‘If I can help people find hope, that’s what it’s all about.’

A Melbourne mother-of-two says her six-month-old daughter is suffering from cracked, crusting and bleeding skin due to withdrawal from topical steroids prescribed to treat eczema.

Nikki Estrada took her baby daughter, Xenrea, then four months old, to hospital after she became dehydrated due to low milk supply.

While they were there, doctors noticed a red patch on Xenrea's cheek and prescribed five days of antibiotics and 14 days of topical steroid cream as well as bleach baths as a "precaution" in case the skin had become infected.

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"I thought it was a normal baby skin rash, I didn't suspect it was eczema," Estrada said.

"My gut instinct was like, this is wrong, she doesn't need it… but you just think, I'm gonna listen to the doctors.

"And it worked, the little patch on her cheek, it was gone."

But two days after finishing the prescribed topical steroid cream treatment, she said her daughter's symptoms worsened.

"As soon as I stopped, it just came back with a vengeance," Estrada said.

"It's broken, it's open, it's weeping, she doesn't sleep.

"I can't sleep because I need to hold her so she doesn't scratch.

"Her mouth cracks and bleeds from trying to eat."

Desperate and distressed, Estrada took Xenrea to the GP and a paediatrician, who both recommended she resume the topical steroids until the symptoms cleared.

By that time, she had begun researching topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) online and had found similar cases in online support groups.

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TSW is characterised by red, burning and itchy skin, that sometimes presents after ceasing prolonged or high-potency steroid treatment.

"Speaking to other mothers, it sounded like she was going through a withdrawal, because, you know, I only applied (steroid cream) to her face, but it was everywhere on her body, which was identical to other parents and their kids," she said.

"First, it becomes really, really red and hot and burning, and then the body will ooze, the skin barrier breaks, and then it scabs, and because it's so dry it bleeds and it's prone to infection, and it's just a cycle until the new skin comes back up."

Estrada is now seeing a naturopath and says her daughter's skin is slowly improving with the use of natural creams, and prebiotic and probiotics for her gut health.

"It's just been so heartbreaking seeing my daughter in so much pain and she's only six months old," she said.

"I feel like I've still got months until her skin's gonna go back to how it was."

According to Professor Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist at The Skin Hospital in Sydney, side effects from the use of steroid creams are rare.

"When used for skin conditions which come and go like eczema, where you are only applying them for a few days then taking a break, side effects are vanishingly rare," Sebaratnam said.

"When patients stop using their steroids, their underlying skin disease can flare back up, and sometimes this can be confused by people as dependency or addiction – which it isn't.

"Patients need to also consider the effects of not controlling their eczema – itch, pain, increased risk of infection, sleep disturbance, cost, the impact on the whole family et cetera."

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Eczema is often worse in winter, due to low humidity, long hot showers, and irritation caused by people wearing extra layers, heating and electric blankets.

Melody Livingstone, CEO of Australian skincare company MooGoo, said sales of their eczema and psoriasis creams had doubled this winter, compared to last year.

"Australia has one of the highest incidences of eczema in the world, and it is only getting worse – 50 years ago, only one in 10 Australian children suffered from it," she said.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, debilitating disease that affects 2.8 million Australians, including one in three Aussie kids under the age of six.

Management includes keeping the skin moisturised and avoiding triggers such as soap, fragranced washing detergents, prickly fabrics, and heat.

Topical steroid creams, when used under the supervision of a doctor, are widely considered by doctors and specialists to be a safe treatment for flare-ups.

Please note the information in this story is general in nature. Please always consult your GP or health professional for advice that is tailored to your specific health concerns.

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The cost of doing business is making it "increasingly difficult" for retailers to operate in Australia, an expert says, as more shops close down physical locations.

According to leading retail expert Gary Mortimer, businesses are re-assessing the need for brick-and-mortar stores, with some offering a hybrid-style online-offline model.

"Margins are getting squeezed and I think that's why we're seeing more retailers closing some physical stores and pushing more of their business online," Mortimer said.

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"In the same way that households struggle with that cost-of-living crisis with increasing electricity, gas, rates, household costs – businesses are facing those same costs.

"Rents are going up, wages are going up, electricity is going up and security services are going up.

"Fashion, generally between 25 to 30 per cent of their revenue is now online, which tends to suggest you could potentially close 25 per cent of your stores, move that revenue from an online channel and not actually experience any net loss to your revenue."

In March, Jeanswest announced it would close all brick-and-mortar stores and cut hundreds of jobs as its parent company entered administration.

Meanwhile, the remaining Millers and Noni B stores closed earlier this year after parent company Mosaic Brands collapsed.

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Country Road is the latest brand to reassess its retail portfolio after it closed its landmark store inside the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney in a move the company said would "ensure we're continuing to meet the needs of our customers".

"We are committed to delivering great experiences throughout our networks and we are investing in our stores, with 10 new or refurbished stores opening by the end of the year," the spokesperson said.

