A staggering 3.7 million Australian households have reported struggling to put food on the table in the last 12 months, a new report has revealed.
The sobering statistics were shared by AtWork Australia, which also noted between August 2022 and February 2023, with inflation at a 33-year high, 53 per cent of Australians struggled to afford basic needs like food and shelter.
AtWork Australia – an employment services provider – reported a significant increase in Australians requiring their services as the cost-of-living crisis persists.
Challenges facing their clients have included employees needing to take on additional hours to make ends meet and a "noticeable" slowdown in recruitment.
Many of those who are need to tap into these services recently are doing so for the first time.
NSW woman Klara recently used the services provided by AtWork Australia and Dress for Success, after she struggled to find employment following past abuse.
The 58-year-old woman was able to find a job through their help. "atWork Australia provided me with the guidance and resources I needed to find a job that fits my skills and aspirations. I am now working as a cleaner, at multiple sites, and I absolutely love it," she said.
"atWork Australia also connected me with Dress for Success where I was supported and provided with quality pre-loved clothing, styling and presentation skills for job interviews."
Will Hawes from Will2Live, which provides accommodation support and resources for families, single parents and those facing homelessness, said there has been an uptick in demand for his services.
Meanwhile, Australian food rescue organisation OzHarvest reports 75 per cent of the charities it supports experienced an increase in demand in the last six months.
"The cost-of-living crisis is pushing so many people to the edge," OzHarvest Partnerships Executive Julia Grove said.
"Our charities are telling us that people from all corners of the community are seeking help, many for the first time. If you are in need of food relief, please know you are not alone."
OzHarvest delivers around 500,000 meals a week to Australian families.
It comes less than a year after Foodbank's annual hunger report revealed Australia was in the midst of a food security crisis.
The report found that the biggest driver of food insecurity was the cost-of-living crisis, with 77 per cent of households saying this was the "main reason".
A 2000-kilometre band of thunderstorms was seen stretching over the Northern Territory and South Australia yesterday, putting the entire east coast once again on flood…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/people-ride-bikes-in-front-of-an-old-yellow-building-right-someone-sits-in-a-hotel-lobby-reading-by-the-fireplace.png?id=53726545&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=192%2C0%2C0%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>When you think of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-hotel-best-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canada's premier luxury hotels</a>, you probably don't picture an archeological site teeming with artifacts that date back to the 1600s. But that's the best way to describe Auberge Saint-Antoine, which was just named one of the<a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/best-hotels-in-canada-ranking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> best hotels in Canada</a> by the U.K. edition of Condé Nast Traveller.</p><p>Located in Quebec City’s Old Port, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec/quebec-citys-auberge-saintantoine-was-just-ranked-the-best-hotel-in-quebec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auberge Saint-Antoine</a> consists of three historic buildings on the banks of the Saint-Lawrence River. The property, known as Îlot Hunt, was originally used as wharf, a cannon battery and a trade centre for British merchants.</p><p>Today, it's home to 95 lavish guest rooms and suites, a spa, a gym, an award-winning restaurant, and a bar — all of which are designed to highlight historical artifacts found on the site during excavation digs. This means that, like <a href="https://tasteandtravelmagazine.com/2018/04/auberge-saint-antoine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taste & Travel Magazine</a> writer Anne DesBrisay, you might find yourself sipping on a cocktail whilst seated next to a 260-year-old cannonball.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DKc_1uzar/?img_index=3" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DKc_1uzar/?img_index=3" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>"Auberge Saint-Antoine is half hotel, half museum, a unique blend of a boutique hotel and an old-fashioned bed and breakfast, three centuries-old buildings," writes the <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/ca/en/hotels-stays/quebec-city/auberge-saintantoine-6308?arr=2024-11-04&dep=2024-11-05" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelin Guide on its website</a>, which has awarded Auberge Saint-Antoine with <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-hotels-michelin-guide-keys-best-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two Michelin Keys</a>, signifying that it's an exceptional stay by Michelin's standards. </p><p>"Privacy is the key word here — this is a small and intimate hotel, perfect for a romantic getaway. Some of the rooms have private terraces, and almost all have inspiring views onto the river. Suites are especially spacious and sleek, some with kitchenettes, in case you want to hole up."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7F1_OFsf9x/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=dbe0b8fd-d16f-4869-85d5-5e437f7225c7" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7F1_OFsf9x/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=dbe0b8fd-d16f-4869-85d5-5e437f7225c7" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Michelin notes that despite the historic atmosphere, the inn has all the modern conveniences of a contemporary hotel, including high-speed internet, Bose sound systems and heated bathroom floors.</p><p>If you're a history buff or simply looking for unique accommodations for your next romantic getaway, Auberge Saint-Antoine might be just the place. It's about a three-hour drive from Montreal and prices start at around $255 per night before taxes, according to Michelin.</p><p>The best part is it's just steps away from all that Quebec City's old town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — has to offer. For instance, snapping a pic at the the world’s most photographed hotel aka the Château Frontenac, visiting the Plains of Abraham, sliding down a century-old toboggan run or strolling along the European-esque cobblestone streets, lined with charming boutiques and cafés (don't sleep on the macarons). </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJaE08MGdt/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJaE08MGdt/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Here's the full list of Condé Nast U.K.'s "The best hotels in Canada: 2024 Readers' Choice Awards," starting with the spot that earned the highest score.</p><ol><li>1 Hotel – Toronto, Ontario</li><li>The Hazelton Hotel – Toronto, Ontario<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li>Fairmont Royal York – Toronto, Ontario<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li>The Royal Hotel – Picton, Ontario</li><li>Oak Bay Beach Hotel – Victoria, British Columbia<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li>Auberge Saint-Antoine – Quebec City, Quebec<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li>The Westin Bayshore – Vancouver, British Columbia<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li>Shangri-La – Toronto, Ontario</li><li>Fairmont Pacific Rim – Vancouver, British Columbia<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li> JW Marriott Parq Vancouver – Vancouver, British Columbia<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li></ol><p>You can find more information, including specific scores, on the <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-hotels-resorts-canada-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Condé Nast Traveller website</a>.</p><h3>Auberge Saint-Antoine</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5g8tL5spRa/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ad89aa56-3588-4d2c-ab4f-0d75c6e2c10c" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5g8tL5spRa/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ad89aa56-3588-4d2c-ab4f-0d75c6e2c10c" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: Around $255 per night before taxes, according to Michelin.</p><p>Address: 8, rue Saint Antoine, Quebec City, QC</p><p><a href="https://www.saint-antoine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auberge Saint-Antoine Website</a></p><p><em>Before you get going, check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/responsible-travel-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Responsible Travel Guide</a> so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.</em></p><p><em>These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.</em></p>
