Sunshine Coast now linked to two major Asian destinations

The Sunshine Coast now has air links to two major Asian destinations: Bali and Singapore.

Sunshine Coast Airport today welcomed its first international service to Singapore via Bali.

The new Jetstar service will operate three times per week. 

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Chris Mills said more than 200 passengers boarded the inaugural flight heading off to Bali.

“Today is a proud moment for our airport and our community," Mills said.

“Direct services to Bali and through to Singapore strengthens our region’s accessibility and helps unlock new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.

“The new service represents significant planning and investment in our airport to make sure it continues to grow alongside our region.

“We’re delighted to partner with Jetstar to deliver this service and look forward to welcoming more visitors to experience everything our region has to offer.” Mr Mills said.

Jetstar’s head of network fleet strategy and planning, Ted Knight, said the airline was proud to be leading the way in opening new international connections for the Sunshine Coast.

“Asia is closer than ever for Sunshine Coast residents and visitors with today’s inaugural service from Maroochydore to Bali and Singapore," Knight said.

“We’ll be offering more than 70,000 low-cost seats a year on this route so our customers can afford to take off more for less to Bali or continue to Singapore and beyond."

Jetstar currently operates direct services from Sunshine Coast Airport to Auckland, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns, making it the airport’s largest carrier.

Jetstar is offering one-way sale fares from the Sunshine Coast to Bali from $209 and from Sunshine Coast to Singapore from $249. See jetstar.com.

Singapore Airlines goes large on new Western Sydney International Airport

 

Singapore Airlines will launch daily non-stop flights between Singapore and the new Western Sydney International Airport from November 23.

The airline will operate its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, which features 303 seats in two cabin classes: 40 in business class and 263 in economy class, subject to regulatory approval..

The inaugural flight, SQ201, is scheduled to depart Singapore at 11:30am on November 23 and arrive at 22:20pm. The return flight, SQ202, is scheduled to depart Western Sydney International Airport on the same day at 23:55pm and arrive in Singapore at 05:05am the next morning.

Combined with SIA’s four-times-daily services to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, the Airline will operate five daily flights to Sydney: Australia’s financial hub.

With the addition of Western Sydney International, SIA will serve eight destinations in Australia. Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, serves three destinations in Australia.

“Singapore Airlines’ services to Australia’s newest gateway at Western Sydney will deliver more choice and strengthen connectivity to this popular destination for our customers," says Dai Haoyu, senior vice president for marketing and planning.

"Western Sydney’s late-night departure capacity will enable a seamless travel journey and connections through Singapore Changi Airport, to more than 130 global destinations served by the SIA Group.”

Simon Hickey, CEO of WSI, said: “Western Sydney International Airport is thrilled to be partnering with Singapore Airlines, bringing more of its Skytrax certified 5-Star service to the people of Greater Sydney.

"Our 24-hour capacity, coupled with Singapore Airlines’ extensive global connectivity, will open our city to the world in new and exciting ways. From Sydney to Singapore and beyond, we are pleased to help herald this new era of aviation that will ultimately give Australian travellers more choice and flexibility on when, where, and how they choose to fly.”

Tickets are on sale from today.

Drink well; help the environment during April

Yalumba's Y Series wine range, drinks retailer Endeavour Group, and 4 Pines Brewing Co will combine to celebrate World Earth Day on April 22. 

The trio will aim to transform everyday purchases into making a tangible national impact on the environment. 

The Our Power, Our Planet campaign will see every purchase of 4 Pines Pacific Ale cans or Y Series wines directly fund the planting of native flora and the restoration of vital bushland across the country.

Dan Holland, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Endeavour Group, outlined said that Earth Month across April serves as a powerful reminder of the collective action needed to protect the planet. 

“At Endeavour Group, we believe that when our customers, trade partners and our team act together, we can make a difference with even a day-to-day choice of which drinks to enjoy,” he said.

Throughout April, 4 Pines Brewing Co. has committed to planting one native tree, shrub, or groundcover for every carton of 4 Pines Pacific Ale sold. This initiative contributes to a multi-year partnership with Landcare Australia. 

Simultaneously, Y Series is ramping up its conservation efforts. It is pledging to regenerate 10,000

square metres of koala habitat from proceeds raised throughout April in partnership with Greenfleet.

"Through our Y Series Earth Month campaign, we aim to make a tangible and positive impact on the environment by planting vegetation in areas that need it most," says winemaker Sam Wigan.

"Sustainable practices go beyond our winemaking. It’s about our community, its people and future 

generations.”

Recent Y Series releases ($15-16) include Y Series Lighter Cuvée, Y Series Pinot Grigio 2025, Y Series Lighter Pinot Grigio 2025, Y Series Riesling 2025, Y Series Chardonnay 2025 and Y Series Lighter Shiraz 2024.

I’m working through the wines right now: the chardonnay is very good value and pinot grigio is fine. The lighter shiraz and pinot grigio didn’t work for me. They tasted like they’d been diluted with water. 

