NewsMatch Alert: Press Release Summary | 25 February 2025
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Today's highlights
Battle-ready medical drones to join Army’s ranks
A new drone delivery project led by Charles Darwin University (CDU) will aim to revolutionise healthcare in modern warfare. The project, led by the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems | NACAS at CDU and supported by the QDSA (Queensland Defence Science Alliance) , will focus on solving the technical, logistical and regulatory challenges of integrating large, heavy-fuel cargo drones into the battlefield operating system. NACAS will work with Queensland uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) manufacturer SAIDYNAMICS to adapt their hybrid 2-stroke engine drone for long-range, cold-chain cargo operations. The project will also partner with 澳大利亚格里菲斯大学 ’s Centre for Enterprise Architecture Research and Management to develop navigation algorithms for drones to locate drop-off locations in GPS-degraded environments.?
Killer T cells could protect against ‘bird flu’
Scientists at 澳大利亚拉筹伯大学 have identified a possible defence for humans against the influenza virus H5N1 – commonly known as ’bird flu’ – which could open avenues of research for new vaccine development. The paper’s first author, Dr Emma Grant , from the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) and the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment (SABE), says the research suggests vaccines targeting these molecules could be developed to defend against different strains of flu – not just bird flu.
Gene therapy project shares in $3.7 million dementia research funding
Dementia Australia Research Foundation , Australia’s largest non-government funder of dementia research, today announced $3.7 million in research funding as part of the 2024 grant round. The funding was awarded to 24 projects, including one exploring if viruses can be used to deliver critical genes to boost the brain’s defences against Alzheimer’s disease as well as improving the quality of eyecare for people living with dementia in residential aged care.
New global report confirms Breast Cancer numbers and deaths will rise
The Global Patterns and Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality report, which examines the 2022 and projected 2050 global burden of breast cancer across 185 countries, delivers a confronting reality: breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) calls for the evolution of our national breast cancer screening program to reflect the latest evidence, ensuring it remains effective in reducing mortality.
Canberra shows its support for people impacted by dementia
Canberra community members turned up in force last weekend, showing their support for people impacted by dementia whilst getting active to improve their brain health. Participating in the 2025 Memory Walk & Jog at Lake Burley Griffin, more than 1,500 people walked, ran and jogged to raise an impressive total of $240,000. Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan, PhD GAICD extended her gratitude to all who participated, raised funds, spread the word and donated. “There was an outstanding show of support from the Canberra community who turned out in such large numbers yet again in support of people impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.
Failure to overturn Cootamundra Pathology Lab Closure results in 24-hour strike
Pathology workers at Young Hospital will strike over the NSW Government’s decision to close the Cootamundra Pathology Lab.?The industrial action is part of an ongoing dispute over pathology services in the Murrumbidgee region.?All staff members at the Young Pathology Lab are expected to take part, and will be joined by representatives from the Health Services Union and the local Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke.?
Unpaid wages: Union demands answers from Brindabella Christian College
The union representing staff in non-government schools calls on Brindabella Christian College to pay salaries and superannuation it owes to staff immediately. The Independent Education Union of Australia, NSW/ACT Branch is meeting with school management on Monday afternoon to seek answers about when wages will be paid as well as emergency assistance for staff unable to pay bills. IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said the union would take action in the Fair Work Commission if it did not receive a satisfactory response from the school. The union is also providing information to The Fair Work Ombudsman .
Workers and businesses deserve certainty on payday super laws
Australian businesses and workers deserve the certainty of bipartisan support for landmark payday super reform, a key tool to tackle Australia’s $5 billion a year unpaid super problem. The Australian Government has committed to modernising super payments by July 2026, shifting the law from super only being paid at least once a quarter to being in-sync with the payment of wages. While progress has been made, the reform is yet to secure formal bipartisan support. This simple change will mean almost 9 million Australians will get their super paid sooner.?
New research reveals widening gap between customer service expectations and reality
Australian consumers are increasingly dissatisfied with the service they receive, with a significant gap emerging between their expectations and actual experiences, according to a groundbreaking new study by SOCAP Australia and 澳大利亚迪肯大学 ’s Better Consumption Lab. The research, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,500 Australians in June and July 2024, found that two-thirds (66%) of respondents believe service quality has declined over the past five years. Across key service sectors—including mobile, banking, electricity, home insurance and government services—customers consistently reported that organisations are failing to meet their expectations.
