The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has joined forces with Australia’s two largest on-demand delivery platforms, Uber Eats and DoorDash, in a historic move to establish minimum standards for workers in the on-demand economy. The three parties have made a joint submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) requesting the establishment of a set of minimum standards, including safety net pay rates, for delivery drivers and riders. The agreement requires approval from the Fair Work Commission. If approved, the proposed Minimum Standards Order (MSO) would introduce legally enforceable new protections and baseline standards that the TWU has championed for many years. Key Standards Agreed Upon   The joint proposal includes several crucial standards designed to strengthen protections and provide certainty for thousands of platform workers. The key agreements include: Minimum safety net pay rates for all classes of transport types. Dispute resolution processes. Representation rights. A voice for platform workers, facilitated through engagement and feedback mechanisms. Accident insurance for injured workers. This landmark achievement is described as the latest milestone in an ongoing collaboration between the TWU and the digital labour platforms, aiming to improve the quality, safety, and security of platform work.   A “Life-Changing” Increase   TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine stated that gig workers have campaigned for years for a better industry. Kaine emphasized the significance of the proposal, noting that for the first time in the world, there could soon be a minimum floor that represents a “life-changing increase to their pay”. He called the joint submission, following constructive discussions, a “significant step towards a fairer gig economy”. The parties are looking forward to the FWC considering these new standards and working towards a strong foundation for fairness in the gig economy. Flexibility and Modern Laws   Both Uber Eats and DoorDash executives highlighted the importance of balancing improved working conditions with the flexibility inherent in platform work. Simon Rossi, VP DoorDash APAC, stated that delivery workers are essential to keeping Australia moving, supporting busy households and small businesses. He noted that the proposal demonstrates that they “can work together to lift standards and still enable the flexibility people rely on, under the Government’s new laws”. Rossi added that since the on-demand economy is now a vital part of how Australians live, work, and earn, “it’s important that working standards evolve too”. Ed Kitchen, Managing Director for Uber Eats Australia and New Zealand, maintained that Uber Eats has long supported “sensible and modern reforms” that strengthen protections while maintaining flexibility. Kitchen emphasized that flexibility is one of the key reasons people choose to gig work after nearly a decade of the platform operating in Australia. Kitchen concluded that the submission is a “meaningful step towards building modern laws for modern forms of work, giving delivery people what they value the most – the protection of minimum pay rates, security and flexibility”. This current effort builds on a landmark Statement of Principles signed between Uber Eats (across both rideshare and food delivery) and the TWU in 2022.  

The competition structure and fixtures for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup have been officially announced, detailing a massive 31-day international showcase across three countries and nine host cities set for October and November next year. Billed as the most competitive, ambitious, and anticipated Rugby League World Cup, the event will feature 14 nations, 26 teams, and a total of 53 matches across the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair tournaments In a significant win for Queensland, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium has secured the hosting rights for both the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals, scheduled for Sunday, November 15. The Wheelchair Final will take place earlier, on Friday, November 13, at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre. Major Economic Benefits for Queensland Queensland secured three of the eight host city destinations—Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Townsville—which Premier David Crisafulli called a “tremendous win for the State”. The decision is expected to attract approximately 110,000 people from interstate and overseas, injecting more than $18 million into the Queensland economy. This coup was made possible through the state’s new Mega and Strategic Events Fund, committed under the Destination 2045 tourism plan.   Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander lauded the selection of Suncorp Stadium, calling it the “best rugby league stadium in the world” and the perfect stage for the Grand Final. Gold Coast and Townsville will stage events throughout the tournament, including a blockbuster Men’s match featuring the Australian team at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.   Tournament Structure and Blockbuster Openers   The tournament runs from Thursday, October 15, 2026, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Men’s Tournament (10 Teams): The Men’s tournament will kick off on Thursday, October 15, at Allianz Stadium with a heavyweight clash between the top two world-ranked teams: the Kangaroos and the Kiwis. The pools are structured with one pool of four and two pools of three nations: Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands. Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon. Group C: Tonga, PNG, France. Group A teams will play three matches against each other, while teams in Group B and C will play three matches against teams in the adjacent group. The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, alongside the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and C. Other key fixtures include England versus Tonga at Perth’s HBF Park on Saturday, October 17, and a match between Pacific giants Tonga and Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 1. Brisbane will also host a blockbuster fixture between Australia and Fiji’s men’s teams at Suncorp Stadium. Men’s matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast, and Townsville. Women’s Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Women’s tournament begins on Friday, October 16, with the all-conquering Australian Jillaroos facing Samoa at CommBank Stadium. Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales. Group B: New Zealand, PNG, France, Fiji. Each team plays three matches within their group, with the top two teams from each Group advancing to the Semi-Finals. A triple-header at Gold Coast’s CBUS Super Stadium will feature Samoa vs France (Women’s) and New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea (Women’s), alongside a Men’s fixture. Women’s Group matches will be held in Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Wollongong, and Gold Coast. Wheelchair Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Wheelchair tournament will be played in its entirety at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre. Group A: England, Ireland, Wales, USA. Group B: France, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand. The opening match coincides with a Men’s and Women’s double-header at WIN Stadium on October 30.   Officials Heralding a New Era   ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM stated that representing one’s country in the World Cup is the “ultimate honour,” predicting this will be the “best and most successful Rugby League World Cup on record”. International Rugby League (IRL) Chairman Troy Grant emphasized the soaring popularity of the sport, noting that the international game is “riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen”. Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium will host double-header Semi-Finals across the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. Tickets are on sale today via Ticketmaster. Adult tickets for Group stage and Semi-Final matches start from $19 (AUD), while Finals tickets at Suncorp Stadium start from $39 (AUD) for adults. All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7Plus.

  A new report from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has laid bare the inadequacy of Australia’s mental health care system, revealing that public hospital emergency departments (EDs) remain the “only option” for many people needing acute care. The crisis has deepened, with data showing that 10 per cent of mental health patients waited more than 23 hours for an inpatient bed in 2023–24. The ACEM report, Still Waiting, analyzed data from 2016 to 2024 and found that despite years of calls for reform, ED time-based performance has declined. ACEM President Dr. Stephen Gourley emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The data is clear. The solutions are known. The time for reform is now,”. Rising Acuity and Declining Capacity   Mental health-related presentations to EDs increased by 11 per cent, rising from approximately 277,000 in 2016-17 to over 310,000 in 2023-24. Worse than the rising volume is the increasing complexity and urgency of cases. Key findings highlighting the severity of presentations include: Urgent Care Delays: Nearly 75 per cent of mental health patients were triaged as needing to be seen within 30 minutes (Australasian Triage Scale 1–3) in 2023-24, compared to more than 63 per cent in 2016-17. Despite this urgent need, the proportion of mental health presentations seen on time nationally decreased from 68 per cent to just 60 per cent over the same period. Mode of Arrival: In 2023-24, 53.4 per cent of mental health-related presentations arrived by ambulance, double the proportion for non-mental health patients. The increase in ambulance arrivals suggests a greater number of people in the community have higher acuity mental health conditions requiring treatment. State Hotspots: Wait times for admission are particularly high in South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. These jurisdictions also consistently reported lower proportions of mental health-related presentations seen on time. South Australia (35 hours 46 minutes) and Tasmania (34 hours 7 minutes) reported the longest 90th percentile ED length of stay for admitted mental health presentations in 2023-24. The core issue driving the excessive delays is a system failing to keep pace with demand. While the number of mental health-related presentations requiring admission increased by 3.2 per cent between 2016-17 and 2023-24, the number of public specialist mental health hospital beds decreased by 1.3 per cent between 2016-17 and 2022-23.   Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups   The data also reveals that the strain is felt most heavily by specific demographics: First Nations Peoples: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accounted for 14 per cent of mental health-related presentations in 2023-24, a significant increase of 3.7 per cent since 2016-17. The College noted that cultural safety must be embedded in EDs, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are more likely to be impacted by the social determinants of health and are more likely to leave the ED before care is completed. Older Australians: Presentations among people aged 65 and over rose by 3.6 per cent. Long ED waits for older patients can contribute to delirium and worsen dementia symptoms. ACEM’s analysis also highlights that system failures extend “beyond hospital bed access block,” as excessive waiting times are affecting not only admitted patients but also those discharged without admission. The longest 90th percentile ED length of stay for non-admitted mental health patients exceeded the national average in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Calls for Immediate Whole-of-System Reform Dr. Gourley stressed that EDs are not designed or resourced for long-term recovery support; they are merely the “default entry point for crisis care”. He urged policymakers to recognize that “people are not a burden” but rather individuals seeking help in vulnerable moments, noting that the problem is a health system that has failed to meet community need. The Australian Medical Association President, Dr. Danielle McMullen, supported the ACEM findings, noting that the report underscores the “devastating impact of a lack of investment” in community services and general practice, which could otherwise keep people out of busy EDs.   ACEM outlined several critical steps needed for decisive action, including: Increased Inpatient Capacity: Increasing the number of inpatient beds to reduce access block and unnecessary delays to admission. Expanding Community Services: Committing to funding the expansion of community-based mental health services and affordable psychology services to match community needs. Crisis Alternatives: Investing in ED alternatives, such as Safe Haven Cafés, which provide more therapeutic spaces for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Scaling Up Models: Continuing to invest in the Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response (PACER) model, which has demonstrated an ability to reduce unnecessary ED transfers and provide community intervention. Cultural Safety: Resourcing EDs with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers to provide culturally safe care. Dr. Gourley concluded that without decisive action, Australia risks perpetuating a reactive model that fails its most vulnerable populations.

