Latest news with #TheFeed
SBS Australia
18 hours ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'I didn't feel that way': Sussan Ley on the Coalition alienating migrants at the last election
The new Liberal leader sat down with the Feed to discuss how the party got it so wrong. Source: SBS Sussan Ley didn't feel the Liberal Party alienated migrants in the last federal election, but accepts that some voters felt that way. "I want to know why they felt that way," she told The Feed. "Because I certainly, as the deputy leader in the last parliament, never, ever felt that way." In an interview with The Feed, Ley spoke about a range of criticism directed at the party, conceding that it was rejected by a number of voting groups. Ley's predecessor, Peter Dutton linked record levels of migration — which peaked at 536,000 in 2022-23, but which Treasury estimates will return to 260,000 next year — with exacerbating demand on housing supply and pushing up prices. Simon Welsh, director of a social and political research firm with connections to the Liberal Party, Labor Party, and The Greens, said that in diverse communities, this rhetoric turned voters away from the Coalition. Ley said it made her "sad" to hear this feedback from voters, adding that "I accept that maybe was the case for a variety of reasons". Ley was born in Nigeria and moved to the United Arab Emirates before she was two, following her father's work for British intelligence services. In a 2014 interview with SBS, Ley said she would often accompany him on MI6 fieldwork around the Persian Gulf — experiences, she says, that helped shape her worldview. She later moved to the UK at age 10, before moving to Australia when she was 13. "I'm a migrant to this country, but I've got the great fortune of, you know, looking white with the same language," she said, acknowledging that the experience wouldn't be the same for "someone who doesn't have that". Nonetheless, she said: "I felt very different and excluded at school. I have a sense, actually, of what that feeling is. And it's not good enough for people to feel like that. I worry about social cohesion." Ley said she wants to understand where feelings of exclusion among multicultural voters came from as the Liberal Party reckons with its devastating defeat at the 2025 federal election. "We have two seats in urban Australia, in the cities," she said. "We have record-low votes with youth and with women. And historically, the scale of this defeat is unprecedented." "So I want to make that point because I accept it. I heard the message." In research by emeritus professor Peter McDonald and professor Alan Gamlen of the ANU Migration Hub, they said that migration was "being weaponised during this election campaign to elicit panic and sway voters". They outlined several reasons for the record migration levels during 2022-23, including an influx of students, backpackers and temporary workers who unable to travel during the pandemic, as well as several visa extensions under the Morrison and Albanese governments. They added that, in the recent budget, Treasury estimated the number will fall and, by 2027, migration levels in Australia could plummet to historic lows. Simon Welsh from RedBridge said: "The Liberal Party cannot form government in this country again until it figures out how to talk to young Australians and diverse Australians." And while they've been doing the rounds post-election, he's not sure he's seen anything radically promising just yet. "The only way that the Liberals and the Coalition can reach out to young people is by slaying some of their sacred cows," he said. "While the Coalition is running around talking about opposing net zero and walking away from the Paris Climate Accord, they are never going to win back large numbers of young people across this country, because climate is more than just an environmental issue." "For young people, when they look at climate, they see an economic issue. So they see economic impacts of it on cost of food, cost of living." "Until the Coalition are willing to catch up with young people on that issue. They will never win them over in large numbers, and that's just one issue." Asked why young Australians turned away from the party, Ley said she wasn't sure they "found us relevant at all". "Did we sort of send a message to them in the right way? Maybe. Maybe not. Did we have policy offerings that … resonated with them? Probably not." "Did they look at us and see reflected back the agenda that they wanted? Probably not. So, yeah, I think it was a fail on many levels." Sussan Ley's historic elevation as the first woman to lead the Liberals comes at a moment of reckoning for the party, particularly regarding the issue of women voters abandoning it, Ley said. The disconnect with female voters became especially clear to Ley at polling booths during the final weeks of the