fires – and Sue's home was one of those impacted.

READ MORE: The Good Guys customers' personal data stolen

Sue is devastated that she's lost generations of family history and photos – treasured memories she can't get back.

"Those sort of things hurt the most," she said.

"I got out with my life and I'm grateful but I would give it all back to have what I had," she said.

"It was something for me to leave the kids."

Fires investigated as 'suspicious': police

Queensland Police are investigating the bushfire as suspicious, leaving Sue furious that the horrifying reality she and many in the Tara community are facing may be the consequences of another person's choice.

She recalled shaking with rage when she found out about the turn the police investigation had taken at a community meeting.

"How could someone even think to do that? The lives it has destroyed. I can't get my head around it," she said.

"Lightning and that, you get it, it happens, but for someone to make that choice.

"Every choice has a consequence and we were the consequence this time."

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

"Police are continuing to conduct proactive and intelligence lead patrols, and urge anyone who may witness suspicious behaviour to contact police," Queensland Police said.

Insurance premiums nearly doubled

Sue had to cancel her home insurance with Suncorp when her premium was raised, nearly doubling her fortnightly costs to $300. 

She believes the increase was linked to the flooding last year in Brisbane and northern NSW, which is 300km from her house.

"I fought black and blue with them that I'm not in a flood zone but they didn't care," she said.

"Why are we penalised for other areas?

"If they (the insurance) didn't do that, I could have kept paying my insurance and I would have had something to fall back on.

"I have nothing and no cover.

"They made it impossible."

She doesn't think homes in non-flood zones, or "in the sticks" as she described it, should be impacted by premium rises as insurers face increasing claims in other areas.

"We're not near a river or anything yet our insurance is hiked up to match a flood zone," she said.

A Suncorp spokesperson said each insurance policy is determined by an individual address, not a state-wide blanket policy.

"The impact of a rolling series of extreme weather events, rising reinsurance costs and high inflation has required us to adjust the premiums we charge all customers – particularly those in higher risk areas," the spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

"Our insurance pricing is based on a range of factors, including our assessment of risk at an individual property address, the increasing cost of rebuilding and repairs, and government taxes."

Sue is left waiting with her community for government grants

Sue is now waiting on approval for a grant to start rebuilding her home and life but this could take months.

"Everybody says there are these big grants out there but it isn't something we get straight away," she said.

"People are telling me it takes months and months and months, if not a year, to get this help."

READ MORE: Heatwave warning in place for Aussie state

Despite Sue's desire to return home and begin rebuilding her life, it is now tainted by the trauma of losing everything and the possibility of another bushfire.

"I will always worry, I shake when I hear a truck or a plane or I see a firetruck," she said.

"My son is going to clear all my land and I'll just have my big gum trees.

"I used to keep the bush for my own privacy but I don't want that now.

"I want it all gone."

'I need to be able to breathe'

Sue is counting down the days and minutes until a grant is approved so she can move back to the Tara property with her family – her son, daughter and animals.

The value Sue's animals bring to her life cannot be understated, she said.

The Queenslander puts their welfare before her own, using the little money she could scrape together to buy them beds.

"They (the animals) are what keeps me going. I've got to get out there and be there with them," she said.

READ MORE: How rich Aussies are 'skewing the stats'

Now, she simply wants to go home.

"I need to be able to breathe and I can only do that out there."

Sue has set up an online crowdfunding page to raise money to buy a caravan to put on her Tara property while she rebuilds her life and awaits government grants.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

China, a firm Russian ally, has called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Moscow and the opening of peace talks as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.

The plan issued on Friday morning by the Foreign Ministry also urges the end of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike.

China has claimed to be neutral in the conflict, but it has a “no limits” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticise its invasion of Ukraine over even refer to it as such, while accusing the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames" by providing Ukraine with defensive arms.

READ MORE: A year on, Russia's war on Ukraine may be about to get even worse

China and Russia have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose the US-led liberal international order.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed the strength of those ties when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow this week.

China has also been accused by the US of possibly preparing to provide Russia with military aid, something Beijing says lacks evidence.

Given China's positions, that throws doubt on whether its 12-point proposal has any hope of going ahead – or whether China is seen as an honest broker.

Before the proposal was released, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an important first step.

“I think that, in general, the fact that China started talking about peace in Ukraine, I think that it is not bad. It is important for us that all states are on our side, on the side of justice,” he said at a news conference on Friday with Spain's prime minister.

READ MORE: Russian spy ring in Australia busted

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday that the United States would reserve judgment but that China’s allegiance with Russia meant it was not a neutral mediator.

