August 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 657

More than 80% of kids still using social media despite ban, new eSafety report finds

Lisa M. Given, RMIT University

As countries around the world look to follow Australia’s lead in restricting young people’s access to social media, a new report by the eSafety Commissioner might give them reason to pause, at least temporarily.

Australia’s online watchdog found more than 80% of kids were still using an age-restricted platform, such as Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat, three months after the trailblazing social media ban took effect.

The report is the first in a series the commissioner will publish as part of a two-year evaluation process. It contains several other key findings which confirm earlier evidence that the ban isn’t quite going to plan.

Reductions in social media use ‘limited in scale’

The commissioner’s report presents findings from 803 children (aged 10–15) and their parents, drawing on national baseline survey data from just before social media restrictions took effect in December 2025, and data collected from a three-month follow up from March to April 2026.

Its aim isn’t to assess the long-term effectiveness of the policy, but to examine whether anticipated early changes are happening.

While the number of children holding accounts dropped from roughly 52% to 42%, the emerging picture for ongoing use of social media is concerning. As the report says:

Our findings suggest that three months after the commencement of the age restrictions, reductions in children’s use of age-restricted platforms and account ownership have been limited in scale.

The “primary reason” for this was “ineffective implementation of age assurance measures by platforms”. In fact, more than half of kids surveyed said the platforms hadn’t even asked them to confirm their age. Some 18% reported platforms had incorrectly estimated their age to be above 16, and 37% said they had simply listed their age as 16 or above on their accounts to maintain access.

Prior to the restrictions being introduced, 85.9% of children reported using at least one social media platform. This number only dropped to 81.5% at three months.

“This may reflect the relatively low barrier to continued account access,” the report said, “with little need for children to rely on workarounds to obtain or maintain access”.

Alongside this, the report found “early signals” some children were moving to other platforms, such as Reddit and Pinterest. It also detected an “unintended consequence” of the ban: the proportion of parents who didn’t know their child had used social media increased by 10%.

And despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying he hoped the ban would lead to more kids “playing outside with their friends”, the report found “little to no change” in what kids did offline three months after the ban took effect.

Unsurprising results

The results of this first evaluation are not surprising.

There have been regular media reports of children retaining accounts and getting around age-assurance checks.

And the findings reinforce the online regulator’s report from March, which raised concerns that social media platforms were not complying with the legislation.

The findings also echo other research showing children continue to access social media.

What happens next?

The report’s release is timely, given the government’s intention to “double down” on compliance by increasing penalties and expanding the commissioner’s information-gathering powers.

The government will now be under pressure to make good on its intentions to investigate non-compliance and, where appropriate, implement fines. The findings of this three-month report may bolster those investigations.

Earlier this week, the companies selling age-assurance software also called on the government to implement a “mandatory independent audit” of every platform covered by social media age restrictions, to test if they are using the tools properly.

The Age Verification Providers Association argues social media companies may opt to wear fines to see the legislation fail.

Yet even if companies comply and keep children under 16 from having accounts, this won’t stop kids accessing social media. The legislation does not restrict use in a logged-out state – and the three-month report shows children continue to access social media in this way.

All this should demonstrate to other countries that age-based restrictions are not a quick fix.

The government has committed to introducing digital duty of care legislation this year, which would hold technology companies to account and provide protections for Australians of all ages.

If we want to protect our kids from harmful content and algorithms on social media, that legislation cannot come soon enough.

Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

How can I check my offset account is collecting the savings it should?

An origami house made with Australian money, sitting on a grass lawn — Best of Melbourne Life/Getty

James Graham, University of Sydney

Do you use an offset account to save money on your mortgage? It might be a good idea to contact your bank and check it has actually been set up and is working as it should.

That’s according to a report released on Wednesday by the corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

ASIC’s review of eight banks – accounting for more than 70% of the Australian home loan market – found “weaknesses” in how all of them “set up, monitored and managed offset accounts, resulting in some customers missing out on promised savings”.

Across the entire banking sector, ASIC says Australian banks have paid out more than A$55 million in compensation for offset account failures reported between September 2023 and August 2025.

Reserve Bank data show 55% of Australian mortgages – representing an estimated 1.8 million households – have an offset account.

According to ASIC, in March, Australians held a total of $349.1 billion in offset account balances, up 28% over two years. The watchdog’s findings raise concerns some aren’t getting the savings they’ve been promised.

As my recent research has explored, even when operating as intended, these products can be difficult to navigate as a consumer and won’t save everyone money.

How does an offset account work?

An offset account is a type of bank account linked to a mortgage.

Instead of earning interest, the savings in the offset account reduce the interest payable on your mortgage balance.

To give a simplified example, if you owe $1 million on a mortgage, but also have $100,000 in a linked offset account, the bank will only calculate interest based on an effective balance of $900,000.

It might seem like an easy way to save money, but there are some important caveats. First, many banks charge customers to open or operate an offset account, or impose other costs such as higher interest rates on a linked mortgage.

Second, they won’t be a good deal for everyone. Savings depend on a household’s ability to save and the specific costs of the product.

Why the regulator is concerned

Across eight banks, ASIC reviewed 204,000 home loans that were settled between March and August 2025.

Among various types of offset account failure identified, the two most common were banks not opening an offset account when it had been requested, or an account being opened but not linked to the mortgage. Manual errors by staff were identified as the main cause of account failures.

Overall, the report identified four overarching concerns, finding some banks:

struggled to “readily identify” offset account requests
did not consistently detect failures
were slow to fix issues or failed to compensate customers
did not consistently provide customers with “clear, timely information” about their offset accounts.

These findings are particularly concerning where a customer has opted to use an offset account instead of another type of account that pays interest. If their offset account hasn’t been linked correctly, they are missing out on both mortgage interest savings and the benefit of using another savings mechanism.

Not for everyone

My own recent research examined who uses offset accounts in Australia, and how much of a benefit they actually receive.

I found mortgage holders are only likely to benefit from an offset account if they can save enough money – after mortgage payments and other expenses – that the mortgage interest savings outweigh the ongoing fees associated with the account.

For example, at a 6% mortgage interest rate, a customer would need to hold at least $5,000 in their offset account for an entire year to justify a $300 annual fee.

Customers with lower mortgage interest rates or less ability to save may not be getting value for money from their offset account. Put simply, while some mortgage holders might save money, others might be incurring fees for little gain.

Checking your account

ASIC has encouraged anyone with a mortgage offset account to check:

whether it has actually been set up
that it is linked to the right home loan
that it is saving interest.

Actual savings will vary significantly by product and by bank. For that reason, it can be difficult to offer a simple formula everyone can use to check they’re saving money.

But if you have concerns, you can contact your bank or mortgage broker.

ASIC’s report serves as a warning that these mortgage products can be difficult to navigate and may not be suitable for everyone. As always, it’s a good idea to seek professional financial advice about your mortgage options, products and decisions.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not intended as financial advice.

James Graham, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Chasing unpaid wages is slow and expensive. Is a new Fair Work Court the answer?

Silhouette of a barista preparing coffee — Westend61/Getty

Tess Hardy, The University of Melbourne

At Labor’s national conference last week, the Albanese government said it would establish a new federal Fair Work Court to provide “simpler, fairer and faster” resolution of workplace disputes.

At this stage, details remain sparse. But the broad idea is this new specialist court will work alongside the Fair Work Commission – the existing employment tribunal – to facilitate speedier resolution of claims brought under the Fair Work Act.

There is growing evidence to suggest that trying to resolve workplace disputes and recover backpay is too costly, too hard and too slow.

Intentional “wage theft” has been a criminal offence for more than 18 months. Despite this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the conference there were:

still too many of the most vulnerable workers in this country being illegally underpaid, because they cannot access or afford the justice that they are owed.

The new court aims to fix this problem by appointing judges with expertise in workplace law and bridging the existing gap between the Fair Work Commission and the federal court system.

Why do we need a new court?

