The Flashwire

PRESSCON: Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to FleeMarch 1, 2026Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday expressed support for U.S.-led military strikes against Iran, calling the Iranian regime a direct threat to international peace and security while urging Australians in the Middle East to depart immediately.Speaking in Sydney, Albanese stopped short of committing Australian forces to the operation but defended the strikes as a necessary response to Iran’s nuclear program and its support for armed proxies. He cited at least two IRGC-linked attacks on Australian soil in 2024 — including the firebombing of an Adass synagogue in Melbourne — as evidence of the regime’s global reach.Key Developments:* Australia opened a DFAT registration portal for citizens seeking assisted departure from Israel and Iran* Travel advice upgraded to “do not travel” for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE* Flight disruptions reported across the region, with Emirates and Etihad services affected by transport hub closuresAustralia’s Prior Actions Against Iran:* Expelled Iran’s ambassador in 2024 — the first expulsion since World War II* Suspended operations at its Tehran embassy* Listed the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism* Sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individualsWhen pressed on the legality of the strikes, Albanese deferred to the United States and allied nations directly involved, reiterating that Iran’s conduct — including bombing areas of Dubai — represented an escalation “consistent with the nature of the regime.”Australians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre at 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (international), available 24 hours a day.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

BREAKING: Australia's Unemployment Holds at 4.1%, But Youth Underemployment Surges to 14.8%

Feb 1900:05:06Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.The ABS Labour Force report for January 2026 presents a mixed picture of the Australian jobs market. While headline unemployment held steady and full-time employment rose by 50,000, a simultaneous loss of 33,000 part-time positions tempered overall employment growth to just 18,000 for the month.Key Details:* Unemployment rate steady at 4.1% (seasonally adjusted)* Full-time employment up 50,000; part-time employment down 33,000* Net employment growth of 18,000 for January* Participation rate fell to 66.7% — down 0.6 percentage points from January 2025’s record high* Underemployment rate rose 0.2 points to 5.9%* Underutilisation rate climbed 0.2 points to 10.0%* Youth underemployment jumped 1.0 percentage point to 14.8%* Total hours worked rose 0.6% — outpacing employment growthTrend Indicators:* Trend unemployment fell from 4.2% in December to 4.1% in January* Unemployed persons decreased for the fourth consecutive month* Trend hours worked grew faster than employment on an annual basisABS Commentary: Sean Crick, ABS Head of Labour Statistics, noted the youth underemployment rise “largely reversed the fall recorded last month,” flagging the reversal as a key concern within an otherwise stable headline result. Crick attributed stronger hours growth to fewer workers taking seasonal leave compared with typical Januarys.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Australian Wages Rise 3.4% Annually as Public Sector Outpaces Private Growth for Fourth Straight Quarter

Feb 1800:04:00Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Australian wages grew 0.8% in the December quarter 2025 and 3.4% over the year, according to seasonally adjusted data released Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.The Wage Price Index report showed public sector wages rising at an annual rate of 4.0%, outpacing private sector growth of 3.4% for the fourth consecutive quarter. ABS Head of Prices Statistics Michelle Marquardt attributed the stronger public sector result to new state enterprise agreements delivering multiple pay rises throughout the year, including backdated increases applied shortly after agreements were finalised.Healthcare and social assistance was the top-contributing industry for the quarter across both sectors, driven by Commonwealth-funded wage increases in aged care and early childhood education, as well as scheduled enterprise agreement rises for frontline health workers in New South Wales.Private sector annual wage growth edged up to 3.4% from 3.3% recorded in the year to December 2024.The ABS noted the Wage Price Index is designed to measure pure price change in wages and salaries, independent of workforce composition or changes in the quality or quantity of work performed.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wage Price Index, Australia, December Quarter 2025. Released Feb. 18, 2026.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Australian Opposition Leader Unveils Revamped Shadow Cabinet, Reunites Liberal-National Coalition

Feb 1700:04:27Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.The Leader of the Australian Opposition has announced a restructured Coalition front bench, reuniting the Liberal and National parties under a single parliamentary team and signalling a sharpened electoral strategy ahead of the next federal election.The new shadow ministry centres on economic accountability and national security, with the opposition leader framing the reshuffle as a direct challenge to what he described as “the worst government in our nation’s history.”Key Appointments:* Senator Jane Hu — Deputy Leader; Shadow Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations, Productivity and Deregulation* Tim Wilson — Shadow Treasurer, tasked with pursuing lower taxes and reduced inflation* Senator Jacinta Price — Shadow Minister for Small Business and Skills and Training* Senator Claire Chandler — Shadow Minister for Finance, Government Services and the Public Service* Andrew Hastie — Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability; Deputy Leader in the House of Representatives* Aaron Violi — Shadow Minister for Digital Economy, Science, Technology, Innovation and Cyber Security* Senator Michaelia Cash — Shadow Attorney-General; Opposition Leader in the Senate* Senator John O’Dunoghue — Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and ImmigrationCoalition Position: The opposition leader cited rising living costs, energy prices, housing affordability, and border security as the defining issues the new team will prosecute against the Labor government. The reunification of the National Party was confirmed as endorsed by the Liberal Party leadership.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

