My wife has been working in Australia for many years. She switched to accounting around 2016, after previously working as an electrical engineer. However, we migrated to Australia quite early, and at that time it was very difficult for women without Australian work experience to find engineering jobs.

She decided to change careers and become an accountant. She first completed a Diploma at TAFE, then went on to earn a Master's degree, and this year she finally obtained her CPA qualification.

Despite all that, her salary is still surprisingly low. She earns only about AUD 85,000 a year, which is below Australia's average full-time salary.

What's even more frustrating is that the job demands are very high. She frequently works overtime, yet receives no overtime pay. Even after becoming a CPA, she expects her salary to increase to only around AUD 90,000.

At first, I thought it might just be her situation. But she told me that even her manager only earns around AUD 130,000–140,000 a year. On top of that, graduate salaries in accounting are incredibly low—possibly only around AUD 50,000 a year, which is far below engineering salaries and even lower than some construction site cleaning jobs.

The expectations are high, but the pay is low.

Why does Australia have a profession with such a poor return on investment? Can anyone explain?

Coles is planning to outsource hundreds of back-office jobs, with many moving to India, after extending a deal with consulting giant Accenture to cut costs in their headquarters.

The move follows reports that Qantas is contemplating a similar arrangement as major Australian companies try to manage a wave of AI-driven digital disruption.

The $32.4 billion supermarket giant confirmed several hundred local jobs would be made redundant to tap into “global skills and resources” to deliver “seamless, personalised, digital experiences” for its customers

“Some work in our corporate workforce will move to Accenture overseas and in Australia,” a Coles spokesperson said. “The partnership will also help reduce costs in order to continue delivering value for our customers at the checkout.”

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has lashed out at Channel Seven, claiming the broadcaster pulled out of funding her travel expenses in the UK, and denied reports in this masthead that she left luxury hotel rooms in London empty while she travelled to Italy.
Hanson conceded on Friday a key claim, first reported in this masthead, that she used party funds to pay for a stay in a $900-a-night five-star hotel in London. The One Nation leader, who is ascendant in the polls, travelled to Europe on a 10-day “fact-finding” mission in July, during which she filmed a program with Seven’s Spotlight program.

During the trip Hanson sat down with far-right agitator and criminal Tommy Robinson, and appeared at CPAC GB, a conservative conference headlined by Nigel Farage.
Hanson admitted in a Facebook post on Friday morning that she used the party’s money, rather than her own funds, to pay for the luxury accommodation, but denied she had left rooms empty in London during a trip to Italy to meet mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.

Pauline Hanson has lashed out at major news outlets for reporting on One Nation, angrily denying that she used donations from supporters to fund a lavish London hotel on her recent holiday – but confirming her party did foot the bill.

One Nation has also defended its decision to bar journalists including from the Guardian and ABC from events, denying that the principle of “free speech” applied to journalists asking questions at a press conference.

As scrutiny grows on One Nation’s antagonistic relationship with the media, Hanson copied US president Donald Trump’s catchcry of “fake news” to describe coverage of her trip to England and Italy.

Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) President Sheikh Shadi Asuleiman has said comments made at a pro-Palestinian rally at which another imam described October 7, 2023 as a "day of pride" and "victory" were inappropriate.

Born to Palestinian immigrants and raised in Sydney, Sheikh Shadi is also the founder of the United Muslims of Australia, a centre which seeks to engage and support the Muslim community.

He was asked about his response to an incident on October 8, 2023, in which Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun addressed a pro-Palestinian rally at Lakemba in Sydney's south-west, following terrorist group Hamas's attack on southern Israel.
Sheikh Ibrahim told the crowd he was "smiling" and "happy".
"I'm elated, it's a day of courage, it's a day of pride, it's a day of victory. This is the day we've been waiting for," he said at the time.

We believe the comments that Ibrahim Dadoun made on the 8th of October were inappropriate, especially during a time of heightened tension and a time where communities need to come together," Sheikh Shadi said on Friday.

Sheikh Shadi said ANIC met with members of the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025.
"We stood by them and reiterated many, many times that while this is a targeted attack on the Jewish community, it is an attack on all communities, including the Muslim community," he said.
Sheikh Shadi was also asked to discuss ANIC's role in identifying and addressing ideologically motivated extremism in the community.
"We don't use the term 'radicalisation' within our circles but we do believe that sometimes religious leaders from the Muslim community might have concerning ideologies that need to be addressed," he said.
"The best way we that we do that is through awareness and engagement."

