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"It's not our way": Young Indigenous woman speaks out against Acknowledgment of Country

A young Indigenous woman has sparked controversy by criticising the Acknowledgement of Country, claiming the practice is 'made up' and not representative of Indigenous Australian culture. Kiescha Haines Jamieson was asked on social media whether the formal observation is an 'actual traditional practice' or a 'modern white saviour thing'. 'It is a made up protocol by Reconciliation Australia,' she claimed. 'It's not culture. It's not our way.' The Acknowledgement of Country is a relatively recent practice, emerging in the 1990s during what the Keating Government called 'the Reconciliation Decade'. It was formalised as part of efforts to improve Indigenous-state relations, with former Labor senator and Yawuru man Pat Dodson playing a key role in its establishment. 'The work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation encouraged strangers to recognise country, then, as people got stronger, the welcome developed,' Dodson explained. The practice is distinct from a Welcome to Country, which is a ceremony performed by a traditional owner to formally welcome visitors to their land. Acknowledgement of Country, by contrast, is often delivered by non-Indigenous people or organisations to recognise traditional owners. Ms Jamieson argued that the practice has now been 'institutionalised to make people think that it is our culture'. Her comments resonated with some social media users, who agreed that the protocol was 'made up'. 'Finally someone with the guts to tell the truth,' one user wrote. However, others pushed back, arguing that acknowledging country has deep cultural significance for some Indigenous groups. 'It's a traditional thing for our mob, but not as grand as it's shown on TV,' one commenter noted. 'It's not really a welcome, it's more like a way to notify the spirits and ancestors that mob are travelling.' Another person added: 'You don't speak for all mobs and you don't speak for mine.' Yawarllaayi/Gomeroi elder Barbara Flick Nicol has previously stated that welcoming and acknowledging visitors has existed for thousands of years in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 'It's always been something that we did as a people, understanding and observing the fact that when you are in somebody else's country, that you acknowledge them,' she told NITV in 2020. Ms Flick Nicol said that formal acknowledgments began appearing in New South Wales after the landmark Mabo decision in 1992, with councils raising Aboriginal flags and formally recognising traditional owners at meetings and conferences. Former federal politician and Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney, who was involved in the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, defended the practice, saying it evolved organically. 'It wasn't strategised or planned. Once it got out to civic life it was something that people saw as an important way to tell the truth of the Australian story,' she said. Images: Instagram

Legal

Amid claims of abuse, neglect and poor standards, what is going wrong with childcare in Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> On Monday, an ABC’s Four Corners <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-17/betrayal-of-trust/105063150">investigation</a> reported shocking cases of abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres. This included examples of children being sexually abused, restrained for hours in high chairs, and fed nutritionally substandard meals such as pasta with ketchup. While acknowledging there are high-quality services operating in the community, the program also showed how centre-based childcare is big business, dominated by for-profit providers, who may not be meeting regulatory standards. What is going wrong with childcare in Australia? <h2>Differing levels of quality</h2> Data from Australia’s childcare regulator <a href="https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-02/NQF%20Snapshot%20Q4%202024%20FINAL.pdf">consistently shows</a> for-profit childcare services are, on average, rated as <a href="https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/NQFSnapshot_Q4_2020.pdf">lower quality</a> than not-for-profit services. Of those rated by regulators, 11% of for-profit long daycare centres are not meeting national minimum quality standards (they are just “working towards”). This compares with 7% of not-for-profit centres not meeting minimum standards. There are 13% of for-profit centres exceeding the standards, compared to 28% of not-for-profits. Inquiries suggest this divergence is due to staffing levels, qualifications and pay. In 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/childcare-inquiry-2023/december-2023-final-report">found</a> large for-profit providers spend significantly less on staffing than not-for-profit providers. Large for-profit providers <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/childcare-inquiry-2023/september-2023-interim-report">have a higher proportion of part-time and casual staff</a> than not-for-profits. They also employ less experienced early childhood teachers. On top of this, they are more likely to use award rates of pay, which are typically lower than enterprise agreement rates. Lower pay and less job security is related to higher turnover of staff, which makes it <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-chaos-has-shed-light-on-many-issues-in-the-australian-childcare-sector-here-are-4-of-them-174404">difficult for educators to establish and maintain</a> the trusting relationships with children and families that underpin high quality. Despite this, the federal government continues to support for-profit services through <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/child-care-subsidy">childcare subsidies</a>. These subsidies are designed to help families with the costs of childcare. But they do not stop some providers increasing their fees. The ACCC <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/changes-proposed-to-make-childcare-affordable-and-accessible-for-all-families">found a consistent pattern</a> of increased government subsidies leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses for families, due to subsequent fee increases. <h2>It hasn’t always been like this</h2> Childcare subsidies haven’t always worked in this way. “Operational subsidies” were introduced in 1972 through the historic <a href="https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/cca197275/">Child Care Act</a>, which set the precedent for Australian governments to fund childcare. This aimed to support women’s workforce participation through an expanded, high-quality childcare sector. Subsidies at the time were only available to not-for-profit services and required the employment of qualified staff, including teachers. In these ways, Commonwealth funding positioned childcare as a public good, like school education. Then, in 1991, federal government subsidies were extended to for-profit providers. This prompted dramatic changes in the childcare landscape, leading to a dominance of for-profit centres. Today, more than 70% of all long day-care centres are <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/childhood/report/childhood-volume1-report.pdf">operated by private providers</a>. Between <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/childhood/report/childhood-volume2-supporting.pdf">2013 and 2023</a>, the number of for-profit long daycare services jumped by 60%, while not-for-profits only grew by 4%. <h2>Quality concerns</h2> There are <a href="https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/large-providers">25 large long daycare providers</a> in Australia and of these, 21 are run for profit. Large for-profit providers impact sector quality in several ways. Many have disproportionately high numbers of staffing waivers, granted by regulators, permitting them to operate centres without the required number of qualified staff. According to unpublished research by Gabrielle Meagher, as of October 2024, 11 large for-profit providers held waivers for a quarter or more of their services and five held waivers for more than a third. This compares to 15% of the sector overall. Large for-profit providers also serve investors as well as families. So there are extra <a href="https://academic.oup.com/qje/article-abstract/112/4/1127/1911721">incentives to cut costs</a> and maximise profits. The dominance of for-profit providers also makes them <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/world-politics/article/abs/institutional-sources-of-business-power/E9D9D945CB59843C4DF8CE4835350602">powerful players</a> in policy-making circles, as governments depend on them to provide an essential service. <h2>Why isn’t the system working?</h2> Given Australia has a <a href="https://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework">regulatory and quality assurance system</a> for childcare services, why do we have these quality issues? As the Productivity Commission <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/childhood/report/childhood-volume2-supporting.pdf">found</a>, regulators are under-resourced, and inspections are infrequent. Services that repeatedly fail to meet the minimum standards are still allowed to operate, sometimes for more than a decade. Services are notified about upcoming inspections, potentially giving them time to give a false impression of their quality and safety standards. As Four Corners highlighted, poor-quality services, with bad pay and working conditions are driving good educators away from the sector. <h2>What next?</h2> The Albanese government recently passed legislation to “guarantee” eligible families <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/newsroom/articles/3day-guarantee-legislation-passed#:%7E:text=The%203-day%20guarantee%20will,each%20week%20for%20each%20child">three days of subsidised childcare</a> per week from January 2026. But families need more than access. They also require a guarantee this childcare will be high-quality and keep children safe. Even without the extra spending on the three-day guarantee, government spending on childcare subsidies <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/ACCC%20Childcare%20Inquiry-final%20report%20December%202023.pdf?ref=0&download=y">is due to reach nearly A$15 billion</a> by 2026–27. Thus there is also a corresponding duty to taxpayers to ensure these funds are going to high-quality providers. In the wake of the Four Corners report, the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/worldtoday/childcare-wrap/105066270">Greens are calling</a> for a royal commission into childcare. But we do not need this level of inquiry to tell us the current system needs fundamental change. Stronger regulatory powers, while important, will not be enough on their own. High-quality services need well-educated and well-supported staff. They also need governance and leadership that value educators’ expertise and enable consistently high standards.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/252493/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gabrielle-meagher-594155">Gabrielle Meagher</a>, Professor Emerita, School of Society, Communication and Culture, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marianne-fenech-228936">Marianne Fenech</a>, Professor, Early Childhood Governance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/amid-claims-of-abuse-neglect-and-poor-standards-what-is-going-wrong-with-childcare-in-australia-252493">original article</a>. Image: ABC </div>