PRESSCON : Housing becomes Liberal Party's #1 promise as new leader targets locked-out buyers

Feb 1300:10:27Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.The Liberal Party positioned home ownership as its centerpiece issue under new leader Angus Taylor, who says "young Australians deserve the stability and opportunity to own a home" in a direct pitch to priced-out buyers.If you can’t afford to buy a home, Australia’s conservative opposition wants you to know they’re now making that their problem to solve.Angus Taylor, sworn in as Liberal Party leader on February 13, 2026, made housing affordability his first major policy commitment - signaling a shift in conservative priorities toward younger voters facing a brutal property market.“We’ll re-establish home ownership as the centerpiece of the Australian dream,” Taylor said in his inaugural press conference at Parliament House. “All Australians, especially young Australians, deserve the stability and the opportunity to own a home.”Why this matters to youAustralia’s housing crisis has intensified over the past decade. Median house prices in major cities have soared while wage growth stagnated. Many millennials and Gen Z buyers have been entirely locked out of the market, forced into long-term renting or living with parents well into their 30s.For young Australians, this represents a fundamental break from previous generations who could reasonably expect to buy a home by their late 20s or early 30s.What the Liberal Party hasn’t specified yetTaylor’s press conference was long on commitment but short on details. He didn’t outline:* Specific policies to increase housing supply* Whether they’d restrict foreign buyers or investment properties* Tax incentives for first-home buyers* Infrastructure plans to open up new housing areas* Any timeline for when these policies would be releasedWhat is the Liberal Party?Australia’s center-right major party, currently in opposition after losing badly in the 2025 election. The party traditionally favors free markets and lower taxes but is now under pressure to show it cares about issues affecting younger Australians - a demographic that has trended away from conservative parties.The housing crisis by numbersWhile Taylor didn’t cite specific statistics in his speech, the housing situation he’s responding to is severe:* Homeownership rates for Australians under 35 have fallen dramatically from previous generations* Rent now consumes 30-50% of income for many younger workers* Waiting times for public housing stretch into years in major cities(Note: These are general trends - the transcript doesn’t include specific data, and we can’t verify current exact figures without additional sources.)The political calculationTaylor’s housing focus represents a strategic choice. He’s competing with:Labor (current government): Already has housing policies in place, though Taylor argues they’re failingThe Greens: Have pushed aggressive policies like rent caps and massive social housing expansion, appealing to younger rentersOne Nation: A right-wing populist party that’s been gaining conservative voters on immigration and cost-of-living issuesBy leading with housing, Taylor is trying to show the Liberal Party cares about issues that directly affect young people’s daily lives - not just traditional conservative concerns like defence or economic management.What comes with the housing promiseTaylor packaged housing with related economic commitments:* Lower taxes overall (”The Liberal Party must always be the party of lower taxes”)* Fighting any new taxes on homes or superannuation (retirement savings)* Reducing childcare costs through more “choice and flexibility” (possibly subsidizing nannies or at-home care, though unspecified)* Lowering energy costs by scrapping what he called “carbon taxes”The credibility problemThere’s an awkward fact Taylor had to confront: he was shadow treasurer when the Liberal Party made what he now admits were “big calls wrong” on tax policy during the 2025 election campaign.That loss left the party with just 30 of 151 parliamentary seats - its worst position since formation in 1944.Now he’s asking voters, including young would-be homebuyers, to trust that things will be different under his leadership.What happens nextTaylor needs to follow through with actual policy. The housing commitment is currently a priority statement, not a plan.Parliament returns from summer break on February 17, 2026. The next federal election must happen by May 2028, giving Taylor roughly two years to prove his housing focus is genuine before voters decide.Opposition parties can make promises, but they can’t implement policy until they win government. For now, this is about signaling what the Liberal Party would prioritize if elected - and trying to win back voters who’ve given up on conservative politics caring about their financial future.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

PRESSCON : Ley's Exit Triggers By-Election That Could Shrink Liberal Numbers in Parliament

