'We're becoming a weaker nation': Leading doctors' impassioned plea after budget

'We're becoming a weaker nation': Leading doctors' impassioned plea after budget

One of Australia's leading doctors has warned Labor's removal of discounts to capital gains tax will damage the country due to the impacts it will have on small businesses and start-ups.

Last week's controversial budget handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers saw the 50 per cent discount to the capital gains tax axed, meaning business owners could face paying up to 47 per cent in taxes if they sell their company.

It has been met with condemnation by small business owners across the country, who have resorted to an AI trend to mock Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Dr Nick Coatsworth has warned the changes could shatter the "psyche of the country".

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Dr Nick Coatsworth wanred the damage to Australia could be long lasting.

"We're becoming a weaker nation, of that I have absolutely no doubt," Coatsworth, who appears as a host on the Today Show, said in a post on social media.

"This is a risky world, and all of our competitors in the region and around the globe are taking more risks, and here we are with a budget that encourages us as a nation to take less risks."

Coatsworth claims even if the majority of Australians won't be directly impacted by the changes, he said it would have a ripple effect across the nations that would hurt millions.

He claimed the government was hoping Aussies would wave it through, given many are not involved in business or startups.

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Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.

"[It] makes us less of a destination for business, makes us a less strong economy, that's the problem with it," he said.

"That is going to affect us all, that's going to affect us badly."

Opposition leader Angus Taylor continued his robust criticism of the budget, chastising the prime minister for supposedly "laughing off" criticisms and concerns over its impacts on Australians.

"This is an absolute disaster for our country. This budget was a stinker," Taylor told the Today Show.

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Phone boast got Australia's youngest murderer re-arrested

Phone boast got Australia's youngest murderer re-arrested

A boast by Australia's youngest convicted murderer that police would never find what was on his phone led to his re-arrest for downloading sexually violent images and child abuse material.

The man, known for legal reasons as SLD, spent almost two-thirds of his life in jail after the then 13-year-old abducted and fatally stabbed his three-year-old neighbour Courtney Morley-Clarke on the NSW Central Coast in 2001.

Upon his release in 2023, he was subject to a slew of strict conditions enforced by community corrections officers tasked with supervising the institutionalised man and protecting the community.

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On March 20, last year, he told supervising officers he had been breaching these conditions.

"Good luck finding anything I do on the phone," he said during a supervised visit to an Optus shop.

On two occasions about a week later, he bragged about being able to delete his internet activity, using the dark web and wanting to access dating sites so he could lose his virginity.

These details come from court documents seen by AAP on yesterday after the now 39-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching his supervisory orders and two charges relating to child abuse material.

While free in the community, he had been barred from using social networking services or dating sites without prior approval.

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Courtney Morley-Clarke.

He was also only permitted to view sexually explicit material on a single pornographic website, but was told not to watch anything involving sexual violence or cruelty towards women or children.

During a subsequent review of his phone, NSW Police found he had breached these conditions.

He was then arrested last April.

Examining his phone, officers found one image of a five-year-old girl naked from the waist down.

They also located 43 images downloaded onto his device showing women in sexually violent situations including being tied up, looking scared or in pain, and having hands placed over their mouths.

One image was titled "the raped virgin", court documents reveal.

The killer also searched for sexually violent material online, including viewing one video claiming to be of a drugged woman raped in a hotel.

He tried to look for child abuse material by searching for terms like "real child rape" on explicit websites.

He further breached his supervisory conditions by using a fake name to create a Facebook profile and chat with members of the public.

The 39-year-old will be sentenced at Campbelltown District Court next month.

He has already been convicted of a separate breach of his conditions when he approached a mother and her partially undressed child at a beach in Wollongong in October 2023.

He was handed an 18-month jail term and was released last March, weeks before his latest arrest.

The killer has tried to overturn his conviction for that matter in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal with a judgment due on today.

He only recently offered a motive for murdering Courtney: to exact revenge for purported bullying by her brother.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

Man, 15-month-old child killed in horror Sydney crash

Man, 15-month-old child killed in horror Sydney crash

A man and a toddler have been killed and a woman is fighting for her life after a three-vehicle crash in Sydney's west overnight.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Mamre and Abbotts roads at Kemps Creek at about 10.40pm.

They found a small sedan and a van had crashed head-on.

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Investigators were told the sedan and a ute had collided immediately before, following which the sedan and the van slammed into each other.

A man in the sedan's front passenger seat died at the scene, while a 25-year-old woman and her 15-month-old son sitting in the back of the car were critically injured.

Both were taken to hospital, where the little boy later died.

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The 21-year-old L-plate driver of the sedan and the 45-year-old man driving the van suffered "relatively minor" injuries, police said.

Both men were taken to hospital for assessment and mandatory testing.

The male driver of the ute was unharmed.

Traffic restrictions remain in place on the scene this morning as the investigation continues.

Anybody with information or relevant footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.

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Business owners hail '47 per cent partner' PM in meme trend

Business owners hail '47 per cent partner' PM in meme trend

Small business owners are taking to the internet to salute their new "business partner" - one Anthony Albanese.

