In a major move to comply with Australia’s new social media age restriction law, Meta has removed access to nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users believed to be under 16 years old across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The mass removal, which occurred between 4–11 December 2025, marks Meta’s largest enforcement action under the country’s new child safety legislation, which prohibits individuals under 16 from holding social media accounts without verified parental consent. While the Australian Government and child safety advocates have praised the update as a significant step toward protecting young users online, critics have voiced growing concerns about the broader consequences for teenagers who rely on online networks for social interaction and emotional support. Community Concerns Experts, youth advocates, and parents have raised several issues surrounding the law’s social impact, including: The risk of isolating vulnerable teens who rely on digital communities for mental health support. A trend of increased downloads of less-regulated apps, as teens seek alternative platforms. Inconsistent age verification methods across different social platforms, creating potential gaps in enforcement. Reports of low compliance interest from both teens and parents, as shown in national surveys conducted by Resolve Political Monitor and the ABC. Digital policy observers argue the law’s intent—to protect minors from online harms—may be undermined if adolescents simply move to more dangerous or unregulated corners of the internet to bypass restrictions. Industry and Policy Response Meta’s Australian policy team emphasized that the company continues to refine its verification systems to ensure accuracy around the 16-year age boundary. Still, Meta has acknowledged that no method is flawless, with “natural error margins” at play due to users misreporting their ages. Advocates have urged the government to consider broader safeguards by requiring app stores to verify age and seek parental approval before allowing downloads of apps restricted to underage users. Supporters say this would ensure consistent protections across all digital platforms and prevent a “whack-a-mole” effect—where authorities are forced to chase teens through emerging apps and platforms circumventing existing restrictions. Broader Context The introduction of the social media age ban was driven by growing national concern over online harms, cyberbullying, exposure to adult content, and mental health challenges among Australian teens. Lawmakers cite the reform as a critical part of a wider digital safety agenda rolled out in late 2025, in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner. For more details on Meta’s statement and compliance report, visit the official Meta Australia Policy Blog here.

As war, geopolitics and online conflict spill into daily life, experts warn that Australia’s multicultural framework still struggles to see harms that arrive as narratives, not just incidents a blind spot shared with other Western democracies.​ Context: WA debate and a national blind spot Western Australia is consulting on a new Multicultural Act that aims to lock in principles of respect, fairness and participation for culturally diverse communities. Policy practitioners say those principles remain sound but were built for an era when governments assumed tension emerged from localised incidents of prejudice, not from global conflicts echoing through news cycles and political debate. In recent years, language around wars, terrorism, border control and social cohesion has increasingly filtered into workplaces, schools and community spaces, often long before any complaint, protest or security issue surfaces. This can shape whether Muslim, Arab, Jewish, South Asian, African and other minority communities feel they are treated as full participants in public life, or silently coded as potential risks who must constantly explain themselves. Narrative harm: beyond “park the war at the door” The Independent Australia article “The blind spot in Australia’s multicultural laws” argues that the familiar instruction to “park the war at the door” no longer works in an era where global conflicts are lived via phones and social feeds. Asking people to separate their identity, grief and fear from daily life may sound neutral, but it can force communities to absorb stress privately while broader society refuses to acknowledge the pressure. Freedom of expression remains a core democratic value, and robust debate on foreign policy is essential. However, practitioners warn that government and media language around security, extremism and migration can unintentionally legitimise suspicion towards whole communities, even when there is no evidence of individual wrongdoing. Over time, this “narrative harm” can narrow civic participation, thin trust and erode the informal community networks that governments rely on when tensions rise. Global parallels: secularism, symbols and social cohesion Australia is not alone in struggling to balance equality, security and freedom of belief. In France, laws restricting conspicuous religious symbols in public schools including Sikh turbans and Muslim headscarves have been justified as necessary to protect secularism and neutrality in education. Yet the UN Human Rights Committee has found that expelling a Sikh student for wearing a turban breached his right to manifest his religion, ruling that such a blanket ban and harsh penalty were unnecessary and disproportionate where there was no concrete threat to public order. International reports continue to document high numbers of secularism-related incidents in French schools, with government memoranda citing thousands of alleged infringements and new debates over clothing such as the abaya. Supporters say firm secular rules safeguard gender equality and protect students from pressure, while critics argue they stigmatise minorities and send a message that some identities are always suspect within public institutions. What this means for Australia’s next steps For Australia, the WA debate is an opportunity to modernise multicultural governance so it can recognise both direct discrimination and the slower accumulation of narrative harm. Community advocates argue that any new Multicultural Act should explicitly require governments to consider how foreign policy statements, security briefings and public campaigns may land in communities already under scrutiny, especially during global crises. Rather than pretending conflict can be left at the doorstep, the challenge is to acknowledge how it actually arrives via headlines, talkback scripts, hashtags and everyday conversations. If laws, policies and media practice can better account for those realities, Western Australia could become an early model for how a mature multicultural democracy manages disagreement, protects rights and sustains social cohesion in a world where the “local” and the “global” can no longer be kept apart.

