Politics
How’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tackling the cost of living?
How does Australia’s parental leave policy stack up?
What happens now that Australia’s voted no?
The Voice explained Part 5: How would a Voice be different?
The Voice explained Part 4: Albanese on if the Voice fails
The Voice explained Part 3: Fitzroy Crossing
The Voice explained Part 2 : from Uluru to Canberra

Credit cards banned for gambling
A credit card ban for online gambling will soon be in effect across Australia, following the passing of new laws this week.

NDIS overhaul put forward in review
What is the NDIS? An independent review of the disability support system suggested a raft of changes to address persisting problems.
Why did the Government rush detention laws through Parliament?
The Federal Government passed new laws that will introduce a “preventative detention regime” for some detainees recently released into the community. Last month, the High Court ruled indefinite detention unlawful in Australia last month. This led to the release of more than 140 detainees, many of whom had a criminal

Understanding The Voice – Ep 1: Origins


All you need to know about the Federal Budget

White House makes Ukraine aid plea
Funding for Ukraine has been at the centre of discussions in U.S. Congress this week, amid concerns that aid could run out in 2024.

Three ex-detainees arrested after High Court detention ruling
Three ex-detainees were arrested after being released from Immigration detention because of last month’s High Court ruling.

Centrelink could waive 100,000 debts
What is income apportionment? The unlawful scheme has created a burdensome administrative task that could trigger a large-scale debt waiver.

Senate to grill Coles and Woolworths over claims of overcharging
Australia’s supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths, will face questions about whether they’re overcharging during a cost of living crisis.

New plan for AI use in Australian schools
AI in Australian schools will be guided by a national framework released by the Federal Government on Friday.

Historic maternity laws tabled in Queensland
Maternity laws introduced in Queensland yesterday would provide a new model for newborn baby and birthing parent care.

New laws to return High Court detainees
Who is NZYQ? A High Court decision triggered the release of over 140 indefinite detainees. The Government is developing laws to return them.

Wong used special powers to block Myanmar team visas
Foreign Minister Penny Wong was directly involved in a decision to block Shan United from entering Australia, TDA has learned.

Henry Kissinger has died aged 100
Former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger has died aged 100. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.

Here’s the latest in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial
Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network Ten for defamation over a 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins where she alleged she was raped.

New pepper spray laws for the Territory
Pepper spray access in Australia would be changed under new laws proposed by the Northern Territory Government.

Albanese delivers thalidomide apology
What is thalidomide? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an apology to survivors of the drug in Parliament today.

Nazi salute to be banned in Australia
Nazi bans in Australia will be strengthened by an amendment that will ban the Nazi salute throughout Australia.

KFC faces class actions over allegedly denying paid breaks
KFC is facing two separate class actions over allegations it refused to grant thousands of workers their entitled paid breaks.

First Nations Senator Pat Dodson is quitting politics
Pat Dodson, a First Nations man and Labor Senator, has announced he’s quitting politics after seven years.

Pezzullo sacked as Home Affairs boss
Who is Michael Pezzullo? Claims of political interference were levelled at the Home Affairs boss earlier this year. He’s now been sacked.

Far-right wins in Argentina and the Netherlands
Far-right leaders have taken power in Argentina and the Netherlands within days of each other this week.

Free childcare urged for low-income families
Childcare in Australia should be free or inexpensive for low-income families, a report from a government agency has said.

New plan to stop on-campus violence
Student safety at Australian universities is threatened by widespread reports of sexual violence. A new action plan hopes to confront this.

New Zealand without leader as talks continue
The New Zealand election took place on 14 October, with National Party leader Christopher Luxon emerging as the country’s next PM.

Woolworths to join workplace trial
Disability employment in Australia is much lower than the rest of the population. A new trial hopes to address this issue.

PM questioned about China’s suspected role in Aussie navy divers injuries
The Australian Government said navy divers were likely injured due to sonar pulses from a Chinese warship.

Details of Optus outage laid bare in Canberra
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin faced a two-hour grilling by a Senate Committee in Canberra on Friday morning. Here’s what we learnt.

Dog owners to face jail time under new laws
The Queensland Government has tabled dangerous dog laws designed to improve public safety. Here’s what they include.

Senior Liberal woman wants to stop new strip clubs from opening
The Federal Liberal Party’s most senior female MP Sussan Ley wants new strip clubs to be stopped from opening.

How did David Cameron get appointed as Foreign Secretary?
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron has been appointed Foreign Secretary It comes years after he left politics.

What to know about military whistleblower David McBride
David McBride will face trial this week, accused of unlawfully disclosing sensitive information — evidence that Australian soldiers had allegedly committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Exclusive: Over 1,500 children held in Qld watchhouses for at least a week
Over 1,500 children spent at least one week detained in a Queensland police watchhouse from 2018 to 2023, according to data given to TDA.

An Independent MP wants to crack down on federal lobbying
Independent MP Dr. Monique Ryan has introduced a bill to Parliament today which would put limits on lobbying activities in federal politics.

School hour shake-up for Queensland
Flexible school hours in Queensland will be investigated by external officials before being approved under a new policy.

High Court rules indefinite immigration detention unlawful
The High Court of Australia has ruled that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful in the case of a man awaiting deportation.

India expansion on the cards for universities
Six Australian universities have agreed to investigate the possibility of adding campuses in India. It comes during a visit to the country.

Albanese concludes historic China visit
What did Albanese do in China? The Australian PM will leave on Tuesday following high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Senators call for ADHD treatment overhaul
1 in 20 people have ADHD in Australia. On Monday, a Senate Committee handed down a report targeted at improving the lives of people with

Victoria has decriminalised public drunkenness
Public drunkenness has been decriminalised in Victoria after intoxication laws in the state were found to have a disproportionate impact on First Nations people.

