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Byron Shire
June 30, 2026

Big questions

Latest News

Fresh ink: new releases making their festival debut

This year’s Byron Writers Festival is a first-look destination, with several of Australia’s most anticipated new books arriving at the festival before the ink has barely dried.

Other News

It’s investors who are causing the housing shortage

For years, people have been talking about how high house prices are, how you can’t get into the housing market without the bank of mum and dad. How it is virtually impossible to rent, save a mortgage, and then actually buy a property without placing yourself in housing stress.

NRAS July adoption day to go ahead

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday 4 July at the NRAS Rescue Shelter in Ballina.

Local farming legend retires after 23 years

Thursday, 25 June marks the end of an era for local farmer Kenrick Riley who is retiring from Byron...

Tweed Mayor advocates to restore funding at Local Government assembly

Tweed Shire Council say it has secured national support at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly, with four key motions carried.

Handcrafted delicious French pastries at Mullum Farmers Markets

Allie Godfrey A taste of France has arrived at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, with local pastry chef Dan introducing his...

Charge dismissed for activist hindering coal exports

An activist who came to national attention after being punched by a police officer while protesting, has had an anti-protest charge dismissed in court today.

How is it that we can spend $368 billion (and rising) on the dumb and dangerous Morrison/Albanese AUKUS submarine deal?

How is it that we are fed some line about a Chinese threat and spend the billions on nuclear attack submarines, while one partner is currently attempting to make deals and attempting to reset relations with China?

Is this an intelligent use of taxpayers’ money?

Does anyone really believe there can be any winners in a nuclear exchange? Has humanity learned nothing from thousands of years of endless wars, while we prepare to follow the US into yet another war?

Why is Australia (at the request of the Zionists) inviting the president of a government accused by the UN of genocide and crimes against humanity, yet the mainstream media are largely deafening in their silence? 

In fact, the Jewish Council of Australia and the Australian National Imam’s Council have formally requested to authorities ‘to issue and be prepared to execute an arrest warrant upon Herzog on his arrival’.  So how does this equate with so-called antisemitism? 

Will we see a day of mourning for Palestinians?

Currently, over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2023. This includes 20,000 children and 1,108 killed by illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Also 20,000 people are waiting for medical evacuation in a situation the Red Crescent have called a ‘medical apartheid’.

Why are Palestinians continuing to be killed during a so-called ‘ceasefire’ since Oct 25, yet Australia and our AUKUS partners remain silent and indifferent? Current numbers are 509 deaths and 1,405 injured.

Why do we hear nothing from the gov. about the 37 aid agencies prevented from entering Gaza?

Why does the Zionist political movement have so much influence in Australia yet any criticism is branded antisemitic and the subject of rushed through so-called hate speech laws? Laws that so far, have been beyond the explanations of the attorney-general in their detail.  

How much more land will Australia cede to the US military such as the Pine Gap submarine base and the increase of bases in the Northern Territory?

Why do people keep voting for dishonest, morally bankrupt, shysters, who are leading this country down the road of totalitarianism, in the pocket of the US, instead of voting for a party with some compassion and intelligence?

Why doesn’t Australia believe in and invest in an independent, cooperative foreign policy?

If the two major parties were on the right side of history we wouldn’t be selling armament parts to genocidal regimes, poverty and the cost of living wouldn’t be on the rise, we wouldn’t have a housing crisis to the benefit of investors, and companies and billionaires would pay their honest, fair share of tax.

Why does Australia still not have a Bill of Rights?

Rod MurrayOcean Shores



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The ghosts of generations – Siang Lu at Byron Writers Festival 2026

The Byron Writers Festival talks to author Siang Lu about his book, Ghost Cities, which won the Miles Franklin Award in 2025.

Ballina Council finds savings in chairs

At its last meeting, as part of a long discussion about amendments to Ballina Council's delivery program and operational plan, there was a debate about whether Ballina Richmond Rotary Club should still be paid $8,000 to set up chairs for the RSL Lighthouse Day Club.

Man in court today after alleged pursuit near Kingscliff

A man will face court today after an alleged pursuit in December last year.

It’s investors who are causing the housing shortage

For years, people have been talking about how high house prices are, how you can’t get into the housing market without the bank of mum and dad. How it is virtually impossible to rent, save a mortgage, and then actually buy a property without placing yourself in housing stress.