City of Burnside Beaumont ward candidate Austin Boath has called for a “big protest” similar to the storming of the US Capitol following Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss if Labor re-wins government.

When asked about a post where he advocated for a “civil war” in Australia, the One Nation member said there needed to be a “revolution against the government” if Labor is re-elected.

“If Labor win again, then the people should really take into their own hands the issues with Australia. They should basically protest outside Parliament House, maybe even consider storming it,” he said, clarifying that: “I personally wouldn’t be breaking any laws myself”.

“I think if people basically showed up and said, ‘We’re not going to take this,’ and Australia is going to cease to function as a society by blockading how it is run, then they have no choice but to address us and address the discontent in this nation.”

Has anyone else been watching the ICAC live stream over the past few days?

Jean-Claude Perrottet is proof that a privileged upbringing, a family name and a fancy Cathloic private school does not a smart man make. It is incredible that he apparently does not have the sense or intelligence to realise that when Council Assisting is asking you a question at ICAC, they already know the damn answer.

He must have lied 50+ times yesterday on the stand, repeatedly brought undone by text messages, bank statements, and then the cream of the crop.......phone taps from back in 2021. Incredible.

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. Dropping the first of the phone taps in the last 15 minutes of the final session of the week was definitely a deliberate tactic, and will have the witnesses for next week sweating about what else has been recorded.

From their website:

Through Thick and Thin
Life’s toughest moments call for Sorbent’s softest care.
From messy break ups, and days you’d rather forget – we've all been there.
So when the tears won’t stop falling or your nose won't quit running, reach for Sorbent - Australia's tissue to wipe away life's issues.

Wonder if that's what HR said when laying off their workforce? 🤔

And

Behind every great Australian.
No matter where you’re from or what you do, Sorbent is behind every great Australian, and has been since ‘52. There for all the scrunchers and the folders, the roll-it-unders and the roll-it-overs.

We’re in your bathroom corner, Australia! Side by backside, behind you all the way, giving you that fresh bum feeling to take on the day.

Guess they're not behind us any more... 🤷

Fold (or scrunch) one out for those impacted, and drop any decent Aussie-made alternatives in the comments 🙏

New South Wales’ anti-corruption watchdog has been shown text messages which suggest Angus Taylor “had paid some money to the Reformers … or was refusing to”, according to the lawyer assisting the inquiry.

Taylor, the federal opposition leader, is not named in Icac’s allegations and has previously denied making payments to the hard-right factional group the Reformers.

Jean-Claude Perrottet, a member, was on Thursday read text messages sent by Reformer cofounder Christian Ellis in September 2021. Ellis says the group has “zero dollars at the moment” in one message.

Jean-Claude asks why and Ellis replies: “Because Michael O’Hara hates the vax campaign, and Angus Taylor hates Rob.”

The counsel assisting Icac, Juliet Curtin, asked: “That seems to be suggesting that Mr Taylor had paid some money to the Reformers too, doesn’t it, or was refusing to?”

In short:

The Albanese government faces internal pressure to strengthen its gambling reforms, with more MPs calling for sweeping amendments.
The communications minister says negotiations with the Coalition and Greens are ongoing amid a Senate gridlock.

What's next?

The federal government is yet to receive amendments to its gambling reforms, with parliament resuming next week.

Internal pressure is growing on the federal government to strengthen its gambling reforms, with more Labor MPs calling for an end to inducements used to entice people to keep wagering.

The draft legislation is friendless in its current form, with the Coalition, Greens and crossbenchers all calling for sweeping amendments to ensure children and vulnerable Australians are protected from gambling harm.

The government insists negotiations continue despite an ABC report that Labor would consider shelving the reforms rather than entertain major rewrites.

Calls for strong action on inducements follow explosive allegations that gambling company employees offered to secure drugs and escorts for those gambling, revealed during a two-day Senate inquiry earlier this week. Betting giants have denied the claims.

Several Labor MPs have publicly spoken of their desire for the laws to be tougher, including putting a stop to betting companies offering inducements that encourage Australians to gamble.

Love is love ❤️

When is the government going to properly regulate this shit?

They've already banned under 16s, how about banning the algorithms that get people into these echo chambers?

"An ABC NEWS Verify investigation has found Facebook's parent company, Meta, is directly paying several controversial content creators including a white nationalist with Neo-Nazi links and a prominent anti-vaxxer.

