An Australian accounting and financial services company and its owner have been ordered to pay a combined $177,000 in penalties after a migrant worker was subjected to an unlawful cashback arrangement that effectively left her without wages.   The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $148,000 penalty on Innovative Associates Pty Ltd and a further $29,000 penalty on its sole director and owner, Dila Ram Kharel.   The case involved a Nepalese national who worked part-time as an assistant accountant between July 2019 and December 2020 while holding a temporary graduate visa.   According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, the company initially failed to pay the worker for around 10 weeks. It then required her to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by Kharel. The funds were subsequently transferred back to the company, which used them to pay her wages as well as tax and superannuation obligations.   Between October 2019 and December 2020, the worker transferred $32,907 into those accounts, while $27,873.50 was returned to her as wages.   Overall, the company underpaid the worker $40,164.49, including unpaid wages and other workplace entitlements. The full amount has since been repaid.   The company also breached record-keeping and payslip requirements, with the Fair Work Ombudsman finding that inspectors were knowingly provided with false or misleading payslips.   Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth described the conduct as a serious form of worker exploitation, stressing that employees, including visa holders, are entitled to receive and keep their lawful minimum entitlements regardless of their immigration status.   The court found the breaches were deliberate and said significant penalties were necessary both to hold the parties accountable and to deter other employers from engaging in similar conduct.   The Fair Work Ombudsman says protecting vulnerable workers, including migrant and visa-holder employees, remains a key enforcement priority.

Australia is sending additional emergency equipment and humanitarian aid to Nepal as the country continues to deal with the devastating aftermath of severe flooding. An RAAF aircraft carrying hygiene kits, shelter equipment and solar-powered lights is on its way to support search, rescue and recovery operations.   More than 930 people have been confirmed dead, while over 4,400 remain missing, including 43 Australians. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government has been working with both Nepali and Chinese authorities to assist in locating those still unaccounted for. However, difficult conditions on the ground are making recovery operations challenging.   The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian needs are becoming increasingly clear as emergency teams assess the scale of the destruction. Around 65,000 people require urgent water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, while more than 22,000 children are in need of protection. An estimated 2,600 children under the age of five may require treatment for severe wasting, and approximately 10,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women need nutritional support. Nineteen schools have also been damaged, with nine completely destroyed and eight being used as temporary shelters for displaced families.   Meanwhile, Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation in the Pacific. Speaking at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said climate change and regional security would be key priorities. Australia also stressed that Pacific nations have the right to determine their own diplomatic relationships, following tensions over Taiwan’s participation in the forum.   In other international news, former gang leader Duane Keith Davis was found guilty in Las Vegas of the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur.   In tennis, world number one Aryna Sabalenka began her US Open title defence with a 6–2, 6–4 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio.

Tensions between China and Taiwan are creating a challenging backdrop for the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, with concerns that geopolitical disputes could distract leaders from urgent regional priorities, particularly climate change.   Taiwan, which attends the forum as a development partner, has increased its presence at this year’s meeting. The move has angered Beijing, whose special envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, Qian Bo, warned that there would be “consequences” over Taiwan’s participation. China has since denied that the comments were intended as a threat.   The diplomatic tensions have also been accompanied by allegations of foreign interference. Five Pacific leaders have failed to attend the forum, including Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who is facing a no-confidence motion at home. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has referred to suspicions surrounding the absences, while China’s ambassador to New Zealand responded critically on social media.   Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected suggestions that the forum has been compromised. He said Pacific nations should remain focused on important regional issues, while reiterating Australia’s concerns over China’s ballistic missile test in Pacific waters earlier this year.   Australia continues to maintain its One China policy while recognising that Pacific Island nations have the right to determine their own diplomatic relationships. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia maintains diplomatic relations with Beijing and economic engagement with Taiwan.   Alongside security concerns, climate change remains a major priority at the three-day summit. Pacific Island nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and the impacts of a changing climate.   Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said improving access to climate finance for small island developing states and increasing attention on the role of oceans will be key priorities ahead of COP31 in Türkiye later this year.   Environmental groups have urged leaders to ensure geopolitical tensions do not overshadow critical climate discussions, warning that Pacific communities cannot afford to lose valuable time addressing the climate crisis.

