Australia is heading into 2026 as a country that is not only growing to 28 million people, but also re-examining how culture, connection and community are shared with and by First Nations peoples.​ Growing population, changing identity Australia’s population is expected to reach 28 million this year, with slow but steady growth reshaping cities, regions and the everyday mix of cultures on the street, in schools and at work.​ Within that story, around 983,700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people roughly 3.8 per cent of the population, with a median age of 24 are helping define what modern Australian identity looks and feels like for a new generation.​ Digital inclusion as everyday participation The 2026 deadline for equal levels of digital inclusion under the Closing the Gap agreement is not just about technology but about whether First Nations families can fully take part in school, work, health care and cultural storytelling online.​Because First Nations Australians are still about twice as likely to be digitally excluded, especially in remote areas, the push for better access, affordability and skills will shape who gets to share their voice and whose stories are heard on the nation’s screens and platforms.​ Caring for Country and community life The expansion of the Indigenous Rangers Program and growth of Indigenous Protected Areas are changing how Australians relate to land, water and climate, with more First Nations people paid to care for Country in line with cultural law and knowledge. As ranger jobs double and protected areas rise to nearly a quarter of the continent, communities are blending cultural burning, language revival and on-Country education with conservation work, offering young people pathways that keep them close to kin, culture and Country.​ Treaty, truth-telling and everyday recognition Victoria’s first formal treaty with Traditional Owners and plans for a permanent First Peoples’ Assembly speak to a wider social shift: more Australians are turning to truth-telling, education and place names as ways to recognise the deep histories beneath suburbs, sportsgrounds and city centres.​Whatever happens politically, conversations about teaching First Nations histories in classrooms, restoring Indigenous names to public places and centring Elders’ voices in local decisions are increasingly part of how communities imagine respectful coexistence.​ A young First Nations generation shaping the future With a much younger age profile than the wider population, First Nations communities sit at the heart of Australia’s cultural future from music, fashion and sport to language revitalisation and digital content creation.​ As the country grows older overall, the energy, creativity and leadership of a young Indigenous population will be critical in defining what it means to belong in Australia, and whether growth to 28 million people comes with deeper respect, shared prosperity and cultural safety for all.

Reports of violence and aggression against school staff across Queensland have surged nearly fourfold in just three years, according to new data tabled in State Parliament. Figures show school-based employees lodged 20,833 reports of occupational violence and aggression in 2025 up from just 5,748 incidents in 2022. The reports include teachers, teacher aides, cleaners, and administrative staff. Brisbane’s Metro South region recorded the highest number of incidents, with more than 5,300 cases, followed by Metro North, the South East, and Central Queensland. While most incidents required only first aid, eight staff members were hospitalised last year. A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Education said the “occupational violence and aggression” (OVA) reporting category was first introduced in late 2021 and that growing awareness has led to more reports being filed. “The department has strongly encouraged staff to report any workplace health and safety incident including near misses where no harm occurred. Collecting this information is vital so that action can be taken where required,” the spokesperson said. The department reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on school-based violence and confirmed it is finalising a comprehensive OVA strategy in consultation with key stakeholders, including the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU). It also highlighted its ongoing “No Excuse for School Abuse” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about unacceptable behaviour toward school staff. To bolster safety and wellbeing, the government is rolling out 140 additional Workplace Health and Safety roles across Queensland using a cluster model to work directly with principals on risk management, hazard assessment, and violence prevention initiatives. The State Government has also boosted its annual “Behaviour Boost” funding to $45 million, supporting schools to employ or expand hours for psychologists, guidance officers, and behavioural specialists. An additional $2.5 million has been allocated for grants to help schools equip staff with better tools and training to manage poor behaviour. Through this program, about 350 new full-time-equivalent staff have been added to state schools. However, Opposition Education Spokesperson Di Farmer said the figures reveal a system under strain, with school staff increasingly feeling unsafe in their workplaces. “Schools are workplaces. But increasingly, our school staff are not feeling safe there,” Ms Farmer said.“The Education Minister promised over a year ago to act on classroom violence but he’s done nothing while violent incidents continue to rise. Our school staff are not punching bags.” The Opposition argues the government has failed to prioritise the issue, leaving teacher safety and working conditions to the Industrial Relations Commission while focusing on high-profile events such as the 2032 Olympics. Education unions say the data underscores why more teachers are leaving the profession early and why it’s becoming harder to attract new educators. MAN TV will continue to follow developments as the Department finalises its statewide strategy to address violence in Queensland schools.