After a century of Monday to Friday, could the 4-day week finally be coming to Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The reality of shorter working hours could be one step closer for many Australians, pending the outcome of the federal election. The Greens, who could control crucial cross bench votes in a hung parliament, have announced plans for a <a href="https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-launch-4-day-work-week-election-policy">four-day</a> working week, with no loss of pay. They say the policy would alleviate stress and burn out, and increase women’s participation in the workforce. Earning the same money for fewer hours would appeal to most workers. But is it too good to be true? Could it really be rolled out cost free to all workplaces, especially to “client facing” companies and service providers? Or does research suggest the Greens could be onto something? <h2>The Greens’ plan</h2> The Greens’ policy would involve a new National Institute for the Four Day Work Week and a test case through the Fair Work Commission. A series of national trials would be set up in a number of different industries, whereby workers would work 80% of their normal hours, while maintaining 100% of their pay. According to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, it’s a win-win for everyone: <blockquote> It can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve recruitment and retention and give employees more time to manage their home life. This change will allow workers to create a working week that works for them. </blockquote> <h2>The 100:80:100 model</h2> The four-day work week being proposed in this instance is commonly regarded as the 100:80:100 model. It delivers 100% of the pay, for 80% of the hours, in <a href="https://www.4dayweek.com/news-posts/100-80-100-rule">return</a> for maintaining 100% of productivity. This is unlike other forms of shorter working weeks, which compress five days’ worth of work into four longer days. This obviously disadvantages some employees. Recent <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Emerging_Four_Day_Work_Week_Trends_in_Australia_New_insights_based_on_interviews_with_Australian_firms_who_have_already_adopted_4DWW_arrangements_Preview_report_/26282311?file=47647063">research</a> conducted by Swinburne University of Technology involved interviews with ten Australian firms that have already adopted the 100:80:100 model. They were a mixture of small and medium sized private sector businesses, including management consulting firms, a shipping and logistics company, and recruitment and marketing agencies. The research underlined the potential for a range of positive outcomes for both employers and employees. Workers reported having better work-life balance, more time to complete “life administration” tasks, and more time to invest in hobbies, exercise, wellness and self-care. Bosses cited productivity gains, reduced sick days, and significant improvements in recruitment and retention rates. However, the 100:80:100 model is viewed with scepticism in some quarters. There is still doubt that productivity and output would be maintained, or in some cases improved, when workers are working one day fewer per week. Also, there could be costs associated with the implementation of this work model for front-line roles, such as retail, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Additional workers may need to be hired, at extra expense, to cover the hours dropped by the existing workforce. <h2>100 years of working 5 days a week</h2> The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the five-day work week. It was car maker Henry Ford who <a href="https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/henry-fords-five-day-week/">reduced</a> the working week in the United States from six days to five. Other sectors and countries followed suit. This was at a time when the average life expectancy of Australian workers was just 55 and households typically only had one bread-winner. Despite the time saved by the many technological breakthroughs in the past 100 years – from the photocopier, desktop computer and fax machine, to the internet, mobile phones and AI – the average Australian is now <a href="https://futurework.org.au/report/taking-up-the-right-to-disconnect-unsatisfactory-working-hours-and-unpaid-overtime/">working longer hours</a> in paid and unpaid labour than ever before. The Greens point out Australian society is changing. More women and carers are either in the workforce or would be encouraged into the workforce by more flexible arrangements: <blockquote> yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders. </blockquote> The role of generative AI technologies in the workplace may also deliver benefits to workers. Separate Swinburne <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Generative_AI_at_work_Empowering_employee_mental_wellbeing/27252948">research</a> has revealed an increasing expectation among workers that they will receive a share in the time saved by future technologies in the form of improved work-life balance and wellbeing gains. <h2>Time to enter the 21st century</h2> Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/27/two-hundred-uk-companies-sign-up-for-permanent-four-day-working-week">200 UK companies</a> signed up to the 100:80:100 model, as part of a campaign to “reinvent Britain’s working week”. Large scale trials are also underway in <a href="https://4dayweek.io/country/canada">Canada</a> and several <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/02/02/the-four-day-week-which-countries-have-embraced-it-and-how-s-it-going-so-far">European</a> countries. The global interest in a shorter working week is not surprising, and has likely been fuelled by the COVID pandemic, which has caused workers and employers to re-imagine their working lives. If the Greens are in a position to leverage any balance of power after the coming election, it could be Australia’s turn to recognise the conventional five-day working week is no longer fit for purpose.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/252379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate Professor of Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-a-century-of-monday-to-friday-could-the-4-day-week-finally-be-coming-to-australia-252379">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Australia denied exemption from Trump tariffs

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> Australia has failed to win an exemption from Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on aluminium and steel, but the government has vowed to fight on for a carve out. The White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, told Australian media in Washington “there will be no exemptions” from the tariffs, which come into effect imminently. Pressed on why, she said “America First steel”. She said, “If they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here”. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government would continue to lobby for an exemption. He pointed out it had taken the Coalition government many months to win a carve out from tariffs under the first Trump administration. “Tariffs don’t make any sense, it’s an act of kind of economic self harm. We’ll be able to find other markets for our steel and our aluminium and we have been diversifying those markets. But we’re obviously really disappointed with this. "I would say, though, we’ll keep advocating to the United States on this issue. Last time around it was nine months before we got an exemption in relation to steel and aluminium out of the Trump administration in its first term. So, we’ll keep pressing the case, we’ll keep diversifying our own trade. But look, there’s no hiding this, we’re really disappointed with this decision.” Opposition deputy leader Sussan Ley said the government “just hasn’t done enough”. “All of the other leaders of the Quad and AUKUS, Japan, India, the UK, travelled to the US, and they had face-to-face meetings, and they did what they needed to do. They advocated fiercely in their country’s interests, but this prime minister has been nowhere to be seen.” But given no exemptions are being provided, a personal trip by the Albanese would likely have had little effect. The PM made the case for an exemption to the president in a call some weeks ago. In that conversation Trump indicated he would consider Australia’s case, but the government quickly became pessimistic about the administration giving it a special deal. BlueScope, while expressing disappointment, saw one silver lining. “BlueScope produces more than 3 million tonnes of steel per annum at its NorthStar BlueScope plant in Delta, Ohio. As the US tariffs come into effect the company expects to see the positive impact from an improvement in steel prices.” Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull this week predicted Trump would shy away from exemptions this time around. While some observers said Turnbull’s broad attack on Trump, whom he called a bully, could work against Australia’s lobbying, it almost certainly was irrelevant, given all representations were rejected. The Australian concern is less the direct impact of the tariffs – our exports of steel and aluminium to the US are limited – but the fallout from an international trade war that could be sparked by Trump’s policies.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/251623/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-grattan-20316">Michelle Grattan</a>, Professorial Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-like-everyone-else-fails-to-win-exemption-from-trumps-tariffs-on-aluminium-and-steel-251623">original article</a>. Image: Samuel Corum/CNP/Shutterstock Editorial </div>

