Experts warn that a large percentage discount during Black Friday sales does not always mean good value. Associate professor Sara Quach Thaichon says the final price and product quality matter more than the percentage off. Choice editorial director Mark Serrels says retailers may be clearing old stock or collecting customer details. He advises shoppers to set a budget, compare prices beforehand and avoid pressure tactics. The consumer protection agency Moneysmart also urges shoppers to check that they are buying from a genuine retailer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appeared in a comedy video for online duo Swag On The Beat, joking that he would reinstate his HECS debt if a boyfriend hurt his daughter. Griffith University communication expert Dr Susan Grantham says such projects help politicians appear authentic and reach people they would otherwise miss. A study she led of 564 political creator posts before the 2025 federal election found creators shared four times more election content than regular media. Focus group participants did not say these posts changed how they voted.
More than one in three Australian workers are experiencing burnout, according to a new survey. The State of Workplace Burnout Report found that workers in workplaces with high levels of system friction were far more likely to be affected. Study author John Chan said the survey sought to identify differences between organisations with very low and very high burnout rates. Experts say poorly designed systems, bureaucracy, pointless meetings and job insecurity are among the factors linked to burnout.
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A Griffith University study has found many Australians book short-term accommodation for reasons other than leisure. Work travel was the largest category, at 21.9 per cent of non-leisure bookings. Escaping domestic or family violence accounted for 15.2 per cent. The independent study was commissioned by Airbnb and drew on 68 interviews and two national surveys. The lead author said regulators should recognise these non-leisure uses when setting policy for short-term rentals.
Real estate agents are using artificial intelligence to alter property images, create AI-generated families and produce songs about floor plans. Griffith University's Sara Thaichon said the industry is one of the fastest adopters of AI. Queensland's Office of Fair Trading has released a best practice guide urging agents to enhance responsibly and disclose AI use. The regulator has received six complaints about digitally altered images since January 2025. Real Estate Institute of Australia president Jacob Caine said deliberate cover-ups are misleading and advised buyers to inspect properties in person.
A proposed $156 million, 4000-seat baseball stadium at Meadowbrook could help turn Griffith University's Logan campus into a sporting, education and business precinct. Logan mayor Jon Raven says the venue could bring visitors and jobs to the region. The wider plan includes hotels, housing and a sports-science building. A feasibility study forecasts an annual operating deficit of about $900,000, and funding arrangements remain unresolved. The Brisbane Bandits have expressed interest in relocating to Logan if the project proceeds.
A Griffith University PhD student, Aster Stevanovic, is studying what limits the spread of the rainforest vine that the endangered Southern Pink Underwing Moth depends on. The moth feeds only on Carronia multisepalea, which grows in northern New South Wales and south east Queensland. Stevanovic will set up 20 plots across five habitat types, planting seedlings and seeds in each. Beechmont Landcare is helping to find suitable sites. The experiment runs from March 2027 to March 2028, with regular visits to clear weeds and monitor plant survival.
