In a post shared in a Facebook group, the mother wrote:

“My son yesterday got Cherry Ripe from Halloween trick treats. He found needles. Please be careful. I am attaching the picture.”

The post prompted a range of reactions, with some users expressing concern and others questioning the circumstances surrounding the alleged discovery.

One person asked whether the chocolate had already been split open when the packet was opened, questioning how the needle could have been inserted. Another user recalled finding a needle in an apple several years ago, saying the fruit had come from a pre-packaged children’s bag purchased at Coles. The user said police had attended and taken the apple and its packaging.

Other commenters urged the family to retrace their trick-or-treating route to identify where the chocolate had been collected.

Several expressed outrage at the possibility of someone deliberately placing a sharp object in children’s treats.

One commenter argued that it was possible to pierce chocolate through its foil wrapper without opening the packet, while another shared a link suggesting similar incidents had occurred elsewhere.

The claim has prompted comparisons with Australia’s 2018 strawberry contamination scare, which began on 9 September that year when a man reportedly found a needle in a strawberry he had purchased from a supermarket.

As further reports emerged across the country, strawberries were removed from supermarket shelves. Authorities ultimately recorded 230 needle-contamination incidents nationwide, involving 68 strawberry brands. Many of the reported incidents were believed to involve copycat acts.

There is no confirmation in the information available that the Melbourne incident involved deliberate tampering or that the alleged needle discovery has been verified by police.

Parents are advised to check children’s treats carefully and contact police if they discover a suspected foreign object.

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The controversy centres on an unsolicited offer of an additional parliamentary staff member, reportedly a Personal Adviser 3 position with a salary of up to $200,000 a year, and subsequent discussions involving potential grant funding for communities in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Speaking to News24 host Peta Credlin, Farley confirmed that Albanese had offered him a senior staffer, which he said he needed, but indicated he would not accept the position while One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and other crossbenchers continued negotiations over parliamentary staffing arrangements.

“He generously offered me, unsolicited, a staffer, a high-level staffer which, quite frankly, I need.”

However, he said accepting the offer would be “disingenuous” given the unresolved dispute over staffing allocations for other crossbench MPs.

Asked whether Albanese had offered funding for the Murray-Darling Basin through the Sustainable Communities Program in exchange for support for the government’s water buybacks, Farley answered: “No”.

He said his discussions with the Prime Minister had focused on water availability and described his introduction to senior ministers Tony Burke and Murray Watt as “excellent”.

Farley’s comments differ from the account given by Hanson, who accused the government of raising the prospect of grant funding after the Prime Minister initiated private meetings with the newly elected MP.

In a statement, Hanson said Farley had informed One Nation’s leadership on Wednesday night that Albanese had written to him offering a Personal Adviser 3 position outside the party’s unresolved staffing request.

She said Farley had neither requested the appointment nor received an explanation for it, adding that senior ministers subsequently raised grant funding under the Sustainable Communities Program for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Hanson said One Nation was concerned that taxpayer-funded resources were being used to exert political influence over parliamentarians.

“The Prime Minister should not personally control the resources available to his political opponents,” she said, calling for fair, transparent and independently determined staffing allocations.

She also alleged that the government had raised the prospect of grants as compensation for water buybacks, insisting that the party would not allow funding to influence its position on water policy.

“David and One Nation will always fight for Farrer’s fair share of public resources, but we will never allow grant funding to buy cooperation or silence on the issue of water advocacy, implicit or otherwise.”

The dispute comes amid One Nation’s broader campaign for changes to parliamentary staffing arrangements. Hanson said the party had introduced its Safe Staffing Guarantee Bill to prevent what it regards as the potential misuse of the Prime Minister’s control over staffing resources. She said Labor, the Coalition and the Greens had opposed the bill.

Farley was also asked whether Albanese’s private meetings and staff offer could lead to him leaving One Nation and joining Labor.

He did not explicitly address the possibility of switching parties, but reaffirmed his decision to join One Nation, saying he had been looking for “political courage” and “political tenacity” to represent the Farrer electorate.

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Speaking at a press conference in Canberra on Thursday, 29 October, Albanese said the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, would establish greater accountability for technology platforms and address the influence of algorithms on the content Australians see online.

“It’s not about government having a greater role, it’s about people having a greater role,” Albanese said, arguing that individuals should have more control over what appears on their devices rather than leaving those decisions to internationally based companies.

The Prime Minister described the proposed legislation as a further step in Australia’s efforts to respond to the growing influence of digital technologies, following the introduction of the social media accounts ban for children under 16.

Albanese said the government was also focused on securing parliamentary support for its domestic gas reservation package, which was scheduled for debate and a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The proposed scheme would allow up to 20 per cent of gas exports to be reserved for domestic use, with the government arguing that the measure would increase supply for Australian households and businesses, support manufacturing and put downward pressure on prices.

Resources Minister Madeleine King said the reforms would establish an enduring domestic gas reservation framework, providing greater certainty for consumers, industry and the gas sector.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres described the proposal as a major economic reform intended to protect industrial jobs and strengthen Australia’s manufacturing competitiveness.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia was the last country with a gas industry without an effective reservation policy.

Albanese also defended the government’s proposed European Union Free Trade Agreement, calling it a significant opportunity for Australian exporters.

He said the agreement would make 98 per cent of Australian goods and services exports to the European market tariff-free, opening access to a market of approximately 450 million people. The government estimates the deal could boost Australia’s economy by $10 billion.

The Prime Minister highlighted potential benefits for critical minerals, manufactured goods, services, defence-related industries, fruit and vegetable producers, wine exporters and the beef and sheep meat sectors.

Responding to criticism from the Coalition, Albanese said Australia had secured improved terms through negotiations with the European Union. He said the agreement would allow beef and sheep meat exports to Europe to increase substantially, with the arrangements subject to a five-year review.

He also rejected objections to climate-related provisions in the agreement, noting that references to the Paris Agreement were included in other Australian free trade agreements.

“Trade is a good thing,” Albanese said, arguing that Australia’s economic growth and productivity depended on engagement with international markets.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns about inflation and the prospect of further interest rate increases, acknowledging that households were under pressure.

He pointed to government savings, budget management and cost-of-living measures, including free TAFE, cheaper medicines, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and changes to bulk-billing incentives.

Albanese said global inflationary pressures, including higher oil prices and conflict in the Middle East, were affecting economies around the world. He maintained that Australia had performed comparatively well on employment and economic growth, while acknowledging that reducing inflation remained a challenge.