Products can be purchased during April at any Dan Murphy’s or BWS outlet, or via their online stores. 

New wine deal with Europe will see an end to Australians exporting "prosecco"

A new Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement will see the removal of tariffs on Australian wine exports to EU member states - but will mark the end of exporting Australian wines labelled as Prosecco. 

Australian wine exported to the European Union will not be subjected to tariffs upon entry, resulting in an expected saving of $14.5 million per year, a deal welcomed by umbrella body Australian Grape & Wine (AGW).

But the deal means the EU's position that prosecco is a protected trade mark means Australian sparkling wines will have to use a new name for their product in those markets. 

I recommended the adoption of OzSecco, or AusSecco, a couple of years ago but the wine industry is very slow to pivot. 

AGW said today: "The industry position is that prosecco is a grape variety, in the same way that shiraz or chardonnay is, and they shouldn’t have to change the name of it; consumers know what it is. etc."

The body says it has “welcomed key elements of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, including the removal of tariffs on Australian wine exports to EU member states” while highlighting the “significant implications” the agreement will have for producers exporting Australian prosecco.

The CEO of AGW, Lee McLean, said that the tariff outcome was a “commercially meaningful result for the sector”.

“The removal of tariffs on Australian wine entering the EU is good news for our exporters and for the long-term competitiveness of Australian wine in a major global market."

Australian prosecco producers will retain the right to call their wines prosecco in the domestic market but will no longer be able to export Australian wine labelled prosecco to Europe, following a 10-year phase out period.

“We continue to maintain that prosecco is a grape variety and that efforts to restrict its use are nothing more than protectionist measures used to distort trade to the advantage of EU producers," McLean said. 

"This is clearly a blow for those Australian producers who currently export Australian prosecco, who will need to transition away from using that term for export markets."

Cocktails on a budget; and giant steaks to share

Calling lovers of affordable cocktails, and big slabs of red meat.

At a time when budgets are stretched, Potts Point eatery Le Frérot has just launched two weekly offers for Sydney drinkers and diners.

From the team behind acclaimed Franca Brasserie and headed by group executive chef José Saulog, Le Frérot has launched these deals for early-in-the-week visitors.

M&M Mondays (Martinis & Margaritas)

Le Frérot is kicking off the week with M&M Mondays, offering $10 martinis and margaritas all night from 4pm. Sounds good - could get messy.

T Bone Tuesdays

Le Frérot is serving up a $99 1kg T-bone steak with bottomless fries every Tuesday. Designed to be shared between two with fries that keep coming.

Run by the team behind Franca Brasserie, Le Frérot is a seven-day, all-day offering.

See https://www.lefrerotbyfranca.com.au/

Bad Bunny: Yes, your chocolate Easter egg has shrunk

No, your eyes do not deceive you.

Your Cadbury chocolate Easter eggs are smaller - and more expensive - for second year in a row.

Consumer organisation CHOICE has found shrinkflation is a holiday issue for chocolate lovers.

Last year, CHOICE revealed several examples of Easter eggs from global snack giants and supermarket home brands being guilty

Despite falling wholesale cocoa prices, manufacturers like Cadbury have doubled-down on the practice, continuing to cut the sizes of products already impacted in previous years, while retail prices for these items continue to climb, CHOICE says.

Easter is the perfect time for indulging in chocolate treats, and a great opportunity to set up Easter egg hunts for the kids. Unfortunately - but not surprisingly - Cadbury has delivered a cut in size, but a rise in price, to some of their Easter chocolates for the second year in a row,” says CHOICE journalist Liam Kennedy.

“Last year, we pointed out that Cadbury’s then 22-pack of hollow hunting eggs was coming with two fewer eggs than in 2024, and selling for an extra $2.50.

"Since then, the company has cut two more eggs from the carton and the product’s price has gone up by another $3.

"All up, the former 24-pack of eggs has shrunk by 68g and increased in price by $5.50 since 2024, meaning consumers are now paying almost 73% more per 100g than they were two years ago.

“Cadbury’s largest hollow egg box is not the only product to have shrunk. In the past 12 months, Cadbury’s entire range of boxed hollow Easter eggs have been hit by shrinkflation - each carton now contains at least one fewer egg than it did last year. In one case, a 15-pack currently selling for $15 has replaced an 18-pack that sold for $13.50 last year.”

CHOICE found Easter eggs aren’t the only products shrinking.

“Hot cross buns have also fallen victim to shrinkflation, with smaller buns now on shelves without any reduction in price. Aldi’s Rocky Road and Banoffee Inspired buns are both 20g lighter than they were this time last year.

Manufacturers told CHOICE that rising production and supply chain costs were driving the changes.

“Currently, the government is considering introducing mandatory notices to alert shoppers when a product has undergone shrinkflation," Kennedy says. "Shrinkflation is hard to spot, so these notices should be clear and placed near the product for a reasonable period to ensure consumers are aware of the change."

Read the full story: www.choice.com.au/eastershrinkflation