One of the reasons for the current disjointed process is that, due to constitutional limitations, the Fair Work Commission cannot simultaneously create rights and enforce them.

The tribunal has the power to make modern awards and to approve enterprise agreements. It also has the power to conciliate and arbitrate unfair dismissal claims and some industrial disputes.

However, it is not authorised to determine an underpayment claim and it cannot impose penalties where there is a contravention of the Fair Work Act.

Currently, only designated courts have the authority to do this.

We’ve been here before

A dedicated employment court is not necessarily a new idea. Rather, the Fair Work Court has been described as “decades in the making”.

In 1994, the Keating Labor government established an industrial relations court, which operated separately from the federal court system. This specialist court was abolished under the Howard coalition government in 1997.

The concept of a “one-stop shop” for workplace claims was later floated by Labor while in opposition in 2007, but was ultimately abandoned. Instead, the 2009 Fair Work Act created specialist Fair Work divisions within the federal court system to hear employment matters. It also established a separate “small claims” process for monetary claims (previously capped at $20,000, now at $100,000).

Small claims proceedings are designed to be less formal with the aim of settling disputes quickly and cheaply. However, the small claims process is still seen as confusing and cumbersome, especially for vulnerable workers, such as migrants.

Setting the scope

The Albanese government has signalled it will consult on the design of the new Fair Work Court before the end of the year, including how it would coordinate with the Fair Work Commission, the existing federal courts and the state-based systems.

Rather than simply reforming the small claims process, Labor has left open the possibility the new court will deal with “a whole range of matters”, including:

bargaining disputes
appeals from the Fair Work Commission
unlawful termination matters
large underpayment claims.

The government says it is committed to working on the design of the new court “as swiftly as possible”.

Avoiding a ‘lawyer’s picnic’

Labor’s proposal hasn’t been without criticism. Business groups have questioned whether the new court would simply duplicate existing courts, add “another layer of bureaucracy” or even risk creating a “lawyer’s picnic”.

Other commentators believe the creation of a new specialist court will do little to address the inherent complexity of the system.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said she couldn’t see how the court would add an “extra level of regulation”, framing it as:

a more effective and efficient way to ensure that the workplace laws and rights in this country are upheld.

Unions have welcomed the proposal of a dedicated court. But we shouldn’t assume that on its own, creating a new court – even one staffed by specialists – will solve the scourge of underpayment.

Some of the most egregious wrongdoers will still make themselves judgment-proof through insolvency, bankruptcy or abandonment, and workplace justice will continue to be denied.

Tess Hardy, Associate Professor, Director of the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Does regular exercise stop you getting sick in winter?

Man with frosty breath checks smart watch outside. — Justin Paget/Getty

Matthew Ahmadi, Monash University; Joanne Caldwell Odgers, Monash University, and Nicholas Koemel, Monash University

Winter has a way of making the office, train and school pick-up line feel like a giant petri dish of germs and potential infection. It’s also when many of us quietly let our exercise routine slide.

With late sunrises and a warm doona, a run in the rain or snow has lost its appeal. But could skipping that workout actually make you more likely to catch the flu or seasonal bug?

The short answer: regular, moderate exercise probably does lower your risk of catching a cold or flu. But it won’t cure you once you’ve got it, and more exercise isn’t always better.

Exercise and the immune system

When you exercise, your muscles contract and release signalling proteins called myokines.

These natural chemical messengers help mobilise beneficial immune cells – particularly natural killer cells and T-cells – and redistribute them throughout the bloodstream and bodily tissues. This improves the immune system response to threats, making your body better at fighting infection.

However, the effect isn’t permanent. Within hours after exercise, your cell counts (a measure of how your immune system is responding) return to normal.

But researchers think repeated bouts of these immune “boosts” do add up over time, building an immune system that detects and responds to viruses more efficiently.

Regular moderate exercise also appears to lower chronic inflammation, which otherwise prevents your immune system working as well as it should.

The evidence backs this up, if imperfectly. A 2022 review of the evidence concludes that physically active people consistently report fewer respiratory infections than those who do very little physical activity.

Prevention, not the cure

Exercise won’t shorten a cold you already have, and there’s no evidence an intense gym session “sweats out” a virus.

What the research supports is exercise as a preventative tool. Think of exercise as a way to reduce your chances of getting sick rather than preventing it altogether. Even very fit people catch colds and flu.

There’s also a caveat, sometimes called the immune “J-curve”: very prolonged, high-intensity exercise can lead to a temporary dip in immune function in the hours afterwards.

This mostly affects endurance athletes doing significant amounts of training – think marathon training, not a lunchtime walk.

However, more recent research questions how large that risk really is. For most of us average folks, going beyond the healthy amount of weekly physical activity is not a concern.

How much exercise and physical activity do you actually need?

You don’t need to train like an athlete. Guidelines recommend adults do 150–300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity. Or you can do an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous activity.

Moderate intensity means anything that noticeably lifts your heart rate and breathing: a brisk walk, cycling, swimming, raking leaves, even dancing in the kitchen. It doesn’t need to be a structured “workout”.

Vigorous intensity means any activity of any duration that gets us huffing and puffing.

A way to test exercise intensity is with the “talk and sing” test. At moderate intensity, you’ll be able to talk but not sing. At vigorous intensity, you won’t be able to talk without pausing to catch your breath.

Finding motivation when its cold and dark

Winter motivation is a genuine hurdle. But a few things can help:

treat exercise as a fixed appointment, not something you’ll “find time” for
move it indoors on bad weather days
break it into smaller chunks, such as three five-to-ten minute walks – these work as well as a single 30-minute session
exercise with a friend, if accountability helps you
get outside when you can – especially when the sun is out.

To exercise or to rest? The million dollar question

The trickiest calls come when you’re not quite sick but feel run down.

Many clinicians use a simple “neck check”. This means if symptoms are above the neck (for example, a runny nose, sneezing, a mild sore throat) light-to-moderate exercise is generally fine, though it’s sensible to ease off the intensity and duration.

If you have symptoms below the neck (such as a chest cough or upset stomach) or symptoms affecting your whole body (such as fever, body aches or serious fatigue) rest is the better call.

Exercising with a fever raises your core temperature further, can worsen dehydration, and adds strain on your heart.

If you’re simply feeling flat or short on sleep, rather than unwell, a gentle walk is unlikely to do harm and may even help. But it’s also a good moment to prioritise sleep and lower the intensity rather than push through a hard session.

None of this makes exercise a substitute for a flu shot, hand-washing or staying home when you’re contagious.

But as one of the few winter habits genuinely within our control, regular exercise and physical activity is a reasonable, low-cost way to tilt the odds in your favour.

Matthew Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Digital Health, Monash University; Joanne Caldwell Odgers, Senior Lecturer in Physiology, Monash University, and Nicholas Koemel, Senior Research Fellow in Digital Health, Monash University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Teens want more advice about navigating consent but teachers’ sex ed skills are falling short

Jennifer Power, La Trobe University and Lily Moor, La Trobe University

Young people are navigating their romantic and sexual lives in an increasingly complex world.

Social media content, including from misogynistic influencers, have contributed to rapidly changing norms around gender, sex and relationships.

Recent Australian research has found concerning rates of unwanted, forced or coerced sex and intimate partner violence among young people, including adolescents as young as 14.

At the same time, many young people find the relationships and sexuality education they’ve received is inconsistent, unconvincing or disconnected from the realities of their lives.

We surveyed 482 teachers working across government, Catholic and independent schools who deliver relationship and sexuality education and found they often feel ill-equipped to deliver lessons on sex, consent and respectful relationships.

Teachers feel unprepared and under-supported

In previous generations, sex education focused on biology. Today, a more comprehensive approach is taken. Relationships and sexuality education encompasses sexual and reproductive health, respectful relationships and consent education.

Our study examined the training and support needs of Australian teachers and student (pre-service) teachers who deliver relationships and sexuality education.

More than two thirds (around 67%) of teachers reported receiving no university classes on how to teach relationships and sexuality education.

