Tag Archives: oceania

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Let us hire 13-year-olds, Australian retailers tell government

The peak body for Australian retailers is calling for a nationwide law allowing for children as young as 13 to take up jobs.

In a bid to sort of labour shortages in shops, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is seeking to make laws regarding child labour uniform around the country.

At present, the laws are handled state-by-state.

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Retailers want to hire 13-year-olds to fill a labour shortage.

"An ideal model would be one where we allow 13- to 15-year-olds to work, with sensible regulations in place around not working during school hours or at times that would impact a young person's education," ARA chief Paul Zahra said.

"Agreeing to a national framework on young workers would help mobilise a willing and able cohort of people to help address the staffing shortfall."

At present there are 40,000 vacancies in the retail sector.

The calls for change will be presented to the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit.

Zahra has also called for dramatic changes to make childcare cheaper, thus mobilising more parents.

"Australia has the second highest childcare costs in the world – it's simply unaffordable for many working women and parents, who are turning down employment opportunities to care for their children," he said.

"Solving childcare in this country isn't just a social issue – it's an economic reform that would unleash the potential of return-to-work parents."

He also called for changes to pension rules so older workers could take on more hours.

"Older Australians can play an important role in addressing the staffing challenge, but they are currently limited in the amount they can earn before their pension payments are impacted," Zahra said.

"Doubling that amount would be a win all round – providing pensioners with the opportunity to supplement their income if they wish, businesses with access to a willing and capable workforce and creating a more empowered pension group that will be mobilised to work and spend."

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Beaches closed after teen surfer bitten by shark on NSW Central Coast

A young surfer has been mauled by a shark on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Avoca and North Avoca beaches are closed after the teenager was bitten on the arm while in the water just after 7am this morning.

He was taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson told nine.com.au.

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North Avoca is a popular beach for swimmers and surfers on the NSW Central Coast.

"Our thoughts are with the young surfer who sustained a wound to his right lower forearm," Central Coast Council said in a statement.

"We ask that all community members avoid Avoca and North Avoca beaches at this time until DPI (Department of Primary Industries) and Council can investigate this incident further."

A drone has been deployed to North Avoca beach to look for the shark.

The boy has since been discharged from Gosford Hospital.