Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Azadeh Dastyari, Director, Centre for Western Sydney, Western Sydney University

Access to the internet is not a luxury. It’s an essential part of life. It shapes how people study, find and do work, access healthcare, stay connected with community and interact with government services.

For Indigenous peoples, the internet also plays a vital role in maintaining cultural connection, sharing knowledge, and keeping links to kin and Country strong.

Despite it being essential, a new study has found many Indigenous people are denied internet access because of poor infrastructure, high costs, lack of culturally appropriate training and inadequate services that don’t meet community and individual needs.

This digital exclusion compounds existing disadvantage and makes daily living, such as paying bills, working, or getting an education, prohibitively difficult.

Our research

Digital inclusion refers to having sufficient access to appropriate devices and the internet, affordable connectivity, and the necessary skills and ability to use digital technologies safely.

Digital connection is not just a challenge in rural and remote areas. It is also a major issue in urban areas such as Western Sydney, which is home to one-tenth of Australia’s population and the largest urban population of Indigenous peoples in the country.

Better digital inclusion is a key priority area under the Closing the Gap plan, but progress has been consistently hard to measure and the 2026 target is unlikely to be met.

A new report, First Nations Digital Inclusion in Western Sydney, chronicles the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Western Sydney through story telling, yarning circles and a survey of 105 Indigenous people.

While the study was concentrated to Western Sydney, the findings are consistent with other research nationwide.

We found some areas of Western Sydney simply don’t have reliable internet. Even where coverage exists, many people cannot afford the high costs of data, devices and ongoing connection they need.

No one should have to choose between internet access and essential medicine, but this is the reality for many Indigenous people surveyed, with 27% of people cutting back on medicine to stay connected.

One participant shared:

you have to have a mobile these days and internet. I end up buying less food but I need to feed my kid. I often skip meals to afford my bills.

But access isn’t the only problem. The digital divide is not just about having a device, it is also about feeling confident using it.

We found 66% of Indigenous participants in the study said they had never received any digital skills training. Elders and those who have not had the chance to build these skills are often left behind.

Online safety is also a serious concern. Of the Indigenous people surveyed, 74% reported experiencing racism or other forms of racial discrimination online. This creates further barriers to participation and trust.

Read more:
The government has a target for Indigenous digital inclusion. It’s got little hope of meeting it

What can be done?

The good news is there’s lots that can be done to help.

Currently, Indigenous community-led organisations are stepping up to fill the digital gap, often on shoestring budgets. They’re setting up free wifi hubs, distributing SIM cards and devices and offering digital support.

One participant shared:

since I was given a second hand laptop […] I completed six or more courses at TAFE. This is what is holding back our mob, give them access to an iPad or laptop and also a basic course how to use them.

But Indigenous community-led organisations and the community sector can’t do it alone. What’s needed is government support and long-term investment to make digital inclusion a reality. This means tackling affordability head-on.

Solutions must include cheaper internet plans, low-cost devices and flexible payment options that are designed with Indigenous communities.

Governments and telecommunications companies should work in partnership to deliver programs such as free data in local areas or device lending schemes that enable people to stay connected without financial strain.

On the education front, we need culturally safe, community-led training programs for people of all ages. These could be embedded in schools, workplaces, and local services, particularly through Indigenous-led organisations that already have the trust of the community.

Tech companies must be held accountable for harmful content, and there must be stronger rules to protect users. At the same time, more investment is needed in Indigenous-led platforms and online safety programs that create welcoming spaces.

Public services such as Centrelink need to be more accessible and better designed for people without digital access. In-person services must not only remain available, but be strengthened, to ensure everyone can access the support they need in a way that works for them.

As documented in the report, Indigenous community organisations and peoples have the knowledge and experience and are leading the work to close the digital gap. Their leadership must be respected and supported through genuine partnerships, sustained funding and real decision-making power.

This is not just about technology. Digital inclusion for First Nations peoples is about fairness, dignity and justice.

The answers are already here. Indigenous peoples have shared what works. It is time for government and industry to listen and act.

The First Nations Digital Inclusion in Western Sydney project was supported by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). The operation of ACCAN is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.

Corrinne Sullivan receives funding from Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). She is affiliated with, and is a Director of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation.

– ref. ‘I end up buying less food’: Indigenous people should not have to go hungry to use the internet – https://theconversation.com/i-end-up-buying-less-food-indigenous-people-should-not-have-to-go-hungry-to-use-the-internet-262203

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University

At first glance, the ABC’s new flagship drama looks like a soapy cross between Neighbours and Home and Away. Sweeping shots of rugged coastline and holiday homes roll into a tree-lined cul-de-sac near identical to Ramsay Street. The sun is shining. It’s bin day.

But The Family Next Door’s powerfully restrained performances, stellar local cast and twisty tale elevates this suburban mystery. It will quickly have you hooked.

Trouble in paradise

The six-part series, based on Sally Hepworth’s 2018 novel, is set in the fictional seaside town of Osprey Point, on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Isabelle (Teresa Palmer) rents a house on Pleasant Court. She is ostensibly in town to write an article about “the new Byron Bay”.

However, we quickly learn she has been suspended from her job at Child Protective Services, and has actually moved in to start obsessively investigating the four neighbouring families. With each episode, Isabelle becomes more frantic and reckless in her search for someone or something, and less willing (or able) to face her own increasingly evident demons.

Palmer – who is in a rich vein of form this year, having starred in two of Binge’s latest series, Mix Tape and The Last Anniversary – brings a magnetism and disconcerting sense of foreboding to the ABC’s drama slate.

Mum’s the word

For me, the greatest appeal of The Family Next Door is its focus on the women in each of the families on the street. The series explores the universal challenges of motherhood, marriage and friendship, as well as the complexities of managing identity and responsibility across these roles.

Resident busy-body realtor Ange (Bella Heathcote) is manically trying to lock in a local property development that she is problematically invested in, while micromanaging everyone around her. She is palpably irritating.

Essie (depicted brilliantly by Philippa Northeast) is struggling to physically and emotionally connect with her young children. The social and personal implications of a frightful incident at the playground reverberate across the series. All the while, Essie’s mother and husband loiter helplessly.

Each episode centres on a different matriarch, so the ensemble cast gets time to shine, as Isabelle chips away at their relationships, stories and secrets.

Familiar faces and accents

It is terrific to spend some time with such a strong local cast.

It’s not uncommon now for Australian dramas to (often clumsily) shoehorn in a big international name to secure development funding and ensure foreign distribution.

The Family Next Door doesn’t do this, and it’s better for it. There are many familiar and reliable faces, including Catherine McClements, Jane Harber, Maria Angelico and Bob Morley. The show feels hefty with talent.

It also makes for an engaging and genuine experience: a funny and authentic portrayal of suburban life, without a random American accent that needs explaining. It’s relatable in an understated way – not in an “I can’t believe how much happens in Summer Bay!” kind of way.

No mystery in adaptations

This series likely got across the line without a big international name due to its limited six-episode run.

But this is also the kind of Australian storytelling that has the potential to resonate with local audiences and also travel well as part of the popular “mystery drama based on a book” genre.

In the past few years we’ve seen Netflix commission several similar examples, such as Boy Swallows Universe based on Trent Dalton’s novel and The Survivors, based on the novel by Jane Harper.

The value of this type of content lies in its existing audience of readers, as well as the ability to hook viewers in and keep them glued.

The Family Next Door is also reminiscent of Netflix’s The Perfect Couple. It even reminded me, bizarrely, of HBO’s The White Lotus – mostly because of the music parallels.

The series is directed by Emma Freeman, who also directed ABC’s The Newsreader (2021–25). With an experienced creative team, and adapted by a handful of award-winning screenwriters, Freeman has ensured the ABC’s latest foray into this genre sits comfortably alongside more expensive mysteries from the big streamers.

The Family Next Door is now on ABC and iView.

Alexa Scarlata does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. ABC’s new suburban mystery The Family Next Door is understated and addictive – https://theconversation.com/abcs-new-suburban-mystery-the-family-next-door-is-understated-and-addictive-261171

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vera Korasidis, Lecturer in Environmental Geoscience, The University of Melbourne

Pollinators play a vital role in fertilising flowers, which grow into seeds and fruits and underpin our agriculture. But climate change can cause a mismatch between plants and their pollinators, affecting where they live and what time of year they’re active. This has happened before.

When Earth went through rapid global warming 56 million years ago, plants from dry tropical areas expanded to new areas – and so did their animal pollinators. Our new study, published in Paleobiology today, shows this major change happened in a remarkably short timespan of just thousands of years.

Can we turn to the past to learn more about how interactions between plants and pollinators changed during climate change? That’s what we set out to learn.

A major warming event 56 million years ago

In the last 150 years, humans have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by more than 40%. This increase in carbon dioxide has already warmed the planet by more than 1.3°C.

Current greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperature are not only unprecedented in human history but exceed anything known in the last 2.5 million years.

To understand how giant carbon emission events like ours could affect climate and life on Earth, we’ve had to go deeper into our planet’s history.

Fifty-six million years ago there was a major, sudden warming event caused by the release of a gigantic amount of carbon into the atmosphere and ocean. This event is known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.

For about 5,000 years, huge amounts of carbon entered the atmosphere, likely from a combination of volcanic activity and methane release from ocean sediments. This caused Earth’s global temperature to rise by about 6°C and it stayed elevated for more than 100,000 years.

Although the initial carbon release and climate change were perhaps ten times slower than what’s happening today, they had enormous effects on Earth.

Earlier studies have shown plants and animals changed a lot during this time, especially through major shifts in where they lived. We wanted to know if pollination might also have changed during this rapid climate change.

Hunting for pollen fossils in the badlands

We looked at fossil pollen from the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming – a deep and wide valley in the northern Rocky Mountains in the United States, full of sedimentary rocks deposited 50 to 60 million years ago.

The widespread badlands of the modern Bighorn Basin expose remarkably fossil-rich sediments. These were laid down by ancient rivers eroding the surrounding mountains.

We studied fossil pollen because we wanted to understand changes in pollination. Pollen is invaluable for this because it is abundant, widely dispersed in air and water, and resistant to decay – easily preserved in ancient rocks.

We used three lines of evidence to investigate pollination in the fossil record:

• fossil pollen preserved in clumps
• how living plants related to the fossils are pollinated today, and
• the total variety of pollen shapes.

What did we discover?

Our findings show pollination by animals became more common during this interval of elevated temperature and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, pollination by wind decreased.

The wind-pollinated plants included many related to deciduous broad-leaved trees still common in moist northern hemisphere temperate regions today.

By contrast, the plants pollinated by animals were related to subtropical palms, silk-cotton trees and other plants that typically grow in dry tropical climates.

The decline in wind pollination was likely due to the local extinction of populations of wind-pollinated plants that grew in the Bighorn Basin.

The increase in animal-pollinated plants means that plants from regions with warmer, drier climates had spread poleward and moved into the Bighorn Basin.

Earlier studies have shown these changes in the plants of the Bighorn Basin were related to the climate being hotter and more seasonally dry than before – or after – this interval of rapid climate change.

Pollinating insects and other animals likely moved 56 million years ago along with the plants they pollinated. Their presence in the landscape helped new plant communities establish in the hot, dry climate. It may have provided invaluable resources to animals such as the earliest primates, small marsupials, and other small mammals.

A lesson for our future

What lessons does this ancient climate change event have to offer when we think about our own future?

The large carbon release at the beginning of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum clearly resulted in major global warming. It dramatically altered ecosystems on land and in the sea.

In spite of these dramatic changes, most land species and ecological interactions seem to have survived. This is likely because the event occurred at about one-tenth the rate of current anthropogenic climate change.

The forests that returned to the region after more than 100,000 years of hot, dry climate were very similar to those that existed before. This suggests that in the absence of major extinction, forest ecosystems and their pollinators could reestablish into very similar communities even after a very long period of altered climate.

The key for the future may be keeping rates of environmental change slow enough to avoid extinctions.

Vera Korasidis received funding from the University of Melbourne Elizabeth and Vernon Puzey Fellowship Award.

Scott Wing’s fieldwork was supported by the Roland W. Brown fund of the Department of Paleobiology, and by the MacMillan Fund of the National Museum of Natural History.

– ref. 56 million years ago, Earth underwent rapid global warming. Here’s what it did to pollinators – https://theconversation.com/56-million-years-ago-earth-underwent-rapid-global-warming-heres-what-it-did-to-pollinators-260297

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Blake Bennett, Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching and Pedagogy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

As the international rugby season kicks off in earnest, and other sporting codes compete for TV airtime and fans’ disposable income, something worrying is happening down at the grassroots.

Sports clubs across many codes are running with drastically fewer volunteer coaches and administrators, and the pressure is rising.

According to the NZ Amateur Sport Association, the average number of volunteers has fallen more than 40% since the onset of the COVID pandemic, and those who remain are close to burnout.

Volunteering has long been the lifeblood of community sport. But the average number of active volunteers in sport clubs has dropped from 31 to just 18 per club over the past five years. Coaching roles, so often filled by volunteers, are increasingly vacant or stretched.

Sport New Zealand estimates young New Zealanders spend millions of hours each year participating in sport and recreation. These experiences rely on the goodwill of those volunteers – unpaid, untrained and often unacknowledged.

But while participation numbers remain healthy, fewer volunteers are having to do more of the work in many clubs. We may be witnessing a slow erosion of capacity that will stretch clubs thinner each season – until something gives.

