Big Bat News

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Drone Captures Rare Humpback Whale Birth Near Kingscliff

A drone has captured what appears to be a humpback whale giving birth off Kingscliff on the NSW north coast. The footage was filmed on Tuesday afternoon by drone operator Alexander Forrest while he was volunteering with ORRCA. He was filming from about 700 metres away and only realised what he had recorded after the calf surfaced.

Researchers say the video may be the first time a humpback whale birth has been recorded by drone, and only the fourth time a humpback birth has ever been captured on camera. The mother and calf were later seen swimming together, and experts say the footage could help improve understanding of whale birthing behaviour. ORRCA also said the drone stayed more than 100 metres away, following NSW wildlife rules.

#WhaleBirth #HumpbackWhale #DroneFootage #ORRCA #MarineLife #NSW #WildlifeResearch

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Melbourne takes nine spots on crash hotspot list

Melbourne has dominated Australia’s latest crash hotspot rankings, with nine of the country’s 10 worst crash locations now in the city, according to the 2026 AAMI Crash Index. The report is based on more than 394,000 motor insurance claims made during 2025 and suggests the problem is spread across several busy arterial routes, not just one intersection.

Springvale Road in Glen Waverley has been named the nation’s worst crash hotspot for the first time in eight years, replacing Plenty Road in Bundoora after its long run at No. 1. Most hotspots saw rear-end crashes as the most common incident, while Doncaster Road stood out for failure-to-give-way crashes. The only non-Victorian road in the top 10 was Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford, Sydney.

#melbourne #aamicrashindex #crashhotspots #roadsafety #springvaleroad #plentyroad #intersectiondesign

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Australia’s Inflation Cools, But Rate Hike Risk Lingers

Australia’s inflation eased in June 2026, with headline CPI rising 3.8% over the year, down from 4.0% in May. Prices rose 0.6% over the quarter, while the trimmed mean measure held at 3.6% annually. Housing remained the biggest driver of inflation, but falling fuel prices helped bring the overall number down.

The softer result makes an August rate hike from the Reserve Bank of Australia less likely, but it’s not off the table. Core inflation is still above the RBA’s 2% to 3% target band, and analysts say services and housing pressures remain stubborn. In short, inflation is cooling, but not enough to guarantee lower interest rates anytime soon.

#Inflation #CPI #Australia #RBA #InterestRates #HousingCosts #Economy

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High-THC Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing Sparks New Safety Questions

A new review is raising concern that some Australian doctors are prescribing medicinal cannabis with THC levels far higher than those tested in clinical trials. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and higher doses can increase the risk of side effects, dependence, and acute harms. The report says there is no upper limit on THC strength for products sold in Australia, with some products reportedly ranging from 13% to 88% THC.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration says most medicinal cannabis is accessed as an “unapproved” product through the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber pathway, not like a standard approved medicine. The review and reporting also point to safety reports to the TGA, and concerns about rushed consultations and high-volume prescribing. The debate now is how to balance patient access with stronger safeguards and better evidence.

#MedicinalCannabis #THC #CannabisRegulation #AustraliaHealth #PatientSafety #TGA #AccessVsSafety

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Brisbane renters still finding value beyond inner suburbs

Brisbane’s rental market is still tight, but new suburb-level reporting shows there are still pockets of value if you look beyond the usual inner-city hotspots. Suburbs in the middle and outer rings, plus growth areas, are being watched because they can offer lower rents and entry prices while still keeping solid demand.

Recent coverage has pointed to places like Churchill, Goodna, Leichhardt, Crestmead, Acacia Ridge, Inala, Zillmere, Clontarf and Victoria Point. The market has cooled compared with the earlier boom, but that hasn’t made housing “cheap” again. Instead, it’s becoming more suburb-specific, where comparing local conditions matters more. For renters, value often means a practical compromise: decent transport, services and liveability without paying premium inner-city prices. For investors, strong tenant demand in these areas can help support occupancy and yield over time.

