CN Newsletter: April 13
Issue 5/2025: Aged care COVID vaccination drop, rise of the right, anthology demystifying autism, Teal or no Teal?
Happy Sunday!
This week we are bringing you a shorter instalment as UTS journalism students take a break ahead of mid-semester assessments.
In this week’s edition, Central News brings you the latest on the startling drop in COVID-19 vaccinations for aged care residents, the rise of the right amongst Gen Z men, the new anthology demystifying autism, and the debut episode of Central News’ new podcast The Pub Test.
Tidbit
AEC’s new guidelines for influencers
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) this week cleared Abbie Chatfield, host of the podcast It’s a Lot of any wrongdoing after appearances from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and leader of the Greens Adam Bandt on the show. Concerns were first raised by Liberal Senator Jane Hume during Senate Estimates last month where she questioned the AEC if authorisation was required surrounding social media posts made between Chatfield, the PM, and Mr Bandt. Chatfield responded to the AEC’s review on social media where she said that the debate raised by Hume was a “media strategy from the Liberal Party to discredit influencers speaking on politics, and to discourage others from getting involved”. While Chatfield’s content was found not to require any authorisation, the AEC has advised in the lead up to the election that any co-authored posts between politicians and influencers should be authorised. The AEC also asserted that across all platforms, content creators are to authorise their content if it is paid for or communicated on the behalf of a political entity.
You can read the AEC’s full response here.
News 🗞️
‘Shocking’ drop in aged care COVID-19 vaccinations
Nearly a third of aged care homes in Australia have vaccinated less than one in five of its residents in the past six months, according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Aged Care. With the figures showing an overall decline in the rate of vaccinations in aged care residents, industry professionals are now calling on the government for more funding and better community awareness, amid growing consensus that the pandemic is no longer a concern. Read more in the full article by Caitlin Maloney.
Young, male and misogynist: the rise of the right
With over half-a-million young voters about to cast their ballots in just under three weeks, many Australians are worried about the impact young right-leaning men could have on the election outcome. A recent Freshwater Poll by the Australian Financial Review found that 37 per cent of men aged between 18 and 34 are intending to vote for Peter Dutton this election, 10 per cent higher than women in the same age category. Experts have raised concerns surrounding the impact podcasters and influencers such as Joe Rogan, Adin Ross, Nelk Boys and Theo Von can have on young male voters whose content remains largely unchecked, with many claiming it has aided the spread of online misogyny. To hear more about the concerns amongst Australian voters, read the full story by Bethany Alvaro here.
CN Audio 🎧
The Pub Test: teal or no teal?
Looking for a new way to keep up with all things AusPol? Check out Central News’ latest podcast series, The Pub Test! Hosts Roman de Vallance and Sam Lawrence promise democracy “straight up with no chaser”, as they discuss the latest election news and polls, and break down key issues in the vote. They’ll be joined by experts, voters and particularly brave politicians to find out whether parties’ policies pass or fail ‘the pub test’. In the first episode, Roman and Sam are joined by The Daily Aus’ political reporter Harry Sekulich to discuss the Teals’ “kind” election campaign, which keeps the focus on policies rather than personal character. Listen to the full episode here.
Book Review 📚
Autism demystified in new anthology by Aussie writers
A new anthology on living with autism discusses the impacts of being diagnosed later in life and the media stereotyping of neurodivergence. Someone Like Me, edited by Jo Case and Clem Bastow, includes the work of 25 autistic women and gender diverse writers. Case hopes that the anthology will help more people — especially women — receive faster diagnoses and see themselves represented in the stories shared. Read the full review by Charlotte Laidlaw here.
Until next time.
The CN Newsletter team will be taking a short break over STUVAC, but will be back in your inboxes again on April 27.
You can keep up to date with the latest from Central News by following us @centralnewsuts via bit.ly/m/centralnews.
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