Government scholarship could wipe new teachers’ student debt
The Federal Government has announced a scholarship program to attract more people to teaching amid growing concerns of a national shortage.

Anthony Albanese is in China in the first PM visit for seven years
Anthony Albanese is in China to meet President Xi Jinping, in the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister for seven years.

WA agrees to $180m wage theft settlement
Wage control laws were used in Western Australia from 1936 to 1972 to restrict the pay of First Nations people.

Plibersek wages war on millions of feral goats
Feral goats in Australia will be targeted under a new framework aimed at protecting the nation’s endangered species.

ACT introduces its voluntary assisted dying laws
The ACT Government has introduced the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2023. Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) allows eligible people with terminal illnesses to choose the time

High Court restores Australian citizenship for convicted terrorist
The High Court of Australia has ruled a convicted terrorist can have his Australian citizenship restored.

Forced adoption remedy scheme proposed in Victoria
A Victorian remedy scheme will provide mothers subject to historical forced adoption policies with compensation and support.

Who is Mike Johnson, the new U.S. House Speaker?
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have finally agreed on a candidate for the crucial role of Speaker: Mike Johnson.

42 U.S. Attorneys-General sue Meta over kids’ mental health
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is facing legal action from attorneys general in 41 U.S. states and D.C.

Could Congress chaos sink Australia’s AUKUS deal?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in the U.S. this week. Lobbying Congress to pass AUKUS laws top of his agenda.

Why is Anthony Albanese in the U.S. this week?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden during a four-day visit to Washington D.C. this week.

First Nations ‘yes’ campaign leaders break silence with statement
First Nations leaders involved in the ‘Yes’ campaign for the Voice have released a statement accusing Australians of committing a “shameful act” by voting down

China could scrap its heavy Australian wine tariffs
The Chinese Government has agreed to review the heavy tariffs (financial penalties) it imposed on Australian wine exports in 2020.

Exclusive: Government to waive millions in student debt
The HECS debts of some 13,000 Australian students will be waived due to a historical record-keeping error.

Why the U.S. House still doesn’t have a speaker
Two weeks after the historic vote that ousted Kevin McCarthy, the U.S. House of Representatives still doesn’t have a Speaker. Why?

The Coalition’s proposed second referendum, explained
In the lead up to the referendum, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said a future Coalition Government would hold a second referendum on Constitutional recognition of

Paid parental leave could expand under draft laws
The Federal Government today introduced draft laws to increase paid parental leave (PPL) to 26 weeks by 2026.

Western Australia will have the country’s toughest gun laws
The Western Australian Government wants to introduce tighter regulations on gun ownership. It says the reforms would make it the toughest state on guns in

Crypto crackdown on the way, Chalmers says
A crypto crackdown will be included in legislation set to be tabled in Australia next year. This is what it could look like.

Regions overpower cities in Voice vote
How did the states vote on the referendum? All but one part of Australia voted No to the Indigenous Voice referendum. Here’s how it fell

New Zealand’s new Prime Minister: Who is Christopher Luxon?
New Zealand is set for a change of government and a new Prime Minister after it voted in an election on Saturday.

Police consider special powers for Palestine rally
A pro-Palestine rally on Sunday afternoon in Sydney could be subject to “extraordinary” police powers, following a similar protest on Monday.

Queensland passes hate symbol laws
More Nazi bans in Australia were added on Thursday, following the passing of laws in Queensland Parliament.

Here’s exactly how to vote in the referendum
Make your vote count: here’s TDA’s guide for how to vote in the referendum.

NSW Government proposal could see fines for possession of small amounts of drugs
NSW Police could soon be able to fine people caught with small amounts of drugs, instead of issuing criminal charges.

Senate Committee calls for immediate review of Qatar decision
What was the Qatar Airways decision? A Senate Committee tasked with scrutinising the controversial decision has called for an urgent review.

Major issues found in mental health sector
Mental health in Australia is under the microscope this week, after the release of a new 10-year health strategy. Here’s what it says

When will we know the result of the referendum?
The unofficial result could be known on the night. However, if the votes are too close, it could take days to know the result.

Crime and inflation the key battlegrounds at New Zealand election
The New Zealand election is set to be fought over issues of rising crime and cost-of-living pressures. Here’s what each party is promising.

Sunak calls for lifetime cigarette bans
A smoking ban in the UK would stop a new generation of smokers from picking up the habit, Rishi Sunak says. Here’s the details

Crackdown on foreign student system begins
Changes for international students are hoped to stop dodgy education agents and providers from taking advantage of students.

Explainer: How Kevin McCarthy lost the Speaker job
Kevin McCarthy has lost his spot as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after 10 months in the role, in the first successful

Why could Tasmania have an early election?
Tasmania, the only Australian jurisdiction governed by the Liberal Party, could face an early election following the resignation of its Attorney-General.

Early voting for the referendum begins next week
Early voting for the Indigenous Voice referendum begins in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory on Monday.

What the Disability Royal Commission recommended
The Disability Royal Commission released its final report this morning after four and a half years. Here’s what it recommended.

Who is Michael Pezzullo? Top public servant stood down
A formal investigation has been launched into public servant Michael Pezzullo, the head of Australia’s national security and immigration department.

Jacinta Allan to be Victorian Premier
Jacinta Allan was named Victorian Premier on Wednesday, one day after Daniel Andrews’ surprise resignation.

What to know about NSW’s vape crackdown
The NSW Government has pledged $6.8 million to expand its vaping crackdown, after a record-breaking number of vape seizures.

The government’s digital ‘skills passport’, explained
The Federal Government will create a digital ‘Skills Passport’ for workers so they can more easily connect with potential employers.