#BrisbaneRentals #ValueSuburbs #Goodna #Inala #Crestmead #Clontarf #VictoriaPoint

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Woodside revenue hits $6bn amid LNG spike

Woodside Energy’s June-quarter revenue jumped to about $6 billion, up nearly 30%, as LNG and oil prices rose sharply. The spike is linked to Middle East conflict-driven disruptions, which pushed buyers to look for LNG cargoes outside the Persian Gulf and boosted demand for Australian supply, especially from Asian customers.

Even though Woodside’s production was slightly lower due to planned maintenance and cyclone recovery, higher realised prices more than made up the difference. The stronger market is also lifting Australia’s LNG export outlook, with forecasts rising from $59 billion in 2026 to $65 billion in 2027. At the same time, the result has reignited debate in Canberra over whether gas exporters should pay more tax, with critics pointing to the PRRT as not delivering enough public return during windfall periods.

#woodside #lng #australia #energy #oilgas #exportrevenue #prrt

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Perth house fire sparks fresh lithium battery warning

Perth emergency crews were called to a home in the city’s east after an early-morning fire ripped through a garage. A lithium-ion battery was blamed as the likely cause, with reports warning the fire spread fast and caused serious damage. The incident is renewing concern about how quickly lithium-ion battery fires can escalate once “thermal runaway” begins.

It follows another Perth-area case reported earlier in July, when a robot vacuum battery fire in Brabham seriously injured a man. WA authorities (DFES) have warned that failing batteries can ignite violently and release toxic gases. These incidents are a reminder to be careful with charging, avoid using damaged batteries, and treat swollen or overheating devices as a serious risk.

#LithiumIonBattery #BatterySafety #FireSafety #Perth #WesternAustralia #RobotVacuum #HomeSafety

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Mortgage stress surges in Sydney’s affluent suburbs

Sydney’s mortgage stress picture is changing. New Q2 2026 data shows severe mortgage stress is rising fast in some higher-income suburbs, including Bilgola, Dee Why and Castlecrag. Bilgola recorded the biggest quarterly jump in Australia, up 515% from 279 households to 1,715, while Dee Why and Castlecrag also ranked among the national top 10 risers.

Even with these spikes, Western Sydney remains the main centre of mortgage stress. Liverpool still has the highest number of stressed households in NSW, at 14,705, and seven of the state’s 10 most stressed postcodes are still in Western Sydney local government areas. The report suggests bigger mortgages in expensive suburbs mean even modest repayment increases can cause a sudden cash-flow shock.

#MortgageStress #SydneyHousing #WesternSydney #CoastalSuburbs #Bilgola #DeeWhy #Castlecrag

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Australia Post to lift letter stamp price in 2026

Australia Post will raise the standard small letter stamp price from $1.70 to $1.85 from 1 September 2026, after the ACCC said it would not object. The increase can still be stopped if the Communications Minister intervenes, but for now the new rate is set.

Australia Post says the change is needed as letter volumes keep falling and costs are harder to recover. Large letter prices will also rise on the same date, and the company says the average household may pay around 75 cents more per year, while businesses will likely feel a bigger hit. Concession and seasonal greeting stamp prices will stay the same, and the annual limit for concession stamp purchases will increase from 50 to 75.

#AustraliaPost #PostagePrices #PostageRise #LetterPost #SmallLetters #LargeLetters #ConcessionStamps

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Major Police Incident Shuts Main North Road Southbound

A major police operation is underway at Elizabeth East in Adelaide’s north, with southbound lanes on Main North Road blocked and traffic being diverted near Fairfield Road. South Australia Police say officers are managing the scene, and drivers are being redirected around the area.

ABC reports a large emergency turnout, including at least a dozen police vehicles and support from the Metropolitan Fire Service. 7NEWS says paramedics are also involved, and MedSTAR and other crews were sent to nearby Halsey Road. Authorities have not yet shared full details, but police are expected to provide more information later today. If you’re travelling through the area, plan extra time and follow detours.

