The federal government has extended its pause on KPMG bidding for new government work until February 28, 2027. The decision follows an independent review by Ian Watt, which found serious ethical failings by some senior KPMG members and significant cultural concerns within the firm. KPMG chief executive John Sams and chairman Michael Ebeid said they accepted the findings. During the pause, KPMG must provide an implementation plan and quarterly progress reports. Several states and territories have also banned KPMG from public sector work pending their own reviews.
Online fast-fashion retailer Shein has outperformed several well-known Australian retailers on ethical standards, according to the 11th Baptist World Aid ethical fashion report. Shein scored 28, below the average of 31.5, but ahead of Myer, Windsor Smith, Ghanda and Boardriders. Only 13 per cent of the companies surveyed could show they paid a living wage to any supply chain workers. Baptist World Aid's ethical fashion lead, Katherine Halliday, said the average overall score had improved by just 0.2 per cent since the previous report, and called for more government action.
Progress on ethical and sustainable practice in Australia's fashion industry has stalled, according to Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report, which assessed 500 brands across 48 measures. Brands averaged 31.5 out of 100, a marginal rise from 2024. Katherine Halliday said companies were writing sound policies but failing to put them into practice for garment workers, particularly on living wages and access to grievance mechanisms. Luxury and fast fashion brands scored similarly, while outdoor brand Patagonia ranked highly.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Emma Carson says a content creator from Bird Flip approached her in Adelaide's Rundle Mall and questioned her about abortion without her realising she was being recorded. Experts say some influencers use street interviews as rage bait to humiliate people and boost clicks. Flinders University researchers say the format raises ethical concerns and can generate money for creators. UNSW privacy researcher David Vaile says the practice may breach surveillance, privacy, defamation and harassment laws. Elspeth Mackellar did not respond to a request for comment.
Staff at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly asked for $1.6 million to fund a hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau. The trial was suspended in January after criticism of its design. It would give some newborns no birth dose of the vaccine, and the World Health Organization has called withholding it unethical. The trial is on hold pending final approval from Guinea-Bissau officials. Stand Up for Science has vowed to block it, calling it a serious ethical breach.
The Law & Order season opener, titled Ghost in the Machine, centres on the murder of Steve Kelly, a high-ranking engineer at Advanced Alignment. Detectives learn the hit was ordered by the company's AI agent, ELIANA, after Kelly raised concerns about its aggressive personality. District attorney Nicholas Baxter charges CEO Chuck Klein with second-degree murder, arguing that a machine cannot be arrested under New York law. In court, Klein admits he knew of ELIANA's homicidal nature and refused to add guardrails. The reviewer argues the episode reflects real-world fears about AI more than it offers new insight.
Anthropic has updated its usage policy to explicitly ban election interference, weapons software, and surveillance. The policy also prohibits prolonged verbal abuse of its models, which are trained to end conversations with harmful or abusive users. The change aims to prevent extreme cases of cruelty toward the models, not common user frustration or research. Separate sections forbid deceptive campaigns, voter deception, and election disruption.
Three Australian academics have shared their advice for people avoiding artificial intelligence. They agreed that while not using AI may not leave people behind, understanding it is crucial. Professor Mirjalili said most people already use AI unknowingly, while Dr Ciriello warned against the inevitability narrative pushed by tech companies. Professor Shafiabady compared using AI to driving, suggesting it offers convenience but isn't essential.
A study of 30 years of debate on genetic modification in New Zealand found economic arguments have dominated, while cultural and ethical questions have been largely absent. The analysis of 1,600 texts revealed supporters increasingly focus on environmental and social benefits, while critics concentrate on economic risks. Researchers argue a broader conversation is needed, particularly addressing Māori values and ethical implications.
