If you were forwarded this email (Hi! Welcome!), you can sign up to the newsletter here.
Good morning!
We have some news – we’re throwing another event!
On 19 March, we’re teaming up with FUJIFILM Australia for a morning of TDA Culture, in person: a live Q&A, camera workshops, and coffee + breakfast. And it’s all free.
The event will be at Rainbow Studios in Darlinghurst, Sydney. The TDA team will be there and we’d love to meet you!
Spots are limited, so RSVP to secure yours here. And subscribe to our TDA Culture newsletter here.
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “Difficult.”
The word Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used to describe 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, in a word association game. Speaking at the Herald Sun's Future Victoria summit, the PM used the words "best wishes" to describe former Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, and "grub" for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The stat: $66,500. The amount of superannuation Australians need by the age of 30 in order to retire comfortably at 67, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
The big question:
Yesterday’s results: 58% of you said you do not meal prep. [1,261 votes].
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the first round of inflation data for 2026. The figures show headline inflation – which includes a broad range of goods and services – remained steady for January at 3.8%. However, the annual trimmed mean (the rate of inflation once you remove extreme price changes on either side) increased from 3.3% to 3.4%. Housing was the largest contributor to rising prices, up 6.8%, while electricity costs rose by 32.2% in the 12 months to January. That increase was due to the end of state and federal rebates for power bills. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned higher levels of inflation will stick around for several months, with the Reserve Bank expected to lift interest rates further when it meets next month.
NSW Police have arrested two men over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian. Remains believed to be those of the Sydney grandfather were found in bushland on the northern outskirts of the city on Tuesday, 11 days after his abduction. Baghsarian was taken from his home on 13 February in what authorities believe to be a case of mistaken identity. Police suspect the intended target for the abduction was a person with links to organised crime who lived nearby. Detectives arrested a 29-year-old and a 24-year-old man in northwest Sydney this morning. They remain under police questioning as investigations continue.
Together with AAP.
Recommendation of the day
The easiest way to support local (while doing your normal shop)
Australian Made is running its biggest national campaign yet, reminding us that supporting local doesn’t have to mean changing how you shop. Made Right Here highlights just how many Australian-made options already exist across everyday products.
The green and gold kangaroo has helped Australians make confident choices for 40 years – so next time you’re shopping, just look for the logo.
I’ve got 1 minute
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his Canberra residence on Tuesday evening after reports of a security threat.
The Australian Federal Police responded to “an alleged security incident” at around 6pm.
“A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located,” the AFP said.
Government and Opposition MPs have condemned the threat.
The Lodge
The Lodge has been the Prime Minister’s official Canberra residence since 1927.
Almost every PM since has lived in The Lodge during their stays in Canberra, such as for parliamentary sittings.
Unlike its U.S. and UK equivalents, The Lodge does not double as an official workplace for the PM. It is also closed to the public.
The other official prime ministerial residence is Kirribilli House in Sydney.
Evacuation
The AFP evacuated Albanese from The Lodge around 6pm on Tuesday over “an alleged security incident.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Albanese was taken to another location, before returning to The Lodge around 9pm.
Speaking to ABC Radio National on Wednesday morning, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the incident was “very troubling”.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor called the threat “utterly abhorrent,” saying he was “pleased to hear” Albanese is “safe and well”.
On Wednesday morning, Albanese shared a photo of his dog, Toto, to Instagram with the caption: “Toto on alert but all good.”
The PM also thanked the AFP for their “ongoing work and professionalism,” as well as the “people who sent kind messages of care and support.”
Several media outlets have since reported the threat was made by an unknown person or group towards the Chinese dance troupe Shen Yun, calling on them to stop their performance or The Lodge would be blown up.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, we unpack the antisemitism Royal Commission.
🎭 Did you know TDA had a culture newsletter? You can sign up for the important pop culture news stories of the week right here, landing in your inbox this afternoon.
