The Mandarin

It took one entity 19 attempts to get accounts right, WA audit office says

Tom Ravlic — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:52:16 +0000

The latest report notes that the audit teams have found improvements in reporting, but tardiness with lodgement and accuracy still remain.

The post It took one entity 19 attempts to get accounts right, WA audit office says appeared first on The Mandarin.

Privacy raised during teen social media ban tech trial were ignored

Cam Wilson — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:40:44 +0000

Internal emails show months of unheeded warnings from the OAIC about overstated privacy claims in the government's age check technology trial, which didn't technically test or assess the products against Australian law.

The post Privacy raised during teen social media ban tech trial were ignored appeared first on The Mandarin.

High Court to test limits of electoral reform on political speech

David Solomon — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:25:40 +0000

Victoria will have to introduce new legislation if it wants to limit political donations ahead of the upcoming state elections.

The post High Court to test limits of electoral reform on political speech appeared first on The Mandarin.

Australia’s fuel shock should trigger a wider re-evaluation of energy alternatives

Turlough Guerin — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:49:33 +0000

In this, more volatile, fossil fuel environment, biogas-to-grid should be included in the broader reconsideration of energy alternatives.

The post Australia’s fuel shock should trigger a wider re-evaluation of energy alternatives appeared first on The Mandarin.

When help backfires: Why policy rewards the wrong people

Bernard Keane — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:48:24 +0000

Policies meant to ease inequality often inflate demand and are captured by higher-income groups, leaving affordability largely unchanged while widening gaps within generations.

The post When help backfires: Why policy rewards the wrong people appeared first on The Mandarin.

Australia’s $20 billion frigates deal with Japan hedges many risks

Julian Bajkowski — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:46:06 +0000

Australia learned to love Japanese performance engineering in the 1980s. Got steel. Got gas. Got coke. Sounds like a plan.

The post Australia’s $20 billion frigates deal with Japan hedges many risks appeared first on The Mandarin.

NSW Health admits to underpaying emergency doctors

Julian Bajkowski — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:22:51 +0000

NSW Health admits delayed allowances for Westmead emergency doctors, with payments worth up to 25% of income held up amid long-running payroll failures.

The post NSW Health admits to underpaying emergency doctors appeared first on The Mandarin.

APSC battles to bury remainder of Pezzullo investigation

Dan Holmes — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:10:40 +0000

The Australian Public Service Commission is arguing that disclosures about a once-in-a-generation code of conduct investigation would harm future inquiries.

The post APSC battles to bury remainder of Pezzullo investigation appeared first on The Mandarin.

Monday Briefing: Defence’s 2026 Integrated Investment Program

Alex Cameron — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:58:52 +0000

A breakdown of where the $53 billion will be allocated across Defence, according to the National Defence Strategy announced on Thursday.

The post Monday Briefing: Defence’s 2026 Integrated Investment Program appeared first on The Mandarin.

National defence strategy long on verbosity, short on solutions

Ian McPhedran — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:12:32 +0000

ANALYSIS | Australia’s 2026 defence strategy outlines a costly expansion centred on AUKUS, drones and missiles, but offers limited practical detail on delivery, self-reliance and risk amid heavy reliance on the US.

The post National defence strategy long on verbosity, short on solutions appeared first on The Mandarin.