#Adelaide #ElizabethEast #MainNorthRoad #PoliceOperation #TrafficUpdate #EmergencyServices #SouthAustralia

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Sydney raid uncovers grenades, guns and drugs stash

Police say they’ve uncovered a major weapons and drug stash at an alleged safe house in Glenfield, in Sydney’s south-west. During a Taskforce Falcon raid linked to a firearm prohibition order, officers allegedly seized six live grenades, eight guns (including semi-automatic firearms), firearm parts, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Police also claim they found 15kg of cannabis and 6kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth about $3 million on the street, plus electronic devices and $9,000 in cash.

A 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. The man was refused bail and faces 27 charges, while the woman was charged over allegedly helping operate a drug premises and was granted bail ahead of an August 27 court date. Police say the seizure is part of ongoing action against organised crime across Sydney.

#Glenfield #SydneySouthWest #PoliceRaid #DrugBust #WeaponsSeizure #CriminalInvestigation #TaskforceFalcon

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Accidental UQ lab finding may block many viruses

A University of Queensland researcher has made an accidental discovery that could lead to a new kind of antiviral medicine. Dr Merja Joensuu noticed a key pathway inside human cells that many viruses appear to rely on. An international team later found a compound that blocks the human enzyme NMT1, which is already being studied as a cancer treatment.

Instead of attacking the virus directly, the idea is to disrupt how infected cells assemble new virus particles. In lab tests using cell cultures, infection dropped by up to 90% after two days against viruses like SARS‑CoV‑2, RSV, and vesicular stomatitis virus. The treatment may work best as prevention or very early after exposure, and it could potentially be useful even against high-risk viruses like Ebola and hantavirus if future studies confirm the results.

#BrisbaneScience #AntiviralResearch #BroadSpectrumAntivirals #NMT1Inhibitor #Ebola #Hantavirus #UniversityOfQueensland

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Banks refunded $55m after offset account mistakes

ASIC says some banks mishandled mortgage offset accounts, which meant borrowers were charged interest on more of their home loan than they should have. Banks have already repaid over $55 million to customers in the past two years, and the total could grow as more cases are fixed.

The review looked at more than 200,000 home loans across eight lenders covering over 70% of the market. ASIC found accounts were sometimes not linked properly, became unlinked during refinancing or product changes, or were not monitored well. Many borrowers may not notice, because repayments can stay the same while interest quietly increases and the loan takes longer to pay off. ASIC is urging people to double-check their offset is connected and to complain to their bank if the figures don’t add up.

#ASIC #OffsetAccounts #MortgageSavings #HomeLoans #AustralianBanks #FinancialRegulation #ConsumerProtection

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Resurfaced interview reignites debate over Doctor Jihad

A resurfaced prison interview has brought Australian-born doctor Tareq Kamleh, once known as “Dr Jihad”, back into public focus. In the German-funded documentary interview recorded while he was detained in Syria, Kamleh denies he ever formally joined Islamic State or pledged allegiance. He claims he went to Syria to work as a doctor and hoped to serve with Médecins Sans Frontières, but later entered ISIS-controlled territory via Türkiye.

Recent Australian reporting says Kamleh is alive and being held in an Iraqi prison after years of being presumed dead. The Australian Federal Police has charged him with terrorism offences, including allegedly joining and recruiting for ISIS. Iraqi officials say his activities may have gone beyond medical work, and investigations are continuing. The Australian government has again said it will not assist Australians who joined the terrorist group to return home.

#ResurfacedInterview #TareqKamleh #DrJihad #IslamicState #ISIS #Syria #AustralianNews

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Angus Taylor slips as One Nation surge cools

New polling suggests Australia’s opposition politics are shifting again. The latest Guardian Essential poll shows One Nation still sitting on strong support, but its rapid rise may be slowing. One Nation’s primary vote was 25%, down slightly from June and below its May high. Labor edged up to 31%, while the Coalition slipped to 22%, suggesting the race is still competitive but the recent momentum is less clear.

The sharper story is Angus Taylor’s personal ratings. His approval fell and his disapproval climbed, leaving him deeper in negative territory. At the same time, voters are still highly focused on cost of living and inflation, with most respondents rating Labor’s performance on those issues as poor. Other polling from YouGov and Roy Morgan broadly points to the same pattern: One Nation remains elevated, but the Coalition is struggling to turn the situation into stronger support.

