Interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia are leading to a blame game over inflation and a tight labor market, with grim forecasts for unemployment and calls for a capital gains rethink to address housing affordability challenges.
The government is under scrutiny for a billion-dollar defence sale of historic sites and a proposed secrecy bill that critics argue contradicts transparency pledges, alongside concerns about selective justice regarding foreign fighters and the Nationals party facing heat from disillusioned voters.
A racism watchdog warns about coded messages in calls for social cohesion, emphasizing that addressing inequality is key to resolving Australia's social fabric troubles, while a report reveals slow violence in a forgotten Kimberley prison and protest curbs are extended during an Israeli president's visit.
Donald Trump's intervention in Latin America is impacting Venezuelans' futures, while the Epstein files reveal global influence, concerns mount over US access to Australians' biometric data, and Trump advocates for nationalizing voting ahead of midterm elections.
Quantum computing is entering its second act, driven by data and geopolitics, while carbon credits are seeding the next chapter of Tiwi forestry with a community-led, sustainable approach, and tech companies are campaigning to bring SXSW back to Australia.