An investigation by Four Corners has found that Little Zak's has the highest share of centres subject to enforcement action among Australia's 26 largest long daycare operators. Regulators recorded almost 600 confirmed breaches at its centres between 2020 and September 2025. Parents at its Shellharbour centre describe serious injuries and concerns about supervision. Little Zak's says its focus is on quality and safety. Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh says new reforms are on track, though some large operators have not been included in a funding crackdown.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson has found the aged care funding algorithm is neither fair nor consistent. His report, over 100 pages, says the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acted unreasonably in running the assessment scheme. He recommends that senior assessors be allowed to override the algorithm's decisions. The government has not accepted that recommendation, but has agreed to a review of the Aged Care Act.
A childcare worker, Edwina Ling, has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm. The assaults took place at a childcare centre in Injinoo, on Cape York, over three days in late August and early September 2024. CCTV footage captured the attacks, and one 13-month-old boy was assaulted 55 times. The centre operated outside the National Quality Framework. Parents want accountability to extend to the organisation that ran the centre and to regulators.
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Business Professional Women Coffs Coast says gender equality remains an issue, despite progress in some areas. The group points to an ABC Four Corners investigation published on 18 October, in which more than 100 women described job losses, reduced hours and unfair treatment linked to pregnancy or having a child. The group will host a panel discussion titled "The Equality Conversation: Women, Feminism and What Comes Next" under the theme "Equality in 2026: Where Are We Now?" The group has also asked any woman who has faced such discrimination to get in touch.
Australia's sex discrimination laws must be overhauled to stop workplaces penalising pregnant women and mothers, a new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission urges. Sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said the legislation was not keeping up with modern families. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government has not yet committed to the recommended changes, which are being examined in an ongoing inquiry.
NSW Health data shows 1,180 people went to emergency departments across the state between July last year and September this year after taking unapproved peptides. Monthly presentations rose from five in July 2025 to almost 220 last month. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the products can cause liver and kidney damage, allergic reactions and severe vomiting, and urged people not to buy or use them. A Tasmanian GP said he was seeing similar patterns and that some young people were ordering the products online.
More than 100 women told Four Corners they experienced discrimination at work after becoming pregnant or having children. Former Department of Home Affairs executive Alisha Warner says her request to return on compressed hours was rejected. The department said it could not approve the arrangement because the role now needed full-time senior oversight. Warner took a voluntary redundancy and refused to sign a confidentiality agreement. Former Border Force official Kylie Rendina said losing experienced staff can cost more than retaining them.
More than 100 women have told Four Corners they lost work after becoming pregnant or having a child. Abby McCawley says she was fired from her role at Ray White Brunswick in Melbourne's inner north, a day after a company post had praised her. The real estate agency says her employment ended over workplace behaviour, a claim she disputes. She is now suing in the Federal Court. Lawyers say pregnant workers face daunting hurdles, and advocates are calling for stronger legal protections.
The spiritual leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church will appear before a parliamentary inquiry over claims that members paid known neo-Nazi associates to intimidate candidates during the 2025 federal election. The church denies any political involvement and says it had no involvement in the election. Committee chair Jerome Laxale has said the church figures must address unanswered questions. Committee member James McGrath has accused the inquiry of being partisan. Former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has said she is not alleging misconduct, while noting long-serving volunteers felt uncomfortable.
Australian Federal Police have executed four search warrants in an ongoing fraud investigation targeting the veteran support system. Officers searched the Queensland home of The Rosemary Centre owner Josh Tinning and three other locations linked to the business in New South Wales. Sixty police officers and Department of Veterans' Affairs staff were involved. Investigators are examining medical reports the company provided to veterans for compensation claims. Mr Tinning's lawyers say he denies any wrongdoing.
South Australian politicians from Labor, Liberal, the Greens and an independent met in Canberra to demand the Murray-Darling Basin Plan be delivered in full. A recent report shows a 265 gigalitre shortfall caused by failed state-run water-saving projects. Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan said South Australia had already done its share and other states needed to step up. Riverland resident Neil Burton said the river was vital to communities. A review of the plan is due to be completed later this year.
Australia's competition regulator has taken legal action against 12 egg producers and suppliers, alleging cartel conduct. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges the companies coordinated production, distribution and expansion decisions since at least October 2020. It claims the group bought a Queensland property to stop a rival acquiring it. The regulator also alleges Sunny Queen, the largest wholesale egg supplier, restricted rival Kinross from selling to major supermarkets. Sunny Queen denies all allegations and says it will defend the proceedings.
NRMA Insurance is repaying hundreds of people injured in motor vehicle accidents after incorrectly calculating some compulsory third party benefits since 2019. The error was spotted by a lawyer, not the insurer or the state regulator. The insurer first estimated about 700 people were underpaid, later revising that to 400, and has identified a further group owed interest. Greens MP Abigail Boyd criticised the insurer's failure to detect the error. The State Insurance Regulatory Authority says it will decide its response once its investigation is complete.