campaign. "Often there was a queue, so you had a chance to talk to people in that queue. And it was quite interesting. A lot of the couples, the man was taking the Liberal Party, 'How to vote' card, but the woman was sort of just basically ignoring us," she said. After a while, she said she asked them for their honest feedback. "If you ask someone for their honest feedback, particularly a woman, usually you get it. That's a good thing," she said. "And, you know, they would say, well, yeah, 'No, we're not really, you know, we're not interested in the Liberal Party.'" The Liberal Party has long been plagued by what's often referred to as a 'women problem' — a label given for the ongoing criticism about the number of female MPs (fewer than their male counterparts) and broader concerns over how the party treats women. Prominent figures from within its own ranks, including former deputy leader Julie Bishop and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, have publicly called out the culture of misogyny they say exists within the party. "There have been times in that building where women have not been treated well. Women have not been treated appropriately. And women have been let down," she said. Ley said she had, at times, felt dismissed by male colleagues. "I don't say that it was something that was egregious or crossed a line," she said. "It was simply perhaps that feeling that you weren't being taken seriously in a room full of men or that feeling that, if you said something, nobody really paid attention. But then when a man said it, suddenly everybody listened." However, Ley maintained the party's culture had improved and that "misogyny" went far beyond the party to extend more broadly to parliament and other workplaces she'd been in. While her leadership is a historic first for the party and there is some "novelty" in being the first, she hoped the focus would soon shift. "I know I'm the first female leader. I don't sort of think of myself like that, other than to know that it sends a positive signal to women," she said. "I don't mind, in one sense, if the novelty wears off and people would just get on with the job."
Herald Sun
21-05-2025
- Herald Sun
‘Outrageous': NSW couple faces $1m fine or ‘homelessness' for living in tiny house
A NSW couple say they are facing 'homelessness' or a $1 million fine after being ordered by local council to 'demolish' the tiny house they've lived in for two years. Facing possible homelessness due to the ongoing devastation wrought by the Black Summer bushfires in 2019, Manu Bohn and his partner built a tiny house on a friend's farm in the Bega Valley, on NSW's South Coast, in 2023. 'If you live in the Bega Valley you will have seen homelessness, limited rental stock, soaring rents and property sales prices all contributing to people living in caravans and other movable dwellings,' the 30-year-old, who moved to Australia from Brazil in 2018, wrote in a petition launched on 'The sad reality is that many families who love this place are leaving because they can't afford to stay here any more.' The 'simple and happy life of work, study, volunteering, and sport' he and his partner have enjoyed since 2023, however, was interrupted last month when he received a draft order from a Bega Valley Shire Council Compliance Officer. In the letter, shared by Mr Bohn to social media, the couple was told the 'unauthorised structure … being used as a residential dwelling' needs to be removed or demolished in line with NSW Environmental Planning legislation. Failure to comply could trigger legal proceedings, the letter continued, with a potential court-imposed fine of $1 million, and a further $10,000 for every day they continue to live in the tiny house. has contacted Mr Bohn for comment. MORE: 'Evil': Stubborn Aus neighbour back in spotlight The decision, Mr Bohn told SBS's The Feed, could make the couple 'one of (Bega's) homeless numbers'. A tiny home can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $200,000. It's a much more affordable alternative to that of an actual dwelling – the median home price in Bega was $630,000 in the 12 months to April this year, an increase of 2.6 per cent. 'For someone living (in) a tiny house and not being able to afford a home, to get this letter where you have to pay a million dollars … it just seems to be so outrageous and not very understanding,' he said. For Mr Bohn and his partner, 'tiny houses (are) basically the only affordable way of living to us, as we don't own land and would rely on staying in someone else's property'. 'Everything that I have at the moment, I built myself … but if that's taken out of me, basically I'm just left with the tiny house – and that means according to the letter – that I can't even park it anywhere,' he said. 