AustraliaOwnership & classification
Founded: 2011
Ownership
The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit news site launched in Melbourne in March 2011 by founding editor Andrew Jaspan, publishing analysis written by academics and researchers and edited by professional journalists. It is operated by The Conversation Media Group, a charitable trust with no commercial proprietor; its founding A$10m came from universities (Melbourne, Monash, ANU, UWA), the CSIRO, the Victorian and federal governments and the Commonwealth Bank. It has since spawned independent international editions.
Funding
Funded by membership fees from partner universities and research bodies, philanthropic grants, government and research-council grants, and more than 22,000 individual reader donations; content is free to read and republish under Creative Commons, with no paywall or commercial advertising as the core model.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially it leans centre-left and is academic in tone, but it operates as a non-profit with an editorial charter and is not owned or directed by any party, church, union or the state, despite drawing some public grant money. As a privately governed charitable/non-profit publisher free of party or government control, it is correctly classified as INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 185
84/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
354
Articles
354
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Auction clearance rates fall to lowest level in six years
ASX falls as tech stocks, gold miners decline; WiseTech extends its slump
UK in limbo as Burnham challenge brings chaos to Starmer cabinet
Greens claw back Butler’s NDIS powers as price for passing negative gearing, CGT overhaul
Bird flu is here. Can we stop the spread?
Bird flu prompts Papua New Guinea to ban Australian chicken and egg imports
Why 90.86 per cent is still not enough for the Socceroos
One Nation’s anti-abortion turn shows MAGA’s creeping power in Australia
Extremists using 'codes' to evade detection online, royal commission hears
Recent coverage
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Lebanon-Israel deal could block war crimes accountability, experts warn
A framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel has sparked concerns that a specific clause could hinder accountability for alleged Israeli war crimes. Article 13 of the 14-point trilateral framework, signed on 26 June, requires both countries to 'take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent,' including ceasing hostile actions in international political or legal forums. This provision has alarmed Lebanese human rights and legal experts, who argue it undermines the right of Lebanese citizens to seek reparations and justice for alleged Israeli violations. Experts like Halima Kaakour, a Lebanese MP and human rights advocate, claim the clause represents a political trade-off where Lebanon relinquishes its right to pursue justice in international forums in exchange for Israeli withdrawal. Since October 2023, Israel has faced accusations of war crimes in Lebanon, including civilian targeting and mass displacement, resulting in at least 8,000 deaths. Critics argue the agreement violates Lebanon's constitution, which prioritizes international law over domestic agreements.
Deeming wins stay of execution as Liberal Party delays meeting on her future
Moira Deeming, a Liberal Party candidate in Victoria, has secured a temporary reprieve from potential disendorsement after the party agreed to delay its decision by two weeks. The delay comes as Deeming challenges the party's attempt to remove her due to her refusal to apologize for an unsubstantiated assault allegation against former leader Matthew Guy. Lawyers representing Liberal state president Brian Loughnane assured the Supreme Court that the party would wait until the outcome of Deeming's legal challenge before taking further action. Deeming's legal team argued that the party must provide her with natural justice if it wishes to disendorse her, while the party claims it has already done so by inviting her to present her case at a scheduled executive meeting. If disendorsed, Deeming's political career could effectively end. Meanwhile, Deeming has been considered as a potential candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, though Hanson has rejected her, citing a lack of integrity.
Why the Socceroos should be confident of a history-making World Cup win against Egypt
The Socceroos, Australia's national soccer team, are set to face Egypt in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup, marking a historic opportunity for the team. This will be only the third meeting between the two nations in senior men's competition, with Egypt having previously defeated Australia 3-0 in 2010 and Australia winning via a penalty shootout in 1987. The Socceroos have reached the knockout stages for the first time in their seven World Cup appearances, qualifying from Group D after a mixed performance. Key players for Australia include young talents like 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington, the youngest Australian to start in a World Cup match, and goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who has impressed in his debut tournament. For Egypt, star player Mohamed Salah is expected to play a crucial role, though he is recovering from an injury and may miss the match. Both teams aim to make history in this encounter.
A suspected bird flu case has now been found in NSW. Here’s what that means
A suspected case of H5 bird flu has been detected in a giant petrel near Hawks Nest on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, marking the first time the virus has been found in a wild bird in the state. Preliminary tests returned a positive result, and samples have been sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmation. This follows an unconfirmed positive result in Western Australia, potentially making these the sixth and seventh detections of the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Australia within three weeks. The virus, which has caused devastation globally by mutating rapidly and jumping between species, has not yet spread to local wildlife or poultry in Australia. However, concerns remain as migratory birds could spark outbreaks in new regions. Australia has a national response plan in place, including increased surveillance and biosecurity measures.