Admin and risk

The pressure is especially visible in the area of health and safety – specifically, the measures and policies put in place to safeguard children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

My research, conducted with volunteer coaches across New Zealand, has looked at how administering safeguarding policies affects coaching. The picture that emerged was one of confusion and caution rather than clarity.

Coaches were unsure how to get it right, and wary of getting it wrong. Just 33% found their sport’s safeguarding policy helpful. Others described defensive behaviours such as avoiding physical contact with players entirely, or hesitating to coach across gender lines.

These weren’t formal requirements, they were improvised responses, driven by uncertainty and fear of consequences. Some of the strain is caused by the system. Clubs are now expected to meet an expanding list of compliance and governance requirements.

The Incorporated Societies Act, for example, requires every registered club to review its constitution, a task that usually falls to the same handful of volunteers already juggling coaching, managing uniforms or running sausage sizzles.

A report from the Amateur Sport Association suggests only a third of clubs knew by 2024 what the re-registration process required, underscoring the challenges of implementing large-scale compliance changes in a volunteer-led system.

3 big pressures

It might be tempting to think volunteering would recover with better support – more toolkits, training and recognition. But early findings from my current research suggest something deeper is required.

Volunteers aren’t stepping back because they lack information, but because the experience of volunteering has become increasingly complex, isolating and hard to sustain.

Three types of pressure are emerging most clearly:

1. “Role bleed” is when volunteers end up doing far more than they signed up for – agreeing to coach a junior team but finding themselves managing finances, sorting uniforms or leading the AGM.

2. “Interpretive risk” is the stress of not knowing what the rules mean in practice (especially around sensitive areas such as child safety), and the potentially serious consequences of getting this wrong.

3. “Compliance fatigue” involves the energy-sapping obligations around paperwork, reporting and other bureaucratic requirements. While often necessary, this work is rarely energising.

As any volunteer will tell you, one thing that cuts across all three of these pressures is relationships. Where they are strong and volunteers feel supported, trusted and respected, they tend to endure, even when the demands are high.

But when they’re strained or absent, even modest pressure can take a toll – not just on retention, but also on personal wellbeing.

Shared responsibility

There’s another striking aspect of my research findings: it’s not just about why people walk away, but why some don’t.

Even when relationships fracture, support disappears and the joy is gone, many volunteers stay out of a sense of loyalty and obligation, and a mixture of identity and habit. There’s also a fear that if they step back, everything they’ve contributed will collapse.

This is the quiet cost that is rarely named: not just fewer volunteers, but lonelier, wearier ones. Still turning up, still carrying the weight, but without the sense of reward and fulfilment.

Stress, strained relationships and emotional fatigue are well established contributors to mental health decline. It’s a quiet contradiction: on one hand, we position sport and recreation as a path to personal and community wellbeing; on the other, we overlook the toll it takes on the volunteers who hold it all together.

There’s no silver bullet. But the first step is recognising volunteer wellbeing isn’t just a personal challenge, it’s a shared responsibility. We need club systems geared to ease the burden, expectations that don’t overreach, and cultures where kindness isn’t an afterthought.

Ultimately, recruiting more volunteers has to be a priority for all sporting codes – while ensuring the “lifers” who’ve kept the lights on are looked after in the process.

Blake Bennett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Where have all the coaches gone? The volunteer crisis hitting grassroots sport in NZ – https://theconversation.com/where-have-all-the-coaches-gone-the-volunteer-crisis-hitting-grassroots-sport-in-nz-262607

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nissen, HERA Program Director – Health Workforce Optimisation Centre for the Business & Economics of Health, The University of Queensland

You’re discharged from hospital with some painkillers but aren’t sure if they’re safe to take with the heart medication you’ve been prescribed for years or the vitamins you take now and again. So you ask your GP. They recommend you see the pharmacist in the next consulting room for advice on how to safely manage all your medicines.

This is the future the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) wants to see. It wants the government to fund pharmacists to be a more permanent fixture in GP clinics – to be physically in the same building, as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The RACGP has made its case to the Productivity Commission inquiry into delivering quality care more efficiently. The commission’s interim report is due to be released this week.

But would this proposal really deliver more efficient health care? And how would it actually work?

We’ve just completed a large trial of pharmacists working in GP clinics in Queensland. Here’s what we think might work, and some of what we need to fix before this becomes reality.

Why would we want pharmacists in GP clinics?

Pharmacists are routinely co-located in GP clinics in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, Brazil, New Zealand and Malaysia.

Their aim is to improve how patients manage their medicines. They can help clarify why a medicine is needed and how to take it. They can advise on more affordable medicine options. They can liaise between health professionals on issues related to medicines, say when a patient is discharged from hospital and needs care at home. They can also advise GPs on medicine issues, such as a recommendation to stop a particular medication or to prescribe one with more manageable side effects.

Under the Australian proposal these pharmacists would not dispense medicines while working in a GP clinic. The pharmacists would have a professional clinical role related to medicine management (which might also include activities such as giving vaccinations). However, a patient would still need to obtain their medicines in the usual way from a community pharmacy.

The RACGP proposes there would be cost savings from integrating pharmacists into general practice – a potential A$545 million in net savings over four years.

How would this be possible? Presumably by making it more likely patients take their medicines as directed (therefore staying healthier and using fewer health resources), reducing the level and severity of medicine problems (such as side effects that need to be managed), and potentially reducing the number of medicines people take.

While these benefits are broadly plausible, the magnitude of benefit is highly uncertain. This estimate is based on a report from ten years ago, which includes only small studies now almost 20 years old. Patient complexity and treatment options have changed over this time period, so more recent data and models should be considered.

Don’t pharmacists already do medication reviews?

Australian community pharmacists have been conducting medication reviews for more than 20 years. They can review a person’s medications in their home, in aged care, or in a community pharmacy.

But there are some clear advantages to pharmacists using their professional skills in GP clinics.

Having an on-site pharmacist may be convenient for patients who would like extra advice or to have their medicine reviewed outside their home or community pharmacy.

Having pharmacists and GPs work together in the same location also allows trusted relationships to form. This increases the likelihood of a GP responding to a pharmacist’s suggestion to change a patient’s medication compared to those made by pharmacists outside the practice.

But there are potential road blocks

While this sounds promising, it’s not clear if we have enough pharmacists to fill these roles. We need to maintain medication review services including those onsite in aged care and in community pharmacies, while supporting the expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice (such as their ability to prescribe certain medicines).

Another issue relates to digital health records. Currently, a community pharmacist cannot easily add relevant information about medications purchased over the counter to a patient’s My Health record. It would often be impossible for a pharmacist working in a GP clinic to know what a patient has bought over the counter in a community pharmacy (such as aspirin as a blood thinner).

This means a pharmacist (or other health professional, including the GP) working in a GP clinic doesn’t necessarily have a complete picture of the patient’s medications. For the RACGP’s proposal to work well, the different digital systems used in the health sector need to be better integrated.

So, while the idea of general practice-based pharmacists is good in principle, details still need to be ironed out.

Could this work?

A recent Australian study has shown that when pharmacists worked with GPs to support patients discharged from hospital, this was cost effective. Patients were less likely to be re-admitted to hospital or go to the emergency department the following year.

However, other aspects of the implementation and benefits of this role require more specific evidence.

For example, our team has just completed a trial in Queensland to see if pharmacists in GP clinics can reduce the number of preventable medicine problems for key at-risk patient groups (for example, people with diabetes).

Through this unpublished research, we have already learnt that relationships and workflows between pharmacists and GPs must be negotiated on a practice-by-practice basis. This process takes time, support and additional funding.

Both GPs and pharmacists need to agree on their role, and pharmacists need to be trained and supported to work in this general practice setting.

Patients should also have a say in the type of services delivered in this model and the way they are offered.

Finally, while we can learn many lessons on how this works in other countries, we need more extensive implementation trials in Australia. They need to be appropriately supported to gather good evidence for evaluation. Then if successful, we could move to a staged roll-out to ensure value for money and better health outcomes.

Lisa Nissen received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund for the ACTMed trial in Queensland mentioned in this article. She is a member and Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Jean Spinks received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund for the ACTMed trial in Queensland mentioned in this article.

– ref. Pharmacists could one day work in GP clinics. Here’s what’s in it for you – https://theconversation.com/pharmacists-could-one-day-work-in-gp-clinics-heres-whats-in-it-for-you-262321

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Cowan, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, University of Southern Queensland

Soaking mid-winter rains have brought some relief to drought-stricken farms and rural towns across southern Australia, but the crisis is not over yet.

And there’s more to this challenging episode than you might think. As climate scientists, we see more than a single drought. Rather, it’s a trilogy of droughts.

Across southern Australia over the past six months, three interconnected phases have unfolded in rapid succession: flash drought, green drought and fodder drought.

Each phase brings its own challenges. Together, they reveal the complex and cascading nature of climate stress in southern Australia.

Flash drought: the sudden onset

To state the obvious, drought in Australia happens when there’s a severe lack of rain.

Unlike traditional droughts that develop over months, flash droughts intensify within weeks. They can come out of nowhere and hit hard.

In early 2025, flash droughts struck Australia in waves:

• January in parts of South Australia

• February along the SA-Victoria border and western Tasmania

• March in the Otway Ranges in southern Victoria

• April in northern Tasmania and southern Mallee in Victoria

• May in central Victoria and southern New South Wales.

The May event was the most intense — short-lived but severe — catching many people by surprise.

Flash droughts are marked by a rapid increase in the “thirstiness” of the atmosphere, as measured by the “Evaporative Stress Index”. When the index drops quickly, farmers often have little time to respond — whether through destocking, securing feed or adjusting plans for sowing crops.

Within four to eight weeks of flash drought onset, the health of pasture in open grasslands declines.

Pasture recovery is slow, often taking more than 12 weeks depending on the amount of sunlight, temperature and soil moisture. The impact on growth can linger for months. This delayed response sets the stage for the next phase: green drought.

Green drought: a deceptive recovery

Many southern regions received winter rain, but not enough to break the drought.

Fields turned green, but these plants lacked the nutritional value needed to support livestock. This phenomenon – known as “green drought” – gives the appearance of drought recovery, but the deeper soils remain stubbornly dry and plants stressed.

Satellite data tracking the greenness of vegetation shows that even after soil moisture briefly improved in June, plant health continued to decline. This is due to ongoing dry soils and high evaporation rates (think thirsty atmosphere), which limit plant growth.

Green droughts are particularly challenging because they mask the true extent of agricultural stress. People see green fields but farmers continue to face shortages of feed for livestock, leading to the next phase: fodder drought.

Fodder drought: the hidden crisis

Fodder drought is the third phase of the drought trilogy — a less visible but deeply distressing condition. It’s about whether there’s sufficient feed to keep livestock alive.

Pasture growth across southern Australia has remained well below average since late January, even though this period typically coincides with the off-peak season. With the late autumn break and soils remaining dry, the winter growing season is faring poorly.

Fodder droughts often go unnoticed by city people, but they have serious implications for rural communities. Farmers become increasingly reliant on imported feed, driving up costs and straining supply chains.

What lies ahead?

As we approach the end of winter, the outlook for rainfall in the drought-stricken communities of SA and Victoria’s Mallee is looking more promising.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast for spring shows a high chance of unusually wetter conditions for much of the southeast. In turn, soil moisture is likely to improve in these regions.

The changing climate

This trilogy of droughts — flash, green and fodder — highlights the complexity of climate extremes. These events are occurring against the backdrop of declining cool season rainfall, which is projected to continue.

It’s not just about rainfall totals; it’s about timing, temperature, soil health and vegetation response. Understanding how these drought types evolve and interact is crucial for building resilience in agriculture.

There’s still much to learn. What triggers the transition from one phase of drought to the next? How long do the impacts last? And what strategies can help farmers adapt?

The current drought emerged as a prolonged dry spell coincided with unusually high temperatures. This placed immense pressure on farms.

A call to action

The trilogy of droughts in 2025 is a wake-up call. As climate variability increases, so does the need for better forecasting, adaptive farming strategies, and policy support. Agricultural drought definitions may need to be updated to reflect the new realities of drought.

Farmers are on the frontline of climate change, so the experiences of those in southern Australia this year offer valuable insights into how communities can prepare for future extremes. By investing in research, improving early warning systems, and supporting rural communities, we can build a more resilient agricultural sector — one that’s ready for whatever the climate throws at us next.

Read more:
Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end?

This article includes scientific contributions from Hanh Nguyen and Jessica Bhardwaj from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Tim Cowan receives funding from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) through the MLA Donor Company, and Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries through The Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.

Thong Nguyen-Huy is a Senior Research Fellow (Agricultural Climate Risk Management) at the Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).

– ref. Triple whammy: how 3 types of drought crippled southern Australia this year – https://theconversation.com/triple-whammy-how-3-types-of-drought-crippled-southern-australia-this-year-262320

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karyn Healy, Honorary Principal Research Fellow in Psychology, The University of Queensland

Bullying in schools can can have a devastating impact on victims. Research shows it can lead to reduced academic performance depression, anxiety and even suicidal behaviour. So, preventing and reducing bullying is an urgent priority for governments as well as families and schools.

However, a common obstacle to addressing bullying is that parents and schools often disagree about whether a particular situation constitutes bullying.

A study in Norwegian schools found that when parents think their child is being bullied, around two-thirds of the time, the school does not agree. There are also cases in which the school says a child is bullying others, but the child’s parents don’t agree.

Why is it so complicated? How can parents approach this situation?

What does ‘bullying’ mean?

When we look at the definition of bullying, it is not surprising disagreements occur. Identifying bullying is not clear-cut.

