The Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia (ECCWA) has welcomed key elements of the 2025 Federal Budget while warning that more ambitious action is needed to fully meet the needs of multicultural Australia. In a detailed response developed with the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), the organisation says the budget marks a positive step on social cohesion and care, but leaves critical gaps in areas such as anti‑racism, migration and language access. Multiculturalism and social cohesion ECCWA notes that the budget aligns closely with the recent Multicultural Framework Review, reinforcing multiculturalism as a core national value and supporting programs that build inclusion and inter community understanding. The council stresses that bipartisan political commitment is vital to lock in long term policy coherence and ensure multicultural communities remain central to Australia’s future. Targeted investments to protect human rights, particularly for refugees and in culturally safe service delivery, are described as encouraging but incomplete. ECCWA and FECCA are calling for stronger mechanisms to ensure culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are directly involved in shaping laws and policies that affect their rights, safety and participation. Anti racism and community safety The budget’s $178.4 million social cohesion package, including grants for multicultural organisations and community infrastructure, is welcomed as a significant boost for frontline work in local communities. ECCWA highlights the importance of funding for security upgrades at Jewish and Muslim community sites, acknowledging heightened risks faced by these communities.​ However, the council warns that the absence of a comprehensive national anti‑racism strategy leaves a structural gap in the response to discrimination and hate. It argues that without a coordinated framework, ad‑hoc measures will struggle to address the deeper drivers of racism that affect many multicultural Australians in daily life. Migration, settlement and language support While ongoing support for refugee settlement services is recognised as essential, ECCWA describes the unchanged humanitarian intake as a missed opportunity for leadership amid unprecedented global displacement. The organisation says a more generous and flexible humanitarian program would better reflect Australia’s obligations and the aspirations of its diverse communities. Additional language support in the health system is seen as a practical and welcome measure that will improve access for non‑English speaking patients. Yet ECCWA points out that similar commitments are lacking in aged care, disability and housing, where language barriers continue to limit equitable access to services and information for many CALD Australians.​ Health, Medicare and community programs The budget’s $8.5 billion investment in Medicare, including expanded bulk billing and higher rebates for diagnostics, is strongly endorsed as a direct relief for multicultural families facing cost‑of‑living pressures. Funding to improve public dental services, lower the PBS co‑payment to $25, and trial pharmacy‑based treatment for urinary tract infections and cheaper contraceptive access is also welcomed as targeted support that will be felt in households across Australia.​ ECCWA highlights the Health in My Language program, which receives an extra $5.4 million, taking total investment to $24.3 million, as a proven model for delivering trusted, culturally safe health information to migrant and refugee women in their own languages. Continued funding for multicultural peer navigation and HIV prevention pilots is praised for improving early detection, treatment access and health literacy in communities where stigma and lack of awareness remain major obstacles. Aged care, women and equity On care, the $2.6 billion commitment to wage rises for 60,000 aged care nurses is described as a critical step in stabilising a workforce that includes a high proportion of migrant workers. ECCWA notes that better pay, alongside culturally appropriate assessments and services under the new Aged Care Act, is essential to deliver dignity in ageing for people from CALD backgrounds and their families.​ The budget’s $573.3 million women’s health package, including support for endometriosis care, menopause services and broader reproductive health, is welcomed as a long‑overdue recognition of women’s diverse health needs. New Medicare items for perimenopause and menopause assessments, funding for 33 Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics, and investments in awareness campaigns and clinician training are all expected to improve standards of care for multicultural women nationwide. Safety measures, including $21.4 million to strengthen the justice system’s response to sexual violence and expand trauma‑informed and culturally appropriate services, are described as vital but not sufficient on their own. ECCWA stresses that specialist CALD services remain under‑resourced and require sustained, long‑term funding if women and children from diverse backgrounds are to be properly protected and supported. Social cohesion investments and multicultural media ECCWA particularly welcomes the $178.4 million over five years dedicated to strengthening social cohesion, including $10 million for independent multicultural media and $44.8 million in community project grants. The council says this investment recognises the central role of multicultural media in informing communities, countering misinformation and amplifying diverse voices in the national conversation. Additional support for African Australian organisations, refugee settlement initiatives and upgrades to cultural institutions is viewed as timely recognition of the cultural, social and economic contributions of migrant and refugee communities. ECCWA underlines that these measures, if implemented in partnership with community leaders and organisations, can help build a more inclusive, confident and connected Australia for all.