On government spending, he said the government would continue to identify savings as part of the upcoming Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, but ruled out major cuts to health, education, hospitals and schools.

The press conference also covered concerns about the Northern Minerals rare earths project in Western Australia, where the government is examining options after foreign shareholders allegedly disregarded court decisions. Resources Minister King said the deposit was important to Australia’s critical minerals supply chain and that the government was considering measures within its remit to support its development.

The government’s legislative agenda also includes tax changes, with Albanese defending reforms intended to better align the taxation of income from work and assets. He said adjustments had been made following consultation and that discussions were continuing with the Australian Olympic Committee over concerns about the impact of proposed changes on athletes.

Albanese said the government would continue pursuing its domestic economic agenda while strengthening Australia’s international trade and regional relationships.

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Senior Constable Bikash Bharati, attached to Burwood Police Area Command, was presented with the joint 2026 National Bravery Award by the Police Federation of Australia at a ceremony in Canberra on Wednesday, October 28.

Bharati was among the first officers to respond to the shooting on October 5, 2025. Despite coming under fire, he directed a junior colleague to safety and assisted an injured member of the public.

In accepting the award, Bharati said the recognition was something he had never expected when he arrived in Australia from Nepal in 2015.

“While my name may be on the award, policing is never an individual effort.”

“The actions for which I am being recognised were only possible because of the support, training and trust of my colleagues who stand beside me every day and in particular my fellow officers that responded to the incident on the night. I would like to share this recognition with them,” he added.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also acknowledged Bharati’s courage and dedication to duty in Federal Parliament.

Bharati said he felt fortunate to serve a country and community that had welcomed him and given him the opportunity to contribute.

“I am proud to wear the uniform, proud to serve alongside such dedicated men and women and grateful for this incredible honour.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon praised Bharati’s actions, saying he had put his own safety aside during the dangerous events at Croydon Park.

“Senior Constable Bharati showed exceptional bravery, and his actions embodied the oath he undertook to protect and serve.”

He added that Bharati exemplified the qualities and commitment demonstrated by police officers every day.

Bharati received the award alongside the Queensland Police Service, which was also recognised at the ceremony.

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The honour, one of the UAE’s top civilian awards, was presented to the flight crew members who helped protect passengers during the September 30 terror incident involving the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.

The UAE President received the crew members in the presence of Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The leaders praised their courage and professionalism, reaffirming that the safety and security of people remain a priority for the UAE.

The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, who commended the crew’s actions and sense of responsibility.

Steven, a Fijian pilot and former Fiji Airways pilot, was also travelling aboard the aircraft as a reserve pilot when the incident unfolded. According to reports, he and another pilot took control of the aircraft after the co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar. They subsequently diverted the aircraft to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The incident occurred aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Reports said the co-pilot attacked Machchhar in the cockpit with an axe, leaving the Indian captain seriously injured. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling other crew members and passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker.

The aircraft reportedly lost altitude during the struggle, but the pilots regained control and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew survived.

Machchhar received initial treatment in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further medical care and recovery.

UAE prosecutors said on October 9 that their investigation indicated the co-pilot intended to carry out a suicide attack inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Authorities reportedly described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Machchhar’s actions drew international recognition, including praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The award ceremony recognised the crew members’ collective efforts to protect passengers and secure the aircraft during the emergency, highlighting the role of both the injured captain and the pilots who helped bring the flight to safety.

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An October 2026 survey by the Growth Intelligence Centre, part of News Corp Australia’s The Growth Distillery, found that 55 per cent of respondents considered Australia’s current migrant intake too high. Only 6 per cent believed the country should accept more migrants.

The findings come as immigration remains a prominent political issue during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s second term, with migration policy attracting renewed attention amid the rising profile of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

The survey points to a significant generational divide. Among Pre-Boomers, Baby Boomers and GenX respondents, 72 per cent in each group said current migration levels were too high.

Younger Australians expressed a different view. The survey found that 54 per cent of GenZ respondents and 49 per cent of millennials believed the current intake was about right. GenZ was also the most likely generation to favour an increase, with 9 per cent supporting higher migration, compared with 7 per cent of millennials.

Opposition to current migration levels varied across states. South Australia recorded the highest proportion of respondents who considered the intake too high, at 60 per cent, followed by Victoria and New South Wales at 55 per cent each. Tasmania recorded the lowest proportion, at 37 per cent.

These findings reflect views about the scale of migration, but the broader debate also raises questions about Australia’s multicultural identity, changing migration patterns and the pressures shaping public attitudes.

Further, according to an analysis published by the Australian Financial Review’s AFR Weekend, 32 per cent of Australians were born overseas, the highest share among Western countries and around twice the proportions in the United States and United Kingdom.

The analysis found that Asia has accounted for between 44 and 87 per cent of net overseas migration in every year since 2007, with the share now consistently around 70 per cent. However, the countries contributing to these flows have changed considerably.

Net migration from China fell from a pre-pandemic peak of 48,330 in 2017 to 22,680 in 2025, representing 7.6 per cent of net overseas migration that year.

Over the same period, migration from South Asia increased from 61,200 in 2007 to 113,000 in 2025.

Researchers cited demographic changes, educational opportunities in China and differences in Australia’s relationships with China and India as factors influencing these trends.

The analysis also pointed to changes in migration from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. These flows have risen since the pre-pandemic period, influenced by factors including economic conditions and changes to travel and working arrangements.

Migration patterns are shaped by multiple forces, including labour demand, education, family reunion, humanitarian commitments and international developments. As the AFR analysis noted, governments do not have complete control over where migration originates.

The Scanlon Foundation’s 2025 data, cited in the AFR analysis, found that 83 per cent of Australians continued to support multiculturalism, down from 89 per cent in 2023. At the same time, the proportion who believed migration from diverse backgrounds strengthened Australia fell from 78 per cent in 2023 to 67 per cent in 2025.

These figures suggest that Australians can continue to value cultural diversity while expressing concerns about the number of people entering the country.

Attitudes also vary according to migrants’ countries of origin. The AFR analysis cited Scanlon Foundation data showing that 61 per cent of Australians viewed migrants from the United Kingdom positively, compared with 30 per cent for migrants from China or India and 18 per cent for those from Sudan.

Such differences highlight the complexity of public attitudes towards migration. Views about overall intake levels, perceptions of particular migrant communities and support for multiculturalism are related, but they are not interchangeable measures.

