Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
For anyone who has ever stood in a long line on election day, the idea of voting early sounds like a small luxury. For the 2025 federal election in the United States, Australia, and Canada, it is also a practical reality backed by official timelines and specific rules. Early voting centres in Australia (2025 federal … Read more
Anyone who has browsed JB Hi‑Fi’s iPhone section in 2026 has likely noticed a shift: the iPhone 15 Pro Max is no longer sold as new. Instead, the retailer’s Renewed collection offers refurbished units in several condition grades, from As New to Good. For Australian shoppers wondering whether this discontinued flagship still makes sense, the … Read more
Anyone who’s bitten into a dry, crumbly pumpkin scone knows the disappointment. But with the right technique, homemade scones can be tender, flaky, and full of autumn spice. Two trusted recipe sources—A Saucy Kitchen (vegan baking blog) and Bakerita (gluten-free specialist)—agree on one trick: chilling the shaped dough for at least 20 minutes prevents spreading … Read more
Few things feel more bureaucratic than needing a signature witnessed on an important document — until you realize a Justice of the Peace offers that service for free, often just around the corner. Whether you’re in downtown Brisbane or a small town in Queensland, finding a JP near you is simpler than you might think, … Read more
Walking into a JB Hi‑Fi store in 2026, you’ll find iPhones spanning five generations — from the ageing iPhone 13 to the just‑released iPhone Air. With so many models on the shelves, picking the one that actually delivers value takes more than a glance at the price tag. iPhone 13 release year: 2021 · iPhone … Read more
When you pull a tub of Farmers Union Greek yogurt off the Woolworths shelf, the packaging says “Greek Style” — not “Greek Yogurt.” That small word matters: it tells you the yogurt was made in Australia, not imported from Greece. The natural variety, for instance, packs 4.8 grams of protein per 100 grams and costs … Read more
Anyone who’s tried to read a menu in a Madrid tapas bar knows the feeling: you understand the gist, but the details slip away. Translating English to Spanish used to mean lugging a dictionary, but today free tools like Google Translate, DeepL, and SpanishDict put accurate translations in your pocket—this guide walks you through how … Read more
When a series wraps up its second season with a seemingly perfect ending, the question everyone asks is: what happens next? For fans of Netflix’s Alice in Borderland, that question has been answered with a surprise third season that arrived in 2025. This guide breaks down everything confirmed about the show’s future, its reception, the … Read more
A stock that’s dropped 40% from its high while the company reports double-digit growth naturally raises the question: is the market overreacting, or does it know something you don’t? Harvey Norman Holdings (ASX:HVN) sits at AU$4.61 per share after a recent dip, well below its 52-week peak of AU$7.70, and this article breaks down what … Read more
The Family Tax Benefit Part A base rate of $72.94 per child per fortnight won’t stretch far if your income is high, but the maximum rates of $227.36 for younger children and $295.82 for teens can make a real difference. This guide walks through the payment structure for 2025-2026, including how the income test works … Read more