Brisbane, Friday 26 December 2025  As worshippers gather today for the first Friday prayers after Christmas, leaders across Brisbane’s Muslim and Jewish communities are balancing grief, fear and determination in the wake of two jarring hate incidents: the swastika‑laden vandalism of Bald Hills Mosque and the antisemitic terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. At Bald Hills Mosque in Brisbane’s north, early morning worshippers on 18 December were met with a confronting scene a large Nazi swastika and phrases including “No Muslims = peace” and “F**k Allah” sprayed across an exterior wall. Security footage captured a masked figure approaching the building under cover of darkness and fleeing after defacing the mosque, prompting a hate crime investigation by Queensland Police. Officers believe the vandal struck between 8pm Wednesday and 3am Thursday, with the graffiti discovered by congregants arriving for dawn prayers. The incident falls under Queensland laws that made it illegal last year to publicly display Nazi hate symbols, and the state Attorney General has signalled that the government is now considering expanding the ban to other extremist symbols.​ “Everyone deserves to feel safe” Sandgate MP Bisma Asif, Queensland’s first Muslim woman elected to state parliament, condemned the attack in a strongly worded social media statement that has since been widely shared. She said the vandalism came “on the back of 15 innocent people losing their lives at the hands of extremists in an antisemitic attack on Sunday” at Bondi Beach, and called out a pattern of “constant antisemitic, Islamophobic and racist incidents” across the community. “Everyone in our community deserves to feel secure in their homes, places of worship, and workplaces,” Asif said, urging Queenslanders to “stand together” against those trying to divide them. Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja reshared her message on Instagram, adding his own plea: “Don’t let the haters divide us,” amplifying the call for unity far beyond Brisbane’s northside.​ Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner echoed that sentiment in a video message, describing the vandalism at Bald Hills Mosque as “wrong” and out of step with the city’s values. He stressed that Brisbane is a multicultural city where freedom of religion must be protected, a theme that has featured prominently as community leaders prepare to address worshippers at today’s Friday prayer gatherings.​ Interfaith solidarity on the mosque steps In the days after the attack, clergy and staff from the Anglican Church Southern Queensland visited Bald Hills Mosque, standing alongside imams and local Muslim families in a public gesture of friendship. The faith leaders shared prayers and conversations on the mosque grounds, with Anglican representatives describing the visit as a tangible way to “show up” for Muslim neighbours after the masjid was targeted. That interfaith response has been mirrored on the airwaves and online, where community figures have framed the attack not just as an assault on Muslims, but as a strike against Brisbane’s broader multicultural identity. A widely shared TV segment showed northside leaders condemning the anti Islam graffiti and vowing that the mosque – also known as Masjid Taqwa would remain a place of peace, learning and community support. Queensland Police have stepped up patrols around the mosque and deployed a mobile police unit during at least one gathering, a visible reassurance that is expected to continue around Friday prayers while the investigation remains open. Officers are urging anyone with information about the masked offender to contact police, as they work through CCTV and witness reports. Jewish community in a “heightened state of security” For Queensland’s Jewish community, the Bald Hills incident lands just days after the antisemitic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed and dozens injured. The attack, which authorities have classified as a terrorist act aimed at Jewish attendees, sent shockwaves through Jewish communities nationwide and prompted an urgent review of security arrangements. The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD) confirmed that, in consultation with police, all public Hanukkah events across the state were cancelled on the Monday following the attack. QJBD president Jason Steinberg said the community is in a “heightened state of awareness and security,” welcoming additional police presence at synagogues and calling on the wider public to be “thoughtful” around Jewish places of worship.