ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 15, 2025.
New research shows WWII dominates Australians’ knowledge of military history. But big gaps remain
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Townsend, Lecturer in History, UNSW Sydney Eighty years ago this week, Japan surrendered after nearly four years of war in the Asia-Pacific. For Australia, this meant the end of not only the war in the Pacific, but also the second world war that had begun six
Many Australians secretly use AI at work, a new report shows. Clearer rules could reduce ‘shadow AI’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guzyal Hill, Research fellow, The University of Melbourne Australian workers are secretly using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools – without knowledge or approval from their boss, a new report shows. The “Our Gen AI Transition: Implications for Work and Skills” report from the federal government’s Jobs
‘We need to be involved’: Pasifika candidates running in Auckland local election
By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Former Pacific candidates and new faces are putting their names forward for this year’s Auckland local government election in Aotearoa. The final confirmed list of candidates is out. In the Manukau ward, Councillor Lotu Fuli, one of three current Auckland councillors of Pacific descent, has also served on the
NSW’s ‘renovictions’ loophole could undermine the progress made with no-grounds evictions
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Morris, Professor, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney There was much cause for celebration when no-grounds evictions were abolished in New South Wales on May 19. Keeping a pre-election promise, the NSW government amended the state’s Residential Tenancies Act to end no-grounds
Contractor or employee? How a proposed law change will favour Uber over its drivers
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Commercial Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Hispanolistic/Getty Images Ride share company Uber has faced legal challenges around the world over whether its drivers should be classified as employees or contractors. New Zealand is no exception, with the most
Does your maternity cover leave you with surprise bills? Here’s one plan to fix it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yanan Hu, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Health Services Management, University of Technology Sydney Moyo Studio/Getty Have you received multiple, unexpected bills during your pregnancy, sometimes by text message just hours before a procedure? You’re not alone. Each year, about 70,000 Australian women give birth in the private system.
Cherry blossoms and eucalypts: this Japanese war cemetery remembers fallen Australians
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anoma Darshani Pieris, Professor of Architecture, The University of Melbourne After the Great War, Australians made pilgrimages to distant battlefields of Gallipoli and northern France. They paid their respects to the fallen soldiers who shaped our national identity. After the second world war, new places emerged such
Friday essay: who was Anne Frank?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Lanicek, Associate Professor in Modern European History and Jewish History, UNSW Sydney Anne Frank in December 1941. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Everyone knows her photo. For some it shows the cheeky smile of a young girl, “Miss Quack Quack”. For others, the image represents an
Does AI really boost productivity at work? Research shows gains don’t come cheap or easy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jake Goldenfein, Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne Wikimedia/Pexels/The Conversation Artificial intelligence (AI) is being touted as a way to boost lagging productivity growth. The AI productivity push has some powerful multinational backers: the tech companies who make AI products and the consulting companies who sell AI-related
Why has trust in news fallen? The answer is more complicated than we thought
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Treadwell, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images We live in an age of declining trust in public institutions: parliament, the health and education systems, courts and police have all suffered over the past decade, both in New Zealand and internationally. And, of
Australia, why are you still obsessed with freeways – when they’re driving us away from net zero?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Crystal Legacy, Associate Professor of Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne From Melbourne’s proposed Outer Metropolitan Ring Road to Sydney’s recently completed Westconnex, Australia’s addiction to mega roads continues despite the spectre of climate change. The stream of projects shows Australia’s approach to urban transport is stuck
The West is in panic as Israel’s plan for ‘full control’ of Gaza heralds a new Nakba
Netanyahu’s mass ethnic cleansing strategy pulls the rug out from under the West’s cherished pretext for supporting Israeli criminality: the fabled two-state solution. ANALYSIS: By Jonathan Cook If you thought Western capitals were finally losing patience with Israel’s engineering of a famine in Gaza nearly two years into the genocide, you may be disappointed. As
Grattan on Friday: Can Jim Chalmers reap a healthy crop with the help of his big worm farm?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra One observer describes next week’s economic roundtable this way: “Chalmers has opened a can of worms – and everybody has got a worm”. Even those close to the roundtable are feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the worm farm. There
David Stratton was always ‘doing it for the audience’. In this, he had a huge impact on Australian film
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Maras, Associate Professor in Media and Communication, The University of Western Australia Franco Origlia/Getty Images Celebrated film critic David Stratton has died at the age of 85. He leaves an indelible mark on Australian film culture, and Australian film culture left an indelible mark on him.
View from The Hill: Albanese was naive to think Hamas wouldn’t welcome Palestinian recognition
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra If Anthony Albanese thought the government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state would be a relatively smooth operation in terms of politics, he’s had a quick wake-up call. Following Hamas’ predictable welcoming of his action, the prime minister now finds
Politics with Michelle Grattan: union boss Sally McManus on the push for shorter work hours in the age of AI
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Sitting beside Treasurer Jim Chalmers at next week’s three-day economic reform roundtable will be a handpicked list of invited business, policy and union “thought leaders” – all coming with their own ideas for what needs to change. Among them will
What is creatine? What does the science say about its claims to build muscle and boost brain health?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia If you’ve walked down the wellness aisle at your local supermarket recently, or scrolled the latest wellness trends on social media, you’ve likely heard about creatine. Creatine is a compound our
‘If I die, I die steadfast … I bear witness … for the path of freedom for my people’ – Anas’ last testament
Anas al-Sharif, killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, last Sunday has triggered protests around the world, including journalists in Israel. He left behind a powerful farewell message — his final testament to his people, his family, and the world. Palestine Chronicle staff Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
‘Australiana’ images made by AI are racist and full of tired cliches, new study shows
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University ‘An Aboriginal Australian’s house’ generated by Meta AI in May 2024. Meta AI Big tech company hype sells generative artificial intelligence (AI) as intelligent, creative, desirable, inevitable, and about to radically reshape the future in many ways. Published by
After 4 years of repressive Taliban rule, Afghans are suffering in silence. Is the world still watching?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niamatullah Ibrahimi, Senior Research Fellow, Initiative for Peacebuilding, The University of Melbourne On August 15 2021, Afghanistan’s democratic republic collapsed. As the last US and NATO troops departed the country, the Taliban swept back into power and the Afghan people braced for an uncertain future. Despite promises
