AU Brief — Wednesday 30 September 2026
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Good morning: the Coalition's primary vote slumps to a new low, the Greens brace for a leadership contest, Canberra reviews cyber security after a Medicare data breach, and South Australia endures record spring heat.
Politics
Republican senator halts bill shielding Kennedy Center from demolition
Senator Mike Lee blocked a bipartisan bill that would have required congressional approval before any demolition of the Kennedy Center, objecting when Jeff Merkley sought unanimous consent for the measure. The bill, co-authored by Merkley and Lisa Murkowski, followed disputes over Trump's control of the centre, including failed attempts to rename it and warnings from justice department lawyers about possible demolition. A judge has ordered 30 days' notice before any demolition, and the centre's leader says the building will remain standing.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Coalition primary vote hits record low in Essential poll
The latest Guardian Essential poll shows the Coalition's primary vote falling four points to 22%, its equal-lowest result on record, while Labor rose to 29%. The survey of 1,022 people also found majority backing for tougher migration measures, including forced deportation of visa overstayers (70%) and greater scrutiny of asylum visas (68%), even as 46% viewed migration positively compared with 39% who saw it negatively.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Thunderbirds' 60th anniversary revisited by co-creator's son
Jamie Anderson, son of Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, discusses the origins and legacy of the 1965 TV series ahead of its 60th year. He explains the show was inspired by a real German mine disaster and Gerry's brother Lionel, who died in RAF service during World War Two. The series, featuring puppet characters including the Tracy brothers and Lady Penelope, later inspired the founding of a real volunteer organisation, the International Rescue Corps, in the 1980s.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Newcastle Knights' surprise NRL grand final surge
The Newcastle Knights have reached the NRL grand final after finishing last season with the wooden spoon, with veteran Tyson Frizell playing his first decider in 305 games and 22-year-old Fletcher Sharpe reflecting on the club's history since its 1997 and 2001 premierships. Coach Justin Holbrook, who took over this season, has been credited with lifting belief in the squad despite injuries including the loss of recruit Dylan Brown, culminating in a win over Penrith in the preliminary final.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Greens Face Leadership Contest Amid Fossil Fuel Pressure
Former Greens leader Adam Bandt says whoever takes over the party's leadership, expected to be decided at a Sydney retreat, will be pushed by members to prevent Labor from approving new coal and gas projects. Larissa Waters stepped down citing declining health from a chronic kidney condition, with Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi (running with Nick McKim) among those seeking the role. Bob Brown said the incoming leader must be a strong negotiator capable of winning major concessions from the Albanese government, while polling shows the Greens' primary vote has remained largely steady despite a recent rise in support for One Nation.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Science & Tech
Canberra orders cyber review after OpenAI Medicare breach
The federal government has directed all departments and agencies to review their systems for AI-related vulnerabilities following an OpenAI breach of a Medicare statistics portal run by Services Australia. Critical systems must be assessed by year's end, with less vital ones reviewed by March 2026. Acting Home Affairs Minister Richard Marles said systems needed to keep pace with rapid AI-driven change, while OpenAI has apologised and faced criticism over a two-month delay in disclosing the incident.
Sources: ABC News
Culture
Gear Writer Ranks Eight Top Walking Poles
A gear tester spent over a decade reviewing outdoor equipment and hiked at least 10 miles with each of 10 pole models across the Lake District and Cotswold Way to compile a list of eight recommended walking poles. Picks include the Vango Annapurna as best budget option at 190g, the Silva Carbon poles for adjustability, and the Gossamer Gear LT5 as lightest, weighing 139g when tested versus a claimed 151g. Poles were tested in wet and warm conditions, assessing grip comfort, locking mechanisms and durability.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Turner's Rome Masterpiece Returns Briefly Ahead of Auction
A JMW Turner painting of Rome, Rome, From Mount Aventine, is on display at Palazzo Rondinini in Rome from Tuesday to Thursday, nearly 200 years after it was created. It will later travel to Hong Kong and New York, then return to London for a Sotheby's sale on 9 December, where it is expected to fetch £50m. The work last sold in 2014 for £30.3m, then a record for Turner, and remains unlined and unrestored, with the artist's original brush and palette knife marks still visible.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
How a tiny Texas ghost town shaped 1970s country music
Luckenbach, Texas, bought in 1971 by Hondo Crouch when its population was just three, became a hub for outlaw country musicians seeking an alternative to Nashville's polished sound. Jerry Jeff Walker recorded ¡Viva Terlingua! there in 1973, and in 1977 Waylon Jennings released a hit song naming the town, which topped the country chart for six weeks and crossed into pop radio. The town, still run by Crouch's family, remains linked to country music through its dance hall and annual festivals.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
New book explores Prince's 1987 album Sign o' the Times
A new book by John McKie, Prince: A Sign o' the Times, examines the creation of Prince's 1987 double album, drawing on interviews with more than 100 people. The book explores Prince's personal life during that period, including his split from fiancee Susannah Melvoin and disbanding of The Revolution, as well as his use of instruments like the Fairlight CMI sampler and Linn LM-1 drum machine. The album, which turns 40 in March, is discussed as spanning varied musical styles and themes.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Weather & Climate
South Australia swelters through record-breaking September heat
More than a dozen locations across South Australia recorded their hottest September day on record, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above average, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Adelaide reached 34.4C, its second-hottest September day on record, while Port Augusta hit 37.9C, the state's highest temperature but not a record. A cool change with showers and possible thunderstorms is expected to bring temperatures back to the low 20s later in the week.
Sources: ABC News
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