AGP Executive Report

Cricket: Scott Boland took two wickets in two balls as Australia reduced South Africa to 20-2 before rain ended the first day of the second Test. Jobs and Costs: Unemployment climbed to 4.7 per cent, a five-year high, as Australians face pressure from rising prices and interest rates. Energy Policy: Australia’s plan to reserve up to 20 per cent of gas exports for local use from 2028 is drawing concern from major Asian buyers. Workplace Equality: More than 100 women told Four Corners they faced discrimination in government jobs after pregnancy or parental leave. Public Safety: The AFP recorded 1,067 reports of threats and harassment against politicians and other officeholders, up 12 per cent on the previous year. Climate Accountability: A survey found 97 per cent of workers believe big companies should act on climate change, but only 14 per cent say their employer is making real progress. South Australian Recovery: Oyster growers say bays are recovering from last year’s algal bloom, but reduced stocks could constrain production this summer.

Cricket: Australia won the toss and chose to bowl in the second Test against South Africa, but rain delayed the start in Gqeberha. Scott Boland replaced Nathan Lyon as Australia sought to build on its 1-0 series lead. Netball: New Zealand stunned the Diamonds 56-50 in Auckland to open the Constellation Cup, with Grace Nweke scoring 40 goals. Wildlife: Australia confirmed its first H5N1 bird-flu case on Macquarie Island, found in an elephant seal and a kelp gull, raising fears for vulnerable seal colonies. Energy Protest: Two Greenpeace activists were taken into custody after occupying Woodside’s offshore Scarborough gas platform; the company said work was paused after the unauthorised access. Indigenous Heritage: Archaeologists found two submerged sites off Western Australia’s Murujuga, with stone tools revealing how Indigenous people used the landscape before rising seas covered it. Public Safety: Perth’s Kelmscott Agricultural Show closed early after fights and a large group of youths tried to enter the venue. Books: Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet topped an ABC Radio National poll of Australia’s 100 favourite books.

Rugby: The Wallabies were thrashed 43-21 by the All Blacks in Sydney, extending New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup winning streak to 13 and raising fresh doubts about Australia’s World Cup prospects. Aged Care: Canberra’s $10 million Burrangiri funding deal will refurbish the respite centre but add no beds; advocates warn its year-long closure from July 2027 will leave families short of support. Qantas: The airline cancelled a Rome-to-Perth flight for deep cleaning after passengers reported bedbugs on an earlier Perth-to-Rome service. Digital Policy: The federal government has introduced legislation requiring social media platforms to let users switch off recommendation algorithms. Jobs: The IMF forecasts Australia’s unemployment rate will rise from 4.4 per cent this year to 4.7 per cent in 2027—the biggest increase among developed economies. Mexico Murders: Three men were sentenced to 158 years and nine months each for killing Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend during a 2024 surfing trip.

Rugby: New Zealand swept the Bledisloe Cup with a 43-21 win over Australia in Sydney, after racing to a 36-7 halftime lead. Cricket: Australia take a 1-0 series lead into Sunday’s second Test against South Africa; the hosts are reshaping their batting order and may welcome back fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Justice: Three men in Mexico were sentenced to 158 years and nine months each for murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend on a 2024 surf trip. Energy: Australian solar investment decisions hit a record 3.5 gigawatts this year, while total renewable projects reaching final investment decisions also set a new high. Manufacturing: A Bendigo factory’s Bushmaster and Hawkei military vehicles showcase the work of Australian defence manufacturers. Community: Racist anti-Indian stickers in Cessnock have drawn condemnation from a federal MP, who urged residents to report and remove them. Melbourne has also opened Australia’s first museum dedicated to Vietnamese-Australian history. Remembrance: Canberra marked 25 years since the SIEV X boat disaster, in which 353 people, including 146 children, died.

Digital Safety: The government has introduced proposed laws giving users more control over social media algorithms, including an option to switch them off. Cost of Living: Some Australians who are not eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination may pay up to $180, with prices varying by pharmacy. Social Support: ACOSS and UNSW research finds three in four households relying on JobSeeker live in poverty, with about 1.9 million people on income support affected. Weather and Wildlife: Australia is on track for its wettest El Niño year on record as storms continue across the east; rescuers report mass starvation among vulnerable flying foxes in NSW and Victoria. Jobs: September employment fell, weakening expectations of another Reserve Bank rate rise. Renewable Energy: Victoria has approved the proposed 1.5GW Warracknabeal wind farm, which could become the Southern Hemisphere’s largest. Australia Post: Work has begun on a multimillion-dollar regional hub in Gippsland.

