Questions are being raised about the personal safety of women in prominent Australian public roles after an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her Victorian electoral office, and has lost both legs. Brendan Nugent faces multiple charges over the alleged incident. Former independent MP Kylea Tink, who was the first woman to hold the North Sydney seat, described receiving violent and threatening messages, including threats aimed at her children, after standing for office.
New research surveyed 142 young men aged 16 to 25 across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States about masculinity content on social media. Participants said such material can offer practical self-help, from discipline and fitness to financial and dating advice, though many found it superficial and harmful. Several criticised manfluencers, including Andrew Tate, for exploiting insecurities and promoting misogyny, violence and risky health behaviour. Participants said they engaged selectively, taking useful lessons while rejecting harmful messages, yet many still tolerated misogyny in exchange for the advice they valued.
Small business minister Anne Aly has condemned comments made in parliament calling for her to be stoned in the square. Liberal National MP Angie Bell made the remark during question time on Tuesday, criticising a tax office decision to ban credit card payments for tax bills. The speaker forced Bell to withdraw the comment after Leader of the House Tony Burke objected to its violent imagery. In an Instagram post, Aly said she had received 19 death threats on social media in the past week and called the comments racist and misogynistic.
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Small Business Minister Anne Aly has accused Liberal MP Angie Bell of racist and misogynistic comments made in parliament. During a speech opposing the tax office's ban on credit card payments, Ms Bell said the minister and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be shamed and stoned in the square. Ms Bell later withdrew the remarks after Leader of the House Tony Burke raised concerns about violent imagery. Ms Aly said she had received 19 death threats in a week and that the comments went against Australian values. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's office said the withdrawal was appropriate.
Labor MP Anne Aly has accused Liberal-National MP Angie Bell of a racist and misogynistic statement. During question time on Tuesday, Bell said Aly and Anthony Albanese should be shamed and stoned in the square over a Australian Taxation Office decision on credit card payments for businesses. Bell was asked to withdraw the comment and did so. In an Instagram video, Aly said she had received 19 death threats on social media that week, some using similar language. Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson said Bell did the right thing by withdrawing the remark.
Experts say the manosphere is not a passing wave, with clinical psychologist Zac Seidler saying online misogyny is being fuelled by tech platforms. Developmental paediatrician Billy Garvey advises parents to start conversations with children in low-pressure settings where they feel safe. Our Watch's Genevieve Sheppard says the manosphere harms boys and men by insisting there is only one way to be a man. The experts also answered questions on neurodivergent boys and how to respond to manosphere views in public.
Teenage boys say social media algorithms keep showing them misogynistic content, even when they never search for it. Eighteen-year-old Zac Roebig said such videos appear on his feed and are pushed by the platform's recommendation system. Researchers at QUT and the QIMR Berghofer Institute say the feeds can quickly lead users towards anti-feminist content. A Melbourne University study found boys aged 13 to 17 were the most likely group to hold hostile attitudes towards women. Experts say the home environment also plays a critical role, and the federal government has proposed letting users opt out of algorithms.