Immigration has become a point of political contest, with parties debating the appropriate size of the intake and how Australia should approach integration and social cohesion.

For policymakers, the challenge is therefore broader than setting a numerical target. It involves balancing population growth, workforce requirements, housing and infrastructure capacity, humanitarian obligations and public confidence in the migration system.

The October survey adds to evidence that concern about migration levels has become a significant issue for many Australians. Its findings, particularly the generational differences, indicate that public attitudes are not uniform.

At the same time, the continued high level of support for multiculturalism suggests that debate over the scale and management of migration should not automatically be interpreted as a rejection of cultural diversity.

Australia’s migration system has contributed to the country’s workforce, institutions and cultural life. The policy question facing governments is how to manage future migration in a way that responds to economic and demographic needs while maintaining public confidence and supporting social cohesion.

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Minister for Education Jason Clare announced the total allocation pool, with individual allocations for universities to be confirmed next month.

“Next year more Australians will go to university than ever before.”

“More jobs require more skills. That means we have to open the doors of our universities wider. In our big cities, in the suburbs and in the bush,” Clare said.

“This will mean we have more teachers, more nurses, more scientists, more engineers, more of the skills Australia needs.”

The new system follows the passage of the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Act through Parliament this month. The legislation allows the Minister for Education to set a Total Allocation Pool (TAP) and ensures the overall number of funded places cannot decrease from one year to the next.

It also gives the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) the authority to allocate places and request additional places where demand is greatest, including for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and regional and rural communities.

The managed growth system was a key recommendation of the Universities Accord, which projects that 80 per cent of Australia’s workforce will need a university degree or vocational qualification by 2050.

The Government says the reforms will help ensure university places grow where they are needed and enable more Australians to gain qualifications for the country’s future workforce.

The legislation is expected to deliver an additional $3.6 billion in university funding and support an extra 230,000 commencing students over the next decade.

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The celebration featured colourful floral arrangements, traditional Bathukamma songs, folk dances and authentic Telangana cuisine, bringing together Telugu families, children, elders and members of the wider Australian community.

Bathukamma is one of Telangana’s most cherished festivals, celebrating nature, seasonal flowers and the importance of women in society. Women create tiered floral arrangements using seasonal flowers before gathering in circles to sing traditional songs and perform folk dances.

The festival reflects Telangana’s cultural identity, folk traditions and community spirit.

For Telugu families living overseas, it also provides an opportunity to preserve their heritage and introduce younger generations to the customs and traditions of their ancestral homeland.

The event was attended by Janelle Poole APM MP, State Member for Mundingburra and Queensland Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland.

A Townsville local, Poole was born in the city and grew up in Cranbrook. Before entering state parliament, she served in the Queensland Police Service from 1996 and received the Australian Police Medal in 2015 in recognition of her contribution to policing and the community. Her community involvement has included work with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and the Rotary Club of Townsville Saints.

During the celebrations, Poole met members of the Telugu community and learned about Bathukamma’s cultural significance and its connections with Navaratri. She interacted with women participating in the festivities and joined them in dancing, sharing in the celebration.

She also sampled traditional dishes prepared by Telugu families and learned more about their culinary traditions.

Her participation provided an opportunity for cultural exchange, highlighting how community festivals can bring people from diverse backgrounds together and encourage friendship, mutual understanding and a stronger sense of belonging.

The participation of parents, grandparents, young people and children also demonstrated the role cultural celebrations play in connecting generations. Through flower arrangements, songs, dance and stories about the festival, older generations can pass traditions on to younger family members.

Australian friends and other community members joined the celebrations, experiencing Telangana’s culture through its food, music and dance.

TANQ continues to bring Telugu families together across North Queensland, with community events helping strengthen relationships, foster belonging and preserve cultural heritage.

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Heferen told Senate estimates that earlier consultation could have helped the ATO better understand businesses’ reliance on credit cards to manage cash flow.

“I had jumped to the conclusion that managing cash flow related to a situation where a person or a business might be struggling.”

He acknowledged that financially healthy businesses also use credit cards’ interest-free periods to bridge gaps between expenses and incoming revenue.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson criticised the ATO’s handling of the decision, arguing that the agency had failed to understand the practical realities facing small businesses.

“Career politicians who think they know better than the Australians taking risks and running businesses. They don’t understand the impact, won’t listen and don’t care who pays the price.”

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has taken this opportunity to criticise Labor’s proposed 30 per cent tax on discretionary trusts, warning that the changes could increase costs for hundreds of thousands of small businesses.

Senator Price also attacked the Albanese Government’s proposed 30 per cent tax on discretionary trusts, following Treasury advice that around 350,000 small businesses could be affected.

Price said businesses faced three difficult options: pay the new tax, restructure their affairs and potentially incur stamp duty costs, or accept restrictions on future distributions to beneficiaries.

She also cited media reporting that some businesses could face effective tax rates of 60 to 70 per cent unless they restructured their arrangements.

“Labor should be backing our small businesses, not breaking them,” Price said, accusing the Government of failing to address concerns raised by business owners.

“Jim Chalmers and his colleagues have been given every chance to listen to small businesses and scrap this terrible policy, but have so far refused to do so.”

She warned that additional tax liabilities and restructuring costs could place further pressure on businesses already facing financial challenges.

The ATO announced that it would stop accepting direct credit card payments for tax from 1 December 2026, affecting an estimated 256,000 small businesses. Following concerns from business groups, the Federal Government intervened on 9 October to extend the arrangement until 30 June 2027.

Heferen said the agency had relied on figures showing that around five per cent of small businesses used credit cards to pay tax. He acknowledged that earlier engagement with affected businesses and industry representatives might have produced a different outcome.

The ATO has cited the cost of processing card payments as a key reason for the planned withdrawal, estimating that continued acceptance would cost about $200 million annually if the fees were absorbed by taxpayers.

Businesses will still be able to pay tax by credit card through third-party providers, although fees and processing times may vary.

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Officers from the four countries embarked on an Indian Coast Guard vessel that departed Chennai on 25 September and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia, on 7 October.

During the voyage, officers worked and trained side-by-side, sharing operational expertise through exercises focused on maritime search and rescue, marine pollution response, maritime law enforcement and boarding operations.

The engagement aimed to strengthen coordination, build mutual understanding and improve the four countries’ collective ability to respond to maritime security challenges across the Indo-Pacific.