Most (77%) said their university preparation left them poorly equipped to teach these topics.

Professional development after entering the workforce was also inconsistent. Nearly half (43%) said they still required additional training.

Half (50%) reported their school did not allocate adequate time or funding for professional development in relationships and sexuality education. Less than half (39%) felt they had sufficient time for lesson planning.

Overall, teachers viewed relationships and sexuality education positively. Most believed:

their school leadership team valued relationships and sexuality education (72%)
parents were supportive (60%)
students generally felt comfortable engaging with it (65%).

However, this support was not always matched by practical resources.

Teachers who received dedicated in-service training and sufficient preparation time, and felt supported by their school administration, said they were significantly more comfortable to deliver relationships and sexuality education.

This is important, as around 60% of teachers worried about negative reactions from parents, saying the wrong thing during lessons or how to respond to student disclosures of experiencing sexual violence.

Many teachers were also uncomfortable delivering education on challenging or sensitive topics, including pornography, abortion or sexual violence.

What do students say they want?

Across multiple studies, young people report they want:

more support to navigate romantic and sexual relationships
meaningful education about the emotional complexities of relationships, how to communicate with a partner and how to express needs and boundaries in sexual relationships
more relevant critical education on pornography.

Young people also want education on the practical realities of sex. They want to know more about what to expect and what to prepare for.

They also want education that is inclusive of diversity in gender, sexuality and bodies.

Consent education aims to reduce sexual violence

Mandatory consent education was introduced in 2023 in response to sexual consent advocate Chanel Contos’ Teach Us Consent campaign. This drew national attention to young women’s experiences of sexual violence and highlighted inadequacies in current education.

Australia has now made sexual consent education a national priority, with federal, state and territory governments making a committment in 2022 as part of national efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence.

Schools are key in preventing sexual and gender-based violence: they’re one of the few institutions that reaches almost all young people.

Consent and respectful relationships sit within the broader relationships and sexuality education curriculum, which also includes education on sexual and reproductive health, sexuality and gender.

Relationships and sexuality education provides a platform to engage with young people during the years when they are likely exploring romantic and sexual relationships for the first time.

The purpose isn’t only to teach young people legal definitions of consent or the basics of safe sex. When done well, it helps to shape school culture, and reduces misogynist and harmful attitudes and behaviours in the school community.

What should happen next?

Relationships and sexuality education should provide opportunities for young people to engage critically with issues such as sexual ethics, gender stereotypes, power in relationships and the complexities of coercion.

These are complex and sensitive topics that require skilled teaching.

Our research suggests that effective and sustainable relationships and sexuality education will be most effective if teachers:

are given dedicated professional training
have access to evidence-based curriculum resources
have opportunities to work collaboratively with other staff, including school-based adolescent health nurses, wellbeing teams and external specialist educators.

Schools should be supported to develop a whole-school approach to relationships and sexuality education, in which school leadership is engaged and all staff have some capacity to respond to issues relating to consent, respectful relationships and sexual wellbeing.

To make a sustained difference in the lives of young people, we need a nationally coordinated approach to relationships and sexuality. Better support for teachers and schools to deliver this is crucial.

Jennifer Power, Principal Research Fellow, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University and Lily Moor, Research Officer, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

New Kidney Care Centre opens at Prince of Wales Hospital

Monday July 27, 2026

Patients are benefitting from a significant advancement in kidney healthcare following the official opening of the Prince of Wales Hospital Kidney Care Centre.

The purpose-built centre was delivered as part of refurbishment works at Prince of Wales Hospital and will establish an integrated hub for renal services in NSW. It forms part of the NSW Government’s more than $1.5 billion investment in the Randwick Campus Redevelopment project.

The centre was designed to meet growing demand and increasingly complex patients, bringing together acute and satellite dialysis, home therapies, outpatient clinics, transplant support, vascular access management, paediatric services and multidisciplinary care in one modern, state-of-the-art facility.

As the only centre in NSW offering such a comprehensive range of services under one roof, the Kidney Care Centre enhances patient experiences, efficiency, and clinical outcomes.

From acute haemodialysis for complex cases to long-term dialysis support, the centre delivers care across every stage of the patient journey.

Patients are supported to manage their treatment at home, while expert outpatient clinics and integrated kidney transplant services ensure continuity of care.

Dedicated vascular access services and a strong multidisciplinary team further strengthen the centre’s clinical outcomes.

This innovative model also enables paediatric patients to receive specialised treatment while remaining connected to a lifelong care pathway, supporting their families and ensuring a smooth transition into adult services.

Additionally, the Kidney Care Clinic offers both a vascular clinic and vascular ultrasound imaging in the same space, as well as advanced acute dialysis with cardiac monitoring for medically complex patients, allowing safe and timely treatment outside the traditional hospital ward.

These co-located services enhance collaboration across specialist teams, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments and inpatient services while ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Minister for Health Ryan Park stated:

“This new centre will make accessing kidney care easier and more convenient for many patients.

“By bringing everything together under one roof, the Kidney Care Centre makes it easier for people to receive the care they need in the right place, at the right time.

“As the first of its kind in NSW, the Kidney Care Centre sets a new standard for kidney care delivery and will support the healthcare needs of patients, families and the wider community for many years to come.”

A/General Manager Vicki Weeden, Prince of Wales Hospital said:

“By integrating a range of services and expertise in one purpose-built facility, we are delivering an innovative and uniquely comprehensive model of care.”

Chief Executive of SESLHD Leisa Rathborne said:

“Our new clinic transforms the outpatient experience, prioritising comfort, privacy, and expanding our ability to provide accessible treatment for patients without requiring hospital admission.

“The Kidney Care Centre’s design places patients at the centre of care, enabling seamless access to the full spectrum of kidney services in a single location.”

official ribbon cutting, Monday July 27 2026. Photo: NSW Government

Wallerawang Power Station site set for major jobs transformation

Announced: Tuesday July 28 2026

The NSW Government has announced the site of one of the state’s oldest coal-fired power stations is set to be transformed into a major new jobs, housing and recreation precinct which can support up to 3,500 new jobs and around 1,200 new homes.

The government stated the rezoning proposal for the former Wallerawang Power Station site will help drive the Lithgow region’s economic evolution and future growth.

''The Minns Labor Government is doing the work the former government failed to do, to enable this prime land just 10km from Lithgow and adjacent to Lake Wallace to transform into an industrial hub and vibrant lakeside community.

The State Assessed Rezoning Proposal prepared by site owner Greenspot, covers approximately 620 hectares, which is more than double the size of Sydney CBD''. the government said in a release

Key features of the proposal which is now on exhibition include:

a new employment precinct with industrial and commercial land
building heights between two and five storeys in designated areas
more than 100 hectares of protected environmental conservation land and open space
a tourism and recreation precinct adjoining Lake Wallace, connected to new walking and cycling trails through surrounding bushland.

The rezoning follows significant work undertaken by Greenspot to decommission and remediate the former power station site between 2021 and 2023 and supports the Lithgow region’s shift to new industries, following the closure of coal-fired power generation.

Developed in close collaboration with Lithgow City Council, NSW Government agencies and the site owner, the proposal was declared a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal due to its strategic significance, enabling a coordinated assessment process.

The proposal is on public exhibition until 5 pm, Tuesday 25 August 2026.

A community drop-in session will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, 6 August in the Scanlon room at the Black Gold Motel, 121 Main St, Wallerawang, giving interested community members the chance to speak directly with the project team.

For information and to have your say, visit NSW Planning - Planning proposals Wallerawang Power Station on exhibition until August 28 2026

This rezoning builds on the release of masterplans and rezoning proposals for the Mt Arthur Coal Mine and Macquarie Coal Complex which are set to unlock more than 7,000 jobs in the Hunter as part of major post-mining land transformations, the NSW Government stated.

