Western Australians gamble about as much as people in other states, but experience far fewer gambling problems. Research suggests the key difference is access to poker machines, which are largely banned in WA outside a single Perth casino. Pokies are used by 2% of Western Australians, compared with an average of 9% elsewhere. The authors argue that cutting pokie numbers only slightly would not reduce harm, and that other measures such as reducing late-night opening hours may help.
The Northern Territory Government has accepted all 45 recommendations of a review into child protection, including a call for a system-wide reset. The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the decision but says implementation must deliver lasting change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said the review found significant shortcomings in how the Department of Children and Families handled domestic and family violence. She said removing children should not be the response when families lack housing and support. The review examined the department's conduct and systems, not the circumstances of the death that prompted it.
WA's Tertiary Education Minister, Tony Buti, says the government has not committed to merging the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University. He said the merger would go ahead only if the business case stacks up. Buti argued that students are receiving a poor education and that completion rates are too low. Curtin and Murdoch vice-chancellors, along with students and unions, have criticised the plan. Students and staff are expected to rally at Parliament House in opposition.
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The Subiaco mayor, David McMullen, says the city is not considering a merger with another local government. The statement follows the introduction of the Local Government Amendment and Repeal Bill 2026 to Parliament by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley. The reforms include four-year election cycles and support for voluntary amalgamations. Mr McMullen said a report that Subiaco had been invited by the Town of Claremont to discuss amalgamation or boundary changes was incorrect. He said the city is financially secure and well governed, and will keep working with other councils through existing partnerships.
Super Consumers Australia has welcomed the federal government's response to a Parliamentary Joint Committee inquiry into financial abuse. The group says stronger safeguards are needed across the superannuation system to stop victim-survivors losing their retirement savings.
Apartment committees increasingly face unpaid levies, parking disputes and requests for electric vehicle chargers while keeping neighbours informed. At Residents 3000's October Forum at the Kelvin Club, speakers examined Victoria's owners' corporation reforms. Legal adviser Catherine Emmerton described an easier path to authorise non-monetary proceedings by ordinary resolution, plus a statutory payment-plan process due in 2027. Hedley Gaudin of Australian Owners Corporation Management pointed to residents wanting better communication, suggesting surveys and newsletters. Discussion at related conferences compared Victoria with New South Wales, where mediation and mandatory committee training are in place.
Victoria's bail laws, governed by the Bail Act 1977, permit accused individuals to remain in the community pending court proceedings. Conditions may include curfews, reporting to police, or providing a bail guarantee. Decisions are made by police, bail justices, or courts, with stricter tests applied to serious offences. Breaching conditions can lead to arrest, modified conditions, or imprisonment. Recent reforms introduced tougher consequences for repeat offences while on bail, sparking debate about the laws' effectiveness and potential impacts on vulnerable communities.
A property valuer argues that tax reform often increases compliance costs, citing upcoming capital gains tax changes that will require more valuations. He highlights the cumulative effect of multiple professional reports and regulations on housing construction costs. The author also questions the growing public-sector workforce and its impact on business productivity, suggesting that good reform should simplify systems rather than add complexity.
Wollongong residents are losing over $240 million annually on poker machines, with $54 million lost in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Community Industry Group warns that the true cost of gambling extends beyond financial losses, impacting families, mental health, and community wellbeing. The Illawarra region faces significant gambling harm, with increased demand for emergency relief and support services. Advocates call for gambling reform, including self-exclusion programs and operating hour restrictions, to protect vulnerable individuals and communities. Gambling Harm Awareness Week is observed from October 19-25.
Byron Shire Council is proposing a 35.03 per cent rate rise over three years, raising $83 million over a decade. The increase, due for a decision on 3 December, aims to fund infrastructure including renewal, maintenance, climate adaptation, and business resilience. Critics argue the council should defer the rise until state government reforms, which aim to improve financial transparency and accountability, are clarified. The reforms follow a parliamentary inquiry into local government funding pressures, with the government agreeing that existing revenue sources are insufficient.
A private member's bill in the Northern Territory parliament could force major gambling companies to implement deposit caps for young adults. The bill, introduced by independent MLA Justine Davis, proposes monthly deposit limits of $500 for those aged 18 to 21 and $1,000 for those aged 22 to 24. It also seeks to ban inducements like bonus bets and VIP schemes, and would increase the maximum penalty for non-compliance from $194,000 to $10 million. The NT's gambling regulator oversees 50 online bookmakers, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and Bet365, due to the Territory's low taxes.