The definition used in Australian schools captures the key elements defined by international research. Bullying is a form of aggression that:

• is hurtful for the victim

• happens repeatedly over time

• involves an intent to harm

• involves a power imbalance, with victims feeling unable to stop the problem.

Read more:
With a government review underway, we have to ask why children bully other kids

After a report of bullying, what does the school do?

When a student or parent reports bullying, usually the first thing a school does is talk with students, teachers and parents, and observe interactions between students.

However, there are many challenges in working out whether behaviour is bullying.

First, bullying often occurs when adults are not around and students often don’t tell teachers, so direct observation is not always possible.

Second, even if a teacher is present, social forms of bullying can be very subtle, such as turning away to exclude someone, or using a mocking facial expression, so it can be easily overlooked.

Third, determining whether there is “intent to harm” can be difficult as students accused of bullying may claim (rightly or wrongly) they were “only joking” or not intending to hurt or upset.

Fourth, the issue of power is not easy to determine. If the student is older or physically bigger, or if multiple students are involved in bullying, a power difference may seem apparent. But when power is based on popularity, a power difference may not be clear. There are also cases in which students may deliberately accuse others of bullying to get them into trouble (which may in itself constitute bullying).

Finally, not all aggressive behaviour is bullying. For example, conflict that involves arguments or fights between equals is not bullying, as there is no power imbalance. However, this situation can still be upsetting.

A more difficult situation occurs when the victim of bullying reacts aggressively – such as when they lash out angrily to taunts. The aggressive response of the victim may be more visible to teachers than the bullying that provoked the outburst, and this can make the direction of bullying difficult for schools to ascertain.

What if the school and parents disagree?

A school may not prioritise limited resources to resolve cases they do not see as bullying. This can leave the student languishing and can be very distressing for families.

However, research shows parents’ reports that their child has been bullied predict an increased risk of later child anxiety and depression, regardless of whether school staff concur or were even asked if the child was bullied.

So whether or not the school initially agrees a child is being bullied, it is important to improve the situation.

What can be done?

Sometimes, by taking steps to address the situation, the school can find out if bullying is occurring.

For example, sometimes children are upset by behaviours that may seem innocuous – such as humming, tapping or standing close. If this behaviour is not intended to hurt, we would expect children to reduce this when made aware it is upsetting. However, if the behaviour increases or continues, even with reminders, there would be more reason to believe it is deliberately intended to provoke (and is bullying).

One helpful strategy for parents is to keep a careful record of the child’s experiences – exactly what the child experiences and how it impacts them. This can help establish a pattern of hurtful behaviours over time.

It’s important for parents to maintain a good relationship and ongoing communication with the school (however difficult). As bullying can be a complex and evolving issue, good communication can help ensure issues are promptly managed.

The parent can coach the child to manage the situation – for example, to ask in a friendly and confident way for other students to stop when they are doing things they don’t like. The parent can also help the child plan when they would ask a teacher for help.

By working together, and understanding the problem better over time, schools and families can address behaviour that is hurtful – whether or not there is initial agreement it is “bullying”.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

Karyn Healy has received funding from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, the Australian Research Council and Australian government Emerging Priorities Program and is an honorary Principal Research Fellow with The University of Queensland. Karyn is a co-author of the Resilience Triple P parenting program. Resilience Triple P and all Triple P programs are owned by the University of Queensland. The university has licensed Triple P International Pty Ltd to publish and disseminate Triple P programs worldwide. Royalties stemming from published Triple P resources are distributed to the Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences and contributory authors. No author has any share or ownership in Triple P International Pty Ltd.

– ref. Often parents and schools disagree about whether something is ‘bullying’: what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/often-parents-and-schools-disagree-about-whether-something-is-bullying-what-happens-next-261474

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Pearce, Adjunct Lecturer in public finance, Griffith University

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has made budget sustainability one of the key pillars of the reform roundtable to be held next week.

Concern that budget spending is on an unsustainable trend has been caused by rising government spending as a share of the economy. The spending has not been matched by an increase in tax revenue.

Government spending is forecast to increase further due to very high growth in National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) spending, health and aged care, and a need for higher defence spending over time.

Budget, or fiscal, sustainability means that government debt as a share of the economy does not consistently increase. This is measured by the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.

Budget discipline improves the wellbeing of Australians by giving the government room to respond to economic shocks and ensures sustained provision of government services.

To keep government spending in check, stronger budget rules with numerical targets are needed. The treasurer’s roundtable is a good opportunity to consider such rules.

Why targets matter

Fiscal rules usually specify targets for ratios of government spending to GDP, and debt and deficits to GDP. All advanced economies have fiscal rules, as do 105 countries globally.

They were first used in Australia by then Treasurer Paul Keating in the 1985 “trilogy” commitments: that tax revenue to GDP would not increase; government expenditure to GDP would fall; and the size of the deficit would fall.

A legislative requirement for the government to specify fiscal targets was introduced by then treasurer Peter Costello in 1998 in the Charter of Budget Honesty.

Both Liberal and Labor governments since then have committed to several rules with numerical targets, such as spending to GDP, debt to GDP, or a commitment to balance the budget “over the (economic) cycle”.

The four budgets since October 2022 delivered by Chalmers have contained many general statements with good intentions, such as building fiscal buffers. But these are not targets that can be numerically tested and used to ensure the government keeps its promises.

The two numerically testable commitments in these four budgets are:

1. “directing the majority of improvements in tax receipts to budget repair” (which has been met)
2. “limiting growth in spending until gross debt as a share of GDP is on a downwards trajectory, while growth prospects are sound and unemployment is low” (which has not been met).

It’s time to test the treasurer’s claims

As the treasurer renews his focus on budget sustainability, now is the time to commit to precise rules that require the government to meet measurable targets and clear time frames (such as within the next three years) for:

• spending to GDP
• deficit and debt to GDP
• and, desirably, a cap on tax revenue to GDP.

These rules can play an important role in helping Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher to argue against new spending proposals from their cabinet colleagues.

Having fiscal rules in place can also help show a government’s resolve and credibility in the event of a crisis in financial markets. This happened following the bond market crisis in the United Kingdom in 2022.

For the opposition, committing to these rules can show its capacity as an economic manager. They may be required by independents as one of the conditions to work with a minority government.

The role of the Parliamentary Budget Office

As it currently stands, there is no organisation that systematically holds the government to account against any fiscal targets.

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) provides independent and nonpartisan analysis of fiscal policy. But it does not assess compliance.

Its remit should be expanded to include assessing the government’s compliance with fiscal rules. This occurs for many similar organisations internationally. Overseas research suggests that well-designed PBOs and similar bodies improve compliance with fiscal rules, and thus improve budget outcomes.

A stronger PBO could also make policy recommendations. There are many other examples of Australian independent government entities that make recommendations or decide on economic policy – notably the Productivity Commission, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Net Zero Economy Authority.

A policy remit for the PBO therefore has several precedents and would allow the office to become an advocate for sound fiscal policy, just as the Productivity Commission advocates for microeconomic efficiency.

Put simply, a fiscal watchdog with real teeth would assist the treasurer in meeting the goal of fiscal sustainability.

Julian Pearce is a former Treasury official. He does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond his academic appointment.

Ross Guest does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. No one holds the government to account on spending. We need a budget watchdog that can bite – https://theconversation.com/no-one-holds-the-government-to-account-on-spending-we-need-a-budget-watchdog-that-can-bite-261764

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Middle East Studies, Australian National University

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving forward with his plan to take full control of Gaza, expanding his war efforts amid a deepening starvation crisis in the strip and intensifying international condemnation.

In the plan, Netanyahu’s government also announced it would only end the war once five “principles” were met. These included the demilitarisation of the strip, the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, and the disarmament of the group.

This new phase of the war follows a familiar pattern of poorly devised strategy-making on Netanyahu’s part, without sufficient reasoning or apparent forward planning. Given his new stated goal of taking full control of Gaza City, an end to the war does not feel likely, or imminent.

Here are five questions about whether the plan makes sense.

1. Is it necessary, or wise, militarily?

Significantly, the chief of staff of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has opposed the decision to expand operations in Gaza. He has warned that any plan to occupy the Gaza Strip would “drag Israel into a black hole”.

For one, Zamir believes expanding the military campaign is not necessary – he says the IDF has “met and even exceeded the operation’s objectives” in Gaza.

Hamas has been substantially degraded as a military force and its senior leadership has been killed. It is no longer an organised force in Gaza – it is now embracing guerrilla-style tactics.

This makes an expanded campaign in an urban environment such as Gaza City risky. Hamas will be able to use its vast tunnel network to mount surprise attacks on Israeli soldiers and place booby-traps in buildings.

As such, Netanyahu’s plan will inevitably lead to more IDF casualties. Nearly 900 IDF personnel have been killed so far in the war.

Moreover, taking full control of the strip would take months to complete and lead to countless more Palestinian civilian deaths.

Zamir has also warned it could endanger the lives of the remaining living Israeli hostages, which are believed to number around 20.

The freeing of Israeli hostages has only occurred during ceasefires – not as the result of military action. Hamas murdered six hostages in late 2024 when Israeli forces seemed to be getting close. Why wouldn’t it do so again if it was cornered?

2. Does Israel have enough military personnel for such an operation?

Israel has a relatively small army totalling about 169,000. It relies on more than 400,000 reservists, who have completed their military service, to augment the IDF during emergencies.

But taking reservists from their normal jobs for lengthy periods has adverse effects on the economy and harms Israel in the long term.

Netanyahu’s goal of degrading Hamas’ control of Gaza follows a basic strategy of
“clear, hold and build”. First, the IDF clears an area of Hamas fighters, then it holds the area with sufficient military personnel to prevent their return, and finally it builds an environment in which Hamas cannot function, for example, by destroying their tunnels and encouraging the return of civilian governance.

Israel does not have sufficient IDF personnel and reservists to deploy this strategy for the entire strip. It also needs soldiers in the West Bank, where clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinian residents have become increasingly violent in recent years.

Netanyahu says he doesn’t want to permanently occupy Gaza, yet the far-right members of his cabinet do. They have made clear they want Israeli settlements re-established in Gaza and also to annex most, if not all, of the West Bank.

The mixed messages out of Netanyahu’s government make it very difficult to know what his actual long-term plan is for Gaza, if he even has one.

3. What kind of ‘Arab force’ would eventually come in?

In an interview this week, Netanyahu said he envisions the future security control of the strip would eventually pass to “Arab forces”. But which Arab states would contribute military personnel to such a force?

Arab states have long held the position that they will not solve Israel’s Palestinian problem for it, nor will they agree to any outcome in Gaza or the West Bank that Palestinians oppose. In short, while they oppose Hamas, they refuse to do Israel’s dirty work on its behalf.

A Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, also warned this week that his group would treat any force formed to govern Gaza as an “occupying” force linked to Israel. Any personnel policing Gaza on Israel’s behalf would have targets on their back.

4. What is the plan for Gaza’s civilian population?

In July, Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a plan to force Gaza’s entire population of two million people into a “humanitarian city” in the southern part of the strip. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert likened it to a “concentration camp”.

Little has been said about the plan in recent weeks, but implementing it would no doubt exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the strip even further and draw even more international condemnation of Israel.

Earlier this year, Israel’s security cabinet also approved a plan to facilitate the “voluntary transfer” of Gazans from the strip to third countries. This plan, too, was decried as an attempt to ethnically cleanse the enclave.

Certainly, no states in the Arab League would have any willingness to receive more than two million Palestinian refugees.

5. Is Netanyahu willing to deepen Israel’s isolation?

In a piece for The Conversation on Friday, Middle East expert Amin Saikal pointed out just how much of a hit Israel’s international credibility has taken since the start of the war – even among Americans.

Israelis are becoming aware that travel outside their country could involve risks. Two Israelis were recently detained and questioned in Belgium after attending a music festival and allegedly waving the flag of their army brigade. A human rights group accused the pair of being complicit in war crimes in Gaza.

In addition, the international community has immediately responded to Netanyahu’s decision to expand the war. Germany, in a major step, announced it would halt all arms exports to Israel. The country is the second-largest supplier of arms to the Jewish state.

Netanyahu has responded to international criticism and moves by Israel’s allies to recognise a Palestinian state by accusing them of stoking antisemitism and rewarding Hamas.

However, the Israeli leader seems to be varying his strategy to deal with developments as they occur. He and others in his government probably feel they can continue weathering the international storm over their actions in Gaza until after the war and then work on rehabilitating relationships.

The final and biggest question, however, is: when will be the war be over?

Ian Parmeter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Israel is deepening its war in Gaza – here are 5 big questions about Netanyahu’s ill-advised next phase – https://theconversation.com/israel-is-deepening-its-war-in-gaza-here-are-5-big-questions-about-netanyahus-ill-advised-next-phase-262918

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

Gareth Ward, who was recently found guilty of four sexual offences, has resigned as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

In itself, this is unremarkable. Politicians accused of serious crimes or facing the threat of expulsion typically resign first, before they are disqualified or expelled. No one wants their name in the history books for such matters.

But what is remarkable is the tortured process that occurred to get to this point.

Why wasn’t conviction enough to remove him?

Ward, the state member for Kiama, was found guilty by a jury in the District Court on July 25 of one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.

Section 13A of the NSW Constitution says members of parliament are disqualified if they are convicted of serious offences that are punishable by imprisonment for five years or more. The offences of which Ward was found guilty fall into that category.

