Aston Brown

At age 14, Max suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a basketball game and died despite efforts to revive him. Five years later, his mother Fiona Connolly recalls pleading with hospital staff to save him. The report highlights research suggesting that one person under 35 experiences sudden cardiac arrest each day in Australia and that the condition has a fatality rate of about 90%, making it a major cause of death among young people. Griefline is identified as a support service for those dealing with bereavement.

Australian surfer Hughie Vaughan discusses his viral “stalefish flipper” manoeuvre, the role of wave pools in surfing, and his commitment to being accountable to the ocean. The 19-year-old gained widespread attention after landing the aerial move at a Texas wave-pool competition, and is profiled during a session at Urbnsurf in Sydney.

Australian teenager Hughie Vaughan has become a leading figure in aerial surfing after landing unprecedented tricks in wave pools, including the one-handed backflip known as the “stalefish flipper.” His viral performances and victories at Stab High, including the competition’s first perfect 50, have brought major attention and sponsorship. Wave pools offer reliable conditions that allow surfers to develop increasingly difficult aerial maneuvers, but Vaughan remains uncertain about pursuing the World Surf League. Despite his success in pools, he considers ocean surfing the ultimate test and says it remains his priority.

Rising deaths among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in Australian cities have intensified calls for widespread 30km/h urban speed limits, but progress in New South Wales has stalled amid political resistance. Despite strong evidence from Australia and overseas that lower speed limits significantly reduce crashes and fatalities, internal documents indicate Transport for NSW has halted consideration of new 30km/h zones following Premier Chris Minns’ rejection of a CBD proposal. Local councils, researchers and road safety experts argue that NSW lacks leadership and overestimates public opposition, while polling suggests most Australians support slower residential streets. Victoria’s broader trials contrast with NSW’s limited rollout. Critics such as the NRMA question the effectiveness and consultation surrounding speed reductions, while safety specialists warn that without stronger speed management, national road trauma targets will not be met.

Australian police are increasingly using so-called less-lethal weapons, including Tasers, tear gas and projectile launchers, against protesters. The weapons can cause serious injury or death when misused, while police forces often provide limited public information about their arsenals and use. Guardian Australia’s investigations team reviewed protest footage, court and tender records, and expert testimony to document the weapons and the potential harm they can cause.

Thousands of Socceroos fans gathered at Sydney's Tumbalong Park at 5am to watch Australia play the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Australia lost 2–0, ending the optimism that followed its victory over Turkey and disappointing the 10,000 Australian supporters who had travelled to the tournament.

One Nation’s predicted primary vote has overtaken both the Labor government and Coalition opposition for the first time, raising questions about whether Pauline Hanson could become prime minister. The development is creating pressure within the Liberal Party, including debate over cooperation with One Nation, while disputes over housing policy and party strategy expose divisions among Coalition figures.

One Nation’s predicted primary vote has reportedly moved ahead of both the Labor government and Coalition opposition, prompting questions about whether Pauline Hanson could become prime minister. The podcast examines whether the Liberals are yielding ground to One Nation, the party’s policy vulnerabilities—particularly on housing—and growing divisions within Liberal ranks, including resistance to a proposed seat-sharing arrangement.

About 1,500 anti-abortion activists gathered outside the New South Wales Parliament in Sydney to support a Libertarian MP’s bill banning sex-selective abortions. The proposal is part of broader efforts to restrict abortion access since decriminalisation across Australia. Guardian Australia reporter Luca Ittimani interviewed rally participants and counter-protesters, while Barnaby Joyce was reported to have helped mobilise the anti-abortion demonstration.

Grassroots community leaders in Sydney gathered at the Sydney Alliance Discernment Convention in Parramatta to develop collective responses to issues including housing supply and social isolation. The event was presented as an alternative to One Nation’s divisive political strategy, following Pauline Hanson’s party victory in the Farrer byelection and Barnaby Joyce’s suggestion that it is targeting western Sydney.