Australia’s construction industry is facing growing financial pressure, with property developers and industry leaders warning that rising building costs and a shortage of skilled workers are worsening the country’s housing crisis.   More than 1,500 construction companies in New South Wales reportedly closed during the last financial year, while almost 3,500 firms shut down nationally, according to figures cited from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.   The Bathla Group, one of New South Wales’ major affordable housing developers, is reportedly facing significant financial difficulties, with debts of around $3.6 billion and concerns over its ability to continue paying workers.   Industry leaders have blamed a combination of rising construction costs, labour shortages, increased interest rates, supply-chain disruptions and government regulations for the difficulties facing builders and developers.   Property industry figures are also calling for changes to Australia’s migration system to help address the shortage of skilled construction workers. They argue that Australia needs more qualified tradespeople alongside stronger domestic apprenticeship programs.   According to data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, around 105,790 construction apprentices were in training at the end of 2025, the lowest level recorded in five years.   Industry forecasts indicate Australia will need more than 300,000 additional infrastructure workers by 2030, as well as around 116,000 additional workers in housing construction.   Master Builders Australia has called for more Australians to undertake apprenticeships while supporting a migration system capable of bringing in trade-qualified workers.   Developers say the shortage of workers and rising costs are also pushing up the price of new homes and apartments. One industry representative said the cost of constructing a typical two-bedroom apartment had increased from approximately $460,000 to $950,000 over the past eight years.   With Australia already facing a severe housing affordability challenge, industry leaders are warning that construction costs, labour shortages and delays could make it increasingly difficult to deliver the number of new homes needed across the country.

As Nepal continues to respond to devastating flash floods, aid organisations are urging the public to support affected communities through verified relief efforts. The disaster has destroyed homes, disrupted infrastructure and left thousands of people in urgent need of assistance.    The Bhotekoshi floods have affected communities across several districts, while rescue teams continue searching for people who remain missing. The latest reports indicate that hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, including residents, security personnel and tourists.    Cash donations are urgently needed   Relief organisations say financial donations are currently more useful than sending physical goods. Cash allows organisations working on the ground to purchase food, drinking water, medicines, emergency equipment and other supplies according to the changing needs of affected communities.    People wishing to help should donate through official government agencies, established humanitarian organisations or verified relief campaigns rather than responding to unverified requests circulating online.   Be careful of donation scams   Nepal Police have also warned about fraudulent fundraising campaigns emerging after the disaster. Fake social media accounts, QR codes, websites and messages may be used to collect money or steal personal and banking information.    Authorities are advising donors to verify account details through official sources and never share passwords, PINs, card information or one-time passwords with people claiming to represent relief organisations.   Support goes beyond emergency aid   Communities will need assistance long after floodwaters recede. Rebuilding homes, restoring roads and electricity, supporting livelihoods and helping displaced families recover will require sustained support.   For those looking to help Nepal’s flood-affected communities, the most important steps are simple: give through trusted channels, verify before donating and continue supporting recovery efforts beyond the immediate emergency.

The Northern Territory has become the final Australian jurisdiction to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD), following a conscience vote in parliament.   The legislation passed on Thursday night, bringing the NT into line with every other Australian state and territory. It comes almost three decades after the territory first introduced a VAD law in 1995 — legislation that was later overturned by the Commonwealth Parliament.   Under the new framework, access will be subject to strict eligibility requirements. A person seeking VAD must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 12 months or less.   However, several proposed changes to the legislation were rejected during two days of parliamentary debate.   One of the most controversial provisions is a gag clause preventing medical professionals from initiating conversations about VAD with patients. Attempts to remove the restriction were defeated.   The provision has prompted concerns among some politicians and health professionals, who argue patients should be able to receive information about all available end-of-life options from their doctors.   Supporters of the clause have raised particular concerns about how VAD could be understood in remote Indigenous communities, where health services and cultural attitudes towards death can be significantly different.   An amendment seeking changes to the 12-month eligibility period was also rejected. Several MPs had argued for a longer timeframe.   The final vote exposed divisions within the governing Country Liberal Party, with some backbenchers supporting amendments alongside Labor MPs and an independent.   Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro described the legislation as a historic moment for Territorians, while Opposition Leader Selena Uibo welcomed VAD becoming available in the territory but criticised the government for rejecting key amendments.   The NT legislation means VAD is now legally available in every Australian jurisdiction, although the rules and eligibility requirements vary between states and territories.

Australia’s migration policy is facing renewed scrutiny, with former immigration minister Philip Ruddock urging the Albanese government to take a tougher approach to family reunion visas linked to international students.   Mr Ruddock said family reunion arrangements needed to be closely managed, arguing that allowing the system to expand too significantly could create further pressure on Australia’s migration program. His comments come as the government prepares to introduce further measures aimed at reducing migration and tightening visa approvals.   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the government’s approach, saying migration levels have already fallen significantly from their post-pandemic peak. He said the government was responding to Australia’s economic needs while working to ensure migration remains sustainable.   However, the proposed restrictions have raised concerns among tourism, agriculture and education industries. Industry representatives have warned that reducing the number of international students and working holiday-makers could worsen existing labour shortages, particularly in regional areas.   Tourism leaders have also called for working holiday-maker visas to be considered separately from broader migration policies, arguing that backpackers provide an important source of workers while contributing significant tax revenue to the Australian economy.   The debate also extends to the growing number of visa appeals. Former Immigration Department deputy secretary Abul Rizvi said the increase was partly driven by large numbers of international student visa refusals in 2022–23. He criticised aspects of the process, particularly the subjective assessment of whether applicants met Australia’s “genuine student” requirements.   The government now faces pressure to balance immigration reduction targets with the needs of universities, businesses and regional communities. As further details of the migration reforms emerge, questions remain over how Australia can protect its visa system while maintaining access to the international students and workers that contribute to the economy.

