In the year 2079, we might have the technology to inject today’s news directly into our noggins. However, we just don’t have the tech yet, and our scientists are hopefully fighting the climate crisis instead of working on such buffoonery. So, while we wait for a future that may never happen, here are today’s biggest headlines:
NSW Nurses Are Striking Today
As previously reported by The Latch, NSW nurses stated that they’d strike on September 1, and they’ve stuck to their word.
“Our members are frustrated more than anything else because their concerns for patient safety have not been heard,” explained Nurses and Midwives’ General Secretary, Shaye Candish. “And their professional perspectives and pleas for short and longer-term safe staffing solutions are not being acknowledged.”
Candish additionally noted, “We asked for one extra nurse every evening and night shift in remote sites, and the government has said no to this request.” These nurses are striking for between two and 24 hours.
Wow: House Prices Do a 39-Year Drop
According to CoreLogic, the value of Aussie homes fell by 1.6% in August. This national slump is a huge deal, and it’s the largest monthly drop that’s happened since 1983.
“It’s just a sign of how extraordinary the increases in interest rates have been, as well as buyers being dissuaded because of higher cost of living and lower consumer sentiment,” said CoreLogic’s Eliza Owen to the ABC.
However, Owen felt it was important to add a bit of context to this statistic. She stated, “It’s also important to remember that this was an extremely large upswing in property values that increased by about 28% over the course of two years.”
Australia Has a New Fire Danger Ratings System
While we are now in spring, some Aussie areas are also now in the Bush Fire Danger Period. But with this change in seasons comes a change in our Fire Danger Rating System.
“The existing six ratings are being replaced with four – Moderate, High, Extreme, and Catastrophic – so that the community can better understand the risks and make potentially life-saving decisions,” announced NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Steph Cooke.
What’s more, Cooke said, “The new system of ratings was developed using community research and updated fire behaviour science, which until now, has remained unchanged for more than 50 years.” You can learn more about the changes to our Fire Danger Rating System here.
Spring Is Here, But the Wet Weather Stays
If you’re wanting to retire your overused umbrella or gumboots, then you might be out of luck. For the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has declared, “September to November rainfall is likely to be above median for most of the eastern half of Australia.” This region encompasses NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania.
Nevertheless, note how the BOM used the word “most.” This is because they then went on to assert that between September and November, western Tasmania and the south-west of Western Australia will both probably receive less rainfall than usual.
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