Get the appThe Community Broadcasting Association of Australia has concluded its annual conference in Geelong. Around 400 volunteers, staff and board members from across the sector attended. The conference explored the future of community broadcasting and its role in connecting communities and giving a voice to underrepresented groups. Among the attendees was Lizzie Wait from Nambucca Valley Radio in Tewinga, south of Coffs Harbour, who was attending for the first time.
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.
Council leaders from across Queensland have gathered in Cairns for the state's annual local government conference, which runs until Wednesday. Hosted by the Local Government Association of Queensland, the event covers housing, infrastructure, cost shifting and disaster funding. Delegates will vote on more than 100 motions that, if passed, will shape the sector's advocacy agenda. Premier David Crisafulli will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday. Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the mayors' united concerns over disaster recovery funding recently prompted a response from the Commonwealth.
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Get the appPrime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians not to take multicultural harmony for granted. Speaking to community leaders at the FECCA2026 National Conference in Canberra, he said cultural and religious diversity remains one of the country's strengths. He said maintaining social cohesion requires continued effort. FECCA chief executive Prerana Mehta said the three-day gathering, held at Parliament House and Old Parliament House, would recognise migrant contributions. Mehta said debates about migration numbers, housing and cost of living should not diminish the value of multiculturalism.
Day 2 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs at Moscone West in San Francisco, offering an Expo Hall with more than 300 startups, live pitches, and AI-powered matchmaking for a community of over 10,000 attendees. Today's themes include artificial intelligence, robotics, AI hardware, public safety, and venture investment, with speakers from Nvidia, Waabi, Flock Safety, and Ricursive Intelligence. Stage sessions, roundtables, and networking lounges are available with an eligible pass, and organisers are offering 50 per cent off the walk-up rate. Side events are planned for the evening, with individual listings noting entry requirements and RSVP details.
Day 2 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs at Moscone West in San Francisco, offering an Expo Hall with more than 300 startups, live pitches, and AI-powered matchmaking for a community of over 10,000 attendees. Today's themes include artificial intelligence, robotics, AI hardware, public safety, and venture investment, with speakers from Nvidia, Waabi, Flock Safety, and Ricursive Intelligence. Stage sessions, roundtables, and networking lounges are available with an eligible pass, and organisers are offering 50 per cent off the walk-up rate. Side events are planned for the evening, with individual listings noting entry requirements and RSVP details.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane on Saturday as the Conservative Political Action Conference got under way. Demonstrators carried placards and rainbow flags, banged drums and chanted against One Nation. Speakers included Pauline Hanson, who called for a royal commission into net zero policies, and Liberal leader Angus Taylor, who said signing up to net zero was a mistake. Police maintained a heavy presence in the area.
Liberal leader Angus Taylor, One Nation's Pauline Hanson and Nationals senator Matt Canavan spoke at a Conservative Political Action Conference in Brisbane. Each vowed to work towards removing the Albanese government, though they criticised one another throughout the event. Mr Taylor promised to scrap Australia's net zero commitment under the Paris Agreement and end mass migration. Senator Hanson said she would put personal grievances aside for the country. Senator Canavan said the parties were in competition but could come together. Liberal leadership rival Andrew Hastie did not attend.
Hay Shire councillor Geoff Chapman has defended his attendance at the Murray Darling Association conference, saying it was vital for raising local issues. The Shepparton event allowed direct discussions with water policy officials about topics like un-rated water conservation lands. Motions on new dams and links to the Coorong were passed, with a priority statement to be circulated for ratification.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set for October 13 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Discounted passes are available until the event starts, with savings of up to $100. Attendees can choose from 200+ sessions across six stages, featuring leaders from companies like Science Corporation, Flock, and Cerebras Systems. The Expo Hall will host 300+ companies and live startup pitches. A special appearance by Mark Wahlberg is also scheduled.
OpenAI’s Alexander Embiricos, the product lead for Dots, will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco. The event runs from October 13 to 15, days after the launch of Dots, an always-on personal AI agent. Dots are designed to operate independently, connecting to daily apps and working toward goals without constant user input. Embiricos will discuss the future of personal AI agents and the importance of privacy and trust in their adoption.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will bring together 10,000 people from the global startup and tech community at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Discounted passes are available until the event starts on October 13, with savings of up to $100. Attendees can also get 50% off a second pass. The event features 200+ sessions, 250+ tech leaders, and the Startup Battlefield 200 competition with a $100,000 prize. Laid-off individuals can purchase an Expo+ Pass for $75.
Private landowners' role in protecting Tasmania's biodiversity and landscapes is being highlighted at a land conservation conference in Hobart.
