Activists holding Free Alaa signs outside British Consulate

Melbourne Protest for Alaa Abd el-Fattah Shuts British Consulate in Powerful Plea for Justice

Melbourne Protest Demands Justice for Imprisoned Writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah A quiet but resolute protest in Melbourne turned into a bold statement for human rights and freedom of expression, as activists from PEN Melbourne stood outside the British Consulate demanding action for imprisoned Egyptian-British writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah. The event led to the temporary closure…

Read More
Teen using phone with facial scan

Will Age-Verification Technology Really Work for Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban?

Nationwide Social Media Ban for Under-16s Raises More Questions Than Answers The Australian government is preparing to launch a nationwide social media ban for users under 16, set to begin in December 2025. Backed by claims that the technology is “private, robust and effective,” early findings from an independent trial are now being used to…

Read More
Mould-covered walls in rental bedroom

Rental Agent Fast With Rent Demands, Slow With Repairs: Tenants Left in the Cold

Rent Reminders Are Swift, But Repairs Drag On in Betoota Heights In the heart of Betoota Heights, a group of renters is discovering a common truth about renting: speedy rent reminders don’t equal speedy repairs. For Leah, Manisha, and Gwen, the reality of share house living includes broken fittings, cold interiors, and silence from their…

Read More
Q-Lit Festival 2025 opening night stage

Q-Lit Festival 2025 Celebrates Queer Voices, Love, and Laughter Across Melbourne

Q-Lit Festival 2025: Celebrating Queer Voices and StoriesThe Q-Lit Festival 2025 returns with a powerful lineup of queer authors, performers, poets, and thinkers, promising a week of creativity, celebration, and community. This year’s event welcomes a dynamic mix of storytelling, workshops, comedy, romance, and academic insight, all held across key cultural venues in Melbourne from…

Read More
Trump at White House discussing Iran

Trump Pushes Back on Iran Strike Report, Signals Decision in Two Weeks

Trump Denies Report of Approved Strike on IranFormer President Donald Trump has firmly denied claims made by the Wall Street Journal that he approved a US military strike plan against Iran. Speaking through his press secretary, Trump declared the newspaper had “no idea” about his strategy on the evolving Israel-Iran conflict. He emphasized that no…

Read More
John Pesutto at press conference

Victorian Liberal Party Rescues John Pesutto from Bankruptcy with $1.55 Million Loan

Liberal Party Loans $1.55M to Save Pesutto from BankruptcyIn a dramatic financial and political twist, the Victorian Liberal Party has stepped in to shield its former leader, John Pesutto, from bankruptcy by extending a $1.55 million loan. This move comes amid growing fears that his financial troubles could have led to a politically damaging by-election…

Read More
Property listing screen with blurred-out photo

Australian Real Estate Websites Now Restrict Property Photos and Locations Behind Agent Contact

Real Estate Sites Lock Key Information Behind Agent Contact Buying property in Australia has just become significantly more difficult and opaque for everyday buyers. In a controversial new move, major real estate websites are now requiring users to contact an agent in order to unlock essential listing details like property photos and exact locations. Vague…

Read More
Smoke rising over Tehran from Israeli airstrike

Israel Escalates Strikes on Iran with Goal to “Undermine the Regime” Amid Rising Civilian Toll

Israel’s Defence Minister has confirmed he ordered a strategic escalation in military attacks on Iran, stating the objective is to “undermine the regime.” The declaration marks the first official admission that regime change is a goal of the escalating war, now entering its second week. The announcement came as Iranian missiles struck deep into Israeli…

Read More
Cooma Gaol plaque ceremony at correctional centre

Cooma Gaol Officially Recognised on NSW State Heritage Register for LGBTQIA+ History

Cooma Gaol Added to NSW State Heritage Register Cooma Gaol has received formal recognition with its inclusion on the NSW State Heritage Register, marking a powerful step in acknowledging New South Wales’ complex, painful, and often hidden history. A commemorative plaque was unveiled during a special ceremony at the correctional centre to honour this historical…

Read More
Flooded Downing Centre entrance in Sydney

Downing Centre Court Flooding Forces Four-Week Closure and Major Legal Disruptions

Flooding Forces Major Closure at Sydney Courthouse Sydney’s Downing Centre courthouse will remain closed for at least four weeks following extensive internal flooding caused by a burst water main. The sudden incident has left one of the city’s busiest legal venues out of action, affecting thousands of scheduled hearings and proceedings. Critical Infrastructure Damaged Floodwater…

Read More