BBC journalists in England have announced a second 24-hour strike, to run from midnight on 5 May to coincide with the reporting of local election results, in a dispute over cuts to local radio.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the broadcaster’s management want local radio stations to share programmes across the network from 2pm on weekdays and at weekends, going from more than 100 hours of local programming on every station each week down to 40.
The plan will result in a number of job losses and in journalists having to re-apply for their jobs, and the NUJ believes it will “kill off local radio”.
In response, the BBC said it planned to modernise local services and said there would be no overall reduction in staffing levels or local funding.
It will be the second stoppage by members of the NUJ, after a strike on budget day on 15 March. The union has approached the arbitration service Acas to see if it can help resolve the dispute.
Paul Siegert, the NUJ’s national broadcasting organiser, said: “Video didn’t kill off radio and nor will digital. We understand that digital services need to be improved but it shouldn’t come at the expense of local radio, which is at the heart of the BBC’s public service remit.
“To go from over 100 hours a week of local programming on every radio station down to just 40 is unacceptable. People want local, relevant news that is accessible, and NUJ members are prepared to stand up and fight for that.
“Once local radio stops being local then it is the beginning of the end and BBC bosses don’t have the right to destroy an institution that has existed for over 50 years.”
The strike on budget day was followed by a work-to-rule that the union said was having a significant impact.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that the industrial action is taking place. We have a plan to modernise local services across England – including more news journalists and a stronger local online service – which will see no overall reduction in staffing levels or local funding.
“Our goal is a local service across TV, radio and online that delivers even greater value to communities. We will continue to engage with the trade union and do everything possible to minimise the impact on staff.”
News. Rising cost of kids sport. Soccer fanatical twin boys William and Hugo Rees 9yo. Jackson FlindellCredit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian
For many struggling households this season, deciding whether to enrol their future Ronaldo, Fyfe or Federer into junior sport won’t be a choice but a premium.
Local sporting clubs across WA have hiked up fees over the past decade because of increases in insurance costs, council rates and sporting equipment.
Lian Rees is a mother to twin nine-year-old boys and being originally from the UK, it’s no surprise the round-ball sport is a household favourite.
“They love their soccer; Hugo can name all of the players in Europe and we are massive Liverpool fans,” Mrs Rees said.
But this season the Mullaloo family opted to enrol their boys in Aussie rules instead with registration fees of about $230 per child, compared to over $500 for soccer.
Mother Carly Pilton spends over $7000 in junior sport per year on both of her kids.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
It can get quite costly when you multiply that by two, including footy boots.
“We went to the soccer trials and they absolutely loved it but we had to say to the boys ‘unfortunately you’ve got to choose’,” she said.
“Every lunchtime at school they play soccer with their mates. And it’s really hard for the boys as most of their friends play for a club.
“What I do now is put money aside after every pay day ... I think that’s the only way you can do it.”
Long-serving Armadale Soccer Club member Eddie Garrido blames money factors for a drop-off in junior numbers in the past few years.
“The concern for parents is that it is too expensive,” he said. “Everyone asks what the fees are going towards at the club.
“I remember when NPL fees a decade ago were around $600 to $800, now they’ve more than doubled.”
It’s a tune Carly Pilton knows all too well, with two kids including a son who will kick off his under-15 National Premier League season this weekend.
“When Bailey started juniors at a local club level it was around $200 a season,” she said. “But as he progressed into NPL his fees are $1000 this season.
“He also plays futsal, which is $675 per year.
“It can be a bit of a struggle (financially) but we tend to prioritise the kids sports over other things to make it happen for them.
“I wouldn’t do it if he didn’t show any potential in that area. He wants to pursue it as a possible career path and we’ll try our best as parents to help him get there.”
Mrs Pilton’s 12-year-old daughter also trains and competes in gymnastics at a State level.
That’s $189 per fortnight in addition to leotard and competition fees of around $300 a year.
