After 15 months of hype, projected glory and excitement for athletes around the world, Premier Andrews flanked by Deputy Jacinta Allan and the Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing  announced that due to cost blow outs Victoria was pulling the plug on the Commonwealth Games.

They had got the sums wrong by over 300% and Andrews said that Victoria could no longer see any benefit in going on with it.  Many sought to sheet the blame home to the Monarchy, somehow equating the death of Queen Elizabeth with a loss of any need for athletic endeavour in the anglophone world.

Country centres throughout Victoria were in shock as the first regional Games would have benefitted many regional cities like Ballarat, Shepparton and Geelong.  Although a lot of infrastructure was still going ahead according to Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson OAM

Image: Image: Shutterstock Nils Versemann

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Toby Hemmings ABC Regional Producer and Ballarat resident

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 19 July 2023

The post Commonwealth Games shafted appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

This week the Federal government launched an amendment bill to fight against fake news in digital platforms.

The amendment under the Communications Legislation Amendment on Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation 2023 is trying to follow a model from the European Union.

Experts are concerned the bill will become more punitive and less participatory

Image: Image credit: Unsplash

Produced By: Moemina Shukur

Featured In Story: Professor Andrea Carson Political Communication at LaTrobe University

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post Government launches fake news bill appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Fans from around the world will come together Friday 20^th of July in Melbourne to witness the first kick off of the FIFA Womens World Cup tournament.

The game itself stands as a multicultural sport, fostering inclusivity and diversity, making it instrumental in promoting and encouraging girls to participate, regardless of their cultural backgrounds.

Imam Alaa Elzokm is playing a vital role in community engagement for the FIFA Womens World Cup, inspiring young Muslim girls to embrace soccer and be fierce competitors, while also urging the Muslim community to wholeheartedly support and encourage their young girls participation in the sport.

Image: Image credit: Moemina Shukur

Produced By: Moemina Shukur

Featured In Story: Imam Alaa Elzokm OAM

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post Encouraging Muslim gils to play soccer appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Exciting breakthroughs in Alzheimers disease research have led to the development of a new drugs called donanemabwhich has shown promising results in slowing the progression of the disease by up to 35% in early-stage patients.

The medical community is enthusiastic about these developments, and the findings offer hope for patients and families affected by the devastating condition.

Image: Image credit: Unsplash

Produced By: Moemina Shukur

Featured In Story: Professor Blossom Stephan Chair of Dementia Curtin University and Dementia Australia

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post Breakthrough drug for Alzheimers suffers appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

A new survey by the University of New England is investigating the state of rural farm crime across Australia.

This is the first survey done in 20 years, and it hopes to gather data around cattle theft, trespassing, and property damage, and more types of farm crime.

The Wires contributor from TuneFM Ben Lewis asked Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of New England Dr Kyle Mulrooney, why farm crime is underreported.

Image: Image credit: Unsplash

Produced By: Ben Lewis

Featured In Story: Dr Kyle Mulrooney Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of New England

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post New survey probes rural farm crime in Australia appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Since the beginning of the War, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to let grain shipments travel through their shared body of water, The Back Sea. Yesterday President Putin failed to renew the deal, immediately halting all grain trade from Ukraine.

This aggressive political move will hurt the rest of the world. Still, most importantly, Ukrainian grain is sent to some of the most food-insecure countries, including Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti.

It is a cruel move from the Russians that may turn neutral parties into Ukrainian allies.

Image: Image: Shutterstock: Olinchuk

Produced By: Dominic Giles

Featured In Story: Tim Harcourt Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance University of Technology Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post Black Sea Ports Closed appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

This week marks 10 years since then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat will have no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees.

People seeking asylum in Australia by boat were sent to the Manus Island Detention Centre without the chance to obtain permanent residency.

How has this policy affected refugees, asylum seekers, and Australias reputation?

Dr Kasun Ubayasiri will present a photo exhibition about the vigil for the Kangaroo Point refugees in Brisbane called Dear Future, I am ready. For more information, click here

Image: Image by Eduardo Jordan

Produced By: Aryana Mohmood

Featured In Story: Dr Kasun Ubayasiri Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Griffith University and documentary photographer

First aired on The Wire, Monday 17 July 2023

The post Exhibition marks ten years of refugee offshore detention appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

University of Queensland researchers have discovered dolphins in the Moreton Bay Area, teaching fellow dolphins to beg for food from recreational fishers.

This sophisticated behaviour was first noticed in a study into the social structures of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. 

Since fishing is popular in the region, dolphins have now begun to take advantage of the feeds. But researchers warn this adaptive strategy may pose long term risks, and spread throughout wider dolphin populations.

Researchers also state better policing and awareness of illegal dolphin feeding is essential in avoiding harmful effects on these marine mammals.

Image: Image by Dr Leonie Huijser/UQ Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Produced By: Toni Pankaluic

Featured In Story: Dr Leonie Huijser Post-Doctoral Researcher at UQs School of Veterinary Science

First aired on The Wire, Monday 17 July 2023

The post Dolphins teaching each other to beg a concern appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

A new report has found more than half of women in the media industry are dissatisfied or unsure about their careers. 

The industry insight report released today by Women In Media also found a third of women are considering leaving their job in media in the next twelve months. 

The report identifies consistent barriers faced by women in the media industry. Citing increased discrimination, limited access to training and career development, and an industry pay gap higher than the national average, as obstacles to career progression.

Image: Image courtesy: Pexels/ Greta Hoffman

Produced By: Mary-Kate Hannagan

Featured In Story: Petra Buchanan Women In Media Strategic Advisor

First aired on The Wire, Monday 17 July 2023

The post One third of women in media considering leaving their jobs: report appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

First Nations enrolment for the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum is increasing, but there are still significant barriers to overcome.

The latest national enrolment figures from the Australian Electoral Commission sit at 84.5% for First Nations people, while 97.2% of all eligible Australians are enrolled.

Produced By: Isaac Brogan

Featured In Story: Amy Gordon First Nations Campaign Director, Get Up

First aired on The Wire, Monday 17 July 2023

The post First Nations peoples face barriers for enrolment in Voice referendum appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.