Jobs and Rates: Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7% in September after employment fell by 39,300, easing market expectations of another rate rise next month. RBA Governor Michele Bullock has warned that tougher hikes may still be needed to contain inflation. First Nations Care: Parliament has passed laws creating Australia’s first Indigenous aged-care commissioner, starting in July 2027. Cost of Living: Almost half of Northern Territory households faced food insecurity in 2025, with remote healthy-food baskets costing 40% more than at supermarkets. Online Safety: Labor has introduced a digital duty-of-care bill requiring online platforms to protect users from serious harm and give them more control over recommendations. Navy Inquiry: Defence is investigating after a recording device was found in a women’s shower area aboard HMAS Leeuwin; a service member is a person of interest. Trade and Resources: Australian leaders have called for stronger economic ties with China, while lithium producer PLS approved a A$1.9 billion Pilgangoora expansion to lift output from 2029.

Rugby League: Australia opened its World Cup defence with a 24–22 win over New Zealand, Jack Bostock scoring a hat-trick on debut; Kiwi star Kalyn Ponga left with a suspected broken arm. Jobs and Rates: September unemployment rose to 4.7%, a five-year high, after employment fell — cooling expectations of an interest-rate rise. Online Safety: The federal government introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, proposing stronger protections for children and a way for users to switch off social media algorithms. Energy: Labor’s gas reservation bill would require exporters to supply part of their production to the domestic market, aiming to improve supply for households and manufacturers. Mining and Jobs: BHP plans to cut about 300 roles in Western Australia as it reshapes its iron ore business. Heritage: A court ruling overturned an Aboriginal heritage order blocking a major gold mine, renewing questions about how cultural authority is handled in project approvals. Pacific Security: Australia will give Fiji long-endurance maritime drones to help monitor its waters and tackle drug trafficking.

Jobs and Rates: Australian employment fell by 39,300 in September, while unemployment held at a five-year high of 4.7%. Markets sharply cut bets on another Reserve Bank rate rise this year. Online Safety: Labor has introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, requiring platforms to act on serious harms and better protect children. Minister Anika Wells says the government is open to letting users sue tech companies. Defence: A recording device found aboard HMAS Leeuwin has prompted an investigation; claims that cameras were found in women’s showers remain under scrutiny. Cruise Industry: Carnival will pull two ships from Australia in 2028, halving its local fleet, citing operating conditions and regulatory uncertainty. Cost of Living: A new poverty analysis finds more than three-quarters of JobSeeker recipients face poverty risk, with some turning to food queues. Sport: Australia opens its Rugby League World Cup campaign against New Zealand, after a 214-run Test win over South Africa.

Cricket: Australia swept Bangladesh 3-0 in the women’s ODI series, with Megan Schutt taking four wickets in the final match. The Kangaroos face New Zealand in Thursday’s Rugby League World Cup opener. Food and Culture: South Australia’s first Michelin Guide awarded stars to 11 restaurants, including two for Magill Estate. Veterans’ Affairs: Federal police searched four sites in an investigation into allegedly fraudulent medical reports used in veterans’ compensation claims. Technology: The government plans to introduce legislation requiring tech platforms to let users switch off recommendation algorithms. A cyber security chief also warned outdated government systems face rising AI-driven attack risks. Energy: The government is preparing a bill to reserve 20 per cent of gas for domestic use, amid claims the measure could ease prices. Security: A Lowy Institute expert warned Australia should not assume the US would send troops to defend it in a conflict with China. Housing: Older Australians say apartment living brings convenience and less upkeep, but stamp duty and other costs can deter downsizing.

Defence Investigation: A recording device found aboard HMAS Leeuwin has prompted a military police investigation, after claims it was in women’s shower facilities and footage may have been posted online. High Court Ruling: A Queensland prisoner has won the right to apply to freeze her eggs, with the court finding the procedure was not prohibited assisted reproductive technology. Mining and Heritage: The Federal Court overturned a protection order blocking Regis Resources’ McPhillamys gold project, citing procedural errors; the heritage application will return to the environment minister. Jobs and Markets: BHP plans to cut 300 jobs at its Pilbara iron-ore mines as prices fall and costs rise. Australian shares also slid after the RBA warned inflation could stay high, keeping another rate rise in play. Energy Policy: New laws would require gas exporters to reserve a share of supply for Australia from 2028, with the government saying the plan will ease prices and industry warning of risks. Older Australians: The Senate removed proposed private health insurance rebate cuts for older Australians from its agenda. Child Safety: New research points to a sharp rise in violence and sexual harm against children, with advocates warning the situation has reached crisis point.