Her daughter is also trying netball for the first time this year at $290 per season.
Northen Beach Cycling Club junior members making their way around a bend at a session at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
But local sporting clubs too have their own financial woes.
Northern Beaches Cycling Club president Chris Howard said the biggest cost with junior bike racing had been venue hires, with clubs spending up to $3000 on site hire or traffic management plans for street racing.
Clubs earn these fees typically from race entry charges.
In 2017, the cycling club failed to field a junior squad due to spiralling costs and the lack of safe facilities available locally to train kids.
“We are now able to run affordable events and are currently rebuilding our youth squad from scratch,” Mr Howard said.
Mia Davison (11) inspecting her bike before a ride.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
One of them includes 11-year-old Mia Davison, who said her interest in the sport grew after Splendid Park opened late last year.
Last Sunday Mia was crowned the under-13s women’s State criterium champion in Yanchep.
“I think cycling has been really good for me because it gets my worries away and I have a great time when I am on my bike,” she said.
Mum Tracy Davison said there was a lot to consider when it came to Mia after paying more than $300 for her seven-year-old son’s soccer registration fees for the upcoming season.
“I must admit, we haven’t put too much money into Mia’s cycling ... as to be honest, the races are quite cheap,” Mrs Davison said.
Tracy Davison with daughter Mia at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
This includes an $85 fee for insurance, while race day at Splendid Park costs between $5 and $15.
Thanks to hard working volunteers and the brand new facility, the club is keeping costs affordable, including running training sessions for free.
Mia has also also been fortunate enough to acquire one of the club’s bikes on a loan basis so she didn’t have to buy her own set of wheels, which can mount into the thousands.
“We encourage kids to rock up on any bike they’ve got to start with and to make sure they are enjoying themselves,” Mr Howard said.
“And if they decide to get into the sport further down the track, we’ll then support the family in finding the right bike for them.”
Northen Beach Cycling Club junior members enjoying a session at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
Mr Howard said local sporting clubs were “acutely aware” of how tough households were doing financially, especially when trying to cover mortgage and grocery increases.
“The club committee decided that we couldn’t and shouldn’t rely upon member fees as a source of revenue,” he said.
“The old-fashioned meat raffle is our main source of revenue to help run events and subsidise junior sport.
“We offer 50 per cent discounts on race entries for families with two or more kids and free entry if parents are willing to volunteer some time helping at the registration desk or marshalling.”
Madelyn Wallace, Kara O’Donoghue, Amelia Moustafa, Scarlett Gaskell, Ruby Hall, Siahna Koteka, Aya Moustafa and Piper Viegas at HBF Arena.Credit: Mason Anderson/Wanneroo Basketball Association
Joondalup Lakers Basketball Club has had to change the way it has operated to keep costs down for families and to attract new members.
“We decided to proactively source other forms of revenue such as sponsorships from local business, private individuals, local government donations, chocolate fundraising and good old sausage sizzles,” a club spokesperson said.
“All funds raised by the club through fees and fundraising are put back into the juniors by way of up-to-date equipment, team singlets, trophies, coaching support and annual wind-ups.”
Fees this season add up to $319, with $214 going to the Wanneroo Basketball Association and $105 to the club itself.
Scarlett Gaskell and Ruby Hall at HBF Arena.Credit: Mason Anderson/Wanneroo Basketball Association
Mr Garrido encouraged parents to approach sporting clubs to find out what the fees were and what the club could do for them financially.
“Every year we walk around parks when we are having a training session and we see kids kicking the ball next to us and we can see they’ve got some talents,” he said.
“If they can’t afford the fees or to buy anything, the club’s got boxes full of second-hand boots they can give to the kids or even if they want to go training, the club’s not going to say no to you having a run.”
Oscar Wise and Matheus Laidler waiting patiently for their turn.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
Mrs Davison said with a huge focus on electronic devices and kids being inside these days, it was important hers went outside and played.
