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Latest News
New data reveals NSW social housing waitlist blowout
A fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW reveals where people are waiting the longest for social housing, sparking calls to double the supply of social homes and boost services funding.
Other News
Wallum ponds
There are currently two proposed developments in the Byron Shire that will endanger, if not locally exterminate, frog species.
Many...
New Brighton parking
To quote a Joni Mitchell song, ‘They paved paradise and put in a parking lot’ – this adequately describes...
It’s MardiGrass!
This year is Nimbins 32nd annual MardiGrass and you’d reckon by now ‘weed’ be left alone.
The same helicopter raids, the disgusting, and completely unfair, saliva testing of drivers, and we’re still not allowed to grow our own plants. We can all access legal buds via a doctor, most of it imported from Canada, but we can’t grow our own. There’s something very wrong there.
Foodie road-trip paradise: Harvest Food Trail
Calling all food and farm enthusiasts, the iconic Harvest Food Trail is happening soon, over four days from May...
D-day for Bruns pod village pesticide treatment
After two delays, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) will be treating Bruns emergency pods with a pesticide treatment, despite some strong opposition from flood-affected residents.
Try-fest for Byron Bay in local league
The Byron Bay A-grader league players left the Clarence Valley on Saturday afternoon after scoring 11 tries on their...
Stories about "political donations":
The price of political influence
Despite promises of reform when the Albanese Government was elected, Australia’s political donation laws remain unchanged, which is why it took until last week to find out who was donating in the last financial year, via the AEC's Transparency Register.
Call to end political donations from fossil fuel companies
The Australian Electoral Commission has disclosed political donations for the 2020-2021 financial year showing that $959,155 was donated to the three major parties from...
Editorial – Fossil fools buy seats at leadership table
Conspiracy theories abound these days. Most of them are feeble balloons that can be popped with one or two sharp facts, but a few contain some truth.
Abolish business influence on government
Hayo van der Woude, Mullumbimby.
We saw the expressionless party mouthpiece, Julie Bishop, become more like her real self, speaking for women and more closely...
Thus Spake Mungo: Why Turnbull’s xenophobic new laws won’t work
Given that just about all our prime minister’s announcements proclaim the greatest reform since federation, or the most sweeping advance since the second world war, or at least the sexiest makeover since last week, you could be forgiven for not getting over-excited about these.
Fossil-fuel donations loom as Richmond poll issue
The Greens’ candidate for the federal seat of Richmond, Dawn Walker, has called on her Labor rival, sitting MP Justine Elliott, to back their...
Time for a Royal Commission into mining and govt corruption
Charles John Lincoln, Gulmarrad. There once was a saying, ‘all roads lead to Rome’. Now things have changed: now ‘all gifts and brown paper bags lead to the various political parties’ head offices from building developers and mining industries for favours rendered.’
Greens blast big party stance on political donations
Labor has voted with the Liberals and Nationals to block a Senate motion that detailed their failure to return all the political donations that they have received from the CSG company Santos. The motion also called for a ban on political donations from mining and coal seam gas companies.
Experts reject political donations ban
A complete ban on political donations in NSW would not be in the public interest, an expert panel has found.
Greens want coal, gas political donations banned
Following yesterday’s announcement from state Labor that it would end all CSG mining in the northern rivers if elected, the Greens have ratcheted up the debate by calling on political donations from mining and gas companies to be banned.
National News
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Local News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
David Lowe - 0
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Byron Echo
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Paul Bibby - 7
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
National News
eSafety commissioner granted legal injunction as X refuses to hide violent content
Australia’s Federal Court has granted the eSafety commissioner a two-day legal injunction to compel X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to hide posts showing graphic content of the Wakeley church stabbing in Sydney.