The prime minister is featuring in a trending wave of AI-generated memes, where he is being mocked for this year's budget changes to the capital gains tax discount.

"Big shoutout to my silent business partner, Anthony," Cocobelle Beauty salon owner Michelle wrote on Facebook.

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"Emphasis on silent. He'll be taking 47 per cent of the profits without ever answering a phone, changing a treatment bed, or doing a Hydrafacial."

An AI-generated photo of Michelle and Albanese accompanied the caption.

It's one of a slew of memes touting the same "47 per cent figure".

The number refers to changes to the capital gains tax discount introduced in last week's federal budget.

Under the new measures, the 50 per cent CGT discount will end, leaving business owners facing the possibility of paying 47 per cent tax if they sell their company.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the government will work to do right by start-ups and business founders, leaving open the possibility of exemptions to the rule.

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"We think you are a really important part of the economy, in lots of ways the hope of the side when it comes to dynamism and productivity, and we will reflect and recognise that in our policy," Chalmers said in parliament last week, addressing notional start-up founders.

The backlash to the police began – meme-wise, at least – in the tech sector, but has migrated to other small businesses.

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Multimillionaire Boost Juice founder Janine Allis was a vocal critic of the federal budget's tax changes, saying they are "just so unfair".

In a social media video, the typically apolitical Allis said Labor's decision to wind back the capital gains tax discount and grandfather negative gearing would "destroy the core of what Australians are".

"I would put my house on the line, I put everything on the line, and then I work my absolute butt off, risk everything, be away from my family, etc," she said.

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"To eventually make a profit and give nearly half to the government?

"Oh my god, that is just so unfair. It doesn't allow you to get ahead, it doesn't inspire you to actually take the risks that you need to take."

The government broke an election promise by moving to replace the capital gains tax discount with a less generous inflation-linked rate and a minimum 30 per cent rate.

Negative gearing will be limited to new builds and no longer apply to any existing properties bought after 7.30pm on May 12.

Both policies are commonly used for property, but the capital gains tax discount can apply to most capital assets, like managed funds, while negative gearing can apply to other income-producing assets like shares.

Allis said she believed the changes would kill ambition to start a business and ward off investment from global businesses.

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Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'

Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'

The majority of Australians believe they are being ripped off at the supermarket check out, according to new data.

A Finder survey of more than 1000 people found that 79 per cent of Aussies felt like they were being "ripped off" at the major supermarkets.

Personal finance expert at Finder, Sarah Megginson, said there are growing levels of distrust among consumers.

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Close up of woman shopping groceries in supermarket.

"The majority of Aussies believe they are being ripped off when they buy their groceries," Megginson said.

"When people see supermarket profits reported in the hundreds of millions – or even billions – while they're cutting back on basics because a tub of butter is $7, it creates a perception that something isn't right."

"It's an extraordinary level of distrust for an essential service that every household relies on multiple times a week."

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In April 2026, the average Australian household reported spending $207 a week on groceries, which had increased from $189 in April 2024.

Parents spent more on groceries per week, coming in at $274 compared to $171 for households without children. 

Up to 39 per cent of Australians listed groceries as one of their most stressful expenses in April, followed by rent and mortgage repayments, petrol and energy bills.

Food items on a supermarket shelf

Megginson added that there are ways families can save at the checkout.

"You can't control supermarket pricing, but you can control where and how you shop," she explained.

"Comparing unit prices can be a gamechanger."

supermarket loyalty points

"This means comparing the same size of two products, 100g vs 100g, so you can choose the best value.

"Switching between retailers, buying home brands, shopping the half-price specials strategically and buying in bulk can make a meaningful difference over the course of a year too."

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Fighter jets collide mid-air at US Air Force show

Fighter jets collide mid-air at US Air Force show

Four US Air Force personnel had a miracle escape after their jets collided at an air show at a base in Idaho.

In a string of social media posts, the Mountain Home Air Force Base confirmed the accident at the Gunfighter Skies air show in front of crowds overnight.

Social media vision showed the pair of fighter planes crashing together mid-air before all four people ejected and triggered their parachutes.

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"The aircrew involved in the incident are in a stable condition," one post read.

A fire triggered by the crash was also safely contained, the base confirmed.

The base had been locked down after the incident, but has since been reopened to allow guests to leave.

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The collision involved two US Navy EA18-G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, said Commander Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.

Shane Ogden said he was filming the two jets as they came close together.

A video he captured shows the two aircraft appear to make contact and then spin in tandem as the crew members eject and their parachutes open.

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The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drop to the ground nearby.

"I was just filming thinking they were going to split apart and that happened and I filmed the rest," Ogden said in a text message. He said he left soon after the crash because he did not want to get in the way of emergency responders.

This year's Gunfighter Skies event was the first at the base since 2018, when a hang glider died in a crash during an air show performance.

With Associated Press.