Federal government announces first budget surplus in 15 years
The Federal Government has announced a $22.1 billion budget surplus for the 2022/23 financial year, the first in 15 years.

Australian politicians are in the U.S. to convince lawmakers to free Julian Assange
A group of Australian politicians are in Washington, calling for the release of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Diplomatic rift opens after Trudeau makes murder allegation
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Canadian citizen murdered in June. On Monday, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said India was behind his death.

Australia’s COVID response to face official inquiry
The independent COVID inquiry will look at several areas of the Federal Government’s response to the pandemic. Here’s the details

Abortion laws pass in Western Australia
Abortion laws in Western Australia are set for a shake-up, following the passing of new legislation that will decriminalise abortion.

The UK will introduce age verification laws for porn
New age verification measures will be rolled out across the UK to limit children’s access to online pornography.

JobSeeker payments have risen
JobSeeker is rising on Wednesday, following a combination of periodic increases and new laws taking effect. Here’s the important details

Inside the Victorian Government’s new housing plan
The Victorian Government has announced a raft of housing measures to tackle the rental crisis, include an Australian-first tax for short-term rentals.

California opens lawsuit against oil companies
California has commenced a lawsuit against some of the world’s biggest oil companies, alleging they hindered climate action in the state.

Rowland sets deadline for online dating reform
The Federal Government has issued online dating apps with a new deadline to improve the safety features on their platforms.

NSW Government: $53 million to fund sexual assault nurses
The NSW Government has announced it will recruit 48 sexual assault crisis workers amid a rise in demand for services.

The Federal Coalition is trying to stop drug reform in the ACT
The Federal Coalition is trying to stop the ACT Government from decriminalising the possession of drugs such as cocaine, MDMA, and ice in small quantities.

Opal card shake-up on the way
A shake-up of the Opal card system will begin next month, following a change by the NSW Government. Here’s what it means for you

Four-day work week suggested for ACT
A four-day work week trial has been recommended by a Parliamentary Committee in the ACT. It follows other successful trials in Australia.

Unsolicited texts from politicians: what are the rules?
If you’ve received a text from a politician telling you how to vote in the upcoming Voice referendum, you’re not alone.

Impeachment probe into Joe Biden announced
Will Biden be impeached? The U.S. President will be subject to an inquiry related to several allegations of severe misconduct.

Accused rapists in Queensland can be publicly named from next month
Queensland has changed a law that stopped the reporting of people accused of rape. There’s now only one part of Australia with the laws.

High Court: Qantas unlawfully sacked 1,700 workers during the pandemic
The court was considering an appeal from Qantas, who had already lost twice before the Federal Court and the Full Federal Court.

Kim Jong-un is in Russia to meet Vladimir Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is in Russia, where he is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Indonesia has lifted trade restrictions on Australian livestock
What’s lumpy skin disease? Indonesia has lifted restrictions on Australian livestock after they say the disease was discovered on cattle.

Backlash continues over decision to block Qatar flights
What was the Qatar Airways decision? The Government is facing sustained backlash over their call to block more flights into Australia.

Federal Government declares war on feral cats
The Australian Government has launched a new attack on feral cats through the release of a new plan to curb damage caused by the animals.

First-year NSW teachers to earn $85k under new deal
Some NSW teachers will get a $10,000 pay rise under a new deal proposed by the State Government. One final approval is now needed.

France plans to ban ‘meat terminology’ on vegan food labels
The French Government wants to ban the use of ‘meat terminology’ like ‘steak’ or ‘sausage’ from the labels of vegan food products.

Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station will stay open. Why?
The NSW Government has announced it will work to keep Australia’s largest coal-fired power station open longer.

Australia’s first autism strategy one step closer to reality
A discussion paper around Australia’s first-ever national autism strategy has been released for public feedback. Here’s the key points

A proposed law would see jail time for wage theft
The Federal Government has introduced a bill to Parliament which would criminalise deliberate wage theft with up to 10 years jail time.

Exclusive: No change to mental health access this year, despite changes to subsidised sessions
The system offering subsidised mental health sessions underwent a major change last year. New data suggests that very little has changed

All the ways you can vote in the Indigenous Voice referendum
Australians will vote in the first referendum since 1999 on 14 October. Here’s how you vote in the referendum

Uber Eats and Menulog drivers to receive extra protections under Government proposal
The gig economy often works as many hours as their full-time counterparts, but don’t have the same entitlements, such as sick or annual leave.

What is the Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Here’s what you need to know.
A referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be held on 14 October. Here’s what you need to know.

Who is James Hayward? Ex-MP guilty of child sexual abuse
James Hayward was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl this week, more than one year after charges were brought against him.

Federal MPs are getting their biggest pay rise in a decade
Federal MPs will receive a 4% pay rise from Friday, signed off by the Remuneration Tribunal. It’s their biggest wage increase in a decade.

Queensland to override human rights with new youth detention laws
Queensland has passed laws that will support the long-term detention of children in police watchhouses. Here’s what’s happened.

A bill to outlaw gay conversion practices has been introduced in NSW
A bill to ban LGBTQIA+ conversion practices has been introduced in NSW by Independent MP Alex Greenwich.

Explainer: Why does Trump now have a mug shot?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had his mug shot taken today at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia.

How long will Australians live 40 years from now? Questions answered in new report
Australia’s life expectancy will continue to rise in the future, though fewer children are expected to be born come 2063.

The BRICS countries’ leaders are meeting this week
Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have gathered in Johannesburg for their first in-person summit since the pandemic.

What are the barriers to building more homes?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says more supply of homes is “key” to housing affordability. So how many more houses does Australia need, and what are

Domestic violence target aims for fewer women killed by partners
Australian governments have agreed to a new domestic violence target of a 25% annual reduction in the number of women killed by partners.

