Albanese retreats on Marrickville Golf Club grant claim Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has conceded he was wrong to describe a $6 million Marrickville Golf Club grant as being for sewage works, after departmental evidence contradicted the line. The backdown sharpens scrutiny on ministerial accuracy in parliament and gives the opposition ammunition on integrity and accountability. Covered by: Daily Telegraph, The Australian. Taxpayer-funded “advice to pedophiles” ignites child-safety fight The federal government is defending a publicly funded website that critics say downplays guilt for people with sexual fantasies about minors, triggering a fierce Coalition attack over child-protection priorities. The controversy lands amid heightened community concern about online harms and the boundaries of prevention messaging versus perceived normalisation. Covered by: The Australian. Victoria’s Big Build hit with fresh fraud and misconduct allegations New federal data show

4WD Tech PR, a specialist in the space of emerging technology, gaming and AI, has been appointed to lead the public relations and strategic communication mandate for the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2026. IGDC, led by Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) is the country’s foremost industry platform bringing together all stakeholders including investors, game publishers, developers, and enthusiasts.   With this mandate, 4WD Tech PR will work closely with the GDAI to strengthen IGDC’s global relevance and positioning as the pivotal platform connecting India’s gaming ecosystem with the world. Through strategic storytelling and engagement the mandate will amplify IGDC’s role in empowering the industry, enabling startups and businesses to scale, and nurturing a globally competitive talent pipeline. This year IGDC 2026 will host 10,000+ enthusiasts from India, Japan, USA, and Korea, among other countries. Taking place from October 28 at th

PRAXIS India 2026   PRAXIS India 2026 brought together leaders from public relations, corporate communications, journalism, healthcare, technology and entertainment to examine how their professions are evolving in an increasingly complex information environment. From artificial intelligence and reputation management to misinformation, storytelling and corporate accountability, the discussions explored a common question: what does it take to earn trust and create meaningful impact? Speakers shared practical experiences, challenged established approaches and offered perspectives on the responsibilities and opportunities facing communications professionals. Influencing India brings together the key insights from these conversations, with links to our detailed coverage of each session.   1. Joyce Lorigan | Springer Nature AI makes content abundant, but trust remains scarce Joyce Lorigan argued that while AI can produce content at unprecedented speed, it cannot replace h

Public relations cannot earn a place in corporate decision-making simply by creating compelling narratives or managing crises. It must demonstrate measurable contributions to revenue, reputation and regulatory compliance, according to Kerman Kasad, Head of Marketing and Communications at Tawid. Speaking at PRAXIS India in Kochi on *The Trust Mandate: PR as a Catalyst for Positive Change in an Era of Endless Influence*, Kasad argued that the communications profession must move beyond amplifying messages to questioning business decisions, verifying claims and identifying risks before they escalate. For Kasad, the value of public relations rests on three interconnected responsibilities: supporting business growth, protecting reputation and helping organisations navigate regulatory expectations. “If I cannot play this role in these three cycles, revenue, regulation, and reputation, there is no impact and meaning,” he said. Drawing on his international experience in techn

If every communications agency and its clients have access to the same artificial intelligence tools, what makes one agency more valuable than another? For Sanjay Nair, Global AI and Brand Marketing Lead at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the answer lies not in how much work AI can produce, but in what organisations do with the capabilities it creates. Speaking at PRAXIS India in Kochi on *Everyone Has AI. Where Does Value Move?*, Nair argued that artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how communications services are delivered, priced and evaluated. His central argument was that as AI makes routine work increasingly accessible, competitive advantage will shift towards capabilities that cannot easily be replicated. “Value moves from capacity to advantage,” he said. Nair, who previously spent nearly two decades at Edelman in senior leadership roles, said the industry's enthusiasm for productivity gains risked overlooking a more important question. Saving