Steph Harmon

Lionsgate updated the La La Land anniversary poster by straightening Ryan Gosling’s bent wrist, a detail Gosling long disliked and called the “La La Hand.” The studio confirmed the actor approved the change, following his earlier jokes about correcting it. Fans and commentators reacted with humor and frustration, with some viewing the original pose as meaningful or emblematic of the film’s character dynamics, while others criticized the revision as unnecessary. The change sparked wide online debate, reflecting differing attachments to the film’s iconic imagery.

The Australian music industry faces a sharp decline as fewer local artists reach the charts and musicians struggle to secure airtime or earn a living. Cultural editor Steph Harmon and data journalist Josh Nicholas outline how the once-thriving landscape has weakened and discuss steps needed to support and revitalise Australian music.

A selection of Australian books released in July highlights new fiction, memoirs, short story collections, and nonfiction works. Critics describe standout titles including a psychosexual thriller, a multigenerational saga, surreal short stories, a memoir of grief, climate-inflected dystopian fiction, and an examination of Rupert Murdoch’s media influence. Cookbooks and coming‑of‑age novels round out the list, with reviewers noting themes of intimacy, spirituality, trauma, and Australian identity.

The NSW opposition’s upper house leader Damien Tudehope stepped aside after being called as a witness in an Icac inquiry into alleged Liberal branch stacking. Authorities recorded new suspected bird flu cases in multiple states, prompting assurance from federal and state ministers that no spread to poultry has been detected. Refugee advocates warned of the deteriorating condition of Hatam Yetka, still held in Papua New Guinea and urgently needing medical transfer. KPMG’s new chair Michael Ebeid faced bipartisan criticism over his response to previous leak allegations. Electric vehicle sales reached record levels, with EVs making up more than a fifth of new car purchases. Additional developments included charges over a coal-train protest in Newcastle, a resignation by the University of Wollongong chancellor amid an Icac matter, and preparations by the Socceroos for a World Cup knockout match.

Australian musicians whose work has been scraped by AI models urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese not to support proposals that would weaken copyright laws in exchange for major tech investment in datacentres. Artists from several of Albanese’s favourite bands argue that allowing tech companies to mine their music without consent threatens their livelihoods and Australia’s cultural identity. While the government maintains it does not plan to change copyright protections, creatives emphasize the need for stronger laws and fair compensation. Some express urgency, others take a more philosophical view, but all call for the government to ensure artists’ rights are upheld.

Politicians, media figures and public officials gathered for Canberra’s Midwinter Ball, with extensive coverage of arrivals and outfits. Alongside event updates, major developments included the widening KPMG scandal culminating in Westpac director Peter Nash’s resignation, new climate data showing a record-hot June, NSW Icac’s announcement of public hearings into alleged Liberal party corruption, and Greens criticism of Labor’s gambling reforms amid discussions of a possible cross‑party push for stronger regulation.

A selection of new Australian books spanning fiction, nonfiction and cookbooks highlights diverse themes including survival, grief, cultural identity, wellness conspiracies, history and social dynamics. Reviewers praise the featured titles for their ambition, emotional depth and narrative strength, noting standout debuts, compelling thrillers and richly detailed explorations of heritage and contemporary issues.

A selection of Australian books released in May spans fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and cookbooks, with critics highlighting notable themes ranging from alien encounters and menstruation to climate change, class politics, trauma among first responders, and Lebanese civil war history. Featured works include new novels by Amanda Lohrey, Romy Ash, Ellena Savage and Robert Forster, as well as nonfiction by Emma Hardy, Patrick Mullins, Martin McKenzie-Murray, Antoun Issa and Stan Grant, each praised for distinctive perspectives, narrative risks or cultural insight.

A selection of new Australian books across fiction and memoir highlights themes of grief, history, environmental decline, identity and family, with critics offering brief appraisals of each title. Works range from Bob Carr’s reflective memoir on loss to speculative fiction, psychological thrillers, eco-literature and richly textured personal histories. The list showcases diverse voices and genres, emphasizing emotionally resonant storytelling, experimental structures and strong literary craft.