Commander Maritime Border Command Rear Admiral Brett Sonter said strong partnerships with regional and international counterparts were essential to Australia’s maritime security.

“The Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission is a practical demonstration of the close and enduring partnership between Australia and India, and our shared commitment with Japan and the United States to a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

He said the mission provided an opportunity for all four Quad nations to share operational experience, build trust and strengthen professional relationships that support effective cooperation at sea.

Exercises of this kind also strengthened interoperability and improved the countries’ ability to respond to maritime incidents and emerging security challenges, he said.

The mission builds on growing cooperation between ABF Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast Guard, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in July 2026 to strengthen practical collaboration between the two agencies.

The engagement forms part of broader Quad efforts to support a safe, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific through closer maritime partnerships and improved coordination among participating countries.

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Pandit, the team’s vice-captain and a player with Kensington District Cricket Club, scored an unbeaten 112 against New South Wales before following it up with 104 against Victoria.

She also demonstrated her all-round ability, taking four wickets across the two matches to contribute with both bat and ball.

Scoring consecutive centuries at representative level is a notable achievement for a young cricketer, highlighting her batting talent and growing potential in the game.

Her performances have drawn congratulations from the South Australian cricket and Indian-Australian community, celebrating her contribution to the team.

With her impressive run of form, Ziya has given South Australian cricket plenty to celebrate and offered an encouraging glimpse of the next generation of cricketing talent.

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Produced by RSL Victoria, the 10-minute video features photographs of men and women who lost their lives serving Australia, from the Boer War to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Each photograph is accompanied by the individual’s name, service details, the conflict in which they died and their hometown, highlighting the personal stories behind the thousands of Victorians who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The 100 service members were selected to represent communities across the state, from Mildura in the north to Bairnsdale in the east and Hamilton in the west, as well as suburbs throughout Melbourne.

They served as soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses in conflicts around the world, with their deaths leaving a lasting impact on families and communities back home.

RSL Victoria President Dr Mark Schroffel urged Victorians to visit Federation Square to watch the tribute and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served.

“Too often our losses are seen in terrible statistics but through this video the RSL is hoping to remind all Victorians that these were real men and women from small towns across Victoria and the suburbs of Melbourne,” Dr Schroffel said.

He said the individuals featured had real lives and families who continued to feel the impact of their loss.

“The RSL is here, and has always been here, to remember them and support their mates and families.”

The video includes well-known Victorians such as Ron Barassi Senior, who was killed during the Second World War, and Victoria Cross recipients Cameron Baird and Bruce Kingsbury. It also remembers lesser-known service members who died at Gallipoli and Fromelles during the First World War, in aerial combat during the Second World War, at sea, as prisoners of war, and while serving as national servicemen and peacekeepers.

Young Australians killed during the war in Afghanistan are also among those remembered.

The video will screen daily at 11 am from 1 to 10 November, with additional screenings on Remembrance Day, 11 November.

Its final screening will take place at 11 am on 11 November, when Australians pause to remember those who have died in war and military service.

The tribute aims to bring the human stories behind the commemorations into focus, reminding visitors that the fallen were individuals from communities across Victoria whose sacrifice continues to be remembered by their families and fellow Australians.

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The bill would require digital platforms, online games and AI chatbots to take reasonable steps to protect users, particularly children and teenagers, from harmful content and unsafe features.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the reforms were needed to address cyberbullying, misogyny, online abuse and content promoting violence, arguing that responsibility for online safety should rest with technology companies rather than parents and children.

Under the proposed framework, platforms would need to assess risks and strengthen safeguards for users under 18 against content involving pornography, eating disorders, dangerous stunts, bullying and hostility towards women. The bill would also target addictive features affecting young people’s sleep and ban “nudify” apps that generate fake nude images.

The measures would give users aged over 16 greater control over their social media feeds, reduce the required response time for cyberbullying and abuse complaints from 48 hours to 24 hours, and expand the eSafety Commissioner’s enforcement powers.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to $109.2 million.

Albanese rejected claims that the reforms amounted to censorship, saying the aim was to prevent serious harm while giving Australians more choice over what they see online.

The legislation would consolidate 17 existing industry codes into a single framework. The Government says the reforms would build on Australia’s minimum social media age laws and establish stronger safety standards across digital services.

With the bill passing the House of Representatives, its parliamentary progress continues as the Government seeks to make online platforms more accountable for user safety.

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In his speech, Clare highlighted the growth of Australian higher education in India and Vietnam, describing international education as a force that changes lives, strengthens the economy and connects Australia with the world.

Five Australian universities — Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, UNSW, Victoria University and the University of Western Australia — have opened campuses in India, in Mumbai and Chennai, according to Clare. Western Sydney University is preparing to open a campus in Greater Noida.

In Vietnam, the Government has also approved an investment licence for RMIT University’s new campus in Hanoi.

“They want to see more Australian universities join them,” Clare said, referring to overseas partners seeking further Australian university investment.

Clare said international education did not have to depend solely on students travelling to Australia, noting that overseas campuses could provide access to Australian qualifications for those unable to relocate or afford to study in the country.

“Not everyone can come here to study. Not everyone can afford it. But we can come to them.”

Education’s impact beyond the economy

Clare acknowledged the sector’s contribution to Australian employment and economic growth but said its impact extended well beyond financial benefits.

“Education is the most powerful force for good in this world. It changes lives. And changes countries.”

He shared the story of a young Afghan woman living in Melbourne who had escaped Afghanistan on one of the final flights from Kabul when the Taliban took control. While she had begun a PhD in Australia, her sister remained in Afghanistan and was unable to attend school.

Clare said their contrasting circumstances illustrated how access to education could shape people’s futures.

He also recalled meeting a young woman during a visit to a Delhi slum in December 2025. After completing school and earning a degree from Delhi University, she had recently been accepted into a master’s degree at the University of Sydney.

“She’s here now. Studying. Her life is changing. It will never be the same again,” Clare said.

“That’s what you make possible. That’s the transformational power of education.”

Protecting Australia’s international education reputation

The minister also acknowledged challenges facing the international education sector, saying the Government had introduced changes to strengthen integrity, tackle unscrupulous operators and better protect students.

He thanked universities and other education providers for working with the Government towards a more sustainable sector.

International education, he said, helped connect Australia with countries across the region, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the expanding presence in India.

Clare said the conference would provide an opportunity for participants to discuss the opportunities they create, the connections they build and the lives they change.

Minister for International Education Julian Hill was also expected to address the sector’s challenges and priorities during the conference.