“We would like to see nothing more than a just and durable peace … but we are sceptical that reports of a proposal like this will be a constructive path forward,” he said.

Price added that the US hopes “all countries that have a relationship with Russia unlike the one that we have will use that leverage, will use that influence to push Russia meaningfully and usefully to end this brutal war of aggression. (China) is in a position to do that in ways that we just aren’t".

The peace proposal mainly elaborated on long-held Chinese positions, including referring to the need that all countries' "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity be effectively guaranteed".

It also called an end to the "Cold War mentality" – its standard term for what it regards as US hegemony and interference in other countries.

“A country’s security cannot be at the expense of other countries’ security, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs,” the proposal said.

“The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and properly addressed.”

China abstained on Thursday when the UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces. It is one of 16 countries that either voted against or abstained on almost all five previous resolutions on Ukraine.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

The resolution, drafted by Ukraine in consultation with its allies, passed 141-7 with 32 abstentions, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that appears to leave Russia more isolated than ever.

While China has not been openly critical of Moscow, it has said that the present conflict is "not something it wishes to see", and has repeatedly said any use of nuclear weapons would be completely unacceptable, in an implied repudiation of Putin’s statement that Russia would use "all available means" to protect its territory.

“There are no winners in conflict wars," the proposal said.

"All parties should maintain rationality and restraint … support Russia and Ukraine to meet each other, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually promote the de-escalation and relaxation of the situation, and finally reach a comprehensive ceasefire," it said.

EXPLAINED: What is New START, the nuclear treaty Russia is pulling back from?

China, a firm Russian ally, has called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Moscow and the opening of peace talks as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.

The plan issued on Friday morning by the Foreign Ministry also urges the end of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike.

China has claimed to be neutral in the conflict, but it has a “no limits” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticise its invasion of Ukraine over even refer to it as such, while accusing the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames" by providing Ukraine with defensive arms.

READ MORE: A year on, Russia's war on Ukraine may be about to get even worse

China and Russia have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose the US-led liberal international order.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed the strength of those ties when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow this week.

China has also been accused by the US of possibly preparing to provide Russia with military aid, something Beijing says lacks evidence.

Given China's positions, that throws doubt on whether its 12-point proposal has any hope of going ahead – or whether China is seen as an honest broker.

Before the proposal was released, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an important first step.

“I think that, in general, the fact that China started talking about peace in Ukraine, I think that it is not bad. It is important for us that all states are on our side, on the side of justice,” he said at a news conference on Friday with Spain's prime minister.

READ MORE: Russian spy ring in Australia busted

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday that the United States would reserve judgment but that China’s allegiance with Russia meant it was not a neutral mediator.

“We would like to see nothing more than a just and durable peace … but we are sceptical that reports of a proposal like this will be a constructive path forward,” he said.

Price added that the US hopes “all countries that have a relationship with Russia unlike the one that we have will use that leverage, will use that influence to push Russia meaningfully and usefully to end this brutal war of aggression. (China) is in a position to do that in ways that we just aren’t".

The peace proposal mainly elaborated on long-held Chinese positions, including referring to the need that all countries' "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity be effectively guaranteed".

It also called an end to the "Cold War mentality" – its standard term for what it regards as US hegemony and interference in other countries.

“A country’s security cannot be at the expense of other countries’ security, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs,” the proposal said.

“The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and properly addressed.”

China abstained on Thursday when the UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces. It is one of 16 countries that either voted against or abstained on almost all five previous resolutions on Ukraine.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

The resolution, drafted by Ukraine in consultation with its allies, passed 141-7 with 32 abstentions, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that appears to leave Russia more isolated than ever.

While China has not been openly critical of Moscow, it has said that the present conflict is "not something it wishes to see", and has repeatedly said any use of nuclear weapons would be completely unacceptable, in an implied repudiation of Putin’s statement that Russia would use "all available means" to protect its territory.

“There are no winners in conflict wars," the proposal said.

"All parties should maintain rationality and restraint … support Russia and Ukraine to meet each other, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually promote the de-escalation and relaxation of the situation, and finally reach a comprehensive ceasefire," it said.

EXPLAINED: What is New START, the nuclear treaty Russia is pulling back from?

A Russian spy ring in Australia operated in the country for more than 18 months before it was broken in a counter espionage operation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

The Australian domestic intelligence service spent months tracking the spies and ensured they did not suspect they were being watched, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Sources with knowledge of the ASIO operation say some of the Russian agents posed as diplomatic and consular staff while others used deep cover identities.

READ MORE: Ukrainian refugees lament 'broken lives' but hope for liberation

They operated from a number of locations, including the Russian embassy in Canberra, sources said, before they were forced out of Australia.

