Donna Lu

New research indicates that the redback spider’s self-sacrificial somersault during mating is linked to a specific location on the X chromosome. Researchers reached this conclusion by breeding redbacks with New Zealand katipō spiders and finding the behaviour in nearly half of their third-generation offspring. The somersault can increase a male’s reproductive success by helping him inseminate both of the female’s sperm-storage organs, but it also exposes him to sexual cannibalism. The study suggests complex mating behaviour can evolve or disappear rapidly through relatively few genetic changes. Researchers are concerned that hybridisation between invasive redbacks and protected native katipō in New Zealand could threaten the katipō population.

A Guardian live blog reports on the NSW ICAC’s Operation Rosny, where Jean-Claude Perrottet was questioned about messages describing payments as “filthy schools money,” monthly payments from lobbying company Beckington and conversations with property developer Jean Nassif. Perrottet denied wrongdoing or knowledge of alleged political funding arrangements, while evidence raised questions about the Reformers, Angus Taylor and efforts involving former MP David Elliott and building commissioner David Chandler. The roundup also covers a parliamentary inquiry into election campaigning and racism, a toxic industrial fire in Port Adelaide, a major increase in childcare-service closures, proposed e-bike safety standards, Australia’s first land-based H5N1 bird-flu case, housing-market indicators, News Corp’s results, and an ABC apology to Gina Rinehart.

A Sydney woman has been charged with 62 offences after police allege she sent threatening letters, including threats of death or grievous bodily harm, to politicians, a place of worship, a media outlet and others; she was refused bail. Other major developments included the Australian share market reaching a record high, the High Court overturning a Northern Territory groundwater licence that would have enabled Fortune Agribusiness to extract 40 gigalitres annually, and the court restoring a harsher sentence for the teenager who murdered Emma Lovell during a Queensland home invasion. Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie denied that meetings with Gina Rinehart influenced Olympic rowing plans, while the Brisbane showgrounds received a $287m upgrade commitment. The NSW government rejected findings that Director of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling gave false evidence, and the Victorian anti-corruption watchdog reported serious and concerning conduct involving the former Andrews government and United Firefighters Union leader Peter Marshall, without finding corrupt conduct. The blog also covered new suspected bird-flu cases, challenges to Australia’s under-16 social-media ban, opposition to Labor’s energy and tax policies, a surge in self-managed-super-fund property borrowing before a ban, and persistent socioeconomic gaps in NAPLAN results.

The NSW Minns government released former Supreme Court justice John Sackar’s long-awaited review of hate-speech laws but rejected its recommendation to extend criminal protections beyond race to religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. Equality Australia accused the government of creating a hierarchy of protections. An ICAC inquiry heard NSW Liberal MP Damien Tudehope admit sending a confidential parliamentary draft report to a Reform party member and discuss Jean-Claude Perrottet’s location with former premier Dominic Perrottet, who is not accused of wrongdoing. Other developments included an independent review of the Bureau of Meteorology, evidence of problems with aged-care assessment algorithms, rising homelessness among Brisbane children, planned industrial action by Victorian doctors, hearings on antisemitism and policing, and strong Australian household spending and share-market gains.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports that proceedings against Jefferson Lewis over the alleged murder of five-year-old Warlpiri girl Kumanjayi Little Baby have been delayed until 3 December because investigators still have substantial forensic evidence and witness statements to process. Other major developments include evidence of underreported antisemitism in schools at a royal commission, poor overall progress on Closing the Gap targets despite preschool enrolment success, leadership-related resignations in Victoria, bird flu detections among seabirds, legal action against Optus and Telegram, and the arrest of federal Labor MP Luke Gosling over an alleged assault. Housing approvals increased but remain below the level needed to meet the government’s construction target, while the government rejected Pauline Hanson’s proposed approach to preventing Australians linked to terrorist groups from returning home.

Australia has entered a new phase of its H5N1 response after authorities identified likely local transmission among greater crested terns in South Australia and confirmed Victoria’s first case in Portland. The virus has not yet been detected in poultry, and the risk to human health remains low, but conservationists fear major losses among endangered Australian sea lions and other wildlife. More than 150 native bird species and over 10 mammal species are considered at very high risk of extinction or substantial decline if infected. Authorities are increasing surveillance, species-specific conservation planning and farm biosecurity, while wildlife groups are seeking a $200m national resilience fund. A spread into commercial poultry could also trigger mass culls and sharply increase egg prices.