Australians rate their local councils as the best-performing tier of government but paradoxically, many also see them as the most expendable. A new nationwide survey reveals that 56 per cent of Australians think their local council does a good job, a higher rating than for state governments (46 per cent) and the federal government (39 per cent). Councils also received fewer “poor” ratings than the other tiers, with the federal government attracting the most “very poor” assessments. Yet despite their strong performance record, local councils are seen by many as the least essential level of government. Twenty-seven per cent of survey respondents said councils could be abolished, slightly more than the 26 per cent who would do away with state governments. Only nine per cent said Australia could function without the federal government. Political loyalties appear to shape views: Labor voters were more likely to consider councils unnecessary, while Coalition supporters leaned toward eliminating state governments. Still, a significant 38 per cent of participants were undecided highlighting broad uncertainty across the electorate about how government responsibilities should be divided. The findings also point to Australians’ growing appetite for streamlining government operations. Nearly three-quarters of respondents supported harmonising laws, taxes and regulations nationwide, while 58 per cent called for single-tier responsibility in key policy areas to avoid duplication and confusion. More ambitious reform options such as having state governments deliver services without elected parliaments received mixed responses. Almost half expressed some support, though many remained uncertain, and such ideas would face major constitutional obstacles. Overall, the research reveals a national paradox: Australians value the practical services their councils deliver from rubbish collection to road repairs and parks maintenance yet a substantial share sees them as non-essential in a more simplified model of governance. The results underscore a deeper tension in Australian politics between satisfaction with local performance and frustration with bureaucratic overlap. As debates about efficiency and reform continue, councils will need to demonstrate not only capability but necessity.

Two senior community leaders have been appointed Co‑Coordinators General to steer the next phase of recovery and support for those affected by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, in a move the NSW Government says is designed to sustain care “for the long haul.” Multicultural NSW chief executive Joseph La Posta and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Michele Goldman will jointly oversee services for victims’ families, survivors and the wider eastern suburbs and Jewish communities. New leadership for recovery The NSW Government confirmed the Co‑Coordinators General appointments on Wednesday 14 January 2026, one month after the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December 2025. Premier Chris Minns said the roles are intended to ensure support efforts for the Bondi community remain “organised, appropriate and effective” as the focus shifts from immediate crisis response to long‑term recovery. Who the Co‑Coordinators are Joseph La Posta has led Multicultural NSW since 2019, driving the agency’s five‑year strategy and programs to strengthen cultural diversity and social cohesion across the state. Michele Goldman became CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies in 2024 and previously served as CEO of Asthma Australia, vice‑president of JewishCare NSW, and as a non‑executive director at Social Impact Hub, The Housing Connection and the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation. Their roles and priorities La Posta will lead whole‑of‑government coordination, making sure support programs and services are delivered seamlessly across NSW agencies, while Goldman will provide dedicated community leadership informed by close engagement with affected Jewish and eastern suburbs communities. Together, they will coordinate efforts across government, NGOs, charities and the private sector, with a stated priority on active engagement with community leaders to rebuild wellbeing, strengthen social cohesion and support long‑term recovery. Scale of support so far Federal and NSW Governments have so far committed about $60 million towards wellbeing, resilience and recovery initiatives for victims, families and impacted communities, building on earlier joint disaster recovery funding announced in the weeks after the attack. According to the NSW Government, more than 830 people have already accessed the Bondi Community Hub, over 230 businesses have received help from Service NSW, and more than 350 applications have been lodged with Victim Support Services. Context of the Bondi attack The 14 December 2025 Bondi Beach shooting, described by authorities as an Islamic State‑inspired antisemitic terrorist attack, targeted a Jewish Hanukkah event and has been labelled the deadliest antisemitic attack in Australian history. The attack has triggered a national response that includes a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion and a series of reforms aimed at improving security, tightening laws and bolstering support for Jewish and broader Australian communities.

