Author: info@thewitness.com.au
The 2024 call for entries made no mention of limiting the award to new authors.Beazley said that his view was canvassed during the process, and he made clear he believed the prize should be reserved for emerging authors only.When asked if the subject matter of Masters’ book had influenced the decision, Beazley said: “Absolutely not.”“We have no objection to any of the material, our objection is to the originality of the author – that’s all,” Beazley said.“All I know is, the fact is that the council likes to have these things abided by.”In 2023, Justice Anthony Besanko found that, to…
LoadingMy friend Mikey had a similarly terrible share house, which sat directly across from Melbourne General Cemetery – a quiet sprawl of cast-iron pavilions and gothic bluestone chapels. It’s the eternal home of six Australian prime ministers, including Sir Robert Menzies and half of Bob Hawke (his ashes are divided between Melbourne and Sydney). Mikey’s place was so grimy, he wined and dined his dates on the cemetery’s tan grass instead. (I don’t think there were many second dates.)Sophie, Lauren and I, on the other hand, have a fridge with a shelf for each of us, a bedroom each, and…
Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has alleged that “manipulated” video evidence was used to depict an incident where he shoved a doping official during last year’s semi-finals.Hewitt’s legal representation, Adelaide-based WRP Legal, issued a statement on the former world No.1’s behalf on Monday night, also restating that Hewitt was still considering appealing his two-week suspension and $30,000 fine.Lleyton Hewitt fronted the media last week after receiving his two-week ban.Credit: Janie BarrettThe penalties were announced last week ahead of Australia’s second-round Davis Cup qualifier against Belgium in Sydney, but the Hewitt camp deliberately waited until the tie’s completion to release…
Video: Fox host apologises for ‘callous’ remark about executing homelessFox host apologises for ‘callous’ remark about executing homelessWe’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.DismissSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerFox host Brian Kilmeade has apologised after suggesting on-air homeless people should be killed.September 15, 2025 — 12.36pm
A former Australian Taxation Office employee has been sentenced to five months in prison after fraudulently claiming up to $60,000 in COVID-19 test isolation payments and income tax refunds, following an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.Between October 2020 and April 2022, Kasey Harries used her position at the ATO to access sensitive information belonging to four taxpayers, which she then used to create false accounts impersonating real people to claim the payments from Victorian and federal governments.The sentencing is the third time the NACC has uncovered corruption in the ATO. Credit: Louie DouvisHarries pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including…
The substantial shaft, potentially greater than 15 metres in depth, has been mined historically. The company has collected grab samples from the shaft to determine what commodities might have been previously extracted. The newly discovered workings provide a new target – named Hendricks.Compounding the thrill of the new find, recent fieldwork has unearthed additional historical antimony workings across the project, including overlooked high-grade veins and prospects ripe for modern exploration. These findings build on prior successes, such as rock chip samples with up to 32.7 per cent antimony and 1170 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides, signalling the…
Stephen Colbert’s snarky reaction over show cancellation at 2025 EmmysStephen Colbert has recently shared snarky reaction over his show’s cancellation at the 2025 Emmy Awards on September 14.The Late Show host was celebrated by all the attendees at the Emmys as he received a historic standing ovation at the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category on Sunday night’s ceremony.Considering this momentous moment, Stephen took the opportunity to joke about his talk show’s cancellation at CBS and even requested for employment. “While I have your attention: is anyone hiring?” asked the talk show host from the crowd at the…
Winds peaking at over 100km/h have left thousands without power, forced the closure of some of Melbourne’s busiest train lines and downed trees, with poor weather expected to persist until Tuesday morning.Victoria State Emergency Service said it had received 740 calls for assistance in the 24 hours to 5.30pm, mostly in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.The SES responded to 98 incidents in Heidelberg, 84 in Fawkner and 75 in Whittlesea.More than 500 calls related to downed trees and 205 for cases of building damage, with the strong winds whipped up by a cold front off southern Australia.Trains on the busy Upfield line…
The NRL will schedule the Brisbane Broncos preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium on a Sunday afternoon, with the commission opting for daytime semi-final football.The NRL has decided to give the Broncos a Sunday afternoon grand final qualifier, which would also give their opponents – either Canterbury or Penrith – a seven-day turnaround heading into the match instead of a six-day turnaround and the customary Saturday night slot.Complicating the situation for the NRL, however, is the fact that the Melbourne Storm are all but guaranteed to play their preliminary final against either Canberra or Cronulla on a Friday night.That would give…
If we want to ground Australian society in principles that discourage violence, we need to think about how our conversational norms have shifted in ways that blur the line between bad ideas and bad actions. Three recent cultural changes are glaring. First, people who disagree with us are said to make us unsafe. Second, political disagreements are framed as existential threats. Third, group identities are prioritised over individual character – both on the left (woke identity politics) and the right (MAGA blood-and-soil nationalism).LoadingRight-wing groups have reacted to Kirk’s killing by compiling lists of enemies, including a website devoted to publishing…