​ In Brisbane, bridges and civic landmarks were dimmed, then lit up, in tribute to the Bondi victims, with the Lord Mayor declaring that the city “chooses light over darkness.” The symbolism has carried through to private and communal gatherings this week, as Jewish leaders emphasise resilience and solidarity while grappling with very real safety concerns.​ One story of hate, two communities at risk The defacing of Bald Hills Mosque with Nazi imagery has sharpened a painful reality: symbols of antisemitic hatred are now being deployed in public attacks on Muslims as well. Analysts and community advocates say the same extremist ideologies that fuel violence against Jews are also driving Islamophobic abuse, and that failing to confront one form of hatred ultimately feeds the other. Human rights organisations have warned that both antisemitism and Islamophobia are rising in Australia, urging governments to treat the protection of religious minorities as a core democratic obligation. The Australian Human Rights Commission noted this month that rhetoric and conspiracy theories circulating online are creating a permissive environment for real‑world violence, calling for stronger leadership and community education.​ For many Brisbane residents, the events of December have reinforced an uncomfortable truth: while multiculturalism remains a defining strength, it cannot be taken for granted. It must be actively defended in parliaments, at police command posts, and on the steps of mosques and synagogues.​ Watching today’s prayers and what comes after As Muslims arrive for Jumu’ah prayers at Bald Hills Mosque today, they will do so under the watchful eye of police and the quiet support of neighbours from other faiths. Community leaders are expected to use sermons and post‑prayer gatherings to re‑affirm messages of calm, dignity and unity, even as families remain shaken by the imagery that briefly turned their sacred space into

Police have declared an emergency and evacuated parts of Southport after a storm-triggered crane failure left a tower crane partially collapsed over the Gold Coast Highway on Christmas afternoon, but miraculously caused no reported injuries. Christmas Day incident A violent Christmas Day storm swept across Southport about 3:15pm, battering a construction crane and bringing down multiple powerlines along the Gold Coast Highway near Loders Creek and the Broadwater. Emergency services rushed to the scene and quickly confirmed that, despite the dramatic damage, no workers or members of the public were believed to have been injured. Emergency declaration and exclusion zone Queensland Police enacted an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act before 4pm, locking down a large section of Southport amid fears the damaged crane or live powerlines could pose an ongoing threat. An exclusion zone was established covering the Gold Coast Highway, North Street, Loders Creek and the Broadwater, with people inside the zone told to remain indoors and others urged to avoid the area altogether. Residents describe ‘intense and scary’ storm Local resident Liz Freeman, who lives on the 12th floor of a nearby Labrador apartment building, described the cell that hit the precinct as “intense and scary” but short-lived. She said her windows shook as violently as they had during ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, while heavy balcony furniture was tossed around “like paper” and a solid outdoor table was almost lifted over the railing by the wind. Power outages across south-east Queensland Energy provider Energex reported that a series of “small but intense” storm cells on Christmas Day knocked out electricity to thousands of homes and businesses across Brisbane, Somerset and the Gold Coast. By 6:30pm, about 7,000 customers were without power, with at least 15 powerlines reported down in the Southport area alone and crews waiting for conditions to stabilise before starting restoration work. Severe weather warnings The Bureau of Meteorology recorded wind gusts of around 45 knots more than 80 kilometres per hour at the Gold Coast Seaway as the storm swept through. A severe thunderstorm warning issued at 4:30pm for parts of south-east Queensland flagged the risk of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall, with further warnings at 6pm as the system pushed north toward Gympie and the central coast with the possibility of intense rainfall.