Their goal was to recruit Australians with access to confidential information and steal data using advanced technology. 

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess on Tuesday described the spy ring but did not name Russia.

His mention of the Russian spy ring came as he warned Australia faces an unprecedented threat of espionage and foreign interference with more Australians being targeted by agents than ever before.

Multiple nations were using espionage and foreign interference to advance their interests and undermine ASIO efforts.

READ MORE: ASIO boss details unprecedented espionage danger

"They are using espionage to covertly understand Australia's politics and decision-making, our alliances and partnerships, and our economic and policy priorities," Burgess said.

"Based on what ASIO is seeing, more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than at any time in Australia's history – more hostile foreign intelligence services, more spies, more targeting, more harm, more ASIO investigations, more ASIO disruptions."

Asked about the spy ring at a press conference in Wollongong, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment.

"I don't comment on national security briefings but I would just say that ASIO do a very good job and we provide them with every resource and support we ask for," he said.

He spoke at length about the war in Ukraine, which he described as an "illegal and immoral invasion".

"There is no question that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine," he said.

"I have seen it firsthand when I visited Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelenskyy."

He called on Vladimir Putin to "stop this war now".

"No-one is threatening Russia. No-one is threatening Russia sovereignty. 

"There is no need for you to continue this war, which is causing damage not just to the people of Ukraine but to those Russian soldiers who are being sent to the front line."

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

A Russian spy ring in Australia operated in the country for more than 18 months before it was broken in a counter espionage operation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

The Australian domestic intelligence service spent months tracking the spies and ensured they did not suspect they were being watched, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Sources with knowledge of the ASIO operation say some of the Russian agents posed as diplomatic and consular staff while others used deep cover identities.

READ MORE: Ukrainian refugees lament 'broken lives' but hope for liberation

They operated from a number of locations, including the Russian embassy in Canberra, sources said, before they were forced out of Australia.

Their goal was to recruit Australians with access to confidential information and steal data using advanced technology. 

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess on Tuesday described the spy ring but did not name Russia.

His mention of the Russian spy ring came as he warned Australia faces an unprecedented threat of espionage and foreign interference with more Australians being targeted by agents than ever before.

Multiple nations were using espionage and foreign interference to advance their interests and undermine ASIO efforts.

READ MORE: ASIO boss details unprecedented espionage danger

"They are using espionage to covertly understand Australia's politics and decision-making, our alliances and partnerships, and our economic and policy priorities," Burgess said.

"Based on what ASIO is seeing, more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than at any time in Australia's history – more hostile foreign intelligence services, more spies, more targeting, more harm, more ASIO investigations, more ASIO disruptions."

Asked about the spy ring at a press conference in Wollongong, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment.

"I don't comment on national security briefings but I would just say that ASIO do a very good job and we provide them with every resource and support we ask for," he said.

He spoke at length about the war in Ukraine, which he described as an "illegal and immoral invasion".

"There is no question that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine," he said.

"I have seen it firsthand when I visited Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelenskyy."

He called on Vladimir Putin to "stop this war now".

"No-one is threatening Russia. No-one is threatening Russia sovereignty. 

"There is no need for you to continue this war, which is causing damage not just to the people of Ukraine but to those Russian soldiers who are being sent to the front line."

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

Every week we will break down, debunk and demystify your rights as a shopper in Australia. This week we are looking at the rules around paying for goods and services using large amounts of coins.

We all know life is getting more expensive than ever before. It is more important than ever to stretch every dollar you make.

That's why each week we'll answer a question surrounding what shoppers are – and aren't – entitled to when dealing with retailers and manufacturers.

MONEY MATTERS: Staggering Aussie banknote law many break

Scrooge McDuck and all his coins

Hi Stu,

I've always wondered about how far you can go with paying for stuff in coins.

I receive a lot of tips in coins from my workplace and my side business and it's a hassle to go down to the bank to get them changed into notes or deposited into my account.

If I got a speeding fine, is there anything stopping me from walking down and handing over a big bag of five cent coins?

Could I pay an electricity bill with hundreds of gold coins?

Hi there,

Believe it or not – depending on the amount – a large amount of low-value coins is not actually considered to still be legal tender.

Let me explain.

Under the Currency Act 1965 there are restrictions on how much can be paid in coins.

MONEY MATTERS: The supermarket scanning error 'urban myth' laid bare

So, if you are paying with 1c or 2c coins (which have been withdrawn from circulation but are still legal tender) you can only pay an amount up to 20 cents with just these coins.

If you are using any combination of 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins you cannot exceed $5.