National Cabinet agrees a new housing target, but no rent limits
National Cabinet leaders have agreed to build 200,000 extra homes by mid-2029, but have stopped short of limits on rent increases.

Donald Trump has been indicted (again)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been indicted again, this time in the state of Georgia. Could his fourth indictment lead to jail time?

Illinois is the first U.S. state to ensure child influencers are paid
Child influencers will be paid a guaranteed amount under new laws passed in the U.S. state of Illinois. Here’s how it will work

School refusal could be behind falling school attendance, Senate inquiry says
What is school refusal? A Senate inquiry has said it could be responsible for falling student attendance numbers across the country.

Montana young people win court case over climate harm
A group of young people have won a court case against the U.S. state of Montana, arguing climate inaction violates their rights.

Pauline Hanson sacks Mark Latham as NSW One Nation leader
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has sacked Mark Latham as leader of the party’s NSW branch, prompting an angry response.

Hard Solo has been accused of marketing to minors
Hard Solo has been accused of being marketed to children, due to a similarity to the Solo soft drink. Here’s what has been said.

Queensland Government admits to unlawful child police detention
The Queensland Government has conceded it unlawfully held eight children in police watch houses. The ruling could trigger further findings.

The Garma Festival has begun in northeast Arnhem Land
The Garma Festival 2023 is a four-day festival of music, art, film, education, and political discussion.

WeChat could be banned on government devices under Senate recommendation
A Senate inquiry has called on the Australian Government to consider a ban on popular social messaging platform WeChat for government-issued devices. Chinese conglomerate Tencent

The Federal Government will scrap a rule that stops failing students from accessing HECS
A rule that excludes university students from studebt debt support based on their academic output will be axed. Here’s why

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria have been cancelled
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria are off, Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday morning. It comes amid financial constraints.

The Solomon Islands PM has accused Australia of pulling money over China ties
The Solomon Islands’ latest deal with China has prompted Solomons’ PM to lash out at Australia on multiple fronts.

Caged eggs are set to be phased out by 2036 – will it actually happen on time?
A caged egg ban will begin by 2036 under a plan endorsed by Australia’s governments. But one has already said it will make its own

Why is Prime Energy being investigated? Explained simply
What is Prime Energy? The ever-popular drink founded by Logan Paul and KSI has come under fire for one of its ingredients. Here’s why

Fresh calls to address sexual violence at Australian universities
A student safety body for unis has been put forward in a national open letter. It’s targeted at addressing sexual violence around campuses.

Australia is introducing a self-ban option for online gambling
How will a gambling ban work? It won’t be applied to all problem gamblers but will stop some from placing bets online. Here are the

Australia-Europe trade deal stalls over prosecco disagreement
Australia and the European Union are at risk of failing to strike a trade deal with Australia unwilling to accept demands to rename prosecco.

Australia’s prospective teachers could have paid work added to their degrees under a government-backed plan
Should paid work be added to teaching degrees? Australia’s Education Ministers have backed a paid employment plan for prospective teachers.

‘Crude and cruel’: the Robodebt Royal Commission’s final report
The head of the Robodebt Royal Commission has declared the scheme a “startling” failure, accusing officials of “dishonesty and collusion”.

The Government has revealed new details about the proposed Voice to Parliament
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has outlined new details about the Government’s proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The new National Anti-Corruption Commission had 44 corruption referrals in its first two days
What is the NACC? The federal anti-corruption body began work on Saturday, and has received dozens of referrals since.

New Zealand will be the first country to ban thin plastic bags used for fruit and vegetables
New Zealand will ban thin plastic bags used for fruit and vegetables, becoming the first country to do so. Here are the details.

Assisted dying laws in the ACT could include young people
Assisted dying laws for the ACT could allow young people with terminal illnesses the choice to end their life. Here’s the other proposals

Banning the ownership of some dog breeds is being considered in Queensland
A ban on some dog breeds in Queensland could be added as part of new reforms aimed at preserving community safety. Here’s what they are

PwC is selling its government consulting team for $1
PwC Australia will sell its government consulting team for $1 after the firm was accused of a “cover up” over a confidentiality breach.

A Russian diplomat is squatting on a Canberra building site
A Russian diplomat is squatting at an abandoned embassy site in Canberra, but the PM says he is not a threat.

Harassing retail workers could soon become a crime in NSW
Retail workers will be protected by new laws adding prison sentences for those who harass or assault them. Here are all the details

The Legalise Cannabis Party introduced bills in NSW, VIC and WA today
Legislation to decriminalise cannabis was introduced in the NSW, Victorian and WA parliaments today by the Legalise Cannabis Party. The draft laws were tabled by

Should there be a junk food advertising ban? Dr Sophie Scamps introduces bill
Independent MP Dr Sophie Scamps is seeking to ban junk food advertising on TV, radio, and streaming services between 6am and 9:30pm.

Real-time disclosure log and spending limits part of proposals to improve Australian elections
Misinformation in election ads could be cracked down with new powers under a proposal put forward by a Parliamentary Committee this week.

Queensland passes new LGBTQIA+ identity laws – here’s what they mean
New laws supporting transgender people were passed in Queensland this week. They put the state in line with most of Australia. Here’s how

What is an aged care levy?
A taskforce led by Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells will consider ways to pay for the growing cost of aged care, including an aged

Cheques will be phased out in Australia by 2030
Cheques will be phased out by the Federal Government, who say the payment method is too slow and expensive. Here’s their plan.

The Australian Government has a new plan to stop smoking – here’s what it is
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to stop smoking in Australia. They’ll be formalised as legislation, which will be tabled this year.

