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• 12^th Feb 12:40 AM AEDT

  ATAGI recommends 3 Jabs of COVID-19 boosters for Aussies aged 16 and above

  

  Image source – © Erdosain | Megapixl.com

  The Australian medical advisory body - ATAGI has recommended moving away from the term “fully vaccinated” and has put forward new guidelines for the young Aussies aged 16 years and above.

  As per ATAGI’s new guidelines for people who are 16-year-old and above, three jabs are considered “up to date” with vaccines for the young Aussies who will soon receive their COVID-19 doses. 

  According to ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation), the new guidelines will serve as the basis for policies in a domestic context for the public health management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  The new guidelines say that everyone aged 16 or above will be considered “overdue” for a booster shot six months after receiving their second jab. However, the vaccine can still be given safely and effectively in the event of over six months.

  Meanwhile, the Australian Federal Government has also given light to ATAGI’s recommendation as it has secured over 151 million booster doses for over the next 12 months. 

  While severely immunocompromised people aged five years and older will require a third primary dose, children will be considered “up to date” without a booster.

  However, as per ATAGI, everyone aged 16 or above should receive a booster dose three months after their introductory course. This will provide the best protection with an up-to-date status.

   

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• 12^th Feb 12:39 AM AEDT

  Vale SA's Q4 iron ore production tumbles on bad weather conditions

  

  Source: © Milslav78 | Megapixl.com

  Brazilian iron ore miner, Vale SA has released its fourth-quarter ending results on Thursday. The miner has reported a drop of 2.4% in its overall iron ore production.

  • Vale’s quarterly iron ore production reached 82.47Mt, nearly 7.8% down from the third quarter.
  • The company's total iron ore production for 2021 stood at 315.61Mt, about 5.1% up on a yearly basis.
  • In October, the miner decided to lower its production of low-margin iron ore in the fourth quarter by about 4 million tonnes due to lower prices.
  • The total nickel production for the quarter landed at 48,000 tonnes, down 5.5% relative to the previous year.
  • Additionally, the total copper production during the quarter also decreased by 17.1 % to 77,500 tonnes.
  • The operations at Vale’s site were affected by heavy rains in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in early January.

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• 12^th Feb 12:38 AM AEDT

  What is pushing meat price gain in Australia?

  

  Image source: © Monkeybusinessimages | Megapixl.com

  Australia’s meat industry marketing and research body, Meat and Livestock Australia, reported a rise of 10% per kg in retail prices of meat compared to its prices at this time last year.

  Meat and Livestock Australia strategist Scott Cameron said that the push in meat prices is due to the climatic conditions of Australia. Scott said that the meat industry experienced excellent growing conditions followed by a couple of drought years which caused the liquidation of the herd.

  Moreover, some producers have decided to hold on to their cattle to grow their herd over the past couple of years. As a result, there is a supply crunch which affects prices.

  According to Scott, another significant factor that pushed meat prices is the increasing transportation cost and shortage of labour. However, Scott mentioned that the disruption in the supply and demand chain was the bigger problem. 

  South Perth-based butcher shop Plantagenet Meats owner Josh Liebeck said he had to quote higher prices even after operating from Western Australia’s cattle country hub. Josh said that he sold beef sausages for AU$10.99 per kg 18 months back. However, currently, he is selling them for AU$15.99 per kg.

  Consumers are having a tough time digesting the sudden surge in meat prices. On the other hand, the beef producers are enjoying the unexpected windfall in the meat industry now.

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• 12^th Feb 12:37 AM AEDT

  Men more likely to be paid higher than women in Australia, reveals study

  

  Image Source: © Ginasanders| Megapixl.com

  New data released by Workplace Gender Equality Agency has revealed that, though gender equality has made slight headway in Australia, women still earn AU$25.8K less, on average, as compared to men. 

  The study indicates that men are now twice as likely to earn over AU$120,000 per year than women.

  The overall gender pay gap continued its downward trend for the financial year 2020-21, pegged at 22.8%, meaning that for every AU$10 a man earned, a woman made about AU$7.72.

  The latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency data also revealed:

  • Women comprised more than 41% - or 2 in 5 - of all managers (up from 36% in 2013).
  • Women account for less than 1 in 5 CEOs or board chairs and 1 in 3 board members.
  • Over 85% of Australian employers still pay men more than women on average.
  • Three in every five employers are now offering paid parental leave.

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• 12^th Feb 12:37 AM AEDT

  Men more likely to be paid higher than women in Australia, reveals study

  

  Image Source: © Ginasanders| Megapixl.com

  New data released by Workplace Gender Equality Agency has revealed that, though gender equality has made slight headway in Australia, women still earn AU$25.8K less, on average, as compared to men. 

  The study indicates that men are now twice as likely to earn over AU$120,000 per year than women.

  The overall gender pay gap continued its downward trend for the financial year 2020-21, pegged at 22.8%, meaning that for every AU$10 a man earned, a woman made about AU$7.72.

  The latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency data also revealed:

  • Women comprised more than 41% - or 2 in 5 - of all managers (up from 36% in 2013).
  • Women account for less than 1 in 5 CEOs or board chairs and 1 in 3 board members.
  • Over 85% of Australian employers still pay men more than women on average.
  • Three in every five employers are now offering paid parental leave.

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