australia

Revenge porn in Australia: the law is only as effective as the law enforcement

One study suggests one in three people from 16 to 64 have been victims of image-based abuse. But most will never step foot in a police station

When Laura* was 14, she was convinced that her boyfriend was the love of her life. So, when several girls messaged her to say he had sent them a video of her drunk and engaging in a sexual act, she told herself they were lying.

“I was just like, ‘Oh, you don’t know anything about our relationship. I don’t believe you,’” she says. “But after we broke up, he pretty much sent it to everyone that I knew.

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Covid-19 competence has given Australian governments some political capital. But there's a flipside | Katharine Murphy

Politicians have set a high bar for themselves – success on coronavirus has created community expectations that will be challenging to shift

“Let’s not give everything back, let’s not throw away all the progress we’ve made by letting our frustration get the better of us.” This was Daniel Andrews on Friday afternoon, shortly after national cabinet resolved to gradually restart economic and social activity by July.

The Victorian premier wanted people to understand he’d be hastening slowly – the message being here in the Massachusetts of Australia, we decide how quickly we’ll remove coronavirus restrictions. We don’t apply an arbitrary national average.

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Take care with physical distancing on Mother's Day, Australia's deputy chief medical officer says

Paul Kelly warns people over 70 and with existing diseases are at high risk from coronavirus as pandemic restrictions ease

The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, is warning people to take care if visiting mums on Mother’s Day, as frictions emerge over the lockdown in Victoria.

In some states, authorities are allowing people to pay family visits on Sunday as coronavirus pandemic restrictions are eased, but Kelly has restated warnings that people over 70 and with existing chronic diseases are at high risk from coronavirus.

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23 of the best secret beaches in Australia

Because there's plenty more to see than just Bondi




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Netflix is reducing streaming quality amid coronavirus. How will it affect viewing in Australia?

Netflix is cutting down traffic to ease internet capacity as more people work from home. Here’s what it means for Australians’ streaming experience

Netflix has agreed to reduce the data it uses to stream movies and TV shows across Australia as more and more people are working from home due to the coronavirus shutdown. But what will it mean for your viewing habits while you’re staying at home?

Related: Australian government asks Netflix and Stan to reduce data to avoid broadband overload

Related: As cinemas go dark, the film industry may go straight to Netflix

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The Crazy State of Australian Politics: a Primer

There is something bizarre going down in Australian politics, and its name is Clive Palmer.

In 2013, this mining billionaire formed a political party he called the Palmer United Party (PUP). Some people paid attention, most tried to look the other way.

This is because Palmer isn't your regular politician

The one and only: Palmersaurus.

Image: Bradley Kanaris, Getty Images

First, the billionaire mining magnate built Palmersaurus, a theme park on the Sunshine Coast filled with fake dinosaurs. Then he moved on to bigger things — with a plan to build the Titanic II. He is a large man with a booming laugh and a twinkle in his eye. Read more...

More about Australia, Us World, Politics, World, and Tony Abbott




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5 Outrageous Things Australian Senator Jacqui Lambie Said Out Loud

SYDNEY — Jacqui Lambie is an interesting character. On first sighting, one isn't really sure what to make of her

The tough-as-nails former Australian soldier and single mother of two boys won Tasmania's sixth and final Senate seat in last year's election as part of the Palmer United Party.

The Palmer party is headed up by eccentric mining billionaire Clive Palmer, but if you think he speaks his mind, you need to check out Lambie

From saying on live radio she wants a man who is "well hung" to telling anyone who supports Sharia law to “pack up their bags and get out of here,” Lambie is causing controversy across the country with her inappropriate outbursts. Read more...

More about Australia, Us World, Politics, Australian Politics, and Clive Palmer




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Watch Australian Politicians Cut Awkwardly Into Movies and TV Shows

MELBOURNE — Australia's politicians have sure made some memorable public appearances of late.

We've had Senator Jacqui Lambie make a case for a ban on the burqa by stumbling through an explanation of sharia law on live television, federal MP and resident dinosaur enthusiast Clive Palmer's diatribe on Chinese business relations and of course, Prime Minister Tony Abbott vowing to get all up in the face of President Putin

And what better way to archive the missteps of the nation's leaders than superimposing their faces into some of film and television's most iconic scenes?

More about Australia, Us World, Tony Abbott, Australian Politics, and Clive Palmer




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4 better titles Australia could award now it got rid of knights and dames

On Monday, Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced he had removed the titles of "knights" and "dames" from the Order of Australia, a formal award system that honours those who provide a great service to Australia.

The two archaic titles were only brought back last year in a controversial move by former prime minister Tony Abbott. In a decision that made many question Abbott's leadership, the first knighthood was awarded to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh — a man who has only been to Australia a handful of times.

"“http://mashable.com/2015/10/26/drone-video-australia-travel/#Ubqu1cvD18qK"" is not a valid see-also reference Read more...

