Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its parliament approved the world's strictest laws. The ban, which will not take effect for at least 12 months, could see tech companies fined up to A$50m ($32.5m; £25.7m) if they don't comply. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the legislation is needed to protect young people from the "harms" of social media, something many parent groups have echoed. But […]
An Australian military transport plane has departed from New Caledonia, carrying travellers stranded after unrest shut down the island's international airport. It is the first of two Australian aircraft arriving to rescue 300 citizens who have registered for assistance in the French Pacific territory. A New Zealand Air Force plane has also arrived, according to Flightradar24, and is among a series of proposed flights which will bring about 50 people […]
An Australian military transport plane has departed from New Caledonia, carrying travellers stranded after unrest shut down the island's international airport. It is the first of two Australian aircraft arriving to rescue 300 citizens who have registered for assistance in the French Pacific territory. A New Zealand Air Force plane has also arrived, according to Flightradar24, and is among "a series" of proposed flights which will bring about 50 people […]
"So, let's talk about porn," says Ethan West to the classroom of Australian teenagers. Most look slightly awkward. All are uncharacteristically quiet. "Do any porn videos start off with a relationship where the actors talk about feelings or consent?" he continues. More silence. At Kellyville High School, north of Sydney, this is just one tricky conversation the 15-year-olds will be having today. From sexist jokes and coercive control to sexual […]
An Australian news channel has come under fire after it doctored an image of a female state MP that enlarged her breasts and exposed her midriff. The photo of Georgie Purcell appeared in a Nine News bulletin after she criticised the Victorian government's rejection of a duck hunting ban. Ms Purcell posted the original and altered images to social media, noting how her outfit had been edited. Nine News apologised […]
Australia captain Pat Cummins took 10 wickets in a masterclass of clutch bowling to end stout Pakistan resistance and lead his side to a 79-run victory on the fourth day of the second test, locking up the three-match series 2-0. Just when it looked like the Boxing Day test would go down to the wire on the final day, the paceman stepped in to remove Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s last recognised […]
An Australian woman charged with murdering three people in a suspected mushroom poisoning case is also accused of trying to murder her ex-partner on four occasions, court documents say. Erin Patterson, 49, was charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder on Thursday. The murder charges relate to a family lunch she hosted in July at her home in the town of Leongatha, Victoria. Ms Patterson continues […]
An Australian woman has been charged with murder over the suspected mushroom poisoning deaths of three people. Erin Patterson was arrested on Thursday morning and police have spent the day searching her home east of Melbourne. Ms Patterson, 49, had served the family lunch after which the trio, who included her former in-laws, fell ill. A fourth person survived. Toxicology reports suggest the victims consumed deathcap mushrooms. Ms Patterson maintains […]
Australian internet safety watchdog has slapped a A$610,500 ($386,000; £317,360) fine on Elon Musk's X for failing to cooperate with a probe into anti-child abuse practices. It comes after Mr Musk in a post last November said that "removing child exploitation is priority #1". The eSafety Commission criticized the firm's "empty talk" on the issue. Insiders had earlier told the BBC they would not be able to protect users […]