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The $11.1 million Small Business Cyber Resilience Service provides tailored, one-on-one assistance to help businesses strengthen their digital security, prevent cyber attacks and recover from incidents.

Minister for Small Business Anne Aly said the Albanese Government was helping small businesses access expert advice and practical tools to protect their operations.

“The Albanese Government is making sure small business can access free, expert cyber security advice, tools and support to prevent a cyber-attack and recover if they experience one.”

The service complements the Government’s Digital Solutions programme, which offers one-on-one advice, workshops, webinars and online resources to help small businesses improve their digital capabilities.

Support covers cyber security, artificial intelligence, digital marketing and business software.

Aly said the Government wanted to help small businesses strengthen their digital capabilities while embracing new opportunities for growth.

“Small businesses are the heart of our local communities, and we’re backing them with practical support to build resilience, embrace new opportunities and keep growing.”

Delivered by IDCARE, the service connects eligible business owners with cyber security experts who assess their circumstances, develop tailored security plans and recommend steps to strengthen their digital defences.

Businesses that have already experienced a cyber incident can also receive recovery assistance, including case management and referrals to specialist services.

The service is free for eligible Australian small businesses and sole traders with 19 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

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The Australian High Commission in New Delhi said the new requirements apply to visa applications lodged on or after 26 October. Applications submitted before that date and visas already granted are not affected by the change.

“Applicants for an Australian visa in India may be required to provide biometrics, including fingerprints and a facial image, as part of the visa application process.”

Not every applicant will automatically need to provide biometrics. Department of Home Affairs will notify individuals who are required to complete the process and explain the steps they must follow.

Depending on their circumstances, applicants may be directed to visit an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in person or may be eligible to submit their biometric information through the Australian Immi App.

There are 16 biometric collection centres operated by VFS Global across India, according to the information provided.

The High Commission has advised applicants to wait for official instructions from the Department of Home Affairs before booking an appointment or attempting to submit information through the app. Eligible applicants who have previously provided biometrics at a collection centre and hold a valid passport may be able to use the app at no cost.

Biometrics are personal identifiers, including fingerprints and facial images, that help authorities verify a person’s identity.

Under Australia’s Migration Act 1958 and Privacy Act, biometric information may be collected, stored and used to support identity checks and protect against identity fraud. Authorities may also compare the information with previously stored records when a person enters Australia or applies for another visa.

The Department of Home Affairs may check biometric information with Australian or international agencies to verify identity, criminal history or immigration history, in accordance with applicable laws and safeguards.

Australia already collects biometric information from visa applicants in nearly 60 countries. The expansion brings India into the programme.

The High Commission said the change was intended to support a secure, efficient and trusted visa system and was not expected to adversely affect processing times, provided applicants complete any requested steps promptly.

Applicants have been advised to follow official instructions from the Department of Home Affairs and use its authorised channels for information about biometric collection. Optional services offered by service providers do not influence visa processing times or the outcome of an application.

Indian travellers planning to visit Australia should therefore check their official visa communications carefully and provide fingerprints or a facial image only if instructed to do so.

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Two years later, her idea has grown into a wider movement, raising a simple question for Australian universities: if campuses pride themselves on welcoming students from around the world, why are basic bathroom needs still overlooked?

Shaikha’s campaign began with a familiar culture shock. As an international student in Canada, she was surprised by the absence of bidets in university washrooms. For millions of people, washing with water after using the toilet is an everyday hygiene practice and, for many, a religious obligation.

For those who do not prefer toilet paper, carrying a water bottle into a cubicle is hardly an ideal substitute. It can be awkward, inconvenient and unreliable. What happens when you forget it?

Four bidets were installed at the Scarborough Student Centre in September 2024. A year later, the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union and its Muslim Students’ Association announced installations at their student centre. By 2026, seven bidets had reached the university’s St George campus.

Shaikha says more than 2,500 students are involved in the wider initiative, with chapters at universities including Waterloo, Guelph and Harvard. Firstpost has reported that the network claims more than 20 chapters. Grinnell College in Iowa has also installed bidets in nearly all its residence halls.

The campaign has encountered obstacles. At McMaster University, a request for C$7,000 to install 14 handheld sprayers was rejected. At Mississauga, commercial plumbing requirements reportedly pushed installation costs to around C$600–700 per unit, compared with roughly C$100–150 in residential settings. Concerns about wet floors and maintenance have also complicated installations.

These are practical issues that universities need to address. But they should not end the conversation.

In 2013, Prof. Heddy Zola, then research director at SA Pathology in Adelaide, suggested that new buildings should consider providing squat toilets to accommodate a diverse workforce. The University of Adelaide pointed to existing facilities with culturally appropriate ablutions and squat toilets, while Flinders University had also installed some.

In 2026, the University of Adelaide incorporated squat toilets, also known as Nile pans, into its design codes for new construction.

That history shows that university facilities can change when institutions recognise the needs of their communities. But squat toilets and bidets serve different purposes. The former address how people use the toilet; the latter provide a way to wash with water afterwards.

Australia’s 42 universities enrol students from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and across the Middle East, as well as Australian students from communities where water-based cleansing is common. For many South Asian families, the lota—a small water vessel used for washing—is an ordinary household item.

Yet I am not aware of an Australian university campaign on the scale of the Canadian initiative to install bidets across campuses.

Universities invest heavily in promoting themselves as inclusive and internationally minded. But inclusion is experienced in everyday places, not just through brochures and orientation-week banners. A student should not have to choose between discomfort, carrying a bottle of water into a cubicle or going home to use facilities that meet their needs.

This does not mean every international student wants a bidet. It means universities should think of student need and provide reasonable options where demand exists.

Australian universities need not begin with an expensive, campus-wide rollout. Student associations could survey students, identify suitable locations and work with facilities teams to trial a small number of handheld sprayers in student centres or selected washrooms.

The trial could assess installation costs, maintenance, hygiene, plumbing requirements and student feedback before any wider expansion.

Simple, non-electric models may also help reduce toilet paper consumption, although the environmental benefits depend on how the devices are used.

Bidets will not solve the larger challenges international students face, including high living costs, housing pressures and visa uncertainty. But providing appropriate washroom facilities is a practical step towards making campuses more welcoming.

If universities are serious about inclusion, they should recognise that not all international students are familiar with Western-style toilets or accustomed to using toilet paper for personal hygiene. Rather than expecting every newly arrived student to adapt to existing facilities, universities should consider practical alternatives that accommodate different cultural practices. Sometimes, making campuses more welcoming begins with a small change in the bathroom.