Uber will limit surge pricing in NSW when there are public transport disruptions
Uber will cap surge pricing in NSW when there are unexpected public transport disruptions under a new deal with the state government.

A ban on ‘high-risk’ artificial intelligence is being considered in Australia
A ban on some AI could soon become a reality in Australia, according to a Federal Government paper released on Thursday. Here are the details

Who is Roger Cook? What to know about WA’s next premier.
Roger Cook is expected to be appointed WA Premier after the shock resignation of Mark McGowan earlier this week. Here’s what you need to know

Young Australians will be able to work in the UK for an extra year under a new agreement
Australians on British working visas are set for a shake up, after a free trade agreement came into effect on Wednesday. Here’s the details

What is the PwC scandal? Explained simply.
What is the PwC scandal? It’s resulted in a criminal investigation, and claimed the scalp of its CEO. Here are the details, explained simply

Who is Ron DeSantis? Donald Trump’s biggest challenger, explained simply
Who is Ron DeSantis? He was fairly anonymous before 2019. He’s exploded in popularity since, and now wants to become president.

Queensland wants to overturn law that currently prevents accused rapists from being named
The Queensland Government has unveiled plans to change a safeguard within its rape laws. Here’s what it would do

Should gambling ads be banned during sports games? Draft laws are on the table
Should gambling ads be banned? One Independent thinks so, and she’s got the backing of other parts of the crossbench. Here are the details

The Federal Government will regulate the Buy Now, Pay Later industry
What is Buy Now Pay Later? The Federal Government unveiled its plans to add new rules for the services on Monday. Here’s what they are

Chris Minns is changing how you buy your first home – here’s how
Chris Minns has unveiled plans to sign his new housing policy into law, which will also involve scrapping an old initiative on the way.

New anti-protest laws have been introduced in South Australia
New anti-protest laws have been introduced in South Australia following a week of obstructive demonstrations in Adelaide. Here’s the details

A Senate Committee has recommended a federal ban on Nazi symbols
Is there a Nazi symbol ban in Australia? Laws to ban their public display were tabled this year. A federal ban is now one step

The Federal Government has announced expanded support for single parents
The Government will increase financial support for single parents by expanding eligibility for the Parenting Payment.

It’s time for the 2023 Federal Budget. What does that mean?
The Federal Budget is on Tuesday. Brace yourself for dollar signs and the word ‘delivering’ on loop. What is the Federal Budget?

The King’s Coronation will take place on Saturday – here’s what will happen
What is a coronation? King Charles III will be the subject of one on Saturday, with over 2,200 guests in tow to watch it happen.

Alcohol sale restrictions are being trialled in Adelaide’s bottle shops
Restrictions on alcohol sales are being trialled in some Adelaide bottle shops. It’s received praise, but could come to an abrupt end.

Is Roblox safe? Safety experts don’t think so
An online safety expert says “hundreds and hundreds” of children are at risk of grooming on Roblox every week. Is Roblox safe?

When do I have to pay my HECS back? All your questions answered
We learned this week that HECS debts are set for their biggest increase in decades. How do the debts work? Here’s all you need to

Are Biden and Trump on a presidential collision course? Here’s how it could play out
Will there be a Biden and Trump rematch at next year’s U.S. presidential election? Here’s the lay of the land.

Multiple Labor MPs want a JobSeeker payment increase
The Government is facing growing pressure to raise JobSeeker payments in the Federal Budget on 9 May – including from its own members.

Australian patients will get half-price medicines in PBS shift
Hundreds of common medicines are set to be available for prescription two months at a time and at half price following a Government decision.

NSW gamblers lost $4 billion to pokies in the second half of last year
How much money do pokies make? Over $4 billion during six months in NSW last year, new data has found. Here’s where they make the

Victoria wants to raise the age of criminal responsibility – how can they do it?
What is the age of criminal responsibility? The NT has raised it, and Victoria and the ACT want to do the same. Here’s what you

A Government review has warned Australia is not prepared for modern threats
A review commissioned by the Government has warned Australia’s defence force is “not fit for purpose” and needs to be reshaped to adapt to modern

Bill Shorten flags NDIS overhaul for troubled disability scheme
Bill Shorten has promised an NDIS overhaul, admitting the scheme is “not what it should be” and flagging a crackdown on dodgy providers.

The Government’s expert panel has recommended raising the rate of JobSeeker
A group of experts have recommended a “substantial increase” to the rate of JobSeeker. Here’s why the Government rejected it.

Australian politicians call to free Julian Assange
48 Australian politicians have signed a letter calling on the U.S. Government to free imprisoned Australian Julian Assange.

Are Australian politicians deleting their TikTok accounts?
Is TikTok banned in Australia? The Government has announced TikTok will be deleted from government devices. Will politicians be deleting it?

The Greens have released its plan to legalise weed in Australia. Will it pass?
Under the plan, Australians would be allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants at their home for personal use without a licence.

The Liberal Party will formally oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The Federal Liberal Party will oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which will be the subject of a referendum later this year.

Why did Donald Trump get arrested? Here’s what you need to know.
The charges are in relation to ‘hush money’ he allegedly paid to ensure silence over extramarital affairs.

The Australian Government has banned TikTok on all its devices
TikTok will be deleted from all Australian Government devices. Why’s it happening, and has it happened elsewhere? Here’s what you need to know.

Mobile phones will be banned in NSW high schools from October
A phone ban at schools will be in place in NSW. It’s the sixth state or territory to announce the ban. Here’s what it might

There will be a minority government in NSW. What does that mean?
Labor will form a minority government in NSW, after falling short of a majority of seats in Parliament. Here’s how they can do it.

