☕ Federal MP critically injured in 'deliberate act'

As you'll see below, federal Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after what PM Anthony Albanese labelled a “targeted attack” yesterday afternoon.

Since the incident, politicians from across the political spectrum have expressed their concern and admiration for Haines.

More details below.

The quote: “Decent leaders don’t stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy... If you think it’s a laughable matter, about women having problems with their reproductive system, then you be my guest and you stand by her.”
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie speaking to ABC Radio National about an episode of Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain cartoon, which mocked a speech Lambie made in Parliament about experiencing a vaginal prolapse.

The stat: $US50 million ($AU71 million). The value of the ‘Fantasy Bra’ worn by Kylie Jenner at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The bra is entirely made of gold and diamonds.

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Yesterday’s results: 40% of you said you started (or would start) a side hustle to increase your income and financial stability, while 15% of you said it would be to find greater work-life balance. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA’s journalism and research. [1,351 votes]

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Police are investigating a possible targeted attack on Independent MP Helen Haines.

Haines is in hospital in a critical condition after being hit by a car near her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. She is an Independent MP for the Victorian seat of Indi – a position she has held since the 2019 federal election.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “critical and serious”.

Victoria Police said a white car struck Haines outside her office at 3:35pm on Monday.

She has been taken to hospital with critical injuries. A man has been arrested. Police said they are investigating whether it was intentional.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia’s joint counter-terrorism team has been activated. Speaking to ABC’s 7:30 last night, Albanese said: “This wasn't an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear. We don't know what the motivation is.”

Independent MP Helen Haines’ family said in a statement on Monday evening: “This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care... Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”

🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, features editor Emma explains what’s been going on with Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.

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NSW Health has warned of a sharp rise in emergency department presentations linked to the use of unapproved peptides.

The department said monthly presentations have risen from five in July 2025 to 217 in September 2026.

A quarter of presentations in that time period were people aged 16-24, with 71% of all visits mentioning the illegal peptide ‘retatrutide’.

It comes months after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned that unapproved peptides are a growing public health risk.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.

In simple terms, peptides are smaller versions of proteins that help regulate a range of bodily processes, including tissue growth and repair.

Some peptides occur naturally in the body, including insulin and endorphins.

Peptides have been used in medicine for around a century, with insulin among the first developed to treat type 1 diabetes.

The TGA has repeatedly cautioned consumers about peptides promoted on social media despite not being evaluated for safety, quality or effectiveness.

The regulator says unapproved peptides can carry risks including contamination, incorrect dosing and allergic reactions.

It has also raised concerns that many of the claimed benefits remain unproven.

In March, University of Queensland senior research fellow Dr Tim Piątkowski told TDA many unregulated peptides were essentially “Chinese research chemicals” being marketed directly to consumers.

New NSW Health data shows 217 emergency department visits in September mentioned unapproved peptide use – up from five in July 2025. Across those 15 months, there were 1,180 ED visits where peptides were mentioned, with 18% ending in a hospital admission.

Health professionals have reported serious illnesses linked to peptide use, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and chest pain.

NSW Health says these products may contain unknown or harmful substances. It also warned the peptides might not be labelled correctly, or be stronger than advertised.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: “A professional looking website, a label, purity claim, reviews, or influencer endorsement is not proof of what is inside the product.”

Reporting by Elliot Lawry.

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It’s estimated the vessel sank over 4,500 years ago during the early Bronze Age, around the same time Egypt’s first pyramids were being built. The ship’s wooden structure has decayed over time, but divers found more than 30 ceramic storage pots it was carrying perfectly preserved on the sea floor. Macquarie University archaeologist Dr Karin Sowada examined the recovered artefacts, as work begins to determine what cargo the pots were transporting. “It could be olive oil, it could be wine, it could be tree resins,” she said.

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

Researchers trying to find out what happened to Amelia Earhart have hit a major snag.

A satellite image they thought was leading them to the wreckage of her plane turned out to be showing them… a clump of trees.

The team, based out of Purdue University in the U.S, travelled to the remote South Pacific island of Nikumaroro to investigate what was being called the Taraia Object, first spotted back in 2020. They’ve now discovered that what seemed like a plane was only the remains of some knocked over trees.

The coconut crab theory remains supreme.

Reporting by Lucy Tassell.