At Red Cross we will never give up on the power of people helping people and bringing more good to the world. 

We see good in the resilience of communities in New South Wales and Queensland as people recover from losing their homes and businesses after Cyclone Debbie. 

We see it in the volunteers who helped people cope in Melbourne, in the aftermath of the Bourke Street incident.

We also see it in places such as Indonesia, where access to clean water and better nutrition is helping villagers secure a healthier future for their children. 

This June we’re asking you to bring more good to the world by helping a neighbour, volunteering or even doing a random act of kindness for a stranger.

A donation to Red Cross will also bring more good to the world.

Through our programs, people who are lonely will receive a daily phone call, struggling families will be able to access nutritious food and those separated from loved ones in war can be reunited. 

Make a tax deductible donation to Red Cross before 30 June by visiting redcross.org.au/donatenow.

Wenda Donaldson, director (Victoria), Australian Red Cross

IS YOU dog or cat at risk from rodent poisons? A vet at the University of Adelaide has reported that the number of dogs being poisoned by rat baits quadrupled in May.

Baits use smell to attract rats and mice, and dogs also find this smell irresistible and will eat any baits they find.

While cats are less likely to eat random baits, they can also suffer horrible deaths if they find and eat a poisoned rodent.

Symptoms of poisoning include bleeding in the urine and faeces or from the mouth, nose and any cuts — as well as pale gums, increased respiratory rate and lethargy.

Rat bait contains anti-clotting agents, which mean the pet can bleed to death internally.

If your companion survives, veterinary treatment can involve surgery to release trapped blood, and is lengthy and expensive.

Poisons, glue traps, and other lethal measures are horribly cruel, and killing rodents won’t keep mice or rats away for long and can actually result in a temporary spike in the food supply, causing remaining rodents to accelerate their breeding.

This creates a vicious killing cycle in which many animals will suffer and die needlessly.

To keep your home or business rodent-free over the long term, you’ll need to contain all food sources and prevent mice and rats from accessing areas where they are not wanted. 

Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia

THIS week’s transitional arrangement decision by the Fair Work Commission is a good outcome for Australia’s SME’s.

This is a justified decision, backed by plenty of evidence from the final penalty rates decision report. Finally small business and family enterprise owners will have a chance to compete with big business.

The reduction to Sunday and public holiday penalty rates will commence from July 1, however, the full implementation will take place over three to four years. 

Compensating employees for working weekends is still relevant, but discouraging businesses from trading on Sundays or public holidays by imposing significant penalties is outdated. This gradual implementation will level the playing field for small business. It’s more opportunity to trade seven days of the week, employ more staff and provide more hours to existing employees.

Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman