Gina Rinehart spends tens of thousands of dollars to evacuate media chief from Israel
We last encountered Radford spinning for the Liberals' failed candidate, Ro Knox, in the hard-fought Liberal-Teal battle for Wentworth at the last election. And before that, he popped up at Mar-a-Lago in November as US President Donald Trump celebrated his return with a lavish event. Clearly a man with a knack of being at the centre of the news cycle.
While in Israel as stress levels rose, Radford was sharply critical of the Australian government at one point, posting 'Thank God for the private sector!' on Instagram after attacking the government for having 'ZERO plan on how to get Aussies out'.
It is fair to say this attitude and Radford's speedy evacuation rankled with some other Australians who were stuck in Tel Aviv while he made it out against Australian and Israeli government advice, which in the early stages was to stay close to bomb shelters. But Radford said he was given advice from another source to evacuate.
'I think the Australian government could have been more prepared and acted faster,' he told CBD.
Radford made his way in a convoy of black luxury minivans to the Jordanian border and then to Amman and a flight back to Melbourne when airspace was open. And judging by his Insta post of a breakfast tray of a silver basket containing heated croissants, a pat of butter and a jam pot, he clearly wasn't flying coach.
CJ Hendry does Chaddy
Chadstone Shopping Centre, aka Melbourne's Fashion Capital, is busy playing host to one of Australia's most successful contemporary artists. And here we were thinking Chaddy was just a place to enjoy a nice plate of lemon chicken.
CJ Hendry – South African-born and New York-based but a self-described 'Brissie bogan' – has grown quite the following on social media. Although she has no interest in the traditional art world or Australia's stuffy Archibald Prize, her almost 900,000 Instagram followers are serving her just fine – thank you very much!
This Lost & Found exhibition is based on Hendry's first visit to the Fashion Capital, where she grew quickly disoriented among the centre's 500 different stores. 'It's like a labyrinth,' the artist mused.
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We couldn't agree more, CJ.
On Wednesday night, the champagne flowed, costumed ladies glided around on stilts, and an ever-enthusiastic disc jockey spun some bouncy Dua Lipa remixes.
But Hendry and her team were surely weary after basically pulling an all-nighter to finish building the set pieces in time. (Some parts of the exhibition were held up at the Australian border, you see).
No sign of the centre's billionaire nonagenarian owner, John Gandel. He was getting a private viewing at a later date, of course. But in true Melbourne fashion, a gaggle of event connoisseurs flocked to the city's south-east. Former queen of the FM airwaves, Kate Langbroek, was spotted beelining straight for the caviar and oysters, and indulging in both a negroni and a glass of Moet.
Lovable larrikins Symon Lovett and Adam Densten of Gogglebox Australia fame couldn't resist being patrons of the arts – nor could fellow Network 10 Melebrity Sam Wood from the 2015 edition of The Bachelor.
And Lauren Phillips from Nova's Melbourne breakfast show was the lucky winner of a Hendry original, if social media is to be believed.
Overall, CBD liked what they did with the place. This columnist almost forgot we were sitting inside a shopping centre … As long as we ignored the giant Target logo in our peripheral vision.
CHUniverse
Potts Point Vietnamese joint Lady Chu has become an unlikely magnet for the Sydney's good and great ever since CBD revealed its outspoken owner Nahji Chu 's profane but righteous rant at a bunch of hapless council workers.
The latest customers – South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young with her dining companion, Sydney independent MP Alex Greenwich. Gotta take the out-of-towners to the best spots.
As CBD has reported previously, Greenwich, a protegee of Sydney's forever Lord Mayor Clover Moore, took up the role of unlikely peacemaker in Chu's war with the council. Helps to have friends on both sides.
The restaurant's success – Nigella Lawson dined there last week – represents quite the comeback for Chu. A decade ago, her Vietnamese tuckshop empire MissChu collapsed with millions owed to creditors, including unpaid staff entitlements. Now, she's talk of the town.