A Jewish family’s Hanukkah themed car has been destroyed in a suspected antisemitic arson attack in Melbourne, intensifying alarm in Australia’s Jewish community already shaken by the recent Bondi Beach massacre.​ Early-morning car fire in St Kilda East Emergency services were called to Balaclava Road in St Kilda East about 2:30–2:50am on Christmas morning after reports that a parked vehicle was on fire outside a home.​The car, which carried a rooftop Hanukkah display and signage including “Happy Chanukah!” and other Jewish symbols, was engulfed in flames, forcing the evacuation of residents from a nearby house as a precaution.​ Firefighters extinguished the blaze and no injuries were reported, but the vehicle was left gutted and the incident is being investigated as a suspicious fire.​ Heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community The attack occurred on Balaclava Road, a main thoroughfare through one of Melbourne’s most prominent Jewish neighbourhoods, close to Jewish schools and community institutions in the so‑called “Bagel Belt.”​ Local Jewish residents say the car, owned by a young rabbinical family, was well known in the area for driving around to share Hanukkah greetings and promote community celebrations.​ Police investigation and person of interest Victoria Police arson and explosives detectives are leading the investigation and have identified a person of interest they are seeking to locate and interview.​Officers have appealed for dashcam, CCTV or phone footage from around Balaclava Road in the early hours of Christmas morning, stressing they are treating the fire as deliberate and taking the potential hate crime dimension seriously.Authorities have also increased patrols and engagement with local Jewish organisations in the wake of the incident. Leaders condemn suspected hate attack Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the attack as “not what any family, street or community deserves to wake up to on Christmas Day in Australia” and acknowledged fears it may be an antisemitic crime. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “beyond comprehension” that someone would torch a Jewish family’s car in the current climate, linking the act to “evil ideology” and referencing the father‑and‑son terrorist atrocity at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Hanukkah event earlier this month.​ Community warns of ‘normalized’ antisemitism Jewish community leaders say the firebombing forms part of a disturbing pattern of escalating hostility and intimidation directed at Jews in Australia.​Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, called it a “heinous antisemitic attack” that left a young family too frightened to sleep in their home after losing their car simply for “sharing the joy of Chanukah with the community.”​ Elyse Schachna, president of Zionism Victoria, said that even if investigators are still examining motive, the targeting of the only vehicle bearing a Jewish symbol “cannot be ignored,” warning that violence thrives where extremist rhetoric is allowed to spread unchecked.​ Fears for Jewish safety and identity Community advocates argue that the Melbourne arson, coming just about 10 days after the Bondi Beach Hanukkah mass shooting that killed 15 and wounded dozens, underlines the urgent need for federal and state governments to clamp down on hate speech, incitement and extremist networks.​ They say it would be a “terrible day” for Australian Jewry if people became afraid to display Jewish identity in public, and are calling for stronger protections so families can celebrate their traditions in safety.​

Nine days of faith and festivity In Mackay, north Queensland, the local Filipino community has once again turned Christmas into a nine day celebration of faith, food and music through the cherished Simbang Gabi tradition. The series of pre‑dawn and evening Masses, known as “night Mass,” is one of the most enduring Christmas customs in the Philippines and has now become a fixture of the regional city’s multicultural calendar. Simbang Gabi blends Catholic worship with a festival atmosphere, bringing families together for liturgy, carols in Filipino and English, and a generous spread of home‑cooked dishes shared outside the church. Organisers say the combination of prayer, song and food is what makes the celebration feel like “Christmas back home,” even thousands of kilometres from Manila. Home cooking that ‘glues people together’ For long‑time community leader Vivien Hanrahan, the heart of Simbang Gabi is found in the kitchen as much as in the pews. Now president of the Mackay Filipino Australian Community Inc (MaFaCi), she still uses her mother’s recipes for spring rolls, empanadas and glazed ham to feed worshippers after Mass. Hanrahan recalls being enlisted as a child in the Philippines to help prepare from October for the December celebrations, including the task of slowly turning a curing ham leg each week. She jokes that her mother always insisted on serving sticky rice at major occasions because “it keeps people together,” a saying she has carried into her community work in Mackay. Ancient tradition adapted to regional life Simbang Gabi dates back to the 16th century, when farmers in the Philippines attended Mass from around 3am before heading to the fields in the cool of the morning. In its homeland, the novena of nine consecutive services typically runs from December 16 to 24, culminating in Christmas Eve. In Mackay, the format has been adapted to local realities, including a shortage of priests, with this year’s observance condensed into a single evening Mass at St Patrick’s Church. Despite the reduced schedule, the church was filled with parishioners and guests, and the choir led a spirited program of Filipino hymns that turned the liturgy into a celebration of cultural identity. Mackay’s growing Filipino population Mackay is now home to one of Queensland’s largest Filipino communities outside the