Large Australian business are now required to publish their gender pay gap
The Federal Government has passed a law to require gender pay gap transparency for businesses with at least 100 employees.

A Grand Jury has voted to indict Donald Trump. What does that mean?
A grand jury in Manhattan, New York, has reportedly voted to indict former U.S. President Donald Trump. He’s now on track to become the first

A Senate committee will investigate ADHD in Australia. Here’s what will happen
A Senate Committee will investigate the functioning of support services for ADHD in Australia. Here’s what it’ll be looking at.

Moira Deeming has been suspended from the Victorian Liberal Party
Moira Deeming has avoided expulsion from the Victorian Liberals after she took part in an anti-trans rally attended by neo-Nazis.

South Australia will become the first Australian state with a First Nations Voice to Parliament
South Australia will establish a First Nations Voice to Parliament. But how will it work? Here’s what you need to know.

Labor and the Greens have reached a compromise on climate legislation
The Greens have compromised with Labor over the climate change bill, which will now see it be passed into law.

The Greens’ ‘Right to Disconnect’ Bill is designed to protect work-life balance
The Greens have tabled legislation that would protect the ‘right to disconnect’ from work. Will it be passed?

NSW Election: the major parties on climate
Both major parties have issued environmental policies as a key point of their campaigns ahead of the NSW state election.

The Victorian Govt plans to ban Nazi salutes in public
The Victorian Government is set to ban nazi salutes after neo-Nazis attend an anti-trans rally.

NSW Election: the major parties on housing affordability
Ahead of the NSW election, on Saturday 25 March, parties are pitching their policies on housing affordability.

What are the NSW major parties’ election housing policies?
What are the key policies being proposed by NSW parties? Here’s what you need to know.

The BBC has reinstated a sports presenter who was stood down for tweeting a political opinion
BBC reinstates Lineker, reviews guidelines after suspension for criticising UK asylum policy. Read more on Lineker’s tweet.

Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines has been confirmed. What exactly do we get?
Australia to buy 3 US nuclear subs, build 8 more under AUKUS pact with US & UK. Strengthening regional security.

The NSW Liberals have promised a ‘Future Fund’ for children
NSW Liberals propose Future Fund to assist kids with education & home buying, drawing opposition criticism for favoring wealthy.

It’s been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Here’s a look back and a look forward
A year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. This article examines the course of the war so far, the road ahead, and the global context of the

Both major parties in NSW support banning LGBTQ+ conversion practices
NSW major parties support ban on LGBTQ+ conversion practices, following Victoria, Queensland, and ACT

Alan Tudge’s resignation means there will be a by-election. What is a by-election?
Alan Tudge’s resignation means a by-election for the Aston seat. Learn about by-elections and how they work, including details on this election.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected a coal mine proposed by Clive Palmer
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek rejects Central QLD Coal’s mine near Great Barrier Reef, citing pollution risks. First major coal project refused by Fed Environment Minister

“Job for the boys”: That’s what a NSW Parliament inquiry has called the trade appointment of John Barilaro
NSW inquiry finds Barilaro’s NY job had ‘job for the boys’ hallmarks. Coalition members dismiss it as a ‘politically motivated hit job’.

Senator Lidia Thorpe is leaving the Greens and will remain in the Senate as an independent
Senator Lidia Thorpe departs Greens to represent black sovereign movement while remaining in Senate.

Who gives money to politicians and political parties?
Australian political parties spent $400m+ in 2021-22, with over a third of donations unknown. Major parties received significant contributions.

Meet the new NZ Prime Minister: Chris Hipkins
Chris Hipkins to become NZ’s next PM, replacing Jacinda Ardern. Learn about his background, positions and challenges.

Tasmania’s RSLs will become pokie-free this year
All of Tasmania’s Returned and Services League (RSL) clubs will be pokie-free by the middle of this year to help veterans and their families.

Additional sensitive documents have been found in Joe Biden’s possession
Several additional classified official documents have been found in Joe Biden’s private home in recent days.

A review has recommended changes to the government’s carbon credit system
The review said the ACCU scheme is “essentially sound” and was “fundamentally well-designed when introduced”.

Secret documents have been found in Joe Biden’s former private office
White House lawyers have revealed classified official documents were found in a private office previously used by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Kevin McCarthy has been named the U.S. Speaker of the House
Republican Kevin McCarthy has been named the new House speaker after 15 rounds of voting.

Explainer: What is happening with the U.S. House Speaker election?
Despite a new term of U.S. Congress beginning on Tuesday, the House of Representatives has not yet been able to elect a new Speaker.

The government’s new restrictions on arrivals from China went against top health advice
It has been revealed the Federal Government went against the advice of Australia’s top health official when announcing new COVID testing requirements for travellers coming

The Queensland Government will introduce new penalties for juvenile violence
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced new penalties for “violent juvenile car thieves”.

Could ‘myki’ be ditched?
Victoria’s ‘myki’ transport card system could be cut at the end of 2023 when its contract runs out.

The Taliban has banned women from working for humanitarian organisations in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban-run administration has announced a ban on women working for non-governmental organisations in the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the continuation of a controversial border policy
The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the extension of border laws which were due to expire on 21 December.
What’s happening in the world this week?
Here’s a quick catch-up on the biggest headlines.

What’s in store for 2023?
Here are eight stories that might shape the next year of news.

Scottish Parliament has passed a new gender recognition law
It aims to make it easier for transgender people to be “legally recognised in their lived gender”

The U.S House of Representatives has passed a landmark equal pay act for women’s sport
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a landmark bill ensuring equal pay for all athletes representing the country in international competitions.

Why did the Liberals lose the election?
The Liberal Party has published an internal review of its 2022 Federal election loss.

