☕️ ABC's racism review

A reminder that daylight saving begins on Sunday, 6 October for those in NSW Vic, SA, Tassie and the ACT. I personally am looking forward to rocking up to my Sunday morning plans at the wrong time.

Have a great weekend!

“It is time for women.”
Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, in her inaugural speech.

73.87%
The new peak record for the largest portion of energy generated by renewable sources, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). It lasted from 11am to 11:30am on 1 October.

1957
Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, was launched from Earth.

A doctor charged in relation to the death of Matthew Perry has pleaded guilty to illegally supplying ketamine to the 'Friends' actor.

Perry died in his Los Angeles home in October 2023. An autopsy conducted following his death found it was due to a ketamine overdose.

Five people were charged over Perry’s death. Three people have already pleaded guilty to some offences.

Dr Mark Chavez could face up to 10 years imprisonment.

Perry died on 28 October after he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home. Two months later, medical examiners ruled Perry accidentally died due to “acute effects of ketamine”.

The autopsy found Perry had as much ketamine in his body as an anaesthetist would use to put someone under for surgery.

In his memoir ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’, Perry spoke openly about his drug addiction and also detailed his use of medical ketamine to treat depression and anxiety.

Five people were charged in relation to Perry’s death; two doctors, Perry’s live-in assistant, a friend, and an alleged drug dealer.

U.S. Federal Attorney Martin Estrada alleged the five people plotted to profit off Perry’s substance addictions.

In court documents obtained by U.S. media, prosecutors accuse Perry’s doctor and a drug dealer of planning to provide the actor with ketamine.

In a text exchange, the doctor asks: “I wonder how much this moron will pay” for the drugs.

Ketamine is commonly known as an anaesthetic or an illicit substance. However, it has become prescribed in some states and countries for treatment-resistant depression.

Perry had a legal prescription for ketamine, but it’s been alleged that he sought further doses.

Two months before Perry’s death, he paid around $55,000 in cash for ketamine. His live-in assistant reportedly injected Perry with at least 27 shots of Ketamine in the days before his death.

This week, Perry’s doctor pleaded guilty to the illegal distribution of ketamine.

In court, Chavez admitted to using a fake prescription – under a different patient’s name – with the intention of obtaining ketamine for Perry.

Chavez’s guilty plea was part of an agreement that would see lesser charges in exchange for cooperation with the investigation.

The 54-year-old will face sentencing in court in April next year.

The second doctor, Salvador Plasencia, and the alleged drug dealer, Jasveen Sangha, have both pleaded not guilty.

According to reporting on court documents, Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine and provided vials (containing further doses) to the live-in assistant.

Plasencia’s lawyer argued that the ketamine provided was under a legitimate prescription.

Plasencia and Sangha are expected to face trial in court next year.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

The ABC has issued an apology to current and former diverse staff who detailed their experiences of racism in a newly released report.

It comes as the findings of an independent review, commissioned by the ABC, found “systemic issues” within the public broadcaster.

Of the 120 participants involved in the review, only one had not experienced racism in the workplace.

Calls for an independent review came following several high-profile resignations from the public broadcaster.

The ABC’s Managing Director formally commissioned the report in May 2023, after some of its most senior Indigenous staff members echoed the calls.

The “Listen Loudly, Act Strongly” review was led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke.

The review found reports of both overt and covert racism such as stereotyping, poor management, and having assumed issues on impartiality.

The majority of participants reported the ABC is a “culturally unsafe” workplace. This includes the use of racial slurs, offensive comments about appearance or cultural practices, and staff being socially excluded due to their background.

Staff also reported experiencing abuse from “individuals and organisations in connection with their work", detailing incidences of being racially targeted while field reporting.

The report found that “entrenched” racism created barriers when it came to recruitment, employment contracts, pay discrepancies, staff support, and complaints systems.

Out of the 120 participants, only one said they had not personally experienced racism within the ABC, but that they had been aware of incidents within the workplace.

Many participants said “despite the challenges to come forward”, they wanted the public broadcaster to succeed and develop.

The review made 15 recommendations that included improving cultural representation through recruitment, providing further organisation-wide cultural training, and improving diverse representation at a management level.

It also recommended the ABC conduct a pay audit of all First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse staff.

The ABC said it’s agreed to all the recommendations in principle and has developed a list of action items to begin implementing change.

ABC Manager Director David Anderson, who will step down from the role next year after resigning in August, called the review “an important piece of work”.

Anderson said the behaviours detailed were “completely unacceptable” and “shouldn't have happened”.

“If people believe that it's ok to behave like this, this is not the place for them... This must stop. It must stop in society and it must stop for the ABC.”

Reporting by Achol Arok.

The must-see destination for all overseas travellers

Though TikTok might be great for discovering hidden spots and unique experiences, Smartraveller should be the first destination for all Australians planning to travel overseas. It provides essential information to help you make sure your trip goes safely and smoothly.

For every type of traveller

Travel has changed a lot in the 21 years since Smartraveller launched, but staying safe overseas is as important as ever. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or heading overseas for the first time, Smartraveller offers much more than just destination risk ratings. With country-specific advice on over 175 destinations, you can access local travel and cultural tips, health information, visa requirements, and guidance on what to do if you need help overseas.

Visit Smartraveller.gov.au, act on its travel advice, subscribe for free updates, and follow their social media to stay informed.

Scientists from Princeton University found the poppy-seed-sized brain of a fruit fly contains over 139,000 nerve cells with nearly 55 million connections. It took nearly two decades to map the tiny brain in such detail. Researchers said most people thought the project was either not possible, or that even if they were successful, “the data would be useless.” However, the findings have given neuroscientists new insights. For example, how brains react to changes in light and motion, and how information flows to the brain. The map could also give new insights into how nervous systems work generally.

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

Happy Fat Bear Week!

If you’re unfamiliar, Fat Bear Week is an online poll/annual celebration of the brown bears of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Voters can have their say on the bear they think worked hardest over the summer to ‘fatten up’ for their winter hibernation. 

Pairs of bears are pitted against each other in a series of elimination votes from 2 to 8 October. The public votes for their favourite of each pair-up, with the most popular bear advancing to the next round.

The bear who makes it through every elimination round is declared the winner of Fat Bear Week. 

This year, the competition was delayed due to the tragic death of bear 402, who was killed by bear 469 in a fight. 

Me, personally? I’ll be voting for 856, he’s such a cutie. 402, may you rest in peace.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

The Government has released an updated list of support services available to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. It flagged planned changes earlier this year but didn’t hand down details until this week. Internet, gym memberships, marriage counselling, wellness coaching and sex services are among the list of things not covered by the NDIS. Some disability advocates have raised concerns that they weren't given enough notice about the changes. In today's deep dive, we'll explore what's changed, what it means for participants, and what the reaction has been like.