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.

Australian renters received sobering news this week as new data confirms the nation’s rental affordability crisis has intensified, with rents climbing faster than household incomes and vacancy rates dropping to levels not seen in decades. The latest Quarterly Rental Review from property data firm CoreLogic reveals that national median rents reached $681 per week in December 2025, marking a 5.2 percent increase over the year. More alarmingly, the quarterly growth rate accelerated to 1.3 percent in the final three months of 2025, up from 0.9 percent in the previous quarter a concerning reversal of the modest relief seen earlier in the year.​ Five Years of Extraordinary Pressure The cumulative impact on Australian renters has been dramatic. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, the rental index has surged by 42.9 percent, adding an extra $204 per week to the median rental value. To put this in perspective, during the five years prior to the pandemic, rents increased by just 7.5 percent, or $33 per week a stark contrast that underscores the unprecedented nature of the current crisis.​ Tim Lawless, research director at CoreLogic, attributed the renewed upward pressure to an ongoing scarcity of rental stock. “There isn’t really too much sign of any real alleviation in the scarcity of rental stock, which of course means there’s this ongoing upwards pressure on rents,” he told media outlets.​ National vacancy rates tell a similar story, falling to 1.7 percent in December 2025, down from 2.1 percent a year earlier and well below the pre-COVID decade average of 3.3 percent. The tight market conditions mean renters face fierce competition for available properties, with many forced to accept unfavorable terms or compromise on location and quality.​ The Affordability Burden Reaches Record Levels Perhaps most concerning is the proportion of household income now required to cover rent. Australian households are currently spending a record 33.4 percent of their pre-tax income on rent well above the 30 percent threshold that economists define as “rental stress”. This represents a significant deterioration from historical norms and places many families at the edge of financial viability.​ Recent analysis by Domain found that renters now need to earn at least $112,667 annually to afford a typical capital city house without entering rental stress a more than 50 percent increase from the $74,533 required in 2019. For many single-income households, with the median Australian salary sitting around $88,000, this target remains out of reach.​ Joel Bowman, senior economist at Domain, noted that while average two-person households are spending around 21 percent of their wage on rent in 2025 up from 19.5 percent in 2019 those on lower incomes face much harsher realities. “The market remains incredibly tough heading into 2026,” Bowman said. “Households on lower incomes may secure more affordable dwellings below the median, but often with trade-offs in location, size or quality”.​ Capital City Breakdown: Where Renters Face the Greatest Pressure The rental crisis affects Australian cities differently, with some markets experiencing more acute pressures than others. Sydney remains the nation’s most expensive rental market, with median rents reaching $817 per week a 5.3 percent annual increase. The harbourside suburb of Vaucluse recorded the highest rent in the country at $2,310 per week for houses. Sydney renters typically spend almost a quarter of their annual wage on rent, the highest proportion among capital cities.​ Melbourne, despite being the second-cheapest capital at a median of $624 per week, still recorded a 2.9 percent annual increase. The city’s relatively abundant inner-city apartment stock has helped keep unit rents closer to house rents, creating a more compressed market. Brisbane emerged as one of the tightest markets nationally, with vacancy rates below 1 percent and median rents of $643 per week up 5.9 percent annually. The Queensland capital has experienced property price increases of 65 percent since 2020, almost double the national capital city average. Demand driven by interstate migration and limited new supply has placed extraordinary pressure on Brisbane’s rental market.​ Adelaide recorded the lowest vacancy rate in Australia at just 1.1 percent, with median rents of $560 per week. Despite appearing more affordable than larger capitals, Adelaide renters face affordability challenges comparable to Sydney, with 30 percent of income required to cover typical rents.​ Perth has seen strong rental growth of 5.6 percent, with median rents reaching $700 per week for houses. The Western Australian capital’s vacancy rate has climbed toward a more balanced 2.2 percent, though demand continues to outpace supply in inner-city areas.​ Darwin recorded the sharpest annual rent increase among capitals at 8.2 percent, with median rents of $720 per week. The Northern Territory capital offers some of the highest rental yields in the nation, attracting strong investor interest.