NSW has announced what it is calling the nation’s largest Australia Day 2026 program, with a full day of free events across the state and a major focus on Sydney Harbour from dawn until late night. The program weaves together First Nations ceremonies, family activities, harbour spectacles and a star‑studded concert at the Sydney Opera House, framed as a day for both celebration and reflection following the recent Bondi terror attack. Dawn ceremonies and First Nations focus Sydney’s program begins with a Dawn Reflection as the sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated with artwork by Aboriginal artist Garry Purchase, signalling the start of the day’s commemorations on Eora Country. This is followed by the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo’s Walumil Lawns, continuing a tradition that acknowledges the cultural and spiritual significance of 26 January for First Nations peoples and invites the wider community to reflect on history and resilience. Harbourfest on water and in the sky From late morning, Sydney Harbour transforms into a large‑scale Harbourfest with a sequence of on‑water and aerial events designed for spectators along the foreshore and on vessels. Signature elements include the Ferrython, the Midday Salute honouring Australian veterans through a tri‑forces display, the Harbour Parade with decorated boats, the Tall Ships Race and the 190th Australia Day Regatta, billed as the world’s oldest annual sailing event. Family activities around Circular Quay Around Circular Quay, the program emphasises accessible, family‑friendly activities spanning much of the day. Surf Life Saving NSW will run its Fun in the Sun activation at First Fleet Lawn, offering free games and water‑safety education for children, while the Mega Kidz Zone at the Overseas Passenger Terminal returns with large‑scale games, inflatables and arcade attractions aimed at younger audiences. Australia Day Live concert and tribute The evening culminates in Australia Day Live, a free concert on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House set against the harbour and bridge, positioned as the emotional centrepiece of the program. An all‑star Australian lineup features Cody Simpson, Kate Ceberano, William Barton, Jude York and supergroup The Fabulous Caprettos (Wendy Matthews, Rai Thistlethwayte, Dave Gleeson and Joe Camilleri), alongside performers such as Burn the Floor and John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra, with a fireworks and aerial display over Circular Quay closing the night.     A key segment of the concert will be a tribute to those affected by last month’s Bondi terror attack, which claimed multiple lives and left the state in mourning. Sydney band SHIR, associated with the Australian Jewish Music Festival and known for a widely shared rendition of “I Am Australian” at the Bondi vigil, is slated to perform as part of a moment of shared remembrance embedded within the broader celebration Statewide events and government message Beyond Sydney, local councils and communities across New South Wales will host citizenship ceremonies, community festivals and Australia Day Ambassador Program events, with more than 100 Australians recognised for their contributions travelling to regional and suburban locations. The NSW Government is promoting the 2026 program as the largest of its kind in the country, highlighting its free, statewide nature and promising further detail closer to the day.   Premier Chris Minns has framed the day as an opportunity to focus on shared beliefs in freedom, respect and a “fair go,” while acknowledging the contested nature of the date and underscoring the need for space to reflect on First Nations history and the trauma of recent events such as the Bondi attack. Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper has emphasised themes of diversity, mateship and unity, stressing that the expanded program is designed to allow people to participate in ways that suit them, whether at harbour spectaculars, formal ceremonies or smaller gatherings with family and friends.