'So it means I don't have a place to stay.' MORE:Wild plan to remove Boomers, unlock 60k homes Though he and the property's owner did not seek council permission or apply for a development approval (DA) for the tiny house, Mr Bohn said he built it 'based on state legislation'. 'Our understanding was and still is that our tiny house built on wheels is considered a mobile dwelling under NSW legislation, which doesn't require (a DA), and allows us to move it to maybe our own future land,' he said. There is no fixed definition of a tiny home under the NSW planning framework – meaning it could be anything from a granny flat to a caravan, depending on its use and how it's built – Bega Valley Shire Council Director of Community, Environment and Planning, Emily Harrison, explained to in a statement. 'In NSW, a land use approval is required in most cases to give consent to use the land as a dwelling,' she said, by lodging a DA under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW). 'The development consent process has been designed to ensure that health, sanitation, safety and environmental impacts are considered, including vegetation removal, disposal of wastewater and building standards including fire safety. 'If the development consent process has not been followed, Council cannot be assured that these impacts have been addressed or that the development is able to be approved.' Though council cannot discuss individual cases, Ms Harrison said draft orders (like the one Mr Bohn received) 'explain that failure to comply with the Order is an offence under section 9.37 of the Act'. 'Council cannot impose a $1 million fine, however the Land and Environment Court is empowered to as part of proceedings brought before their jurisdiction,' she said. 'Compliance matters are raised with the property owners in line with legislated requirements.' In his petition, Mr Bohn has called on Bega Valley Shire Council to enact a moratorium on tiny house evictions, and urged it to work with the NSW Government 'on a pathway to tiny homeownership to address the current housing crisis'. 'A viable solution to the housing crisis is not only being ignored, but fought against,' the petition reads. 'The Bega Valley community will be left behind as other councils move forward with pathways for legal tiny homeownership. 'We are fortunate to be in a position where we can (and will) use our voices to advocate for change on this issue. But we know not everyone is in such a fortunate boat. What happens when Compliance Officers come for a young mother in a tiny home who is fleeing domestic violence? Or for seniors who have nothing left after a bushfire or flood. Or a young person in a caravan escaping homelessness? 'To the council we simply say that is not good enough.' Originally published as 'Outrageous': NSW couple face $1m fine or 'homelessness' for living in tiny house
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mastermind host Marc Fennell sends fans into a frenzy with 'thirst trap' gym photos
Marc Fennell has sent fans into a frenzy after sharing a series of jacked gym photos. The Mastermind Australia host, 39, was not afraid to show off his chiselled form to his 66,000 Instagram and TikTok followers this week. The photos showed the journalist and podcaster hard at work in the gym, working out on a black tank top that showed off his well-honed biceps. Marc was not afraid to work up a sweat, either, with one photo showing him exerting himself to the limit as he worked on his upper body. The Feed co-host looked all business as he took his body through its paces, sporting a stoic expression as he adjusted weights on a bar bell. It wasn't all work for Marc, however, as one photo showed him smiling during his gruelling workout. Captioning the post, Marc joked that he had returned to the gym as he was a fan of the lighting. 'After weeks away filming, I've returned to the gym. Mostly for the lighting,' he quipped. Marc's fans were quick to gush over the pulse-raising pics with one suggesting a lucrative side-hustle. 'You should bring out a calendar,' they wrote, while another chimed in with: 'The real question is, did you steal the 'gains' from the British?' referring to Marc's podcast and ABC series Stuff The British Stole. Another suggested that Marc may just have the goods to compete with another musclebound Aussie. 'Time to give Thor Hemsworth an arm wrestle I think young marc!' they offered. It was much the same vibe over on TikTok, with one follower admitting they struggled to believe it was Marc in the photos. 'Wow, is that the same Mark Fennell I'm watching hosting Mastermind??' they asked. The photos showed the journalist and podcaster hard at work in the gym, working out on a black tank top that showed off his well-honed biceps Another swooned: 'Was I expecting a thirst trap from our Mastermind presenter? No. Do I appreciate a thirst trap from our Mastermind presenter? Yes.' Marc is perhaps best known as quizmaster on the popular SBS game show Mastermind Australia. He took over the role from famed journalist and presenter Jennifer Byrne in 2021. Having previously appeared on the show as a fill-in host in 2019 and starred as a celebrity contender, he told SBS at the time that he knows just how 'intimidating it can be'. 