  The federal government has introduced comprehensive legislation aimed at addressing fraud, misconduct and exploitation within the National Disability Insurance Scheme, marking one of the most significant regulatory overhauls since the program’s establishment. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025, tabled in Parliament today, proposes substantial expansions to the enforcement powers of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and establishes a framework of strengthened penalties for provider violations. Key Legislative Provisions   The bill introduces a substantially revised penalty structure for serious contraventions by NDIS providers. Offences resulting in death or significant harm would carry maximum financial penalties exceeding $16 million—a more than fortyfold increase from the current $400,000 cap. The legislation also establishes criminal sanctions, including potential imprisonment, for breaches of registration requirements and non-compliance with banning orders. The proposed amendments include several additional regulatory mechanisms: Expanded compliance and enforcement authority for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, including enhanced monitoring capabilities Extension of banning order provisions to encompass auditors and consultants associated with non-compliant practices Introduction of anti-promotion orders designed to prevent marketing of products or services that compromise scheme integrity A 90-day cooling-off period for participant exit requests from the NDIS, establishing a standardized notification process with the National Disability Insurance Agency Mandatory electronic submission of claims to reduce fraudulent activity The reforms target what the government describes as systemic vulnerabilities that have enabled exploitation of both scheme resources and vulnerable participants.   Minister Defends Reform Necessity   NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister framed the legislation as essential to preserving the scheme’s financial sustainability and participant safety. “Every single dollar spent on the NDIS should go to providing the highest quality care and safe support and services for people with disability,” Minister McAllister stated. “Through our investments, we have uncovered rorts committed by shonks, bad actors and criminals who have exploited and neglected vulnerable Australians.” McAllister emphasized the connection between financial misconduct and participant harm, noting that fraud investigations frequently reveal concurrent instances of abuse and neglect. The minister characterized the reforms as overdue measures that address known vulnerabilities while acknowledging that continued oversight will be necessary to ensure scheme effectiveness.   Parliamentary Consideration   The bill now proceeds to parliamentary debate, where it will face scrutiny from both coalition and crossbench members. The government is seeking bipartisan support for passage of the legislation during the current sitting period. If enacted, the reforms would represent the most substantial enhancement of NDIS regulatory powers since the scheme’s transition to full implementation in 2020.