If you are using $1 or $2 coins you cannot exceed 10 times the face value of the coin (between $10 and $20).

The RBA puts it even more bluntly: "If someone wants to pay a merchant with five cent coins, they can only pay up to $5 worth of five cent coins and any more than that will not be considered legal tender."

MONEY MATTERS: The 'surge pricing' loophole companies can hide behind

As always, the provider of the goods or service you want to buy is "at liberty to set the commercial terms".

This means it is entirely within a shop or business's rights to say they will not accept cash as payment, or that they will not accept coins.

While this generally considered to be bad for business, it is not considered to be "unlawful".

Do you have a Money Matters question for Stu to answer? Contact him via email at sm****@******om.au.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Every week we will break down, debunk and demystify your rights as a shopper in Australia. This week we are looking at the rules around paying for goods and services using large amounts of coins.

We all know life is getting more expensive than ever before. It is more important than ever to stretch every dollar you make.

That's why each week we'll answer a question surrounding what shoppers are – and aren't – entitled to when dealing with retailers and manufacturers.

MONEY MATTERS: Staggering Aussie banknote law many break

Scrooge McDuck and all his coins

Hi Stu,

I've always wondered about how far you can go with paying for stuff in coins.

I receive a lot of tips in coins from my workplace and my side business and it's a hassle to go down to the bank to get them changed into notes or deposited into my account.

If I got a speeding fine, is there anything stopping me from walking down and handing over a big bag of five cent coins?

Could I pay an electricity bill with hundreds of gold coins?

Hi there,

Believe it or not – depending on the amount – a large amount of low-value coins is not actually considered to still be legal tender.

Let me explain.

Under the Currency Act 1965 there are restrictions on how much can be paid in coins.

MONEY MATTERS: The supermarket scanning error 'urban myth' laid bare

So, if you are paying with 1c or 2c coins (which have been withdrawn from circulation but are still legal tender) you can only pay an amount up to 20 cents with just these coins.

If you are using any combination of 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins you cannot exceed $5.

If you are using $1 or $2 coins you cannot exceed 10 times the face value of the coin (between $10 and $20).

The RBA puts it even more bluntly: "If someone wants to pay a merchant with five cent coins, they can only pay up to $5 worth of five cent coins and any more than that will not be considered legal tender."

MONEY MATTERS: The 'surge pricing' loophole companies can hide behind

As always, the provider of the goods or service you want to buy is "at liberty to set the commercial terms".

This means it is entirely within a shop or business's rights to say they will not accept cash as payment, or that they will not accept coins.

While this generally considered to be bad for business, it is not considered to be "unlawful".

Do you have a Money Matters question for Stu to answer? Contact him via email at sm****@******om.au.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have offered to clean-up more than 5200 tonnes of soft plastics left behind from a failed recycling program.

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) yesterday issued a revised draft Clean-Up Notice to the grocers regarding the waste, which is stockpiled across the state.

Both retailers issued a joint statement this morning, say they had extended their offer to REDcycle.

READ MORE: 'Yes' campaign for Indigenous Voice to Parliament officially launches

The soft plastics had been taken into stores by customers as part of the REDcycle program, but had been sitting idle in warehouses around the country.

"REDcycle is yet to respond, however the retailers' ability to access and manage the stockpiles will require the cooperation of REDcycle, as the recycling company currently maintains control of the material and its storage arrangements across numerous locations," the statement read.

"If REDcycle takes up this opportunity, the supermarkets will implement an interim strategy, such as safely storing material until it can be viably processed for recycling."

NSW EPA Chief Executive Officer Tony Chappel said both Coles and Woolworths had indicated a willingness to work with the EPA to address immediate safety concerns.

"We welcome the decision by both retailers to prioritise the safety of NSW communities and take responsibility for the REDcycle stockpiles in NSW," Chappel said.

READ MORE: Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape, sexual assault

"Our revised notice requires the removal of soft plastics from their current location to an appropriate site within seven weeks to ensure we reduce the risk of fire."

Beyond the interim storage measures, the revised notice gives the retailers 12 months to develop a "lawful solution" that determines the future of the materials, whether that be reprocessing at a recycling facility, exporting it overseas, or, as a last resort, sending it to landfill.

Chappel said the EPA and supermarkets were committed to ensuring the material is recycled with landfilling the waste as a last resort.

"All manufacturers and retailers have a responsibility to deliver sustainable solutions for plastic packaging," he said.

"We are pleased to see industry engaging productively on both immediate and long-term solutions to these shared sustainability challenges, and we are now working more constructively towards a common goal."

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said Australians had been "let down".

"We were very disappointed to learn that REDcycle hasn't been recycling the soft plastics they collected from our stores, and we are working to make it right," he said.