Extreme heat conference cancelled due to extreme heat
On June 24, 2026, the London School of Economics canceled an event discussing extreme heat due to dangerously high temperatures in England, reaching 35°C—12°C above average. The event was meant to kick off London Climate Week and featured prominent climate experts. The LSE cited safety concerns, noting the venue lacked cooling systems. Across Europe, the heatwave led to severe impacts: the London Ambulance Service handled over 7,900 calls, with 642 classified as critical. Hospitals in France struggled with patient overload, and over 1000 excess deaths were reported. Drowning incidents rose as people sought relief in water, and tragic cases involved children trapped in vehicles. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the heatwave, emphasizing the need for greater preparedness. The World Health Organization warned that extreme heat will become more frequent, stressing that failing to adapt risks loss of life.
We took a self-driving car on the road for 100 days to see how it handled itself – these are the mistakes it kept making
An independent team tested Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system over 100 days on Queensland roads, documenting over 500 safety-critical incidents where the system required driver intervention or showed limitations. While acknowledging the technology's advanced capabilities, the report highlights persistent challenges, including confusion with road markings, time-restricted speed limits, railway crossings, and complex traffic scenarios like zipper merges. Specific examples include the vehicle hesitating over a small bridge, misinterpreting school zone limits during off-hours, and failing to recognize e-scooters as distinct from pedestrians. These findings underscore ongoing gaps between current autonomous driving systems and real-world driving conditions.
Australia facing unprecedented levels of online hate speech, antisemitism inquiry told
The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard concerns about rising online hate speech and antisemitism in Australia, with Jewish representatives sharing personal experiences of targeted abuse. Testimonies highlighted issues such as political manipulation of incidents like the Bondi shooting to scapegoat Palestinian and Muslim communities, and harmful comments like suggesting repurposing oil refineries as 'makeshift concentration camps.' Jewish leaders emphasized that criticism of Israeli policies is distinct from antisemitism, while Labor MP Josh Burns described the emergence of an 'us and them' narrative online that falsely equates Jewish Australians with support for Israeli actions in Gaza. He linked this rhetoric to real-world attacks, including an incident at his workplace in June 2024 and misogynistic abuse faced by his non-Jewish partner.
Another state reports suspected bird flu
A new state has reported suspected cases of bird flu, raising concerns about potential outbreaks in poultry populations. Bird flu, or avian influenza, can spread rapidly among birds and occasionally infect humans, prompting health authorities to monitor the situation closely. The report comes amid ongoing vigilance against the virus, which has been detected in various regions previously. Officials are likely to implement measures such as quarantines or increased surveillance to prevent the spread. This development could impact agricultural sectors reliant on poultry and may lead to heightened biosecurity protocols.
Jewish community frustrated by delays to social media duty of care
The Jewish community in Australia expresses frustration over the delayed implementation of a digital duty of care for social media platforms, which was recommended by the Rickard review in late 2024. The review suggested that platforms should proactively manage risks of harm to users, but the government's response to these recommendations has been slow, taking over 18 months to finalize. During a hearing before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, officials acknowledged the urgency of improving online safety for the Jewish community and others, though they noted that legislative changes would likely take additional time. The delay has raised concerns among Jewish leaders, including Special Envoy Jillian Segal, who highlighted the significant impact of online hate on Jewish Australians.
Blind boxes are a game of chance. Here’s how to keep kids from getting hooked
The article discusses the concept of 'blind boxes'—small collectible toys sold in mystery packages—and explores their potential resemblance to gambling. Examples include 'dumpling squishies,' Lego minifigures, and Kinder Surprise eggs. While blind boxes are not legally classified as gambling in Australia due to lacking the element of losing money, they activate similar neurological responses linked to dopamine release. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with short-term pleasure and anticipation, drives the excitement of uncertainty, making these products potentially addictive for children. The piece raises concerns about parental oversight and suggests awareness of the psychological mechanisms at play.
What is mild cognitive impairment? And does it always lead to dementia?
The article explains mild cognitive impairment (MCI), distinguishing it from dementia. It notes that while memory and thinking changes are common in older adults, MCI involves more significant changes than expected for one's age. The piece emphasizes that MCI does not inevitably lead to dementia and highlights ways to potentially prevent or slow its progression, including addressing underlying conditions like nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues, and depression. It also discusses challenges in diagnosing MCI, noting it is often under-diagnosed and faces stigma. The article concludes with recommendations for managing MCI, such as regular check-ups, lifestyle modifications, and future research into preventing progression to dementia.
Could this asteroid be a piece of the Moon? A Chinese spacecraft is about to find out
A Chinese spacecraft named Tianwen-2 is approaching the asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa, which is considered a 'quasi-satellite' due to its synchronized orbit with Earth. Scientists debate whether the asteroid is a fragment of the Moon or a common stony asteroid that has been weathered by space conditions. The spacecraft aims to collect samples from the asteroid's surface and subsurface to determine its origin. Recent analysis suggests it might be an LL chondrite, a type of stony meteorite. Tianwen-2 has performed maneuvers to enter orbit around the asteroid, with sample collection planned for early July. The mission highlights the challenges of studying distant objects and the importance of direct sampling for accurate conclusions.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is treated with ‘nanobubbles’. What are they and how do they work?
With Iran and the US signing a peace deal, where does that leave Benjamin Netanyahu?
