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18/09/2026
Migrant battle shifts to food prices; Hyrox athlete says sorry; and are we facing a ‘spermapocalypse’?
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| Martin Farrer |
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Morning everyone. The fallout from the government’s immigration reforms has begun in earnest with claims by the farming lobby that food prices will go up and become more scarce rejected by Tony Burke.
We have a full report and analysis on the policy, plus a study showing people with big mortgages suffer more mental stress than others, a row over the use of AI by artists, Joanna Wietrzyk saying sorry for keeping on running in Hyrox, and why the world is having fewer children.
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Australia |
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‘Genuinely sorry’ | The Australian athlete who caused a storm by winning a Hyrox event in China despite soiling herself during the race has apologised to the “people of China” and rival athletes in a statement online. |
Price point | The farming lobby’s claim that immigration rule changes will increase food prices for households are wrong, Tony Burke has said, describing moves to speed up processing of backpacker visas as a positive step for agriculture. Here’s what we know about the reforms, while our economics editor says Labor is hoping its reforms take the hot air out of the debate and neutralise One Nation. |
AI split | A decision by the Brisbane portrait prize to allow AI generative work has caused consternation, with the First Nations painter Birrunga one of the most prominent critics. But one of the finalists, Jackie Ryan, tells us why she thinks using AI is justified. |
‘Obsessing over a budget’ | Mortgage holders who allocate more than 30% of their disposable income towards housing repayments experience a decline in mental health roughly three times larger than that of others experiencing financial strain, according to a study. One borrower, Emily Knights, a nurse from Geelong, tells us about her financial stress “overthinking … obsessing over a budget”. |
Glasses ban plan | The Albanese government is considering a “world-leading” ban on smart glasses in its offices and service centres as councils around Australia push the technology out of public spaces over privacy fears. |
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World |
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Princess Diana | In the latest extracts from his upcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has suggested some in Buckingham Palace were “relieved” at her death. On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace issued a robust rebuttal, saying “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason”. |
Exclusive | The UK must fully commit to reaching net zero by 2050, Andy Burnham has argued. The UK prime minister, writing for the Guardian, made his strongest comments yet on the issue, saying it is no longer possible for Britons to believe they are not already affected by a changing climate. |
Canada goal | Mark Carney has welcomed the goal of Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member, calling for “deep cooperation” between Europe and his country to secure their sovereignty, after Donald Trump derided the idea as “laughable.” |
Water warning | The planet’s atmosphere held more water vapour in August than any other month on record, further increasing the risk of extreme heat and rainfall around the world, according to Europe’s climate change service. |
Sweden switch | Sweden’s centre-right prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has stood down, clearing the way for Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrats leader, to attempt to form a government. |
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Full Story |
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Alan Jones on Trial: A prominent athlete takes the stand | Week 7
For the first time, seven weeks into the criminal trial of Alan Jones, a complainant came face-to-face with his alleged offender in the courtroom. The former athlete, known as complainant M, was the third of six complainants and chose to give evidence in the same room as Jones. The courtroom – and the journalists squeezed into a separate room in the court – heard allegations against Jones that he twice kissed the prominent athlete without consent. Nour Haydar and Amanda Meade take you through week seven of the trial against Alan Jones.
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In-depth |
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A new book called Generation Maybe by the British journalist Camilla Cavendish explores the reasons behind the world’s growing demographic crisis or “spermapocalypse”. She tells Zoe Williams why the picture of worldwide depopulation is “a story about love … It is a story about environments and contagion. It is a story about the climate. It’s a story about housing. It’s a story about inequality. It’s a story about old age.” And it makes for a fascinating interview. |
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Not the news |
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In the lead-up to a sold-out tribute concert in celebration of John Farnham being broadcast at Hoyts cinemas around Australia, we rank his top 20 songs. What will be the number 1? |
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