The Youth Advocacy Centre says its funding has been cut after it criticised the Queensland government's youth justice measures. Chief executive Katherine Hayes said the organisation applied for several tenders but was awarded none, with its contract ending early. She said the cut affects $3 million and 19 frontline workers. Hayes believes the cut was retaliation for her criticism. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber says the program was not renewed because it did not meet government performance targets on reoffending while on bail.
Former Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has revealed he lived with rheumatoid arthritis throughout his 88-Test career, keeping the condition secret from teammates. Diagnosed at 22 while playing for New South Wales, he initially feared he had a terminal illness after doctors struggled to identify the cause of severe knee pain. He manages the condition with regular injections of a drug he describes as a godsend. Khawaja, who retired after Australia's Ashes win in January, hopes his story will encourage others living with autoimmune diseases.
Roqya Husseini, deputy chair of Cultura's Multicultural Youth Council, has received the Victorian Refugee Youth Leadership Award. The honour recognises her leadership, advocacy and commitment to a fairer society. Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Paul Edbrooke presented the award at Government House on Wednesday 14 October. Husseini works with young people from diverse cultural communities to advocate for their issues and increase representation of young people from refugee backgrounds. Cultura chief executive Jess Harper said the organisation was incredibly proud of her work.
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A delegation of Somerset councillors and the chief executive travelled to Cairns for the 130th Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference, held from 18 to 21 October. Mayor Jason Wendt said the event covered planning changes, growth, disaster resilience and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced new state policies on depreciation, which councils welcomed. On the final day, councils voted on motions to guide advocacy to state and federal governments.
Disability advocate Dwayne Fernandes, from Winston Hills, is among four nominees in the Australian of the Year category for New South Wales in 2027. Seventeen people from across the state were named as nominees across four award categories. Fernandes, 41, is recognised for championing inclusion and accessibility, including co-founding Minds at Play, online social groups that build communication skills. The 2027 New South Wales recipients will be announced on Wednesday, November 4 in Sydney. They will then become finalists for the national awards, announced in Canberra on January 25 next year.
Noosa Council has secured support for eight motions at the 2026 Local Government Association of Queensland conference. A key motion, developed with Sunshine Coast Council, seeks changes to short-term accommodation laws so existing use rights can end when a property changes hands. Mayor Frank Wilkie said short-stay homes are reducing housing for permanent residents and key workers. Another motion calls for a statewide safe parking pilot for people living in vehicles. Further motions seek funding for UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and World Surfing Reserves.
The City of Whittlesea is asking residents to back a campaign for a full upgrade of Donnybrook Road. Council says the road is operating well beyond its capacity, causing congestion and delays for commuters. Rapid population growth is adding pressure on the route, which affects access to work, school, public transport and essential services. Council is urging the Victorian Government to commit to the upgrades. Residents can add their voice through the Engage Whittlesea page, where they can contact the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
GrainGrowers is inviting growers from South Australia and Western Australia to apply for four Western Region positions on its National Policy Group. The group helps shape the organisation's policy priorities and advocacy work. Chief executive Shona Gawel said growers' practical experience informs policy positions. Members meet throughout the year, in person and online. GrainGrowers covers travel and accommodation costs and pays a sitting fee. Applications close on Friday, 30 October.
The Hills Shire Council is calling on state and federal governments to fund a set of infrastructure priorities. Top of the list is a full upgrade of Windsor and Old Windsor Road, where drivers currently average about 20km/h in the morning peak. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne says the council is meeting its housing targets and that governments must match the growth with funding for schools, roads, transport and sporting facilities. The priorities include securing the Outer Sydney Orbital corridor and extending the Sydney Metro. The council says the requests are essential basics for the region's growing population.
A Picnic in the Park will be held in Wonthaggi on October 25 to advocate for the transformation of the abandoned Wonthaggi Tech School site into a community hub. Organisers want the site, vacant since 2019, repurposed into a cultural space with artist studios, a marketplace, and public housing. The event aims to draw political attention ahead of the Victorian state election.
