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Good morning!
This morning we published our interview with Communications Minister Anika Wells. We discuss:
Is the social media ban actually working?
The Opposition believes the Duty of Care bill is censorship. What’s the Government’s response to that?
What has Wells changed since it was revealed she breached taxpayer-funded travel rules?
You can listen to the episode on Spotify here, Apple here, and YouTube here.
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but… the surgeons had to also remove her right leg.”
Phil Haines, the husband of independent MP Helen Haines, confirming she has now lost both legs as a result of the alleged attack on Monday afternoon. A 43-year-old man has been charged with three offences in relation to what police have described as a targeted attack.
The stat: $99. The new cost of an annual subscription to Amazon Prime for Australian customers, up from $79 per year. The increase comes into effect immediately for new members and from 25 November for current members.
The big question:
Some have proposed a mandatory year of national service for young Australians, in areas like healthcare, emergency services, agriculture or the military. Would you support it?
Yesterday’s results: 82% of you think political discussion online is too heated, while 18% don’t. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [1,684 votes].
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
A Queensland teen has been accused of hate crimes after allegedly threatening a family. The 19-year-old has been charged following the alleged “hate-motivated” incident in Brisbane’s inner-east. Police allege the man made a number of abusive remarks and threats towards a family at a Morningside home early on Monday. In an update on Wednesday, a police statement said detectives from the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group charged the man with three counts of threats, serious vilification or hate crime.
The United Nations is launching a new initiative on the military uses of AI, aimed at addressing concerns about the threat the technology could pose to humanity. The project, led by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, will establish the first international forum for key players to try to tackle the issue. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, agency director Robin Geiss warned, “the margin for human judgment is increasingly narrow, including in the nuclear domain”.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Victoria will ban all students across the state from using smart glasses in schools and camps.
The ban, announced by the Labor Government ahead of the state’s November election, will build on its existing statewide ban on mobile phones in schools. The Coalition also supports the ban.
The new rules will prohibit smart glasses in public, independent and Catholic schools from the start of the 2027 school year.
Background
Smart glasses look like ordinary eyewear but can include cameras, microphones and AI features to take photos, record videos, make calls and translate speech.
Meta has partnered with Ray-Ban on smart glasses since 2021, with newer models featuring an AI assistant.
In June, the company also released glasses designed with Kylie Jenner.
Ray-Ban Meta glasses can cost around $700, while Kmart’s $89 version has since been removed from sale amid privacy concerns.
Victoria ban
Deputy Premier and Victorian Education Minister Gabrielle Williams announced the smart glasses ban on Wednesday, which will cover all Victorian schools.
Students will have to switch off smart glasses during school hours and school activities.
In public schools, the ban will also apply to adults, including teachers, parents and volunteers, during school hours and at all times on camps, excursions and other off-site activities.
If re-elected, the Labor Government plans to extend the adult ban to non-government schools.
Response
An Opposition spokesperson told TDA the Coalition supported the ban.
“Smart glasses are inappropriate in school settings and will not be allowed under a Liberal and Nationals Government,” they said.
The ban follows similar moves by local councils in several states to prohibit smart glasses in public buildings and recreational spaces.
Reporting by Adam Wan.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, editor-in-chief Billi interviews Communications Minister Anika Wells. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
🍿 Want to know why the Victoria’s Secret fashion show went away… and came back? Sign up to TDA Culture here for a breakdown in your inbox at 5pm.
I’ve got 2 minutes
A new report focused on the death of a First Nations child has found “shortcomings” in the Northern Territory’s child protection system.
It comes months after a man was charged with the murder of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose case was escalated to authorities on several occasions throughout her life.
The report has provided 45 recommendations, including clearer risk assessments and improved early intervention.
The NT Government said it will accept all 45 recommendations.
Background
In April, NT Police responded to reports that five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby was missing.
She was last seen alive at her home in Old Timers town camp, near Alice Springs.
Four days after those reports, police confirmed they had found Kumanjayi Little Baby’s body.
That evening, 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was arrested and taken to Alice Springs Hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by locals.
Lewis was charged with murder in May.
The matter remains before the courts.
Findings
NT Children and Families Minister Robyn Cahill announced a review of Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death and the broader conduct of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in May.
Former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and senior NT public servant Greg Shanahan were appointed to co-lead the review.
This week, Webb and Shanahan handed down their findings, including 45 recommendations for the NT Government.
The 45 recommendations are broken into several priority areas, including:
strengthening the workforce and collaboration between agencies,
improving timeliness,
more comprehensive risk assessments,
and better safety planning, such as assessing the suitability of the adults chosen to be around vulnerable children.
Addressing Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death, Webb and Shanahan said the DCF was notified more than a dozen times about her.
The first notification was when her mother was pregnant with her; the last was two days before she was reported missing.
The notifications note that Kumanjayi Little Baby was exposed to physical and emotional harm, and had witnessed family violence.
Response
Cahill tabled the report in Parliament on Tuesday, saying: “We owe [Kumanjayi Little Baby] change, and I intend to see it through.”
In a statement, Cahill confirmed that the NT Government would accept all 45 recommendations in full.
“Our child protection workers do one of the hardest jobs there is, often in remote places and often short-staffed,” Cahill said, noting that “the failings are in the system”.
What’s next?
The NT Government said work towards implementing the recommendations has begun.
This includes an audit of existing Safety Plans for victim-survivors, which Cahill said “is already under way.”
The criminal case against Lewis will continue in December. He remains in custody.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
13YARN: 13 92 76
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
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Give me some good news
Australia will field its first women’s wheelchair rugby team this December.
The team is set to compete at the inaugural Women’s World Wheelchair Rugby Championship in Paris. Paralympian Shae Graham will captain the team, marking another milestone after becoming the first Australian woman to compete in Paralympic wheelchair rugby at Tokyo 2020. Australia’s squad includes four women who were selected for the 2026 World Championship in Brazil, the most of any nation. Graham said “we’re making history,” adding the team hoped to set a standard for future generations.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA titbit
It’s been a fuel-on week for Victorian Premier Ben Carroll.
The premier has admitted to filling up his car with petrol on Monday night and driving off without paying.
He said he only realised the mistake the following day, after police contacted the Department of Parliamentary Services. In a statement reported by multiple outlets, Carroll said he “fixed the bill straight away” and thanked the service station staff for their understanding.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA asks
