Facing a pandemic-induced labor shortage, one sun-drenched Australian state on Thursday began offering a bundle of cash to anyone willing to “work in paradise.” Across Australia, long-reopened bars, shops and restaurants have struggled with vacancies usually filled by throngs of foreign backpackers who flock Down Under. But border closures have turned off that spigot, and “help wanted” signs are now a common sight in tourist towns up and down Australia’s east coast. Countrywide, job vacancies are up almost 30% since the pandemic began, according to government statistics, and the economy is predicted to soon reach ... (full story)