Amy Remeikis
If there is one thing all leaders should be focused on, it should be maintaining trust. In our institutions and our democracy, and all those foundations which underpin it. Which is why it is so strange that the federal press gallery continues to hold its Midwinter Ball.
The campaign to end fossil fuel sponsorship at the Queensland Museum has intensified, with dozens of prominent Australians and advocacy groups demanding the institution sever ties with the industry.
A former Western Australian public health chief has warned the AUKUS inquiry that there is a ‘nuclear disaster waiting to happen’, arguing there is no safety plan to protect Perth communities in the event of a major nuclear accident at naval base HMAS Stirling.
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The government’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax passed the parliament last week. This is a big moment in the fight to make housing more affordable.
South Australia’s corruption watchdog has called for stronger protections for whistleblowers after a 10-month investigation found those who speak out in the public interest need greater support.
Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has warned Australia has been in a ‘hybrid and grey zone war’ with China for years, arguing the country remains unprepared and that no ‘credible Plan B’ to the AUKUS submarine deal has been proposed.
Australia’s total foreign aid budget was $5.097 billion in 2025-6. According to Animal Medicines Australia’s major survey and study of pet ownership, Australians spent $21 billion on their animals in the year to March 2025.
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The Albanese government’s proposed new carbon credits method to help fund long-promised forest protection is facing possible defeat in the Senate, with the Coalition and crossbenchers joining forces to block the scheme. Critics argue the proposal would allow fossil fuel companies to "greenwash" their emissions and help justify their continued expansion of coal and gas production.
The Albanese government has been warned thousands of Australian pets could die and households risk facing more than $1 billion in annual costs unless it significantly boosts efforts to eradicate fire ants.
Today, the ABS has released its latest survey on barriers to work, and more than a quarter of women aged 18-64 who were not retired but would like to work, or would like to work more hours, cited child care as the main reason for not doing so.
If allowed to continue their spread across Australia, fire ants could cause significant environmental, social and economic damage – to the tune of more than $22 billion by the 2040s. And every year, they could cost households over $1.08 billion.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