A selection of new Australian books spans nonfiction, memoir and fiction, covering topics from defamation and ageing to grief, satire, family conflict and motherhood. Critics highlight notable works by Charlotte Grieve, Michael Mohammed Ahmad, David Carlin and Peta Murray, Lucy Hone, Lally Katz, John Morrissey, Kathy Lette and Lauren Novak, emphasizing themes of resilience, cultural memory, personal transformation and social pressures.

A curated selection of Mary Nolan’s photographs highlights intimate portrayals of the Boyd and Perceval families, capturing their artistic lives across Australia, France and London from the 1960s to the 1970s. The images document moments of creativity, family interactions and landscapes, with curator Sophie O’Brien emphasising Nolan’s observational skill and the artistic legacy shared among the family’s younger generations.

Critics highlight standout Australian stage productions of 2025 across theatre, musicals, opera, dance and comedy, celebrating innovative adaptations, powerful performances and bold reinterpretations. Major companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia and Bangarra Dance Theatre feature prominently, with praised works ranging from blockbuster musicals such as Beetlejuice and Jesus Christ Superstar to contemporary operas like Innocence and Rusalka. Numerous artists deliver acclaimed performances while emerging voices and experimental formats contribute to a vibrant national performing arts landscape.

A brief introduction highlighting various pop culture references and inviting readers to test their knowledge in a year-end quiz.

Critics and staff highlight standout Australian books of 2025 across fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry and cookbooks, featuring prominent authors and diverse themes ranging from personal histories and grief to fantasy, crime, identity and food. The list showcases notable debuts, celebrated writers and works reflecting contemporary social, cultural and emotional landscapes.

A roundup of major summer 2025–26 events across Australia highlights exhibitions, folk festivals, music lineups, cultural celebrations and regional showcases spanning New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The guide covers art shows featuring prominent Australian artists, large-scale folk and music festivals, community celebrations, harvest events and unique competitions, offering travellers a wide range of cultural and seasonal experiences.

A selection of new Australian book releases spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir and cookbooks, highlighting themes including queerness, family, identity, journalism, mythology and Australian social issues. Critics praise standout works from established and emerging authors, noting literary anticipation around Helen Garner’s projects, powerful poetry from Evelyn Araluen, inventive storytelling across genres, and explorations of cultural history, sexuality and contemporary Australian life.

A selection of notable Australian books released in October spans fiction, memoir, crime, biography, children’s literature and cookbooks. Standout titles include Bri Lee’s Antarctic climate novel, Trent Dalton’s anticipated new work, Melissa Leong’s candid memoir, and new books by Jane Harper, Pip Finkemeyer, Bob Brown, Craig Silvey, Walter Marsh, Helen Goh, Brigid Delaney, Tony Birch and Susan Wyndham. Reviewers highlight themes ranging from survival and environmental activism to personal reinvention, technological satire and literary rediscovery, offering a broad snapshot of the month’s most compelling reading.

Michelle de Kretser won the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for fiction for Theory & Practice and used her acceptance speech to condemn the Australian government’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Multiple winners across categories similarly highlighted issues of justice, institutional failure, and political responsibility, including Rick Morton’s examination of the robodebt scandal and Geraldine Fela’s work on healthcare during the Aids crisis. Several speakers urged government action on humanitarian concerns and the protection of academic and historical scholarship, reflecting a politically charged ceremony centered on accountability and social conscience.

A visual showcase of finalists and prize winners in the 2025 Hadley’s art prize highlights Australian artists depicting landscapes, environmental change and cultural heritage through diverse mediums, from painting and collage to ochre and recycled materials.

A selection of new Australian books spans biography, fiction, nonfiction, short stories and cookbooks, with critics highlighting works on political history, literary thrillers, social mobility, family tensions, bushcraft cooking, Jakarta diplomacy and the rise of conspiracy culture. Each title is briefly evaluated for its strengths, themes and narrative qualities, offering a diverse snapshot of August’s notable releases.

A selection of new Australian books across fiction, nonfiction, poetry and science fiction is highlighted, with critics offering brief assessments of each title. The list spans speculative fiction, memoir-style self‑help, short stories, magical realism, psychological thrillers, poetry, workplace satire, historical fiction and personal medical narratives. Each book is described in terms of themes, tone and style, offering readers an overview of June’s notable Australian releases.