Legal

Family breaks silence after five-year-old son fatally hit by car

The devastated family of five-year-old boy Alby Thompson have remembered him for his "laughter and love". The young boy died after being struck by a four-wheel-drive in Broome, Western Australia about 5.20pm last Thursday. The five-year-old was rushed to Broome Regional Hospital where he later died. His family have issued a statement to the ABC on Wednesday and thanked the community for their “outpouring of love". “It is with profound sorrow that we share the news of our beloved son, Alby, who tragically lost his life in a road accident,” the statement began. “His laughter and love filled our hearts and home. “We kindly request privacy during this period of mourning as we come to terms with this devastating loss. “We thank the community for their outpouring of love and support during this heart-wrenching time.” The 34-year-old driver of the Landcruiser is assisting police with inquiries, and no charges have been laid. Image: 7News

Caring

Viral sensation to represent Australia for Eurovision 2025

Australia has announced the latest artist set to represent the country for Eurovision 2025 - the world's biggest song competition. Go-Jo – also known as Marty Zambotto – will represent the country when the iconic singing contest returns in Basel, Switzerland from May 13-17. Zambotto, who grew up in Manjimup, Western Australia, will perform his song Milkshake Man which was released on Wednesday. "Ahh it's a dream to be a part of Eurovision 2025 and so proud to be representing AUS!" he wrote under the music video posted by his official Go-Jo Youtube channel. "The Milkshake Man's purpose is to inspire people to embrace the loudest and proudest version of themselves, and I can't think of a better place to share that message than the Eurovision stage," Zambotto said. "It's an absolute dream come true to represent such a beautiful and diverse nation, and I've never been more excited to share my art and vision with the incredible Eurovision fans around the world." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGgVXHCJzsn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGgVXHCJzsn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SBS Australia (@sbs_australia)</a> </div> </blockquote> Zambotto's mother, who fronted a local rock act, inspired his music career after buying him is first electric guitar when he was a teenager. He was also a promising Aussie Rules football player, with the Western Australian Football League even bringing him to Perth to develop his talent, but he ended up choosing music, describing it as "the universe flickering its high beams" at him. Zambotto has more than 1.4 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. He was the ninth-most streamed Australian artist in the world, and has even toured nationally and internationally in Europe, the US and South-East Asia. His hit single Mrs Hollywood has more than a billion views across all platforms, and more than 60 million digital streams. Eurovision 2025 will mark Australia's 10th year of participation in the iconic competition. Images: Instagram

Music

NT Chief Minister defends not acknowledging Indigenous people

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has defended her decision to not acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land during an emotional ceremony. Finocchiaro was one of eight speakers, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, at the event marking 83 years since Darwin was attack by Japanese aerial forces during WWII. Of the eight speakers, Finocchiaro was the only one to not acknowledge the Larrakia people at the beginning of her address. Explaining her decision on Tuesday, the minister said “I just don’t think every speaker needs to do it”. “The feedback I get from the community on acknowledgments of country is that Territorians ... feel like it’s been rammed down their throat,” she told <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/darwin-breakfast/chief-on-a-tuesday/104979612" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">ABC Darwin</a>. “This is how people talk to me about it so in my acknowledgment I acknowledged the veterans, I acknowledged all Territorians, I acknowledged serving men and women in our defence force and I was so proud.” Finocchiaro recalled the Welcome to Country given by Larrakia man James Parfitt prior to her speech, saying anything more from her was “tokenistic”. “People find it very divisive,” she said. “I think it’s very fair to have a welcome to country and they absolutely have their place but we’ve just been indoctrinated by a Labor government over eight years who have shamed people into feeling like they have to do something that lacks a genuine nature and is tokenistic.” Larrakia elder Richard Fejo, who was at the ceremony, was one of many who were appalled by the minister's actions, and described her decision as “embarrassing”. “(My grandfather and his brother) were down there at the wharf, pulling men out of the waters that were injured, and then they had to clean up the deceased,” he told the ABC. “When the chief minister fails to acknowledge Larrakia people at the Bombing of Darwin, she’s directly talking about my grandfather … and the other Larrakia men that fought side-by-side with non-Aboriginal people … we fought as one.” Labor MP Manuel Brown said on Facebook it was “very concerning when the chief minister doesn’t acknowledge the traditional owners in her speeches as she did today”. Image credits: Instagram

Legal

I spy with my little eye: 3 unusual Australian plant ecosystems to spot on your next roadtrip