'While I may be the one holding the questions, I truly marvel at the gumption of the contenders. It's going to be intense,' he said. 'The best part of being the quizmaster is seeing the wild diversity of obsessions and topics that the contenders bring with them. Back in 2019, the award-winning journalist revealed the one interview that moved him to tears. Speaking to News Corp, Marc said that it was a 2017 interview with famed children's author Paul Jennings' that had made him cry. 'He casually mentioned in the interview that his dad didn't love him,' Marc said. 'It was a really raw moment for everyone involved,' he continued. 'I still look back at that interview and it moves me tears, because it is so sad that this person that was so instrumental in the childhoods of so many Australian kids. 'Millions of us were raised with Paul Jennings' books and the TV show — to know that deep underneath that was a really unhappy childhood broke my heart.'
News18
14-05-2025
- Business
- News18
How India's Call To Boycott Turkey For Supporting Pakistan Could Destroy Ankara's Economy
Last Updated: Boycott Turkey initiative could hurt Ankara's economy, which is already grappling high inflation, currency depreciation, debt and policy paralysis The 'Boycott Turkey' initiative by India could leave Ankara's already flagging economy in tatters with serious impact could be seen across defence, tourism, trade and investment sectors. Since the conflict began between India and Pakistan on May 7 in the aftermath of the Pahalgan terrorist attack, Turkey has been lambasted for its role in the combat, with reports suggesting that it provided arms support to Islamabad. Therefore, there has been a clarion call to boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan as Indians question the countries' pro-Pakistan stand. What Is The State Of Economic Affairs In Turkey? Turkey's economic model dependent on high-interest government bonds to stabilise the lira is crumbling. The Turkish lira (TRY) has been in freefall, and the government's efforts to maintain stability are proving futile. As of March 2025, Turkey's gross foreign exchange reserves stand at around $85 billion, net reserves, once debts and swap agreements are accounted for, hover near zero or even negative, and actual liquid reserves available for intervention may be only $20-$40 billion. What Could Drain Turkey's Reserves? Several factors could push Turkey's economy into a collapse. Conversion of Lira To Dollars: If 30 million citizens exchange an average of $500 each, the central bank would lose $15 billion in reserves almost instantly. The lira would face an unprecedented collapse. Tax Payment Boycotts: Türkiye's government is dependent on $150 billion in annual tax revenue. If 20% of taxpayers refuse to pay, the government would face a $2.5 billion monthly deficit, pushing the economy further into chaos. Energy And Transportation Disruption: With $5 billion in monthly energy imports, even a 20% disruption could add an extra $1 billion loss per month, further depleting reserves, as per TheFeed. Labour Shutdowns: A one-week nationwide strike would cost the economy $4-5 billion. If prolonged, the financial damage could be irreversible. If these factors collide simultaneously, Turkey could lose up to $40 billion in reserves within a single month—effectively erasing its financial safety net. How India's 'Boycott Turkey' Will Exacerbate Downfall Impact On Tourism: Turkey has been one of the most favoured travel destinations for Indians. However, due to Turkey's stance in the Indo-Pak conflict, major Indian travel agencies like Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings have suspended bookings to Turkey. Ixigo has suspended all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, China and Azerbaijan. 'Respecting the sentiments shared by all Indians at this time, we have suspended all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Our commitment is to act responsibly and in alignment with our country's broader interests, while prioritising the trust, safety, and interests of Indian travellers. Blood and bookings won't flow together," Aloke Bajpai, CEO of Ixigo, told ThePrint. Additionally, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has urged its members to halt the promotion and sale of tour packages to Turkey. This collective action is likely to lead to a significant decline in Indian tourist arrivals, adversely affecting Turkey's tourism revenue. In 2024, Turkey earned $61.1 billion from tourism, an 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. This revenue was driven by