Stela job shift
Last year, the Albanese government suddenly got very excited about quantum computers. So excited that it invested $470 million in Silicon Valley-based start-up PsiQuantum, which is planning to build a supercomputer in Brisbane. The investment was matched by Queensland's then-Labor government.
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But the Coalition has continued to cry foul about the deal, pointing to links between then-industry and science minister Ed Husic 's staff and one of the company's investors.
Last year, the newly elected Liberal National government in Queensland promised to review its predecessors' investment, claiming PsiQuantum was 'dripping with Labor lobbyists'. Naturally, the company had hired Labor-aligned lobbyists, as most ambitious corporates in Canberra have.
And now, they've picked up another Labor connection straight out of the Prime Minister's Office, with Stela Todorovic, one of Anthony Albanese 's 10 media advisers (none of whom answer CBD's calls), joining the company. And then there were nine.
Todorovic, formerly a press gallery rising star, joined the PMO two years ago when she resigned from Network 10 after being passed over to replace Peter Van Onselen (remember that guy?) as political editor. Now, she joins the classic post-election reshuffle as staffers come and go from the ministerial wing.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
I have an overseas flight booked. What do current world events mean for my travel plans?
Are airlines responsible for notifying me if they change flight routes after a ticket has been booked? A natural consequence of rerouting a flight's course is an altered flight duration, either due to delays to control air traffic congestion or distance covered; flydubai's flights from Dubai to Moscow, for example, now route further east through Pakistan and Afghanistan instead of Iran, increasing flight time from roughly five hours to seven. Loading This means if you have booked a tight layover, you may have to rethink your itinerary – and it's worth noting that air traffic control may request a pilot follow an alternative route when the plane is already in the air. If you're flying the same airline all the way to Europe via the Middle East or elsewhere with a stop, on the same ticket, the airline should make arrangements for you to make your connection or get you on the next available flight if you miss it. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), airline conditions of carriage do not include flight time guarantees, and it should not be assumed by consumers that a plane's exact advertised schedule will be met. They are, however, generally expected to notify passengers in a timely manner of changes to the flight schedule, which includes significant route changes. 'Airlines should be proactive and truthful in telling consumers the reasons a flight is delayed or cancelled,' the ACCC says. 'They should also tell consumers what compensation they may be entitled to under both the airline's policy and the consumer guarantees.' Compensation and assistance from airlines may differ and depends on whether the delay or cancellation was within the carrier's control. Some travel insurance policies cover cancelling or rearranging flights due to natural disasters, severe weather, conflicts or terrorist incidents, though it depends on the specific policy's force majeure events clause. Some policies, for example, may only partially cover or exclude pandemics, epidemics, government-imposed travel restrictions and acts of war altogether. It's worth reviewing your product disclosure statement before travelling, and keeping this in mind when browsing cover options. What's the best source of information on travel safety for Australians? Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade uses Smartraveller for its official travel advisories, regularly updating each destination's risk and safety issues on the website. It's generally considered the most reliable source of safety information for Australian travellers. In 2019, Smartraveller discontinued its pre-trip registration service. Instead, Australians travelling overseas are encouraged to subscribe to travel advice updates for specific destinations, which are sent every 24 hours via email. Loading In a crisis, Smartraveller may open a registration portal for destinations affected. At present, Australian citizens and permanent residents in Israel, Iran and Occupied Palestinian Territories who want to leave are encouraged to register with Smartraveller. As of June 20, almost 3000 Australians had registered to be evacuated out of Israel and Iran, with the Australian embassy in Tehran closing and Australian Defence Force personnel sent in to assist with evacuations. 'We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now,' Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a press conference on June 20. On June 19, travel advice to Australians in Iran was to travel to borders so they can leave the country. Some Australians in Iran, however, have been critical of the federal government's response. Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories also have a do not travel alert. What should I do if disaster strikes while I'm on holiday? Those overseas who need immediate assistance from the Australian government are encouraged to contact the Consular Emergency Centre, which can be contacted 24/7 on +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world. It's also advised to search, memorise, physically write down and save in your phone the specific emergency services number for each of your travel destinations. Dialling triple zero while overseas will not connect you to local emergency services, though dialling 112 in most countries will redirect you to their local emergency services. Your basic pre-departure checklist, including the documents you need to have with you Confirm your passport's validity for at least six months from your trip's planned end date Secure the right visa for countries you're visiting and transiting through Confirm your flight and accommodation bookings, checking for any delays, changes, or what they accessibility services they offer. This may require contacting providers directly If driving overseas, check if you need an international driving permit in addition to your Australian driver's licence Get a letter from your doctor and copies of your prescription for any medication you'll be taking with you, and check it's legal and available at your destination Check what vaccinations are required for entry, and if the border requires proof you've had them Purchase comprehensive travel insurance for yourself and your belongings, checking policies cover any planned activities beyond the basics Make physical and digital copies of all of the above documents, plus flight and accommodation information, for yourself and all travellers in your party, including babies and children. Store these separately from your original documents, and consider sharing a copy of your personal and travel documents, including your itinerary with flight information, with a trusted contact at home If travelling with children who don't share your surname, you may need to bring documentation proving your relationship with them, such as birth certificates, adoption papers or custody papers Notify your bank and credit card companies about your travel dates and destinations. Some banks, such as ING, allow you to do this in their mobile app. It's generally wise to carry a small amount of cash for emergencies What about before I fly? What should be on my pre-departure to-do list? Travel requirements and destination-specific laws and advice may change with short notice, which may change your basic pre-departure to-do list. In general, it's advised to regularly check with the embassy or consulate of your planned destinations before every trip to see if visa conditions and medical requirements have changed. It's also advised to get a basic health check at least eight weeks before departure, and get the recommended vaccinations. Some countries require proof of immunisation against certain infectious diseases before entry, and some vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine, require multiple doses over multiple weeks. What do I need to know about travelling to the United States from Australia? The recent case of Australian writer Alistair Kitchen – who says he was detained and questioned for 12 hours by American border officials about his involvement in pro-Palestine activity, before being deported – has implications for Australians travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program means Australians can access a fast-tracked system to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) pass, which, when approved, allows travellers to stay in the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. When applying for your ESTA, be sure to use the official US government site, as there are many scam sites that will overcharge you for the service. Approved ESTA passes do not guarantee entry into the United States, however, and does not provide you with access to legal advice or much protection over digital devices if you're stopped at the border. Travellers also have to supply their social media handles during the ESTA application process. The application process for actual visas – B-1 for business and B-2 for recreation – is longer, with vetting including an interview at the United States consulate in Australia. It does mean that you would be likely to know you're going to be denied entry before boarding the plane, however, holding a B-1 or B-2 visa still does not guarantee you entry. Smartraveller says: 'US authorities have broad powers to decide if you're eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law'. They have the ability to detain, question and search passengers and their belongings, including digital devices, without having to supply evidence a crime has occurred. Following incidents where individuals have reported having their phones searched at the US border, it could be worth considering deleting social media apps off your phone before your flight, ensuring it's protected with a strong password, and, for iPhone users, enabling Lockdown Mode. Loading Smartraveller advises Australians who are detained at the border to ask to call the Australian consulate or a lawyer, however, if you're detained under the United States' immigration powers and haven't been formally arrested, those authorities are not required to provide immediate access to lawyers or a phone.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
I have an overseas flight booked. What do current world events mean for my travel plans?
