ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on December 16, 2025.
Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher convicted of sedition, in major blow to press freedom
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yao-Tai Li, Senior Lecturer of Sociology and Social Policy, UNSW Sydney This week, after a 156-day trial, the Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and media tycoon Jimmy Lai was convicted of sedition and collusion with foreign or external forces. Now facing life in prison, Lai was convicted under
In a cynical industry, Rob Reiner’s films taught us the power of sincerity
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Daniel, Associate Lecturer in Communication, Western Sydney University Rob Reiner, the celebrated Hollywood director whose diverse filmography was loved by a broad array of audiences, was found dead on Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 78. Authorities have described the deaths of Reiner and his wife,
Labor maintains dominant lead in Redbridge poll despite expenses claims
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor gained two points in a Redbridge national poll to take a 56–44 lead, despite the expenses claims occurring during the fieldwork period. Redbridge state polls have
Labor maintains dominant lead in Redbridge poll despite expenses claims
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor gained two points in a Redbridge national poll to take a 56–44 lead, despite the expenses claims occurring during the fieldwork period. Redbridge state polls have
We think of mushrooms as food. But mycelium-based blocks could be the future of construction
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kumar Biswajit Debnath, Chancellor’s Research Fellow, School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney Composite panels made with Australian reishi fungi and biomass waste. Kumar Biswajit Debnath/UTS When mushrooms make the news, it’s often for grim reasons – a mysterious poisoning, toxic species in the bush, or high-profile
After mass violence, trauma spreads socially. Here are 3 ways you can help reduce it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara-Lyn Camilleri, Transgenerational Effects Researcher, Monash University After mass violence such as the Bondi beach terrorist attack on Sunday, distress does not stop with those directly affected. Fear, anger and uncertainty spread through media and social networks. This can intensify harm for survivors and targeted communities. People
Want to donate blood after the Bondi attacks? Here’s what you need to know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yasmin Mowat, Clinical Project Manager, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s website and call centre have been inundated with people responding to calls for blood donations since Sunday night’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. At least 16 people are dead and 38 others are in
Communities must be central to climate adaptation strategies – 10 insights to guide national policy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Glavovic, Professor in Natural Hazards Planning and Resilience, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Discussions about how New Zealand should adapt to a changing climate have been going on for more than two decades. While both major political parties agree on the need
Australia’s national plan says existing laws are enough to regulate AI. This is false hope
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Russ-Smith, Associate Professor of Social Work and Chair, Indigenous Research Ethics Advisory Panel, Australian Catholic University Earlier this month, Australia’s long-anticipated National AI Plan was released to a mixed reception. The plan shifts away from the government’s previously promised mandatory AI safeguards. Instead, it’s positioned as
How stores fighting thieves risk putting off shoppers with disabilities and kids
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Harpur, Associate Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland; Syracuse University ad0sy/Reddit “Welcome”, the sign at the supermarket entrance says, above a drawing of a shopper walking in and pushing a trolley. But for many shoppers – especially those with wheelchairs, walkers or
Festering families, difficult truths and transcendent grace: best podcasts of 2025
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan McHugh, Honorary Associate Professor, Journalism, University of Wollongong Wellcome Collection Quality narrative podcasts experienced a downturn this year, with industry layoffs in key networks including Pineapple Street Studios and Wondery. But commercial cutbacks have reinvigorated the artistic spirit of the genre. In a class of its
Think you know Hans Christian Andersen? Four experts pick his weirdest fairy tales to read this Christmas
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ane Grum-Schwensen, Associate Professor at The Hans Christian Andersen Centre, Principal Investigator of "Fairy Tales and Stories – The Digital Manuscript Edition", University of Southern Denmark Hans Christian Andersen is one of Denmark’s most cherished writers – a master of the literary fairy tale whose influence stretches
View from The Hill: regardless of whether massacre was preventable, Albanese has been found wanting in meeting antisemitism crisis
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese cut a lonely political figure laying a small bunch of flowers at Bondi on Monday morning, as the question confronted the nation: could more have been done by leaders, and the community, to prevent this tragedy? Opinions will
National cabinet agrees to sweeping overhaul of Australia’s gun laws in response to Bondi massacre
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Federal, state and territory governments have agreed to the biggest overhaul of Australia’s gun laws since the Howard government’s post-Port Arthur reforms, in a response to the Bondi massacre that has claimed the lives of 15 victims so far and
Why can someone in suburban Sydney own 6 guns legally? New laws might change that
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanna Fay, Associate Professor in Criminology, The University of Queensland Australians have watched on in horror as more details have come to light about the shooters in the Bondi terror attacks. As people grapple with the tragedy, many wonder how such a thing could have happened in
Want to donate blood after Bondi attacks? Here’s what you need to know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yasmin Mowat, Clinical Project Manager, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s website and call centre have been inundated with people responding to calls for blood donations since Sunday night’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. At least 16 people are dead and 38 others are in
How can parents talk to their kids about the Bondi terror attack?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Cobham, Professor of Clinical Psychology, The University of Queensland As the community begins to grapple with the horror and tragedy of the Bondi shootings on Sunday, children will likely have questions. Parents may also be wondering how to talk to their little kids and teenagers about
Government boosts its home battery program by $5 billion. But it still has big problems
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohan Best, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Macquarie University Simon McGill/Getty Images Over the weekend the federal government announced major changes to its A$2.3 billion home battery subsidy program. The changes include nearly A$5 billion in extra funding and adjustments to the financial support provided for different-sized
What police had to do during the chaos of Bondi – and what comes next
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Bond University On Sunday evening, Bondi Beach was the scene of a mass shooting that has shocked Australia. At the time of writing 16 people have been killed, including one of the gunmen, and another 40 people have
Bondi attacks come after huge increase in online antisemitism: research
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matteo Vergani, Associate Professor and Director of the Tackling Hate Lab, Deakin University At least 16 people – including a ten-year-old child – are dead after two men opened fire on a crowd of people celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Sunday in a public park