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The campaign, titled ‘What’s Holding You Back?’, centres on a new website where Australians can describe the challenges facing them, their families and businesses, and suggest changes they want to see.

Hanson said the initiative aimed to give Australians a direct say in developing what she described as an ambitious plan for the country.

“Politicians have stopped listening. One Nation has not,” Hanson said.

“Too many politicians care more about keeping their jobs than doing their jobs. Governments only look to the next election and there’s no long-term vision for the country. Australians deserve better than this, and they deserve for their voices to be heard.”

The campaign asks Australians to identify issues affecting their lives, including rising living costs, business regulations, delays and other barriers to getting ahead.

“We’re asking a simple question. What’s holding you back? You. Your family. Your business. Our country,” Hanson said.

“Tell us what’s wrong and what needs to change. The costs you can’t keep up with. The rules that make no sense. The delays stopping you from getting ahead.

“And bring us your ideas. The people dealing with these problems every day deserve a say in how we fix them.”

Hanson said One Nation wanted Australia to be a country of ambition and opportunity, with greater support for businesses and people seeking to build their futures.

“This country isn’t broken. It’s being held back by an incompetent Labor government,” she said, criticising the government over taxation, red tape and rising prices.

She outlined the party’s vision of an Australia that manufactures more goods domestically, relies on its own capabilities and rewards people willing to take risks.

“We want an Australia that makes things again. That stands on its own two feet. That backs businesses and rewards people prepared to take a risk,” Hanson said.

“We have the resources, the skills and the people. We need affordable power, lower taxes and less red tape so Australians can get on with it.”

She also highlighted housing affordability and opportunities for younger Australians as priorities, saying the party wanted hard work to translate into better prospects for individuals and families.

“One Nation will take an ambitious plan to the next election,” Hanson said.

“This is your country, and we want to hear from you.”

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Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts joined Fiji’s Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, at the launch of the Fiji Maritime Security Strategy 2026–2035 at Novotel Suva Lami Bay.

The Bluebottle vessels are expected to strengthen Fiji’s ability to monitor its vast maritime territory, protect marine resources and respond to illicit activities at sea.

Fiji’s exclusive economic zone spans approximately 1.28 million square kilometres, with around 96 per cent of the country’s trade moving by sea, making maritime security vital to its economy and national sovereignty.

Tikoduadua said growing threats, including transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal fishing, cyber threats and climate change, required stronger laws, improved coordination and regional cooperation.

“Criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated and agile,” he said, emphasising the need for modern maritime enforcement capabilities.

The strategy establishes a framework for stronger maritime governance, coordinated enforcement, improved maritime domain awareness, climate resilience, ocean stewardship and cybersecurity.

Tikoduadua said government agencies could not tackle modern maritime crime effectively under “outdated laws and fragmented authorities”. He also stressed that stronger security measures must respect the rights, freedoms and dignity of Fijians.

Maritime powers legislation, already endorsed by Parliament, will form part of the broader reforms aimed at clarifying legal powers and strengthening enforcement at sea.

The strategy was developed with support from the United Kingdom’s Integrated Security Fund, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and King’s College London.

UK Integrated Security Fund Pacific head Peter Thomas said work on the strategy began through discussions two years ago.

“The next challenge is turning that direction into coordinated and sustained action.”

UNDP Effective Governance team leader Rustam Pulatov said maritime security could not rest on the responsibilities of a single ministry or agency.

The launch brought together representatives from the Fijian Government, Australian and UK governments, the Fiji Police Force, Fiji Navy, UNDP and other development partners.

The strategy marks a significant step in Fiji’s efforts to safeguard its ocean territory, marine resources, communities and livelihoods, while strengthening cooperation with regional partners, including Australia.

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Menon, who is of Malaysian-origin with proud Indian Malayalee and Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, joins the Victorian health service from Bayside Health’s Peninsula Care Group, where he has held senior medical leadership roles since 2014.

He initially served as Clinical Director of Emergency Services before becoming Executive Director of Medical Services and Clinical Governance in 2020. He has served as Chief Medical Officer for six years and continues to practise as an emergency physician in public and private healthcare settings.

Dr Menon is also a Board Director of St John Ambulance and the current Chair of the Victorian Medical Executive.

Eastern Health Chief Executive Professor Helen Cooper said Dr Menon had an excellent reputation in data-driven outcomes, workforce safety and development, digital healthcare and clinical governance.

“Shyaman is a strong advocate for safe, high-quality patient-centred care,” Cooper said.

“We’re thrilled to have him join our health service.”

Appointed Chief Medical Officer during the COVID-19 pandemic,Dr Menon played a leading role in Peninsula Health’s medical response, including outbreak management and adapting models of care.

He subsequently led clinical innovation and service improvement, including executive oversight of the first Victorian health service to successfully complete SNAP accreditation across all eight standards.

His leadership also contributed to the design, delivery and transition to the new Peninsula University Hospital in January 2026, as well as the amalgamation that established Bayside Health.

Throughout his career, Dr Menon has championed safe, high-quality, person-centred care, supported by strong clinical governance, data-informed improvement and medical workforce development.

In his new role, Menon will work with medical, clinical and executive colleagues to strengthen medical leadership, support innovation and research, and advance Eastern Health’s commitment to delivering exceptional care to the communities it serves.

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AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner for National Security Investigations Sandra Booth delivered the warning at a public hearing of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s inquiry into the nature and drivers of radicalisation in Australia.

“This issue was one of the first areas of concern publicly raised by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett when she was appointed as Commissioner last year.”

She conveyed Barrett’s warning that Australia was approaching a “tsunami of youth crime” as young and vulnerable people were being radicalised and manipulated at increasing speed.

Booth opened her statement by acknowledging the alleged attack against independent MP for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, saying the AFP’s thoughts were with Haines and her family.

Booth cited cases investigated by Australian law enforcement to illustrate how online platforms can expose children to violent extremist material and criminal exploitation.

In one case, a Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigated a 13-year-old boy who allegedly possessed violent extremist material on Discord. During a search of his home, investigators allegedly found a notebook containing plans for a school shooting.

The juvenile is before the courts over an alleged offence relating to making a document likely to facilitate terrorist acts.

In another case, a teenage Australian was charged with using a carriage service for child abuse material. The AFP alleged the teenager had connected with an online network associated with extreme abuse and exploitation.

