Deepfake Peter Dutton speaking Mandarin spotlights misinformation threat
A series of attacks on Australian political parties on emerging Chinese social media platform RedNote raise concerns about misinformation, disinformation and the risk of foreign interference ahead of the federal election.
Business owner's pre-election plea for highway duplication and safety
Community calls for a full duplication of the Sturt Highway have been back by South Australia's peak motoring body, which says planning needs to start now for the project to be realised.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-20/sturt-highway-duplication-safety-improvement-calls/105051520
How helping women into the workforce is worth millions to the economy
Reducing the time people spend job hunting has a broader economic benefit, with an independent report finding one charity helping women into the workforce has generated $86 million in net direct economic benefits over the past 20 years.
Looming gas crisis averted as Australian gas use plummets
Gas consumption in Australia is falling faster than anticipated, helping to avoid the risks of seasonal shortages in the next few years, according to energy commentators.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-20/plummeting-gas-demand-averts-looming-gas-crisis/105072412
Childcare centres feeding children for as little as 33 cents a meal
Parents say they are being lied to about the quality of food at childcare centres across the country. Some say they were promised in-house chefs but children were served "two-minute noodles".
Thousands march on Netanyahu's home after latest Gaza strikes
The Israeli prime minister is facing fierce protests over his decision to launch fresh strikes in Gaza, shattering the ceasefire in the strip.
Vehicle touted as safer than quad bikes now the leading killer on farms
Newly released safety statistics show side-by-side vehicles were involved in 14 deaths on Australian farms in 2024 despite being fitted with seatbelts and rollover protection cages.
Both sides of politics are playing it safe as the spectre of increasing uncertainty looms
If two ongoing wars weren't enough uncertainty into which to deliver a federal budget, there's the precariousness of the Trump administration's trade agenda.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-20/jim-chalmers-uncertainty-federal-budget-geopolitics/105070314
PBS medication to cost no more than $25 under Labor re-election pitch
As US big pharma comes for Australia's PBS, Labor is promising even cheaper medicines.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/pbs-medication-to-cost-no-more-than-25-labor-pitch/105072988
How a 'doorbell' is helping migrating fish in the Netherlands
Without the help, native freshwater fish like bream, pike and bass can become backed up behind the lock and form easy prey for predators in the spring, when the lock is rarely opened for passing boats.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/dutch-fish-doorbell-an-unlikely-online-hit/105073470
How to exercise your right to disconnect from work
Most working Australians now have the "right to disconnect" under the Fair Work Act, but experts warn "it's not all black and white".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/navigating-right-to-disconnect-from-work/105065122
Dutton won't need help identifying MP breaking his pre-election edict
The opposition leader put his team on notice. He vowed he would remember the name of anyone who freelanced on policies. A month on, there's one name on the list of offenders — Peter Dutton.
Secretive nature of Crime Stoppers tip line means reward unclaimed
An anonymous Tasmanian tipster is eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for information they gave to Crime Stoppers, but they can't be tracked down due to the secretive nature of the organisation's model.
With the Gaza ceasefire in tatters, how much worse can things get?
Aside from Israel's far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it is hard to see who benefits from the return to fighting that is leaving many wondering how much worse things can get.
After a 7-year wait, we finally have a new Daredevil show
In 2018, Netflix decided to cancel its beloved and much-lauded TV series, Daredevil. Now, after a few setbacks and a crew overhaul, the original cast is back for a new season on a new streaming service.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/daredevil-born-again-review/105065268
Coal miners argue industrial relations reforms not fit for purpose
Three of Australia’s coal powerhouses have challenged a Fair Work Commission ruling forcing them to engage in multi-employer bargaining in a case which could affect thousands of workers.
Returning Australia's oldest skeletons to country has complex history
The discovery of these skeletal remains rewrote Australia's history books. Decades later, they're at the centre of a court battle.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/mungo-reburial/105014182
How Cadbury factory caused a 'muddy water' environmental emergency
A growing "effluent plume" near the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) was far from ideal a week before Christmas. Emails and reports show how the environmental emergency at a nearby Cadbury factory developed.
Experts urge Victorian government to pass statewide pokies play cards
The state government is being urged to fast-track pokies carded play, used at Crown Casino, to all of Victoria's poker machine venues.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/victorian-poker-machine-reform-mandated-play-card/105066582
CCTV shows murder suspect fleeing scene of burning home, police say
Detectives have seized one car and are searching for another linked to the alleged murder of a man at an Adelaide house which was later set on fire in what police say was an attempt by the two suspects to "cover their tracks".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/cctv-and-cars-linked-to-bill-frangos-alleged-murder/105065772