☕️ NSW MP resigns after abuse charges

Did you see lots of headlines last week about the Census and what questions should be included? If you need help understanding what all those headlines meant, we break it down in today’s podcast. You can listen here.

“It is a historic success for us. It is the first time we have become the strongest force in a state election. It is a requiem for this coalition [in Berlin].” - Leader of the Alternative for Germany Party, Alice Weidel, after it was projected her party would become the first far-right party to win a state election in Germany since WWII.

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Australia’s place on the medal tally after four days of the Paris Paralympics. At the time of writing, Australian Paralympians have won 6 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze medals. For more news from Paris, sign up to TDA’s sport newsletter here.

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World War II ended with the formal signing of surrender documents.

The Opposition frontbencher represents Pittwater, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. He was elected to the State Parliament last year.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called the charges against Amon “extremely serious.”

Amon has reportedly been charged with a range of offences including sexually assaulting a child aged between 10 and 14, and indecent assault.

NSW Police said they began investigating an alleged sexual assault of a teen boy in June 2022. The reported incident took place in 2017.

The 35-year-old was granted bail and is expected to face court next month.

Speakman said: “The alleged conduct strikes at the heart of the standards expected of Members of Parliament.”

A statement from the NSW Opposition leader said: “Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amon’s immediate resignation from the Liberal Party.”

Speakman noted that while Amon is “entitled to the presumption of innocence,” legal proceedings could be lengthy. He said “the citizens of Pittwater” deserve an MP who can serve the community “fully.”

Details of a by-election are expected to follow.

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Reporting by Lucy Tassell.

Hundreds of people are expected to participate in rallies following the death of a 23-year-old Tamil asylum seeker.

Mano Yogalingam took his own life in public last week.

In the week before he died, Yogalingam had protested outside the Department of Home Affairs for the faster processing of permanent visas for asylum seekers.

The Government has said it “provides protection [to asylum seekers] consistent with its international obligations”.

Yogalingam arrived in Australia at 11-years-old with his parents and four siblings, after fleeing persecution in Sri Lanka in 2012.

Yogalingam’s family are Christian Tamils, part of a minority group in Sri Lanka who face persecution.

They arrived in Australia on a boat from India and were detained for several months before being released into the community.

Yogalingam had been waiting for over 12 years for permanent residency.

In the final weeks of his life, Yogalingam had been part of a protest in Melbourne calling for faster permanent visa processing.

The Tamil Refugee Council described the 23-year-old as a “tenacious activist and fighter” who lived a life “full of torment and suffering”.

It said the incident is the “heartbreaking outcome” of Australia’s “inhumane policies” that leave “countless refugees” living in fear of being forced to “return to the prosecution [they’d] fled.”

The Department of Home Affairs said its “condolences are with family members and other individuals impacted at this difficult time.”

For privacy reasons, the Department said it could not comment on Yogalingam’s visa status.

A spokesperson told TDA that the Government is focused on the protection of asylum seekers and its standard remains consistent with “its international obligations.”

Reporting by Achol Arok.

Documentary recommendation: Further Together: The Story of Zorali

Revolutionising outdoor gear with a focus on sustainability and durability, Zorali was founded by Cam and Elise Greenwood. They’re dedicated to creating high-quality products that can stand up to adventure while minimising their environmental footprint.

Further Together is their new documentary that delves into the highs and lows of building a business, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create a brand that’s as good for the planet as it is for outdoor enthusiasts!

Watch the documentary on YouTube here.

The sacred artefacts were taken back to Vanuatu through the U.S. Embassy in Canberra. An FBI representative in the Pacific said: “There’s no better feeling than returning these artefacts to their rightful owners”.

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

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

Do you love avocados? Ever wish they were…bigger? Today’s your lucky day.

A Queensland avo farm has grown a supersized avocado that weighs over a kilogram. A… kilo-cado? You read that right! These Jala avocados generally weigh between one and two kilos.

The best part? You can grow them yourself. A nursery in Queensland’s Gympie region is now taking pre-orders for Jala Avocado plants.

This giant avo variety is said to be more productive compared to similar “large fruiting” plants. The catch? It can take two to three years to fruit.

Who’s keen for a really big bowl of guacamole…in 2026ish?

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

The Federal Government has changed its stance on including questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics in the next census. It follows mounting pressure from LGBTQ+ advocates and several Government MPs. In today’s deep dive, we’ll take you through the census controversy, the backlash and the backflip.