Australia sues 3M over ‘forever chemicals’ contamination

Australia has launched a $1.43 billion legal claim against 3M over contamination from firefighting foam containing PFAS #News #Reuters #Newsfeed #environment #environmentnews #PFAS #ForeverChemicals #3M #Australia #AustralianGovernment Read the story here: 👉 Subscribe: Keep up with the latest news from around the world: Follow Reuters on Facebook: Follow Reuters on X: Follow Reuters on Instagram:

https://fllics.com/en/video/australia-sues-3m-over-forever-chemicals-contamination/

9News | Aussie business owners unite against PM's 'aspiration ambush' by 9News

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Forty Australian entrepreneurs under 40—spanning technology, AI, retail and manufacturing—have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning his federal budget as an “aspiration ambush”. The letter argues that the government’s plan to cut the capital‑gains‑tax (CGT) discount to 30 percent, adjust cost‑base indexation and overhaul negative‑gearing and discretionary‑trust rules will disproportionately hurt young business builders, even though the changes are justified as a way to help younger people enter the housing market. While the signatories support the CGT reforms for residential investment properties, they draw a line at extending them to shares, warning that this will “suck the ambition, drive and hope” out of the next generation of innovators. The petition, signed by founders of firms such as Pillar Performance, Linktree and me&u, asks for a response from the prime minister, amid social‑media backlash and mockery that paints Albanese as a 47 percent partner in their future sales. Treasury Minister Jim Chalmers has defended the inclusion of shares, saying it avoids new market distortions and pledges a one‑year grace period, consultation with startups and protection for businesses already holding concessions. The reforms have not yet been passed, with the Coalition promising to fight them and the Greens undecided.

Read more: https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2026-aussie-business-owners-unite-against-pms-tax-reform/161fefc4-6127-4b59-a159-6c688e0c7dda

#AnthonyAlbanese #JimChalmers #Australiangovernment #Federalbudget #national

English – The Conversation | AI decides what we see online. It’s time digital platforms tell us exactly how they do it by Sora Park, Professor of Communication, News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

The article argues that opaque AI‑driven algorithms on social media, search engines and chatbots now determine what Australians see online, undermining the accuracy, quality and trustworthiness of news and fueling misinformation. A recent News Futures round‑table of 45 industry, government, academic and civil‑society leaders warned that this lack of transparency threatens journalism and public confidence, especially as “zero‑click” AI search results bypass traditional news sources and reduce revenue for news outlets. The participants called for five priority actions: (1) mandatory transparency and labelling of algorithmic curation and AI‑generated content; (2) fair licensing and copyright rules so AI developers must compensate news organisations for using their work; (3) nationwide media‑and‑AI literacy programmes for both students and adults; (4) sustainable public funding for journalism, such as tax offsets for journalists’ salaries; and (5) a common industry code and training for news influencers and digital‑first outlets. Without these reforms, the article warns, an information ecosystem dominated by invisible AI could cause the collapse of public‑interest journalism essential to democracy and social cohesion.

Read more: https://theconversation.com/ai-decides-what-we-see-online-its-time-digital-platforms-tell-us-exactly-how-they-do-it-281327

#NewsFutures #Australiangovernment #AIcompanies #medialiteracy

US Top News and Analysis | Microsoft expands AI footprint in Australia with $18 billion investment

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Microsoft announced a record A$25 billion ($18 billion) investment in Australia, its largest ever in the country, aimed at expanding Azure cloud capacity, bolstering cybersecurity, and training three million Australians in AI by 2028. The deal builds on a prior A$5 billion commitment and includes partnerships with the Australian Signals Directorate and the Department of Home Affairs, as well as a memorandum to align data‑center and AI infrastructure development with national interests and sustainable water use. The investment follows Australia’s National AI Plan and comes as the government attracts other AI hyperscalers, such as Amazon Web Services and OpenAI, while seeking to position the nation as a hub for responsible AI innovation.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/microsoft-expands-ai-footprint-in-australia-with-18-billion-investment.html

#Microsoft #Australia #Australiangovernment #AIPlan #Azure

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The Australian government has announced gambling advertising reforms

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62492e925lo

#HackerNews #AustralianGovernment #GamblingReforms #AdvertisingNews #PolicyChange

Australian government backs National Vineyard Register project

The Australian government is funding the development of a National Vineyard Register, a project led by Wine Australia aimed at improving planning across Australia’s wi…
#wine #Australianwine #Australia #AustralianGovernment #NationalVineyardRegister #onegrape&winesectorplan #Wine #WineAustralia #WinefromAustralia #WineofAustralia
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2533445/australian-government-backs-national-vineyard-register-project/

NT environmentalists ‘gobsmacked’ at federal green light to bulldoze nearly 3,000 hectares of tropical savanna https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/24/federal-green-light-bulldoze-tropical-savanna-northern-territory-threatened-species

#Australia #EnvironmentalDestruction #Environment #AusPol #AustralianGovernment

Is Australia Ready For A Black Prime Minister?

https://peertube.gravitywell.xyz/w/sjXDAZQjhCWmDzCnbqqx5U

Reddit Is Challenging The Australian Government’s Social Media Ban #australia #australiangovernment #reddit #socialmedia

https://www.lowyat.net/2025/376320/reddit-australia-social-media-ban/