The podcast examines whether independent Australian parliamentarians should form a new teal-tinged centrist party. Jo Tovey discusses the proposal with Mike Ticher and Dan Jervis-Bardy amid One Nation’s continued rise, worsening polling for the prime minister and government budget reforms. Supporters argue that donation rules and the need to build a stronger centrist bloc make a formal party attractive, while critics question whether it would undermine the independence that defines teal candidates. The program considers whether such a party could ultimately benefit One Nation by reshaping competition on both the right and progressive centre.

Thousands of drones returned to Vivid Sydney for the Star-Bound performance above Darling Harbour, marking the festival’s first drone show in two years after safety concerns led to its removal in 2024. The show is scheduled every Sunday through Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., although the first opening-night performance was canceled because of a weather-related technical malfunction.

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry discuss the political fallout from budget criticism of Labor, arguing that it has hurt the party more than expected. They also examine the Coalition’s repeated leadership changes and question how long Angus Taylor can remain Liberal leader, including possible successors, in the context of the 2026 Farrer byelection.

Indigenous artist Tony Albert is asking Australians to donate so-called Aboriginalia—objects depicting Aboriginal people and designs that were made by non-Indigenous creators and often caricatured or exoticized. More than 3,000 items from Albert's collection, including tea towels, ashtrays and playing cards, will be displayed in his solo exhibition Not a Souvenir at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art.

A Full Story podcast discussion examines Labor’s decision to break its promise not to change capital gains tax and negative gearing rules in the 2026 budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers argues the reforms are necessary to address intergenerational inequality and create a fairer tax system, while the panel considers the political risks and when broken promises matter to voters.

The podcast examines Labor’s decision to abandon its promise not to change capital gains tax and negative gearing in the 2026 budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers argues the reversal is necessary to tackle intergenerational inequality and make Australia’s tax system fairer, while the discussion considers when broken political promises matter and whether the reforms justify the political gamble.

The video explains the proposed renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) after more than a decade of global consultation. It says the term “polycystic” has contributed to misconceptions, delayed diagnosis and inadequate care, and outlines the condition’s prevalence, hormonal and metabolic characteristics, and implications for women’s health. The renaming effort was led by endocrinologist Helena Teede of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation.

Residents of Willmot and other outer suburbs of western Sydney are being squeezed between sharply rising petrol prices and unreliable, infrequent public transport. Low-income households report cutting back on family visits, education and other activities, while Jesuit Social Services has received a year’s worth of fuel-assistance requests in just two weeks. Research led by the University of Sydney found that Mount Druitt’s outer bus services were frequently late and far more likely to be cancelled than the Sydney average. Experts say decades of car-dependent urban planning have created transport deserts that make calls to leave cars at home unrealistic, particularly for disadvantaged and Aboriginal communities. Transport for NSW says it is engaging with residents and considering improvements, but locals remain doubtful that conditions will change.

The four-day work week remains a niche arrangement despite trials reporting higher productivity, better job satisfaction and lower absenteeism. Australian examples include Versa’s longstanding Wednesday closure, Medibank’s large pilot and Grant Thornton’s permanent nine-day fortnight, while Bupa and Unilever have abandoned trials and Launceston City Council dropped its plans after business opposition. Advocates argue that productivity gains, including those enabled by AI, should translate into more personal time, whereas researchers caution that positive results are often overstated, self-reported or concentrated in white-collar workplaces. Employer groups dispute the evidence, but labor advocates and researchers say reduced-hours reform is likely to spread gradually, as previous reductions such as the eight-hour day and 40-hour week did.

Crowdfunding platforms, especially GoFundMe, have transformed charitable giving in Australia by enabling rapid, direct support for victims of attacks, disasters and personal crises. The model has raised substantial sums and may encourage more people to donate, but campaigns produce highly unequal outcomes, often favor people with visibility or strong networks, and can expose vulnerable individuals to privacy and emotional costs. Experts also warn that grassroots campaigns may lack the capacity to distribute large donations effectively and could divert funds from established charities and public relief systems. Effective-altruism advocates argue that donors should combine compassion with evidence about where money can achieve the greatest impact.