"This includes our beautifully renovated Mosman store reopening in September, a new Country Road flagship store in Queen Street, Brisbane opening in August and three new stores opening in Chatswood Chase in October."

Mortimer said the cost of rent at flagship locations could come at an "astronomical" cost for some businesses.

"Flagship stores really only work now today for global brands that can afford the commercial real estate and you can underpin those costs with global sales," he said.

"If you're an Australian fashion retailer, you don't have a global revenue stream, it's a very costly exercise to maintain those premises."

In order for brands to withstand challenges in Australia, Mortimer said must evolve and widen their range to cater to a range of consumers.

"RM Williams readjusted their range several years ago to target that younger market, the 25- to 35-year-old market to replace an aging consumer group," he said.

"I think good fashion businesses, particularly those that are 50 to 60 years old, need to constantly reinvent themselves so they are always attracting a new market."

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East Perth residents are ramping up their push against the transformation of a once luxury hotel, into a mixed housing complex.

Protesters today claimed they're not against social housing, insisting they've been totally blindsided by the state government and haven't had community consultation.

But homelessness advocates say the crisis is becoming so desperate, we need to put an end to NIMBYism, a term referring to a "Not In My Backyard" mentality.

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The majority of people protesting the plans to turn Fraser Suites into a social and affordable housing complex live a stones throw from the building.

They claim they were blindsided by the state government's $100 million purchase last month, saying their biggest concerns are density, shared spaced and parking.

"We want to make sure from here on in consultation, planning and doing the right thing by the complex, not just by this building," one protester said.

The group denies it's a case of "not in my backyard".

"We support social housing, we just want it to be done in the right way and we feel that in Australia we have the resources and the money to do this better," another local said.

Homelessness advocates say we can't afford to wait, with 22,000 West Aussies currently on a two-year waitlist for social housing.

They say the hotel's 236 rooms barely scratches the surface.

"We know people sleeping in cars, sleeping under bridges, staying with family," Kath Snell from Shelter WA said.

The Housing Minister is pushing a similar sentiment.

"The growing cohort is women over 55 who are at risk of homelessness, they're the type of people that I'm trying to provide housing for," John Carey said.

Carey met with opponents airing their concerns for the second time in two weeks but resident says it's not enough.

With an overflowing waitlist, the state government hasn't ruled out plans to repurpose more WA buildings and turn them into social and affordable housing.

Like Fraser Suites, there's no guarantee community consultation will take place beforehand.

"To mess with people's house and them not know anything about it, leaves a really sour taste in my mouth," one local said.

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The personal details of thousands of people across south-east Queensland have potentially been stolen in a major data breach.

A man is accused of breaking into multiple mortgage brokers and tax offices, 9News can exclusively reveal.

Court documents show Joseph Kelly – a man in his 30s – is accused of breaking into Mortgage Choice offices and an ITP Tax office between Monday and Wednesday this week.

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He allegedly targeted three buildings on the Gold Coast, along with one in Logan and another in Ipswich.

Police allege Kelly stole computers and filing cabinets, transferring an unknown amount of sensitive client data onto his own encrypted device.

It's understood the stolen data may include drivers licences, passports, payslips and mortgage applications.

Police sources say he could face separate fraud charges for each customer whose information was allegedly taken.

ITP Queensland say they have contacted 64 affected clients, while Mortgage Choice are still working to identify how many of its customers have been impacted.

The ATO confirmed to 9News its systems have not been compromised.

Kelly has also been charged with possessing dangerous drugs and attempting to enter another office in Robina.

He's been remanded in custody and his matter will return to Southport Magistrates Court next Monday.

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Queensland Health have confirmed a strain of Mpox known as Clade 1 has been detected in the Metro South region of the state.

It's the second time ever this strain has been reported in Australia and the first case known in Queensland.

Details are limited but we do know this case was contracted by an overseas traveller, and work is underway to determine any exposure sites.

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Mpox is a viral infection that is mainly spread through very close or intimate contact.

Infectious Diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin says this particular strain is known for its blistering.

"Clade 1 is notorious for causing a more widespread rash, so quite big blisters, or pox-like, so those big legions and with Clade 1, they typically see them all over," Dr Griffin said.

"And because it is more severe, they can have other symptoms like high fevers."

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Queensland health authorities say other symptoms can include headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue.

Those who were in close contact with this case will be notified.

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Jeremy Rockliff has addressed the Liberal party faithful, all but claiming victory in Tasmania's election, as the vote count continues.

Rockliff did the same in the state election held just 16 months ago, before his tenure ended in a no-confidence vote over the new AFL stadium plans, and the snap election was called.

The Liberal party had 13 of the necessary 18 votes to form a majority government at the time Rockliff gave his speech at 9.30pm AEST.

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Standing in front of his mother, wife and three daughters on stage, Rockliff said he was "very humbled by tonight's result".

"A little over six weeks ago, the Leader of the Opposition forced this unnecessary election on the Tasmanian people by moving a vote of no-confidence," he began.

"Tonight, in return, the people of Tasmania has said that they have no-confidence in the Labor Party to form government and they have voted to re- endorse our Liberal government.