In the past, this would have resulted in Ward immediately and automatically losing his seat in parliament upon conviction, as is the case in the federal parliament. But section 13A was amended in 2000 so disqualification takes effect at the end of the appeal process, if the conviction still stands. This prevents a member from losing their seat if they were wrongly convicted and their conviction was later overturned.

But what if the offence is so serious it would undermine the public’s trust in the House if the convicted person remained a member during the considerable time it might take for an appeal to be determined? Could a member really serve their constituency while sitting in prison?

Parliament recognised this problem and inserted section 13A(3), which states these changes do not affect the power to expel a member.

The court challenge to expulsion

As Ward initially refused to resign and indicated he intended to appeal his convictions, he was notified by the government that an expulsion motion would be moved against him on August 5. Late on August 4, Ward’s legal team rushed to court to get an injunction to stop the expulsion motion, pending the resolution of his legal challenge to the power to expel him.

The NSW Court of Appeal held an urgent hearing on the morning of August 7, and issued its 25-page judgment later that day. It unanimously rejected Ward’s arguments, allowing the House to proceed to expulsion.

Ward had argued there was no power to expel while his criminal appeal process was underway. The court rejected this, finding the appeal process does not prevent an earlier expulsion, as clearly indicated by section 13A(3).

Next, Ward argued the expulsion was beyond the power of the House, because it was being done to punish him. The Houses of the NSW parliament do not have any punitive power to expel. They can only expel a member to protect the House and its capacity to discharge its great responsibilities with public confidence. But the court held that Ward had failed to establish that the proposed expulsion would be punitive and outside the House’s powers.

Because Ward was being held in prison, in Cessnock, he would not be available to respond in the House to the expulsion motion. He claimed this meant there was no procedural fairness. The court pointed out that Ward had been asked to submit any statement or material to the House for its consideration before the vote on expulsion. The House had not prevented Ward from attending – it was the decision of a judge to refuse him bail, sending him into custody, pending sentencing. The court concluded there is no general rule that procedural fairness requires a person to have an oral hearing before a decision-maker, and that there was no procedural unfairness in this case.

Finally, Ward argued his expulsion was inconsistent with the system of representative democracy, as it overrides the choice made by the electors. The court rejected this argument, noting that the outcome of expulsion is that voters get a fresh chance to choose their representative in a by-election. The electors of the electorate of Kiama were not disenfranchised but were instead “re-enfranchised in an orderly and expeditious way”.

The controversy over the injunction

Most controversial of all was the question of whether a judge could or should have issued an injunction restraining the House from deliberating on or passing a motion of expulsion. The courts and the Houses have long applied a principle of “comity”, under which neither interferes with the internal proceedings of the other.

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Assembly Ron Hoenig disputed the validity of the injunction, while nonetheless respecting the court’s order and voluntarily complying with it, pending an urgent hearing.

The Court of Appeal was critical of the conduct of the legal representatives for Ward, which led to the issuing of the injunction without the other side being properly notified or represented. At paragraph 88 of its judgment, it described the lack of notification as “unacceptable and inappropriate”. The deficiencies in the process of obtaining the injunction were such that no further consideration was given to the deeper issues concerning the constitutional relationship between the House and the courts.

Democracy lives on

The upshot of Ward’s resignation is that it will end the prospect of further litigation about his place in parliament. The people of the electorate of Kiama will now be able to exercise their democratic mandate in a by-election, to choose a representative who can serve them in the NSW parliament, rather than a prison cell.

Anne Twomey has received funding from the ARC and occasionally does consultancy works for Parliaments, governments and inter-governmental bodies. She has provided advice to parliamentary committees and clerks on the expulsion and suspension of MPs. She also has a YouTube channel, Constitutional Clarion, which has published videos on this issue.

– ref. Why Gareth Ward’s challenge to the power to expel him from the NSW parliament failed – https://theconversation.com/why-gareth-wards-challenge-to-the-power-to-expel-him-from-the-nsw-parliament-failed-262610

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milena Heinsch, Professor and Head of Social Work, University of Tasmania

If someone close to you has attempted suicide, you may be feeling scared, confused or overwhelmed.

You’re not alone – the most recent data shows more than one in three Australians have been close to someone who has died by or attempted suicide.

Talking about suicide can be really hard. But your support can make a big difference. Here’s what you can do to support someone after a suicide attempt.

It’s OK not to have all the answers

The days and weeks after a suicide attempt are often full of intense emotion — for the person who attempted and those who care about them.

Your loved one might feel guilt, shame, anger, confusion or relief. They might also be tired, both physically and emotionally. Meanwhile, you might feel worried, shocked, helpless, or unsure about what to say.

All of these feelings are normal. There’s no “right” way to feel in this situation. But staying connected and offering care (even in small ways) is one of the most powerful things you can do.

How you can help: emotional support

It’s OK to acknowledge the suicide attempt – avoiding it can add to feelings of stigma or isolation. But you don’t need to ask for details, and if you feel overwhelmed it’s also OK to set gentle boundaries.

If you’re unsure what to say, you can be honest about that.

Just be there. Let your loved one know you’re there to listen, without pressure or judgement.

Don’t rush the conversation. If they’re not ready to talk, that’s OK. Let them set the pace.

Avoid guilt or blame. Saying things like “how could you do this to us?” can make someone feel worse. Instead, say something like: “I’m really glad you’re still here. I care about you.”

Reassure them. Tell them they’re not alone and that it’s OK to ask for help.

How you can help: practical support

Offer help with everyday tasks, such as going to appointments, making meals or tidying up.

Encourage (but don’t force) activities they enjoy – maybe a walk, a movie, or just hanging out quietly.

If you’re not sure what would help, ask. Try: “What would make today a bit easier for you?”

Try not to take it personally if they seem withdrawn or say “nothing will help”. They may be feeling overwhelmed.

Stay with them, if they’re open to it, or check in later with a text message. Small acts that don’t require a response, such as dropping off a meal, can go a long way.

You don’t have to do this alone

Supporting someone after a suicide attempt can be both physically and emotionally draining. You might find yourself constantly alert, watching for signs they might be struggling again. This “hypervigilance” is normal, but remember – you don’t have to do this alone.

One person is not a support network. While your care and support make a real difference, professional help is essential too, whether from a psychologist, doctor or counsellor.

It can also help to bring in other trusted people, such as siblings, parents, friends or teachers. Ask your loved one who they’d like to involve, and how.

Support works best when shared.

If you’re worried it might happen again

Mental health professionals often help create a safety plan after a suicide attempt.

This is a step-by-step guide for what to do if suicidal thoughts come back. It usually includes information such as warning signs, how to reduce immediate risks, and strategies to use in the moment.

A plan can also involve personal motivations to keep going and a list of resources, trusted people and emergency contacts.

Lifeline has a free app called Beyond Now, where a plan can be written, saved, and shared with trusted people.

If you want to – and your loved one is open to it – ask if you can be part of the plan or at least know what to do if they’re in crisis again.

Don’t forget: your wellbeing matters too

This situation can take a toll on your own wellbeing. You might feel anxious, tired, sad, or even guilty, and struggle with sleep or appetite.

It’s OK to not be OK.

Make time to look after yourself – eat well, rest, move your body and talk to people you trust. You don’t need to share private details about your loved one to get the support you need.

If it feels overwhelming, speak to a doctor or therapist. Your GP can help set up a mental health treatment plan, which helps you access subsidised counselling.

And if you ever have thoughts of suicide yourself, or you’re deeply worried about someone, reach out – help is available 24/7.

Recovery is different for everyone

Recovery after a suicide attempt doesn’t follow a set path – it’s different for everyone. It may involve professional support, medication, changes in routine, or time off from work or school. Rebuilding takes time and often comes with ups and downs.

Patience and compassion – for your loved one and yourself – can make all the difference.

Remember, you’re not alone, and there is help available.

Lifeline Australia:

• call 13 11 14
• text 0477 13 11 14
• chat online
• create and share a safety plan online.

Beyond Blue:

• call: 1300 22 4636
• visit their website.

Suicide Call Back Service is a free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide:

• call: 1300 659 467
• visit their website.

13YARN is a free and confidential 24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Call 13 92 76. WellMob also has a list of culturally safe mental health organisations for First Nations people.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What to say and how to help if someone close to you has attempted suicide – https://theconversation.com/what-to-say-and-how-to-help-if-someone-close-to-you-has-attempted-suicide-262699

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Riona Moodley, Lecturer in Law, UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney

Going “green” is not just good for the environment and climate, it can also be great for business. Consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly goods and services, and are willing to pay more for them.

But consumers aren’t always getting what they paid for – as evidenced by a number of high-profile “greenwashing” legal cases in Australia.

Greenwashing occurs when a business falsely markets its products and services as sustainable or good for the environment or climate. It is a form of misleading and deceptive conduct, and considered illegal under various Australian laws.

So, let’s take a look at the array of products and services involved in recent greenwashing claims, and how to avoid getting duped.

1. Garbage bags

In April this year, the Federal Court fined Clorox Australia A$8.25 million after finding the company falsely claimed its GLAD-branded kitchen and garbage bags contained “50% ocean plastic”.

The court found the bags were partly made from plastic collected from communities in Indonesia up to 50 kilometres from a shoreline, and not from the ocean or sea.

2. Superannuation

The Federal Court fined superannuation trustee, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, $11.3 million in August last year after it admitted to making misleading statements about its “Sustainable Plus” investment options.

The products were promoted as excluding investments in companies involved in the fossil fuel, gambling and alcohol industries. These representations were found to be false and misleading since the products did, in fact, include investments in each of those industries.

In March this year, the Federal Court found Active Super trustee LGSS made false and misleading statements about its ESG (environmental, social and governance) credentials. It imposed a $10.5 million penalty.

LGSS claimed the Active Super fund had eliminated investments risky to the environment and the community, including coal mining and oil tar sands. The claims were found to be untrue. In fact, LGSS held investments in various coal and oil companies, including Whitehaven Coal.

3. Ethical investment

In March last year, the Federal Court found investment giant Vanguard misled investors by claiming its $1 billion ethical bond fund would exclude certain fossil fuel investments.

The fund had, in fact, invested in activities associated with oil and gas exploration, including oil pipelines in the United States and Abu Dhabi and a petroleum company in Chile. Vanguard was fined $12.9 million.

4. Sunscreen

The ACCC has launched legal action against Edgewell Personal Care Australia (and its US-based parent company) over their Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat sunscreens.

Edgewell has claimed the sunscreens are “reef friendly” because they do not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate – chemicals banned in some countries due to the damage they cause to coral reefs.

But the ACCC claims the sunscreens contain other ingredients which either cause, or risk causing, harm to reefs. It says Edgewell has no reasonable or scientific basis to promote the environmental benefits of Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat sunscreens.

The manufacturer is contesting the ACCC’s allegations. An Edgewell spokesperson, quoted in The Guardian, said the company firmly stood by the products’ claims.

5. Carbon offsets

In May this year, EnergyAustralia reached a settlement with non-profit group Parents for Climate, which accused the energy giant of greenwashing its “Go Neutral” carbon offset product.

Under the scheme, EnergyAustralia sold energy sourced primarily from fossil fuels, while promising to “offset” related emissions by buying carbon credits.

Parents for Climate claimed customers were falsely led to believe their energy use under the scheme would not contribute to climate change.

As part of the settlement, EnergyAustralia apologised to customers for not being clear and acknowledged that “offsets do not prevent or undo the harms caused by burning fossil fuels for a customer’s energy use”.

How to spot greenwashing

While greenwashing litigation is helping to reshape corporate behaviour, consumers have an important role, too.

ASIC and the ACCC have issued guidelines to help businesses avoid greenwashing. Those resources are also useful for consumers.

First, beware vague, unsubstantiated labels such as eco-friendly, green or sustainable. As the ACCC’s guidelines observe, “without further qualification or clarification, consumers can easily be misled that the product, service or business is better for the environment than is actually the case”.

If vague words are used without explanation, concerned consumers should ask the company for clarification and evidence.

Watch out for businesses making selective claims about a product’s benefits while hiding its negative attributes.

For example, a clothing manufacturer might claim its new product line is “eco-friendly” because it uses recycled polyesters. But it might fail to acknowledge the negative environmental impact of water use when dyeing the products or emissions involved in transporting them to consumers.

To avoid this trap, investigate the brand’s history. Has it found to have been greenwashing in the past? Is it transparent about where it sources its materials or how the products are made?

And what about financial products? If a firm hasn’t provided adequate information about its sustainability claims, ask for verification.

You can also compare the environmental performance of a product with industry peers.

By learning how to make more informed choices, consumers can drive change through their purchasing power.

Riona Moodley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up – https://theconversation.com/from-reef-friendly-sunscreens-to-sustainable-super-greenwashing-allegations-are-rife-heres-how-the-claims-stack-up-261377

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Franceschini, Lecturer, Chinese Studies, The University of Melbourne

Last month, the Cambodian government launched the largest crackdown to date on the online scam industry that has taken root in the country and operated largely in the open.

On July 16, a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged the growing threat posed by the industry and instructed provincial officials, law enforcement agencies, the courts and the national gambling commission to take action.

As police began raiding scam sites across the country, Telegram channels used by cyber criminals went into a frenzy, warning others of the seriousness of the crackdown.

Some posts claimed the police were setting up roadblocks across the country, detaining people without passports and demanding bribes for their release. Videos also circulated showing mass evacuations from compounds.

The government was soon trumpeting its success. In late July, it announced that raids had been conducted at nearly 140 locations, leading to the arrests of more than 3,000 suspects from at least 19 countries, more than half of them from China and Vietnam.