capital, with more than 2,000 people of Filipino background calling the regional city home. Census data shows Filipinos are the third‑largest migrant group in Mackay, behind residents born in England and New Zealand, underscoring their growing influence in local workplaces, churches and schools. Modern migration has built on a much older connection between Australia and the Philippines, which began in the late 19th century with Filipino “Manilamen” working as pearl divers in northern waters. Later migration was constrained by the White Australia Policy and resumed only after its dismantling in the 1970s, coinciding with political upheaval and economic hardship under Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines. New arrivals finding safety and belonging Among Mackay’s newer arrivals are nurses Vic and Julyn Chunle Cavales, who chose the city for its familiar tropical climate and opportunities in the local health sector. Their pathway was far from straightforward, with visa complications linked to their daughter Cheska’s Down syndrome leaving the family split between three countries for seven years before finally reuniting in Mackay in 2022. The family has since become Australian citizens, a milestone Ms Cavales describes as worth the emotional toll of the lengthy process because it offers her daughter security and stability. Community organisations such as MaFaCi supported the family through the ordeal, demonstrating the strong networks that have formed around Mackay’s Filipino diaspora. Tradition making Mackay feel like home For many long‑term residents, Simbang Gabi has become a touchstone that transforms feelings of homesickness into pride in a shared heritage. Community members say that when they first arrived, they felt isolated and missed the sounds and flavours of the Philippines, but as more Filipinos settled in Mackay, they began re‑establishing key traditions such as Simbang Gabi and Philippine Independence Day. Organisers now see the celebration as a gift they can offer the wider Mackay community, inviting neighbours of all backgrounds to experience Filipino worship, food and hospitality. For participants, singing childhood carols in their own language and sharing a meal after Mass turns a regional Queensland church into a second home each Christmas, reinforcing Mackay’s reputation as a welcoming multicultural city.

Breakthrough First Nations squad An all-First Nations boys’ team, drawn from Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) across NSW, has been selected to compete in high-level varsity-style tournaments in the US next year, including the prestigious Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit and games against American high schools. The squad features 10 players aged 14 to 16, marking the first time a First Nations-only team from the program has embarked on an international basketball tour of this kind. This tour sits within PCYC NSW’s dedicated First Nations sporting pathway, Indigenous All-Stars, designed to use basketball as a vehicle for opportunity, discipline and cultural pride. From Nations of Origin to the US The team was chosen from more than 400 young athletes who showcased their skills at PCYC’s Nations of Origin tournament, a major Indigenous youth event that blends competition with cultural identity. From that pool, 11 boys were initially selected, with 10 ultimately available to travel to the United States as part of the touring roster. Selection went beyond talent alone, with players required to maintain at least 80 per cent school attendance, show ongoing engagement with local elders and PCYC programs, and have no negative interactions with NSW Police. Coaches describe making the final cut from such a large field as “no easy feat”, underscoring the level of commitment demonstrated by the young men both on and off the court. Young role models chasing big dreams Wiradjuri teenager Hugo Swan, 16, from Wagga Wagga, is one of the standout selections and says the chance to test himself overseas is the realisation of a long-held ambition to play outside Australia. He hopes the experience can be a springboard to a future in the game, whether as a professional player, a coach or a mentor supporting the next generation of Indigenous talent. Fourteen-year-old Wiradjuri guard Jurrah Penrith, the youngest member of the squad, credits his family and siblings, who all play representative basketball, for nurturing his passion from the age of four. He trains daily before and after school, seeing the US tour as an opportunity to learn from older teammates while representing his community on an international stage. Culture, community and expectations Coaches say the program is deliberately structured to reward consistency in school, respect for elders and positive behaviour in the community, not just highlight-reel plays. The US tour will run for around three weeks, including games in states such as California and Utah, giving players exposure to American basketball systems that have produced some of the world’s leading stars. For Swan and his teammates, pulling on a First Nations jersey overseas is as much about cultural visibility as it is about results on the scoreboard, with players expressing pride that Indigenous athletes are “getting some recognition” in mainstream sport. Many in the squad see themselves as ambassadors for their families, communities and culture, determined to prove they belong at this level while inspiring younger kids watching from home. A pathway beyond the court Program leaders believe the tour can have lasting impact, motivating participants to stay engaged in education and community life while building confidence, leadership and life skills that extend well beyond basketball. By setting clear expectations around schooling, behavior and cultural connection, the Indigenous All-Stars pathway aims to create role models who will return from the US better equipped to contribute to their local communities.