Booth also warned about loosely affiliated online groups, including the Com and 764, which she said could use blackmail, sexual exploitation, violence and disturbing content to manipulate victims.

Such networks can turn victims into perpetrators by coercing them into harming themselves, animals or other people, she said. Young people may believe complying with demands will stop the harassment or blackmail, only to become further trapped in the abuse.

Girls can be particularly vulnerable when experiencing low self-esteem, eating disorders or mental health difficulties, Booth said, although boys are also targeted.

A key concern for the AFP is the dramatic reduction in the time it can take to manipulate vulnerable individuals.

“Previously, it used to take months or years to radicalise or manipulate individuals, but now, in some cases, it is happening within days.”

She attributed this acceleration to several factors, including artificial intelligence, online networks becoming more sophisticated, young people searching for purpose and belonging, and growing grievances.

While AI and other technologies offer opportunities for law enforcement, Booth said the AFP was concerned they were lowering the skills required to manipulate people online and cause serious harm.

She warned that the current threat differed significantly from earlier periods of concern, including the rise of Islamic State in the mid-2010s.

Without effective intervention, Booth said, the consequences could extend beyond national security, placing pressure on mental health, education, financial and judicial systems as young people experienced repeated victimisation or became involved in serious offending.

She also warned that online manipulation and the grievances promoted by criminal networks could undermine trust in communities, weaken democratic institutions and damage Australia’s social cohesion.

Booth said the response needed to extend beyond policing, with greater emphasis on early intervention, education and prevention.

The AFP has initiated research into youth radicalisation and violent extremism, which Booth said was in the final stages of peer review.

It has also established a special advisory group involving representatives from faith communities, mental health organisations and youth advocacy not-for-profits. The group will advise on ways to educate parents, carers and children, including those who may have limited awareness of online risks or be reluctant to engage with law enforcement.

AFP Commissioner Barrett has also held meetings with major technology companies in Australia and overseas to explore potential responses.

Booth highlighted two further initiatives aimed at addressing threats that fall outside conventional counter-terrorism investigations.

The National Security Investigations teams are designed to disrupt high-harm and high-impact cases involving politically motivated violence, communal violence and hate crimes that do not meet the threshold for terrorism investigations.

The proposed Counter Terrorism Online Centre (CTOC) will bring together capabilities from the AFP and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to identify, assess and coordinate responses to credible online threats.

The centre is intended to focus on online environments where hate and exploitation can flourish, including gaming platforms, encrypted communications services and social media.

Booth said the initiative would seek to combine human expertise with artificial intelligence that remained under human supervision. Its rollout would occur in phases, allowing for technological development and potential legislative changes.

Concluding her statement, Booth acknowledged that the examples were confronting but said public discussion was necessary to address the challenge.

The inquiry is examining the drivers of radicalisation in Australia as authorities confront the growing intersection of youth vulnerability, online exploitation, extremist content and rapidly evolving technology.

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The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said Rashel Mirza and Mohammed Aminul Islam, both from Montréal, Md Mudassar Alam Bhuiyan, from Toronto, and Md Rakibul Hassan, from Bangladesh, appeared at the Valleyfield courthouse on 22 October 2026.

Hassan is reportedly in Bangladesh, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the country’s immigration system depended on integrity, fairness and respect for the law.

“Those who seek to exploit or undermine our system for fraudulent purposes face serious consequences,” he said, thanking CBSA employees for their work to protect the country’s borders.

The investigation identified 209 Bangladeshi nationals for whom 243 temporary resident visa (TRV) applications had been submitted.

The applications allegedly presented Canadian citizens as hosts and relied on fraudulent documents and false statements to support the applicants’ visits to Canada.

According to the CBSA, the investigation began after officers conducted a compliance and control operation at a private residence in Mercier, Quebec, on 3 July 2024, with representatives of the town’s police and fire departments. Suspected breaches of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act prompted a formal investigation the following month.

On 3 June 2025, investigators executed four search warrants across Quebec and Ontario. Documents and computer equipment gathered during the searches allegedly pointed to the involvement of five individuals in the scheme.

Given the scale of the alleged operation, investigators concentrated on 79 visa applications they considered the most probative.

The accused face three categories of charges relating to conspiracy to organise or facilitate entry into Canada, knowingly assisting or encouraging misrepresentation in immigration applications, and knowingly helping others contravene Canadian immigration law.

Eric Lapierre, the CBSA’s regional director general for Quebec, said the investigation demonstrated the agency’s determination to identify and disrupt networks seeking to exploit Canada’s immigration system.

The agency said it opened 191 criminal investigations into suspected offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in 2025. Between 1 January and 30 June 2026, it opened a further 55 investigations into suspected offences under the legislation.

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Presented by Celebrate India, the free, family-friendly festival will run from midday, bringing together communities for a day of performances, workshops, festive shopping and activities celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

Festival Coordinator Vani Bhatt (Pandya) said the event was designed to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, from international students missing home to families celebrating across generations.

“Come for the food, the music or the dance, but stay for the feeling of belonging. Everyone is welcome, and entry is free.”

The programme will feature Indian classical and folk dances, Bollywood performances, live music and bhajan jamming, alongside traditional performances by adults and children.

Reflecting Melbourne’s multicultural character, the festival will also showcase collaborative music and dance performances involving artists from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other communities.

Visitors can participate in yoga, meditation and Bollywood dance workshops, while children can enjoy craft activities, face painting, magic shows and entertainment featuring clowns and stilt walkers. Gifts and prizes will also be on offer throughout the day.

A bustling bazaar will offer festive gifts, handicrafts, jewellery, clothing and other products, while food stalls will serve Indian street food and treats from different regions of India.

The celebrations will conclude with a fireworks display over the Yarra River, while participating Melbourne landmarks will be illuminated in pink and purple to mark the occasion.

Organisers said the full list of illuminated landmarks would be announced closer to the event.

The festivities will also include Dance for Diwali (Season 6), sponsored by AIA Health Australia. Running from 14 to 30 September, the competition invites Victorians to share Diwali-inspired dance performances for a chance to perform at Federation Square during the main festival.

This year, the festival will support Kids Helpline as its charity partner, raising awareness of youth mental health and wellbeing.

Organisers said the anniversary celebration would continue the festival’s tradition of bringing people together through culture, community participation and shared celebrations.

The festival is supported by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square, the Consulate General of India – Melbourne, and The Australia Today is official media partner.