''The Minns Labor Government is working with industry and councils to plan a secure jobs future as areas across the state evolve from coal to major industrial hubs''.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Wallerawang Power Station helped power New South Wales and the Lithgow community from 1957 to 2014. Now we’re giving this historic site the new future it deserves as an industrial hub and vibrant lakeside community.

“This proposal is an investment in the future of Lithgow region, which could enable thousands of new local jobs, homes and great open space.

“The Minns Labor Government is making sure regional communities have the support and investment they need to attract new industries and investment, creating a clear pipeline of opportunities for future generations.”

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“Mining has long been a source of economic prosperity for NSW. As mines close, the government is committed to ensuring sites are rehabilitated safely, and the land is put to new industries that generate economic benefits and well paid jobs for the local communities.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to exploring new opportunities for post-mine land use which promotes new industries and encourages economic diversification.

”Sites like Wallerawang have supported jobs for generations. Our government is committed to ensuring sites like Wallerawang continue to provide employment opportunities for local communities.”

Mayor of Lithgow City Council Cassandra Coleman said:

“As Lithgow continues to power New South Wales this century the transformation of the former Wallerawang Power Station site will drive the next stage of new industry for our community.”

“The many community development opportunities and business opportunities this proposal provides again shows that Lithgow continues to be recognised as a critical regional hub”.

Greenspot states:

Transformation of the Old Wallerawang Power Station

Wallerawang (postcode 2845) is located within the Lithgow Local Government Area in the Central-West of NSW. It is 150km from the Sydney CBD, 115km from the proposed Western Sydney Aerotropolis and a connecting point to major centres in Regional NSW west of the Blue Mountains. Lithgow is a community with a rich industrial heritage which has significantly contributed to the State of NSW and the country more broadly. From the iconic Zig Zag railway to cross the Blue Mountains, steel manufacturing, cement making which helped build Sydney, and defence manufacturing to underpin war time efforts, to coal mining and electricity generation since the middle of the last century, the area’s contribution to Australia for the past 150 years is enormous. It is also an area which boasts stunning natural landscapes, heritage significance and a growing tourism industry loaded with potential.

Wallerawang map proposals. Imahe: Greenspot

Our flagship project is to repurpose the Wallerawang Power Station and surrounding lands to honour the legacy of the area and to play a part in building a sustainable future for the community. Our indicative concept plan for the site is below. It is designed to provide an early picture of our place-making activities, the investment we aim to attract and of the future potential for the 620 hectare site.

Wallerawang 9 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

In August 2022, Greenspot received development approval for a 500MW/1,000MWh BESS which will connect to the adjacent 330kV TransGrid Wallerawang Substation. Obtaining development approval for the estimated $400M project is considered an important step forward in NSW's energy future. The ‘Wallerawang 9’ name acknowledges the legacy of the power station and in particular generation units 7 and 8, the last operational coal-fired units at the Wallerawang Power Station.

Callan Park dives into a new era in time for summer

Announced: Monday July 27 2026

The NSW Government has announced the green jewel of the Inner West, Callan Park is about to become more vibrant with work beginning to deliver a new swim spot and 1.6 hectares of extra green open space in time for Summer.

The new tidal bath will make a splash on the Iron Cove foreshore featuring an accessible pathway and ramp, a generous fixed jetty, pontoon, and shark net.

Located along the popular Bay Run and close to sports fields, such as Leichhardt Oval and King George Park will make sure the new tidal bath can be enjoyed by the millions of swimmers, pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and families that already enjoy the parkland each year.

At the same time demolition work has swung into action to remove 9 unsafe buildings which were neglected for so long that they have become not only an eyesore but a safety hazard and target for vandals.

The removal of these long cordoned off buildings will unlock central parts of Callan Park delivering the equivalent of 2 football fields of green space back to free community use.

Both these projects have been enabled thanks to a $6.8 million investment from the Minns Labor Government and an additional $1.8 million from Inner West Council to deliver the tidal baths.

The new tidal bath is expected to be open for the summer in 2026. The building demolition will be complete by late 2026 opening the additional green space to the public again.

Work is also continuing to transform one of the park’s long vacant buildings into a new club house for the Balmain & District Football Club.

Projects like this have long been delayed by unnecessary red tape and other restrictions. While these are great long overdue upgrades for Callan Park to unlock its full potential the Legislative Council still needs to pass The Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026.

The proposed legislation will improve services and facilities for park users and support long term financial sustainability of Greater Sydney Parklands, so our city’s green spaces are protected and supported for generations to come.

In Callan Park the legislation will make great activations like cafes possible, allowing the use of vacant buildings, and preventing them from becoming dangerous eye sores like those we’ve now started removing.

Callan Park is a popular destination for both the local community and visitors attracting more than 2.4 million visitors every year. With the surrounding population expected to grow to 415,000 by 2041 it’s important we create a sustainable future for this great parkland.

The legislation will also allow for the parklands estate to be added to so that more people throughout Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong have access to high quality recreational spaces.

This is another example of the Minns Labor Government building better communities investing quality green open space to support much needed housing growth.

For more information on the Callan Park visit https://www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/visit/callan-park

For more information on the Tidal baths visit the Inner West Council website.

Artist's drawing of Callan Park swim site

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“With a crash and a splash, we’re adding to the fantastic green space of Callan Park to make it an even better place for people to spend time in the outdoors.

“The new tidal bath and return of 1.6 hectares or the equivalent of 4000 large picnic blankets of green open space to the community will mean more people can enjoy this great parkland.

“This is an exciting new era of activation at Callan Park, but for the park to be able to host your new favourite café and reach its full potential we need the Parklands Bill to pass Parliament.

“The Bill proposes practical and sensible reforms needed to protect, improve and sustain our much-loved green spaces, but more importantly so that we can continue to expand them so even more people can enjoy high-quality recreational spaces.”

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:

“Callan Park is such a precious part of the Inner West but for too long too much of it has been locked off to our community.

“That’s why we’re opening up more of Callan Park, with new tidal baths, more sporting facilities, more quality green space, and places to spend time outdoors.

“I can’t wait to take my kids to dive into our new Callan Park swim spot this summer and to be able to enjoy more of Callan Park along with so many Inner West families.”

Greater Sydney Parklands Chief Executive Joshua French said:

“These works are yet another step forward in an exciting transformation for Callan Park and will help unlock an additional 1.6 hectares of open space in the heart of the park.

“We know how much the community values Callan Park for walking, exercising, relaxing and spending time with friends, family and pets, and these improvements will enhance those experiences.”

Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail commemorates the 1965 Freedom Ride

Announced: Tuesday July 28, 2026

The NSW Government has announced Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail has been unveiled to commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride, a landmark civil rights journey that played an instrumental role in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this media release contains the name of a person who has passed away.

The announcement, which was also attended by the NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, members of the Perkins family, and original Freedom Riders, was made by Minister Penny Sharpe at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, a multidisciplinary health research centre named for the Arrente and Kalkadoon man. The Centre also bears a Blue Plaque honouring Dr Perkins’ contributions to Australian society, including his civil rights activism.

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and Treasurer Daniel Moohkey with Dr Charles Perkins’ granddaughter and members of the Freedom Ride. Photo credit: University of Sydney / Maja Baska.

In February 1965, a group of 30 students led by Dr Charles Perkins, travelled for two weeks by bus through regional NSW. Called the ‘Freedom Ride’, the journey brought national attention to discriminatory laws, practices and segregation, and pushed for greater equality and recognition for Aboriginal people.

Six newly unveiled Blue Plaques now mark significant locations along the original route, creating a Trail that invites visitors to retrace the journey and discover the stories, people and events that contributed to lasting social change.

Through interactive QR codes at each location, visitors can uncover the stories behind the 1965 Freedom Ride, ensuring the legacy of those who travelled the route in pursuit of equality continues to educate and inspire.

The new plaques join two existing Blue Plaques on the Trail, located at the Wayside Chapel on Gadigal Land in Sydney and Freedom Ride Memorial Park on Gomeroi Country in Walgett.