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, D.C., and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia, have announced a major cultural partnership intended to facilitate the global exchange of key works from both leading institutions’ permanent collections. This collaboration aims to create new opportunities for worldwide audiences to experience defining works of art that reflect these respective cultures The ambitious partnership will launch with The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art, the largest-ever international exhibition of Indigenous Australian art. The exhibition will premiere at the National Gallery of Art on November 15, 2025, and is scheduled to tour North America from 2025 through 2027. Unprecedented Showcase of Indigenous Masterpieces The exhibition, drawn exclusively from the NGV’s world-leading collection, features nearly 200 works by more than 130 artists. It charts the evolution and breadth of Indigenous art, spanning from the late 19th century to the present, and includes iconic masterpieces, many of which have never before left Australia. Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art, expressed enthusiasm for the exchange, noting the upcoming opportunity to share the NGA’s “storied American art collection” with audiences across the world in 2027. She added, “We are very pleased to be able to bring these important Indigenous Australian artworks to US audiences, many for the very first time”. Tony Ellwood AM, director of the National Gallery of Victoria, emphasized the importance of the exhibition, stating that many of the traveling works are “globally recognized as undisputed masterpieces”. He noted that this volume of nationally significant works has never before toured internationally, making it a “truly rare opportunity for North American audiences”. The Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of the Australian State of Victoria, praised the exhibition for celebrating the “rich histories and cultures of Victoria’s First Peoples” and sharing the stories of the oldest living culture in history. Exhibition Highlights and Themes The Stars We Do Not See introduces visitors to a wide range of customary forms and styles, including ochre bark paintings, sculpture, jewelry, experimental weavings, and the conceptual map paintings of the Central and Western Deserts (sometimes referred to as “dot paintings”). It also incorporates contemporary work from new-media artists, featuring groundbreaking pieces in neon, sound, video, and photography. A major highlight is Emily Kam Kngwarray’s magnum opus, Anwerlarr Anganenty (Big Yam Dreaming) (1995). This icon of the NGV Collection is Kngwarray’s largest painting, measuring over nine by twenty-six feet, and represents the underground network of roots and yams. This immense canvas, which is drawn in a single, continuous line, has never before been seen in North America. The exhibition title itself is inspired by the late senior Yolŋu artist Gulumbu Yunupiŋu (1943–2012), known as “Star Lady”. Her intricate works, a selection of which will be featured, use crosses to represent visible stars and a dense network of dots to symbolize the stars that are unseen. The exhibition features works spanning the Australian continent, reflecting the distinct visual iconographies of the more than 250 Indigenous nations. Urban-based contemporary artists are alsorepresented, including influential figures like Brook Andrew, Richard Bell, Maree Clarke, and Reko Rennie. Curated by Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) and former Senior Curator at the NGV, the collection was assembled specifically for North American audiences. Russell-Cook noted that while no exhibition can fully capture the complexity of Australian Indigenous art, these works represent 65,000 years of culture and aim to foster “greater connection and understanding of First Peoples culture and art”. North American Tour Schedule The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art and the National Gallery of Victoria, in association with its three tour partners. Bank of America is the North America Tour Sponsor. Following its premiere in Washington, D.C., the exhibition is scheduled to visit three other locations: National Gallery of Art, Washington: November 15, 2025–March 1, 2026 Denver Art Museum, Colorado: April 19–July 26, 2026 Portland Art Museum, Oregon: September 5, 2026–January 3, 2027 Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts: February 28–June 13, 2027 In reciprocity for this cultural collaboration, the National Gallery of Art will send an exhibition of major works from its renowned collection of modern and contemporary American art to the NGV in 2027.

Queensland state school teachers and school leaders are set to walk off the job for 24 hours on Tuesday, November 25, resulting in significant impacts across schools statewide. This unprecedented action comes after the Crisafulli government reportedly refused once again to enter into dialogue with the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU). The decision to strike follows a period where QTU members rallied before and after school across the state, urgently calling on the Crisafulli government to reopen communications and deliver a salary and conditions package deemed acceptable by the members. QTU President Cresta Richardson expressed profound disappointment, stating that the Premier chose to ignore the Union and “ran away from his promises,” leaving state educators and school communities with no recourse but to strike. A Failure to Negotiate The QTU asserts that the strike is a direct result of government failure. The deals that have been offered were “roundly and soundly rejected,” and the government has ignored the “serious issues facing state education,” according to Ms. Richardson. QTU Vice-President Leah Olsson stressed that members do not want to strike, but that the action is necessary to send the government a clear message, emphasizing that the community deserves sufficient teachers in schools, and students require safe classrooms and necessary resources. The current impasse is deeply rooted in the government’s persistence with its rejected wages policy, even after more than 20 meetings with Union