CN Newsletter: June 1
Issue 10/2025: Church faces AI risk, contraceptive pill investigation, Vivid 2025, Australians watching more international cinema
Happy Sunday!
In this week’s edition, Central News brings you the latest on how the use of AI by pastors poses a risk to religious communities, whether women are needlessly being prescribed the pill, how litter in Sydney Harbour is expected to increase during this year’s Vivid Sydney Festival, and a look into the highest attendance rate yet for international film festivals in Australia.
Tidbit
We are never ever getting back together…. just kidding!
Its official, the Coalition have kissed and made up, reuniting after their week long separation. After reaching an agreement to reinstate the Coalition, Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud unveiled their shadow ministry with a major shake up announced. Both Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack were dropped from the shadow ministry and will be joining the backbench when parliament resumes next month. When asked why Joyce and McCormack were dropped, Littleproud said he wanted to ensure “generational change” within the party which was “predicated on the future of the party”. Senior Liberal Senator Jane Hume was also dropped, with James Patterson taking up both of her portfolios of finance and public service. Angus Taylor, who lost the Liberal party leadership challenge to Ley, will take over the defence portfolio.
News 🗞️
Church faces AI risk, pastor warns
AI is becoming more prevalent among leaders in some religious communities, with programs such as ChatGPT used to write sermons and interpret religious texts. A 2024 survey by evangelical Christian research organisation Barna found that 63 per cent of Christians believed sermons should not be AI-generated, but Sydney youth pastor Tim Woo said that some clergy preferred the convenience of AI over researching the historical and spiritual context of scripture. Woo warned that younger generations were at risk of being unable to morally discern right from wrong without the Australian government establishing a framework for the use of AI programs. Read the full article by David Gu here.
Are women being needlessly prescribed the pill?
Being prescribed a contraceptive pill was not something Bonnie Miles had thought would change her life when she was 18 years old. She had hoped the pill would regulate her heavy periods, however she was never informed about the range of potential side effects or that it could impact her mental health.
An investigation by Central News has found over a third of women (37 per cent) felt their experience using an oral contraceptive pill had been negative, compared to 45 per cent who had a positive experience. Caitlin Maloney, Charlotte Laidlaw and Abbey Mitchell spoke to doctors, academics and women who have taken the pill to find out more about the potential side effects and whether the health industry is doing enough to support women’s health issues. Read the full article here.
Rain can’t dampen Vivid 2025: In pictures
Sydney’s annual light festival Vivid pushed ahead last Friday night, despite torrential rain flooding the tracks across the train network, leading authorities to urge festivalgoers to reconsider their travel plans into the city. But despite the transport issues, large crowds turned out for the event, which is in its 15th year, spanning across multiple ‘Vivid zones’ around Sydney’s CBD. This year’s theme ‘Dreams’ featured immersive light events, live performances, interviews and food stalls, which will run until June 14. View the full photography gallery by Orlando Sagar here.
Harbour litter a growing issue during Vivid
Environmentalists have warned that more needs to be done to reduce waste from public events with litter in Sydney Harbour expected to increase by more than 50 per cent during the Vivid Sydney Festival this year. The annual event which attracts more than two million visitors each year has received criticism over an increase in the volume of microplastics and other litter entering the harbour during Vivid, which environmental organisation Seabin said almost doubled during last year. Senior lecturer from the University of Technology Business School, Dr Anja Hergesell said increased social and environmental responsibility is needed within event planning and cost-saving measures to reduce energy consumption would go hand in hand to increase sustainable events. Read the full article by Lucas Tan to hear what strategies experts hope will increase the sustainability of Vivid.
Arts and Culture 🎬
Australians watching more international films and TV
Australians have been streaming more international content than ever, with cultural film festivals including the Alliance Française French Film Festival recording its highest attendance rate yet this year. Streaming services have also seen a sharp jump in international films and TV shows rating among the most in demand content on platforms, with 15.24 per cent of Australia’s 10 most popular Netflix shows in a language other than English. Along with this shift in viewing habits, CEO of Alliance Française French Film Festival, Frederic Alliod said overproduction of Hollywood franchises have contributed to Australians' uptake in watching international content as well as the increase of people heading to the cinema to see international films on the big screen. To learn more about the success of recent cultural film festivals, read the full article by Jessica O’Bryan here.
Until next time.
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