The Trail includes new plaques at:

Dubbo, Wiradjuri Country: Former Fire Station
Gulargambone, Weilwan Country: Two Eight Two Eight Information Centre
Moree, Kamilaroi Country: War Memorial Hall
Boggabilla, Bigambul and Gamilaraay Country: Leonard Victor Waters Memorial Park
Bowraville, Gumbaynggirr Country: Bowraville Theatre
Kempsey, Dunghutti Country: McElhone Swimming Complex

The Trail’s route was developed with the input of more than 100 community members and organisations, who helped identify the towns and significant locations to be recognised with Blue Plaques.

The 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail has been established by Heritage NSW.

For more information visit: environment.nsw.gov.au/blue-plaques

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said:

“The 1965 Freedom Ride is one of the most significant civil rights events in our state’s history.

“NSW was profoundly changed because Aboriginal people and their allies spoke up against discrimination, and the Freedom Ride helped bring those injustices into the open.

“It’s never been more important to recognise the shoulders we stand on and the people who fought for change.”

Treasurer Daniel Moohkey said:

“Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail means the public can follow in the footsteps of a movement that shaped NSW and our nation.

"The Freedom Ride will be visible, accessible and remembered from town to town, for generations to come.

“This trail connects visitors to places where important conversations about equality and justice unfolded.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The NSW Government is committed to reconciliation and working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations to close the gap and improve the lives and opportunities for Aboriginal people living in NSW.

“The Blue Plaques Trail acknowledges the courage, resilience and strength of the original Freedom Riders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who, now and in the past, have led the way for racial equality in Australia.”

Garry Williams, Freedom Rider said:

“The late Charles Perkins and I, as the first Aboriginal students at Sydney University, were joined on the bus by about 30 other members of Student Action For Aborigines (SAFA).

“I am pleased that Australia's first Blue Plaques Trail will commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride that Sydney University students undertook to highlight the blatant discrimination and social injustice suffered by Aboriginal people in the towns and cities of NSW.

“I know that Aboriginal people in these towns are looking forward to seeing the Freedom Ride commemorated in this way.

“It is fitting that plaques along the trail will include Moree and Kempsey, where we demonstrated against the exclusion of Aboriginal children from swimming pools, Walgett, where we demonstrated against the exclusion of Aboriginal ex-servicemen from the RSL club, and Bowraville, in my home country, where we broke the colour bar in the local hotel.

I was able to join the bus in Bowraville and Kempsey. Following the Freedom Ride, I saw, in Sydney, an influx of young Aboriginal people from those areas who were now inspired by the actions of the Freedom Riders, and were more confident to come to the city.”

Charles Perkins Jr, Grandson of Charles Perkins said:

“The legacy of Dr. Charles Perkins and the Freedom Riders cannot be understated. Their revolutionary spirit lives on within every Australian, Indigenous or not.

“That momentous action to directly confront the racial discrimination and segregation in New South Wales gave courage and hope to Aboriginal people across Australia. It inspires us, as his direct family, to continue on in his spirit regardless of the obstacles that Aboriginal Australians still face.

“We are honoured that this history can be physically etched into the country where it took place. Undoubtedly, the recognition of the NSW Government through the fantastic Blue Plaques Program can give a small peace to the members of communities that the Freedom Ride inspired.”

Misleading and high pressure unsolicited sales practices widespread: ACCC

Tuesday July 28 2026

An ACCC review of door-to-door selling, telemarketing and other unsolicited sales practices has found that businesses are frequently engaging in high pressure sales practices and breaching existing consumer safeguards and consumers are often misled during the sales process.

The ACCC report follows a designated complaint by the Consumer Action Law Centre. The report, published today, recommends increasing penalties for breaches of consumer safeguards, a new “opt in” approach for consumers targeted by unsolicited sales practices and clarifying existing rules apply to sales originating from lead generation.

The report details how consumers’ personal information is gathered online, through price comparison websites, online quotes, free trials or surveys, and then often sold through data brokers to be used to generate leads for unsolicited selling.

Unsolicited selling is when sales staff initiate a sales approach, uninvited by the consumer and when this occurs away from the seller’s usual place of business.

“Our report shows how consumers are being exposed to unsolicited sales practices that place them at financial and psychological risk, particularly consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

About three-quarters of consumers surveyed said they had experienced unsolicited sales at least once in the previous two years, while about 28 per cent said they had made at least one purchase after an unsolicited sales approach.

“Our research demonstrates widespread non-compliance with existing rules by businesses and salespeople who engage in unsolicited selling. It is clear that change is needed,” Ms Lowe said.

“We have recommended targeted, stronger rules and increased penalties to address these serious concerns.”

Report finds unsolicited selling is widespread and often unwelcome

The ACCC’s market research found in the previous six months, 60 per cent of consumers surveyed were subject to telemarketing, 41 per cent had been approached in a public place such as a shopping centre, and about 30 per cent had experienced door-to-door selling.

Figure 1 - When was the last time you experienced/purchased using unsolicited selling?

Graphic: ACCC

Solar panels and energy devices were among products frequently bought through unsolicited selling. Many consumers who purchased such devices spent more than $1000.

Frequently, consumers signed up to finance arrangements, such as Buy Now Pay Later schemes, including for big ticket purchases.

Some smaller businesses in the solar devices sector claimed that up to 80 per cent of their business is generated from unsolicited selling and they would not be in the market without these sales channels.

Two thirds of respondents said they had felt pressured when contacted in unsolicited sales without their permission.

About 40 per cent of those who had made a purchase in the past two years had regretted it, while more than 60 per cent experienced problems with their purchase.

Respondents found salespeople were often pushy, refused to take ‘no’ for an answer, and manipulated consumers.

Case studies show salespeople frequently engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, including misrepresenting the full cost of the purchase, whether goods and services were suitable or had been vetted by a trusted source, or whether consumers might be eligible for a government program. Consumers should always seek further information about eligibility for government programs before entering into any agreement.

A number of businesses that utilise unsolicited selling pointed to benefits such as the provision of information or offers on good and services to consumers. However, the market research does not support this view with 80% of respondents agreeing that unsolicited selling rarely provides them with useful information or offers.

“We acknowledge consumer groups’ view that a ban is the most effective response to concerns about unsolicited sales practices. We consider our targeted proposals to strengthen existing safeguards will protect consumers from harm, particularly when coupled with new laws banning unfair trading practices,” Ms Lowe said.

“The proposed approach preserves the selling channel for the minority of consumers who value it. We have also recommended that the effectiveness of the recommended measures is subject to review within two years of implementation to see if compliance and outcomes have improved.”

Figure 2 - Goods and services purchased using unsolicited selling in the last 24 months

Graphic: ACCC

Special consumer protections are frequently breached

Consumers have special legal rights and protections, on top of their general consumer rights, when salespeople cold call or doorknock them or approach them in a public place. Businesses engaging in unsolicited selling have specific obligations.

A salesperson can only cold call or approach a consumer at certain times. They must hang up or leave if the consumer asks them to. The salesperson must tell the consumer who they are, what business they represent, and why they are calling or visiting.

When a consumer buys a product or service, the salesperson must provide them with an easy-to-read sales agreement.

After signing a sales agreement, the consumer has a termination or “cooling off” period of 10 business days to change their mind.

The ACCC found that consumers who made a purchase following an unsolicited sales approach in the last two years, reported that only:

70.9% of salespeople identified themselves
54.1% of salespeople provided a written copy of the agreement
63.0% of salespeople informed them of the termination period.

“Because of the frequent breaches of existing restrictions, we recommend the cooling off period be replaced with an ‘opt-in’ model. This will better protect consumers from high pressure selling tactics and from making purchases they do not want or cannot afford,” Ms Lowe said.

The opt-in model would replace the current ‘termination period’, where the transaction remains valid unless it is cancelled by the consumer. In an ‘opt-in’ model a consumer is required to confirm the sale within a set period and separate from the sales interaction before the sale takes effect and payment can be processed.

