NDIS overhaul sparks state revolt over cuts and Canberra’s powers States and territories are mounting a coordinated pushback against Labor’s proposed NDIS overhaul, objecting to plans that would shift up to 160,000 people off the scheme by 2030 and expand federal control. It’s a high-stakes test of Commonwealth–state relations and the future shape of disability support, with major budget and service-delivery implications. Covered by: The Australian. Tax inquiry “whitewash” row deepens as critics shut out The Albanese government is under pressure over a Senate inquiry into capital gains tax and negative gearing changes after claims key critics and experts were excluded from giving evidence. The controversy goes to transparency and trust in the policy process, and could shape how politically durable any housing-tax reform becomes. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Australian. AUKUS back in the firing line as Labor elders warn of Trump r

Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL), publisher of The Times of India, has issued a public notice clarifying that four publications, Pune Times Mirror, Ei Samay, Nav Gujarat Samay (NGS), and Ahmedabad Mirror, are no longer owned, published, or operated by the company or its affiliated entities. The announcement, addressed to advertisers, corporate partners, agencies, and stakeholders, stated that Ei Samay, Nav Gujarat Samay, and Pune Times Mirror have been disowned, while Ahmedabad Mirror currently operates under a licensing arrangement. BCCL emphasised that these publications function independently and are not under its editorial, managerial, or operational control. The company further clarified that BCCL, Maharashtra Media Corporation Ltd. (MMCL), and their group companies are not responsible for the editorial content, business practices, representations, or activities of these publications or individuals claiming to represent them. Stakeholders were cautioned that any engageme

The Chennai Press Club (CPC) has strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu government’s action to remove Polimer, News Tamil 24x7, and Tamil Janam TV channels from the Arasu Cable TV network, which is run by the state government. In a statement, the press body said the move amounts to suppression of freedom of expression, warning of massive protests if the broadcasting of the three channels is not resumed immediately. The controversy follows last month’s blackout of Puthiya Thalaimurai on the same government cable network. CPC had condemned that move as well, warning of protests. The channel’s transmission was later restored. In this latest instance, the broadcasts of Polimer, News Tamil 24x7, and Tamil Janam TV were removed on Friday, June 5, 2026. Government officials claimed the stoppage was due to technical issues. Rejecting that explanation, CPC warned: “The government must abandon such actions, which amount to blacking out news channels and suppressing freedom of expression

What do you get when you combine Cricket, Oasis and Tech Journalism? Influencing’s very own Will McLennan, and he's the first to join our newly revamped 5 Minutes with series?  What do you do, and who do you write for? I'm Influencing's Tech Journalist. I cover the ITJ Journo, Science and Australian Media beats. How did you get your Start in Journalism?  I got my start here at Influencing just shy of two years ago, and I've been helming the tech beat ever since. What did you really want to be when you were growing up? I wanted to be a Cricketer. I wanted to bat three for Australia, and then bowl first-change.  At 16 I realised that wasn't going to happen, and throughout high school and even primary school, I enjoyed writing. So that made me want to be a journalist, and I've focused on being a journalist ever since. What's the biggest issue facing journalism? I think the rise of AI-generated slop and misinformation is the biggest issue. Anything can be put on social media

Andie Crawford joins Thrive as general manager (consumer) Andie Crawford has announced that she has joined Thrive PR as a general manager (consumer).  Crawford joins Thrive from Banter, where she was most recently the head of PR and communications. She expressed her excitement on LinkedIn to join Thrive, an agency that “she has watched and admired for many years.” Snezna Kerekovic, executive director, welcomed Crawford’s appointment: “We are so excited to have you part of our Thrive fam. Here’s to great work, great fun.” Crawford is a seasoned PR and communications specialist with over two decades of agency and in-house experience working across alt/shift/, The Red Republic, Porter Novelli and Blue Planet PR.  Margaux Cowley named business manager at Eleven Margaux Cowley has been promoted to business manager at Eleven.  She was a senior PR consultant at the firm most recently.  In her previous stints, she worked at T

When Article 14 founder-editor Samar Halarnkar posted a public appeal for reader support on June 1, it resonated far beyond his newsroom. The appeal laid bare a challenge confronting many independent media organisations in India: how to sustain quality journalism in a digital ecosystem where audiences readily pay for entertainment but often expect news to remain free. "Article 14 is at a point where its future depends on the people who believe this kind of journalism should exist at all, journalism that takes time, asks difficult questions, and refuses to fall in line," the appeal stated.  It was not a symbolic plea. "Finances have always been an issue, and there is no clear business model for independent journalism in India. There are a few organisations that have not fully cracked the model but are doing reasonably well. We have been struggling for more than five and a half years," Halarnkar told Influencing. According to him, the decision to go public came after months of mou

The question many in the Australian media industry are asking, is what the hell is Vinyl Group doing? This week it acquired both Pedestrian Group and Time Out Australia, which follows a string of acquisitions in the past couple of years including Val Morgan Digital, Brag Media, MediaWeek and Concrete Playground. Vinyl Group CEO Josh Simons commented on the most recent acquisition of Time Out by saying: "Time Out is one of the world’s great culture brands. Food, travel, entertainment, city discovery, real-world experiences. It sits beautifully alongside Concrete Playground, Rolling Stone Australia & New Zealand, Refinery29, Mediaweek Australia and the rest of the Vinyl Media portfolio". Vinyl Group CEO Josh Simons "Honestly, I am not sure it has fully sunk in yet that BuzzFeed Australia, LADbible Group, PEDESTRIAN.TV and now Time Out Australia have all joined or partnered with the Vinyl ecosystem in such a short period of time". It's fair to say t