ABC Feeds2d ago

Whole villages in Sumatra erased overnight — and still living in the wreckage
By Tim Swanston, Steven Viney, Cordelia Brown, and Natasya Salim

Months after floods killed more than a thousand people across Sumatra, residents are still digging their way out of the wreckage. While survivors are eager to rebuild, many just can’t shake the fear that the next catastrophe is just around the corner.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-05/sumatra-floods-disaster-reforestation-climate/106443342

#EnvironmentalImpacts #DisastersAccidentsandEmergencyIncidents #Floods #ClimateChange #Environment #GovernmentandPolitics #CommunityandSociety #Storms #Weather #Cyclones #TimSwanston #StevenViney #CordeliaBrown # #NatasyaSalim

Whole villages in Sumatra erased overnight — and still living in the wreckage

Months after floods killed more than a thousand people across Sumatra, residents are still digging their way out of the wreckage. While survivors are eager to rebuild, many just can’t shake the fear that the next catastrophe is just around the corner.

ABC Feeds3d ago

I find myself weeping again for Lebanon
By Virginia Trioli

Lebanese families have been told to flee homes that they might never be able to return to, and families are setting up tents for an uncertain and dangerous life on the streets of Beirut all because of a conflict not of their making, brought about by another state.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-04/lebanon-beirut-israel-offensive-casualties-refugees-easter/106511128

#UnrestConflictandWar #Religion #WorldPolitics #CommunityandSociety #Islam #Christianity #History #Judaism #Terrorism #GovernmentandPolitics #VirginiaTrioli

I find myself weeping again for Lebanon

Lebanese families have been told to flee homes that they might never be able to return to, and families are setting up tents for an uncertain and dangerous life on the streets of Beirut all because of a conflict not of their making, brought about by another state.

ABC Feeds4d ago

A New York Times critic used AI to write a review. This is why it matters

An author and freelance journalist has admitted to using AI to help him write a book review for the New York Times.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-03/artificial-intelligence-new-york-times-review-alex-preston/106527724

#Books #ArtsCultureandEntertainment #Author #CommunityandSociety #InformationandCommunication #Fiction #Novel #History #HumanInterest #Movies

A New York Times critic used AI to write a review. This is why it matters

An author and freelance journalist has admitted to using AI to help him write a book review for the New York Times.

ABC Feeds5d ago

PM's warning shot could backfire to create the panic he wants to avoid
By Patricia Karvelas

The prime minister risks criticism for using the rare measure of a national address to urge calm without announcing any new measures.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/anthony-albanese-national-address-fuel-crisis-iran/106522770

#OilandGas #FederalGovernment #GovernmentandPolitics #CommunityandSociety #WorldPolitics #EpidemicsandPandemics #BusinessEconomicsandFinance #COVID19 #PatriciaKarvelas

PM's warning shot could backfire to create the panic he wants to avoid

The prime minister risks criticism for using the rare measure of a national address to urge calm without announcing any new measures. 

Dale ReardonMar 30, 2025
ABC News: 'Incredibly outdated' assistance dog laws leaving people in limbo https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-30/push-to-improve-access-for-assistance-animals-in-rentals/105009458 #CommunityandSociety #Discrimination #Disabilities #HumanRights #Disability
Calls for legal reform as discrimination complaints increase from Tasmanians with assistance animals

Tasmanian state law has the weakest protections for people relying on assistance animals, and discrimination reports are growing. Those affected say considering legal action to access public spaces and necessary services is exhausting.

ABC News
Graeme InnesSep 24, 2024

From: Unofficial ABC News Bot

When a simple night out on the town can take weeks of research https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-19/night-out-adelaide-takes-weeks-of-research-disability-access-sa/104360768 #CommunityandSociety #HumanInterest #Disabilities #Health

Disability access 'frustrating' for young people wanting a night out on the town

Organising a night out is exhausting work for young people with disabilities like Alessa — from checking the terrain, doorways, entrances, and adequate space for a wheelchair.

ABC News
Dale ReardonJul 7, 2024
ABC News: Using sex workers through the NDIS will be banned. Advocates say that robs participants of a human need https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-07/sex-worker-ndis-funding-ban/104068652 #GovernmentandPolitics #CommunityandSociety #FederalGovernment #Discrimination #Disabilities #Sexuality #Disability #NDIS
Sex work access under NDIS to be banned, removing supports for 'ordinary life', say disability advocates

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten confirms he will ban sex work from being accessed through the disability insurance scheme, which advocates say would rob participants of the freedom to control their own lives.

ABC News
Dale ReardonJun 26, 2024
Disability groups urge government to make significant changes to NDIS bill amid fears it will have negative impact https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-26/ndis-inquiry-labor-liberals-greens-to-brazil-or-not-brazil/104021574 #HealthAdministration #CommunityandSociety #Federal-StateIssues #Law,CrimeandJustice #FederalGovernment #FederalParliament #Disabilities #HealthPolicy #Health #NDIS #Disability
Disability groups urge government to tread carefully with NDIS changes as minister gets in a tangle with the senators over Brazil trip

They're also frustrated with the recommendations of the government-led Senate inquiry into the legislation describing them as "profoundly disappointing and disrespectful".

ABC News
Dale ReardonJun 6, 2024
ABC News: How will people with disability be involved in designing changes to the NDIS? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-06/ndis-co-design-australia-changes-disability/103941622 #GovernmentandPolitics #LearningDisabilities #CommunityandSociety #FederalGovernment #Discrimination #Disabilities #Insurance #NDIS #Disability
Federal government firms up commitment to co-designing the NDIS with disability community

The federal government is committing to work further with the disability community to design changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

ABC News
Dale ReardonMay 10, 2024
ABC News: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for accessible toilet 'patronising', disability advocate says https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-11/disability-access-toilets-issue-despite-further-investment-/103828674 #PopulationandDemographics #GovernmentandPolitics #CommunityandSociety #Federal-StateIssues #ExerciseandFitness #FederalGovernment #PublicSector #Communities #Disability #Discrimination
Disability advocate welcomes new accessible toilets but says ribbon-cutting ceremony is patronising

Callum Gossland, who lives with Functional Neurological Disorder and uses a wheelchair, says while additional investment in accessible bathrooms was "positive", holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a new toilet was "sensationalising supporting people that have special needs".

ABC News