Australia’s petrol and diesel prices have surged, with unleaded exceeding $2 a litre in Canberra and diesel reaching $2.40 in Melbourne, driven by higher global oil prices and a reduced fuel-excise discount. Annual inflation eased to 3.8% in June, lowering market expectations of a Reserve Bank rate rise. Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, introduced legislation to abolish group voting tickets in upper-house elections. NSW political developments included an ICAC examination of alleged factional dealings, disputed claims involving former minister David Elliott, and Angus Taylor’s denial of payments to the Reformers. Authorities warned that local H5N1 transmission among wild birds could lead to further spread, while conservationists raised concerns for endangered sea lions. Other developments included Greens calls for rent controls, warnings about medicinal cannabis with very high THC concentrations, bank compensation over mortgage-offset failures, opposition to coal expansion, and inquiries into Australians affected by earthquakes in Japan.

The podcast examines Australia’s preparedness for a looming El Niño summer amid forecasts of extreme heat and potentially the country’s hottest winter on record. Jo Tovey discusses with Mike Ticher and Donna Lu whether Australia is complacent about climate change, while contrasting the limited political attention to climate risks with the media focus on One Nation and Pauline Hanson.

Northern Territory trade and business minister Robyn Cahill claimed that the territory’s abundant groundwater could affect Earth’s axis and that using it might prevent the magnetic poles from flipping. Scientists said the claim has no basis, explaining that geomagnetic reversals are driven by processes in Earth’s core and occur over thousands of years. The Environment Centre NT criticized the minister and called for a ban on fracking and datacentres until their effects on water and climate are assessed. The controversy comes as the Northern Territory government promotes the region as a global datacentre hub, including a proposed 2GW AI datacentre and gas-fired power project by Beetaloo Digital near Darwin and a separate 1GW Energy North project in the Barkly region.

Researchers from the University of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Marine Science have mapped the Great Barrier Reef’s microbiome using DNA collected from seawater across 48 reefs. They identified 808,585 viral genomes, estimated to represent 362,802 viruses, along with 5,283 bacterial and archaeal genomes representing 876 species, including 584 previously undocumented species. The findings demonstrate the immense diversity of reef microorganisms, which support marine food chains and may include organisms unique to the reef. Scientists say the microbiome could become an early-warning monitoring tool for reef health, detecting responses to climate change, heat stress, coral bleaching, fishing and heavy-metal contamination before visible damage appears. Long-read sequencing and increased computing power made the analysis possible.

Victoria police reported increased antisemitic incidents since October 2023 during royal commission testimony, citing expanded deployments and data limitations. Multiple political disputes unfolded, including condemnation of Pauline Hanson’s domestic violence comments and pressure on Queensland minister Amanda Camm over a buried report. A federal court ruled that Domino’s underpaid franchise workers, opening the door to significant compensation. Environmental groups challenged the North West Shelf extension in court, arguing failures in economic and cultural impact assessments. Additional developments included whistleblower protection concerns, Labor conference preparations, and former Socceroos captain Paul Wade revealing a probable CTE diagnosis.

Legal challenges by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of Australian Rock Art contest the Albanese government’s approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project extension, arguing the minister failed to properly assess climate impacts, environmental risks, and threats to Indigenous rock art. A UN special rapporteur intervenes to advise on international climate obligations, while the case tests the application of Australia’s environment laws amid concerns the project could drive billions of tonnes of emissions and damage culturally significant petroglyphs.

A touring production of Heartbreak Hotel explores the physical and emotional effects of heartbreak through a mix of theatre, monologue and covers of classic breakup songs. Drawing on medical research, literature and music, writer-performer Karin McCracken examines the psychological impact of loss, takotsubo cardiomyopathy and the role of awe in recovery. The show blends humour with reflection while referencing works by authors and musicians who have shaped cultural understandings of grief.

A nationwide Telstra outage lasting about six hours disrupted mobile services, Eftpos payments, regional train networks in Victoria and New South Wales, electric vehicle charging, and some triple-zero calls. Authorities conducted welfare checks after failed emergency calls, and train operators warned of ongoing delays into the next day. Telstra attributed the failure to a software defect and apologised for the widespread impact. Government ministers urged improved system reliability, while political reactions included criticism of Telstra and disputes over emergency call protocols.

