New research has revealed 60 Sydney suburbs where more than two thirds of homeowners are in mortgage stress and living on a financial knife edge.

They have no telephones, no power, and are running low on food and fuel — not much has changed for the NSW towns wiped out by floodwaters. In 1954, a raging torrent tore Lismore apart, leaving it isolated — and 68 years and countless technological  advances later, not much is different.

Women taking part in a landmark economic review want the NSW government to overhaul paid parental leave policies and allow men to take a greater role and fairer share of caring for children.

And a liquidator has been appointed to embattled homegrown luxe fashion label Ginger & Smart after the pandemic took a six-figure bite out of the business leaving creditors and suppliers owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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