An Australian Minister has held a meeting in China for the first time in 3 years
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong travelled to Beijing this week to discuss common issues between Australia and China. It is the first time in three

New Zealand’s government will draft legislation to lower the voting age to 16
It comes after the country’s Supreme Court ruled the current voting age is “unjustified discrimination”

The Taliban has suspended women from universities in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban government has banned women from attending university until further notice, claiming the move will preserve women’s “honour”.

The ACT government has announced an inquiry into how the Bruce Lehrmann trial was handled
The ACT Government has announced it will hold an inquiry into how the territory’s criminal justice authorities handled the investigation and trial of Bruce Lehrmann

A U.S. House committee has recommended criminal charges against Donald Trump over the January 6 riots
It’s the first time this has happened to a former President.

Meet Australia’s new ambassador to the United States: Kevin Rudd
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States.

Elections in Fiji have produced no clear winner
An election in Fiji has produced no clear winner. It means incumbent Frank Bainimarama and his opponent Sitiveni Rabuka will need to negotiate with a

The Government will replace a review body it says is “fatally compromised”
The Federal Government plans to abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), a body that reviews certain government decisions.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit China tomorrow
It’s the first visit to China by an Australian Foreign Minister since 2018.

Here’s what Victorian politicians are promising on climate change
Like many state and territory governments, Victoria has its own targets for emissions reduction and for the use of renewable energy.
Local councils will no longer be required to hold citizenship ceremonies on 26 January
The Australian Government has announced local councils will no longer be forced to hold a citizenship ceremony on 26 January.

The Victorian Government has apologised to late singer Archie Roach for “pain and trauma inflicted by the state”
The Victorian Government has formally apologised to late singer Archie Roach for his “forced removal” from his family and Country. Roach, a Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab

Parliament has passed power bill relief
Parliament has passed power bill relief. What will it actually mean for you?

“There was nothing to suggest to me… that it was unlawful”: Scott Morrison has testified at the ‘Robodebt’ Royal Commission
As Social Services Minister in 2015, Morrison helped develop the Robodebt scheme.

A 30-day state of emergency has been declared in Peru amid violent protests
Peru’s Defence Minister has declared a 30-day state of emergency, suspending personal freedoms and promising a “forceful and authoritative response” to violent protests which have

A bill to ban TikTok in the U.S. has been introduced
Legislation that would ban TikTok in the U.S. was unveiled this week. It comes as links between TikTok’s owners and the Chinese Government have raised

What do patients, healthcare providers and experts think of the Government’s decision to cut subsidised therapy sessions?
This week, the Federal Government announced it would return to subsidising 10 psychological therapy sessions next year instead of 20.

New Zealand will introduce a lifetime ban on cigarettes for anyone born after 2008
A ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 will become law in New Zealand, after legislation passed Parliament yesterday. The laws

The UK Govt has backed a bill to criminalise harassment in the streets
The UK Government has backed a Bill that would criminalise sexual harassment in the street – such as catcalling or following someone – by up

What will COVID look like in 2023?
The Federal Government has announced a new plan.

The Government will stop subsidising an extra 10 therapy services next month
The Federal Government has announced it will return to subsidising 10 psychological therapy sessions instead of 20 from next month.

The Federal Government has announced $1.5 billion in power bill relief amid rising energy prices
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that Australian households and small businesses will be provided up to $1.5 billion in power bill relief amid rising

The Government will establish a new Environmental Protection Agency
The Government will establish an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce Australia’s environment protection laws.

25 people have been arrested over a suspected plot to overthrow the German government
Some of those arrested are believed to be connected to the extremist Reichsbürger movement, as well as QAnon and COVID-related conspiracies.
The bomb maker behind the 2002 Bali bombings has been released from prison
The bomb maker responsible for the explosives used in the 2002 Bali terror attack has been released from prison after only serving just over half

Victoria has enacted emergency measures for its hospitals in response to a rise in COVID related hospitalisations
TDA spoke to the Victorian Department of Health and the Health Minister to understand what’s happening in the state’s hospitals.

Donald Trump’s organisation has been convicted of criminal tax fraud
The Trump Organisation has been convicted of criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records over a period of 15 years.

National Cabinet will meet to discuss power prices
The Prime Minister will meet with state and territory leaders on Friday to discuss steps to reduce power prices. The Federal Government says the energy

The Democrats have won the final seat in the U.S. Senate
The Democrats have won the final seat in the U.S. Senate, after incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock beat Republican candidate Herschel Walker in the state of

“The system is in crisis”: A new report has declared the Medicare system is failing Australians
Australia’s universal healthcare system is failing practitioners and patients alike, according to a new report from public policy think tank the Grattan Institute. The report

What are governments doing to ‘close the gap’?
Close the Gap aims to address inequalities between First Nations and non-First Nations people in Australia

The Federal Government has passed changes to workplace laws
The Government has passed changes to wages laws through the Senate.

The trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged sexual assault of Brittany Higgins has been dropped
The ACT’s DPP said a retrial would present a “significant and unacceptable risk to the life of the complainant”.

A law has been passed to allow the ACT and NT to make voluntary assisted dying laws
The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory will be allowed to pass their own laws on voluntary assisted dying after a change to Federal

The Federal Government has delivered the first ever climate change statement
It says Australia is not on track to meet its new emissions reduction targets

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriages
The amended Bill will now be sent back to the House of Representatives (Lower House), where it’s expected to be passed with a Democrat majority.
The NT will become the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility
Instead of being detained, children under 12 who have committed a criminal offence will be redirected to intervention programs.

A Bill to establish an Anti-Corruption Commission has passed the Senate
The Government expects the Commission to start operating next year.