Significantly, the authorities said very few of these “suspects” had been held against their will. However, we know from our research, previously published in The Conversation, that thousands of people have been trafficked or duped into these compounds and forced to work in conditions akin to modern slavery.

The crackdown was met with praise from China and other countries. Many of these governments have been struggling with the consequences of the scam industry, whether through the trafficking of their citizens to Cambodia or scammers targeting victims in their countries.

However, despite the scale of the operation – and the government’s pledge to “get rid” of scam syndicates in Cambodia – there is widespread scepticism these efforts will be enough to dismantle the industry.

Read more:
Scam Factories: the inside story of Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds

Simmering border tensions

The crackdown last month coincided with a brief conflict between Thailand and Cambodia that displaced more than 300,000 people.

Analysts have pointed to long-simmering tensions over the countries’ border and rising tensions over the death of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish in May as the reason for the hostilities.

However, Thailand has attributed the conflict to its own crackdown on Cambodian scam operations.

Earlier this year, Thailand cut power and internet service to the border scam hotspot of Poipet City.

Then, in early July, Thailand took the unprecedented step of going after a powerful Cambodian senator and tycoon known to own large properties in Poipet that Thai authorities allege are connected to online scam operations.

Thailand’s criminal court issued an arrest warrant for the senator and raided his properties in Thailand. The authorities also targeted his children and their Thai assets.

In response, a Cambodian official accused Thailand of long being a “central hub for transnational crimes” in Southeast Asia and “shifting blame” for the problem to Cambodia.

A spokesperson for Cambodia’s Senate also said the case against the senator was exaggerated and false, calling it an act of “revenge”. The senator himself did not respond to attempts by Cambodian media to reach him.

Although Thailand has ramped up efforts to tackle the scam industry in recent years, its leaders are likely using the issue to bolster public support at home, while bloodying the noses of Cambodian elites they allege are profiting from the industry.

Large operations continue to operate

Amid this war of words, Cambodian authorities insist the crackdown on the industry will continue.

To Cambodia’s credit, this latest campaign was national in scope, unlike previous crackdowns that were mostly confined to the coastal city of Sihanoukville, a major scamming hub.

Still, familiar patterns quickly began to surface. As in the past, the authorities have focused on small to mid-sized operations, while the largest operators seem to have been left untouched.

In many cases, these major compounds were reportedly tipped off in advance and evacuated. A significant number of scammers have since relocated to large compounds close to the Vietnam border, which seem to be operating without interference.

Indeed, one of us (Ling) joined a rescue team in early August trying to reach a Chinese man who claimed to have been trafficked into a compound hidden deep in the hills of Mondulkiri Province near the border.

The man couldn’t pinpoint his exact location, but through messages with the rescue organisation over several months, the team was able to gradually determine where he was being held – and the scale of the scamming enterprise.

Weeks after the crackdown, Ling joined the team on a field visit to assess the situation. From the hilltops at night, they saw lights flickering across the slopes coming from what appeared to be several buildings surrounded by sparse jungle.

With only one exposed access road to the site, the team couldn’t get close without being detected. But there was no doubt the compound was active and bustling, as were several others in the area that Ling observed on her trip.

The Chinese man was still inside at that time, but since then, there has been no word from him.

What needs to be done

Crackdowns on scam compounds have failed in the past because they don’t address the two fundamental pillars that allow the industry to flourish. One is the powerful local networks that protect scam operators. The other is the sophisticated physical infrastructure of the compounds.

As long as the elites who provide scam operators with cover remain untouched and the compounds remain intact, scammers can quickly get back to work when the pressure subsides.

Periodic crackdowns may shake things up temporarily, but the people being arrested tend to be low-level workers, not those at the top.

Once these campaigns are over, scamming activities simply restart. Operators may go quiet until the storm passes or move to safer locations. Confiscated equipment can be replaced, as can the workers.

The cycle can only be broken by longer-term measures to tackle the structural and systemic issues that prop up the industry in these countries, such as corruption and weak law enforcement.

Given the transnational nature of the industry and complicity of the authorities and elites in host countries, it also requires a more determined effort from global governments, law enforcement, and the finance and tech companies whose products and services are exploited by scam operators.

Independent researcher Mark Bo contributed to this report.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Cambodia is vowing to ‘rid’ the country of scam compounds. But we’ve seen several still operating in the open – https://theconversation.com/cambodia-is-vowing-to-rid-the-country-of-scam-compounds-but-weve-seen-several-still-operating-in-the-open-262792

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Graffam-O’Meara, PhD Candidate in Theatre, Monash University

Pony Cam makes its mainstage debut at Malthouse Theatre with The Orchard, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic.

The company has recently produced a string of successes by launching new works at the Melbourne Fringe Festival that have then gone on to be programmed in prestigious mainstream arts festivals. The production Grand Theft Theatre was later programmed in Adelaide Festival; Burnout Paradise featured in RISING Festival. Pony Cam includes performer-devisors Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams.

The team has forged a reputation for bold experimentation, blending spectacle and community with hybrid theatrical forms and legacies.

On the choice to adapt Chekhov’s final play, originally composed in 1903, the team reflects:

Our practice has always been built around making new work – creating our own worlds while borrowing shamelessly and stealing lovingly from the shows and artists that came before us. But adaptation – the act of reshaping an existing body, innovating within the scaffold of tradition – was unfamiliar terrain.

Boldness and whimsy

At the outset of The Orchard, Strom greets the audience, microphone in hand, for an introduction to proceedings. He tells us the team is presenting Chekhov’s play “without the dialogue”. Gone too is its four-act structure.

Some audience members have been poached from the foyer 15 minutes before show time to act as co-performers; we’re told most scenes will be improvised.

For those unfamiliar with Chekhov’s play, Strom distils key narrative features that made The Cherry Orchard innovative for its time.

The family that owns the cherry orchard no longer has the money or resources to maintain the estate. The return to this place at the start of the play marks a coming together from various regions of Russia in what seems an attempt to save it.

There is no hero’s journey in this play; the tension – its drama – is in characters not taking action or necessarily speaking truth to feeling when it matters.

The result is that the family loses the orchard; the final moment features the heartbreaking sounds of axes on wood. It is this non-action that Pony Cam explores with signature boldness and whimsy in The Orchard.

On Strom’s cue, the remaining cast – including participating audience-performers – emerge in a cloud of haze from a garage door at the back of the theatre.

High-energy physicality

Sophie Woodward’s set design centres a large raised platform on which the main action takes place. The platform is surrounded by antique furniture pieces with kitschy adornments.

Woodward dresses the Pony Cam team in matching burgundy tones with red vests, complemented by an assortment of stereotype-laden Russian-inspired furs.

Participating audience members are also given furs but otherwise remain in the clothes they wore to the theatre. These guest performers spend the show unpacking and organising more antique items or completing assigned tasks from the cast.

In various iterations and groupings, Bird, Campbell, Strom, Weintraub and Williams climb on and off the central platform, taking turns to ask:

What are we going to do about the orchard?

Improvised responses sometimes address the problem, but mostly the conversations devolve into personal histories, feelings, family relationships, or the increasing toxicity of modern work life and the unaffordability of rest time.

The same question is asked again and again: “What are we going to do about the orchard?”

The performers at times grab a microphone at the front of the stage to embody character archetypes from Chekhov’s play.

In these monologues, the orchard is rendered synonymous to local artistic landscapes (possibly the Malthouse itself).

There’s little to no funding relief, no government intervention, no philanthropy; the performers list soaring annual shortfall figures, and even take pains to explain how cost disease continues to drive up the cost of making new work.

Campbell poignantly remarks into the microphone:

It’s not that our work has failed; it’s that the world changed around us.

It hits like a punch to the gut.

The show is infused with signature Pony Cam high-energy physicality. As the heat of the performance rises – accompanied by increasing climate temperature figures projected overhead – so too does the (in)action of the figures in this play.

In an extended dance sequence set to Russian electronic dance music, the team showcase their extraordinary performance prowess. Such sequences are supported by a bold and flamboyant lighting design by Harrie Hogan.

Inaction and atrophy

At the heart of The Orchard is a rumination on cultural inaction and atrophy. While it speaks to local creative landscapes, climate inaction and other current political conditions are necessarily evoked.

For a company rooted in fringe and independent theatre, Pony Cam uses its mainstage debut to explore how inaction makes the temptation of selling out to corporate interests – land, venues, business, art, merchandise, ideas, creativity, people – seem like the only escape from this plight.

This is how Pony Cam mines the rich veins of Chekhov’s original.

What are we going to do about the orchard?

The Orchard is at Malthouse Theatre until August 16.

Jonathan Graffam-O’Meara does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. ‘What ‘are’ we going to do about the orchard?‘ Pony Cam takes on Chekhov classic for Malthouse debut – https://theconversation.com/what-are-we-going-to-do-about-the-orchard-pony-cam-takes-on-chekhov-classic-for-malthouse-debut-261769

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance, RMIT University

It was the latest blow to the credibility of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). This time, the nation’s stock exchange mixed up two company names in an error that briefly wiped A$400 million off the market value of our third biggest telco, TPG Telecom.

On Wednesday morning, the ASX mistakenly linked TPG Telecom Limited to a market announcement involving a completely different company — TPG Capital Asia. This US-owned, private equity giant just revealed a A$651 million takeover of the software firm Infomedia.

The ASX’s error led investors to believe TPG Telecom was making an acquisition outside its sector. Automatic trading algorithms also kicked in. Within minutes, TPG Telecom’s stock plunged nearly 5% before the ASX halted trading. The damage was done.

The ASX later described the mistake as “an inadvertent human error”.

The exchange moved quickly to cancel trades executed during the 15-minute error window. But the incident has reignited longstanding concerns about the ASX’s operational resilience and governance, and the fragility of investor confidence.

In a market where milliseconds matter, even a minor error can have major consequences.

A pattern of failure

This latest blunder is far from an isolated incident. It’s the culmination of years of operational failures that would be unacceptable in any other critical infrastructure sector.

An outage related to the ASX’s ageing platform for clearing and settling trades in December 2024 stands as perhaps the most serious breach of market confidence. The system couldn’t complete basic settlement processes.

This prompted unprecedented intervention from the regulator and the Reserve Bank of Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Reserve Bank expressed “deep concerns” about these “repeated and serious failures” in the exchange’s trading infrastructure.

This came on top of the botched replacement project for the ASX’s platform known as CHESS. The upgrade remains years behind schedule and hundreds of millions over budget. These events expose fundamental weaknesses in technical capabilities.

TPG Telecom: collateral damage in a system failure

For TPG Telecom, this was an uninvited PR disaster. The company didn’t seek the spotlight, but the ASX error has placed it under the microscope. While its fundamentals haven’t changed, the incident has heightened scrutiny of its strategy, debt levels and market positioning.

Academic research in finance shows exogenous shocks (unexpected external events) beyond a firm’s control can lead to disproportionate attention from investors and analysts. Once a stock becomes the focus of media and market chatter, questions that might have remained on the margins become front and centre.

This kind of exposure can be both a risk and an opportunity.

If the company is seen as opaque or unprepared, it risks reputational damage. But it also has a chance to build investor trust through strong, transparent communication. In today’s markets, how a company responds under pressure matters as much as the trigger itself.

Competition for the ASX

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that Australia needs more than a reliable exchange. It needs competition, accountability and innovation. The ASX’s dominance in trading and post-trade services has long frustrated market participants.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s announcement this week about boosting competition to the ASX couldn’t be more timely.

ASIC said it is considering plans to strengthen the alternative trading exchange Cboe Australia in a bid to improve resilience and innovation. Launched in 2011 as Chi-X, Cboe now claims around 20% of daily share trading volume.

News of increased competition helped to send ASX’s own shares down 11% in early trade on Thursday before ending at 8.6% down.

Australia has a persistent problem with concentrated markets, from banking to telecommunications to supermarkets. The ASX monopoly follows the same pattern: limited competition can breed complacency.

Read more:
Embattled ASX set to face beefed-up competition, in bid to boost investment

The message is clear: trust in infrastructure must be earned, not assumed. The ASX must now prove it deserves its dominant role in Australia’s financial system, or risk losing it.

Trust is the real currency of markets

The TPG trading error is more than a technical mishap. It is a warning. Financial markets depend on trust in price accuracy, infrastructure reliability, and timely, transparent responses when things go wrong.

Repeated failures undermine this trust. If investors begin to question the accuracy of what they see on the trading screen, or the ability of the system to recover from mistakes, the risk isn’t just reputational. It’s systemic.

In academic terms, this is a textbook case of what’s known as “market microstructure friction” in the trading of stocks or bonds. This means the plumbing of the financial system breaks down and distorts outcomes. But for the average investor, it’s simpler: if the exchange can’t get the basics right, how can we trust the prices or the market?

The ASX now faces a crisis of credibility. If trust is the currency of markets, it’s one the exchange can no longer afford to spend lightly. For regulators, investors and listed firms, this could be a turning point towards a more competitive, resilient and accountable trading environment.

Angel Zhong does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. The ASX’s rookie error is just the latest of many blunders. Investors are losing confidence – https://theconversation.com/the-asxs-rookie-error-is-just-the-latest-of-many-blunders-investors-are-losing-confidence-262790

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kai Riemer, Professor of Information Technology and Organisation, University of Sydney

Have you ever sat in a meeting where someone half your age casually mentions “prompting ChatGPT” or “running this through AI”, and felt a familiar knot in your stomach? You’re not alone.

There’s a growing narrative that artificial intelligence (AI) is inherently ageist, that older workers will be disproportionately hit by job displacement and are more reluctant to adopt AI tools.