Volcano eruptions, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the introduction of ' enhanced vetting ' following Donald Trump's inauguration have left many Australian travellers nervous, regardless of their chosen destination. Here's how to prepare for your coming overseas holiday, and what to know about the potential implications of crises – natural disasters or otherwise – on your travel plans. What popular flight routes have changed? It's not unusual for airlines to reroute flights to avoid disrupting services where safely possible, though cancelling flights can be unavoidable at times for airports. On Thursday, flights to and from Bali resumed with a backlog after two days of suspension due to the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption. In May, when fighting between India and Pakistan broke out some airlines used alternative flight paths through the Middle East to avoid Pakistani airspace. Taiwan's EVA Air, for example, diverted one flight from Taipei to Milan through Vienna for refuelling, and Korean Air rerouted its Incheon to Dubai flights south, flying over Myanmar, Bangladesh and India instead of through Pakistan's airspace. In addition to the closures of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport and Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, most of Iraq's airports except Basra International Airport remain closed as of June 20. That same day, American Airlines suspended its daily flights from Philadelphia to Doha, Qatar, and United Airlines paused its daily flights from New Jersey to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines flights from the United States to Israel have been suspended since June 13. According to FlightRadar24, since Iran and Iraq's airspace closed on June 13, flights over Saudi Arabia have doubled and the number of flights passing over Afghanistan has increased by close to 500 per cent. According to FlightRadar24, the two airlines most affected are Qatar Airways and Emirates, with their flights to Europe and North America being rerouted.
Herald Sun
2 hours ago
- Herald Sun
The Bachelorette Aus star Georgia Love set for seven-figure move
Former couple Georgia Love and Lee Elliott are selling their Hampton East house. Photo:. Former Bachelorette couple Georgia Love and Lee Elliott's bayside house will head under the hammer with $1.5m-$1.58m price hopes on Saturday. The ex-pair, who announced their split earlier this year, are selling the four-bedroom home at 63A Wickham Rd, Hampton East. A newsreader on the Australian Radio Network, which owns Melbourne stations KIIS FM and Gold FM, Ms Love met Mr Elliott on The Bachelorette's 2016 season. RELATED: The Bachelor Australia stars Snezana and Sam Wood list Elsternwick home 'Hectic' bidding war pushes Hampton East home $268k over reserve The Bachelor Australia: Inside the mansions and its sell offs Also a podcaster and writer, Ms Love has worked as a journalist across Australia's commercial television networks and on A Current Affair, Studio 10, The Project and Today. Public records show that she and Mr Elliott purchased the house in 2021, the same year they were married. According to PropTrack, the abode will be one of 910 Victorian residences set to be auctioned this week. The house at 63A Wickham Road, Hampton East, has off-street parking for up to four cars including a double garage. Georgia Love shared her experience attending the 2024 Logies Awards with her Instagram followers. Picture: Instagram. An island bench in the kitchen. The home features an open-plan living and dining space with twin bi-fold doors that open to a shaded entertainer's area including an outdoor barbecue kitchen. Siemens appliances and a waterfall-edged island bench are showcased in the indoor kitchen. The main bedroom has its own dressing room, balcony and dual-vanity ensuite. Other highlights of the 2015-built home include a freestanding bath in the main bathroom, Tasmanian oak floors, blockout blinds, double-glazing and a double garage. Georgia Love pictured with some of the bachelors on The Bachelorette's 2016 Australian season. Picture: Supplied/Channel 10. Ms Love's pet cat, named Pawdry Hepburn, features in one of the house's listing photos. Pawdry Hepburn even has her own Instagram account. Hodges Sandringham director Angus Graham said that about 30 buyer groups, mostly couples, had inspected the house prior to Saturday. 'I think it's extremely well-built, with hydronic heating and really well-sized and spacious large rooms with high ceilings,' Mr Graham said. 'It ticks a lot of boxes for many people.' An outdoor barbecue and entertainer's area. This Victorian-era house at 1 Peel St, Newport, will also be auctioned on Saturday. Another house heading under the hammer this weekend is a Victorian-era, three-bedroom pad at 1 Peel St, Newport, with a $1m-$1.05m asking range. The Agency Williamstown property partner Noah Lautman-Wurt said that more than 100 groups had inspected the property, that would likely require work including re-levelling and replastering. 'It has been attracting all sorts of buyers, first-home buyers, those upgrading from their first home, builders and would-be renovators,' Mr Lautman-Wurt said. Victoria recorded a 67 per cent clearance rate from last week's auctions. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Adrian Portelli selling entire Block compound at Phillip Island Abbotsford: Iconic Skipping Girl's multimillion-dollar transformation Highett townhouse sells $85k above reserve
