The Quicky

We are used to delays in the mail at Christmas, but during the pandemic the backlog of packages has become so unmanageable, Australia Post had to suspend parcel pick-ups for several days to sort it all out, but the problem hasn't gone away. As millions of us continue to work from home and rely on online shopping, the ongoing delays continue to cause frustration for businesses and customers, so why...

With Sydney's four month lockdown finally coming to an end and vaccination rates continuing to rise, many people within the health sector are now turning their attention to how we can treat people with Covid-19, as well as trying to prevent its spread altogether. In anticipation of a sharp increase in case numbers as restrictions ease around the country, the Federal Government has ordered 300,000...

One week ago, the woman who has established herself as one of NSW's most popular politicians ever, Premier Gladys Berejiklian sensationally quit following the news that the State's anti-corruption commission ICAC would be investigating her actions. It all stems back to a number of grants handed out in the Wagga Wagga electorate of her former secret boyfriend, disgraced MP Daryl Maguire, but the qu...

With COVID-19 restrictions set to ease across Australia over the coming weeks, many of us are looking forward to the festive season with hope that we will be able to see our friends and family and enjoy a 'normal' holiday. But whether that will actually happen might depend on where you live in Australia, whether your loved ones are here or overseas, and if you are living with a disability or other...

As vaccination rates continue to rise across the country and more restrictions are lifted, many parents are wondering when they will be able to have their youngest vaccinated, and if it's safe for them to go back to school and reintegrate into society before they do. Pfizer is already trialling its COVID-19 jab on 5 to 11 year olds, and overseas Moderna jabs are being tested on six-month-old babie...

After 16 years in the top job, Chancellor Angela Merkel is stepping down, bringing to an end an era of transformation not only for the people of Germany, but for the entire world. Whether you like her politics or not, there's no denying Merkel has been one of the most influential people for nearly two decades, a woman who isn't afraid to stare down some of the world's toughest political leaders wh...

Following the shock resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday, The Quicky reexamines the issue of why female politicians are subject to far more speculation and interrogation about their private lives than their male counterparts. From salacious headlines and speculation, to an outpouring of support for her online, everyone has an opinion, but what does it actually mean to be a femal...

In recent years the ‘dad bods’ of Hollywood stars and even the guy next door have been praised as something we should consider as sexy as a six pack, so why don’t we have that same passion for mum bods when it’s us who actually give birth? Instead, social media and the tabloids hold up images of women who’ve been able to ‘snap back’ to their pre-baby body...

After three decades of allegations of horrific sexual abuse of underage girls, R Kelly, the man once known as 'the King of RnB' has finally been convicted and could spend the rest of his life in prison. But for many of the victims and onlookers, the question of why it took so long for him to be publicly outed and punished? And why did so many of the music industry's biggest stars continue working...

Wearable tech, including smart watches in particular, are increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives helping to track our movements, sleep, communications and a lot of other data, but have you ever questioned whether or not this is a good thing? The Quicky speaks to self-confessed smart watch obsessive Jessie Stephens, and an expert in these new technologies to find out whether all of this...

As we edge closer to 70% or even 80% double vaccination targets, you might be wondering how we will all come back together in society once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted? In particular many of us are feeling anxious about how to tactfully ask friends, loved ones, colleagues and customers if they have been vaccinated, as it can be a very tricky discussion to have with lots of strong feelings invo...

It's easy to spot overtly racist imagery, policies and behaviour, but what about the everyday micro aggressions that get laughed off as a 'joke' in casual conversations? Do you know how to recognise casual racism, whether it's in yourself or someone else? Perhaps you are on the receiving end of this inappropriate behaviour on a daily basis and know all too well the harm it causes. The Quicky ...

We're constantly being told and sold new ways to make ourselves feel happy, but as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on it is much easier said than done as we continue experience a range of complex emotions. So how can we feel happy when it seems like everything is still crappy? The Quicky  speaks to an expert who has spent their career researching what it means to be happy about how we can really...

Ex-Attorney General Christian Porter has resigned from his role as a Minister and returned to the backbench, but many experts believe he will be back in a position of significant power, and possibly even the top job in the not-too-distant future. But why does it seem like some politicians can weather any storm that comes their way no matter how big the scandal, while others are cast out forever at...

If the people of Melbourne are able to leave their sixth lockdown next month as planned, they will have spent a total of nearly 300 days in lockdown since the pandemic began, more than any other city in the world outside of China. The impact of the ongoing stay-at-home orders has been serious on everyone's mental health, so the big question as we look to the future, is will they ever truly recover...

25 years ago the Spice Girls exploded onto the global pop music scene with their first of many hits  Wannabe , bringing to the world the concept of 'girl power' and a whole lot of fun for their fans. But after all this time, where does the concept of 'girl power' sit in 2021, and what has happened to all those young people who saw themselves represented in Scary, Sporty, Ginger, Baby and Posh...

10 years ago, Charlene Whitstock's life transformed forever when she went from being a professional swimmer in South Africa, to the Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Albert II, but at no point was her story a fairytale. From rumours of her husband's many affairs and children born to other women, to reports that she had her passport confiscated and was essentially forced down the aisle, Prin...

Within a few weeks, Australia will begin trialling our first vaccine passports, following in the footsteps of many other countries where this digital document is already commonly used to gain access to domestic services like hairdressers and restaurants, and international travel. For many people this is the logical next step as we try to find a way to move forward with our lives and 'learn to live...

This week, one of America's most hotly anticipated fraud trials began when the woman once known as the youngest, self-made female billionaire, Elizabeth Holmes entered a courtroom to face the jury who will decide if she spends the next 20 years in jail. At just 19 she founded bio-tech company Theranos in Silicon Valley, where she was frequently referred to as 'the next Steve Jobs' for her plan to...

When someone dies with Covid-19, one question that quickly comes up, is did they have an underlying health condition? It seems we find it easier to accept a person's death if we think they were already very ill or elderly, but is this just a way of excusing these deaths? And how do you know if your own medical conditions make you more vulnerable? The Quicky speaks to a medical expert to find out w...

With all eyes on the pandemic, you might not have noticed that last month our Federal Government passed new laws that mean if you are suspected of a crime, police and other agencies can now hack your smartphone without you even knowing about it. The Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2021 is intended to help combat the growing problem of online criminal activity which s...

It's a sad reality that no matter which industry you're in, if you are a woman who has ever had a job in Australia you've probably witnessed or experienced sexual harassment or assault in the workplace. Last week, hundreds of experts and survivors came together to discuss how we can better protect all women at the National Summit on Women's Safety, but with the Government refusing to implement key...

Twenty years ago, a group of 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial flights in the United States and crashed them into prominent sites including the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, sparking the War on Terror which has claimed at least 900,000 lives. Two decades on, life remains changed forever, for everyone. The Quicky speaks to an Australian woman who worked in a New York City hospital that...

Losing a child at the hands of an online predator is every parent's worst nightmare, which tragically became a reality for one South Australian mum in 2007 when her daughter was brutally murdered by a 50-year-old man pretending to be her teenage love interest. This National Child Protection Week,  The Quicky speaks to that mum about how she now helps other parents spot the warning signs that...

There has been a lot of news recently coming out of the  regional NSW town of Wilcannia, where as many as 15% of the town's population, most of whom are Aboriginal, have contracted Covid-19. This has highlighted the inequalities faced by many Aussies living in remote areas, and has us wondering what is happening in terms of the pandemic when it comes to First Nations Australians more broadly?...