But such assumptions – especially that youth is a built-in advantage when it comes to AI – might not actually hold.

While ageism in hiring is a real concern, if you have decades of work experience, your skills, knowledge and judgement could be exactly what’s needed to harness AI’s power – without falling into its traps.

What does the research say?

The research on who benefits most from AI at work is surprisingly murky, partly because it’s still early days for systematic studies on AI and work.

Some research suggests lower-skilled workers might have more to gain than high-skilled workers on certain straightforward tasks. The picture becomes much less clear under real-world conditions, especially for complex work that relies heavily on judgement and experience.

Through our Skills Horizon research project, where we’ve been talking to Australian and global senior leaders across different industries, we’re hearing a more nuanced story.

Many older workers do experience AI as deeply unsettling. As one US-based CEO of a large multinational corporation told us:

AI can be a form of existential challenge, not only to what you’re doing, but how you view yourself.

But leaders are also observing an important and unexpected distinction: experienced workers are often much better at judging the quality of AI outputs. This might become one of the most important skills, given that AI occasionally hallucinates or gets things wrong.

The CEO of a South American creative agency put it bluntly:

Senior colleagues are using multiple AIs. If they don’t have the right solution, they re-prompt, iterate, but the juniors are satisfied with the first answer, they copy, paste and think they’re finished. They don’t yet know what they are looking for, and the danger is that they will not learn what to look for if they keep working that way.

Experience as an AI advantage

Experienced workers have a crucial advantage when it comes to prompting AI: they understand context and usually know how to express it clearly.

While a junior advertising creative might ask an AI to “Write copy for a sustainability campaign”, a seasoned account director knows to specify “Write conversational social media copy for a sustainable fashion brand targeting eco-conscious millennials, emphasising our client’s zero-waste manufacturing process and keeping the tone authentic but not preachy”.

This skill mirrors what experienced professionals do when briefing junior colleagues or freelancers: providing detailed instructions, accounting for audience, objectives, and constraints. It’s a competency developed through years of managing teams and projects.

Younger workers, despite their comfort with technology, may actually be at a disadvantage here. There’s a crucial difference between using technology frequently and using it well.

Many young people may become too accustomed to AI assistance. A survey of US teens this year found 72% had used an AI companion app. Some children and teens are turning to chatbots for everyday decisions.

Without the professional experience to recognise when something doesn’t quite fit, younger workers risk accepting AI responses that feel right – effectively “vibing” their work – rather than developing the analytical skills to evaluate AI usefulness.

So what can you do?

First, everyone benefits from learning more about AI. In our time educating everyone from students to senior leaders and CEOs, we find that misunderstandings about how AI works have little to do with age.

A good place to start is reading up on what AI is and what it can do for you:

• What is AI?

• Where does AI come from?

• How does AI learn?

• What can AI do?

• What makes a good AI prompt?

If you’re not even sure which AI platform to try, we would recommend testing the most prominent ones, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google’s Gemini.

Read more:
The biggest barrier to AI adoption in the business world isn’t tech – it’s user confidence

If you’re an experienced worker feeling threatened by AI, lean into your strengths. Your decades of experience with delegation, context-setting, and critical evaluation are exactly what AI tools need.

Start small. Pick one regular work task and experiment with AI assistance, using your judgement to evaluate and refine outputs. Practice prompting like you’re briefing a junior colleague: be specific about context, constraints, and desired outcomes, and repeat the process as needed.

Most importantly, don’t feel threatened. In a workplace increasingly filled with AI-generated content, your ability to spot what doesn’t quite fit, and to know what questions to ask, has never been more valuable.

Kai Riemer is co-author of the annual “Skills Horizon” research project, which identifies key leadership skills (including in AI), based on interviews with global and Australian leaders and executives across various fields. He also educates leaders in AI fluency through Sydney Executive Plus at the University of Sydney.

Sandra Peter is co-author of the annual “Skills Horizon” research project, which identifies key leadership skills (including in AI), based on interviews with global and Australian leaders and executives across various fields. She also educates leaders in AI fluency through Sydney Executive Plus at the University of Sydney.

– ref. Are you in a mid-career to senior job? Don’t fear AI – you could have this important advantage – https://theconversation.com/are-you-in-a-mid-career-to-senior-job-dont-fear-ai-you-could-have-this-important-advantage-262347

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral Researcher in Radio Astronomy, University of Sydney

You might have seen an interesting phrase popping up in your social media feeds lately: “Chiron is in retrograde.” If you’re anything like me, you’ve never heard of Chiron before – and I’m a professional astronomer.

So what is Chiron, and what does it mean to be in retrograde? The short answer is that Chiron is an asteroid-slash-comet orbiting somewhere past Jupiter and Saturn. And until January 2026, it’s going to look like it’s going backwards in the sky. If you can spot it.

But there’s a bit more to the story.

What is Chiron?

Chiron’s official name is (2060) Chiron. First things first: it’s pronounced “kai-ruhn”, with a hard K sound.

It was discovered by astronomer Charles Kowal in 1977. This was long after the system of Western astrology was developed, which probably explains why people who check their daily horoscopes are also blissfully unaware of its existence.

It was initially classified as an asteroid, or a rock in space. In 1989 astronomers discovered Chiron sometimes has a tail or “coma”, which tells us that it’s actually a comet or a “dirty snowball”. Since then, Chiron has been classified as both an asteroid and a comet.

In 2023, more than 45 years after it was first discovered, astronomers confirmed Chiron has rings. This makes it the fourth non-planet in the Solar System to have rings. (The planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune have rings, as do the asteroid Chariklo and the dwarf planets Haumea and Quaoar.)

Chiron orbits the Sun in an oval-shaped orbit. The closest it gets to the Sun is about 1.3 billion kilometres (about eight times the distance between Earth and the Sun) and the furthest it gets from the Sun is a whopping 2.7 billion km (about 19 times the distance between Earth and the Sun).

This puts it between the orbits of Jupiter and Uranus, cutting through the orbit of Saturn.

Centaurs in space

Chiron is a member of the Centaurs. This is a group of small Solar System bodies that orbit the Sun between Jupiter and Neptune. Their orbits are highly unstable: they change over time because of gravitational interactions with the giant planets.

In Greek mythology, centaurs were creatures with the lower body and legs of a horse and the torso and arms of a human. Chiron was the oldest centaur, the son of the Titan Kronos. He was considered the wisest centaur.

Fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians may also recognise Chiron as the director of Camp Halfblood.

Chiron in retrograde

In astronomy, retrograde motion is when something is going backwards compared with everything else.

Apparent retrograde motion is where an object in the sky, such as a planet, appears to be going backwards when we look at it from Earth. The object hasn’t actually changed direction; it just looks like it from our perspective.

All the planets (and Chiron) orbit the Sun in the same direction. This means the planets typically look like they are moving in a west-to-east direction across the sky. But when Earth “catches” up to a planet (or a planet catches up to Earth) and overtakes it, the planet temporarily appears to move in a west-to-east direction in the sky.

This temporary illusion is apparent retrograde motion. It’s just like when you’re driving in a car and overtake a slower car, that slower car looks like it’s going backwards as you overtake it.

Chiron went into retrograde (that is, apparent retrograde motion) on July 30 2025 and will go back to normal on January 2 2026. But unless you have a telescope or do some long-exposure photography, you’d never know which way Chiron is travelling. Chiron is very faint, so you can’t see it with your eyes.

The ancient astrologers didn’t know about Chiron, but I like to think they’d appreciate a centaur in space with a ring on it.

Laura Nicole Driessen is an ambassador for the Orbit Centre of Imagination at the Rise and Shine Kindergarten, in Sydney’s Inner West.

– ref. Move over Mercury – Chiron is in retrograde. What even is Chiron? – https://theconversation.com/move-over-mercury-chiron-is-in-retrograde-what-even-is-chiron-262509

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Howard Manns, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Monash University

Bonzer. Dinkum. Troppo. We love our distinctive words and phrases.

We revel in the confusion they cause outsiders. We celebrate the stories behind them. We even make up a few furphies about them.

What many Australians might not know, however, is that for nearly 40 years a dedicated team at the Australian National University (ANU) has been hard at work digging up these past stories — real and furphy — and keeping a close eye on the new ones.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more committed group of lexical patriots. Most everything you know, want to know, or have heard about Australian words comes from the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANDC). From media, to academics, to everyday Aussies, we all rely on these quiet patriots — even if we don’t always know it.

But despite this work, and the central (and government-funded) role the ANU is meant to play in Australian history and identity, the ANU leadership is killing off the ANDC. The university has stated that the decision is a necessary part of reducing operating costs.

Dictionaries and our national sense of self

Dictionaries help define and reflect a nation’s identity. When Samuel Johnson published his famed Dictionary of the English Language in 1755, many celebrated that he and a handful of assistants accomplished in nine years what took 40 French academics half a century.

Dictionaries are especially important for colonial Englishes, such as those spoken in many countries, including Australia and the United States. At first, people looked down on these Englishes.

In the US, Noah Webster was derided for his suggestions Americans should assert their linguistic independence from Britain. US periodicals were openly hostile, jeering Webster’s “vulgar perversions” and “illiterate and pernicious” views of language.

However, when Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language came out in 1828, it established the global importance of this new English. Mark Twain soon wrote,

The King’s English is not the King’s. It is a joint stock company and Americans own most of the shares.

Australia’s colonial English got off to a slow start — dismissed as “the base language of English thieves” and “crude, mis-shapen and careless”. But by the late 19th century, Australians began celebrating their distinct words, in the Bulletin, in books like Sidney Baker’s “The Australian Language”, and in dictionaries such as E.E. Morris’s “Austral Language”.

Still, many called for a truly national dictionary to capture the way Australians speak. Australian lexicographer Peter Davies wrote in 1975:

Vigorous cultures demonstrate pride and interest in their own languages and literatures by building great works in their honour.

Read more:
Get yer hand off it, mate, Australian slang is not dying

Constructing working and living monuments to Aussie English

Finally, in the 1980s, Australians stopped taking their linguistic cues from Britain. With the publication of the Macquarie Dictionary in 1981 and the Australian National Dictionary in 1988, the language found its local voice.

However, these works differ in how they approach Australian English. The Macquarie Dictionary describes the spelling, pronunciation and definitions of English words as they are used in Australia.

The Australian National Dictionary (AND) grounds our words, and their meanings, in their historical and cultural contexts. The AND tells us where words have come from, when they were first used and how their meanings have changed over time. In short, the AND is a living, breathing and evolving record of how language is wrapped up in who we are as Australians.

As linguist Don Laycock once wrote, “there’s no other dictionary quite like this one in the world”. Its pages sing of “boundary riders, larrikins, sundowners, fizgigs, diggers and other dinkum Aussies”. Sidney J. Baker argued if the “Australian language [was] something to be reckoned with it” it was because of these iconic characters.

But the dictionary’s first editor, Bill Ramson, was not as romantic as Baker. Ramson wanted an academic and historical work — he left the romantic side of Australian English to the rest of us.

As an academic work, or more accurately, a monument to Australian English, the AND is unparalleled. Its second edition, released in 2016, contains the history of more than 16,000 words and phrases. Moreover, the second edition did the hard yakka to acknowledge the influence of Indigenous words on our English (words like “yakka”, from the Yagara language).

But the AND is more than an academic resource — its insights inform media, education and everyday life. We (the authors) write and speak widely about Australian English, with hundreds of media appearances each year, and we’ve both authored high school texts exploring its history and use. Howard Manns recently developed an SBS program introducing newcomers to Australian English.

Crucially, the AND’s research doesn’t just support this work — it makes it possible.

‘The most unpatriotic thing ever’?

When the Australian National Dictionary was first published – by Britain’s Oxford University Press – some baulked at foreign involvement. In 1983, Australian publisher Kevin Weldon even called it “the most unpatriotic thing ever”, also objecting to it being edited by a New Zealander (Bill Ramson) and an English woman (Joan Hughes).

History, of course, has vindicated them — and the many others, Australian or not, who helped create this cultural landmark.

But Weldon was not necessarily wrong. In the end, it seems American-style managerialism will be the death of the ANDC. Weldon surely didn’t anticipate that the “most unpatriotic thing ever” — the killing off of the AND — would be an act by Australians at the Australian National University.

In a statement, the ANU told The Conversation: “This decision reflects the need to reduce recurrent operating costs while ensuring that core academic activities are sustainably embedded within Schools and Colleges”.

Cutting the ANDC isn’t just a short-sighted administrative decision to save a few quid. It’s the wilful disregard of Australian cultural heritage and the powerful work its scholars do to help us understand the past, present and future of Australians, our English and our identities.

This dictionary centre is a national asset — once it’s gone, we lose a living record of our national voice.

Howard Manns receives funding from the ARC SR200200350.

Kate Burridge receives funding from the ARC SR200200350.

– ref. The ANU is moving to kill the Australian National Dictionary – this is why it matters – https://theconversation.com/the-anu-is-moving-to-kill-the-australian-national-dictionary-this-is-why-it-matters-261844

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Tiedemann, Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

Every day in Australia, more than 400 people aged over 65 are admitted to hospital due to a fall. That’s around one person every four minutes.

Although anyone can experience a fall, they’re a common cause of disability and loss of independence in older age.

Sadly, 17 older people die as a direct result of falls every day in Australia, often due to head trauma or internal bleeding. Many of these people are dying early, not when their “time has come”.

The good news is that many falls are preventable. Here are five key actions you can take to reduce your risk of falls.