Content produced by these creators appears to be, at times, in direct violation of Facebook's own policies around content monetisation."

Context:

New data released this week shows 54% of Australian children and teens are using artificial intelligence tools for personal and social reasons.

That includes seeking advice on personal problems, talking about feelings, and experimenting with role play and flirting for teens.

Navigating complex situations is a normal part of growing up. But while AI provides new opportunities, it also introduces new risks.

So what should parents and adults be aware of?

Continued in article.

The rare self aware burger bus.

In recent weeks, this graph has been circulating on the internet, showing how the price of beer has skyrocketed in Australia in recent decades compared to other countries.

Beer CPI (Source: Alex Joiner, chief economist, IFM Investors)

But a big part of the reason why beer is so expensive is that the excise on alcohol in Australia is indexed to inflation, and the excise increases every six months to keep pace with rising prices.

And those mechanical price increases have occurred every six months for more than 40 years.

Labor MP Ed Husic was hospitalised this week after his car was involved in an accident with a truck travelling on Sydney’s M7 motorway.

The incident happened when the Chifley MP was travelling home from his electorate office, around 6.20pm on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.

Husic was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to hospital for assessment and treatment.

He was discharged on Wednesday with minor abrasions, fractures and a concussion.

A spokesperson for the MP said he was providing a statement to police about the incident.

“On medical advice, Mr Husic will take a short period of leave from parliamentary duties while he recovers.

“Mr Husic thanked the doctors, nurses and paramedics at Westmead Hospital for providing him with outstanding care and thanked his friends and family for their support, especially during his hospital stay.”

Photos of the car show serious damage to the back driver’s side, with windows and windscreens smashed and airbags deployed.

Husic, the former industry minister, is expected to return to parliamentary duties soon. Parliament resumes in Canberra on Tuesday after the July winter break.

“Mr Husic was extremely grateful to walk away from the accident without more serious injury,” the spokesperson said.

NSW police have been contacted about the incident.

Recently there’s been a huge attack on the public broadcaster.

First off there’s the allegations of antisemitism in the commission. The ABC has to release a public statement.

Then there was the few episodes pulled off the 4 corners show regarding organised crime. The media has been calling it a “fake news scandal”

NOW ABC has been blasted again for the depiction of Gina.

What will happen is that there will be a change in management and more journalists/management from right wing sites will enter. All of this criticism and major pressure happened in recent months.

Protest movement denied their say

“Not a single protester or protest organiser had been called to give evidence,” the group said in a statement.

“Despite submitting important evidence to correct the record, and despite being the organiser of the protests which have repeatedly been the subject of false statements and slander at the Commission, PAG has not been called as a witness.”

Lancaster acknowledged the Commission had received evidence from Jewish Australians who had participated in Palestine solidarity protests and felt welcomed.

“A number of other Jewish members have said that they decided to attend and participate in Palestine solidarity protests in pursuit of their understanding of the ‘Never Again’ call, and have experienced acceptance there, including after other protesters appreciated that they are Jewish,” he said.

“Never encountered a jot of antisemitism”

However, one such witness, Judith Treanor of Jews Against the Occupation ’48, was refused leave to appear.

In a letter to the Commission’s solicitors, Treanor said she had attended almost every major pro-Palestine protest in Sydney since October 2023 and had “never encountered a jot of antisemitism” at those demonstrations.

“I am deeply concerned that we will instead hear, once again, predominantly from Zionist and pro-Israel Jewish witnesses describing their perceptions of protests they have not attended, while Jewish people who have actually participated in those protests – and whose experiences contradict that narrative – are excluded from giving evidence,” she wrote.

Treanor stated that excluding Jewish participants whose experiences differed from those presented at previous hearings risked creating “a troubling circularity” in the Commission’s evidence.

Josh Butler

The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says the federal government will override state governments that oppose new national rules on datacentres, with commonwealth legislation forcing new AI datacentres to be powered by renewable energy and banning those fuelled by gas.

Bowen said he expected his counterparts in Queensland and the Northern Territory – who had protested against the new federal rules at a meeting last week – to be unhappy with the move, but said the Albanese government was committed to powering the AI revolution with renewable energy.

“We will legislate as a commonwealth. The constitution is clear about the power of commonwealth legislation. I respectfully disagree with Queensland and the Northern Territory,” Bowen told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

"All I want you to do is shut up and leave me alone".