“I think everyone wants what’s best for their children and if they really put their heart and soul into something, you don’t mind plugging into that,” Mrs Davison said.
Over the past 12 months the State Government injected $3.4 million into KidSport vouchers that went to more than 23,600 kids to “reduce cost-of-living pressures for low-income families”.
The scheme encourages children aged five to 18 to take part in community sport and swimming lessons by offering up to $150 per year calendar year towards club fees.
Of a sample of WA sports, the uptake has been greatest in basketball, netball and soccer, while go-karting, squash and golf had significantly fewer voucher recipients.
Junior members at a Silver Majestics Netball Club training at the Belmont Netball Association courts in Rivervale. Ages range from 5-10 years.Credit: Gemma Dangerfield/Belmont Netball Association
When it came down to grants provided to community groups to develop basic infrastructure, soccer was again a winner with more than $3m allocated across 14 different grants, while hockey enjoyed just over half a million dollars.
There is $12.5m available for allocation in the 2022-23 funding round.
News. Rising cost of kids sport. Soccer fanatical twin boys William and Hugo Rees 9yo. Jackson FlindellCredit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian
For many struggling households this season, deciding whether to enrol their future Ronaldo, Fyfe or Federer into junior sport won’t be a choice but a premium.
Local sporting clubs across WA have hiked up fees over the past decade because of increases in insurance costs, council rates and sporting equipment.
Lian Rees is a mother to twin nine-year-old boys and being originally from the UK, it’s no surprise the round-ball sport is a household favourite.
“They love their soccer; Hugo can name all of the players in Europe and we are massive Liverpool fans,” Mrs Rees said.
But this season the Mullaloo family opted to enrol their boys in Aussie rules instead with registration fees of about $230 per child, compared to over $500 for soccer.
Mother Carly Pilton spends over $7000 in junior sport per year on both of her kids.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
It can get quite costly when you multiply that by two, including footy boots.
“We went to the soccer trials and they absolutely loved it but we had to say to the boys ‘unfortunately you’ve got to choose’,” she said.
“Every lunchtime at school they play soccer with their mates. And it’s really hard for the boys as most of their friends play for a club.
“What I do now is put money aside after every pay day ... I think that’s the only way you can do it.”
Long-serving Armadale Soccer Club member Eddie Garrido blames money factors for a drop-off in junior numbers in the past few years.
“The concern for parents is that it is too expensive,” he said. “Everyone asks what the fees are going towards at the club.
“I remember when NPL fees a decade ago were around $600 to $800, now they’ve more than doubled.”
It’s a tune Carly Pilton knows all too well, with two kids including a son who will kick off his under-15 National Premier League season this weekend.
“When Bailey started juniors at a local club level it was around $200 a season,” she said. “But as he progressed into NPL his fees are $1000 this season.
“He also plays futsal, which is $675 per year.
“It can be a bit of a struggle (financially) but we tend to prioritise the kids sports over other things to make it happen for them.
“I wouldn’t do it if he didn’t show any potential in that area. He wants to pursue it as a possible career path and we’ll try our best as parents to help him get there.”
Mrs Pilton’s 12-year-old daughter also trains and competes in gymnastics at a State level.
That’s $189 per fortnight in addition to leotard and competition fees of around $300 a year.
Her daughter is also trying netball for the first time this year at $290 per season.
Northen Beach Cycling Club junior members making their way around a bend at a session at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
But local sporting clubs too have their own financial woes.
Northern Beaches Cycling Club president Chris Howard said the biggest cost with junior bike racing had been venue hires, with clubs spending up to $3000 on site hire or traffic management plans for street racing.
Clubs earn these fees typically from race entry charges.
In 2017, the cycling club failed to field a junior squad due to spiralling costs and the lack of safe facilities available locally to train kids.
“We are now able to run affordable events and are currently rebuilding our youth squad from scratch,” Mr Howard said.