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Suspects on the run as bus crashes after being pelted with rocks

Suspects on the run as bus crashes after being pelted with rocks

Several suspects are still on the run after pelting rocks at a bus on the Gold Coast, causing it to crash into a tree.

The passenger bus, which had a driver and five people on board, was the target of several people on e-bikes who threw rocks at it just before 11.30pm last night on Teemangum Street in Currumbin.

This caused the driver to lose control, and the bus left the road and collided head on with a tree.

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The bus driver lost control after being confronted by several e-bike riders.Police are still searching for the people who threw the rocks at the bus.

None of the passengers were injured, but the female bus driver was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police are investigating the incident and are still searching for the people involved.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has any CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to come forward.

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'Cannot ignore it': Oscar's 50c fare plea is going unanswered

'Cannot ignore it': Oscar's 50c fare plea is going unanswered

It was during a family trip to Queensland that teenager Oscar Perry realised he was paying too much for public transport.

The 16-year-old high school student, who lives on the NSW Central Coast, regularly takes the train to Sydney and around his local area.

While holidaying in the sunshine state, Perry clocked the enviable 50c fare scheme, which was made permanent last year, and asked himself a simple question: Why not trial cheaper fares in NSW too?

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Oscar Perry 50c fares

"I realised how cheap it was and how many more people use public transport there," Perry told Nine.com.au.

"Personally, I spend about $10 or more a week on public transport just going to and from work.

"If I take the train down to Sydney from Gosford, it'll be an extra $10 in total, $5 each way."

A concession Opal card is capped at $25 per week for students.

Adult fares are even more expensive, costing up to $19.30 per day or a cap of $50 per week.

Under a 50c fare rule, you would need to take 50 return trips per week to spend $50.

According to NSW Greens MP Kobi Shetty, who is running her own petition for 50c fares, lowering the price would save full-time workers a $2160 per year.

"Is it too expensive? It's more expensive than Queensland. It's more expensive than Paris or Berlin," Perry said.

"And it could be more affordable."

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Opal card reader transport nsw

The debate around free public transport in NSW reached a fever pitch in mid-March, when the state government refused to follow in Victoria's footsteps in opening the gates or even offering even reduced fares.

At the time, State Treasurer Daniel Mookhey claimed the government wanted to avoid an expensive knee-jerk reaction to the conflict in the Middle East.

Perry doesn't buy this excuse.

He started a petition on Change.org to urge the Minns government to trial 50c fares on the Opal network.

"Queensland has demonstrated what's possible," he said.

"The Minns government already has a template.

"With uncertainty around the price of fuel at the moment and the cost of car ownership increasing significantly, this feels like an opportunity for the NSW government to be forward-looking and make public transport very cheap or free for residents or visitors of NSW."

Queensland's cheap fares come at a $300 million blow to the budget each year.

The NSW government has made it clear it won't accept a similar financial loss – however Perry believes the money would "find its way back into the economy".

The movement has generated significant support, with over 1000 petition signatures and hundreds of followers on Instagram.

But Perry said the NSW government has not shown much interest in his campaign.

"I have already contacted the state government, the response from John Graham felt very dismissive and scripted," Perry explained.

"I am hopeful that as this movement gains momentum and support the government will be more engaged.

"There is a conversation to be had. And if there is enough support the government cannot ignore it."

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50 Cents

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Perry's concerns over the cost-of-living crisis in NSW and beyond are not isolated.

A 13-year-old Adelaide boy named Sebastian Muñoz-Najar has also created a petition calling on the government to urgently fix the housing crisis with reforms.

Muñoz-Najar did the math and realised, at the current rate of growth, the median home will cost $5.5 million by the time he his 40.

It seems Australia's youth are terrified about their future.

"I am worried just considering recent trends with the rising house prices, rising cost of living and the salaries not increasing by a huge amount," Perry added.

"Schemes like this can help residents lower costs and hopefully make NSW more affordable for everyone."

Nine.com.au has contacted the NSW Minister for Transport John Graham for comment.

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Police warn over new scam targeting students after reported losses of more than $400,000

Police warn over new scam targeting students after reported losses of more than $400,000

Police are warning of a new scam targeting the Chinese community, particularly international students, following a recent spate of attacks, with some citing losses of more than $400,000.

The alleged "authority scams" appear to target members of the Chinese community, reportedly posing as Chinese police or authorities before telling the person they are being suspected of committing crimes or being threatened with arrest.

Authorities in Sydney's inner city, south and east have received a spike in scam reports, with victims being told they need to transfer money or cryptocurrency to avoid being arrested.

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Email, payment scam

Victims are being targeted via multiple phone apps, including WeChat.

On May 3, a 22-year-old woman reported a loss of more than $400,000 after saying she was contacted by Chinese police who said she was linked to a "known terrorist".

The woman was then told she would have a warrant for her arrest, and her family would be arrested unless she transferred money.

Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft said scammers "are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way that they target their victims".

"They will use a range of tactics to intimidate victims into acting quickly to make a payment, including threats of arrest."

Police have urged people who believe a potential scammer has contacted them to report it to the National Anti-Scam Centre.

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