The research also found that more than 37 per cent of First Nations respondents had a Do Not Knock sticker, but about 73 per cent of them said they still had approaches from door-to-door salespeople.

“We were also concerned that many respondents reported that they were not provided with a written copy of the agreement and that consumers generally lacked awareness of the existing protections for unsolicited consumer agreements,” Ms Lowe said.

Lead generation practices increasing with digital transformation

Unsolicited sales are increasingly driven by online lead generation practices where businesses use consumers’ personal information they obtained themselves or bought from third parties including data brokers.

Consumers raised concerns about consent, privacy, and whether businesses were acting in their best interests when collecting and disclosing personal information for marketing purposes.

“We consider that unless the purpose of the data collection to generate a sales contact is clearly disclosed a sale remains unsolicited, however this has not been tested. The rules in place now were developed before the widespread use of consumers’ data in generating sales leads. We are recommending that lead generation is explicitly included in the rules governing unsolicited selling,” Ms Lowe said.

The report also notes the ACCC’s support for proposed reforms to existing privacy rules on the use of consumers’ data.

ACCC actions against unsolicited selling practices

The current maximum penalty for a breach of the rules in the Australian Consumer Law applying to unsolicited sales is $50,000 for a corporation and $10,000 for an individual.

The ACCC has taken enforcement action against harmful unsolicited selling practices in energy, education, telecommunications, therapeutic goods and selling to First Nations consumers.

In relation to door-to-door selling practices in the energy sector, these include successful actions against AGL, Australian Power and Gas, EnergyAustralia, and Origin Energy.

In relation to training colleges using unsolicited selling to enrol students in VET-FEE HELP courses, the ACCC took successful court action against Acquire Learning and Careers, Get Qualified Australia, Empower Institute, Unique International College, and Captain Cook College.

Other recent outcomes include action against telecommunications provider Superfone, therapeutic goods provider Revitalife, and health insurance comparison platform Choosewell.

Background

In March 2025, the Consumer Action Law Centre submitted the first ‘designated complaint’ to the ACCC under a new complaints framework. It alleged harmful unsolicited sales practices and recommended the ACCC conduct a market study.

In response, in June 2025, the ACCC announced it would examine unsolicited selling and lead generation practices.

The review included consultation with businesses, industry associations, government, consumer groups and consumers. The ACCC also conducted market research to gather information on consumer experience.

The report published today presents the outcome of this review.

On 10 July, the ACCC published its latest Electricity Market Inquiry report, which also highlighted issues such as consumers being sold solar battery systems that do not suit their needs, faulty installations, and poor battery performance.

More low-income Australians to benefit from low or no-fee bank accounts

Monday July 27 2026

The ACCC has issued a final determination to authorise Australian banks which are members of the Australian Banking Association to continue working together under the Banking Code of Practice to help more low-income Australians access low-fee and no-fee bank accounts, and to assist farmers during droughts and natural disasters.

In 2019, the ACCC authorised Australian Banking Association (ABA) member banks to collaborate under the Banking Code of Practice on the minimum eligibility criteria and features of basic and other low or no-fee accounts for eligible customers facing hardship.

The authorisation also allowed banks to suspend default interest charges on agricultural loans during a drought or natural disaster.

The ABA has applied for re-authorisation of the conduct, which the ACCC has granted with new conditions designed to broaden access to these lower-fee accounts.

The conditions imposed by the ACCC require banks to offer eligible new customers basic, low or no-fee accounts. They also require banks to proactively identify existing customers who may be eligible for lower-fee accounts and move them unless they choose to opt out.

“These conditions will help more eligible Australians access lower-cost banking products and avoid bank fees that significantly impact people on lower incomes,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“We want banks to do more than simply make these accounts available. They should actively identify customers who may benefit and make sure they are aware of their options.”

The authorisation also allows banks to continue providing relief to farmers by suspending default interest charges on agricultural loans during droughts and natural disasters.

“These protections can make an important difference for farmers experiencing drought or recovering from natural disasters times when many face significant financial pressures,” Mr Keogh said.

In assessing the application, the ACCC considered research from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which found more than 150,000 low-income customers remained holders of higher-fee accounts despite being eligible for lower-fee alternatives. These customers were charged $6 million in fees over a 12-month period.

“We are concerned that some eligible customers may still be paying unnecessary fees because they are unaware that lower-cost accounts are available or face significant barriers when trying to switch their accounts,” Mr Keogh said.

To address these concerns, the ACCC has imposed conditions requiring Australian Banking Association (ABA) member banks to:

offer and provide information to eligible new customers about basic, low or no-fee accounts
migrate eligible existing customers to these accounts, with customers given the choice to opt out
at least once annually, take reasonable steps to identify and directly contact existing customers who may be eligible but are not already using these accounts
not charge interest on informal overdrafts on basic, low or no fee accounts, or refund any interest charged.

The ACCC has granted authorisation with these conditions for five years. The ABA is required to report annually to the ACCC.

Basic bank accounts have no account keeping fees and provide free everyday banking features, including direct debits, debit card access and unlimited transactions within Australia.

Eligible concession card holders can also benefit from protections such as no dishonour fees, no overdraw fees and restrictions on informal overdrafts.

More information, including the ACCC’s determination, is available on the ACCC’s public register at Australian Banking Association (Banking Code of Practice).

Background

The ACCC granted interim authorisation with conditions on 4 December 2024 while this application was considered.

The ABA represents 20 banks, 17 of which have a retail banking presence in Australia. It is a condition of ABA membership that member banks with a retail presence in Australia sign up to the Banking Code of Practice.

The Code sets standards for how Australian banks deal with individual and small business customers.

In 2020, the Code was updated to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, including commitments relating to basic accounts and agricultural loans.

The most recent version of the Banking Code of Practice was released in February 2025 and is available on the ABA's website.

Australian competition law recognises that, in some circumstances, activities that might breach the competition laws may have a net public benefit.

ACCC authorisation makes it possible for such activities to go ahead without breaching the law.

The ACCC must not make a determination granting authorisation unless it is satisfied, in all the circumstances, that the conduct would likely result in a benefit to the public and that benefit would likely outweigh any potential detriment from the conduct.

The ACCC may impose conditions to ensure that the authorisation test is met, or continues to be met, over the term of the authorisation.

Harvey Norman and Latitude ordered to pay combined $55 million penalties for misleading customers

Tuesday July 28, 2026: ASIC

The Federal Court today imposed penalties of $35 million against Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd and $20 million against Latitude Finance Australia for misleading conduct and false or misleading representations they made in a national advertising campaign promoting a 60-month interest free and no deposit payment method for goods purchased at Harvey Norman stores.

The combined penalty is one of the highest obtained by ASIC for misleading conduct and false or misleading representations relating to financial products and services.

The advertisements were published and broadcast thousands of times across Australia between January 2020 and August 2021 in newspapers, on radio and on television and would have been viewed by millions of Australians.

ASIC was concerned the advertisements masked that consumers were required to take out a credit card, such as the Latitude GO Mastercard, to purchase goods, and were liable to pay monthly account service fees and, up to 15 March 2021, also establishment fees.

ASIC Chair Sarah Court said, 'The substantial penalties and the corrective advertising orders imposed on Harvey Norman and Latitude is a significant outcome for consumers and sends a strong warning to the market about the importance of truthful and transparent advertising.

‘This case is about integrity in consumer finance marketing. Consumers were entitled to know that this offer involved more than simply paying for their purchase in 60 instalments. The advertising encouraged consumers into an ongoing credit arrangement that carried additional costs and obligations.

‘Today's outcome sends a strong message that businesses must give consumers a clear and accurate picture of the products they are promoting and the costs that come with them.’