Mia Davison (11) inspecting her bike before a ride.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
One of them includes 11-year-old Mia Davison, who said her interest in the sport grew after Splendid Park opened late last year.
Last Sunday Mia was crowned the under-13s women’s State criterium champion in Yanchep.
“I think cycling has been really good for me because it gets my worries away and I have a great time when I am on my bike,” she said.
Mum Tracy Davison said there was a lot to consider when it came to Mia after paying more than $300 for her seven-year-old son’s soccer registration fees for the upcoming season.
“I must admit, we haven’t put too much money into Mia’s cycling ... as to be honest, the races are quite cheap,” Mrs Davison said.
Tracy Davison with daughter Mia at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
This includes an $85 fee for insurance, while race day at Splendid Park costs between $5 and $15.
Thanks to hard working volunteers and the brand new facility, the club is keeping costs affordable, including running training sessions for free.
Mia has also also been fortunate enough to acquire one of the club’s bikes on a loan basis so she didn’t have to buy her own set of wheels, which can mount into the thousands.
“We encourage kids to rock up on any bike they’ve got to start with and to make sure they are enjoying themselves,” Mr Howard said.
“And if they decide to get into the sport further down the track, we’ll then support the family in finding the right bike for them.”
Northen Beach Cycling Club junior members enjoying a session at Splendid Park, Yanchep.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
Mr Howard said local sporting clubs were “acutely aware” of how tough households were doing financially, especially when trying to cover mortgage and grocery increases.
“The club committee decided that we couldn’t and shouldn’t rely upon member fees as a source of revenue,” he said.
“The old-fashioned meat raffle is our main source of revenue to help run events and subsidise junior sport.
“We offer 50 per cent discounts on race entries for families with two or more kids and free entry if parents are willing to volunteer some time helping at the registration desk or marshalling.”
Madelyn Wallace, Kara O’Donoghue, Amelia Moustafa, Scarlett Gaskell, Ruby Hall, Siahna Koteka, Aya Moustafa and Piper Viegas at HBF Arena.Credit: Mason Anderson/Wanneroo Basketball Association
Joondalup Lakers Basketball Club has had to change the way it has operated to keep costs down for families and to attract new members.
“We decided to proactively source other forms of revenue such as sponsorships from local business, private individuals, local government donations, chocolate fundraising and good old sausage sizzles,” a club spokesperson said.
“All funds raised by the club through fees and fundraising are put back into the juniors by way of up-to-date equipment, team singlets, trophies, coaching support and annual wind-ups.”
Fees this season add up to $319, with $214 going to the Wanneroo Basketball Association and $105 to the club itself.
Scarlett Gaskell and Ruby Hall at HBF Arena.Credit: Mason Anderson/Wanneroo Basketball Association
Mr Garrido encouraged parents to approach sporting clubs to find out what the fees were and what the club could do for them financially.
“Every year we walk around parks when we are having a training session and we see kids kicking the ball next to us and we can see they’ve got some talents,” he said.
“If they can’t afford the fees or to buy anything, the club’s got boxes full of second-hand boots they can give to the kids or even if they want to go training, the club’s not going to say no to you having a run.”
Oscar Wise and Matheus Laidler waiting patiently for their turn.Credit: Christopher Tan/PerthNow
Mrs Davison said with a huge focus on electronic devices and kids being inside these days, it was important hers went outside and played.
“I think everyone wants what’s best for their children and if they really put their heart and soul into something, you don’t mind plugging into that,” Mrs Davison said.
Over the past 12 months the State Government injected $3.4 million into KidSport vouchers that went to more than 23,600 kids to “reduce cost-of-living pressures for low-income families”.
The scheme encourages children aged five to 18 to take part in community sport and swimming lessons by offering up to $150 per year calendar year towards club fees.
Of a sample of WA sports, the uptake has been greatest in basketball, netball and soccer, while go-karting, squash and golf had significantly fewer voucher recipients.