Pacific Island workers in Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme have told a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry they are facing exploitation, fear and silence despite official safeguards designed to protect them. Legal and human rights experts say the program, central to Australia’s “Pacific family” diplomacy, will need urgent reforms if it is to live up to its promises.​ Modern slavery fears in regional NSW A NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery risks for temporary migrant workers in rural and regional areas has heard detailed evidence from PALM workers about underpayment, unexplained wage deductions and threats tied to their visa status.​ One worker from Papua New Guinea, who travelled to Tasmania under the scheme and now lives in Coffs Harbour, reported having about 1,100 dollars removed from his pay in a single fortnight, leaving him with only a few hundred dollars to live on.​ Coffs Harbour and other regional centres have become hotspots for complaints about labour hire operators supplying PALM workers to farms, particularly in horticulture.​ Legal Aid NSW told the inquiry that weak regulation and complex business structures make it difficult to hold some labour hire companies to account, with examples of firms registered to backpacker hostels and directors based overseas.​ A scheme built on regional diplomacy The PALM scheme allows Australian businesses to recruit workers from nine Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to fill labour shortages in agriculture, food processing and related regional industries, on visas ranging from short seasonal stints to four-year placements.​ Canberra promotes the program as a “win–win”, arguing it boosts regional employers while providing Pacific workers with skills and income to send home, and forms part of a broader package of development and gender equality initiatives across the Pacific.​ Federal investment in Pacific partnerships now extends to health, women’s leadership and skills training programs alongside labour mobility, reflecting a push to deepen ties with what ministers regularly describe as Australia’s Pacific family.​ As of late 2025, more than 30,000 PALM workers are in Australia at any one time, with thousands more expected as the scheme continues to expand.​ “Right or wrong, just accept it” A major survey by the Migrant Justice Institute of 370 PALM workers found most participants wanted to keep working in Australia but felt they had little real power to challenge poor treatment.​ The report, titled “Right or Wrong, Just Accept It”, concluded that employer‑tied visas foster a culture of fear, where workers worry that speaking up will cost them their job, their visa and any chance to rejoin the scheme.​ According to the survey, nearly two thirds of respondents said they would change employers if that were allowed, and significant numbers cited unsafe workplaces or disrespectful treatment as reasons for wanting to move.​ Many workers believed almost no one in their cohort would report underpayment or unsafe tasks to authorities, and a sizeable minority said they worried employers could block them, their relatives or their wider community from returning to Australia if they complained.​ Rising complaints and calls for reform The office of the NSW Anti‑Slavery Commissioner has reported a sharp increase in calls to its “1800 Freedom” hotline, with nearly half of all contacts now relating to labour hire companies and the PALM scheme.​ Advocates say New South Wales’ lack of a mandatory licensing system for labour hire firms makes the state attractive to operators leaving jurisdictions with tighter rules.​ A national labour hire licensing regime was recommended by the federal Migrant Workers’ Taskforce in 2019, alongside measures to strengthen coordination between employment and immigration law, but key reforms have been slow to materialise.​ One recommendation that has progressed is clarification that all migrant workers, regardless of visa status, are entitled to full protections under the Fair Work Act, closing a long‑criticised loophole in workplace law. Lives in limbo after disengaging The inquiry has also heard about PALM workers who disengage from the scheme after injury or exploitation and then find themselves stranded in Australia, often with no work rights and no income.​ In one case highlighted by SBS News, a woman from the Solomon Islands who was injured in a tractor fall is now living in regional New South Wales without access to regular work or government support, relying on community services and cash‑in‑hand jobs while awaiting her immigration outcome.​ Federal data shows more than 7,000 PALM workers have disengaged from the program since 2019, creating a largely invisible workforce vulnerable to forced labour, debt bondage and other forms of exploitation.​​ Community legal centres and multicultural organisations say they are increasingly filling the gap, helping injured or undocumented workers access medical care, legal advice and basic necessities while policy catches up.​ Government response and next steps Federal agencies point to a suite of safeguards, including employer vetting, workplace monitoring, spot checks, a dedicated helpline and “Community Connections” support services designed to give PALM workers a path to raise concerns.​ Officials also stress that approved employers must meet strict obligations on pay, hours and accommodation, and that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations can move workers to new placements if serious issues are substantiated.​ Researchers and advocates argue these protections will not be effective without addressing the core power imbalance created by employer‑tied visas and the barriers to independent complaints.​ As the NSW parliamentary inquiry continues, its findings are expected to shape pressure for a national labour hire licensing system and broader overhaul of the PALM scheme to ensure that Australia’s regional workforce strategy does not come at the cost of basic human rights.