​ Hobart maintained its position as one of the tightest markets with a record-low vacancy rate of just 0.4 percent. Annual rent growth of 6.2 to 9.9 percent has pushed median rents to between $520 and $555 per week, with investors benefiting from gross rental yields of 4.3 percent well above the national average.​ The Supply-Demand Imbalance at the Heart of the Crisis The fundamental driver of Australia’s rental crisis is a severe mismatch between housing supply and population demand. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver estimates the cumulative housing shortage has reached between 220,000 and 300,000 dwellings nationwide.​   “Up until 2005 the housing market was in rough balance,” Oliver explained. “It then went into a massive shortfall of about 250,000 dwellings by 2014 as underlying demand surged with booming immigration. This shortfall was then cut into by the 2015-20 unit building boom and the pandemic-induced hit to immigration. But it’s since rebounded again to around 220,000 dwellings, or possibly as high as 300,000 if the pandemic-induced fall in household size is allowed for”.​   Rental listings are down 11 percent from a year earlier, and 17 percent below the five-year average. Meanwhile, Australia’s population increased by approximately 436,300 people in the 2024-25 financial year, while only 173,800 new dwellings were added a shortfall of 262,500 homes. The National Housing Accord, which set an ambitious

A Facebook fan group and a wave of TikTok reviews are turning Vietnamese bakeries from Sydney to Brisbane into viral destinations – and showcasing the power of multicultural small business in shaping Australia’s everyday food culture.​ National social media craze Sydney’s love affair with Vietnamese bánh mì has surged into a full-blown social media phenomenon, with queues forming outside suburban bakeries as fans chase their next “perfect roll”. A grassroots Facebook community, the Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society, now more than 150,000 members strong, rates and reviews rolls from across the country and can send a quiet bakery viral overnight.​ TikTok and Instagram creators add fuel to the craze, with short clips about standout Sydney shops drawing more than a million views and driving new customers through the doors of family-run Vietnamese businesses. Even politicians and media outlets now feature bánh mì in campaign stops and lifestyle content, reflecting how deeply this Vietnamese creation has entered mainstream Australian life.​ Sydney roots, migrant story Many of Sydney’s best-known bánh mì shops are anchored in migrant neighbourhoods such as Cabramatta, Bankstown and Marrickville, where Vietnamese families began opening bakeries from the late 1970s and 1980s. Food historians link the roll to French colonial influence in Vietnam, but emphasise that today’s version – light, crackly bread filled with pâté, cold cuts or grilled meats, pickled vegetables, herbs and chilli – is a distinctly Vietnamese innovation.​ For early Vietnamese arrivals, these bakeries were often a first business and a way to employ relatives, while introducing Australian customers to new flavours one roll at a time. Decades on, Sydney locals now treat bánh mì as a default lunch option, competing directly with pies and burgers on price, convenience and freshness.​ Brisbane and Queensland angle Brisbane’s south-western suburbs mirror this story, with Darra, Inala and Durack home to some of the city’s most established Vietnamese-Australian communities and busiest bánh mì strips. In Darra, a tight cluster of shops around Railway Parade and nearby streets – including long-running venues like Darra Takeaway and other family businesses – has built a loyal following for generous, affordable pork rolls and meatball bánh mì.​ Over in Inala Plaza, bakeries such as Minh Tan Bakery and Tan Dinh are frequently nominated by fans as serving some of Brisbane’s best Vietnamese rolls, with fresh bread baked throughout the day and classic fillings that attract customers from across the city. Local food content creators now produce “Top 5 Banh Mi in Brisbane” lists that spotlight Darra, Inala, Springwood and Carina, echoing the viral review culture seen in Sydney and drawing new visitors into these multicultural hubs.​​ Multicultural success narrative The rise of bánh mì is, at its core, a story of Vietnamese community entrepreneurship reshaping Australia’s tastebuds. Small, often family-run bakeries have turned a migrant staple into a national favourite by combining hard work, culinary skill and a willingness to adapt to local customers without losing Vietnamese identity. Social media has become a powerful amplifier, giving these businesses free marketing as customers post photos, reviews and rankings in groups like the Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society and across TikTok and Instagram.​ In cities like Sydney and Brisbane, a simple lunch roll now carries the history of refugee journeys, settlement in suburbs such as Cabramatta, Inala, Durack and Darra, and the building of thriving precincts filled with Vietnamese food, grocery stores and places of worship. Bánh mì offers a tangible example of how migrant communities are not only contributing to the economy but also helping define what “everyday Australian” food and culture look like in 2026. 