A nationwide Telstra outage caused major telecommunications failures, severe disruptions to train services and difficulties reaching emergency services, prompting more than 300 welfare checks. Telstra attributed the failure to a software defect in a GPS time‑keeping system and apologised as services were restored. Political debate intensified after shadow minister Sarah Henderson made test calls to triple zero, drawing criticism and legal scrutiny. Separate developments included Australian diplomatic efforts in the Pacific, the arrest of an Australian woman in the US over alleged illegal voting, the dropping of investigations into former anti‑corruption chief Paul Brereton, and the NSW government rejecting an inquiry recommendation involving the state’s top prosecutor.

AI chatbots are increasingly used for skincare guidance, driven in part by the high cost and long wait times for dermatology appointments in Australia, but experts warn that these tools frequently provide inaccurate, inappropriate or even harmful advice. Cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong and dermatologists Anita Lasocki and Deshan Sebaratnam highlight risks such as incorrect product recommendations, misdiagnosis, and exacerbation of conditions like dermatitis and rosacea. They stress that AI lacks diagnostic capability, struggles with the diversity of skin conditions, and performs poorly with skin of colour due to training-data limitations. Experts advise relying on reputable dermatology resources for information and keeping skincare routines simple, prioritizing sunscreen, gentle cleansers, and cautious use of active ingredients.

Charlie Pickering discusses his long career in Australian comedy and broadcasting, his new role hosting Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne, and an ADHD diagnosis that helped him reinterpret earlier struggles with productivity and achievement. He criticizes social media algorithms and the clip economy for encouraging anger, division and shallow engagement, arguing that weakened attention harms democratic accountability. Pickering also explains how rightwing provocateur Avi Yemini ambushed him outside the ABC and clipped comments about Grace Tame’s appointment into a viral controversy. He says he supports Tame, believes his remarks were personal rather than an official ABC position, and accepts that he should have walked away from the encounter.

Australia leads the world in residential rooftop solar capacity, yet commercial and industrial installations lag significantly, with only 5.6GW deployed compared with 22GW on homes. An IEEFA report identifies barriers such as rental arrangements, inconsistent tariffs and slow grid connection processes. Analysts argue greater uptake in businesses is crucial for replacing coal generation and meeting renewable energy targets. The report highlights large untapped rooftop potential, urges government incentives for mid‑sized systems, and recommends tariff reform. Proposed policies in Victoria aim to boost commercial rooftop solar, though experts caution it cannot replace the need for new transmission lines.

Meteorological agencies, including Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology and the World Meteorological Organization, expect an El Niño to form during winter, with models suggesting at least a moderate-strength event. The pattern is likely to drive hotter and drier conditions across eastern and southern Australia, increasing risks of drought, heatwaves, bushfires and coral bleaching, though local impacts may vary due to other climate drivers such as the Indian Ocean dipole. Experts warn that climate change is amplifying the effects of El Niño, intensifying both dry spells and rainfall events. Global consequences may include extreme rainfall in the southern US and Central America and weakened monsoons in India.

A plastic–metal hybrid “franken-can” was named Australia’s worst packaging in the inaugural Unpackit awards, created by environmental groups to highlight excessive waste. The hybrid can is difficult to recycle, excluded from refund schemes and already banned in Western Australia. Advocates urged national packaging laws and extended producer responsibility. The best packaging award went to Udder Way’s refillable milk kegs, credited with preventing millions of plastic bottles. Other commendations highlighted reusable pallet wraps and coffee cup systems. Independent MPs emphasized that industry and environmental groups support national action to curb plastic pollution.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall brought widespread flash flooding to Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, driven by a humid low‑pressure trough drawing tropical moisture across south‑east Australia. Authorities issued multiple warnings for intense rain, river rises and hazardous conditions, while emergency services cautioned residents about rapidly changing flood risks. Queensland and Tasmania recorded significant rainfall totals, with some regions exceeding 100mm. Meteorologists noted the unseasonably late timing of the storms, linking heightened rainfall intensity to a warming climate. Conditions were expected to ease as the low‑pressure system moved offshore, although hazardous surf could redevelop along eastern coasts.

