Health Experts Sound Alarm Over Food Industry Influence
Nutrition campaigners and health experts across Australia are raising serious concerns about the potential for excessive food industry influence on a newly proposed federal food council. The government body, intended to address food security issues, is facing mounting criticism from professionals who argue the scheme could actually lead to increased consumption of processed foods rather than improving national nutrition standards.
According to exclusive reports, health specialists are warning that cheap and unhealthy food options are likely to become further entrenched in the Australian diet. They point to what they describe as heavy influence from profit-driven food and agriculture industries in the development of the national food policy.
Multiple Crises Unfold Across Australia and Beyond
Meanwhile, several other significant developments are capturing national attention. In South Australia, prominent anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe claims the University of Adelaide has granted her immunity from complaints by pro-choice advocates. This comes after she was banned from the South Australian parliament and faced accusations of bullying behaviour.
Environmental concerns are also mounting as fossil fuel company Santos faces criticism over plans to expand gas exploration in the Beetaloo basin. Environmentalists fear this could mark the beginning of a fracking rush in the Northern Territory, raising questions about the region's ecological future.
International Developments and Humanitarian Crises
Overseas, a devastating tragedy continues to unfold in Hong Kong, where a catastrophic fire has claimed at least 83 lives with more than 250 people still missing. Hong Kong police have suggested that unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze through residential tower blocks.
In other international news, Irish author Sally Rooney has informed the high court that she's unlikely to publish new work within the UK while the ban on Palestine Action remains effective, citing her public support for the group. Meanwhile, Pope Leo has warned that a new world war is being fought "piecemeal" and endangers humanity's future during his first foreign trip to Turkey since becoming head of the Catholic church.
Media Recognition and Cultural Developments
In positive news for Australian journalism, Guardian Australia has secured a Walkley award for excellence in journalism for The Descendants series, which explores Australians confronting their family's involvement in frontier violence. Additionally, the ABC's Adele Ferguson and Chris Gillett won the 2025 Gold Walkley for their reporting on childcare issues.
Cultural institutions are also facing scrutiny, with State Library of Victoria staff accusing management of undermining the 171-year-old institution's core purposes in favour of tourist-oriented "digital vanity projects" as part of a proposed restructure.
The Australian government has meanwhile successfully navigated 72 hours of high-stakes negotiations with the Greens over new nature laws, reaching an agreement that sidelined the Coalition. Behind-the-scenes reporting reveals tense internal deliberations that ultimately smoothed the way for the environmental protection deal.
