A very different kind of convenience store has appeared in Melbourne, with 7-Eleven trialling a location that operates entirely without staff. Instead of the usual mix of drinks, snacks and machines for coffee or frozen beverages, customers walk into a bright, simple space filled with vending machines, overhead cameras and background classical music. The test store is located at the busy intersection of Collins Street and Spencer Street in the CBD and has been set up as part of a short term trial. The idea is to see how city workers and commuters respond to a quick, automated experience that ...

The federal opposition is pushing for a wide ranging Senate inquiry into Australia’s rapidly expanding illegal tobacco market. Concerns are growing about the level of involvement by organised crime groups and the increasing violence linked to the trade, prompting calls for a deeper investigation into how the sector operates and where it is heading. What the Inquiry Would Examine The proposal asks for a detailed review of the size of the illicit tobacco market, its effect on government revenue and public health, and how criminal networks are shaping the industry. The opposition also wants the committee to hear from small ...