Sun fact of the day
Shorts, tee, quick errand...and yes, your arms and legs are copping all that sun exposure. Choose long, lightweight pieces that protect your skin.
*Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.
I’ve got 2 minutes
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has said her Government will “standardise the guidelines for how endometriosis is diagnosed” following allegations of surgical misconduct by a gynaecologist.
In an episode broadcast on Monday, ABC’s Four Corners investigated Dr Simon Gordon, a retired gynaecologist, who they allege performed unnecessary endometriosis surgeries.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Endometriosis is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.
More than one million Australians have endometriosis, which can cause debilitating pain in the pelvic region, and can be associated with infertility.
A laparoscopy is a surgery performed to help diagnose endometriosis.
Surgeons make a small cut in the abdomen, then insert a laparoscope (a light and camera) to see inside the body.
Allegations
Four Corners investigated Dr Simon Gordon, a former gynaecologist at Melbourne’s Epworth Private Hospital.
The program found that Dr Gordon removed tissue and organs from several young women’s bodies, saying they had “severe” endometriosis.
Testing showed they had little or no trace of the disease.
The ABC found clinicians and patients filed complaints about Dr Gordon to Epworth, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), and to Victoria’s Health Complaints Commission.
Despite the complaints, Dr Gordon continued practising until Epworth asked him to go on leave in October 2025, upon learning about the ABC investigation.
He retired one week later.
Dr Gordon’s patient Courtney Paton told Four Corners he had performed seven surgeries on her for “severe” endometriosis, including the removal of both of her ovaries and uterus.
Pathology records later shared with Paton showed “a clinically insignificant amount of possible endometriosis,” according to another gynaecologist.
The details aired in the Four Corners episode have not been tested in court.
Dr Gordon told the ABC: “For generations, the pain suffered by women was ignored, downplayed and untreated. My concern was to try and alleviate pain and restore quality of life for female patients”.
Response
In a statement on Tuesday, Allan said she was “sickened” by the allegations.
Allan has previously spoken about her experience with endometriosis, and in her statement shared that she has undergone laparoscopic surgery.
The Premier said she had “referred these allegations to Victoria Police,” adding that “performing unnecessary surgery is a crime, removing a woman’s organs without a clinical need is a crime, and assisting in that conduct is a crime.”
Epworth said it could not comment while “investigations are underway”.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
A message from BPAY®
Make adulting easier with BPAY®
Bill-paying stress? We’ve all been there – staring at rent, energy, water or credit card bills, thinking “I’ll do it later”, then panicking about whether you actually paid. BPAY has been helping people in Australia pay bills securely for over 28 years.
From phone banking in the ’90s to scheduling payments straight from your banking app today, BPAY lets you pay without sharing bank or card details. Once you’ve made a payment, the Biller’s details are saved for next time, making future payments quick and easy.
Less time worrying about bills. More time getting on with life.
Give me some good news
Australian photographer Jono Allen has taken out the top prize at this year’s World Nature Photographer of the Year awards.
Allen won with his image of a rare white humpback whale calf travelling with her mother off the coast of Tonga. The underwater photographer called the moment “one of the most extraordinary days I have ever experienced in the ocean”. One in every 40,000 humpbacks is born white, which can be attributed to either leucism (partial lack of pigment) or albinism (no pigment at all). The calf was first spotted in 2024. At the time, Allen noted she “does not have the red eyes often seen in albino individuals, but instead striking black eyes. It’s currently unclear if she is an albino or leucistic”.
Reporting by Emma Gillespie.
TDA titbit
Credit: Airbnb
Months after ‘Heated Rivalry’ took over the internet, fans can now take things one step further by staying inside the world of the show. That’s right: you can come to the cottage.
The three-bedroom home where scenes from ‘Heated Rivalry’ were shot has been listed on Airbnb, with bookings opening on 3 March.
The home includes private lakefront access, a sandy beach, and an indoor fireplace.
The nightly rate is $CA248.10 ($AU255), a nod to the central characters’ jersey numbers, 24 and 81.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA asks