representatives and a period of conciliation within the industrial commission. The QTU notes a disparity in how different sectors have been treated; while nurses successfully secured extra financial benefits through negotiation and police obtained extra payments and incentives, educators have been “shortchanged” by David Crisafulli, a situation Ms. Olsson believes should be concerning to all Queenslanders. Deepening Education Crises Beyond salary concerns, the core reasons driving the walkout involve profound systemic problems that the QTU accuses the government of ignoring: Worsening Teacher Shortage Crisis: The QTU warns that Queensland is running out of teachers and that state education will not function as expected unless these key issues are addressed urgently. The Crisafulli government, the QTU argues, “can’t attract new teachers to work in unsafe classrooms with crippling workload”. Unmanageable Workload: Workload is cited as one of the critical issues affecting education that has an impact on society. Increasing Violence and Aggression: This is also listed among the ignored issues that contribute to an inability to retain valued educators who have been “abused and burnt out”. The QTU is demanding clarity on several governmental claims and plans. They have called on the government to clarify its claim that all classroom teachers would be earning in excess of $100,000 by the end of the proposed package. Furthermore, the QTU wants Minister John-Paul Langbroek to “tell the truth about the deal he offered” and for the government to reveal its strategy for attracting new people to the profession, particularly in rural and remote centers. Arbitration and Political Consequences The Union characterizes the government’s failure to act as evidence that Premier David Crisafulli and Minister John-Paul Langbroek “don’t have a plan or an appetite for fixing education”. The current industrial dispute is poised for a lengthy process. Without the QTU’s consent, the earliest arbitration can begin is December 30. QTU leaders accuse the government of being “more interested in delaying its responsibilities and hurting teachers, school leaders, and students through two years of arbitration than in genuinely resolving this dispute”. President Richardson labeled the government’s approach as a “scare tactic” intended to cause fear and harm, suggesting that the government intends to strip pay and conditions, increase class sizes, and rewrite every single piece of the current agreement. Despite the challenges, the QTU is assuring the community that it appreciates the “overwhelming support” it has received. They stress that the strike could have been avoided entirely, noting that the government is the “only party unwilling to communicate and negotiate,” offering nothing but “indifference and disrespect” while members rally and strike without pay. The QTU has reminded the Premier that there is still time to prevent the strike by delivering on his commitment to teachers and school leaders and intervening, urging him to make an offer that can be recommended to members. However, QTU President Richardson’s prediction is grim: “My bet is the Premier won’t reach out, the Minister will not stand up for his portfolio, and the Director-General won’t advocate for her employees, and every Queenslander will bear witness.” In the end, the QTU warns, the students of Queensland who “can’t vote will wear the consequences”.

The Brisbane City Council has commenced an aerial mosquito treatment program today, Tuesday, November 18. The operation, which utilizes helicopters, is scheduled to start at 10 am and could potentially continue into Wednesday, November 19. This widespread treatment plan is considered important for the city and will cover several suburbs across Brisbane. The Council has specified numerous areas included in the flight path, though the treatment is strictly weather permitting. Targeted Suburbs and Locations The areas slated for aerial treatment include: Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Bald Hills Brighton Boondall Wetlands Brisbane Airport Port of Brisbane Pinkenba Tingalpa Hemmant Areas along Bulimba Creek Public Protection Measures While the Council conducts the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative measures include: Limiting time outdoors during high-activity periods, particularly around dawn and dusk. Applying mosquito repellents regularly. Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured protective clothing when spending time outdoors. Utilizing screening on doors and windows, or employing mosquito nets or air-conditioning indoors. Using mosquito coils and lanterns. While the Council conducts the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative measures include:

The Brisbane City Council has commenced an aerial mosquito treatment program today, Tuesday, November 18. The operation, which utilizes helicopters, is scheduled to start at 10 am and could potentially continue into Wednesday, November 19. This widespread treatment plan is considered important for the city and will cover several suburbs across Brisbane. The Council has specified numerous areas included in the flight path, though the treatment is strictly weather permitting. Targeted Suburbs and Locations The areas slated for aerial treatment include: Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Bald Hills Brighton Boondall Wetlands Brisbane Airport Port of Brisbane Pinkenba Tingalpa Hemmant Areas along Bulimba Creek Public Protection Measures While the Council conducts the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative measures include: Limiting time outdoors during high-activity periods, particularly around dawn and dusk. Applying mosquito repellents regularly. Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured protective clothing when spending time outdoors. Utilizing screening on doors and windows, or employing mosquito nets or air-conditioning indoors. Using mosquito coils and lanterns. While the Council conducts the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative measures include:

The Brisbane City Council has commenced an extensive aerial mosquito treatment program using helicopters. This widespread treatment plan is considered important for the city. The most recent aerial spraying operation began today, Tuesday, November 18, following recent heavy rain. The spraying started from 9 am, although it was also reported to start at 10 am, and is scheduled to continue into Wednesday, November 19. The Council noted that the treatment is strictly weather permitting. Program Scope and Expertise Brisbane runs one of the largest mosquito control programs in the country. Notably, the Brisbane City Council is the only local government in Australia to employ two expert entomologists. This mosquito control program operates year-round, helping to reduce mosquito numbers and ensuring management across the suburbs. Customer Services Chair Cr Sarah Hutton provided context on the program’s scale and expertise: “We run one of the largest mosquito control programs in the country and are the only local government in Australia to employ two expert entomologists,”. Cr Hutton affirmed that the expert entomologists guide the timing of treatment: “when our expert entomologists say to spray, we spray”. She also noted that the mosquito season is different every year, depending on factors such as the rain, tides, and temperature. Treatment Methods and Locations The helicopter spraying targets tidal wetlands and known breeding sites. Both saltmarsh and freshwater mosquitoes are targeted using a combination of aerial and ground treatments. The aerial sprays specifically target saltmarsh mosquitoes. Ground teams support these efforts by treating up to 2,400 freshwater sites across Brisbane each week of the year. Since the 2019/20 season, 88,813 hectares have been aerial sprayed. The products used for treatment are safe, short-lived, and designed to act only on larvae found at the breeding sites at the time of treatment. The areas slated for the aerial treatment launched today (November 18) include: Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Bald Hills Brighton Boondall Wetlands Brisbane Airport Port of Brisbane Pinkenba Tingalpa Hemmant Areas along Bulimba Creek For background, the first aerial mosquito spray for the season was conducted on Thursday, October 30, when approximately 500 hectares across Brisbane’s southern suburbs was treated. Public Protection Measures While the Council is conducting the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative actions include: Limiting time outdoors during periods of high activity, particularly around dawn and dusk. Regularly applying mosquito repellents. Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured protective clothing when spending time outdoors. Utilizing screening on doors and windows, or employing mosquito nets or air-conditioning indoors. Using mosquito coils and lanterns. Residents seeking more comprehensive information regarding the planned aerial mosquito treatment can visit brisbane.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, the Council can be reached by phone at 07 3403 8888. An Interpreter Service is also available by calling 13 14 50.

Alcohol-related diseases and injuries have the potential to cost the Australian healthcare system a staggering $68 billion over 60 years if nothing is done to stop the impact. These findings underscore the critical consequences of inaction and reinforce the urgent health and economic case for preventive measures, particularly in Australia, where alcohol is the most widely used drug. The TAP Model Reveals Avoidable Burden This alarming figure comes from new research utilizing The Alcohol Policy (TAP) model, which was developed by Griffith University. The TAP model is an epidemiological tool specifically designed to estimate the avoidable burden of alcohol-related disease and injury, as well as the associated healthcare costs, within the Australian population aged over 15 years. Dr. Mary Wanjau from Griffith’s School of Medicine and Dentistry highlighted the immense potential for savings and improved health outcomes if proactive steps were taken. Dr. Wanjau stated that if alcohol consumption were eliminated over the first 25 years, the nation could prevent more than 25 million cases of diseases and injuries and avoid more than 200 thousand deaths, with the majority of these avoided deaths resulting from cancers. Furthermore, acting immediately to eliminate alcohol consumption to zero could save the healthcare system $55 billion in the first 25 years. Dr. Wanjau noted that these findings are crucial for policymakers, as they help them understand the scale of the future alcohol burden that is preventable. No Safe Level and Acute Risks The necessity for intervention is heightened by global evidence indicating that excessive alcohol use is one of the leading risks for mortality and disability. The evidence suggests that there is no safe level of alcohol-use for overall health. Specifically, the risk of cancers and mortality is shown to rise with increased levels of drinking. While alcohol use affects all demographics, young adults aged 15–39 years bear most of the acute consequences. This demographic experiences high rates of injuries leading to death and disability. The Case for Prioritizing Prevention Professor Lennert Veerman emphasized that these findings strongly support the prioritization of investment in alcohol harm reduction. Even minor decreases in alcohol consumption across the entire population could significantly reduce health burdens for individuals and the healthcare system, while simultaneously lowering costs for individuals, communities, and governments. According to Professor Veerman, policies and interventions that reduce consumption at the population level are likely to offer a favorable impact. Such measures work by creating environments that support and allow for an increase in the number of people who abstain from drinking, a delay in the age when people start drinking, and overall reductions in consumption for those who do drink. Stronger alcohol control policies are necessary to realize the potential gains in the reduction of alcohol harm and related healthcare costs. The research, titled ‘The avoidable health burden and healthcare costs related to alcohol consumption in Australia: multistate life table modelling,’ has been published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.