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Gregory Moore</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> When the growing gets tough, the tough trees and shrubs get growing. Australia’s environment is brutal. Its ancient, low-nutrient soils and generally low rainfall make it a hard place for plants to grow. Despite this, the continent is filled with wonderfully diverse plant ecosystems. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, it can be easy to miss these seemingly unremarkable species. So, here are three little-known Australian plant species and ecosystems to look out for during your next roadtrip. <h2>1. Cycads and eucalypts</h2> If you are driving a coastal route along southern New South Wales, keep an eye out for the stunning combination of burrawang cycads (Macrozamia communis) and spotted gum (Corymbia maculata). These species live in harmony along the <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-families/cycads#:%7E:text=Meet%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20most%20southern%20Cycads&text=On%20the%20New%20South%20Wales,Spotted%20Gums%20(Corymbia%20maculata).">NSW coastline</a>, from Kempsey to Bega, and inland as far as Mudgee. If you’re on a road trip, now is the perfect time to talk to children about ancient moving continents, volcanoes and dinosaurs. Cycads are <a href="https://anpsa.org.au/APOL2009/feb09-s3.html">ancient gymnosperms</a> (cone-bearing plants) which evolved long before the Gondwanan supercontinent separated. These tough, hardy plants saw the dinosaurs come and go, and their relatives are found all around the world. These <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-families/cycads#:%7E:text=Not%20only%20is%20Macrozamia%20communis,inland%20as%20far%20as%20Mudgee.">cycads</a> form a striking understorey to the spotted gum. As their scientific name (Macrozamia communis) suggests, they form a dense community. Further north in Queensland, pineapple cycads (Lepidozamia peroffskyana), and Western Australia’s zamia palm (Macrozamia riedlei) are also worth spotting. Cycad seeds are poisonous, but First Nations Australians worked out a complex process to prepare them for <a href="https://www.apscience.org.au/apsf20036/">safe eating</a>. This involved dissolving the <a href="https://www.scienceflip.com.au/subjects/chemistry/equilibriumandacidreactions/learn10/">plant’s toxins</a> in running water, cooking, working and grinding the seeds into a powder. Spotted gums evolved long after dinosaurs went extinct. Early eucalypt fossils date from about 34 million years ago, while current species are often only a few million years old. Spotted gums are a great example of how plants that survive tough environments often also do well in difficult <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-humble-spotted-gum-is-a-world-class-urban-tree-heres-why-212540">urban situations</a>. Cycads are similarly found growing in poor soils and arid conditions. They have long, glossy leaves up to about 1.5 metres in length with lots of leaflets. There are both male and female plants. The female cone is an impressive, wide-domed structure that can be almost half a metre across. Its bright orange-red seeds are eaten by <a href="https://backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/cycads/#:%7E:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20female,bats%20will%20feed%20on%20them.">foraging marsupials</a>, large birds and flying foxes. Spotted gums are tall, straight eucalyptus trees with dark green, glossy leaves. Old bark creates dark grey spots against their cream coloured trunk, giving them a mottled look. It is interesting to see ancient and modern species in such a close community relationship in cycad-spotted gum forests. Both are also well-adapted to the fires that frequent their habitat. <h2>2. Ancient acacias</h2> Travelling inland, the environment gets even tougher. Most large trees disappear and are replaced by woodlands dominated by <a href="https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/abares/forestsaustralia/publishingimages/forest%20profiles%202005/acacia_forests_2005.pdf">inland acacia</a> (wattle) species. These inland acacias are short but mighty, with deep, extensive root systems. Two of these species, <a href="http://theconversation.com/the-mighty-mulga-grows-deep-and-lives-long-118838">mulga</a> (Acacia aneura) and brigalow (A. harpophylla) are part of Australian folklore. A Banjo Paterson character <a href="https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00072.txt">says</a>: “You know how the brigalow grows […] saplings about as thick as a man’s arm”. Nutrients and water resources are limited, so mulga and brigalow trees are often evenly spaced across the landscape. This eerie symmetry makes it look like they were planted by humans. Many people are unaware that the twisted, stunted specimens they see are more than 250 years old and occupy vast tracts of the Australian landscape. <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/action-plan/priority-plants/waddy-wood">Waddy-wood</a> (Acacia peuce) is a rare species of acacia, found in just three locations on the edge of the Simpson Desert. This tree has very strong wood, and was used by Indigenous Australians for making clubs (waddys) and tools for carrying fire. Inland acacias were widely used by Indigenous Australians for their wood, resins and medicinal properties. They have also been used as <a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/671421/using-mulga-as-a-forage-supplement-for-livestock-in-droughts.pdf">fodder for livestock</a>, especially during drought. These <a href="https://era.dpi.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/13430/1/QJAS_6%5B2%5D_1949_pp87-139_everist.pdf">crucial species</a> provide important habitat for other plants and animals. But they are under threat. As old trees collapse and die, there are no young trees replacing them. This is because of drought and grazing, compounded by <a href="https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/environmental-risk-mitigation-plan-acacia.pdf">climate change</a>. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/desertification">Desertification</a> – where fertile land is degraded until it essentially becomes desert – is becoming a huge problem due to the massive area dominated by acacias. <h2>3. Boabs</h2> If you’re driving across the Northern Territory and Western Australia, you might come across the <a href="https://theconversation.com/built-like-buildings-boab-trees-are-life-savers-with-a-chequered-past-118821">mighty boab</a> (Adansonia gregoryii). These close relatives of the African and Madagascan baobabs <a href="https://theconversation.com/baobab-trees-all-come-from-madagascar-new-study-reveals-that-their-seeds-and-seedlings-floated-to-mainland-africa-and-all-the-way-to-australia-231031">floated to Australia</a> as seeds or seedlings around 12 million years ago. These <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2019/07/how-did-the-iconic-boab-tree-get-to-australia/">deciduous trees</a> live in mostly dry environments that also experience strong monsoonal-type rains. Boabs trap and store water in their trunks, allowing them not only to survive but thrive. Their African and Madagascan baobab relatives are sometimes called <a href="https://www.oneearth.org/species-of-the-week-african-baobab-tree/">trees of life</a>, as they support many species. Australian boabs are similar. They offer habitat, roosting and nesting sites. Their flowers and fruits are food sources to many species of insects and birds. They were – and are – important trees in First Nations cultures. Carvings and symbols on their trunks can last for more than a century, much longer than on other trees. These are called <a href="https://www.snexplores.org/article/carvings-australia-boab-trees-lost-history-first-nation">dendroglyphs</a>. For example, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-boab-trees-of-the-remote-tanami-desert-are-carved-with-centuries-of-indigenous-history-and-theyre-under-threat-191676">snake carvings</a> dated to more than 200 years old have been found on boab trees in Northern Australia’s Tanami Desert. While these special trees are usually found far from the beaten track, they can be spotted growing around Darwin and other remote towns. If you get the chance to see them, count yourself lucky. <h2>Tough terrain, tough trees</h2> Plant communities are remarkably resilient. They also display great creativity when evolving ways to survive tough environments. Make sure to keep an eye out as you’re exploring Australia and enjoy the fascinating plants our country has to offer.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/246129/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Gregory Moore</a>, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-spy-with-my-little-eye-3-unusual-australian-plant-ecosystems-to-spot-on-your-next-roadtrip-246129">original article</a>. </div>

Domestic Travel

Australia’s largest super fund fined $27 million

Australia's largest superannuation fund has been charged a whopping $27 million for charging duplicate fees to tens of thousands of customers. AustralianSuper was first sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in 2023. During the investigation, it was discovered that more than 48,000 members’ accounts were not merged in their best interests, allowing duplicate fees to eat in to the retirement savings of hard-working Aussies. About 90,000 AustralianSuper members were affected between July 2013 and March 2023, costing them $69 million. Both ASIC and AustralianSuper appeared in the Federal Court at Melbourne on Friday, where Justice Lisa Hespe handed down her decision. AustralianSuper were fined $27 million, and were also ordered to pay ASIC’s legal costs up to $500,000. “By failing to properly remediate that beneficiary, AustralianSuper did not exercise in relation to the interests of that beneficiary the same degree of skill, care and diligence as a prudent superannuation trustee would have exercised,” Justice Lisa Hespe ruled. AustralianSuper apologised to members when the lawsuit began, saying it regretted that its processes to identify and combine multiple accounts did not cover all instances of multiple member accounts. In a statement after the hearing, AustralianSuper chief executive Paul Schroder said they had taken steps to prevent similar mistakes. “We found this mistake, we reported it, we apologised to impacted members, we compensated them, and we’ve improved our processes to prevent this happening again,” he said. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Best hotels in Australia revealed

The <a href="https://www.forbestravelguide.com/award-winners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 Forbes Travel Guide</a> has announced the winners of the Star Awards, with nine hotels and experiences in Australia being named in the list. Every property in the running for the awards is visited by highly trained inspectors who provide an evaluation based on up to 900 objective criteria. According to Forbes, the Star Rating system "emphasises service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks". Over 2000 hotels, experiences, restaurants and cruises were named on the global list, with nine Aussie winners featuring in the prestigious list. The only property in the country to receive a 5-star accommodation rating in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide was Crown Towers in Perth. Touted as "the pinnacle of Perth luxury", Forbes described the property as "Perth's most extravagant stay. Exuding understated glamour." In the spa category the Crown Spa Perth, which is tucked away in Crown Towers Perth, was awarded 4-stars for its "unbridled opulence". The Darling Sydney has once again received recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide for the ninth consecutive year, while The Darling's "world class" spa was also featured. Check out the list below. 9. The Langham - Sydney 8. Park Hyatt - Sydney 7. Park Hyatt - Melbourne 6. Capella - Sydney 5. Como The Treasury - Perth 4. The Darling Spa - Sydney 3. The Darling - Sydney 2. Crown Spa - Perth 1. Crown Towers - Perth Image credits: Crown Hotels <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">