Australia is entering 2026 with multiculturalism reaffirmed as central to the national story, while a tightening but highly targeted migration program pushes states such as the ACT and Tasmania to use their skilled visa quotas to attract urgently needed workers in health, trades and regional roles. New federal briefings emphasis that diversity, social cohesion and economic prosperity now rise or fall together and that the country cannot meet labor shortages without migrants and refugees who feel they belong.​ Multiculturalism at the center Federal messaging going into January 2026 reiterates that multiculturalism is“fundamental” to Australia’s identity, with ministers stressing that migrant familieshave underpinned decades of economic success and helped build a richer socialand cultural life. Recent parliamentary and policy papers again link well managedmigration, inclusion and strong social cohesion, arguing that public confidence in the system is essential for unity in a more diverse nation.​ Surveys and sector statements show broad support for diversity, with around four in five Australians agreeing multiculturalism has been good for the country and that migrants are positive for the economy. Community advocates are urging the federal government to turn this support into concrete action through the new national multicultural framework and by embedding migration settings within a wider strategy for belonging and participation.​ National migration reset in 2025–26 Australia’s 2025–26 permanent migration program remains capped at 185,000places, but the balance within that cap is shifting decisively towards skilled migration, which receives about 132,200 places roughly 70 to 71 per cent of the total. Federal briefings to premiers and recent explainer coverage describe this as a “major reset” focused less on cutting numbers and more on reshaping who comes, with priority for key sectors such as health, aged care, clean energy engineering and advanced manufacturing.​​ At the same time, the Core Skills Income Threshold has risen above about $76,000 and is set to be indexed again from 1 July 2026, while English language requirements and a consolidated Core Skills Occupation List are tightening the system for manylower paid roles. Analysts say this makes the system more selective but also increases pressure on regional employers, hospitals and infrastructure projects, which now depend heavily on state and territory visa nominations to secure critical staff.​ Skilled migration shortages and demand   Business groups and migration specialists warn that Australia is facing persistentshortages of skilled workers, particularly in health and allied health, education,construction trades and some regional service industries. Commentators note thatfactors such as an ageing population, long training pipelines and rapid infrastructure expansion mean local supply alone cannot meet demand in these areas.​​   Sector briefings going into 2026 emphasis that the new, more targeted migration settings reward applicants who align with priority occupations and can demonstrate clear labor market value, rather than those trying a “trialanderror” approach to visa applications. For multicultural communities, this shift raises both challenges and opportunities: the pathway is narrower, but skilled professionals in shortage fields may find better defined routes to permanent residency and regional settlement.​​ ACT: 1,600 skilled places in 2025–26 The Australian Capital Territory has confirmed a total allocation of 1,600 places forthe 2025–26 skilled visa nomination program, split evenly between the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas. Guidance for applicants describes this as a significant opportunity for skilled migrants already living and working in Canberra, as well as selected offshore candidates able to meet the ACT’s points based criteria and occupation needs.​   Specialist updates indicate that the ACT’s allocation sits within a broader national pool of 20,350 state and territory nomination places across the 2025–26 program year. For overseas born professionals including those from multicultural communities already studying, working or running businesses in Canberra ACT nomination can offer a pathway to permanency, provided they can show ties to the territory, employ ability and alignment with the skills list.​ Tasmania: full allocation and weekly invitations Tasmania has received its full 2025–26 skilled migration nomination allocation, with 1,200 places for the subclass 190 visa and 650 for the subclass 491, bringing its total to 1,850 state nomination places. Migration Tasmania has begun issuing weekly invitations to apply for nomination and is publishing round by round updates on how many Registrations of Interest are being invited, their lowest scores and remaining places.​ Official program notices and migration agent summaries highlight that Tasmania isgiving strong priority to health, allied health and teaching, with additional focus onregional skills and certain trades where local labor is scarce. For migrants alreadyworking in Tasmania including skilled graduates and established residents frommulticultural backgrounds consistent employment, salary levels and alignment withhighdemand ANZSCO groups can significantly improve nomination prospects

Australia is stepping into 2026 with a clear message from Canberra: multiculturalism is not an optional extra, but central to who the country is and how it will succeed in the years ahead. A new federal immigration and multicultural update released in January reiterates that diversity and inclusion underpin Australia’s social cohesion, prosperity and sense of belonging, positioning migrant communities at the heart of the national story. In this month’s national immigration bulletin, federal authorities emphasis that “multiculturalism remains central to Australia’s national identity”, arguing that the country’s success and character especially in difficult times are inseparable from its diversity. That language closely tracks long running policy statements that describe immigration as central to Australia’s national story and identity, and multiculturalism as a defining feature of modern Australia.