Northern Grampians Shire Council has released its Annual Report 2025/26, detailing achievements and challenges from the past financial year. Highlights include the opening of redevelopment works at Navarre Recreation Reserve, upgrades to St Arnaud Swimming Pool, and road improvements funded by the State Government. Mayor Karen Hyslop emphasised the council's commitment to transparency and advocacy for key challenges facing the municipality.
Four years after the Maribyrnong River flooded hundreds of homes, the City of Maribyrnong is continuing to push for stronger flood prevention, preparedness and recovery. Council will hold a community workshop in November to shape its next round of advocacy with residents who experienced the 2022 flood. The Maribyrnong Neighbourhood Flood Network has also developed a community-owned flood plan, which was presented to emergency management organisations this month. Mayor Mohamed Semra said recovery had not ended when the floodwaters receded and that residents' voices needed to be heard.
Today, October 11, marks National Coming Out Day, which was first established in 1988 to challenge prejudice through visibility. The day was created by Robert Eichberg and activist Jean O'Leary, who believed that being seen could be politically powerful. Coming out looks different today, with legal gains for LGBTQIA+ Australians, but the writer says disclosure can still carry serious risks. The piece points to rising anti-LGBTIQA+ hate crimes in Victoria and anti-trans rhetoric and laws in parts of Australia, arguing that coming out remains a form of advocacy.
Adelaide’s Park Lands are facing major redevelopment, including a government golf project aimed at boosting economic and tourism opportunities. However, advocates are concerned about the impact on local wildlife and homeless people who use the area for shelter. They are calling for the government to consider the needs of the homeless community and allocate appropriate resources as the plans progress. Mij Tanith, a representative from the Gum Leaf Guild, says the redevelopments will greatly affect those living rough.
The Shire of Irwin has acknowledged Cr Lesley Berecz's resignation and welcomed Tom Coffey as the new councillor. The Milo Road Upgrade Project is entering the tender phase, with $5.6 million in funding secured. The Port Denison Foreshore Redevelopment is also progressing, with construction set to begin in November. The Shire is advocating for changes to the Belisama Gas Project approval to protect Irwin ratepayers from road damage costs.
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The City of Darwin has appointed five community members to its Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee. The group will advise the council on improving accessibility for people of all abilities in Darwin. Lord Mayor Peter Styles said the committee members bring valuable lived experience and professional expertise to help identify and address barriers to participation. The committee meets four to six times a year to provide recommendations to the council.
Preschoolers at Sandon Point Children’s Centre in Bulli are campaigning for a footpath along Point Street to improve safety and accessibility. The children, who currently take a longer route to the beach and local cafe due to the lack of safe footpath, have created flyers and posters to advocate for the change. A petition has already gained over 700 signatures, and the children hope to meet with Wollongong councillors to discuss the project.
Jelena Dokic, a former tennis champion and broadcaster, has become an ambassador for World Vision Australia. She visited Bangladesh, where she met a woman named Ruby who was forced into marriage at 12. Dokic aims to help Ruby and other disadvantaged women by sharing their stories and supporting their goals. She plans to return to Bangladesh to keep her promise to the women she met.
Glenelg Shire Council has launched its Advocacy Prospectus, setting out priority projects to unlock investment and drive regional growth. The document was unveiled at a launch event attended by councillors, government representatives, industry leaders and community organisations. Its seven priorities cover community infrastructure and sport, tourism and events, freight and export, critical minerals and industrial development. Mayor Karen Stephens said the region has significant public and private investment opportunities emerging. Council will use the prospectus to engage governments, industry and stakeholders to advance the projects.
Former patients report being physically attacked and sexually harassed in locked mental health wards across regional Queensland. Advocates are calling for regular independent inspections, similar to those in prisons and youth detention facilities. Queensland has not set up an independent body to regularly inspect its locked mental health wards, despite agreeing to do so under an international treaty. The ABC has spoken with former patients and advocates who want more oversight and transparency in these facilities.
