☕️ 'Ditch the Witch' billboards appear in Melbourne

Over the weekend, Australia’s ski season officially started. If you’re going, I hope you enjoy your financially irresponsible hot chocolates!!!

The quote: “Thank you, darling.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaking to U.S. journalist Kristen Welker as he walked out of an interview with her for NBC’s Meet the Press. Welker had asked Trump to provide evidence for his claim that California’s election held last week for the next governor was rigged. You can watch the moment here.

The stat: 43. The age of Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be the oldest player at this year’s FIFA World Cup and the second-oldest in its history if he gets on the field.

The big question:

Yesterday’s results: Half of you said you have a negative sentiment towards AI, while about a quarter of you said you have a positive sentiment, and the other quarter aren’t sure. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [2,057 votes].

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Note: The image used above is an AI-generated model used in a 2023 Levi’s campaign.

Starting today, any ad featuring an AI-generated person shown to people in the U.S. state of New York must be labelled. The law is the first of its kind in the U.S.

AI-generated people, called “synthetic performers,” are increasingly being used in ads instead of real human models, actors, or influencers. These digital figures look like real people, but are created entirely by generative AI.

Advertisers and actors' unions are split on the law.

Until now, there was no law in the U.S. requiring advertisers to tell audiences when a human in their ad was not real.

New York's law, which was signed in December, takes effect today.

The law applies to social media, websites, TV, and out-of-home advertising, like billboards. Audio advertisements, however, are exempt.

Advertisers do not have to be based in New York to be covered. If people in New York can see a company’s ad, that company must comply.

Fines start at $1,000 for a first violation and rise to $5,000 for each one after that.

The American Association of Advertising Agencies formally opposed the bill. It argued the definition of “synthetic performer” was too broad, the disclosure rules were too vague, and the law would create compliance risks for advertisers.

Actors' union SAG-AFTRA took the opposite view, saying: “It’s essential that consumers be informed when an individual they’re seeing in advertisements is not an authentic human. We must continue to acknowledge and defend the value of real human expertise and artistry in all media and creative work.”

Reporting by Elliot Lawry.

🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, Editor-in-Chief Billi explains how allegations of political interference are engulfing the biggest TV network in the U.S. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.

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A billboard truck displaying the slogan “Ditch the Witch” alongside an image of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been spotted driving around Melbourne.

The slogan was previously used against former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who has condemned the campaign.

It comes ahead of the Victorian state election in November.

Allan leads a Labor government that has held power in Victoria since 2014. A state election is set for November.

The Allan Government has faced recent criticism over the state's cost of living pressures and rising debt.

An opinion poll conducted by Roy Morgan in April found two-thirds of Victorian voters disapprove of Allan's performance as Premier, and 53% say Opposition Leader Jess Wilson would make a better Premier.

The truck was seen in Melbourne's CBD on Friday night, displaying an edited image of Allan wearing a black witch's hat.

Allan described it as part of “a secret and well-funded political campaign.”

The Age reported Melbourne brothel owner Franco Puleo admitted to helping fund the campaign, at a cost of $105,000.

In a post to X, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said: “Sexism just has no place in our political debate, full stop... People are entitled to disagree with me. That's democracy. But I care that this attacks women. And I care about who's next... If we don't draw a line, the line will keep moving.”

The same slogan was used against Julia Gillard in 2011. Gillard was Australia's first female Prime Minister.

The slogan appeared on placards at a rally that then-Opposition Leader Tony Abbott stood in front of.

Gillard said she was “disgusted” to see the slogan revived.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the campaign “a disgrace” and demanded those behind it withdraw the materials immediately.

Victorian Opposition leader Jess Wilson also condemned the billboards, saying: “That sort of discourse should never be used in politics”.

The Liberal and Nationals parties both denied involvement in the campaign.

Reporting by Elliot Lawry.

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Aussie pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall has pulled off a remarkable victory, beating Olympic champion and world record holder Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis at a Diamond League event in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday. The Diamond League is athletics' top international series.

Marschall cleared 5.90 metres to beat the Swedish champion, who had not lost for over 1,000 days and was on a 40-event winning streak.

Marschall said: "I can't believe it, I'm going to cherish this for my whole life."

Reporting by George Finlayson.

The Opera House will likely have its curfew extended.

In case you’re not familiar with Opera House lore, local residents have long had the power to shush concerts at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. But not anymore.

The NSW Government has announced a proposal for night-time gigs at the forecourt to be as loud as daytime events, with a plan to extend the curfew to midnight seven days a week. Outdoor capacity for major events will also increase from 6,000 to 7,000 people.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a self-described music lover who has seen both Florence and the Pixies at the forecourt, declared himself firmly on the side of the gig-goers. “I'm a member of the fun faction,” he told reporters on Monday.

NSW Arts Minister John Graham said: “No longer will noise levels at the Sydney Opera House forecourt be dictated by the bedtimes of the residents at the [local apartments].”

The Opera House should have done what I did for my 18th: Write the neighbours a note and tell them they can join if they promise not to complain!

Reporting by Elliot Lawry.