​ The update also situates this message in a wider reform agenda, including the establishment of a new national Office for Multicultural Affairs at the federal level. The office has been tasked with aligning policies and programs across government, and its creation is framed by ministers as a way of recognizing multiculturalism as “a fundamental aspect of our identity it is key to who we are”, rather than as a niche portfolio. Alongside the political messaging, recent research continues to show strongcommunity backing for diversity. National surveys such as the Scanlon “MappingSocial Cohesion” series and the ABS “Acceptance of diversity” indicator report that alarge majority of people in Australia see multiculturalism and immigration as positivefor the country, and that acceptance of multiculturalism is a key marker of socialcohesion. Analysts warn, however, that economic pressure, social media polarisationand global conflicts can quickly erode that support if governments fail to invest ininclusion, antiracism and fair opportunity.​ The Multicultural Framework Review, released in 2024 under the title “Towards fairness: a multicultural Australia for all”, argues that government needs a more coordinated, whole of system approach to multicultural policy, backed by clear laws and long term funding. It recommends strengthening anti discrimination protections, improving access to services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and embedding First Nations perspectives alongside migrant stories in the national narrative.​ For communities on the ground, this renewed federal language will be judged by what happens beyond Canberra press releases. Community organizations have long pointed out that racism, language barriers, insecure work and visa uncertainty continue to shape the daily experiences of many migrants and refugees, even as national leaders celebrate diversity. Advocates argue that true social cohesion depends on whether people from all backgrounds can access jobs, housing, education and safety not just on symbolic statements about identity.​ Nonetheless, the January 2026 update sends a deliberate signal at a time of global tension and domestic debate about migration settings. By explicitly tying multiculturalism to Australia’s economic strength, international reputation and internal resilience, federal authorities are seeking to reassure both longstanding communities and new arrivals that diversity will remain a defining feature of the country’s future.​

Brisbane’s median home value has surged by about $135,900 over the past year,lifting typical dwelling prices to around the $1 million mark and outpacing Sydney andMelbourne, even as borrowers brace for possible interest rate hikes in early 2026.Economists say the boom is being driven by tight housing supply, strong populationgrowth and renewed buyer confidence after 2025 rate cuts but warn that affordabilitypressures for renters and first-home buyers are intensifying.​ Prices surge to new records   Realestate.com.au data show Brisbane dwelling prices jumped by almost$136,000 in 12 months, with homeowners effectively “waking up” that muchricher at the start of 2026 as median values climbed sharply.   Social media posts linked to the same analysis report Brisbane’s medianhome values have grown at roughly double the pace of Sydney and triple thatof Melbourne over the past year.    Separate CoreLogic-style datasets cited by buyer agents put the medianBrisbane house price in late 2025 at about $1.13 million, underscoring howthe city has consolidated its milliondollar house market status. Drivers: migration, supply and confidence Market analysts point to continued population growth into South East Queensland, lifestyle appeal and the run up to the 2032 Olympics as factorsunderpinning buyer demand, even as national conditions vary betweencapitals.   Tight listing volumes mean there are fewer homes for sale, while auctionclearance rates and enquiry levels have remained elevated, creatingcompetitive conditions that push prices higher.   Across Queensland, commentary from property strategists suggests that afteraggressive rate rises in 2023–24, expectations of more stable or gently falling interest rates in 2025 and 2026 have improved sentiment among bothowner occupiers and investors. Rate hike fears and economic risks Big banks and some economists are flagging the risk of another cash rate rise as early as February 2026 to keep pressure on inflation, raising concerns for heavily leveraged borrowers who have already absorbed higher repayments.​   Property researchers caution that while Brisbane has outperformed mostcapitals in the past five years, affordability constraints are building and could gradually temper growth as borrowing power is squeezed.​   Forecasts from major banks and industry reports now point to more modestBrisbane price gains of roughly 2–5 per cent through 2026, suggesting the market may be moving from rapid escalation to a slower, more sustainablephase.​ Winners and losers in the boom Existing homeowners, especially those in highdemand suburbs, have seen significant equity gains, with some using the uplift to refinance, renovate or leverage into investment properties.​   For first home buyers and many migrant and multicultural families, rapidly rising prices and tight rental markets are making it harder to enter or stay in Brisbane, particularly in intercity and coastal corridors.​   Investor interest in units is strengthening as comparatively lower buying costs and higher gross rental yields around 4.5 per cent offer a more accessiblepathway into the market than freestanding houses.​ What it means for Brisbane residents Housing advocates argue the latest figures highlight the need for coordinatedaction on supply, including medium density development near transport,stronger affordable housing programs and planning that reflects Brisbane’s population growth.​   Financial advisers are urging borrowers to stress test their budgets for higher repayments, avoid overextending during competitive bidding and seek independent advice before locking in long term mortgage commitments.​   For multicultural communities and new arrivals, the current market underlines the importance of early financial planning, exploring more affordableouter suburban or regional options, and understanding how interest rate changes can affect long term housing decisions.