Feb 1300:07:41Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Sussan Ley's decision to quit Parliament will force a special election in her rural NSW seat — and if Liberals lose it, their ability to block Labor's agenda gets weaker.The political fallout from Sussan Ley’s leadership loss extends beyond Canberra’s party room drama. Her announcement that she’ll resign from Parliament entirely means voters in Farrah, a sprawling rural electorate in western New South Wales, will head back to the polls in a by-election that could shift the balance of power.What Just HappenedAfter losing the Liberal leadership ballot Friday, Ley announced she won’t just step down as party leader — she’s leaving Parliament completely after 25 years representing Farrah.“I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrah and expressing my gratitude to them for the honour of representing them for 25 years,” Ley said. “Shortly thereafter, I will be tendering my resignation to the Speaker.”When she resigns, it triggers an automatic by-election in Farrah. These special elections let voters choose a new MP to fill the vacant seat for the rest of the current parliamentary term.Why This MattersFor young voters in Farrah: You’ll be voting again sooner than expected, and this is your chance to signal whether you want a Liberal representative to continue in this seat or try something different.For parliamentary math: Liberals currently hold a certain number of seats in Parliament. Losing Farrah would mean one fewer MP voting on laws and policies. While they’re already in opposition, every seat matters for their ability to negotiate, block legislation, or win future votes.For political momentum: By-elections often signal broader voter mood. If Liberals can’t hold Farrah — a seat they’ve won for decades — it suggests the party’s troubles go deeper than just leadership chaos.What Is a By-Election?A by-election is a special vote held between regular elections when a seat becomes vacant — usually because an MP resigns, dies, or is disqualified. Everyone in that electorate votes to choose a new representative.By-elections happen more quickly than general elections and often become referendums on the current government or opposition party. They can shift the total number of seats each party holds in Parliament.The Seat of FarrahFarrah covers the western plains of New South Wales, including the Murray and Murrumbidgee river regions — vast farming communities far from Sydney’s urban centers.Ley first won the seat in 2001 by just 206 votes and has been re-elected nine times since. She described it as representing “the western plains of New South Wales, the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers and the rural communities that it has been my enormous privilege to represent.”The electorate typically leans conservative, but Ley’s long personal connection to the region means it’s unclear whether voters will stick with the Liberal Party or consider alternatives now that she’s gone.The Timeline2001: Sussan Ley wins Farrah by 206 votes, beginning a 25-year career2001-2024: Re-elected nine times, becoming the region’s longest-serving representativeMay 2024: Becomes Liberal Party leader while still holding Farrah seatToday: Loses leadership, announces resignation from ParliamentNext few weeks: Ley thanks constituents, formally resigns to SpeakerLikely late February/early March: By-election date set and campaigning beginsEstimated 4-6 weeks later: By-election held, new MP sworn inWhat Could HappenScenario 1 — Liberals hold the seat: The party nominates a strong local candidate who convinces voters to stick with Liberal representation despite the leadership chaos. This would limit the damage from Ley’s departure.Scenario 2 — Labor wins: If voters blame the Liberal Party for leadership instability or want to send a message, Labor could flip the seat. This would strengthen Labor’s parliamentary numbers and suggest rural voters are abandoning conservatives.Scenario 3 — Independent win: Rural and regional Australia has seen a surge in independent candidates who promise to prioritize local issues over party politics. An independent could win if voters want representation divorced from Canberra drama.Scenario 4 — Nationals challenge: The National Party (Liberals’ coalition partner, focused on rural issues) might see this as a chance to expand their own representation in the region.Different PerspectivesLiberal Party strategists are likely worried. Losing Farrah would be both a symbolic and practical blow — symbolic because it’s Ley’s long-held seat, practical because it weakens their parliamentary numbers during an already difficult period.Labor campaign teams see opportunity. Rural seats have been shifting politically across Australia, and leadership chaos in the Liberal Party creates an opening to flip traditionally conservative electorates.Independent candidates might argue this is exactly why voters need representatives who focus on local issues rather than party room drama. The trend of “teal independents” (centrist independents focused on climate and integrity) has reshaped Australian politics.Local voters face a choice: stick with the party that’s represented them for decades, or use this by-election to voice frustration with political instability and demand different representation.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Breaking : Taylor Ousts Ley in Emphatic Liberal Leadership Victory, Wins 34-17 Amid Historic Polling Crisis

Feb 1200:04:03Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Angus Taylor has won the Liberal Party leadership in a decisive 34-17 ballot victory over Sussan Ley, who held the position for nine months. The Friday morning spill followed a mass frontbench exodus and was triggered by the party's polling collapse to below 20 percent primary support—historic lows—while One Nation surged to nearly 30 percent. The partyroom is now voting on deputy leadership, with Taylor facing the challenge of uniting a fractured opposition amid what senior senators described as a "change or die moment" for the party.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Liberal Shadow Minister Taylor Resigns, Setting Stage for Leadership Challenge Against Ley