Around 600 Australians who lost their retirement savings following the collapse of Queensland-based Australian Fiduciaries Ltd (AFL) have been given a new opportunity to seek compensation.   The investment scheme collapsed in 2025, wiping out around $160 million in superannuation savings. Investors were initially unable to access the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) after the relevant licensee, APT Strategies, was deregistered by ASIC.   The situation has now changed after ASIC re-registered APT Strategies under a Supreme Court of Queensland order. AFCA has subsequently reinstated the company’s membership for 12 months, allowing affected investors to lodge complaints.   AFCA said consumers who have concerns about financial advice provided by the firm can now bring their complaints while the membership remains active. Investors whose previous complaints were rejected can also resubmit them.   However, victims are unlikely to recover their full losses. Any successful AFCA determination could lead to compensation through the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR), which can provide up to $150,000 to eligible consumers when other compensation pathways have been exhausted.   Many AFL investors lost considerably more than that amount, leaving uncertainty over how much they will ultimately recover. Investor advocate Melinda Kee welcomed the development, saying affected investors had not only lost retirement savings but had also effectively lost their pathway to seek justice.   The case highlights continuing concerns about protections for Australians whose retirement savings are exposed to failed investment schemes and financial advice businesses.   AFCA had already determined 16 complaints against APT Strategies before its deregistration, resulting in $5.71 million in compensation. The reinstated membership now gives hundreds more investors a limited window to pursue their claims.  

More women and girls are being hospitalised for endometriosis, with new Australian data suggesting the increase may reflect growing awareness, improved diagnosis and better access to treatment.   According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were 24,700 hospital admissions for endometriosis in 2024–25. The hospitalisation rate has increased by 23 per cent over the past decade, compared with a 4.7 per cent increase in hospital admissions for women and girls overall.   Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body. It can cause severe pelvic pain, inflammation, adhesions and fertility problems.   Experts say the rise in hospitalisations is not necessarily a sign that the condition is becoming more common. Instead, increased public awareness and improvements in medical diagnosis may be helping more women receive appropriate care.   Around nine in 10 endometriosis-related hospitalisations involved a procedure, while seven in 10 admissions occurred in private hospitals.   The data also showed an increase in admissions where patients did not undergo a procedure. Experts suggest this could indicate greater access to hospital-based pain management for people experiencing severe symptoms.   However, specialists say treatment needs to go beyond surgery. Physiotherapy, pain management and psychological support can also play an important role in helping people living with chronic pelvic pain.   The growing recognition of endometriosis is a positive step but experts stress that more needs to be done to ensure women are listened to, diagnosed earlier and given access to comprehensive care

For Australia’s Nepali community, the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet are not a distant international crisis. They are a personal tragedy unfolding thousands of kilometres from home, with families still waiting for news of loved ones.   As rescue operations entered their fifth day, communities across Australia gathered to mourn those killed and support those still missing. In Brisbane, hundreds attended a candlelight vigil at King George Square, while around 100 people gathered outside the Northern Territory Parliament in Darwin. The events offered communities a place to grieve, pray and maintain hope as rescue teams continued their work. The disaster has also created a significant Australian connection. Forty-two Australians remain unaccounted for as search efforts continue in Nepal, adding another layer of anxiety for families and the wider Australian community.   Australia’s response is extending beyond expressions of sympathy. The federal government has pledged an additional $3 million towards recovery efforts, while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has committed 12 more crisis-response personnel. Eight officials had already arrived in Kathmandu as Australia expanded its assistance. For the Nepali diaspora, however, support is about more than government assistance. Community leaders have called on Australians to continue offering prayers, solidarity and donations while families await news.   The gatherings demonstrate how a natural disaster can transcend borders. A candle lit in Darwin or Brisbane may be thousands of kilometres from the Himalayan rescue zone, but for those with family, heritage or personal connections to Nepal, the distance does little to lessen the grief.   At a time of uncertainty, Australia’s Nepali communities are turning collective mourning into a message of solidarity, and a reminder that those affected by the disaster are not facing its aftermath alone.