Domestic Travel

Whether we carve out an exemption or not, Trump’s latest tariffs will still hit Australia

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-french-2254956">Scott French</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-agrees-to-consider-australian-exemption-from-tariffs-describing-albanese-as-very-fine-man-248886">stated</a> an exemption for Australia from Trump’s executive order placing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into the US is “under consideration”. But prospects remain uncertain. Albanese would do well to secure an exemption using <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/exemptions-are-under-consideration-albanese-reports-warm-chat-with-trump-over-tariffs-20250211-p5lb4r.html">similar arguments</a> as then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did in 2018. If Australia cannot obtain a carve-out from the tariffs, the main group affected will be the Australian producers of steel and aluminium. But the size of the hit they will take is difficult to predict. Regardless of whether Australia gets an exemption, the world economy – and Australians – will be affected by Trump’s latest round of tariffs. <h2>Producers will be hit</h2> If ultimately imposed by the US, these tariffs will make steel and aluminium produced in Australia more expensive for US manufacturers relative to domestically produced alternatives. This will certainly result in reduced demand for the Australian products. However, three factors will help limit the effects: 1. The price of metals produced in the US will rise It will take time to ramp up US production to fill the gap of reduced imports, and the extra production will likely come from <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-tariffs-243356">less efficient</a> domestic producers. This means that US manufacturers will continue to buy imported metals, despite the higher prices. 2. The US is not a huge market for Australian steel and aluminium Australia produced A$113 billion of primary and fabricated metal in the 2022-23 financial year, according to the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/industry-overview/australian-industry/latest-release">ABS</a>. By comparison, less than $1 billion of steel and aluminium was exported to the US in 2023, according to data <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">from UN Comtrade</a>, consisting of about $500 million of aluminium and less then $400 million of steel. Exports to the US account for about 10% of Australia’s total exports of these metals. 3. Major markets If major markets such as China and the European Union enact retaliatory tariffs on US metals, this could make Australian metals more competitive in these markets. <h2>Some stand to benefit</h2> While workers in Australian steel and aluminium plants will be watching the news with trepidation, some of Australia’s biggest manufacturing companies may be less concerned. For example, BlueScope Steel has significant US steel operations, and saw its <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-10/asx-markets-business-news-live-updates-feb-10/104916360">share price increase</a> on news of the tariffs. US-based Alcoa, which owns <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/trump-tariff-threat-puts-aussie-aluminium-smelters-on-edge/news-story/1bba5321af89fd817a55a4984d98d273">alumina refineries</a> in Western Australia and an aluminium smelter in Victoria, will also expect to see its US operations benefit. And Rio Tinto will be most concerned about its substantial Canadian operations. Its Canadian hub is responsible for close to <a href="https://www.riotinto.com/en/can/canada-operations/saguenay">half of its global aluminium production</a>. <h2>Demand for iron ore could fall</h2> The US tariffs will also have wider ranging effects on the Australian economy, regardless of whether Australia’s products are directly targeted. While aluminium is Australia’s <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/trade-and-investment-data-information-and-publications/trade-statistics/trade-in-goods-and-services/australias-trade-goods-and-services-2023">top manufacturing export</a>, it still makes up only about 1% of total exports, and steel makes up <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">less than half that</a>. Iron ore, by contrast, makes up more than 20% of Australia’s exports, with aluminium ores making up an additional 1.5%. This means the effect of the tariffs on demand for the raw materials to make steel and aluminium may have the largest detrimental effect on the Australian economy. Because the tariffs will make steel and aluminium more expensive to US manufacturers, they will seek to reduce their use of them. This means global demand for the metals, and the ores used to produce them, will decline. Investors appear to be betting on this, with shares of Australian miners like <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/RIO">Rio Tinto</a> and <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/bhp">BHP</a> falling since Trump announced the tariffs. <h2>Imported goods will become more expensive</h2> Many of the things Australians buy are likely to get more expensive. All US products that use steel and aluminium at any stage of the production process will also become more expensive. Tariffs will raise the cost of steel and aluminium for US manufacturers, <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-tariffs-243356">both directly and by reducing overall productivity</a> in the US. About <a href="https://comtradeplus.un.org/">11% of Australia’s imports</a> come from the US. And about half of this consists of machinery, vehicles, aircraft, and medical instruments, which typically contain steel and aluminium. Further, these goods are used by manufacturers around the world to produce and transport many of the other things Australians buy.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/249493/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-french-2254956">Scott French</a>, Senior Lecturer in Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Samuel Corum/CNP/Shutterstock Editorial This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/whether-we-carve-out-an-exemption-or-not-trumps-latest-tariffs-will-still-hit-australia-249493">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Aus Post worker jailed after stealing from packages

An Australia Post contractor has been jailed after stealing $400,000 worth of luxury goods from packages. According to the Australian Federal Police, items such as jewellery, luxury watches, alcohol and gift cards were among the “significant number” of goods stolen from packages between November 2021 and May 2023. The 43-year-old man from Bexley in Sydney was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and three months when he faced the Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday. He is able to be released after serving 15 months on the condition he is then of good behaviour for two years. An investigation began into the thief in May 2023 after a report of “a man tampering with postal packages” was filed. A search warrant executed at the man’s Bexley home uncovered $398,000 worth of stolen items and $39,000 in cash which was the “proceeds of crime from the sale of tobacco the man had taken from mail packages,” AFP said. Police found an estimated $138,000 worth of alcohol, $124,000 of luxury watches, $52,000 of gift cards, and $43,000 of jewellery in the man's home. Police also seized 24g of methamphetamine, 17.8g of ketamine and small quantities of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis during their search of the property. The man pleaded guilty to three charges related to the postal theft, drug possession, and proceeds of crime. AFP acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the man abused his trusted position with Australia Post for his own personal gain. “Criminals are motivated by profit and greed, and the AFP has zero tolerance for those who abuse employment access for their own illegal pursuits,” he said. “This was an opportunistic attempt to use a trusted position within Australia’s mail delivery system to profit, with no regard to its impact on the community." “People with trusted access are critical to the successful operation of Australia’s trade sectors, but the AFP will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this trust." “The AFP works closely with Australia Post to ensure trusted insiders abusing their position for criminal endeavours are dealt with swiftly to ensure public confidence in the Australian postal system.” Image credits: AFP

