Thriving Kids Our national survey reveals community concerns about the government's Thriving Kids supports program. Read the submission and survey factsheet.

here is the full survey results from CYDA about the proposed Thriving Kids. CN suicide, distress

cyda.org.au/thriving-kids/

I am very pleased to hear this. I will be writing and encouraging others to as well.

"This is Fine" meme. Dog sits on chair with cup on table in front of them. Surrounded by flames.

Albanese on emission targets of 62 - 70% by 2035: "We think we have a sweet spot."

The sweet spot:

Would be really funny if Kimmel and Colbert et al. decided to broadcast their shows from outside the USA like some kind of pirate network accessible with VPN - I could see it taking off, tbh

Who killed Meanjin? And why won’t Melbourne University Publishing engage with efforts to save it?

Must read piece here from @nickfeik.bsky.social www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/16/m...

CMAT - euro-country

The decision to shut Meanjin shows a stunning lack of commitment to Christensen's vision of a vibrant local intellectual culture. To insist that it's just a rote financial decision belittles this history. And if it was just about the numbers, why wait until 2025? The horizon for literary funding has just brightened somewhat with the launch of Writing Australia. Does financial strife preclude closing the journal with some ceremony or even a little consultation with those who care about it? Usually when a cultural organisation experiences financial hardship, there's a call for donations, or a series of negotiations with other parties, or a weary effort to restructure. Quarterly periodicals become biannual; print publications go online. Were there really no other options for Meanjin? Are financial considerations going to guide the editorial program of the heavily subsidised MUP going forward?

What exactly happened to Meanjin? And why in this manner?

Some excellent observations (and questions) from @catrionamp.bsky.social over on @crikey.com.au: www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/08/m...

I have $5 that says Thomas Sewell, the Neo Nazi will escape jail time again.

There are Indigenous kids in jail in Australia for stealing biscuits but a violent Neo Nazi who has had multiple assault charges against him still walks the streets.

I have a few people I might send this recommendation to, thanks

A thread on the impact of seemingly nonsense, tabloid media narratives. Many of you will have seen the 2018 Ch9 A Current Affair footage painting Dezi Freeman and his family as supposedly peaceful normal folk having to deal with neighbours from hell. Typical ACA fodder. 1/6

Everything the pro-Israel media think the pro-Palestine movement is (racist, extremist, building up violent hate) is actually happening with the anti-migrant “March for Australia” but with a fraction of the outrage.

I was disappointed not to be able to make it to this season, got my fingers crossed it comes back soon.

Disabled kids excluded by design The wellbeing of children is often invoked by a variety of groups. But when it comes to disabled kids, the conversation becomes very different.

Disabled kids, excluded by design. Me in 2023. Everything old is new again

www.bluntshovels.au/disabled-kid...

You called?

(my weekend is sorted)

Detailing the 48 participants at the Health, Disability and Ageing Economic Reform Roundtable Regular readers will know that Croakey has been trying for some time to establish who was invited to the Health,

no disabled peoples' representatives at the roundtable last week, just those that make money from our commodification.

nothing about us, without us

www.croakey.org/detailing-th...

The Hon. Mark Butler MP August 20, 2025 @ 11:30 am - 1:30 pm - The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Disability & the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Health and Ageing, will address the National Press C...

Minister Butler is giving a major speech about the NDIS tomorrow at the NPC. Hmm, I wonder how many disability representatives have been able to get a seat? How many disabled people? Hint - very very few

we are on the goddamn menu

npc.org.au/events/the-h...

Pro-Israel groups have attacked me for years. The Bendigo Writers Festival is a turning point. Randa Abdel-Fattah writes of her experience as a target of the pro-Israel lobby

Solidarity with Randa Abdel-Fattah

I will not be silenced and neither will Randa while I have legs to stand

Pro-Israel groups have attacked me for years. The Bendigo Writers Festival is a turning point.
www.deepcutnews.com/p/pro-israel...

Nope, you’re not alone. I really wanted to like it but I was uninspired.

Just don't ask what's up with University of Melbourne's relationship to the fossil fuel industry, though.

Have men really stopped reading? We take a deeper dive into the data It’s clear that if there is a crisis in Australia, it affects both men and women, boys and girls. So what can be done to boost reading?

The demise of men reading books has, once again, been greatly exaggerated - I've taken a deep dive into the surprisingly chaotic world of reading statistics in Australia.

And got some exclusive (?) figures from the HILDA survey!

www.theguardian.com/news/2025/au...

I was underwhelmed by this one too, sadly.

The grim predictability of this coming out, hey. I let out an audible “ugh” when I read it.

There goes Bingo and Bluey’s chance at getting on the intergenerational property wealth ladder. smdh.

It was obvious we would discover the real push behind this fiasco, kudos to @deepcutnews.bsky.social for bringing it to our attention in today’s newsletter. Shameful.

Can attest this was the most delicious thing I have eaten this year. No hyperbole. @lisadempster.bsky.social and I discussed various excuses to order said cake at our earliest convenience.

people need to understand that when they leave disabled folks behind, they are leaving their future selves behind too

disability happens to most of us eventually if we live long enough

I want you to understand something incredible about the boycott of Bendigo Writers Festival. There was no planning, organizing or coordination between writers. It was almost entirely spontaneous but for a bit of word of mouth.

50 or writers all responded in the same way in less than 48 hours.

As good a summary of what’s going on in modern school libraries as you will find - and a very good primer on why well resourced and well staffed libraries are essential

Preview: New media 🤝 Legacy media Plus, is 'overconsumption' a gendered term?

“A whopping 88% of podcast appearances made by politicians were with white hosts only”

Important analysis by @crystaljane.bsky.social of ‘new media’ in the Aus election and how it replicates some of the worst features of legacy media.