Woodford Folk Festival is set to return to Woodfordia from 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, transforming the 500-acre site north of Brisbane into Queensland’s biggest summer celebration of arts, music and culture. Colourful summer at Woodfordia Held about an hour’s drive from Brisbane in Jinibara Country, the 2025/26 Woodford Folk Festival will once again draw thousands of visitors to its purpose-built cultural parkland at Woodfordia. Over six days and nights, the former dairy farm turned regenerated festival village becomes a temporary town dedicated to performance, creativity and community.​ Largest gathering of performers Billed as Australia’s largest gathering of performers, the festival will host more than 450 acts across multiple stages, spanning folk, rock, blues, classical, roots and contemporary sounds. Alongside the music, audiences can expect a packed program of dance, cabaret, comedy, street theatre and visual arts that keeps the site alive from morning until late.​ Beyond music: ideas and learning Woodford’s program extends well beyond entertainment, with forums, talks, workshops and film sessions inviting audiences to engage with social, cultural and environmental issues. These spaces for ideas and reflection sit alongside wellbeing, movement and creative workshops, offering opportunities for festival-goers to learn new skills and connect with diverse perspectives. Family-friendly festival experience A major focus in 2025/26 is the festival’s family-friendly offering, including a dedicated Children’s Festival precinct with performances, hands-on activities and creative workshops designed for younger audiences. Parents and carers are able to enjoy the wider program while knowing there are curated, safe spaces where children can play, learn and participate in the festival in their own way. New Year fire and camping culture One of Woodford’s most iconic moments is the New Year fire and renewal ceremony, a dramatic fusion of fire, music and storytelling that symbolically ushers in the year ahead and draws crowds from around the world. Camping on site remains central to the Woodford experience, with extensive tent and camper facilities helping foster a close-knit festival community and giving visitors the chance to wake up in the heart of the action each day.​

A Canberra teenager has been charged with multiple offences after allegedly performing Nazi salutes in public and distributing extremist propaganda at shopping centres and a university campus in the nation’s capital. Alleged incidents Police allege the 18-year-old Weston man made two separate Nazi salutes directed at members of the public at suburban shopping centres in recent months.Investigators also accuse the teenager of repeatedly trespassing at the Australian National University (ANU) in August and September, where he allegedly placed propaganda-style stickers on buildings and other Commonwealth property. In one October incident, a member of the public reportedly confronted the teenager as he was allegedly putting up stickers at a shopping centre, with police alleging he responded by giving a Nazi salute before leaving the premises.A second alleged Nazi salute was reported on 12 December at a different Canberra shopping centre. Police operation and seized items An Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Security Investigations team, supported by ACT Policing, executed a search warrant at a Weston property on Wednesday 24 December.Officers seized mobile phones, a computer, stickers, storage devices, a video camera and items of clothing as part of the ongoing investigation. The teenager is due to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court, where he will face a range of criminal charges linked to the alleged behaviour. Charges and potential penalties The man has been charged with two counts of publicly displaying prohibited Nazi symbols or giving a Nazi salute under the Criminal Code Act 1995.These offences carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and are subject to mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. He also faces two counts of damaging Commonwealth property, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, and two counts of offensive or disorderly behaviour on Commonwealth premises.All charges relate to alleged conduct at Commonwealth properties and public spaces in Canberra. AFP warning on antisemitism and radicalisation AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Stephen Nutt said antisemitism would not be tolerated in Australia and condemned the alleged Nazi salutes as criminal conduct that harms the Jewish community and broader social cohesion.He said the AFP’s National Security Investigations team, established in September, is focused on individuals and groups causing serious harm to Australia’s social fabric, including those seeking to vilify marginalised communities. Assistant Commissioner Nutt described antisemitism as a “cancer that requires swift and direct action” and emphasised the importance of working with partner agencies to prevent hate, division and violence.The AFP has urged families and communities to