1. Do balance challenging exercises

Recent Australian fall prevention guidelines recommend all people aged 65 years and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, should take part in exercise to prevent falls, even if they have never fallen.

In particular, exercise that targets balance and strength is crucial for preventing falls. These are exercises you do while standing, with the feet close together or while standing on one leg (if it’s safe to do so).

These exercises should include controlled movement of the body (such as leaning, reaching and stepping). Examples include heel raises, squats, lunges and stepping in different directions.

To gain the most benefits, fall prevention exercises should be performed at least three times per week.

People who have already had regular falls may benefit from specialised advice from a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or trained exercise instructor.

2. Have your medications reviewed

Certain medications, such as sleeping tablets, as well as taking multiple medications, can increase your risk of falling.

Older people should discuss and have their medications reviewed each year or after a change in their health, by a GP in collaboration with a pharmacist. Where appropriate, a health-care professional may be able suggest changes which minimise the use of medicines that increase a person’s risk of falling.

3. Maximise the safety of your home

About half of all falls that result in hospital admissions occur in and around the home.

Older people at a higher risk of falls – such as those with significant vision impairment or who have poor mobility – can benefit from a home safety intervention. This would involve:

• an assessment of their home environment
• advice about how to safely undertake daily tasks at home and elsewhere, such as safe mobility on stairs and the use of walking aids where needed
• suggested changes to the home such as installation of grab rails, improved lighting and non-slip mats in the bathroom.

This may be more effective at reducing the risk of falls when provided by an occupational therapist.

Even for older people who have not fallen before, it’s a good idea to reduce clutter, ensure good lighting in the house and remove trip hazards such as electrical cords in walkways.

4. Get your eyes tested regularly

Good vision is essential for maintaining balance, seeing obstacles and moving around safely. Cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye, blur your vision and can make you sensitive to light and glare. This common eye condition, associated with age, reduces your ability to spot hazards in the environment.

Research shows having cataracts removed reduces the risk of falls. Fall prevention guidelines recommend a yearly eye check with an optometrist to detect cataracts and other eye conditions.

There’s also evidence wearing bifocal or multifocal glasses can increase the risk of falls by blurring edges close to the feet (such as the edge of a step or gutter). For this reason the Australian fall prevention guidelines recommend active older people use single-lens distance glasses (rather than bifocal, multifocal or progressive lenses) when doing activities outdoors.

It’s also wise for anyone getting a new glasses prescription to be especially careful while they adjust to the new glasses.

5. See a podiatrist if you have painful feet

Healthy and strong feet are important for maintaining good balance and avoiding falls. Research suggests if people with foot problems or painful feet see a podiatrist to have these problems treated, this can reduce their risk of falls.

It’s also important to wear sturdy, well-fitted shoes that have a low, wide heel for greater stability, and a sole with tread to prevent slips.

Don’t wait for a fall to happen before you take action. Every step you take today to reduce your risk of falls is a powerful move toward staying safe and independent.

Anne Tiedemann receives funding from the Australian government National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund. Anne Tiedemann has voluntary roles on the Executive Committee of the Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society and of the World Falls Prevention Society and is working with others to establish the Falls Prevention Alliance of Australia.

Cathie Sherrington receives funding from the Australian government National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund. Cathie Sherrington has voluntary roles on the Executive Committee of the Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society and is working with others to establish the Falls Prevention Alliance of Australia.

– ref. 17 older Australians die from falls every day. Here are 5 things you can do to reduce your risk – https://theconversation.com/17-older-australians-die-from-falls-every-day-here-are-5-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-your-risk-260307

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Malos, Climateworks Centre Country Lead, Australia, Monash University

Discussions are hotting up over Australia’s 2035 emission reduction target, which the federal government is due to reveal by September this year. It will be a crucial announcement, for several reasons.

The target signals to the world whether Australia is willing to do its fair share to tackle global warming. The decision will also guide Australia’s pathway to its net-zero goal. And it will be closely watched by Pacific nations urging Australia to step up on climate policy.

The government has been awaiting final advice from the independent Climate Change Authority before announcing its decision. The authority’s draft advice suggested an indicative 65–75% cut to emissions by 2035.

We are confident Australia can achieve this – and go further. Our modelling suggests emissions reduction up to 85% is achievable. A stronger target also makes economic sense, by positioning industry to make the most of Australia’s competitive advantages on the road to a net zero economy.

Building momentum

Under the Paris Agreement, to which Australia is signed up, nations must submit a series of plans outlining proposed emissions reductions.

Australia’s current plan commits to a 43% cut in emissions by 2030, based on 2005 levels. The next plan will identify ambition out to 2035 – and importantly, actions to get there.

A recent ruling by the International Court of Justice found countries are legally obliged to prevent harms caused by climate change. This increases pressure on all governments to set a target in line with scientific evidence on limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The target is not just about fulfilling Australia’s international obligations. As United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell said last week, an ambitious 2035 target would maintain Australia’s strong economy and high living standards. Doubling down on clean energy, he said, was “an economic no-brainer”.

The road to success

Our analysis shows how far Australia can go. In late 2023, modelling by Monash University’s Climateworks Centre, undertaken with CSIRO, examined potential pathways for Australia to cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

It showed with decisive and increased action across all sectors of the economy, Australia’s emissions could reach 85% below 2005 levels by 2035, while still meeting energy demand.

Our work shows there are opportunities across all sectors. These includes:

• electrifying buildings and making them more energy efficient
• significantly higher uptake of electric vehicles
• faster uptake of electrification and hydrogen in the industrial and resource sectors
• reducing emissions from agriculture through measures such as adding algae to livestock feed and using different fertilisers
• expanding tree planting and technologies to capture carbon in soil.

A strong 2035 target is not only sensible and achievable – it will set up the economy is to compete for trillions of dollars in global investment in the net-zero transition.

Some businesses and investors are already developing transition plans to build on government action and tap into opportunities.

There are other positive signs. They include a recently published tool, supported by the federal government, which helps investors determine if their capital supports activities aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Australia’s states and territories have set the foundation. As of December 2024, their combined emissions reduction targets totalled a 66–71% reduction in national emissions by 2035.

But state goals cannot be met without federal action on emissions reduction. Likewise, the federal government could set a stronger emissions-reduction target, confident in the knowledge state and territory policies were pulling in the same direction.

Getting over the humps

While Australia can feasibly go big on emissions reduction, there are barriers to overcome.

A rapid expansion of renewable energy is vital if Australia is to meet its climate goals. This requires support from communities being asked to host renewable energy infrastructure – so-called “social license”.

Governments are seeking to address this. In Victoria and NSW, for instance, explicit programs aim to increase the benefits communities receive from hosting projects. But there’s more work to do.

Green commodities produced in Australia, such as iron and steel, offer huge economic benefits and can help our global trading partners decarbonise. However, global demand for green products must ramp up to make this a reality.

Governments have an important role in building these new markets. For example, they can strike international trade agreements involving joint transition plans, and cooperate to harmonise green standards.

The federal government has made a good start on this, via policies such as Future Made in Australia and the National Reconstruction Fund. Additional measures are needed to build demand.

Of course, the right policy mix, plus business and investor action, will bring major benefits for everyday Australians.

Renewable energy, for example, is the cheapest form of new power, helping address household energy costs.

And energy-efficient homes are not just more climate-friendly – they are also more comfortable.

A golden opportunity

Australia’s 2035 target is a golden opportunity to show global leadership, and set ourselves up as a renewable energy superpower. A suite of other policies can help bring the goal to fruition.

The federal government will this year release a plan guiding Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050, covering six major parts of the economy.

Other relevant policy reviews over the next few years involve the National Electricity Market, as well as the Safeguard Mechanism which limits pollution from Australia’s major industrial emitters.

And the federal government will this month convene a major economic roundtable. Setting and implementing a 2035 emissions reduction target is crucial to a resilient economy and should underpin economic reforms that flow from the talks.

The challenges for Australia are clear – but so too are the opportunities. With the right plans and policies in place, the federal government can set the economy up for success.

Climateworks Centre is a part of Monash University. It receives funding from a range of external sources including philanthropy, governments and businesses. Businesses such as mining companies and industry associations have previously co-funded Climateworks’ research on industrial decarbonisation, and may benefit from policies mentioned in this article.

Anna Skarbek is on the board of the Net Zero Economy Authority, SEC Victoria, the Centre for New Energy Technologies, the Green Building Council of Australia, and the Asia-Pacific Advisory Board of the Glasgow Financial Alliance on Net Zero. She is CEO of Climateworks Centre which receives funding from philanthropy and project-specific financial support from a range of private and public entities including federal, state and local government and private sector organisations and international and local non-profit organisations. Climateworks Centre works within Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute.

– ref. Australia can hit an 85% emissions cut by 2035 – if government and business seize the moment – https://theconversation.com/australia-can-hit-an-85-emissions-cut-by-2035-if-government-and-business-seize-the-moment-262488

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jo Coghlan, Associate Professor, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, University of New England

Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, released 50 years ago, is remembered for its eerie atmosphere and mysterious story. But beneath its haunting beauty, the film challenges the idea of colonial control over the Australian landscape.

The rock becomes a place that refuses to be explained or conquered by European logic.

This tension between the land and colonial power still matters today. The failure of the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament shows how divided Australia remains over questions of reconciliation and Indigenous sovereignty.

Rewatching Picnic at Hanging Rock in 2025, we can appreciate the film as an unsettling portrayal of place, silence and disappearance.

Unease and ambiguity

Picnic at Hanging Rock tells the story of a group of private schoolgirls and their teachers who visit the nearby Hanging Rock on Valentine’s Day in 1900. During the excursion, three students and one teacher mysteriously disappear.

No clear explanation is ever given, which unsettles both the characters and the audience. The mystery triggers hysteria, scandal and a slow collapse of order at Appleyard College.

As the search for answers continues, the film refuses to provide resolution, deepening its sense of unease and ambiguity.

Based on Joan Lindsay’s 1967 novel, the story captured the public imagination with its haunting beauty and unanswered mystery. Audiences were obsessed with whether it was based on true events (it wasn’t).

The film became a landmark of the Australian New Wave, a 1970s movement that revitalised the national film industry with bold, artistic storytelling and a focus on uniquely Australian themes.

With its poetic visuals, haunting score and colonial setting, the film stood out for its mood rather than action. Audiences were both fascinated and frustrated by its lack of closure, and it gained a cult following, especially among viewers drawn to its gothic atmosphere and slow-burning mystery.

The mystery of the landscape

Ngannelong, also known as Hanging Rock, is a striking volcanic formation north-west of Melbourne. For the Dja Dja Wurrung, Woi Wurrung and Taungurung peoples of the Kulin Nation it is a deeply important cultural and spiritual place.

Lindsay and Weir’s mystery of white schoolgirls who mysteriously vanish sits on top of older, deeper traumas – those of dispossession and the forced removal of Indigenous people from their lands.

While the film appears dreamlike and mystical, Ngannelong’s sacredness challenges this romantic view, reminding us that the land holds its own stories and history.

It does not forget.

Picnic at Hanging Rock can be seen as a powerful story about colonial fear and uncertainty. The unexplained disappearance of the schoolgirls plays off the idea that European thinking and logic can’t fully understand or master the Australian landscape.

When watched through this lens the story reveals just how fragile colonialism is. The film invites viewers to think differently about Australia’s identity, suggesting the landscape itself remembers the past and actively resists the stories colonisers have tried to tell about it.

Fragile powers

The film contrasts the tidy world of Appleyard College – which stands for colonial order, built on white privilege and Britishness – against the untamed mysterious landscape of Ngannelong.

The girls represent white femininity, meant to bring culture and control. When they vanish, it’s as if the land rejects these colonial ideals.

Their disappearance unravels the school’s order, exposing how fragile colonial power really is. It hints at a deeper crisis beneath the surface.

Russell Boyd’s cinematography is key to the film’s unsettling mood. Shifting light and strange angles create a sense of uncertainty. The bush isn’t just background, it is defiant. This fits with “ecological cinema”, where nature has its own voice.

In Picnic at Hanging Rock, the land often overpowers people. It refuses to be controlled or explained by colonial ideas.

Historical wounds

Picnic at Hanging Rock is part of the Australian Gothic: literature and films which explore dark parts of Australia’s story. Named for European Gothic literature of the 18th and 19th centuries, these 20th century Australian stories often express the anxieties, violences and uncanny dislocations of colonisation and the natural landscape these settlers encountered.

In this Australian Gothic tradition, Picnic at Hanging Rock uses haunting and mystery to explore deep social and historical wounds. These unsettled feelings still shape how Australia sees itself.

Australia’s national identity rests on silences and erasures. Like the missing schoolgirls, the colonial subject is lost – unsure of who belongs and whose history matters.

Picnic at Hanging Rock remains powerful today, especially in light of ongoing discussions about Indigenous sovereignty and reconciliation in Australia. The film’s mystery is never solved, forcing viewers to sit with the discomfort of what’s left unsaid.

The land is not something empty or passive, but alive. It is a force that remembers and resists.

Even 50 years later, the film still unsettles, not just through its eerie beauty, but by challenging colonial ways of thinking and reminding us that sovereignty endures – even if it’s not always visible.

Jo Coghlan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Rewatching Picnic at Hanging Rock at 50: an unsettling portrayal of place, silence and disappearance – https://theconversation.com/rewatching-picnic-at-hanging-rock-at-50-an-unsettling-portrayal-of-place-silence-and-disappearance-260312

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Men’s physical and mental health can be a prickly subject, both for men and those looking to help. With the rise of social media and AI, there are new challenges emerging – especially for younger men.

