Budget blowout alarm: public sector wages and new tax hit in the spotlight Fresh scrutiny is landing on Labor’s fiscal management ahead of the mid-year budget update, with reports of a more than $2 billion staff wages overspend across federal departments and a proposed trusts tax change expected to slug business by over $3 billion in its first year. Together, the stories sharpen the political contest over whether the government can rein in spending while still funding cost-of-living relief. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Housing turns hard: fastest price falls in 40 years as rate pain spreads Australia’s housing downturn is accelerating, with home values reportedly falling at their quickest pace in four decades as higher interest rates bite and the prospect of further RBA tightening looms. The political and household stakes are rising too, with families bracing for more mortgage stress and broader cost-of-living pressure. Covered by: Australian

Continue? co-founders Jackson Ryan and Mark Serrels say they have been thrilled and amazed by the reaction to their video game magazine since its launch. The magazine launched last month during Melbourne International Games Week. The first stop on the Continue? tour was its own launch party, held before PAX Australia. “It was fun to have all these people come along to hear us talk about the magazine…It was a great night”, Serrels told Influencing.  “We actually had [the launch party] sell out a couple of times, and then a third wave of tickets also sold out,” Ryan said. “It's crazy to sit there and autograph physical media. I was thrilled to meet so many great, enthusiastic people, and the energy has been so high”, he added.  The pair then sold copies across the PAX Australia floor, using a specialist tray designed by their friend Louie Roots. Serrels said Ryan was very good at scouring the floor and selling the magazine. “He must have been some sort of a sa

Veteran journalist and political analyst Pratap Asbe, known for his in-depth understanding of Maharashtra politics and its historical context, died following a heart attack while undergoing treatment at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. Over several decades, Asbe closely followed Maharashtra's political developments, analysing the evolution of political parties, relationships between leaders, changing power equations and the background behind major political decisions. His work went beyond reporting immediate events, offering readers a deeper understanding of the historical and political factors shaping the state. Asbe worked with Maharashtra Times, where he built a reputation for his detailed coverage and analysis of Maharashtra politics. His ability to connect current developments with past political events made him a respected voice in the field. His contribution also extended to mentoring young journalists. During the 1990s, he guided budding political reporters, emphasising the

Two journalists' organisations in Arunachal Pradesh have condemned the inclusion of senior journalist Tongam Rina in a police application seeking search warrants following violence during protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Pasighat on October 23. The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and the Arunachal Press Club (APC) have demanded an explanation from the state government and police, raising concerns that investigative powers could be used to intimidate journalists reporting on contentious public issues. According to a joint statement issued by the organisations, an investigating officer from Pasighat Police Station submitted an application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of East Siang district on October 27, seeking search warrants under Section 96 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Rina, deputy editor of The Arunachal Times, was among four individuals named in the application. The press bodi

Friday, 30 October 2026 #1  ·  Times City  ·  Ground report How new syllabus, missing books have students in a fix By Meghna Dhulia   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 20 area (Times City section) Seven months into the academic session, Delhi government school students are still without textbooks for several subjects due to NCERT syllabus revisions under NEP 2020, with schools unable to reuse old books since the content has changed entirely. Multiple school principals and teachers report acute shortages across classes VI through IX, including newly introduced vocational subjects, with some schools resorting to PDFs and printouts. Education activist Ashok Agarwal has formally flagged uneven distribution and demanded transparent accountability from the education department. Solid ground reporting drawing on multiple named school principals, teachers, and an education activist, with specific subject-l

Antisemitism envoy warns of ‘progressive’ mainstreaming of hate Australia’s antisemitism special envoy Jillian Segal has released a report arguing a new wave of antisemitism is being normalised through some progressive and social-justice circles, alongside threats from other extremist groups. The agenda flags reforms across institutions such as universities, health, media and the arts, setting up a politically charged debate about definitions, free speech and how governments respond to hate crimes. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, The Australian. Labor’s spending and savings fight: Chalmers exposed, audit calls grow Fresh political and business pressure is building around Labor’s fiscal settings, with claims taxpayers are carrying an extra $86 billion in spending and renewed calls for tighter restraint, including a commission of audit. Separate reporting suggests internal power dynamics—particularly the PM’s expen

Last night, Influencing attended nextmedia's What's Next? / Halloween Party, held at The Establishment in Sydney. The networking event saw drinks and laughs flow throughout the evening. The event also featured an address from techpartner.news Commercial Director Steven McDonald, who shared brief insight and into the company's recent Pulse survey and what's ahead for both techpartner.news and iTnews in 2027.  Please enjoy a collection of photos from the evening.