Legal

Gogglebox star set to return for 21st season

Gogglebox Australia is set to return for its 21st season this week, and while the beloved Silbery family are no longer a part of the cast, a familiar face is set to return for the new season. While fans will surely miss seeing the multi-generational family on their screens, Sarah Marie Fahd will once again return to Aussie screens after being on maternity leave for the past two years. “I’m so excited to be back,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle. Sarah joined the show in 2017 with her husband Matty and their best friend Jad Nehmetallah. “Being able to join my boys again makes me feel so happy because the last few seasons I've been on the sidelines and Matt would be like, ‘Remember, you're not on the show right now!’. There are so many things I wish I could have said!” she added. Sarah explained that she took a break from the show because her second child, Lyon, required more attention than her firstborn Malik. “There’s no way I would have been able to even sit and watch TV with Lyon. There were days where he would cry unless I carried him and I would just have him strapped to my chest, so I was like, it's not gonna work with this one,” she told the publication. “But he's at a different age now and he's such a character. “Also just mentally, I'm in a much better place. I think mental health is really, really difficult when you've got little ones and hormones and stuff to juggle, so that was also a really big factor and I just mentally couldn't do all of that. "Whereas right now, I’m myself again. I feel like it just ticked over to 2025 and something in me was like, I’m good now. I’m finally in a better place.” The upcoming season will see both Malik and Lyon sitting on the couch alongside their parents, a decision that was made after careful consideration. "It’s just a lovely show to be on, so I was able to trust [producers] with having Malik on the show. Otherwise, I wouldn't have him on there for sure,” Sarah said. Images: Instagram

Should Australia mandate cancer warnings for alcoholic drinks?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-visontay-2291993">Rachel Visontay</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-mewton-2292647">Louise Mewton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Alcohol causes huge harm in Australia, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S1470-2045(21)00279-5/fulltext">responsible for 5,800 new cancer cases per year</a>. Yet many of us remain in the dark about its health risks. In January, the United States’ Office of the Surgeon General, the country’s leading public health spokesperson, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/alcohol-cancer/index.html">recommended warnings about alcohol’s cancer risks</a> should be displayed on drink packaging. These messages have already been made obligatory in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00001-8/fulltext#:%7E:text=In%20May%202026%2C%20Ireland%20will,warnings%20(following%20South%20Korea).">Ireland and South Korea</a>. So, do they work? And should we mandate them here? <h2>Isn’t a glass of wine or two good for me?</h2> Most of us know heavy drinking is unhealthy. Yet the belief a few glasses of wine helps protect against heart disease and other conditions has persisted. That is despite <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15299">evidence in recent years</a> showing the benefits have been overestimated and the harms underplayed. In fact, <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/06-11-2023-joint-statement-by-who-europe-and-iarc-to-the-european-parliament---raising-awareness-of-the-link-between-alcohol-and-cancer#:%7E:text=There%20is%20also%20clear%20evidence,for%20cancers%20can%20be%20established.">any level of alcohol</a> use increases the risk for several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (affecting the large intestine and rectum) and breast cancer. In recent years, the <a href="https://www.ndph.ox.ac.uk/news/new-genetic-study-confirms-that-alcohol-is-a-direct-cause-of-cancer">evidence has strengthened showing alcohol</a> plays a clear, causal role increasing cancer risk and other serious health problems, as well as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802963">all-cause mortality</a>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2021.102049">One study estimated</a> how many new cancer cases will develop across the lifetimes of the 18.8 million Australian adults who were alive in 2016. It predicted a quarter of a million (249,700) new cancers – mostly colorectal – will arise due to alcohol. We know what causes this harm. For example, acetaldehyde – a chemical produced by the body when it processes alcohol – <a href="https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/preventing-cancer/limit-alcohol/how-alcohol-causes-cancer">is carcinogenic</a>. Alcohol also increases cancer risk through “<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/oxidative-stress">oxidative stress</a>”, an imbalance in the body’s antioxidants and free radicals which causes damage to DNA and inflammation. It can also affect <a href="https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/preventing-cancer/limit-alcohol/how-alcohol-causes-cancer">hormone levels</a>, which raises the risk for breast cancer in particular. <h2>Australians unaware of the risk</h2> While the harms are well-known to researchers, many Australians remain unaware. Figures vary, but <a href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/news/what-do-you-mean-alcohol-causes-cancer-nsw-communitys-views-on-alcohol-and-alcohol-policy-options/#:%7E:text=In%202022%2C%20we%20surveyed%20the,our%20last%20survey%20in%202019.">at best only 59% of us</a> know about the direct link between alcohol and cancer (and at worst, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37247850/">just one in five</a> are aware). Perhaps the best evidence this message has failed to sink in is our continued love affair with alcohol. In 2022–23 <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/drug-types/alcohol">69% of us drank alcohol, with one in three</a> doing so at levels deemed risky by the National Health and Medical Research Council. For both men and women, that means <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol">having more than ten standard drinks per week</a> or more than four in one day. <h2>What are other countries doing?</h2> <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels/pregnancy-warning-labels-downloadable-files#faqs">Like Australia</a>, the US already has warnings on alcohol about its impacts on unborn children and a person’s ability to operate cars and machinery. The US Surgeon General wants additional explicit warnings about cancer risk to be compulsory. This follows Ireland, <a href="https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/how-ireland-beat-the-odds-to-introduce-cancer-warning-labels-on-alcohol/">the first country</a> to mandate cancer labels for alcohol. From 2026, alcohol packaging will include the warning: “there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers”. Other countries, including Norway and Thailand, are also <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/world/alcohol-cancer-warnings-countries.html">reportedly investigating cancer warning labels</a>. Since 2017, alcohol producers in South Korea have had to choose between three compulsory warning labels – <a href="https://iard.org/science-resources/detail/Health-Warning-Labeling-Requirements">two of which warn of cancer risks</a>. However they can instead opt for a label which warns about alcohol’s risks for <a href="https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/abstract/2021/03000/alcohol_use_and_dementia__new_research_directions.15.aspx">dementia</a>, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31772-0/fulltext?previewDate=09-01-2015+00%3A00+Europe%2FHelsinki%3Fcategory%3Dterveys%2Fapi%2Ffragment%2Fhtml">stroke</a> and <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts#:%7E:text=Alcohol-related%20blackouts%20are%20gaps,brain%20area%20called%20the%20hippocampus.">memory loss</a>. <h2>Will Australia follow suit?</h2> <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/prevention/alcohol">Australian health bodies have been advocating</a> for cancer warnings on drink packaging for <a href="https://fare.org.au/alcohol-product-labelling-health-warning-labels-and-consumer-information/">over a decade</a>. Currently, whether to include warnings about alcohol’s general health risks is at the discretion of the manufacturer. Many use vague “drink responsibly” messages or templates provided by DrinkWise, an organisation <a href="https://drinkwise.org.au/about-us/#:%7E:text=DrinkWise%20is%20funded%20primarily%20through,financial%20and%20in%2Dkind%20support.">funded by the alcohol industry</a>. Pregnancy <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels">warning labels</a> (“Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby”) only became obligatory in 2023. Although this covers just one of alcohol’s established health effects, it has set an important precedent. We now have a template for how introducing cancer and other health warnings might work. With pregnancy labels, the government <a href="https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/health/food-standards-australia-new-zealand/food-standards-australia-new-zealand-annual-report-2018-19/4.-highlights/pregnancy-warnings-on-alcohol">consulted public health and industry bodies</a> and gave a <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels">three-year transition period</a> for manufacturers to adjust. We even have examples of colour and formatting of required labels that could be adapted. Perhaps most promisingly, <a href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/news/what-do-you-mean-alcohol-causes-cancer-nsw-communitys-views-on-alcohol-and-alcohol-policy-options/#:%7E:text=In%202022%2C%20we%20surveyed%20the,our%20last%20survey%20in%202019.">four in five surveyed Australians support</a> adding these cancer-specific warnings. <h2>Would it work?</h2> We know the existing “drink responsibly”-style warnings are not enough. Research shows consumers find these messages <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16066359.2021.1884229">ambiguous</a>. But would warnings about cancer be an improvement? Ireland’s rules are yet to come into effect, and it’s too early to tell how well South Korea’s policy has worked (there are also limitations give manufacturers can choose a warning not related to cancer). But <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32359056/">a trial</a> of cancer warnings in one Canadian liquor store found they increased knowledge of the alcohol–cancer link by 10% among store customers. Cancer messages would likely increase awareness about risks. But more than that – a 2016 <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4883036/#:%7E:text=The%20results%20of%20the%20present,and%20changes%20in%20drinking%20intentions.">study that tested cancer warnings</a> on a group of 1,680 adults across Australia found they were also effective at reducing people’s intentions to drink. The evidence suggests a similar policy could replicate <a href="https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/20/5/327">the success of cancer warnings on cigarette packaging</a> – first introduced in the 1970s – at increasing knowledge about risks and reducing consumption. Smoking rates in Australian adults <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4392189/">have declined steadily since these warnings were first introduced</a>. It may take years before Australia changes its rules on alcohol labelling. In the meantime, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the current national <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol">low-risk drinking guidelines</a>, which aim to minimise harm from alcohol across a range of health conditions.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/246890/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-visontay-2291993">Rachel Visontay</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Alcohol and Long-term Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-mewton-2292647">Louise Mewton</a>, Associate Professor, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-australia-mandate-cancer-warnings-for-alcoholic-drinks-246890">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Community rallies around family after fatal Australia Day crash

