Consumer group Choice taste-tested 30 extra-virgin olive oils, finding Australian brands competitive with Italian and Spanish imports. Cobram Extra Virgin Classic ranked third, while Woolworths Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil was best value. Monini Classico from Italy took the top spot.
US pharmaceutical company Indivior will withdraw its "life-saving" opioid dependency drug Sublocade from the Australian market by December 31, citing commercial reasons. The decision has alarmed doctors and pharmacists, who note Sublocade's effectiveness and patient preference over alternatives like Buvidal. This follows AstraZeneca's recent withdrawal of Zoladex, also due to commercial viability concerns.
Neil, a 1-tonne elephant seal, has become a local celebrity and "menace" in southern Tasmania, bypassing barricades and damaging property. Experts explain his behavior as normal for a growing, lonely seal, while conservationists highlight the vulnerable status of his species due to bird flu.
A new poll reveals Australians have rejected One Nation's proposals like shutting down SBS and ending multiculturalism. Concerns about the party's skills and Gina Rinehart's influence are high, yet over half of voters are considering or definitely voting for One Nation.
House prices are falling in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra. Sydney and Melbourne saw their largest monthly declines since August 2022, with Sydney values down $48,000 year-to-date. This slowdown is attributed to rising interest rates and reduced investor borrowing capacity.
From July 1, Australian hospitality venues must label seafood on menus as 'A' (Australian), 'I' (imported), or 'M' (mixed). The 'Aim' system aims to inform consumers and support local businesses, though some critics argue it lacks detailed sustainability information.
The Christian Brothers have sought to halt hundreds of abuse survivor cases by arguing they are broke, proposing an external scheme to distribute assets. This follows a decade of transferring wealth to Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) for nominal sums, assets EREA states won't be used for survivors. The move has aborted trials and left survivors feeling betrayed.
Witnesses to Australia's antisemitism royal commission are facing severe online abuse, including threats and misogynistic attacks, according to Labor MP Josh Burns. Research presented also shows factual reports quickly morph into conspiracy theories online, with spikes in both anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate following major events.
Thai police are investigating Australian Simon Peter Carman, charged with the murder of 17-year-old Thunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, for potential links to two unsolved cases in the region where women's bodies were also found in suitcases. Carman denies the charges.
Labor's proposed gambling advertising reforms have been criticized as insufficient by the Liberal and Greens parties, who are calling for more stringent measures. The bill faces an uncertain future in parliament, with opponents arguing the changes do not go far enough to address gambling harm.
Labor's proposed gambling advertising reforms have faced strong criticism from the Coalition and Greens, who deem them too weak and a "capitulation" to the gambling lobby. Critics argue the changes, set to take effect in 2027, do not go far enough in protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children and young people, and are calling for a more comprehensive Senate inquiry.
A CSIRO report suggests 10 new dams in NSW's northern rivers could have lowered 2022 flood levels by up to 2 metres, but not enough to prevent a key levee from overspilling. The findings have sparked debate among residents and politicians regarding flood mitigation strategies.
An EY employee was sacked after he and another man, Paul and Phillip Issa, allegedly accessed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's personal banking account. The two Sydney men faced court over the breach, which allegedly occurred during a secondment at Commonwealth Bank.
Victoria's massive 'Big Build' infrastructure projects are reportedly rife with organised crime, intimidation, extortion, fraud, and bribery. The Victorian premier attributes cost escalations to inflation, not corruption, while critics demand a royal commission due to the limited powers of the state's anti-corruption body, Ibac, and the systemic nature of the alleged misconduct.
Australian police are seeking public assistance to identify the author of over 100 threatening letters sent to community figures between 2015 and 2026. The anonymous writer, using pseudonyms like 'Scorpio' and 'Bullit', is believed to be a Caucasian man in his 60s.
The New South Wales government is investing $6.6 million to establish marked parking bays for shared ebikes across Sydney, aiming to reduce footpath clutter and improve safety. Local councils will receive funding and expanded powers to create parking zones and penalize operators for non-compliance, with a goal of thousands of new spots by year-end.
Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh suggests the party may need a rebrand to win back voters, as the Coalition hits a new polling low of 17% in Newspoll, with Labor leading at 33% and One Nation at 29%.
The Greens and David Pocock support a parliamentary inquiry into fossil fuel industry's influence in schools and sports via sponsorships, as exposed by Comms Declare's report highlighting 260+ programs potentially 'petro-grooming' children.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has queried One Nation over $800,000 of its $6.01m public funding claim for the last election, leading to the withdrawal of 143 expense items. The AEC is investigating potential breaches of electoral funding laws.
Australia's parliament enters its last week before the winter break amidst high tensions. Key events include Vanuatu's PM visit, the Midwinter Ball, and crucial negotiations on Labor's budget, NDIS cuts, tax legislation, and gambling advertising reforms.
Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan labels One Nation leader Pauline Hanson a 'pelican' after her push for 'Australian monoculture', sparking confusion over the insult's meaning amid Australia's multiculturalism debate.
Australia plans to double fines to $99m for social media platforms violating the under-16 ban, amid concerns over ineffective enforcement and calls for stricter algorithm regulation.
KPMG Australia is under fire for leaking confidential client data (Lendlease, Optus, Westpac, Dexus, Telstra) to aid in lucrative audit contract bids, while allegedly retaliating against a whistleblower who reported the misconduct, leading to resignations and calls for regulatory reform.
The Northern Territory's 'tough on crime' agenda under the Country Liberal Party has raised alarms among environment, First Nations, justice, and family groups, citing disregard for vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