More than 2200 locations across Victoria have been approved for mobile speed camera use in January 2026, as authorities refresh their enforcement map for the new year. The official list, published monthly by the Victorian Government, now includes 2262 potential sites where cameras can be deployed at any time during the month. What’s changed this month The January update brings a modest reshuffle, with six new camera locations added and ten removed from the state-wide schedule. While the overall coverage remains extensive, the adjustments fine-tune enforcement around both regional and metropolitan roads.   New locations: Warrnambool: Aitkins Road, Raglan Parade and the Princes Highway. Hamilton: Mt Napier Road and Coleraine Road. Toolern Vale: An additional site on Diggers Rest–Coimadai Road.   Removed locations: Anakie Road (Bell Park), Barkers Road (Hawthorn East), Bennett Road (Horsham), Clarendon Street (East Melbourne), Cookes Road (Doreen), Edgecombe Road (Kyneton), Gardenia Street (Horsham), Meeniyan–Promontory Road (Buffalo), Sheepwash Road (Barwon Heads), and one of two entries for the Princes Highway in Moe, with one Moe listing remaining active. How sites are selected Each mobile camera site must satisfy at least one safety or enforcement criterion before it is approved for use. The aim is to target high‑risk or problematic areas rather than placing cameras at random. A recent history of speed‑related crashes or road trauma over the past three years.   Confirmed complaints about speeding from community members or local councils.   Identification by police as a location with persistent speed issues.   Situations where other enforcement options are considered unsuitable, making mobile cameras the most practical tool. Who runs the cameras Victoria Police decide when and where each camera operates, but day‑to‑day operation is handled by private contractor Serco. The devices are housed in unmarked vehicles and rely on Gatso T‑Series camera units supplied by road safety technology company Sensys Gatso. Serco has been providing traffic camera services to Victoria since 2007, with its current contract—first awarded in 2019—extended through to October 2029.   The partnership covers the deployment, operation and maintenance of the mobile enforcement fleet across the state. Trailer-based cameras on the way Victoria is also moving toward wider use of trailer‑mounted portable speed cameras following a recent trial. A new agreement will see Sensys Gatso supply trailer‑based systems to Serco until October 2029, indicating these units are expected to become a regular part of the enforcement mix.   Trailer cameras are already in use in Tasmania, where Sensys Gatso supplies and operates similar systems.   Authorities say the combination of vehicle‑based and trailer‑mounted cameras is intended to strengthen speed compliance and reduce road trauma across both Melbourne and regional Victoria.

It was a birthday to remember for six‑year‑old Charlie McEvoy from Noosa, whose dream of becoming a police officer received an unforgettable boost last weekend. Charlie and his mum Katie had recently visited Noosa Police Station to invite the local officers to his upcoming birthday party. During their visit, police gave the crime‑fighting enthusiast a quick station tour, a memorable experience for the young boy already proudly wearing a junior police uniform given to him by Santa last Christmas. Just a few days later, Charlie’s dream came true. Senior Constable Joel Schoenberger and Constable Alex Browne surprised him by driving their patrol car right up to his party on Saturday, January 10. The officers let Charlie climb inside, try the siren, and handed him a very special birthday present: a custom mini vest complete with a badge naming him Special Constable Charlie. “It was such a lovely morning,” said Charlie’s mum Katie. “The officers were incredible. They made his day unforgettable.” Constable Browne told MAN TV it was just as special for them: “We were thrilled to help make Charlie’s birthday a little bit more memorable.” The celebration was entirely police‑themed from the decorations to the cake but what stood out most was the community spirit between officers and residents. Katie said the experience still comes up in every conversation: “Charlie tells everyone he meets about his police party, even people we run into while walking the dog.” It’s moments like these that remind Queenslanders how strong connections between local police and the community can inspire the next generation. Source: Queensland Police Service Media Release “Noosa officers make a birthday wish come true” (Jan 16, 2026)

Indonesian fisheries surveillance flight PK-THT has crashed in mountainous terrain in South Sulawesi after vanishing from radar during a domestic flight from Yogyakarta to Makassar, with all on board feared dead as large-scale search and recovery efforts continue. Indonesian authorities say wreckage from the ATR 42-500 turboprop, operated by Indonesia Air Transport on behalf of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, was found scattered across a remote peak in Maros Regency. Indonesian authorities have launched a major search and recovery operation after an Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42-500, registered PK-THT, disappeared from radar on Saturday while approaching Makassar in South Sulawesi with 11 people on board. The aircraft was operating a government fisheries surveillance mission between Yogyakarta and Makassar when contact was lost in poor weather over rugged mountain terrain. Officials from Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) report that the turboprop made its last radio contact at around 1:15–1:17pm local time, shortly after being cleared to approach Runway 21 at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport. Air traffic controllers then lost both radar and voice communication, triggering an immediate alert and the deployment of ground and aerial search teams to the Bantimurung and Leang-Leang mountain area in Maros Regency, north-east of Makassar. Wreckage Located In Remote Mountains After searching through the night and resuming operations before dawn, joint SAR teams involving the military, police and volunteers reported the first visual signs of debris on steep slopes in the Maros highlands. By mid-morning, rescuers confirmed they had located major sections of the fuselage and a wide debris field on a remote mountain peak, accessible only on foot and by helicopter. Basarnas officials and local commanders say at least one body has been recovered from a ravine below the main wreckage site, and that the condition of the aircraft remains indicates a high‑impact crash with little chance of survivors. Recovery teams are working in hazardous conditions, hampered by fog, sheer cliffs and dense forest, and say it could take days to retrieve all victims and secure the flight’s black boxes. Victims And Mission Details Authorities state that 10 to 11 people were on board, including the flight crew and officials from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries travelling on an aerial monitoring mission over Indonesian waters. Local media report that three ministry personnel were among those on the flight, which had been converted from a standard passenger layout into an airborne surveillance platform in 2025. Indonesia Air Transport, which operated the aircraft under a government contract, has not yet released a full passenger and crew manifest pending notification of families. The ATR 42-500 involved first entered service in 2001 and was transferred into fisheries surveillance duty in 2025, according to independent aviation records. Investigation And Safety Concerns Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that a formal investigation is under way to determine why the aircraft went silent mid‑air so close to its destination. Investigators will examine air traffic control data, weather conditions, maintenance history and, once recovered, flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the wreckage site. The crash adds to Indonesia’s troubled aviation safety record, with the country’s geography, ageing fleets and challenging weather repeatedly highlighted as risk factors in past accidents. Officials stress that all available resources remain focused on locating every victim and securing key evidence, while counselling and support are being offered to grieving families in Makassar and Yogyakarta.