an increase in visitor numbers, with Turkey welcoming 62.2 million visitors, a 9% rise from 2023. The average spend per visitor was $972 in 2024. According to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 3,30,000 Indians travelled to the country last year, compared to 119,503 arrivals in 2014. Trade Ties: Bilateral trade between India and Turkey stood at around $13.81 billion during 2022-23. India's imports from Turkey included petroleum products, nuclear reactors and parts, and various other commodities. The boycott movement has already led to actions such as traders in Pune boycotting Turkish apples. If the boycott extends to other sectors, it could disrupt this substantial trade relationship, leading to economic losses for Turkish exporters. Investment: Turkish investments in India amount to $210.47 million, with Indian investments in Turkey at around $126 million. The current tensions may deter future investments and collaborations between the two nations, affecting long-term economic and diplomatic relations. Defence Sector Losses: India's cancellation of a $2.3 billion shipbuilding contract with Turkey's last year TAIS consortium marks a substantial financial setback for Turkey's defence industry. The deal involved the construction of five Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy, with Turkish firms providing design and engineering support. India's Boycott Turkey Call Besides tourism industry leaders and social media users, Indian politicians have also slammed Turkey for supplying drones to Pakistan. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi rebuked a purported statement by Ankara's tourism department, which urged Indians not to 'postpone or cancel any trips" to Turkey. Sharing the statement, she wrote on X, 'No Türkiye, Indians won't come spending money on tourism in a country that uses the same to arm Pakistan. Look for your tourists elsewhere, our money ain't blood money." Congress MLA from Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, has called for an immediate ban on Turkish imports. Accusing Turkey of 'diplomatic betrayal", he reminded Ankara of India's assistance during the 2023 earthquake under 'Operation Dost.' 'I strongly demand that India immediately ban the import of apples and other goods from Turkey. Our countrymen must also boycott Turkish products and tourism. We cannot allow any nation to enjoy our goodwill while arming those who threaten our national security," Rathore reportedly said. An ANI report said Pune traders have started boycotting apples imported from Turkey. 'We have decided to stop purchasing apples from Turkey and are instead opting for produce from Himachal, Uttarakhand, Iran, and other regions," Suyog Zende, an apple merchant at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market in Pune, told the news agency. 'This decision aligns with our patriotic duty and support for the nation." Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has demanded that the management of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai cancel the contract with the Turkish company handling the ground services. 'Turkey is helping Pakistan. How can we allow their companies to earn here? They are earning here and helping Pakistan. This will not happen," Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who led the protest, said, as per Deccan Herald. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : News18 Explains Operation Sindoor turkey economy Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 14, 2025, 12:09 IST News explainers How India's Call To Boycott Turkey For Supporting Pakistan Could Destroy Ankara's Economy | Explained
SBS Australia
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
We put some of Australia's most famous political influencers in a room to debate each other
Political commentators Konrad Benjamin (aka Punter's Politics), Abbie Chatfield, Hannah Ferguson, Trisha Jha, Freya Leach and Joel Jammal clash at The Feed's political debate. This election campaign, according to Andrew Hughes, political marketing researcher at the Australian National University, is: "The most boring campaign I've seen." "If you watched the second leaders' debate, the biggest feedback I had from most people I talked to who aren't political experts, so to speak, was how dry it was." This, he says, is one of the reasons why people want to hear from influencers. "We go, 'finally, someone's not following the script.'" In the lead-up to the federal election, The Feed brought together six of Australia's most well-known and passionate young political commentators to talk about the issues on the minds of voters. These influencers might usually be seen in the algorithms of followers who have a similar opinion. "That's one of the disadvantages of algorithms when it comes to political communications and content," Hughes says. "We're never going to