NSW Beach Closed After Shark Attack
Cabarita Beach, located at Norries Headland in New South Wales, was closed today after a terrifying shark attack left a surfer’s board badly damaged. According to the Tweed Shire Council, no injuries were reported as the bite narrowly missed the surfer. Photos shared online reveal a significant bite-sized portion missing from the surfboard, sparking concerns among beachgoers.
The incident, which occurred just before 7:30 AM, was captured on local beach cameras, showing visible commotion in the water. American surf legend Kelly Slater reacted on Instagram, stating, “Incredible he’s ok. Surfboards have saved quite a few surfers with that tiny barrier.”
A similar incident involving a shark bite occurred less than two months ago at the same location, prompting Surf Life Saving NSW to increase drone surveillance to ensure beach safety. Local authorities have placed warning signs and are urging the public to avoid entering the water until further notice.
Federal Court Penalizes Qantas for Illegal Worker Dismissal
In a major ruling today, the federal court imposed a $90 million penalty on Qantas, citing the illegal sacking of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court referred to the decision as a “ruthless, calculated act” of cost-cutting. Tony Sheldon, NSW Labor senator and former Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) secretary, condemned Qantas for prioritizing profits over its workforce.
Sheldon criticized the former Coalition government for supporting these actions, stating, “Rather than help thousands of staff and their families, they condoned the biggest illegal sacking in corporate history.”
The TWU, represented by barrister Josh Bornstein, called this decision the “darkest day in Qantas’ 105-year history.” Sheldon emphasized the need for stricter regulations to prevent such actions from recurring in the future.
ACCC Sues Google Over Exclusive Search Engine Deals
Australia’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has initiated legal proceedings against Google over exclusive agreements with Telstra and Optus. These deals required the installation of Google Search as the default search engine on Android devices, to the exclusion of competitors, between December 2019 and March 2021.
Google has admitted liability and agreed to pay $55 million in penalties. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb stated, “This outcome creates the potential for millions of Australians to have greater search choice in the future, allowing competing search providers to gain meaningful exposure.”
Google has since committed to revising its pre-installation practices to align with fair competition standards.
Albanese Reaffirms Australia’s Support for Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during a recent coalition meeting involving over 30 nations. Albanese emphasized that Ukraine must play a central role in negotiating any peace deal with Russia, stating, “Ukraine must not have a solution imposed on it. They need to be a part of those negotiations.”
Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, welcomed the ongoing support and stressed the importance of maintaining international pressure on Russia through economic sanctions. The global coalition remains focused on achieving a “just and enduring peace.”
A2 Milk Sees Surge in Lactose-Free Sales
Nutritional giant A2 Milk has reported a 10% surge in sales for its lactose-free milk products in 2024-25, securing 18.5% of the Australian lactose-free market. This success starkly contrasts with a decline in milk formula sales, which dropped nearly 20% this year amid declining birth rates in China.
The company attributes much of its revenue growth to its expanding customer base in Australia, New Zealand, and the US, where sales rose by 20%. A2’s diversification has helped it weather challenges in the infant formula sector, positioning it as a leader in the growing lactose-free category.
This expansion highlights the increasing demand for specialty dairy products tailored to consumer health needs.