What happens now that the Nationals won’t support a Voice to Parliament?
The National Party announced they would not support a referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.

The NSW Government will cancel over 33,000 COVID-19 fines following a legal challenge
The NSW Government will be cancelling over 33,000 fines issued for COVID-19 restriction breaches after a legal challenge in the NSW Supreme Court. It was

A UN report says the Great Barrier Reef should be added to the “in danger” list
The decision follows a visit to the reef by international conservation experts in March.

The Nationals will oppose a First Nations Voice to Parliament
Littleproud said the party did not believe a Voice would help to “close the gap” of disadvantage for First Nations people.

A program in NSW offering paid jobs to medical students will now become permanent
More than 1,000 part-time paid positions will be open to final-year student doctors at select universities in NSW and the ACT.

The Government will move to ‘censure’ Scott Morrison
Scott Morrison remains in Parliament as the Member for the seat of Cook.
Australia’s terrorism threat level has been lowered for the first time since 2014
Australia’s terrorism threat level has been lowered for the first time since 2014, from ‘probable’ to ‘possible’.

Here’s what happened in the Victorian election
It was a poor result for the Liberal Party, but a good night for the Greens and the Nationals. Here’s what you need to know.

Should 16 and 17 year olds be able to vote in Australia?
The news that New Zealand’s Parliament will consider a proposal to lower the voting age to 16 has prompted talk about whether the same should

“The public did not know something that it was entitled to know”: A report into Scott Morrison’s multiple ministries has been published
The findings of an inquiry into Scott Morrison’s decision to appoint himself to oversee multiple ministries have been published today.
“We have to do better”: the Government has announced its response to the destruction of Juukan Gorge
The Federal Government has announced its response to the destruction of Juukan Gorge, a sacred site of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura peoples destroyed

A bill to establish an anti-corruption commission has passed the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has voted unanimously to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Parliament is set to approve a tax discount for electric cars
A tax discount on electric vehicles is set to pass into law after the Federal Government reached an agreement with the Senate crossbench.

Here’s what Victorian politicians are promising on infrastructure
Major construction projects are often a feature of state elections, and this one is no exception.

Malaysia’s election has no clear winner
The main contenders will now have to negotiate to try to secure a majority.

Here’s what Victorian politicians are promising on health
Issues with Victoria’s health system were aggravated by the pandemic.

The new ‘teal’ independents spent over $9 million at the federal election
The six ‘teal’ independent candidates who were elected at May’s election collectively spent over $9.4 million to support their campaigns.

Wages, gender pay gap, and flexible work
Last week, the Federal Government introduced a bill to Parliament to change workplace laws.

The U.S midterm elections are on Tuesday
The U.S. will hold major elections on Tuesday, with results expected on Wednesday Australian time.

Benjamin Netanyahu will return as Israel’s PM
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will return to power, after current caretaker PM Yair Lapid conceded defeat.

An inquiry into historical LGBTIQ+ hate crimes begins in NSW today
A NSW inquiry starting today will investigate the cause of every unsolved suspected murder of a member of the LGBTIQ+ community between 1970 and 2010.

Budget like you mean it: 2022 Federal Budget preview
TDA political journalist Tom Crowley cares about budgets more than most people. Here’s why he finds them so interesting and important.

Who is Peter Dutton?
Peter Dutton is the new Leader of the Liberal Party, making him the Opposition Leader. Dutton was elected unopposed by Liberal MPs earlier today. So,

What is a hung parliament and how likely is it to happen in Australia?
Forming a government sounds simple: win a majority of the 151 seats in the House of Representatives and you’re there. However, what if nobody gets

How does preferential voting work?
It’s pretty common to hear people talk about who they vote for. But here’s something you may not know: you have to vote for everyone.

Remind me, what is a marginal seat?
Who’s going to win the election? The short answer: we don’t know. Elections are full of surprises, and many voters won’t have made up their

Hey Siri, what happens now the Election has been called?
It’s official: Australia will have a Federal Election on 21 May. Here is everything you need to know about what you have to do. STEP

Who is Anthony Albanese?
In this election, Anthony Albanese is running to become the next Prime Minister. He leads the Labor Party, which has been in Opposition since 2013.

Who is Scott Morrison?
Scott Morrison is running to be re-elected as Prime Minister. He leads the Liberal Party, which has been in Government since 2013, together with the

What’s going to be in the Budget?
Here’s a summary of what we already know. There’s one more sleep until Budget, but the Government has already given away a few of the

Senator Jacqui Lambie has revealed she struck a secret deal with the Government to resettle 450 refugees in New Zealand
Senator Jacqui Lambie has revealed she struck a secret deal with the Government to resettle 450 refugees to New Zealand in exchange for voting to

A NSW MP has been charged over historical sexual assault allegations
Independent NSW MP Gareth Ward has been charged over the alleged historical sexual assault of a teenage boy in 2013 and a man in 2015.
The federal and NSW governments have announced mental health packages for flood-affected regions
Both packages are set to provide immediate mental health assistance and ongoing support.Federal package The Federal Government announced yesterday it would spend $31.2 million over
Parliament is sitting this week. Remind me what that means?
Noticed our page is full of politicians this week? That’s because Parliament is back at work for the first time this year. Parliament ‘sits’ to
PEP 11 will no longer proceed
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, known as PEP 11, will not go ahead. During a press conference in Terrigal on
Labor has announced a $1.2 billion University and TAFE funding plan if it wins the next election
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has announced a skills and training plan worth $1.2 billion that will cover the cost of 465,000 TAFE places, to be

The proposed bill requiring voters to show ID before voting, explained.
A Bill was introduced yesterday by the Government to require voters to show identification prior to receiving a ballot paper during elections. Until now, identification