A tight-knit community has rallied together to support a grieving widow and her children after her husband and four-year-old son were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/father-and-four-year-old-son-killed-in-australia-day-crash-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed</a> in a car crash on Australia Day. Chris Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Holden Commodore collided with another car at an intersection in Brisbane's bayside. His four-year-old son Julian was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has since stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple's two surviving children Myla and Vinnie since the sudden and tragic crash. Family friend Brittany Claxton said young son Julian was "so full of life and he loved his Tata [father] so so much". "He was sure to remind us of his favourite person - Tata," she said. "The pair had an unbreakable bond and his mumma realised they were just destined to be together forever." "Juju was an old soul who had a knack for making any adult do exactly what he wanted. Even staring contests and telling you EXACTLY what he thought of you." "Juju, that cheeky grin and even cheekier laugh will stick with us all forever. It will be the light that guides us all. Our mad dog forever." A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-chris-juju-support-for-the-vrbesics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page was created by Clayton to support the grieving family, and has reached over $130,000 in donations. The fundraiser reads, "In order to relieve the financial burden in this unsettling time we are raising funds for Chris' loving wife and Juju's incredible mama Maria." "We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief. If you had the privilege to know this man - you know he was an incredibly loving Dad, supportive husband, loving son, grandson, big brother and a friend to so many." "The way he lived his life full of joy, passion and drive was admirable and we should all be inspired to live the same, in honour of him." Image credits: GoFundMe / LinkedIn

Caring

Aussie state named the most welcoming place on Earth

One Australian state has bee named the "most welcoming place on Earth" in Booking.com's annual list of most friendly destinations. South Australia has claimed the prestigious title, with ten regional towns also being recognised for their hospitality. The travel bookings website based its finding on more than 360 million verified customer reviews, with Croatia, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico and Vietnam also receiving honourable mentions for their welcoming locals. “Our Booking.com partners go above and beyond to help create memorable travel moments,” the website’s Oceania manager, Todd Lacey, said. “We’re thrilled to see South Australia recognised on the global stage this year, and are looking forward to continuing to support our local partners as they welcome visitors to the state’s world-class events, wine regions and scenic landscapes.” South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison welcomed the announcement, saying, “It’s no news to locals, but now the world knows that South Australia is among the most welcoming regions in the world." "The fact that this highly regarded accolade is based on more than 360 million reviews on the leading travel site, Booking.com is an honour and will put our state on the consideration list of engaged potential visitors worldwide,” she said. “From the Adelaide Hills to Kangaroo Island, from the Barossa to the Murray River and the Flinders Ranges, guests will always be warmly welcomed in South Australia.” The travel website also named Australia's top ten most welcoming towns, with Victoria and Queensland boasting the most winners. Check out the list below. 10. Orange, NSW 9. Daylesford, Victoria 8. Halls Gap, Victoria 7. Port Lincoln, SA 6. Bicheno, Tasmania 5. Ocean Grove, Victoria 4. Mudgee, NSW 3. Margaret River, WA 2. Maleny, Queensland 1. Montville, Queensland Image credits: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

The Voice Australia 2025 coaches revealed

Two new international superstars are joining the cast of The Voice for the upcoming 2025 season. Richard Marx and Spice Girl Mel C will join Ronan Keating and Kate Miller-Heidke on the coaches panel this year, replacing last year's judges Guy Sebastian and LeAnn Rimes. This will be the first time Marx, the Grammy award-winning singer who first shot to fame in the 1980s classic Right Here Waiting and Mel C, who found global notoriety as part of the hugely successful 1990s girl band The Spice Girls, have appeared as coaches on the Australian version of the show. The Seven Network made the announcement of the new judges on Wednesday ahead of production commencing for the reality singing contest, set to hit TV screens later in the year. Sharing her excitement over joining the judges panel, Melanie C said, “I am so incredibly excited to be joining The Voice Australia in 2025! I have always cherished my trips down under over the years, so to be there with such a super line up of coaches in one of my favourite countries is a real honour.” Richard Marx said he was looking forward to returning to Australia, a place he first visited in 1977 aged 13 with his parents. “After many more visits on tour playing to thousands and thousands of Aussie fans, it’s become a home away from home. This will be an unforgettable experience and I’m so ready to get started!” he said. Image credits: Seven Network

Readers response: What’s an Australian icon or landmark that holds a special meaning for you?

We asked our readers what Australian icon or landmark holds a special meaning for them, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Rae Dutton - Ayers Rock (Uluru). I climbed it in my twenties. Everyone there that day was completely respectful and we just took photos. Such a shame people are no longer allowed to experience that. Darryl Wilkes - Being a Sydneysider, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House of course. Lynette Miller - The Blue Mountains. I have relatives up there so been going since my brother and I were kids love it always stunning. Kathryn Potter - The Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes, NSW. Tony Smith - The domes of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park. Breathtaking and Spiritual. Val Derksen - Richmond, Tasmania. Margie Buckingham - The Australia Rock at Narooma. Janita Hill - Coorong and River Murray Mouth. Feeling of belonging. Irene Loring - Rottnest and Port Hedland. Marian Monaghan - Pildappa Rock on Eyre Peninsula. Image credits: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

