By RNZ Ministry of Primary Industries fishery officers searched several properties today in a crackdown of an alleged black market crayfish ring on the East Coast.About 80 officers searched eight homes in the Mahia, Wairoa,…
Tag Archives: oceania
Tougher NZ Superannuation residency rules set to be phased in
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Second child from family dies following horror Queensland crash
A second child has died following a horror car and truck crash that claimed the life of a mother and daughter in south-east Queensland last month.
The family of five was travelling along the Gore Highway at Captains Mountain, west of Toowoomba, before colliding with a truck just after 7am on July 22.
Lotsy Jose, 35, and six-year-old daughter Catelyn died as a result of the crash with her husband Bipin and two sons, Chris and Caiden, being rushed to Brisbane hospitals in serious conditions.
READ MORE: Queensland Health investigating Cairns COVID-19 case
The family's eldest son Chris today died away from his injuries.
A fundraiser to support the family has since raised over $485,000, with organiser and family member Martin Mathew revealing the family had only moved to Australia six months ago.
"Lotsy was the family's breadwinner, while Bipin was looking for work," Mr Mathew said.
"Funds raised will go directly to the family to help towards Lotsy's and Catelyn's funeral costs and other expenses."
The 38-year-old truck driver was not seriously injured.
Political Roundup: Radical reform coming to a supermarket near you
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Everything you need to know about Census 2021
It's the biggest count in Australia. From who you are to how you live, the Census collects an avalanche of data about the way Australians are living their lives.
This year is a Census year, with the official "Census night" falling on August 10.
But thanks to the wide-ranging implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, there isn't a mad dash for everybody to log on at the same time. Here's everything we know about Census 2021:
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What is the Census?
The Census is the most in-depth statistic drive in the country.
The aim of the Census is get to accurate data on how many people there are in the country, where they live and how they live.
It's basically Australia's largest survey – and the results can have profound implications on your life.
READ MORE: The fastest shrinking towns in Australia
It seems a bit nosey … Why do I need to do the Census?
The Census is not like giving data to your favourite online store. Information collected by the Census is used to advise the government on how and where to deploy resources, and to make plans for the future.
One example the Australian Bureau of Statistics gives is the Royal Flying Doctor Service: by knowing how many people live in rural or regional areas the government can perhaps provide more funding to aerial doctors.
A report by Lateral Economics – who are independent from the government – estimated that for every $1 invested in the running and collection of the Census, $6 was generated for the Australian economy.
READ MORE: Census shows fewer Aussies own home, but wage growth 'not too bad'
Okay, no worries. What do I need to do and when do I need to do it?
Traditionally the Census is done every five years on a single specified day (this helps statisticians get the most accurate "snapshot" of Australia in a single moment of time).
This time around Census night is on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
However, because of COVID-19 restrictions, you can complete your Census as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who will be home on Census night.
There are three main ways to complete your Census:
2. You can fill out a paper form
3. You can get help to fill it out here
The ABS has field officers to help people in remote communities, and there are options to help people who speak a language other than English, are blind, have low vision or are hearing impaired.
READ MORE: ABS dismisses Census security concerns
What happens if I don't fill it out? Will I be fined?
You could be.
The Census is compulsory and everyone who is staying in your house on Census night must be included (even visitors and babies).
Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, the Australian Statistician can issue you a Notice of Direction, which directs you in writing to complete the Census. The notice explains that if you don't complete the Census, you can be prosecuted and fined up to $222 a day.
You don't need to complete the Census if you're overseas.
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I'm kind of worried about my privacy given the current climate of hacks. Are there any concerns my data will be leaked?
The ABS says it will "never release information that can identify you" and that protecting Australians' privacy is its "highest priority".
Legally, Census information must be made secure and cannot show information about a person, household or business that identifies them.
Organisations can't access any personal information you include on your Census form. This includes government departments and direct marketing companies.
READ MORE: Turnbull furious at census failures
https://www.instagram.com/p/CR2Sk5ejhyW/
What about the last Census, didn't the website crash?
Yes, during the last Census (August 9, 2016), the online form on Census night suffered a series of outages due to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
It's a myth that the website crashed because too many people were on it.
Thankfully, the attack did not result in any unauthorised access to, or extraction of, any personal information.
The online form was reopened almost two days later and the Census had more than 95 per cent of Australians participate.
How a $300 vaccine payment compares globally
Debate is ramping up over whether Australia needs cash for jabs to boost the nation's vaccination rate.
Labor has proposed $300 payments for everyone fully vaccinated by December 1.
But how does it compare to incentives on offer elsewhere in the world?
READ MORE: Cash payments for vaccines 'insult to Australians', PM says
The United States
Getting a COVID-19 jab in America can leave you with more than just a sore arm.