Junior members at a Silver Majestics Netball Club training at the Belmont Netball Association courts in Rivervale. Ages range from 5-10 years.Credit: Gemma Dangerfield/Belmont Netball Association
When it came down to grants provided to community groups to develop basic infrastructure, soccer was again a winner with more than $3m allocated across 14 different grants, while hockey enjoyed just over half a million dollars.
There is $12.5m available for allocation in the 2022-23 funding round.
The bosses of the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac say the local industry can withstand the recent turmoil on overseas banking markets, but they caution that funding markets are on edge and rising interest rates remain a key risk.
After a crisis of confidence in offshore banking markets in the past fortnight, Commonwealth Bank’s Matt Comyn and Westpac’s Peter King on Tuesday sought to highlight the big’s four banks’ large capital buffers, strong holdings of liquid assets, and solid funding position.
CBA chief executive Matt Comyn says Australia’s banks are in an “extremely strong position”.Credit:Peter Rae
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) chairman John Lonsdale also emphasised the industry’s resilience, as the watchdog’s latest stress tests found local banks could handle a severe recession while keeping their capital intact.
APRA’s stress test analysed how banks handled a hypothetical recession in which unemployment more than doubled to 11 per cent and house prices plunged 43 per cent, sparking downgrades in the credit ratings of the federal government and the major banks.
Under the scenario, APRA also assumed overseas funding markets temporarily closed, and the Australian dollar fell sharply.
Lonsdale emphasised this was not APRA’s forecast, but said the exercise found Australia’s 10 largest banks made heavy losses on loans, but kept their capital above minimum requirements in these scenarios, even as bank profits plunged. The exercise also found deposits remained safe.
This month’s shock collapse of Silicon Valley Bank following a run on its deposits, and the forced rescue of Credit Suisse after it also started bleeding deposits, has put the spotlight on banks’ liquidity: having enough cash or cash equivalent to pay depositors.
Speaking at The Australian Financial Review’s banking summit in Sydney, King said Westpac had about $180 billion in liquidity, compared with $45 billion in 2008 when the global financial happened.
Analysts have said one direct impact on Australian banks from the recent tumult could be higher costs of wholesale borrowing, but King said domestic banks were not under pressure to quickly raise wholesale money.
“Wholesale markets are a little bit fraught at the moment but because we’re all well advanced on our funding programs for this year we can sit it out,” King said. “It’s going to feel strange for me to say this, but things are working pretty well domestically for us.”
‘It’s going to feel strange for me to say this, but things are working pretty well domestically for us.’
Westpac boss Peter King
Comyn also noted the increase in funding costs, saying funding spreads were about 20 to 50 basis points wider. But he also highlighted the strength of the local sector, saying the big four banks were all in the top five best-capitalised banks in the world.
“I think the Australian banking system, and credit to the policy frameworks as well, [is] in an extremely strong position, I would say uniquely, globally,” Comyn said.
While Comyn and King emphasised the banking sector’s resilience in the face of recent market jitters, they also reiterated the banks were preparing for higher levels of customer stress as a result of higher interest rates.
Westpac is expecting one more rate rise from the RBA, and King said the banking giant was looking for customers who might need financial help to cope with higher rates. He said customers with high levels of debt relative to income were at higher risk, and the bank expected more delinquencies among these borrowers.
“The part of the portfolio we’re watching very closely is high debt-to-income – so they’re the people that have borrowed, probably at their maximum capacities. If things haven’t played out as they expected, they might need help.”
CBA also expects one more interest rate rise, subject to Wednesday’s figures on inflation. Comyn said CBA was more wary towards industries including construction, commercial property and aged care. He said the bank did not expect a “rapid deterioration” in the economy, but more households would come under pressure over the year as interest rate rises flowed through.
“Everything that we can see at the moment, we think it’s entirely manageable, there will be some pockets of difficulty and stress, but absolutely we’re very focused on our long-term goals,” Comyn said.
