I didn’t like Prophet Song either. The mother character’s inability to do anything kinda bogged the whole story down for me.

Here’s what we know already: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-14/federal-budget-2024-chalmers-tax-cuts-cost-of-living-surplus/103810306

Exactly. That’s why we’re an early morning city. Once the sun is up it’s too hot to do anything.

The elastic strap is a good idea. I have a couple of giant daiso bags that fit like 3 supermarket bags in them. Keeps them together and makes it a ton easier to carry instead of trying to loop 6 different bags through your fingers.

Ha happens to all of us! Maybe 200-101 will be better.

Wow 10.6% still seems really high to me

It was definitely togs in Qld when I was growing up. Might be the old potato cake/scallop debate all over again.

I have to admit to giving up on the Fifth Season as well but I’m going to make another attempt soon!

I have bamboo sheets and they are great for hotter weather. I find them quite cool.

From Australia:

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. Two very different families leave the country for the bright lights of Perth

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. A story about growing up in Brisbane on the rough side of town.

For the Term of his Natural Life by Marcus Clarke. Very readable novel about Australia’s convict history. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. It’s like stratified human civilisation / Roman Empire in Space. First book is very Hunger Games-y but the rest of the series is excellent.

As a result of this, and through careful deliberation, the final proposal for a National Voice is a 24-member model including 5 members representing remote regions, and one member representing the significant number of Torres Strait Islanders living on the mainland. (p. 12)

Members of the Local & Regional Voices within each state and territory would collectively determine National Voice members from their respective jurisdictions. (p. 12)

Members would serve 4-year terms. These terms would be staggered, with half the membership determined every 2 years to ensure continuity. There would be a limit of 2 consecutive terms per member. (p. 108)

• The National Voice would be an advisory body to the Australian Parliament and Government. These relationships would be two-way interactions, with either party able to initiate advice or commence discussion around relevant policy matters... The National Voice would have no power to veto laws made by the Parliament or decisions made by the Australian Government. (p. 109)