US President Joe Biden has urged the states to offer $100 vaccine incentives, as case numbers rise.
READ MORE: President Joe Biden takes tougher approach in getting US vaccinated
Russia
In Moscow, a month-long prize draw was held, giving out five cars a week to vaccinated citizens.
China
The rewards have a been a little more modest in China, including coupons at shopping malls and free entry to temples.
Free eggs were also offered to residents aged over 60 at one health clinic in Beijing.
READ MORE: China 'taken aback' by WHO call for further COVID-19 origins study
Romania
The allure of free food was also used at a market in Romania, where snags were handed out to anyone getting their COVID-19 shot.
What about deterrents?
They're not used as commonly, but there are punishments for the unvaccinated in some countries.
In Indonesia's capital Jakarta, you can be fined around $470 if you haven't had a jab.
While in the Philippines, the country's president has threatened vaccine deniers with jail time.
READ MORE: Indonesia reports 54,000 virus cases, becomes Asian hotspot
Where will Australia land?
Despite slamming Labor's cash for jabs plan, the Prime Minister left the door open to holding a vaccine lottery, if jab rates are lagging.
But for now, the government isn't looking at cash incentives, saying the best reason to get vaccinated is to save your life and that of your loved ones.
Government's $785 million Auckland Harbour cycle bridge: Vast majority opposed, poll shows
The vast majority of New Zealanders oppose the Government’s $785 million walking and cycling bridge crossing the Waitemata Harbour, according to a new poll.The Newshub -Reid Research poll asked: Do you think the Government should…
National's call for Aotearoa referendum 'absurd' and 'ridiculous'
By RNZ All other parties in Parliament have rubbished National’s suggestion a referendum should be held on whether New Zealand should be called Aotearoa.National MP Stuart Smith made a statement yesterday saying New Zealanders…
Cash payments for vaccines 'insult to Australians', PM says
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed the Opposition's proposal to lure Australians into getting fully vaccinated by offering cash handouts.
"This is a bad idea," Mr Morrison said during Question Time today.
"The Leader of the Opposition's proposal is a vote of no confidence and an insult to Australians.
READ MORE: Modelling for Australia's pathway out of the pandemic released
"Suggesting they won't get vaccinated unless you dole out the cash … that is an insult.
"That is an insult to every Australian, those 80 per cent of older Australians who have turned up and rolled up their sleeves – they didn't need the cash."
Earlier, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told Today the $300 handouts would help increase Australia's vaccination uptake.
"This is something that we need to do," Mr Albanese said.
"We need to get our vaccination rates up; we are running last in the developed world.
"This would be good for our health, but also would provide a much-needed stimulus at a time when workers and small businesses are really struggling to get by."
READ MORE: 'Terrible' consequences to Victorian lockdowns
The stimulus would cost around $6 billion and includes back-paying Australian's who have already had two jabs.
Currently 15.3 per cent of Australians are fully vaccinated.
Residents in Sydney's north hear 'roaring' during lockdown
People living near Sydney's Taronga Zoo are getting a break from the sounds of city traffic, with many now waking to a very different noise.
Residents have reported hearing loud roars ringing out across Sydney's northern suburbs.
Katherine Spenceley from Taronga Zoo said the animals are doing what they've always done – it's human behaviour that's changed.
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"Animals make noise all the time so it's much more likely that this has to do with people being home more and having less traffic to obscure some of that noise," Ms Spenceley told nine.com.au.
"Vocalisation is part of our amazing animals' natural behaviour. Lions, sea lions and chimps are some of the Zoo's most vocal residents and a lion's roar can be heard up to eight kilometres away.
"Also the wind can affect what people hear. if it's blowing in a certain directly it can carry that sound."
Tracy Mellor said she's always been able to hear the animals although lockdown has meant even more peace and quiet to enjoy the sounds of nature.
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"It's just lovely here, you can hear the elephants trumpeting, the lions roaring, the monkey's chattering," she said.
"There's also no leaf blowers, no one was allowed to have gardeners over so that's actually made a difference."
Tracey said the animals are a welcome reminder to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of a quiet moment during a challenging time.
"We're in a bit of a sensory overload at the moment … maybe we should all try to be a bit more present and listen to the beautiful sounds that are around and go out in the sunshine and try and give yourself a rest," she said.
"We're in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
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"We need to make the most of lockdown and take a second to smell the roses and listen to sounds."
Ms Spencely reassured residents there's no reason to be alarmed by the sounds.
"There's certainly nothing different we're noticing as far as the animals go."
"They're just doing what they do."
"It's actually quite nice for us getting to walk around and actually hear the animals doing what they do, you don't normally hear that over the crowds."