Voluntary assisted dying is legal in Australia – but many of us don’t know

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-white-15387">Ben White</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lindy-willmott-15386">Lindy Willmott</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-feeney-140352">Rachel Feeney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Voluntary assisted dying is lawful in <a href="https://www.unswlawjournal.unsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Issue-464-10-Waller-et-al.pdf">all Australian states</a>. This allows terminally ill adults who are suffering and have decision-making capacity to choose to receive help to die. Victoria’s law was the first, coming into effect <a href="https://theconversation.com/voluntary-assisted-dying-will-soon-be-legal-in-victoria-and-this-is-what-you-need-to-know-111836">in 2019</a>. New South Wales was the last state, with its <a href="https://theconversation.com/voluntary-assisted-dying-is-now-available-in-all-australian-states-how-do-the-nsw-laws-compare-217261">voluntary assisted dying law</a> beginning in late 2023. Voluntary assisted dying will be <a href="https://www.act.gov.au/health/topics/end-of-life-and-palliative-care/voluntary-assisted-dying-in-the-act">allowed in the Australian Capital Territory</a> in November, and a <a href="https://cmc.nt.gov.au/project-management-office/voluntary-assisted-dying">Northern Territory report</a> has recommended it pass a voluntary assisted dying law too. While the vast majority of Australians now live in jurisdictions where voluntary assisted dying is permitted, accessing voluntary assisted dying depends on knowing it’s a legal option. But our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2025.2452490">new research</a> suggests many Australians don’t know this. <h2>A study in Queensland</h2> Voluntary assisted dying became legal <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/voluntary-assisted-dying/explained/overview">in Queensland</a> on January 1, 2023. We conducted <a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/255019/">an online survey</a> of 1,000 Queensland adults in mid-2024 to find out if the community knew about this new end-of-life choice. We set quotas for age, gender and geographical location to ensure the people we surveyed represented the overall Queensland population. First, we asked whether people thought voluntary assisted dying was legal in Queensland. Only <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-regulation/wp-content/uploads/sites/292/2025/01/Do-people-know-VAD-is-legal-Research-briefing.pdf">one-third (33%) correctly identified</a> it was. Of the 67% who didn’t, 41% thought voluntary assisted dying was illegal and 26% said they didn’t know. People who did know voluntary assisted dying was legal had generally found out in one of three ways: <ul> <li> from the media </li> <li> from professional experience (for example, working in health care) </li> <li> from personal experience (for example, knowing someone who had asked about, requested or accessed voluntary assisted dying). </li> </ul> We then told our survey participants voluntary assisted dying was legal in Queensland and asked if they would know how to go about accessing it if they wished to. Only one-quarter (26%) answered yes. The survey also asked people where they might look for information about voluntary assisted dying. Most people said they would seek this information online, but asking health practitioners, especially doctors, was also important. <h2>Legal and cultural barriers</h2> Perhaps it’s not surprising so few members of the surveyed public know voluntary assisted dying is a legal choice. It’s still a relatively new law. But there are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.13867">specific barriers</a> in Australia that can prevent people finding out about it. One major barrier is health practitioners are often <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52183">not able to freely discuss</a> voluntary assisted dying with their patients. The laws in all states control how conversations about voluntary assisted dying can occur. For example, in Queensland, only doctors and nurse practitioners <a href="https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/vada2021302/s7.html">can raise voluntary assisted dying</a> and only if they also discuss available treatment and palliative care options and their likely outcomes. But the most problematic are <a href="https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/vada2017302/s8.html">Victorian</a> and <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/sa/consol_act/vada2021302/s12.html">South Australian</a> laws which prohibit health practitioners from raising the topic with patients altogether. Many people rely on their doctor to tell them about treatment options, so it’s a problem if the onus is on the patient to bring it up first. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52183">Conscientious objection</a> is another significant barrier. Some doctors are opposed to voluntary assisted dying and even if they practise in a state where they can legally raise it, may choose not to tell their patients about it. This is another reason patients may not know voluntary assisted dying could be a choice for them. It’s important to note our study was only done in Queensland, so we can’t be confident the findings represent the wider Australian population. But given these barriers to knowing about voluntary assisted dying, it’s reasonable to anticipate similar trends in other states. <h2>A national challenge</h2> Raising community awareness of voluntary assisted dying is a challenge around the country. Voluntary assisted dying oversight boards from five states (<a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-24.pdf">Queensland</a>, <a href="https://www.health.tas.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/voluntary_assisted_dying_annual_report_2023-24.pdf">Tasmania</a>, <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/voluntary-assisted-dying-review-board_annual-report-2023-24.pdf">Victoria</a>, <a href="https://www.health.wa.gov.au/%7E/media/Corp/Documents/Health-for/Voluntary-assisted-dying/VAD-Board-Annual-Report-2023-24.pdf">Western Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/73a3fd16-46c4-4ad4-bd82-7a03a924c1bc/VAD+Review+Board+Annual+Report+2023-2024+-+FINAL.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-73a3fd16-46c4-4ad4-bd82-7a03a924c1bc-pdMyZ1p">South Australia</a>) have all discussed this issue in their most recent annual reports. In addition, Western Australia recently reviewed its voluntary assisted dying laws, identifying lack of community knowledge as a problem. The <a href="https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/4113439a2331593cd11da0ae48258be300355868/%24file/voluntary+assisted+dying+act+2019+final+report.pdf">review called for a strategy</a> to fix this. We see this challenge as one of “voluntary assisted dying literacy”. Greater voluntary assisted dying literacy will enable members of the public to know the options available to them, and how to make the choices they want. <h2>What can we do about this?</h2> We need community awareness initiatives to increase knowledge that voluntary assisted dying is legal and ensure people know where to find information about this option. Information about voluntary assisted dying is already available from all <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/voluntary-assisted-dying">state government health departments</a>, but more action is needed to ensure it reaches more people. Respondents in our survey suggested using social media campaigns, advertising, and sharing information through Centrelink, health clinics and other trusted community channels. We also propose targeted information for particular patient groups who may be eligible for voluntary assisted dying, such as people with cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. This means they will know voluntary assisted dying may be one of the treatment options available to them, and how to navigate the process should they wish to. These initiatives would need to be designed sensitively with a focus on providing information to avoid any perception that people could feel induced or directed to access voluntary assisted dying. Training for health practitioners is also important. This is particularly needed for GPs and specialists working in end-of-life care. Training will support health practitioners to facilitate informed discussions with patients and families. Strong community support was a <a href="https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/4af889/contentassets/1fa966ea0b6c4034a82bca04f57a19b9/lsic_58-05_text_web.pdf">key argument</a> in legalising voluntary assisted dying in Australia. The public wanted this as an end-of-life choice. But that choice is only a real one if people know it exists. Our online resource <a href="https://end-of-life.qut.edu.au/assisteddying">End of Life Law in Australia</a> has more information about voluntary assisted dying and contact points for accessing it in each state.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/248114/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-white-15387">Ben White</a>, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lindy-willmott-15386">Lindy Willmott</a>, Professor of Law, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-feeney-140352">Rachel Feeney</a>, Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/voluntary-assisted-dying-is-legal-in-australia-but-many-of-us-dont-know-248114">original article</a>. </div>

Legal

Father and four-year-old son killed in Australia Day crash identified

A father who was killed alongside his four-year-old son in a horror car crash on Brisbane's bayside has been identified as Chris Vrbesic. Emergency services were called to Ransome just before 9am on Australia Day, after a blue Holden Commodore collided with a red Mitsubishi Lancer on Rickertt Road at an intersection. Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene and his son was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he died. The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, suffered minor injuries and was helped by bystanders before he was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment. Vrbesic, from Manly West, has been remembered by his friends and loved ones as a "family man" with a "big heart". A friend who stopped by the crash site told The Courier Mail: “I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect.” "He helped so many people, he had such a big f***ing heart." The father-of-three was a project manager at Innate Developments - a company that specialises in residential and commercial construction. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie shared their condolences for the family, saying: "Any life lost on Queensland roads is one too many and we must do anything we can to ensure safety on our roads." "If it's under police investigation obviously police must investigate the circumstances of what happened but there are communities hurting and families hurting." Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the collision. Image: LinkedIn

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