Alcoa Rejects Mercury Emissions Concerns From Its WA Refinery
Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia reported a spike in mercury emissions, reaching about 400 kilograms in 2025—almost twice the 2022 level. The increase coincides with higher bauxite throughput and deteriorating condensers, which Alcoa attributes to natural ore variation. Conservation Council of WA has appealed to revoke the refinery’s operating licence, citing unknown risks to threatened species and public health. The appeal follows a recent $55 million fine for illegal land clearing at the same site.
Smallest Town in Australia for Sale as Two Residents Decide to Sell Roadhouse
Two longtime residents of Cooladdi, Queensland, have put the entire outback town up for sale. The asking price is roughly AUD 400,000 (about US$264,000), which includes their four‑bedroom home, the Foxtrap Roadhouse, a motel, shop and other amenities. The town, once...
Squid Sightings Spawn Hope for Fast Species Recovery in South Australia
After a devastating harmful algal bloom in early 2025 wiped out southern calamari along South Australia’s coast, recent sightings of a large squid off Kangaroo Island and smaller individuals in Encounter Bay have sparked optimism. Fishers report the first sizable...
Qld Premier Says Federal Government Should Fast-Track Oil Projects
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged the federal government to fast‑track approvals for oil projects in the Taroom Trough, a 750‑square‑kilometre exploration area in central Queensland. He argues the development is essential for national fuel security and could shave years off...
Claims Wild-Caught Australian Seafood Will Soon 'only Be Afforded by the Rich'
Australian wild‑caught seafood is facing a steep price surge as fuel costs for fishing vessels have doubled, pushing operating expenses from $54,000 to $100,000 per trip. A permanent ban on demersal fishing in Western Australia and the recent collapse of...
'Incredibly Worrisome': Concerns for Sick Refugees without Medicare
A growing number of asylum seekers in Australia are denied Medicare, leaving them without essential preventive care. Visa categories such as bridging visas often exclude families, and eligibility can lapse during lengthy residency processing. The story of Raj, who cannot...
Live: Markets Brace for Iran War Deadline, Oil Prices Fall on Deal Hopes
Physical crude prices have surged to near $150 a barrel as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz cuts roughly 12 million barrels per day from global supply. Dated Brent, the benchmark for immediate delivery, is trading about $20 above June...
Leg Amputee Forced to Wait Two Months for Rehabilitation Services
Phillip Norris, a 66‑year‑old radio announcer from Inverell, NSW, underwent a leg amputation in December and spent two months navigating a fragmented rehabilitation pathway. After multiple hospital transfers and a 2,000‑km travel burden, he finally received a prosthetic leg at...
Darwin Midwife's $1.1 Million Government Contract Under Review
The Northern Territory government is reviewing a $1.1 million contract granted to Claire Marks, a midwife whose registration is limited to supervised practice. The funding supports her firm Midwives in Darwin, created to plug a void after the collapse of private...
As the World Counts Down to Trump's Iran Deadline, Here's What You Need to Know
U.S. President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum to April 7, threatening to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In the hours before the deadline, the United States and Israel launched strikes...
Tourism Industry Council Warns Sector at 'Tipping Point'
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has warned that the state’s visitor economy is at a "tipping point" as operators grapple with soaring fuel, energy and labour costs and a wave of cancellations. While Easter drove occupancy spikes of up...
Tasmania Police Told Authority It Was Not Part of Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting
Tasmania's Office of the Independent Regulator (OIR) discovered that Tasmania Police stopped submitting mandatory child‑abuse reports in August 2023, citing legal advice that the force was not an "entity" under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act. The regulator flagged...