RFNSW welcomes first heavy vehicle rest stop in Western Sydney
Peak body Road Freight NSW (RFNSW) has welcomed the announcement of the first dedicated heavy vehicle rest stop in Western Sydney, saying it will help reduce driver-fatigue by providing hard-working truckies with a decent, safe location to rest, sleep, eat, shower and use toilet facilities. Purpose-built on a six hectare greenfield site at Eastern Creek, five minutes from the M7 and 10 minutes from the M4, the truck stop will support long-haul drivers on the road between Pheasants Nest to the south of Sydney and Wyong to the north of Sydney – a distance of 180 kilometres and nearly two hours driving. It will include flushing toilets, hot showers, clean drinking water and secluded sleeping bays and shaded areas, and is based on extensive consultation with RFNSW and feedback from its members and industry stakeholders. It will be delivered under joint funding from the Albanese and Minns Governments.
Construct Your Career with Master Builders’ ultimate guide to the industry
Master Builders Australia is proud to announce the launch of Construct Your Career: The Ultimate Guide to Jobs in Building and Construction.?Created by Master Builders as part of their ongoing efforts to address workforce shortages across the industry, the guide was made to provide relevant, current and helpful information and advice to those considering a career in building and construction. To help encourage more Australians to consider a future in the trades, Master Builders Australia is making this comprehensive resource available online to all who want to use it. ?
OPTIME condition monitoring delivers digital predictive maintenance with user-friendly operation and prompt ROI
Condition monitoring can be expensive. Which is why up to 95% of all machines inside factories are only sporadically monitored – or often not at all. This can lead to unplanned breakdowns and downtime. 舍弗勒 ’s OPTIME Condition Monitoring and Smart Lubrication solution helps prevent unexpected downtime and operational surprises by offering comprehensive machine monitoring. Developed by the Schaeffler Group, a global leader in motion technology, this solution ensures greater reliability and efficiency for industrial operations.
Outrageous destruction of precious Melbourne grassland after governments’ collective protection failure
Grassy Plains Network
An irreplaceable grassland in Melbourne's west has been bulldozed, with authorities across all levels of government failing to protect it despite being aware of the destruction. The privately owned land at 248–316 Faulkners Road, Mount Cottrell on Melbourne’s western edge was destined to become part of the long-promised 15,000 ha Western Grassland Reserve. The Reserve is a desperate attempt to protect the last large remaining patches of Critically Endangered grassland in Victoria. But despite local, state and federal authorities knowing the bulldozers were ripping through 40 hectares of the grassland throughout the holiday period and well into January, they all failed their obligations to protect it.
Aussie voters want affordable homes over investor tax breaks, polling shows
Everybody's Home
New polling in key federal electorates reveals voters strongly prefer spending on affordable homes over investor tax breaks like negative gearing, by a ratio of 2.5 to 1. Commissioned by Everybody’s Home, uComms polled more than 2,500 voters across Bennelong (NSW), Brisbane (Qld), Cowan (WA) and Kooyong (Vic), in February, highlighting a strong disconnect between voter priorities and political solutions to the housing crisis.
Speaker flies the Australian Parliament House flag in Sydney
Speaker of the House of Representatives
The Office of the Speaker Australian House of Representatives , the Honourable Milton Dick MP , is bringing the Australian Parliament House (APH) Flag Roadshow to schools across Sydney. Under this program, the iconic flag that usually flies above Parliament House in Canberra will travel across Sydney, accompanied by local Members of Parliament, visiting local schools.
Dr. Cathy Foley announced as National recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women's Leadership
Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) today announces Dr. Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia’s Former Chief Scientist, as the 2025 National Award recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This prestigious award honours exceptional Australian women and gender-diverse people who encourage change and contribute to advancing equity across all facets of our society.?
NSW search for "Little Brothers" to reconnect on the centenary of Australia's largest youth migration program
Big Brother Movement (BBM)
The Big Brother Movement (BBM) was one of Australia’s most significant migration schemes, offering young British men—known as ‘Little Brothers’—the opportunity to start a new life in Australia. Founded in 1925, the scheme ran until 1982, by which time close to 12,000 lads of ‘good character’ who were aged between 16 and 21 had travelled alone from the UK to Australian shores to be assigned a Big Brother guardian and receive training and jobs in rural and trade industries. Now, 100 years on, BBM is looking to reconnect with those who were part of this unique migration experience, a task made difficult as the movement originally discouraged the Little Brothers to keep in touch and to become part of Australian society. In addition, some of the records of those who migrated with the scheme were lost many years ago.
Amid global divisions, Ahmadiyya Muslims unite faith leaders during Ramadan
As global divisions and religious tensions continue to rise, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Queensland is taking a stand for unity and understanding. This Ramadan, the Association is inviting people of all faiths—the Jewish community, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and people of all backgrounds—to come together for an interfaith Logan Iftar. This special event will provide an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and unity at a time when harmony is more important than ever. Through shared experiences, open discussions, and breaking bread together, the Logan Iftar aims to foster positive relations, brotherhood, and mutual respect.
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