see the complete picture. We want to understand there's other perspectives out there." The Feed debate tries to break down those algorithm silos by bringing content creators together to challenge one another's ideas. With a million followers between these six commentators on Instagram and 800,000 or so on TikTok, the panellists have done what politicians are trying to do — capture a youth audience. On the panel was Abbie Chatfield (podcaster, Greens supporter), Konrad Benjamin who is better known as ' Punter's Politics' (podcaster, unaligned, and whose catchphrase is 'policy over party'), Hannah Ferguson (Cheek Media co-founder, Greens member and Teals supporter), Freya Leach (policy maker at the Liberal-affiliated Menzies Research Centre, Liberal member), Joel Jammal (Turning Point Australia founder, conservative libertarian) and Trisha Jha (researcher at the Centre of Independent Studies, centre-right commentator, not a content creator). Coming out of your social media feeds and into one studio, they debated whether Australia is doing enough combat climate change, if nuclear should be part of Australia's energy future, the merits of using superannuation to buy a house, whether immigration should be cut, student debt and even horse manure in the 1800s (you'll have to watch the debate to hear more about this one). The shift in campaigning has led to influencers and politicians figuring things out as they go. Clips of Chatfield's interviews with Greens leader Adam Bandt and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were reviewed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) after Liberal senator Jane Hume questioned if they had breached electoral rules by not including an authorisation statement. The posts were cleared of breaching any laws, with the AEC finding no evidence that the podcaster had been paid for any political posts, or that Albanese or Bandt had any creative control in the interviews. While climate change has long been a major issue for young people, Mission Australia's youth survey, , found that young people's main concern had shifted from climate change to the cost of living. But climate anxiety still remains a major concern. In a discussion about whether Australia is doing enough to combat climate change, Joel Jammal, a conservative libertarian, said to a sea of mixed facial expressions: "In terms of 'is Australia doing enough to combat climate change?' We're doing far too much." Abbie Chatfield, bemused at the response, asked: "What reality are you living in?" while Freya Leach said the discussion around climate was too fearmongering. "We have frequently faced these kinds of like civilisational moments where it looks like everything is going to implode and then we have innovated our way out of it," she told the group. 'Punter's Politics' asked the panellists to consider the "scapegoating" of renewables around the cost of a transition in the climate debate and instead shift the blame to the one in three massive corporations in Australia who are not paying tax. "The climate debate becomes both a virtue signal for large corporations to pretend they're doing something and it becomes a scapegoat for every problem in our society," he said. "The thing that I will forcefully inject into here is that the reason why Australia is suffering with living standards, cost of living, housing, energy, is because there is a set of corporate bludgers who are leeching off the taxpayer in Australia." While the panel clashed on how much property investors are impacting the housing market, they agreed that a lower barrier to entry is needed for young people trying to get into the property market. Political marketing researcher Andrew Hughes says, whether you like what they're saying or not, it must be acknowledged that people have these platforms, and it's important to break out of the pockets that algorithms create and be challenged. "Algorithms make it very, very hard to find that information because they're thinking, 'hang on, you don't like this stuff, you're not really watching this a lot, then you're going to see less of it,'" he said. "It reinforces your thinking. It doesn't challenge it. And that's something we need to really consider ... We want to understand, there are other perspectives out there." Having observed several political campaigns over the years, Hughes says there's been a bit of a shift this election. "I don't think there's a moral panic anymore," he said. "We understand there's a place for them and they have a role and that role is to feed the debate and have a different perspective to what we may normally hear in a discussion. "In a way, it might actually speed up some of these issues which are on the fringe, which struggle for airtime and only get it every three years when there's an election campaign on, now courtesy of influencers who may pick it up as their issue." Watch now