"It is our team, the Liberal Party, who will achieve the most seats in this election, with a significantly increased vote, and I thank you. I want to thank all Tasmanians.

"On that basis, there is some way to go [but] at the conclusion of the counting and the return of the writs, I intend to visit the governor and ask her to recommission my government so we can get on with the job for Tasmania."

Labor leader Dean Winter addressed the ALP party faithful about 10.30pm AEST, and vowed to work together with the other parties in the best interest of Tasmanians but stopped short of conceding defeat.

"Tonight, the Tasmanian people have spoken and they have delivered another hung parliament and with it, a resounding message that they want their politicians to work together more collaboratively," Winter stated.

He added that the results echo the previous election and another snap election is "not an option" so politicians will need to "collaborate on the challenges facing our state, and there are many".

"It seems likely that the three major parties in the state will end up with more or less the same number of seats as they did in the last parliament," Winter said.

"Another election is not an option, which means that we need to figure this out. This will take leadership, it will take maturity, and it will take a willingness to work and seek common ground."

He also paid tribute to his opposition, in acknowledging Rockliff's result in his own seat.

"I have fundamental and real concerns with the direction state is moving in, but I do know that Jeremy cares deeply and he has been in parliament now for longer than anyone, and his result in Braddon tonight reflects service," Winter said.

The count remains ongoing and a formal result is yet to be called, with more than 30 per cent of the vote still to be counted at 11pm.

Tomorrow marks the 23rd anniversary of Rockcliff's first election in 2002, which he said made today's election more poignant.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Tasmania for the great privilege that you have provided me in being a member of parliament, a minister in a government, and Premier of Tasmania for the last three years."

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Police are searching for three children who have gone missing from the Gold Coast and believe they may be with a woman in northern New South Wales. 

A six-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were last seen near Mirambeena Drive in Pimpama around 8.50am yesterday.

It is believed they are with a woman and a baby they know.

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Police said the woman and children are travelling in a white Nissan X-Trail with Queensland registration 992XPS.

They may be in the Tenterfield area of New South Wales.

Police say family and authorities are concerned due to their age. 

The boy and girl are white, and have brown hair and brown eyes, with a photo released.

The woman is also white with similar colourings.

Police are urgently appealing to anyone who has seen them or the car to get in touch.

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A pet dog has been killed after a car crashed and flew into a backyard in Sydney's inner city.

A Hyundai i-30 hatchback was airborne when it came smashing down in the yard on St Johns Road in Glebe, just shy of the home's kitchen.

Daniel Brenan had just returned from the shops and was inside when he heard a bang.

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"I just got home halfway up the stairs, and I heard crash bang, and saw smoke billowing from the back of the house," he said.

"That's quite a feat to get up over that brick wall."

Outside and nearby, Tyrekii was playing with his brother.

"They hit the gutter, then hit the bricks and went straight for the house," he said.

The driver was taken to hospital in shock.

"He was very dazed and confused by what happened, he was saying that his clutch got stuck," Brenan said.

There were no human fatalities in this crash, but a beloved pet who was in the backyard has been killed.

"There is two dogs, one's upstairs, he's a little house dog called Batman, the one out the back is a guard dog," Brenan said.

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It's a deadly cancer with a complicated name and for too long there've been limited treatment options for sufferers, until now.

An expensive new drug – the first of its kind for the disease – is now on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Cheryl and Wayne Troy are united in fighting a cancer that rocked the New South Wales farmer and his extended family.

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The 58 year-old grandfather's diagnosis came out of the blue.

"Wayne had pains in his kidney area and decided to go straight to the doctor," Cheryl said.

"His kidneys were fine but they found something they weren't sure what it was in his liver."

It was cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer that starts in the bile ducts, part of the body's digestive system.

Steve Holmes from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation said it is a devastating cancer.

"It ruins families," he said.

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A total of 1300 Australians are affected each year. It's silent and very difficult to treat, making it deadly.

"One of the things about this cancer is it does spread quickly and widely," Associate Professor Hao Wen Sim from St Vincent's Hospital said.

"So the majority of patients will present with advanced, and incurable disease."

For the past two years Wayne has been on a trial of an oral drug called Tibsovo.

Its been his saviour after enduring surgery, chemotherapy and trial immunotherapy.

The drug targets a mutated enzyme, a key driver, that affects one-in-five patients.

The tablets enable Wayne to continue to work without any side-effects.

"The last scan that was done everything was stable," he said.

Sim said there is "about a 50 per cent reduction in the rate of death events, so quite a striking signal for this type of medication".

The treatment costs nearly $19,000 a month but now, with it's addition on the PBS list, patients only pay $31.60 a month or $7.70 on concession.

"90 patients we think every year, will get access to this new life-saving treatment which otherwise would've cost them around $125,000 for a course of treatment," Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.

Doctors say this has long been a neglected disease, so to have a targeted therapy widely available for the first time is a big advance.

"They've got a chance to survive, a chance to build hope and build a future again," Holmes said.

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