In delivering his Honour’s reasons, Justice O’Bryan said Harvey Norman and Latitude ‘put sales and their commercial interests above the interests of consumers, and also distorted the markets in which competing goods and finance are offered.’ The Court said that ‘the compliance processes of both defendants were wholly inadequate to prevent the contravening conduct.’ Justice O'Bryan further said, ‘Given the scale and sophistication of both defendants, that is an extraordinary state of affairs’ and ‘is particularly striking in the case of Harvey Norman’.

Justice O’Bryan said that ‘Harvey Norman and Latitude were equally responsible for the contravening advertisements’, however, his Honour ordered Harvey Norman to pay a higher penalty because ‘the defendants have…exhibited a different level of contrition’, ’public statements made by Harvey Norman’s Chairman show a disregard for the potential harm suffered by consumers from Harvey Norman’s misleading conduct’, and ‘A higher penalty is warranted to deter repetition and to motivate Harvey Norman to improve its compliance processes’.

The Court also ordered both Harvey Norman and Latitude to publish immediately visible corrective advertising on website home pages for 90 days.

Download Judgment

Background

On 4 October 2022, ASIC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Latitude and Harvey Norman, alleging breaches of sections 12DA, 12DB and 12DF of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth), by pursuing a national advertising campaign, which failed to adequately disclose the true scope and cost of the promoted payment method (22-270MR).

Consumers who signed up to the GO Mastercard on or after 16 March 2021 and before 11 August 2021, and made a purchase at Harvey Norman using the 60 month interest free payment method and paid off their purchase over 60 months, would be liable to pay at least $537 in fees, on top of their purchase amount.

On 18 October 2024, Justice Yates found that Latitude and Harvey Norman had breached the law by engaging in misleading conduct and making false or misleading representations (24-228MR). On 5 November 2024, Justice Yates made declarations as to their liability. On 19 November 2024, Latitude and Harvey Norman each filed an application for leave to appeal the declarations.

On 3 September 2025, the Full Federal Court dismissed Latitude and Harvey Norman’s appeals (25-193MR).

ASIC’s Moneysmart website has information for consumers about the real costs of interest free deals and how to find help to get debt under control.

Example of an extract of one of the newspaper advertisements

The Adelaide Advertiser, Thursday 23 April 2020.

Thinking of posting pictures of your child online? Ask these 4 questions first

An adult takes a photo on a phone of a young child. — Sally Anscombe/ Getty Images

Lauri Parr, Curtin University

Parents, schools and clubs regularly post images of children to social media platforms and websites.

While this may support connection with family and friends, promote school or sports activities or celebrate children’s achievements, there can be unintended consequences.

In its latest advice, the eSafety Commissioner notes how the rise of AI tools has “significantly escalated” safety risks around sharing photos and videos online.

On Tuesday, the eSafety Commissioner said it had seen a rise in reports of imagery harvested from school social media accounts or websites being used in AI-generated abuse.

What role do trusted adults play in making children visible online? And what should parents think about before they post images of their kids?

What are the rules?

Legally, parents can post almost any photo of their child online and authorise others to do the same. Abusive or exploitative photos are still subject to criminal law. But an average embarrassing moment likely falls short of “serious harm” outlined by the Online Safety Act.

But while Australian privacy laws treat these photos and videos primarily as personal information (and so up to parents to decide), research increasingly recognises the situation is more complex. In an old family album, a photo records a private memory. Online, it constructs a public identity.

Policy-makers are also starting to recognise that children’s right to participate in decisions applies to images shared online, particularly as they can remain there indefinitely.

France now requires parents to involve children in decisions about how they are portrayed online. New Spanish legislation gives more weight to protecting a child’s reputation than a parent’s right to expression.

The risks need consideration

Any photo can be edited into a nude photo, circulated on platforms as cyberbullying, used for sexual extortion, or amplified to wider audiences through algorithms.

A 2026 Adelaide University study suggests AI is used in one in four cases of image-based child sexual abuse. Yet public awareness is still low. For example, a 2026 eSafety Commissioner survey found only 11% of parents had spoken to their child about how generative AI can be used or misused.

The Australian Federal Police stresses the importance of education and awareness for parents, rather than fear.

Parents can take practical steps to protect their children’s safety when posting photos. This includes avoiding school logos, street names and front doors in photos posted online, and not including children’s names, ages and school years in captions.

In its new advice, eSafety also outlines how schools can safely share images by making conscious decisions that consider risks alongside potential benefits. Who is able to see this photo? What does the photo add? Are close ups needed?

Kids say they feel powerless

It is important to take these measures seriously because the consequences could be severe. However, that does not mean they are likely. The Adelaide University survey found 6.4% of those under 18 had experienced non-consensual image sharing.

Yet there is also a more widespread form of harm: lack of consent.

The Australian Information Commissioner suggests 86% of surveyed primary school children experienced a friend or parent sharing a photo they didn’t want shared.

Children have reported these experiences cause them to feel embarrassed, powerless and misrepresented. Research with First Nations children suggests greater control over how they are represented online supports positive identity and connection.

What can you ask yourself before posting online?

There is no single rule to determine whether an image should be shared. But we can gain useful guidance from the United Nations agency for children’s advice on media coverage and the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child’s Manifesto for a Better Children’s Internet.

Based on these, and my decade of experience making images with children around the world, these four questions guide my thinking.

1. Why am I sharing this? Who is it really for?

Parents may post in the moment without thinking much about it. Or think lots about what their photos say about them.

Maybe your child is in fancy dress for a party, and you’re proud of their hairstyle or in hysterics at how badly it turned out.

Pause and ask yourself: who is the audience? What am I hoping this post communicates, and is that more about me or my child?

Your friends having a chuckle may not be in the child’s best interests. But if the child wants everyone to see their hair, posting could support their pride. You could exclude their face as an optional precaution.

2. What is the post saying about this child?

A photo of the kids pulling funny faces at the beach may seem like a pretty average image. But what else could it say without context?

If there has been a bit of bother at school lately, and others might see a lack of seriousness. If there has been a recent ADHD diagnosis, the image may enforce the stereotype of disruption. Or maybe they’ve experienced bullying, and this is a precious reminder they have pals.

We can’t control what people think. But we can ask the child about what’s going on in their world to consider the impact on them, and clarify what we mean with captions.

3. What happens once the image leaves my hands?

This is a difficult question to answer, as we don’t always have control over what happens to something once we post it online, or know how technology will evolve in future.

Ask yourself, who can currently access, download or screenshot the image? Could it be copied, repurposed or edited?

If your child later reconsiders their consent and doesn’t want it online, do the platform’s settings allow you to delete it?

4. Does this image need to be made public, or could it be shared a different way?

Perhaps you can just message the picture to a private family chat or group with friends. Or print a copy for your child to share with theirs, or treasure themselves.

Lauri Parr, Research Associate, School of Population Health, Curtin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Want to break free from big tech? ‘Self‑hosting’ could be the answer

Nikolai Hampton, Edith Cowan University and Paul Haskell-Dowland, Edith Cowan University

You’re probably familiar with the idea that in the world of big tech, “we” are the product.

Our data is the currency being traded every time we navigate our social media feeds. Tech giants such as Apple, Google and Microsoft offer valuable services, but it comes at a price. They host our email, photos, backups, files, calendars, reminders and contacts.

If you also include all the smaller startups and niche solutions, you’ll quickly see your security cameras, electronic locks, home appliances and even your toothbrushing schedules are all online – far removed from any physical box or device that you have any control over.

But there is a way to break free from big tech. It’s called “self-hosting”.

Your life, online

Many of these large tech providers do a good job of securing your data and enabling you to access services across devices and platforms. They allow novice users with almost no technical skills to interact with and share their data at little cost.

However, being reliant on these companies isn’t risk-free.

Google, Amazon and Meta have been implicated in unexpected or questionable uses of data.

Having high-value data concentrated in well-established systems also provides cyber criminals and scammers with obvious targets to spam, imitate (spoof) or hack.

Users are also completely at the mercy of these companies should they decide to raise their fees, change their terms of service, or even discontinue access.

What exactly is self-hosting?