More about Australia, Funny, Us World, Lists, and Tony Abbott




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Australian politicians won't stop dropping references to Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is currently sending Australia into Tay Tay fever as she tours the country, and it seems the nation's politicians aren't immune.

Take Treasurer Scott Morrison. The minister was responding to media questions Monday regarding whether he had been offered the treasury job by current Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in February, months before the dumping of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott

We won't bore you with the details, but please note the part where the Liberal Party member told reporters to "shake it off" in regards to these events.

More about Video, Videos, Australia, Taylor Swift, and Watercooler




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Australian politician mistakenly quotes neo-Nazi, deletes all his tweets

He's one of Australia's most outspoken politicians, but conservative South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi has decided to go radio silent on social media.

On Tuesday, Bernardi mysteriously deleted all his tweets but left his profile intact

It's unclear why Bernardi bid adieu to tweets of times gone by, but on Nov. 22, he made an epic Twitter fail. Bernardi mistakenly quoted a neo-Nazi on the social media platform: "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticise."

The quote — often attributed to Voltaire — is actually by American Holocaust-denier Kevin Strom, adapted from his essay titled "All America must know the terror that is upon us." Read more...

More about Twitter, Australia, Politics, Watercooler, and Australian Politics




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Australia's ex-prime minister buys second-hand fridge, turns out to be super chill

Selling a fridge would normally be a straightforward affair — money is exchanged, the other person gets the appliance.

For Emily Hastings and her husband Emmanuel it turned into a photo opportunity, when Australia's former prime minister Tony Abbott turned up to their Sydney home to buy their three-year-old Daewoo refrigerator

More about Australia, Watercooler, Tony Abbott, Australian Politics, and No Lead Image Template




australia

#auspol: The Twitter hashtag Australia can't live without

For Twitter users in North America, Asia or anywhere in the world, there's a little hashtag that may from time to time stray into your Twitter trends. That would be #auspol, one of Australia's most popular hashtags, which also rated third globally among trending political topics on the social media platform in 2015.

On Twitter's 10th birthday, it's time to explain this seemingly immortal, often cranky, hashtag to the rest of the globe.

What is #auspol?

Short for Australian politics, #auspol is most often used for commentary and rumour spreading about the machinations of the federal government. Read more...

More about Australian Politics, Auspol, Twitter, Australia, and Social Media




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#AskAntony trends as Australia falls into existential crisis

It has been days since Australia voted in its federal election, but still no winner has been declared. The frustration is real, so the country is doing what it does. Namely, making funny jokes on social media.

Antony Green, ABC's election analyst, is Australia's version of Paul the psychic octopusHe has a pretty good record of picking winners, and helpfully, he has a website that asks one simple question: "Has Antony Green called the election" 

The answer for days now has been an emphatic, "No."

They tried to make me go to rehab. What should I say? #AskAntony pic.twitter.com/xBvcEnrSUR

— Andrew Sholl (@andrewsholl) July 6, 2016 Read more...

More about Twitter, Australia, Australian Politics, Australian Prime Minister, and Australian Election




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Terrorists may soon be detained indefinitely in Australia

The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has proposed legislation that would allow for convicted terrorists to be held indefinitely in prison if considered a threat.

The proposed changes to legislation would allow convicted terrorists to be detained in jails for an infinite amount of time, regardless of their sentence length. While Turnbull said the changes were about promoting and ensuring community safety in a time of heightened uncertainty, the proposal has been criticised on the basis of civil rights.

Australia has no Charter of Human Rights which would require the Parliament or the courts to consider whether counter-terrorism laws comply with human rights principles. Without this charter, the Australian Government can operate in a legal grey area. Read more...

More about Australia, Terrorism, Australian Politics, Terrorist Threats, and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull




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West Ham and Crystal Palace pre-season tournament in Australia cancelled due to coronavirus

West Ham and Crystal Palace's pre-season tournament in Australia has been cancelled.




australia

Perth opens its doors to Premier League's Project Restart with clubs on board with Australian proposal

Premier League clubs are said to be interested in finishing the 2019-20 season in Australia after Perth opened its doors to Project Restart.




australia

'No room' for Australia players getting pregnant says Sam Kerr as Covid-19 crisis leads to packed schedule

Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr believes the coronavirus pandemic has put paid to any plans her national team-mates have to get pregnant in the next five years.




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Australia has found common ground to respond to Covid-19. We can do the same for climate change | Cassandra Goldie, Innes Willox, Emma Herd

After all we have already endured in 2020 we should know that stopping an emergency is far better than responding to one

In just a few short months, many more people in Australia have faced greater adversity in 2020 than in the decade since we emerged from the global financial crisis.

The bushfires that affected the health of millions, claimed lives and livelihoods, blighted our landscape and destroyed communities were unprecedented in size and intensity. Now the acute shock of the Covid-19 pandemic has also taken lives and left many more living in fear, while throwing hundreds of thousands out of paid work, shattering businesses and leaving us facing an unstable new world.

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Jock Palfreeman is out of prison, but the Australian fears he will be returned to Bulgarian jail for life

Jock Palfreeman warns systemic corruption could see him returned to a Bulgarian jail for the rest of his life, and he condemns the influence of the far-right over Sofia's political establishment.




australia

Australian farmers watching new US restaurant chain that gives farmers better deal

A unique American business model taking 'paddock to plate' into the dining mainstream is being watched by Australian farmers as a way to get a better share of the food dollar.




australia

Australia launches defence operation to get Pacific performers to Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Deploying Defence aircraft to bring hundreds of performers to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney presents an opportunity for Australia to gain ground in the battle for influence in the Pacific.




australia

Farmers look for biosecurity funding, as African swine fever spreads closer to Australia

The Federal Government is falling short on its own commitment to boost funding for services to keep Australia free from pests and disease.




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Sydney Opera House premieres First Nations cabaret exploring Australia's circus history

First Nations cabaret Natives Go Wild peels back the PT Barnum legend to reveal the Indigenous stories and talent behind the spectacle.



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australia

India just had its latest monsoon withdrawal on record, so what will it mean for Australia?

The withdrawal of the Indian monsoon this year surpassed the previous record by more than a week, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be another bad wet season for Australia. Here's why.





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Accents are much more varied in Britain than Australia, but why is this so?

If you think of your favourite British TV shows, one thing that stands out is the great variation in the way the actors sound. So why aren't Australians the same?




australia

Australian serial killer Ivan Milat dies in Long Bay prison, aged 74

Backpacker killer Ivan Milat, who was serving seven life sentences, dies in Sydney's Long Bay Prison hospital six months after he was diagnosed with terminal stomach and oesophagus cancer.




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Australian Baha'i temple






australia

Landmark class action over PFAS contamination in Australia announced by Erin Brockovich

Up to 40,000 people are suing the Federal Government over PFAS chemical contamination, arguing their property values have plummeted. It's the largest class action in Australian history and it's backed by Erin Brockovich.




australia

Australian artist Mike Parr 'blind painting' black squares on gallery walls to protest against Amazon fires

The acclaimed Australian artist is painting black squares on a gallery wall with his eyes closed to protest against the values that led us to climate crisis.




australia

Playwright Anchuli Felicia King had to leave Australian theatre in order to conquer it

Having left Melbourne in her 20s because she couldn't see a place for herself, Thai-Australian playwright Anchuli Felicia King is now forging a global career, with plays in London, Washington, Melbourne and Sydney this year.




australia

Rain is predicted for south-east Australia this weekend, but where is it going to fall?

Yes, rain is on the forecast for parts of the country, although it won't be drought-breaking. But as the rainclouds gather on the horizon the question we are all asking is: "Where is it going to fall?".




australia

Gerringong Speedway once boasted Australia's fastest cars but now is a quiet beach park

Horses, then cars and motorbikes staged races at low tide on a beautiful stretch of sand on the NSW south coast, but it has fallen silent now that it is a national park.




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Australian musical theatre gets a new approach thanks to Priscilla Queen of the Desert producer

Garry McQuinn has found a way around the challenges of creating a new hit Australian musical by turning the National Institute of Dramatic Arts into a "musical theatre lab".





australia

Sydney's Inner West Council to vote on moving Australia Day celebrations from January 26

The mayor of the Inner West Council says a "very deep hurt" is caused to Indigenous Australians by the "jingoistic celebration" on January 26. But an independent councillor has called the move divisive.





australia

KPMG report says we're at a 'turning point' for the big four banks in Australia

All four major banks have now announced a fall in earnings for the year. A new report from KPMG says there is no end in sight for the profit squeeze on the banks, with consumers set to benefit.




australia

Australian expat's push for universal mask-wearing catches fire in the US

When Melbourne expat Jeremy Howard called on all Americans to wear masks three days ago it was a fringe idea. Now US President Donald Trump is considering it.




australia

'It's going to be very bad': COVID-19 fears for Australia's neighbours

One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, Johnson & Johnson, is racing to make a billion vaccines. Its chief scientist is most worried about the impact of coronavirus on developing nations.




australia

Australia withdraws ambassador to Indonesia because of COVID-19 fears

The Australian government has taken the extraordinary step of withdrawing its ambassador to Indonesia for health reasons.




australia

'Forgotten Australians' leave Wuhan after three months in lockdown

The passengers on the plane from Shanghai to Sydney are worried about the travellers from Europe and the United States.




australia

A population the same as Australia's but a fraction of the coronavirus cases

Taiwan has recorded 385 cases of COVID-19 to Australia's 6314. It began scrutinising and quarantining passengers on flights from Wuhan and Guangdong in December, implemented travel bans on China and introduced strict social-distancing measures in January.




australia

‘Eerily quiet’: Qantas pilot flies Australians home in near-empty skies

While the route is familiar, the Qantas pilot of a flight bringing Australians in the UK home said he had never seen the skies so "eerily quiet."




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As the day unfolded: Scott Morrison says Australia's COVID-19 restrictions to remain in place for at least four weeks, nation's death toll stands at 65

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.