Economic Pressure: The IMF warns Australia could face the developed world’s sharpest rise in unemployment next year, while mortgage stress reached about 450,500 households in the third quarter. Gas Supply: Labor plans to require gas exporters to reserve 20% of exports for domestic use, with tighter rules and more transparency. Child Safety: University of Sydney researchers say violence against children rose sharply from 2014 to 2024; sexual assault rates increased 51% for girls aged 10–17 and 60% for boys. Cricket: Australia opened its Test series in South Africa with a 214-run win in Durban. Josh Hazlewood took 6-49, while Matt Renshaw scored 190 and 82.

Cricket: Australia are six wickets from a Durban Test win after setting South Africa 421 to chase; Steve Smith returned to the field after concussion checks. Egg Prices: The ACCC has taken 12 major suppliers to Federal Court, alleging they coordinated supply and production to limit competition. Health: Emergency departments are struggling to manage an ageing population, with older patients facing sharply longer waits for hospital beds. Economy: The IMF warns Australia faces sluggish growth, rising unemployment and persistent inflation, while markets weigh the prospect of another RBA rate rise. Energy: NSW is seeking new gas-fired backup as coal plants close, ruling out most batteries in its latest reliability tender; Shell has criticised the proposed gas reservation plan. Online Safety: Anthony Albanese says the government will do what it can to stop a planned US execution livestream being shown in Australia, though the eSafety regulator says it lacks the power to block it. Diplomacy: Jordan’s King Abdullah is in Australia for a two-day state visit, during which Australia returned a 12,000-year-old Jordanian archaeological artifact.

Durban Test: Australia are six wickets from victory after setting South Africa 421 to win; the hosts closed day four at 102-4. Matt Renshaw followed his 190 with 82 and claimed his first Test wicket. Steve Smith is being monitored after a blow to the helmet. Emergency Care: Emergency doctors warn hospitals are unprepared for an ageing population, with only 54 per cent of older patients admitted within eight hours in 2023–24. Iraq Release: Australian engineer Robert Pether is free to leave Iraq after five years in detention and is heading home. Travel Warning: Australians have been told to avoid Riyadh after deadly missile strikes hit the Saudi capital’s airport.

Test Cricket: Australia resumed day four of the Durban Test with a 139-run lead over South Africa, after Matt Renshaw’s 190 and Steve Smith’s record-breaking catching helped put the visitors in command. Northern Territory: Police are investigating the alleged assault death of a 16-year-old girl in a remote community. Travel Warning: Canberra urged Australians to avoid Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after deadly Houthi attacks, and advised against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. Canberra: Parties across the political spectrum opposed plans to livestream a US execution in Australia, as Parliament debated new rules for social media companies. Climate and Energy: NSW approved the Hunter Valley coal complex to operate until 2045, despite acknowledged climate impacts. Markets: Australian telecom shares fell after SpaceX’s US spectrum deal fuelled fears of satellite competition; investors are also watching RBA minutes and jobs data for clues on interest rates. Pacific Partnerships: Australia is deepening security and development ties with Palau, while a parliamentary committee examines a proposed cooperation pact with Vanuatu.

Test Cricket: Australia lead South Africa by 139 runs in Durban after bowling the hosts out for 284. Steve Smith set a Test catching record, while Matt Renshaw’s 190 helped rescue Australia from 124-6. Bad light has cut short all three days. Digital Safety: Labor dropped a clause giving ministers power to ban online content, clearing a path for its bill to make platforms protect under-18s from harmful material. National Readiness: RSL president Peter Tinley will urge the government to appoint a national preparedness adviser and make resilience planning a formal duty. Telecoms: Complaints to the industry ombudsman fell 6.5% to 53,834, but claims for compensation over financial loss jumped 61%. Migration: Domestic violence advocates warn visa crackdowns could give abusers more power to threaten partners with deportation. Music: Powderfinger have confirmed an 18-show Australian reunion tour, starting in Brisbane in September 2027.

Cricket: Matt Renshaw’s career-best 190 lifted Australia to 390 in Durban, and the hosts were 45-1 in reply on day three. In Brisbane, Bangladesh’s Sobhana Mostary hit 118 against Australia, sharing a record 195-run stand with captain Nigar Sultana. Afghanistan Anniversary: Australia marked 25 years since its first deployment, honouring more than 35,000 service members who served in the conflict. Darwin Housing: The city’s largest short-stay accommodation facility has closed, moving some residents 100 kilometres south and raising concerns about access to essential services. Housing Market: Auction clearance rates stayed below 50 per cent for a second week as higher interest rates weigh on buyers. Missing Hiker: Melbourne trekker Jordan Yap, 30, has been found dead after going missing on a remote trail in Peru.