Inflation eased to 4.2% while economists warned of possible interest rate rises ahead. The government faced scrutiny across issues including capital gains tax changes, gambling regulation, AI decision‑making safeguards, and the handling of Australian women and children returning from Syria. Senators pressed regulators over the inability to fine Entain for more than 500 BetStop breaches, prompting criticism of Acma’s enforcement approach. Domestic violence concerns were raised following two recent deaths in Tasmania, with calls for stronger national action. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians resolved an internal governance dispute in the NSW supreme court. Indigenous leaders renewed demands for independent investigations into deaths in custody after prosecutors declined to lay charges in the Kumanjayi White case. The government defended its budget tax measures and welfare reforms while affirming that mutual obligations will become more tailored for jobseekers.

One Nation outlined a Norway‑style gas policy proposing a 30% government equity stake in new offshore projects and replacing the petroleum resource rent tax with a royalty scheme, arguing it would deliver greater public returns. The day’s developments included rising unemployment, CSIRO job cuts expected to weaken climate‑modelling capacity, nationwide prison officer strikes driven by overcrowding concerns, and confirmation of diphtheria cases in the APY Lands. Australia condemned an Israeli minister after footage showed him abusing detained activists, prompting calls from the Jewish Council of Australia for broader sanctions. Wage‑setting hearings revealed concerns that a proposed 6% minimum wage rise could fuel inflation.

Researchers identified a humpback whale that travelled roughly 15,100km from Brazil to Australia, the longest documented distance between sightings of an individual humpback. The whale was first photographed in 2003 in Brazil’s Abrolhos Bank and reidentified in 2025 in Hervey Bay via the Happywhale photo‑matching platform. A second whale exhibited a similar long‑distance connection between Brazilian and Australian waters. The findings suggest such interpopulation exchanges are rare and highlight gaps in understanding migratory routes. Scientists emphasise the need for international cooperation in marine conservation and warn that climate change may alter future humpback migration patterns.

Australia’s charities regulator suspended incoming Royal Australasian College of Physicians president Sharmila Chandran until September, citing her alleged failure to follow SafeWork NSW directions not to contact staff due to risks to their psychological safety. The decision follows prolonged internal conflict, police involvement at meetings and prior findings that the board breached workplace health and safety laws. Board members had previously issued a no-confidence vote in Chandran, while she had lodged and later withdrawn an anti‑bullying claim. The ACNC has appointed Susan Pascoe as interim board chair and may extend the suspension or take further action if governance obligations are not met.

A millennium-old dingo burial site in Kinchega National Park has revealed evidence of a previously undocumented ‘feeding’ ritual in which Barkindji people added mussel shells to a midden for centuries. The burial indicates the dingo had received care for serious injuries, highlighting its role as a companion animal. The findings extend the known geographic range of Indigenous dingo burials along the Baaka system. Experts note the cultural and ecological importance of dingoes and call for improved management approaches that balance livestock protection with conservation and cultural values.

The government cut the $760m Australia’s Economic Accelerator research commercialisation program to fund increased support for the CSIRO and the National Measurement Institute, prompting criticism from researchers and science organisations who say the decision undermines national research priorities. Universities and scientific bodies warn the move wastes research effort, reduces funding certainty and sends a negative signal about Australia’s commitment to R&D, despite some welcoming elements such as the establishment of a National Resilience and Science Council.

Medical experts explain the renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome to address confusion caused by the outdated terminology. The updated name aims to improve recognition of the condition, raise awareness among the many undiagnosed women affected, and support better clinical care through clearer understanding of its underlying hormonal and metabolic factors.

Growing interest in sound baths has led to claims that specific frequencies can heal or soothe the nervous system, but experts note that evidence supporting such assertions is limited. Research suggests sound and music can influence mood, breathing and emotional states, though benefits stem more from focused attention, mindfulness and communal music listening than from mystical properties. Studies on singing bowls show some positive effects, but most are small or lack controls. While sound baths can be relaxing and socially beneficial, psychologists stress they are not regulated like music therapy and should not be seen as miracle treatments.

A hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship led to three deaths and prompted the World Health Organization to recommend a 42‑day quarantine due to the Andes virus’s long incubation period and high mortality rate. Experts say the virus poses a low pandemic risk and spreads far less easily than Covid‑19, though human‑to‑human transmission of the Andes strain has been documented. Repatriated passengers will serve extended quarantine, with Australian arrivals spending three weeks at the Centre for National Resilience in Perth as authorities monitor for potential additional cases.