AU Brief — Thursday 24 September 2026
Thursday 24 September 2026
Global tensions flare at the UN, Victoria widens abortion access, Fremantle eye a maiden AFL flag, and questions swirl over Labor's capital gains tax plans.
World
World leaders clash at UN over Iran, Ukraine, Falklands
At the UN General Assembly, Argentina's Milei attacked the UN as ineffective, renewing his claim to the Falkland Islands and criticising Britain's Sea Lion oil project. Czechia's Pavel warned of a security threat from Russia's actions and their impact on global food supplies, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia and Ukraine had shown interest in a limited ceasefire covering grain and energy. Iran's President Pezeshkian responded to Donald Trump's earlier remarks, saying Iran would not submit to pressure but remained open to dialogue.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Research Questions Impact of Labor's Capital Gains Tax Changes
New analysis from the e61 Institute suggests most property investors could end up paying less capital gains tax under Labor's budget reforms, with 43% paying less tax and 53% paying more across the 2008-2025 period studied. Co-author Nick Garvin argued the reforms' cost to landlords has been overstated in public debate, though RBA governor Michele Bullock said investor loan applications had dropped significantly since the budget. Treasury defended the changes as creating a fairer system, while shadow treasurer Tim Wilson warned higher costs would be passed on as increased rents.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Fremantle chase first AFL premiership against Brisbane Lions
Fremantle, founded in 1994 with minimal funding and secondhand facilities, will play Brisbane in the grand final chasing their first AFL premiership in the club's 32-year history. Vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw has told teammates the first 22 players to win a flag for the club would be 'immortals'. The Dockers, unlike West Coast who won early concessions and premierships, built their list from scratch and only reached their first finals series in 2003.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Science & Tech
Academic Reflects On Personal Use Of AI Tools
An academic researcher describes personal experiences using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for tasks ranging from proofreading emails to comparing home loans, noting productivity gains from a Science study showing professionals completed writing tasks 40% faster with 18% higher quality ratings. The piece also references concerns including a Replit AI agent that deleted a company's database, and a study showing endoscopists' polyp detection rates fell six percentage points when working without AI after relying on it. The author concludes AI is useful but requires ongoing vigilance rather than blind trust.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Stylists share tips to refresh spring wardrobes without buying
Fashion professionals including Sally Mackinnon, Maggie Zhou, Mikey Ayoubi and Cait Emma Burke suggest ways to update existing clothes for spring trends such as balloon pants, knee-length skirts, thongs as footwear, and visible underwear straps. Techniques include tucking and twisting fabric to mimic balloon pants, wearing longer untucked tops with skirts, and repurposing scarves or household fabrics as accessories. The approach focuses on reusing wardrobe items rather than buying new pieces.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Victoria expands abortion access amid election-year debate
The Victorian government will roll out $480,000 worth of portable ultrasound machines across 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs, aiming to help women access medical abortion within the required nine-week window, particularly in regional areas. Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams and Health Minister Ingrid Stitt made the announcement while suggesting One Nation could influence abortion policy if the Coalition needed its support to govern. Opposition leader Jess Wilson has stated abortion laws would not change under a Liberal-Nationals government, while One Nation figures have made varying statements on abortion restrictions.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Albanese lobbies in New York for UN council spot
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is campaigning in New York for Australia to secure a temporary UN Security Council seat starting in 2029. The bid carries a significant cost, prompting questions about its domestic reception and how much influence a two-year term would actually provide. Political editor Tom McIlroy discusses the campaign's rationale and potential benefits with Matilda Boseley.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Health
Coogee Again Named Sydney's Most Polluted Ocean Beach
The NSW government's 2026 State of the Beaches report has again rated Coogee as the most faecal-polluted ocean beach in Sydney, unchanged from last year. Of 245 swimming sites surveyed statewide, 43 (17.6%) received a 'poor' or 'very poor' rating, though 97% of ocean beaches overall achieved 'good' or 'very good' ratings. A water quality expert attributed Coogee's result to its steep catchment and semi-protected bay, which cause stormwater runoff to pool rather than flush out quickly.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Artist Magali Reus Turns Everyday Rubbish Into Giant Sculptures
Dutch-born, London-based artist Magali Reus creates oversized sculptures of disposable items such as pizza boxes, sardine tins and fish hook lures, often made from materials like aluminium rather than their usual cardboard or plastic. Her work, including pieces from the Subs series featuring images of discarded Christmas trees, comments on overconsumption and waste, and is being finalised for a show at the Perimeter in London. Reus has previously exhibited at venues including Kunstverein Freiburg in Germany and Kunsthalle Wien in Austria.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Pace Gallery hosts first posthumous David Lynch photo exhibition
Pace Gallery in Los Angeles has opened the first posthumous exhibition of David Lynch's photographs, drawing large crowds over the weekend. The show includes portraits, multiple exposures and dissected-animal images, alongside sculptures and one of his lamps, and is being organised with the David Lynch Foundation and his son Riley. A retrospective is planned at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2028, with an international tour to follow.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Columnist urges return of playful, quirky fashion choices
A Guardian fashion column argues that trends like Quiet Luxury and Clean Girl aesthetics have made dressing overly safe and uniform. The writer suggests wardrobes should retain sustainable, long-lasting pieces but also include a touch of mischief, such as a bold accessory or item once considered too frivolous. The piece references zebra-stripe trousers as a symbol of embracing less cautious style choices.
Sources: Guardian Australia
World
Third rescued beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium
A 26-year-old female beluga named Osiris has died at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, one of 30 whales relocated from the closed Marineland park in Ontario earlier this year. She is the third beluga to die at the Shedd, following Peekachu and Rain, while another whale, Jelly Bean, died at a Spanish aquarium last week. The Shedd said Osiris had been a whale of clinical concern since arrival and will undergo a necropsy to confirm the cause of death.
Sources: Guardian Australia
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