For more than 25 years, Officer-based community leader Sukhvinder “Sunny” Duggal has been quietly mobilising multicultural volunteers, faith communities and local partners to deliver food, essentials and hope to Victorians in crisis – from Black Summer bushfires to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living squeeze. Intro: A leader always on the road Officer’s Sukhvinder “Sunny” Singh Duggal rarely has time to himself, constantly moving between meetings, food distribution sites and community events but he describes this hectic life as a source of “happiness, inner peace and strength”. After more than 25 years in Australia, his name has become synonymous with multicultural emergency relief and interfaith cooperation across Melbourne’s south-east and beyond.​ Roots of Community Response Australia Sunny’s journey is shaped by his childhood in Chandigarh, in India’s northern region, where his parents instilled a conviction that life offers only two paths negative or positive and that the only real option is to choose the right path and stay on it. That philosophy underpins Community Response Australia Inc. (CRA), the not-for-profit he leads from Officer that now supports Australians in need through rapid, targeted assistance during disasters, pandemics and hardship. CRA emerged from community-driven efforts during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires, when multicultural volunteers coordinated through temples, mosques and gurdwaras delivered around 11 tonnes of food and even fodder for affected farmers in East Gippsland. Those networks solidified during COVID-19, when CRA volunteers worked up to 18 hours a day to deliver an estimated 40 tonnes of fresh food and around 100,000 meals to international students, vulnerable families and people in lockdown across Victoria.​ Powered by faith, multicultural volunteers and partnerships Sunny is a member of the Sant Nirankari Mission and describes CRA’s work as an expression of simple, selfless service guided by a living Guru and deep respect for all faiths. Under his leadership, CRA has become a bridge between more than 190 cultural communities, grassroots leaders and partner organisations, with volunteers often being the first to identify emerging needs at street level. Operations are frequently based out of faith centres Sikh gurdwaras, temples and mosques which offer kitchens, storage and a ready pool of volunteers to prepare culturally appropriate meals and hampers. Beyond food, CRA also helps share public health messages about vaccination, boosters and COVID-safe behaviour in multiple languages, reaching communities that can be missed by mainstream channels. Recognition and impact across Victoria Sunny’s sustained contribution has been recognised through several honours, including the Multicultural Award for Excellence in Community Response and Recovery in 2020 and his recent inclusion on the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll in 2025. The Honour Roll citation notes that he empowers migrant and refugee communities through tailored programs, youth mentorship, interfaith engagement and resilience-building initiatives that promote equity and unity.​ He also serves with bodies such as the Cardinia Interfaith Network, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and mental health advocacy organisations, including as an ambassador with Mental Health Foundation Australia and through partnerships with Monash Health to support mental wellbeing programs. These roles extend CRA’s impact beyond immediate relief, linking food and essentials with longer-term mental health, skills and resilience outcomes.​ Looking ahead: infrastructure for grassroots relief Today, CRA continues to respond to floods, fires and financial stress, assisting anyone who reaches out or referring them to the right services when issues fall beyond its scope. As cost-of-living pressures intensify, Sunny argues that organisations like CRA need stable infrastructure a dedicated community centre where professionals and volunteers can coordinate relief and where people can walk in for support at the grassroots level.​ He believes that with appropriate council backing and funding, CRA can scale up its model of multicultural, interfaith volunteering to reach more families facing food insecurity, rental stress and social isolation. For Sunny, the message remains simple: choosing the positive path of service is not just about helping others, but about sustaining inner peace and strength in a world marked by crisis and division.​ Attribution:  Berwick Star News, Community Response Australia