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👋 G’day everyone, Archie here.
I’m planning on doing some exploring around Sydney this weekend, venturing out of the inner-west bubble I’ve found myself in (no complaints, though).
I’m hoping to find some unique shops and cool things.
What “cool things”? God knows.
But I would love to know - wherever in the country you are - what unique or interesting shops you have.
Let me know by replying to this email.
What you may have missed yesterday… 🗞️
Yesterday, I published this story on Victoria becoming the car theft capital of Australia - see more on that here here.
And, if you ever wondered what gifts politicians receive or — how many houses they own — I show you how to find out - here.
Now, let’s crack on to the news of the day 📰
That is something I would discuss with parliamentary colleagues, about whether legislating a 2035 target is a feasible thing to do or not
🗣️ Why did he say that?
On Tuesday, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told me he will be releasing the climate risk assessment - a report that maps how climate change will hit suburbs, fire zones and human health across Australia — in September.
Importantly, he specifically said the government would do this before locking into a climate emissions target for 2035.
But now, only a few days after Bowen explained all of this, he’s saying the 2035 climate target might not be made law. Unlike their last climate target, which was made law.
It feels to me like the equivalent of a pinky promise instead of, actualy, real, legislated emissions reductions targets.
For my full breakdown check out today’s video:
Democracy dies in darkness
Also out today:
The Labor government have proposed laws that would see Australia’s Freedom of Information access tightened.
The attorney general said the government spent “more than a million hours processing FOI requests” in 2023-24. That’s over 100 years, by the way. Totally.
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.
👽 E.T. in Eastern Melbourne?
It was April 6, 1966, when students at Westall High School in Melbourne’s south-east claimed they saw a flying saucer swoop over their classrooms and land in a nearby reserve.
The story gripped the city, baffled authorities and became Australia’s most famous UFO mystery. Today, the Grange Reserve playground even pays tribute with a UFO slide.
Now, nearly 60 years on, a UFO researcher is pushing the federal government to reopen the case, arguing the unanswered questions deserve a fresh investigation.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🍏 The poison apple
Landowners on the flood-ravaged NSW Mid North Coast are on alert for a fast-growing, poisonous, invasive weed.
After this year’s devastating floods, the weed has already found a foothold in the region, and with higher-than-average rainfall predicted over the coming months, authorities are urging farmers to be on the lookout.
In the United States, the tropical soda apple has been known to cover over half a million hectares in just five years.
On the Mid North Coast, where communities are already dealing with repeated flooding, recovery efforts and biosecurity challenges, the threat of a fast-spreading weed could add yet another burden.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🦠 Return of the mould
Sydney’s homes are mould-prone by design, according to architectural scientist Dr Tim Law, who told Huw Bradshaw at the North Shore Lorikeet, Australia has built “an entire generation of building stock” without the ability to manage condensation.
Law argues the problem traces back to 2005, when building codes pushed for greater energy efficiency but ignored how trapped heat and moisture fuel mould. Even with more recent tweaks to the code, he calls the fixes “baby steps.”
With softwoods like Radiata Pine providing a ready food source, and wetter weather on the way, experts say mould is here to stay. The key is stopping it before it’s visible — by keeping humidity under 60% with ventilation and dehumidifiers.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
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 Monday.
Cheers, Archie
Thumbnail: AAP Image/Lukas Coch