"Coles and Woolworths have taken this step to provide reassurance to the public that the soft plastics they took the effort to deposit in REDcycle's bins won't be unnecessarily sent to landfill."

READ MORE: R Kelly to spend one extra year in prison for child abuse material

To date, the supermarkets have not been given access to the stockpiled material.

They will need to assess whether any of the soft plastic has degraded to an extent where it is no longer suitable for reprocessing.

Coles chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells said the supermarkets were committed to recycling.

"Our aim is to continue to work with governments and industry to find workable solutions to soft plastic recycling in Australia so our customers can resume the good work they've done over the past decade, in sorting their soft plastic and knowing that it will be recycled," he said.

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Exclusive: When Carly Magnisalis was told she had lung cancer, she initially thought the doctor had mixed up her scan results with another patients'.

The 43-year-old mother of four has never smoked.

"I was like 'it's wrong – it's not my scan. How can this be possible?" she told 9news.com.au.

READ MORE :Silica dust threatens thousands of Aussie workers with lung cancer

"I thought most people who had lung cancer had to have smoked. That is just so wrong. I know now that all you need to get lung cancer is a set of lungs," she said.

Now Magnisalis is backing a new push for a national lung cancer screening scheme.

Research by Cancer Australia has showed screening could save 12,000 lives over a decade.

However, it needs more funding to get it started, with campaigners making a fresh call for action ahead of the federal budget in May.

Ran 10km a day

Magnisalis, from Newcastle, NSW, didn't have any of the usual symptoms of the disease, such as a cough or shortness of breath.

READ MORE: Mum-to-be told she'd developed asthma. She had lung cancer

But two years ago the super fit mum started suffering from pain in her hips, knees and ankles when she ran her daily 10 kilometres.

Initially she thought it was part of "getting old".

But tests at her GP came back clear.

It was an unusual symptom which finally led to her diagnosis. 

"I had pressure underneath my nails and my nails had started to change shape," she said.

That's a subtle but key sign of lung cancer, along with a 'clubbing' of the fingers due to a lack of oxygen.

Her GP sent her for a chest X-ray which led to her shock diagnosis.

She had an eight centimetre tumour in her left lung and there were cancer signs in her right too.

"It was literally like my world had just caved in. It was just darkness," she said.

Magnisalis, who is mum to Coen, 21, Nicholas, 16, Ruby, 15, Elise eight, had to tell them she was sick.

Lung removed 

A year ago she her left lung removed at the Royal North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney, leaving a 25cm scar down her back.

It won't cure her but it could help her live longer.

She's on a targeted therapy drug called Osimertinib and has returned to her job at an Indigenous pre-school.

Oncologists have not told her prognosis but she knows the numbers: She has Australia's biggest cancer killer.

"If you look at the statistics I've only got a 20 per cent chance," she said.

Plea for help

Lung cancer has the lowest survival rate of the five most common cancers and gets vastly less cash.

Magnisalis wants to remind politicians that the 12,000 Aussies a year diagnosed with lung cancer deserve help, whether they have smoked or not.

One in three women and one in ten men diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, the Lung Foundation said – but she said that shouldn't make a difference.

"I used to say, 'I'm Carly I've got lung cancer but I've never smoked… that's a moot point- no one deserves to have cancer.

"You don't say to someone who has heart conditions, 'oh have you been eating fatty foods?"

How lung cancer screening would work

Screening schemes exist to aid the diagnosis of cervical, breast and bowel cancers.

Independent government advisors recommend a similar screening cheme for lung cancer.

READ MORE: 'Those people could be here today': Lung cancer patient's plea over screening plan

The Lung Foundation accused the government of a snub in last year's federal budget, and want millions to be allocated in the next budget in May.

Helping people stop smoking would be included in the scheme, which would screen at-risk Aussies aged 50-70.

READ MORE: Lung screening program could save 12,000 lives, experts say

'Lung cancer can't wait'

Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said screening, costing $300m over the next five years, would help bring lung cancer in line with other cancer testing.

READ MORE: Flight attendant's 'jet lag' turned out to be deadly disease

"People's lung cancer can't wait," he said.

"We've called on the Albanese government and Health Minister Mark Butler to fast track it now.

"There are very few policies that could save as many lives."

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A Federal Government spokesman said: "The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) recently supported a targeted lung cancer screening program for those most at risk, including smokers and former smokers.

"The Government appreciates the work done to date by Cancer Australia and the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) in considering a lung cancer screening program and is considering the advice and recommendations."

Do you have a story? Contact journalist Sarah Swain on ss****@******om.au