Feb 1100:04:12Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Liberal MP Angus Taylor resigned from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet Wednesday night, declaring he no longer believes she can lead the party and describing the Liberals as weaker than at any point since their formation in 1944. The shadow defence minister told reporters he had just tendered his resignation after walking into Ley’s office, a move that sets the stage for a formal leadership challenge expected within days.Taylor’s resignation comes amid mounting internal pressure over the Liberal Party’s historic polling collapse. The latest Sky News Pulse shows the party at 19 percent primary vote under Ley’s leadership, with her personal approval rating at minus 40 percent. Liberal Senators Sarah Henderson and Jane Hume have publicly warned the party faces an “existential crisis” and risks being “wiped out” unless change occurs.Sky News reports the anticipated leadership spill vote is “extremely tight,” potentially hinging on one or two MPs. Ley has pushed back against public dissent, telling Sky News on Monday her leadership was “secure” and that party discussions should remain in the partyroom. Under parliamentary convention, shadow cabinet members must resign if they do not support the party leader.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Court Dismisses Challenge to NSW Police Powers During Herzog Visit

Feb 900:04:44Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.The New South Wales Supreme Court on Monday rejected a legal challenge by the Palestine Action Group against expanded police powers granted during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s four-day visit to Australia.Justice Robertson Wright dismissed the case hours before a planned protest at Sydney Town Hall, allowing police to maintain extraordinary search and move-on powers across the city’s central business district and eastern suburbs until Thursday.Key Details:* Police authorized to search anyone within designated zones without cause* Powers invoked under “major event” legislation typically used for sporting events* Non-compliance penalties reach $5,500* Declaration covers four-day period across broad geographical areaLegal Arguments: The Palestine Action Group, represented by barrister Felicity Graham and Peter Lange SC, argued the Minns government improperly used major event legislation as a “backdoor way” to suppress political protests against a controversial head of state.Government barrister Brendan Lim SC countered that powers were necessary to “secure the safety of the president, dignitaries and the community generally” following the Bondi terror attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration.Ongoing Implications: Protesters plan to proceed with Monday evening’s demonstration, potentially breaching separate public assembly restrictions extended last Tuesday. The restrictions effectively ban unauthorized marches in designated areas including Town Hall and the northern CBD, though Hyde Park remains excluded.Sports Minister Steve Kamper cited concerns that confrontations could damage Australia’s international reputation, comments Graham characterized as revealing the government’s true intent to curtail legitimate political expression.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

Australia's Inflation Surges to 3.8% as Housing, Food Costs Climb

Jan 2800:04:44Tap to summarize

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.Australia’s Consumer Price Index rose 3.8 percent in the year to December 2025, up from 3.4 percent in November, marking a significant acceleration in inflation pressures across the economy, according to data released Tuesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Housing costs drove the annual increase, rising 5.5 percent and representing the largest contributor to inflation. Within that category, electricity prices surged 21.5 percent over the 12 months, primarily reflecting the depletion of state government rebates in Queensland and Western Australia that had previously cushioned household bills.“The 3.8 percent annual CPI inflation to December was up from 3.4 percent to November,” said Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics.Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.4 percent annually, with beef and lamb prices each climbing more than 10 percent due to strong overseas demand for Australian red meat. Weather-related shortages pushed vegetable prices up 3.8 percent, while reduced apple supply contributed to a 4.2 percent increase in fruit costs.Recreation and culture inflation reached 4.4 percent, propelled by domestic holiday travel and accommodation prices that jumped 9.6 percent annually. December saw an 8.2 percent monthly spike in travel costs driven by Christmas demand, school holidays and major events including the Ashes cricket series.Rental inflation showed modest easing to 3.9 percent from 4 percent, attributed to stable vacancy rates in most capital cities. The Trimmed mean measure of underlying inflation rose to 3.3 percent from 3.2 percent in November.Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.Got a News Tip?Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.readmencari.com/subscribe

Transcribe →

All episodes

PRESSCON: Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee

BREAKING: Australia's Unemployment Holds at 4.1%, But Youth Underemployment Surges to 14.8%

Australian Wages Rise 3.4% Annually as Public Sector Outpaces Private Growth for Fourth Straight Quarter

Australian Opposition Leader Unveils Revamped Shadow Cabinet, Reunites Liberal-National Coalition

PRESSCON : Housing becomes Liberal Party's #1 promise as new leader targets locked-out buyers

PRESSCON : Ley's Exit Triggers By-Election That Could Shrink Liberal Numbers in Parliament

Breaking : Taylor Ousts Ley in Emphatic Liberal Leadership Victory, Wins 34-17 Amid Historic Polling Crisis

Liberal Shadow Minister Taylor Resigns, Setting Stage for Leadership Challenge Against Ley

Court Dismisses Challenge to NSW Police Powers During Herzog Visit

Australia's Inflation Surges to 3.8% as Housing, Food Costs Climb