The re-elected Albanese government appointed the member for Hunter Dan Repacholi as its special envoy for men’s health.

Repacholi is a former five-time Olympic shooter and coal miner, who hasn’t been shy speaking about his own struggles with his weight and mental health. He wants men of all ages not to be afraid of speaking to loved ones or medical professionals about their problems – as he used to be.

So what does being the first special envoy for men’s health mean? Repacholi details his duties simply as:

I get to go and talk to blokes about blokes’ issues, because we have unique challenges that face us as men. And that main challenge is the fact that we don’t like to talk about our issues. We don’t like to go see doctors.

[…] The amazing women in our lives, they are really, really good at going and having those conversations with their GPs, having those conversation with their friends, and genuinely having a good chat about it. We’re not quite there yet. And I get to go around the place, talking to groups of folks, and listening to all the different issues that we’re facing throughout the country.

Repacholi has spoken openly about his use of injectable weight management drugs, after previously being embarrassed to see his doctor about his health.

Since then, not only has he tried to remove the stigma around using such drugs, but he details his fight to make them more widely available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):

I have spoken about trying to get them onto the PBS and the process of getting onto the PBS is very complex. And that’ll be up to the pharmaceutical companies as to whether they do apply for that process. But I’ll continue to talk with them and just see what happens along the way.

While noting some areas of concern, Repacholi says he holds great hope for Australia’s young men.

Every generation has different and unique opportunities, and also things that hold them back […] And always we hear that the older generation says ‘I don’t know where the younger generation’s going’ […] But we have unique challenges now that weren’t around when I was younger [… and] social media plays a big part in that.

[…] But a lot of the younger people today also have a lot better coping mechanisms than what the older people had in earlier generations. Because a lot of them do talk about their issues.

Mental health has been something that has been spoken about a lot now […] Where we’ve come from in a short period of time is great. And it is really good for the younger generations to make sure that they’re getting the help they need, and for them to also understand that it’s okay to not be okay.

On the rise of online influences like Andrew Tate and “toxic masculinity”, Repacholi says:

That certainly is a worry. The right level of masculinity in boys and young men is something that is crucial to this. And those people like Andrew Tate, if you ask me, they’re the bottom feeders of the community with what they do.

[… But] from what I see with young boys, and I’m going to a lot of the schools around the place, I’m definitely seeing a change from when I was at school, which is absolutely fantastic. They’re respectful, they’re polite. You always get some that aren’t, obviously, but you get that in every group, no matter what. But it’s about calling it out.

On representing a coal-mining region during a time of a global transition, Repacholi – a former coal miner himself – says it’s clear to Hunter Valley residents that “coal-fired power stations are coming to their end of life over the next 10 to 15 years”.

He says the Albanese government’s recent creation of a Net Zero Economy Authority was about “making sure that there’s somewhere for the coal-fired power station workers to go” – adding he expects more announcements to come on that “in the near future”.

But Repacholi also says as long as there’s an overseas market for Australia’s “best quality coal in world”, his region will keep supplying it for decades to come.

The simple fact of this is whilst people wanna buy our coal, we will always sell them our coal. Whilst there’s a market there, we will continue delivering to that market […] We have the best quality coal in the world, from the largest coal port in the world as well, out of Newcastle, […] going out to all over Southeast Asia.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Politics with Michelle Grattan: ‘talking about blokes’ issues’ with ex-Olympian and Labor MP Dan Repacholi – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-talking-about-blokes-issues-with-ex-olympian-and-labor-mp-dan-repacholi-262789

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Andhov, Chair in Law and Technology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

We’ve all been there – absentmindedly tapping a credit or debit card to pay for something at a shop, only to remember moments later there is a 2.99% surcharge.

These surcharges are extra fees added to the total when a shopper opts for credit card and contactless payment rather than swiping and entering a PIN with a debit card.

Typically, they amount to only a dollar or two per transaction, but such sums add up. Collectively, surcharges cost New Zealanders around NZ$150 million a year.

So it was unsurprising the government’s announcement to ban them was met with widespread approval.

Many welcomed it as a cost-saving measure and a return to hassle-free payments. Even the incumbent payment duopoly, Visa and Mastercard, backed the move.

But don’t break out the champagne just yet. The situation is more complex than it appears and, without further reform, the policy risks several unintended consequences, particularly for small businesses.

A short history of surcharges

Surcharges are typically used by businesses to recoup the fees Visa and Mastercard charge to process online and contactless transactions.

These are not a single fee but a bundle of charges across the payments chain, levied by banks. The calculation of these fees is opaque and has long been criticised. Though each fee may seem negligible, the aggregate cost is significant.

Mastercard recently settled a £200 million class-action lawsuit in the United Kingdom after it was alleged that anti-competitive practices in fee setting led to higher retail prices. The settlement, approved by the Competition Appeal Tribunal, covered 44 million consumers.

Similarly, New Zealand’s proposed reform addresses the symptom, not the cause. Consumers may no longer see the 2.99% surcharge, but the cost won’t have vanished – it will merely be hidden.

Unable to pass processing fees directly to card users, businesses will instead embed them in their prices. Whether one pays by cash, conventional or contactless casrd, the bill will still be higher – just less transparently.

As in the UK Mastercard case, inflated merchant fees will be passed on in the form of higher prices, even for those not using cards.

Banning surcharges alone does little to improve transparency. Indeed, it may worsen matters, encouraging more consumers to tap and pay – thereby increasing the volume of costly card transactions.

The role of open banking

The European Union banned card surcharges nearly a decade ago – but in 2018 it also introduced the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), updating EU rules put in place in 2007. The second directive opened the door to cheaper, more innovative alternatives.

At the heart of PSD2 is “open banking”, which compels banks to let customers share account data with third-party providers – with the customer’s consent.

Instead of entering card details on a website when shopping online, a consumer selects “pay with your bank”, logs in securely via their banking provider, and authorises the transaction. Funds move directly from the customer’s account to the merchant, bypassing card networks altogether.

In the Netherlands, the iDEAL system connects consumers directly with their banks and charges interchange fees (fees paid for transactions between banks) below 0.2%. As a result, Dutch shoppers don’t need to maintain credit card subscriptions to buy online.

Spain’s Bizum – a collaborative platform developed by local banks – now boasts over 20 million users and processes more than 600 million transactions annually.

Sweden’s Swish shows that even smaller countries can innovate. It offers a free service to private users, while businesses pay only 1–3 kronor (roughly NZ$0.15). This is a fraction of what Visa or Mastercard charges.

Europe’s blueprint for reform

Europe’s success did not happen by chance. PSD2 created a regulatory framework that encouraged innovation and competition. It required banks to open their systems, introduced strong consumer protections, and mandated fee transparency.

Crucially, it did not merely ban surcharges – it enabled alternatives.

New Zealand has begun this journey. The Customer and Product Data Act, which takes full effect in December, lays the foundation for open banking. But much more is needed to implement it effectively and unlock the potential seen in Europe.

The Reserve Bank of Australia recently consulted on payment regulation. It proposed not only abolishing surcharges but also capping interchange fees at 0.3% for credit cards (down from 0.8%) and reducing debit-card fees to just six cents per transaction.

Such reforms directly benefit small businesses and, according to the Reserve Bank’s consultation paper, could save Australians around A$1.2 billion in interchange fees.

Seizing the moment

While the open banking foundation has been laid, the government must encourage further innovation and support the development of local financial technology firms. New Zealand could follow the Australian and European examples in several ways by:

• mandating full fee disclosure from card networks

• capping interchange fees

• introducing strong customer authentication standards to protect data and build trust

• encouraging the adoption of alternative payments through business education and incentives.

Europe’s approach has proven effective in reducing costs for everyone. Firms in the UK using open banking, for example, spend 8% less annually on payment processing.

More dramatically, when organisations fully replace card payments with direct bank transfers, cost reductions can be substantial. The UK government estimates savings of 70–80% for public sector organisations switching from debit cards to open banking payments.

Imagine a New Zealand where banks and financial technology firms build a real-time payments network that costs a fraction of existing systems. Such a move could reshape the payments landscape.

Alternatively, the sector can wait and watch as customer-focused firms offer better solutions, while those clinging to opaque fees and outdated models risk being sidelined.

Jodi Gardner is a board member of the Banking Ombudsman Service (BOS). This article is written in her academic capacity and does not reflect the views of BOS.

Alexandra Andhov does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Banning contactless and credit card surcharges won’t help – open banking reform is what’s needed – https://theconversation.com/banning-contactless-and-credit-card-surcharges-wont-help-open-banking-reform-is-whats-needed-262425

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne

Last Sunday, tens of thousands marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of Gaza. But exactly how many people were there depends on whom you ask.

Police put it at about 90,000. Organisers claimed up to 300,000. Other reports and expert estimates landed somewhere in-between.

Why are these accounts so different and how hard is it, really, to estimate the size of a crowd?

Why people care about crowd sizes

It’s far from the first time crowd numbers have been a flashpoint.

The most infamous modern example is US President Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration, where aerial photos and transit data clashed with claims from the White House officials and Trump himself, sparking controversy.

In New Zealand last year, the Hīkoi march to parliament triggered a similar debate as vastly different estimates circulated.

Crowd size matters for several reasons – from symbolic significance to safety implications.

It can convey the level of support for a social or political cause, signal the scale and significance of a spiritual gathering or a street party. Regimes and revolutions can use crowd sizes as a propaganda tool.

That’s why there are often strong incentives to inflate – or deflate – the numbers.

But crowd estimates are also important for safety reasons. Underestimating can leave infrastructure and logistics unprepared, sometimes leading to catastrophic crowd crushes. Overestimating can result in unnecessary restrictions, closures, or even cancellations.

How are crowd sizes estimated?

There’s no single way to count crowds. Experts choose from a toolbox of methods, each suited to different settings and each with its own blind spots.

Manual visual estimation

The oldest method is also the simplest: estimate the density (people per square metre) in a few sample patches of the crowd (often inferred from aerial images), then multiply by the total area occupied. In theory, straightforward; in practice, riddled with problems.

Human observers (even experienced ones) struggle to distinguish between, say, two, three, or four people per square metre. Crowd density is rarely a round number, but as human observers we often tend to infer whole density numbers from the scene.

Plus, crowd density is rarely uniform: people bunch near focal points and leave gaps elsewhere. So, extrapolating from a sample can lead to very misleading estimates.

Errors also creep in from misjudging the physical size of the sampled area or overlooking how much of the total space is actually usable. These misjudgements can lead to completely different counts.

Computer vision

CCTV, aerial photos and drone imagery allow automated counting using image processing techniques. These range from texture-based methods that work best for low- to medium-density crowds, to object detection models that locate individual heads or bodies.

These can be quite accurate in open spaces with clear sight lines. But shadows, poor lighting, poor weather conditions, obstacles and occlusion in dense gatherings can compromise their accuracy.

Wireless sensing

Crowd sizes can also be inferred using unique wifi or Bluetooth signals from smartphones, or mobile tower activity (how many phones were making calls, texts and using data in an area). These methods work well for large, dispersed, or moving crowds, and can be particularly useful where aerial imagery is impractical.

But they depend on people carrying devices, having them switched on, and having location functions enabled.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning

Modern crowd counting systems often use AI, especially a type called convolutional neural networks. These systems create “density maps” from images, showing where people are and how tightly packed they are.

They can also correct for perspective – for example, recognising that people farther from the camera look smaller – and adjust for changes in density across the scene. These AI models need training on the right kind of data.

None of the methods are foolproof

The most accurate systems combine methods – for example, by calibrating wifi data with computer vision at critical points. This can significantly reduce error, compared to wifi alone.

But several factors further complicate things.

Setting can change everything. Open spaces are easier to measure than narrow streets. Static crowds are simpler than moving marches. Dense, uniform gatherings are easier to estimate than patchy ones.

Timing plays a big role. Numbers change as people arrive, leave, or move between spaces. Two counts of the same event just half an hour apart can diverge significantly.

Technical limits like shadows, poor lighting, perspective distortion, bad weather conditions, many people holding large banners, flags or umbrellas can skew counts.

Psychological bias can affect human observers. We naturally tend to focus on the most animated and tightly packed parts of a crowd. This “crowd emotion amplification effect” makes the gathering feel larger and more charged than it really is. People tend to overestimate the size or emotional intensity of the crowd, especially when they are part of it.

The bottom line on crowd sizes

There’s rarely a single, correct crowd size estimate; at best, we should expect a range.

Discrepancies are not necessarily a sign of bad faith. They often reflect the limits of the data and the methods used. The most reliable counts come from matching the method to the event’s setting and being transparent about how the figure was reached.

In the end, crowd size estimation is part science, part art. Knowing its limits should help us treat estimates with healthy scepticism and recognise that differences in reporting are not necessarily a sign of dishonesty.

Next time you’re in a stadium, try guessing the attendance before the official number flashes up on the scoreboard. Chances are, your estimate will be off. That gap is a reminder that crowd size controversies are as much about human perception as they are about motives.

And if you’re a regular, try doing it every time; over time, your guesses will likely get more accurate. That’s what “training a model” looks like – in this case, the model being your own brain.

Ruggiero Lovreglio receives funding from Royal Society Te Apārangi (NZ) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA).

Milad Haghani does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How do scientists estimate crowd sizes at public events – and why are they often disputed? – https://theconversation.com/how-do-scientists-estimate-crowd-sizes-at-public-events-and-why-are-they-often-disputed-262695