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👋 G’day everyone, Archie here.
I’m quite excited for the smorgasbord of stories I’ve got for you today so let’s crack on with the news 🗞️
Forests help to curb the worst effects of climate change by absorbing some of the carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels, but our work shows this is under threat
🗣️ Why did she say that?
A new study has revealed that our tropical forests, typically found in places like North Queensland, have seen a shift — and it’s not a good one.
Using 49 years’ worth of data, the researchers found that Australian tropical forests are no longer the “carbon sinks“ they’ve previously been thought to be.
In fact, rather than sucking in pollution, they’ve been emitting C02 for the last 25 years.
The study says this is largely due to increased tree mortality driven by climate change, including increasingly extreme temperatures, atmospheric dryness and drought.
For my full breakdown check out today’s video:
🎰 Gambling watchdog files first report in… decades?
Also today, the Northern Territory’s embattled gambling regulator has released its first annual report since 1993.
The NT Racing and Wagering Commission works as Australia's de facto national watchdog, overseeing an industry worth $48 billion in turnover last financial year.
The annual report has been released just days after a Four Corners investigation alleged conflicts of interest between the regulator and bookmakers.
So how hard did they crack down on the industry?
My rundown 👉 here.
👶 Birth rates are going up! And down…
Yesterday I filed stories about how Australia’s birthrate is somehow going up and down at the same time, to find out how that works, that story is 👉 here.
🏉 Weekend chatter
And finally, this weekend you may also hear some of the sports fans in your life talking about R360, a new rugby competition that has international Rugby Union and the NRL nervous.
The national rugby codes have banned players from participating in the rebel league.
Take it a step further: The NRL has said any player engaging with the comp could cop a 10-year ban.
The question is: is this legal? Read more 👉 here.
👩⚖️ NSW protest laws scrapped
Finally, a court ruling yesterday has scrapped protest laws brought in by the NSW Government at the beginning of 2025.
The laws, introduced in February, ruled protestors could be told to “move on” by police if they were in or near a place of worship such as a church, mosque, synagogue, even if the protest had nothing to do with the place of worship.
NSW Supreme Court judge Anna Mitchelmore ruled the laws were invalid and "impermissibly burdened the implied constitutional freedom of communication on government or political matters".
Find out what that means for our right to protest 👉 here.
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.
⌛️ No sand left
This year, the NSW Mid North coastline has been heavily impacted by erosion after copping huge swells caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – a weather system that also resulted in flooding across the region.
Since then, those living in northern NSW have experienced record-breaking floods, major storms, and above average rainfall.
At South West Rocks’ main beach the shoreline is currently experiencing the worst erosion Surf Life Saving veteran Rod McDonagh has seen in about 25 years as the region deals with “constant” extreme weather events.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🦪 Gippsland’s oyster boom
A trial growing Sydney rock oysters in Gippsland lakes has been a huge success — and now it’s expanding.
The project, run by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) with the Victorian Fisheries Authority, started in 2022 with 10,000 oysters.
As Jacob Wallace reports for the Gippsland Monitor, results show local oysters grow just as well as those in NSW, prompting an extra 60,000 oysters to be added and three new sites developed.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
Testing is for communists 💊
On Wednesday, Queensland’s 2IC defended the LNP Government’s decision to ban pill testing in the Sunshine state.
Last month the Crisafulli government banned the practice, without a debate in parliament after scrapping public funding for pill testing services in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, resulting in services closing in April.
Queensland’s deputy premier has claimed “only the commies in Victoria” support the practice.
New Zealand as well as 28 European countries allow pill testing.
Back home It’s also available in the ACT, Victoria and New South Wales on a trial basis.
At the time of the ban Australian Medical Association Queensland President, doctor Nick Yim, said: “Pill testing provides an opportunity for individuals to have a conversation with a health professional about their drug use.”
Since the ban two people have since died of overdoses, with Queensland Health sending out a health alert over new synthetic opioids last night.
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