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The Public Health Amendment (Terramation) Bill 2026 amends the Public Health Act 2010 to provide for natural organic reduction, also known as composting, of human remains as an alternative to burial or cremation.

Introduced as a private member’s bill by independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, the legislation originated in the Legislative Assembly. Its short title was amended from the Public Health Amendment (Natural Organic Reduction) Bill 2026 to the Public Health Amendment (Terramation) Bill 2026 on 15 October.

The bill passed Parliament on Wednesday, 21 October, and was listed as awaiting assent. It gives the NSW Government 18 months to develop regulations governing the practice, with human composting expected to become available in specialised facilities from 2028.

Greenwich travelled to Germany and the United States to research the practice, which is permitted in some jurisdictions overseas.

Known formally as natural organic reduction or terramation, the process involves placing a body in a temperature-controlled vessel with organic materials such as straw, alfalfa or mulch. Microbial activity breaks down the body over about 30 days, followed by a further resting period of around 30 days.

Aria Kapaniris, founder of Evergrove, told The Australia Today that the term “terramation” offered a more dignified and respectful way to describe the process than “human composting”, which carries associations with waste.

“‘Human composting’ terminology is being phased out due to its undignified waste connotations, in favour of the more appropriate term terramation,” Kapaniris said.

“This is the legal and public-facing terminology in NSW and it’s expected that other domestic and international jurisdictions will follow.”

She acknowledged that some people preferred the term composting because it directly reflects the biological process through which human remains return to the earth.

“Some feel that composting is more to the point because, like all living things, humans are made of organic matter and our bodies are biologically built to return to the earth,” she said.

However, Kapaniris argued that straightforward terminology was not always the most appropriate way to discuss death and the treatment of human remains. Drawing a comparison with cremation, she said the historical adoption of the term “cremation” rather than “incineration” demonstrated how language could shape public understanding and acceptance.

“Language is powerful and there are sensitivities that must be observed for how we talk about our deceased loved ones,” she said, adding that most jurisdictions did not classify human remains as waste and that the word “composting” would continue to carry waste-related connotations.

Kapaniris said Evergrove supported the wider adoption of “terramation” not only because it conveyed greater dignity, but also because the company wanted to help make conversations about death less taboo.

“We want to help create a world where death is less taboo,” she said.

“We think this looks like our society talking more openly about death so that we can broaden our collective understanding of this core human experience, and relate more to each other and ourselves.”

She said providers had a responsibility to make discussions about death and end-of-life choices more approachable, particularly when the subject could already feel confronting or frightening to families.

“If the door to conversations about death is already confronting and scary, providers like us have a responsibility to help make that door feel more inviting, and language is a key part of how we do that.”

It is reported that several MPs have indicated they would consider the option for themselves.

Libertarian MP John Ruddick told Parliament he was likely to request terramation in his will, saying he liked the idea of nourishing the earth and allowing a tree to grow in his memory.

Labor MP Cameron Murphy also expressed support, saying he looked forward to using the service in the distant future.

As per The Guardian, supporters say terramation could reduce the land required for conventional burial and avoid the energy consumption and emissions associated with cremation. The process can also allow families to hold ceremonies at different stages, including when the body is placed in the vessel and when the resulting soil is collected.

However, Liberal MP Susan Carter stressed the importance of ensuring human remains continued to be treated with dignity and respect, warning that terramation should not simply become a “human compost bin”.

The legislation establishes the legal pathway for the practice, but its implementation will depend on the bill receiving assent, the NSW Government developing regulations and specialised facilities being established.

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Singh encouraged residents to report trucks parked illegally on residential streets, sharing Wyndham City Council’s guidance and calling on the community to “join the blitz on illegally parked trucks”.

“If you spot a truck parked in a residential street, you can report it to Wyndham City and we’ll investigate,” Singh wrote.

“Use our checklist to get a sense of parking restrictions and follow the reporting prompts to make our streets safer.”

The post attracted a range of responses, including comments that appeared to target Singh’s family or community connections.

“Its all your mates parking in the streets,” one commented. Another said:

“You’ll investigate, unless it’s Raj who has parked it there.”

Other comments included, “Probably one of your brothers with the same last name”, “Its your cousins truck i think” and

“They are all your relatives!”

The remarks shifted part of the discussion away from parking regulations and towards personal insinuations about the councillor.

However, other residents used the post to raise broader questions about parking, enforcement and the challenges faced by heavy vehicle operators.

“How about give them more parking spaces and they might not park in residential areas.”

Another asked about caravans and campervans parked on residential roads or nature strips, while a further response questioned whether similar safety concerns applied to cars parked in industrial areas.

One commenter suggested that some truck drivers might be waiting for businesses to open for deliveries or collections and could be unfamiliar with local parking restrictions.

Another offered a more sympathetic perspective, suggesting a parked truck might contain a driver who had run out of permitted driving hours and needed to rest rather than risk a fine by driving further to find a truck stop.

“Most likely on their way to deliver products that you all regularly purchase.”

Other responses raised concerns about tradies parking on roads with no-standing restrictions and alleged removal of parking signs.

Wyndham City Council’s truck parking guidance, last updated on 14 July 2026, sets out restrictions for heavy and long vehicles in built-up areas.

Under the council’s published rules, vehicles with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 4.5 tonnes or a length greater than 7.5 metres cannot park on roads in built-up areas for more than one hour. The restriction applies across residential, commercial and industrial areas.

The guidance also distinguishes between vehicles parked on public roads, residential driveways, private property and vacant land.

Before reporting a truck parked on a residential street, residents are asked to check that the vehicle is on council land or a public road, exceeds the relevant size or weight threshold, and is not actively picking up or dropping off goods.

Council rules also provide for infringement action in certain circumstances involving trucks parked on residential driveways. Heavy or long vehicles kept on residential property may require a council-issued permit, with the application process including notification of neighbouring residents.

Trucks actively loading or unloading goods may use designated loading zones, subject to the applicable signage and time limits.

Residents can submit reports to council with details of the vehicle and, where possible, photographs. Council says it will inspect reported cases and may issue a warning or infringement notice if a vehicle is found to be illegally parked.

The council’s published guidance provides a formal process for reporting suspected breaches, with enforcement dependent on the circumstances and applicable parking rules.

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The post ‘They’re all your relatives’: Wyndham’s Indian-origin Councillor Preet Singh’s post on illegally parked trucks draws racist jibes first appeared on The Australia Today.