remain alert to signs of possible radicalisation among young people, such as social withdrawal, increased use of extremist rhetoric, fixation on conspiracy theories and intensive engagement with fringe online forums. Community impact and social cohesion The case has renewed concern about the visibility of extremist symbols in public spaces and their impact on Jewish and other multicultural communities in Canberra and across Australia. Authorities say strong enforcement of laws banning Nazi symbols, combined with early intervention around radicalisation, is essential to protecting vulnerable communities and maintaining social cohesion. The matter remains before the courts, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used a Christmas Day visit to the Reverend Bill Crews Foundation in Sydney to highlight both Australia’s compassion for vulnerable people and the nation’s resolve in the wake of the recent antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. PM’s Christmas message of hope Speaking alongside Reverend Bill Crews in Ashfield, the Prime Minister praised the Foundation’s “world’s best practice” model of caring for people doing it tough, from free meals to healthcare and welfare support. He said the Christmas gathering embodied “kindness, generosity, compassion, and togetherness,” stressing that every Australian no matter “how low they are in the pecking order of life” deserves to know they matter.​ Albanese acknowledged that this Christmas feels different following the Bondi attack, describing it as a moment where Australians had seen “the worst of evil and the worst of humanity,” but also “the best of humanity” in those who rushed toward danger to help others. Support for Rev Bill Crews Foundation and food relief The visit also highlighted a major funding boost for front-line community services that support Australians facing hardship over Christmas and beyond. The Federal Government has delivered a $10 million commitment to secure and expand the work of the Reverend Bill Crews Foundation, helping provide more free meals, domestic violence support, literacy programs, and GP and dental appointments for people in need.​ Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek announced an additional $2 million for national food relief organisations including OzHarvest, SecondBite, Foodbank and Good360, noting that “this has been a very tough Christmas for some people” and that millions rely on these services each year. She described the work at Ashfield as “compassion on steroids,” saying Reverend Crews is there “every single time” a community is in need.​ Honouring Bondi heroes and backing Jewish community Albanese confirmed that the Commonwealth has written to the Governor-General to establish a special national honours process to recognise the bravery and service of those who confronted the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi. The new awards will sit within the Australian honours system and acknowledge both civilians and first responders who showed extraordinary courage. The Prime Minister said this period must also be one of solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, just 11 days after what he called “Australia’s most serious terrorist attack” motivated by antisemitism and ISIS-inspired extremism. He condemned reports of further antisemitic incidents, calling them “beyond comprehension,” and urged Australians to “wrap our arms around” Jewish communities and “root out any evil that is antisemitism across the board.”​ NSW Premier backs volunteers and tightens protest controls NSW Premier Chris Minns joined the visit, paying tribute to the Foundation’s volunteers and to emergency service workers, police, paramedics and hospital staff who work through Christmas. He said the organisation offers both meals and “an antidote to loneliness” for people who might otherwise spend the day alone. Minns also backed the NSW Police Commissioner’s decision to use new legislation to temporarily ban authorised protests in three parts of metropolitan Sydney for 14 days, with the option of renewal up to three months. He described the powers as “extraordinary” but “absolutely essential” to maintain public order after promised “peaceful” demonstrations included chants such as “Globalise the Intifada,” which he characterised as hate speech that risks tearing at social cohesion. “Hope over fear” at Christmas Amid the sombre national mood, Albanese said Christmas must remain a time where “hope over fear” and “kindness over violence” define the Australian story. He pointed to the overwhelming numbers of people volunteering at the Bill Crews Foundation so many that some are turned away as proof that the country is still driven by compassion and a desire to look after one another. For the hundreds of people sharing a Christmas meal at Ashfield, the presence of the Prime Minister, the NSW Premier and senior ministers added symbolic weight to the message that no one should feel forgotten at this time of year. As Reverend Bill Crews told the gathering, “in the place where you least expect it, when you least expect it, and who you least expect it from, new hope comes.”