☕️ TDA’s interview with the Shadow Treasurer

Thank you so much to everyone who sent in question suggestions last week for my interview with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor! (He would be the person responsible for Australia’s economy if the Coalition is elected at the next election on 3 May.)

That interview is now live - you can watch here, or listen here.

We covered a range of topics, including the cost of living, HECS, the Coalition’s response for the tariffs imposed by the U.S, Australia’s declining birth rate, and more.

“Basically, long story short, if we’re to fix our defence force, unfortunately, they’re going to need to remove females from combat corps. Their hips are being destroyed because they can’t cope with the carrying of the heavy loads and the heavy impacts that are required from doing combat-related jobs.”
Liberal candidate for Whitlam, Benjamin Britton, on a podcast with right-wing figure Joel Jammal last December. Over the weekend, it was reported that Britton has been dropped as a candidate by the Liberal Party.

1,100+
The number of rallies scheduled over the weekend to protest the Trump Administration’s policies. The ‘Hands Off!’ rallies occurred in all 50 states in the U.S.

1948
The World Health Organisation, the United Nations health agency, was formally established to help combat global health issues.

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The death toll from an earthquake in Myanmar has surpassed 3,300, with over 4,000 people injured.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on 28 March.

Large parts of the country are yet to be reached by emergency services, with the death toll expected to continue rising.

Last week, Myanmar’s military declared a state of emergency in multiple regions.

The military has been in charge since a coup in 2021. Since that time, the military has been fighting multiple rebel groups.

Last Wednesday, the military announced a temporary ceasefire against these rebel groups until 22 April as part of earthquake recovery efforts.

The ceasefire comes after the Brotherhood Alliance, a major resistance group, alleged the military had fired upon a convoy of Chinese Red Cross trucks.

The military claimed they had not been notified of the convoy’s route and had fired into the air to halt it.

Reporting by Joe Casey.

Thousands of doctors in the NSW public health system say they have been left with “no choice but to strike” over pay disputes, poor working conditions, and staff shortages.

The three-day statewide industrial action follows 18 months of failed pay negotiations between the union and the State Government.

The NSW Government said it’s imposed “a number of contingencies” across health services ahead of the action.

Here’s what you need to know.

According to the state government, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) in NSW is asking for a 30% pay increase alongside improved work conditions.

ASMOF President Dr Nicholas Spooner said the state’s public health system is at a “breaking point” and that puts “patients at risk”.

“Patients are struggling to see a doctor in NSW public hospitals. That’s because doctors are exhausted, burnt out and leaving the public sector.”

After 15 failed attempts to reach a deal, the NSW Government has called the union’s demands “near impossible.”

As such, the NSW Government has said it will maintain its offer of a 10.5% pay rise over three years, including an immediate 3% increase backdated to 1 July 2024.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the “incredibly important” work of doctors, but said “what they’re asking for is simply not achievable.”

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to reaching an agreement but urged the union to “be realistic.”

The industrial action involves doctors across nine metropolitan and regional hospitals.

It will take place between 8-10 April. During this time:

NSW hospitals will continue to operate with “skeleton” staffing, while emergency departments and critical care units remain fully staffed.

Both the union and the Government insist “patient safety will not be compromised” during the strikes.

ASMOF President Dr Nicholas Spooner said: “We want to be very clear with the people of NSW... if you or your family need urgent medical care at any hospital across NSW, our doctors and medical staff will be there to provide it.”

Reporting by Achol Arok.

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🍊The man three goals away from Gretzky’s all-time record.
🍊 Two men have been charged after bringing firearms to the MCG.
🍊 Who will host the next few women’s world cups?
🗞️ Also in the Sport Newsletter: NRL, AFL, and more…

Researchers at the University of Potsdam in Germany created a synthetic version of lunar rocks and dust, which they melted down to create a type of ‘moonglass’ solar cells. The radiation-resistant cells can convert sunlight into energy.

It’s hoped they will be used in the future to create thin solar panels and satellites in space. The energy they generate could be used to power cities on the moon and Mars. Researchers said the technology could also provide a workaround for transporting heavy Earth-made solar technology to space.

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

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

We’ve all had a bad day before, but (hopefully) none quite as bad as your toddler eating your parent’s ashes.

This unfortunate incident played out in a viral TikTok, where a mother discovered her father’s ashes spread throughout the living room, and sprinkled across her son’s face and clothes.

We hope all involved are unharmed.

Reporting by Rosa Bowden.

We are now officially less than a month away from the Federal Election in Australia.

According to our surveys, the top issue for most young voters is the cost of living.

On today’s podcast, TDA’s Editor-in-Chief, Billi FitzSimons, sits down with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, who would be responsible for Australia’s economy if the Coalition is elected.