Brisbane Launches Funding Program to Support Future Olympic and ParalympicAthletes Brisbane City Council has announced a new program, "Brisbane Towards 32," to support athletes preparing for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The program starts with a $100,000 grant from the city, which will be matched by corporate donations through the Aussie Athlete Fund. This approach creates a pooled funding model to assist athletes. At least 18 athletes from Brisbane will receive grants of up to $10,000 each. The funding is intended to cover costs related to training, competition, equipment, coaching, and travel. The program is open to athletes from all sporting disciplines, with a focus on preparing individuals to represent Australia in 2032 and in future games. In addition to financial support, the initiative offers resources for professional development, such as networking and financial literacy training. The Aussie Athlete Fund, led by Natalie Cook, is a national organization aimed at reducing financial barriers for athletes. According to data from the Australian Sports Foundation, nearly half of Australia's top athletes earn below the poverty line, impacting their ability to participate in international competition. “The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just an opportunity to build a better Brisbane, they’re also a chance to invest in our homegrown sporting talent,” says Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. “The Brisbane Towards 32 program will take pressure off talented local athletes so they can focus on training hard competing at the highest level and chasing their dreams.” The Brisbane Towards 32 program is part of the Schrinner Councils broader strategy for the city in connection with the 2032 Games. The announcement included statements from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Natalie Cook, who both emphasized the programs role in supporting athletes and the city’s preparations for the upcoming international event.

An international team, co-led by Southern Cross University, Indonesia’s national researchand innovation agency (BRIN) and Griffith University, discovered and dated cave paintingsmade by our species on the island of Sulawesi at least 67,800 years ago. The paintings were dated using advanced uraniumseries analysis of mineral deposits around the pigment, giving a solid minimum age for the artwork. The cave shows evidence of artistic activity spanning tens of thousands of years, with art being produced there up until about 20,000 years ago. “It is now evident from our new phase of research that Sulawesi was home to one of the world’s richest and most longstanding artistic cultures, one with origins in the earliest history of human occupation of the island at least 67,800 years ago,” said Professor Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist and geochemist from the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research (GCSCR), who co-led the study. Importantly, the findings help strengthen the idea that modern humans were present in this region long before 65,000 years ago and likely used these islands as stepping stones in their journey from mainland Asia into what became Sahul — the ancient landmass of Australia and New Guinea. The age and location of the art support theories about early human migration through Indonesia into Australia, especially by groups closely linked to the ancestors of Indigenous Australians. This remarkable discovery not only rewrites part of the story of human artistic expression but also offers a powerful glimpse into how our ancestors moved, adapted, and expressed themselves tens of thousands of years ago. Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau from the Geo archaeology and Archaeometry Research Group (GARG) at Southern Cross University, who co-led the research, said the discovery sheds light on the most likely course of humans’ ancient island-hopping journey from mainland Asia to Sahul via the northern route. “With the dating of this extremely ancient rock art in Sulawesi, we now have the oldest direct evidence for the presence of modern humans along this northern migration corridor into Sahul,” Professor Joannes-Boyau said.