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👋 G’day everyone, Archie here.
Hope you all had as good a weekend. The major discovery for me was that a Sunday morning swim with mates at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east is now my favourite hangover cure.
Couldn’t tell you if it was the cold water, or how much we were being thrown around by the waves, or maybe it was the Bahn Mi afterwards, but it all seemed to sort out my sore head.
Those mates that I was with have only lived in Australia for a couple of years (like me) so we’re having a think about going on a small trip somewhere before Christmas.
I said I’d ask in this newsletter if anyone had any suggestions for destinations where a couple of guys in their mid-20s could go for a few days.
So please reply to this email with some suggestions, wherever in the country you are.
Anyway, let’s crack on with the news
Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today but it’s clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come
🗣️ Why did he say that?
Today, the Australian Government released the first National Climate Risk Assessment, a document revealing the effects climate change will have on the country in the coming decades.
The figures make for some pretty shocking reading:
Over 1.5 million people could be living in areas that will experience sea level rise and coastal flooding risks.
Heat-related deaths could increase dramatically.
In Sydney, they could increase by 444%
In Melbourne, they could increase by 259%.
Townsville could see an increase of 335%.
Perth is projected to have a 312% increase.
In Launceston, the increase is projected to be 146%.
Darwin could experience an increase of 423%.
Losses in Australian property values could be $571 billion in value by 2030, $611 billion by 2050 and $770 billion by 2100.
And those are just some of the numbers.
For my full breakdown check out today’s video:
Around the Grounds 🐨
Across the country, things are happening at a local level that have an impact nationally. Here’s the stories you might not hear about in the traditional media.
🦘 Don’t DIY joeys
Wildlife rescuers are warning against well-meaning Australians trying to raise orphaned joeys at home — after two recent cases in NSW left animals malnourished.
FAWNA, a volunteer animal rescue group on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, says caring for kangaroo and wallaby joeys requires specialised formula, round-the-clock feeding and a quiet, controlled environment. Without trained care, more than 90% don’t survive.
The group is urging people to keep checking pouches, but to call a rescue hotline instead of attempting care themselves.
“Caring for wildlife is a really specialised skillset that our volunteers are trained for,” spokesperson Kym Kilpatrick said.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🏜️ Too dry to sow
Farmers in Gippsland say crop planting is running up to two months late this year because it’s been “too dry to sow”.
Fifth-generation Stratford farmer Ben Gebert told Jacob Wallace at the Gippsland Monitor water catchments are under strain and grass production has stalled. A Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO report shows southeast Australia has had 9% less rainfall between April and October since 1994.
A new Farmers for Climate Action survey of 600+ farmers found 57% rank climate change as their top concern, above bureaucracy and rising costs. More than 9 in 10 said they’ve faced extreme weather in the past three years.
Most farmers (71%) have already invested in emissions reduction measures, with renewable energy a top priority — but Gebert says they need more consistent guidance and support from the government.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
ANZ’s record fine 💰
One of Australia’s Big 4 banks has just been fined $240 million for ripping off Aussies, including charging customers after they had died.
(I’ve done a video version of this story here - if you prefer your news that way)
Australia’s banking watchdog ASIC slugged ANZ nearly a quarter of a billion dollars for widespread misconduct.
Hundreds of people in hardship due to job loss, illness and family violence, had their calls for help ignored, sometimes for over two years. At the same time, debt collectors were sent to chase them.
Between 2019 and 2023, the ANZ took fees from thousands of dead customers, and then delayed refunds to families. [18,900 accounts remediated, $3.8m refunded.]
Between 2013 and 2025 the bank lied about savings interest rates, meaning tens of thousands of customers weren’t paid the correct interest. [Around $480k unpaid, 26,917 directly underpaid.]
ASIC Chair Joe Longo said: “Time and time again, ANZ betrayed the trust of Australians.”
He added that the $240 million fine was the largest ASIC has ever slapped on one company, and said the size of the punishment reflected the seriousness and large number of breaches.
ANZ Chief Executive Officer Nuno Matos said: “The failings outlined are simply not good enough and they reinforce the case for change.”
Thanks for catching up with me. I hope you enjoyed this issue, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just reply to this email and I’ll be on the other side 👋
I’ll be back on Wednesday.
Cheers, Archie