Self-hosting is a general catch-all term for taking control of your own data.

This shifts your data from big tech giants and moves it to self-managed applications. Your data is on your own systems and you have complete control over who can access it.

Many self-hosted applications are open-source and, thanks to community support, they can be relatively easy for a tech-savvy user to download and install.

Self-hosting isn’t new.

Squirrel Mail (a web-based email client) predated Gmail by several years. Gallery, a photo hosting application, came before Flickr and Picasa. Even WordPress was originally offered in 2003 as a self-hosted download before the WordPress.com blogging service became available in 2005.

Over the past decade, self-hosting has seen a rapid increase in the range of options available.

Today, moderately technical users can self-host a mind-boggling range of web-based applications, including media storage and sharing, blogs, websites, productivity and office apps, video conferencing, home automation and security, games and ad-blocking.

To get an idea of how much is out there, Awesome-Selfhosted publishes links to free and open-source self-hosted projects.

Self-hosting has also become more accessible with cheap, single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi.

These tiny computers can be as small as a credit card and usually have lower-powered central processing units and no ability to expand memory, graphics or networking; they sacrifice computing “power” and flexibility for size, energy-efficiency and price.

Other common household network appliances such as network file storage, media servers and internet routers have become powerful enough that users can install custom applications to run many self-hosted services.

Another route to self-hosting is through device manufacturers such as umbrel and Zima, both of which provide physical hardware with dedicated self-hosting operating systems.

However, there is still a considerable learning curve for non-technical users.

Benefits and risks

Self-hosting provides freedom from big-tech, surveillance and/or costly subscriptions. It allows you to know exactly where your data is, and how it’s managed.

But it does come with some risks.

The most immediate risks come from technical mistakes and backup issues that can cause a self-hosted solution to lose data.

If your photo library is running on a single computer in your linen cupboard, you are reliant on that computer being powered up, backed up and available whenever you need it.

Similarly, any mistake you make in configuration or management could affect the availability of your data through access controls or even data erasure.

Another issue that users need to consider is whether they want their data available “on the move”. In most cases, home routers allow you to expose individual devices to the internet. This can allow you to access your self-hosted data while you are away from home. Unfortunately, if you can access your data, in most cases, so can cyber criminals.

Exposing self-hosted services in this way requires diligence, consideration and a certain level of expertise to minimise the risk of breaches – risks that may be amplified by poorly maintained applications.

Should I bother?

Self-hosting allows you to have greater control over how, when and by whom your data is used. For some, this is a vital requirement and worth the extra effort required to make it all work.

If you have an old computer available, why not give it a try? It may seem daunting, but self-hosting comes in many flavours, and you can choose how far you go with it.

Nikolai Hampton, School of Science, Edith Cowan University and Paul Haskell-Dowland, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

South Sudan’s first election won’t be perfect – but another delay could be even riskier

Jan Pospisil

South Sudan is expected to hold an election on 22 December 2026, the first in the country’s history. It’s already been postponed twice, in 2022 and 2024.

A great deal is being said and written about whether or not there should be an election. But, having researched South Sudan’s post-war transition since the revitalised peace agreement was signed in 2018, I would argue that the real question is whether another extension would create the political conditions that previous delays failed to deliver.

South Sudan’s first national elections will almost certainly be imperfect. Few countries emerging from violent conflict hold flawless elections.

But another transition extension is even less likely to resolve the country’s underlying political problems. These include elite power struggles, weak institutions and unresolved security arrangements.

In my view, the transition has reached its limits. What’s needed to move ahead is a succession plan. Naming a running mate for President Salva Kiir could facilitate a political succession that would be less disruptive than an unplanned and sudden succession in the event that the transition gets prolonged again.

Unpreparedness is real

The National Election Commission announced the poll date six months in advance, as required by law. But neither the state of preparations nor the available funding made this look realistic.

Critics have warned that the country isn’t ready. Institutions remain weak. Insecurity persists across parts of the country and civic education is lacking. Cornerstones of the 2018 peace agreement – such as a permanent constitution and a joint army that integrates the armed opposition forces – aren’t in place.

The first vice-president – and potential presidential contender – Riek Machar remains detained and on trial for his role in armed fighting in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025.

Preparations are also falling behind. The current election law is flawed – for instance, it mistakenly provides for 105% of the seats in the national assembly – and voter registration hasn’t started.

The election commission has also decided to reuse the constituencies from Sudan’s 2010 elections. This has prompted legal objections that these boundaries don’t reflect reality in an independent South Sudan.

Unfinished business

The signing of the peace agreement in 2018 established a fragile power-sharing arrangement. It brought the country’s warring parties into a transitional government of national unity. General elections were intended to conclude the transition period.

Each extension was justified by the promise that additional time would allow completion of the key transitional tasks. That never happened. There is little reason to believe that another two or three years would produce a different outcome.

The biggest gaps in South Sudan at the moment are these:

Constitution-making remains politically contested. South Sudan still operates under a transitional constitution from 2011. It largely reflects arrangements inherited from the pre-independence period. A permanent constitution is expected to define matters like the distribution of political power, the relationship between national and state authorities, the role of customary law, and how the country’s diversity is represented in the political system.
Security sector reform has made only limited progress. A central provision of the peace agreement is the integration of government forces, the opposition and other armed groups into a unified military force. The aim is to reduce the risk of renewed conflict.
Transitional justice processes haven’t started. These mechanisms are intended to investigate crimes committed during South Sudan’s civil war, and provide accountability and reconciliation. Senior political and military figures responsible for implementing these provisions could themselves become subjects of investigation. If indicted by the courts, they would be barred from holding public office. There has, therefore, been little political appetite to establish the processes.

The transition has turned into the main obstacle for these tasks to be completed. An election would make it possible to get on with the tasks by giving someone the authority.

The existing gaps have left the door open to unhelpful developments. The worst is the reproduction of kleptocratic and authoritarian structures.

The case for an election

One of South Sudan’s biggest challenges could be resolved by an election: the question of political succession in the executive.

The question looms large over South Sudan. Whether elections are held or postponed, it’s likely to be a source of political disruption.

Kiir has dominated South(ern) Sudanese politics for more than 20 years. Who could succeed him if he were no longer able to continue?

The transitional framework offers remarkably little certainty on this. Formally, the ruling party would need to name a successor. Nobody has been earmarked. Were succession to become an immediate political issue, the most likely consequence would be violent infighting within the ruling party.

Elections offer something that another extension cannot. They can force the ruling party – which, according to available political perception data, has a good chance to win both presidential and parliamentary elections even without rigging – to clarify the succession issue.

A presidential election would require the governing party to nominate a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate endorsed by Kiir and party organs. Whoever occupies the vice-president position would be the leading and legitimised candidate to succeed should the presidency unexpectedly become vacant.

This does not eliminate political competition. It provides a far clearer and more legitimate succession pathway than the current transitional arrangements.

Those arguing against a poll being held point to the dangers of electoral violence. Election-related violence is a genuine risk. But postponing elections doesn’t necessarily reduce such risk.

Extending the transition again would instead deepen political uncertainty.

Perhaps the strongest argument for elections, however, comes from South Sudanese citizens themselves.

Nationwide survey research shows that around four in five South Sudanese support holding elections, even though most also recognise that violence remains a serious possibility.

This finding deserves greater attention than it usually receives. If most South Sudanese want elections, on what basis should political elites or international partners argue that they should wait?

What needs to be done

None of this means that elections can simply proceed. The financial, legal and practical preparation challenges are severe and will not be resolved overnight. An inter-party dialogue preparing the political ground for elections is a useful initiative. But this is unlikely to resolve the tensions with the main opposition forces behind Machar.

Recent suggestions by international partners like the European Union to discuss a short technical extension – for instance to March or April 2027 – or to hold executive and legislative elections separately are reasonable. But an indefinite postponement won’t lead the country anywhere.

Jan Pospisil, Researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Disclaimer: These articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Pittwater Online News or its staff.

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