#OneNation #Polling #AustralianPolitics #AngusTaylor #Inflation #CostOfLiving #Labor

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Apple and pear prices surge as weather hits supply

Apple prices across Australia are climbing, with shoppers paying around 30–40% more than this time last year. The main issue is tighter supply after a difficult growing season. Wholesalers say last year’s hot, dry spring reduced flowering and fruit set, leaving fewer apples available and more fruit coming through undersized, which can also affect quality on shelves.

It’s not just apples. Pears have been hit by the same conditions, and prices are reported to be up about 40–50% compared with last season. With supply expected to stay tight for months, many households may need to brace for higher fruit bills and less consistent produce until conditions improve and the next seasons start to rebuild stock.

#Australia #ApplePrices #PearPrices #ProduceShortage #GroceryPrices #FoodNews #ShopSmart

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Police Search for Missing Baby After SA Tragedy

South Australia Police are investigating a tragedy near Port MacDonnell after a 36-year-old woman and her 23-month-old daughter were found dead in the water. Police say the woman’s baby son is still missing, and search crews are continuing operations along the coastline and in the ocean despite difficult conditions.

The incident began when the woman’s car was found abandoned near Cape Northumberland with its engine running, prompting an emergency search. Reports say police are treating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide and have asked the public for help, including dashcam footage or sightings that could clarify the family’s movements and the location of the missing infant.

#PortMacDonnell #SouthAustralia #TragicNews #MissingBaby #PoliceInvestigation #SearchAndRescue #CommunitySupport

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Queensland plans nightlife revamp before Brisbane 2032

Queensland has released its first Nightlife Economy report, with commissioner John “JC” Collins calling for major changes to help revive Brisbane’s nightlife ahead of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics. He says the state’s liquor laws are outdated and create too much pressure on venues, especially around late-night trade and how complaints are handled.

The government has ruled out changing Christmas and Easter trading hours, but it is considering other reforms. These include cutting red tape, making liquor licences cheaper for live music venues, and updating noise rules so compliance action would require complaints from five separate households. The plan also looks at incentives for big touring acts to include local support artists, with a wider focus on backing grassroots music and hospitality.

#QueenslandNightlife #NightlifeEconomy #LiveMusic #LiquorLaws #NoiseRegulations #BrisbaneNightlife #Olympics2032

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Perth tradie shortage stays severe despite top wages

Perth is facing one of the worst tradie shortages in Australia, even though wages are among the highest in the country. New Housing Industry Association (HIA) figures show Perth is tied with Adelaide for the deepest shortage among capital cities, sitting well below the national average. The problem is even more serious in regional WA, which has the worst shortage reading nationwide.

Pay rises alone are not solving it. Perth tradie wages have climbed strongly over the past three years, yet builders are still struggling to find workers. Bricklayers are in the shortest supply, followed by tilers and roofers, and some skilled bricklayers can earn around $70 an hour. On top of that, other industries like data centres may be pulling tradies away from housing work, adding more pressure. For homeowners, this can mean delays and ongoing strain on new housing supply.

#Perth #Tradies #Construction #HousingShortage #WesternAustralia #Bricklaying #BuildingIndustry

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Darwin public servant charged in $28m NDIS fraud probe

A Darwin public servant has been charged after police alleged she used her government role to refer vulnerable and “at-risk” people to an NDIS business she co-owned. Investigators say the company lodged more than $28 million in NDIA claims since 2019, with around $18 million flagged as allegedly suspicious.

The Australian Federal Police said the 39-year-old was arrested on 28 July 2026 in a joint operation with the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and Northern Territory Police. She faces five charges including corruption, dishonestly obtaining a financial benefit, deception, and alleged misuse of protected NDIS information. She was granted bail and is due in Darwin Local Court on 29 July 2026. The NT Department of Children and Families said it cooperated fully and acted once aware of the claims.

#NDISfraud #DisabilityFraud #PublicServant #DarwinNT #AFP #NTPolice #FraudInvestigation