Election 2025
That 97.7% figure in Peter Dutton’s seat? It’s being misused
A Facebook post wrongly claimed the Australian Electoral Commission had counted 97.7% of all votes in Peter Dutton’s seat by May 5, 2025.
As Soofia Tariqm writes in Crikey, it used that figure to question whether tens of thousands of voters in Dickson simply didn’t turn up.
But the AEC clarified that the 97.7% refers only to the portion of votes included in the two-candidate preferred (TCP) count, not the total votes cast, and certainly not turnout.
Radio
ARN defends Kyle and Jackie O’s slow Melbourne start after $200m gamble
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O may be radio royalty in Sydney, but Melbourne’s been a tougher crowd.
As Calum Jaspan reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, despite big fanfare, their KIIS FM breakfast show hasn’t made a dent in the city’s ratings since launching last year.
ARN boss Ciaran Davis admitted the sluggish start was “rightly” raising eyebrows among investors, especially after the company inked a $200 million, 10-year deal with the duo in 2023.
Still, he’s not rattled.
Companies
AI job interviews are here… and they’re creeping people out
You prep like a pro, only to log in and be greeted by a monotone AI voice instead of a real recruiter.
AI interview bots are now trained to analyse not just answers, but your tone, expressions and energy.
As Ella McIlveen writes on news.com.au, while companies say they save time and cash, plenty of users online are calling it tone-deaf, dystopian, and just plain disrespectful.
Brands
RØDE’s Peter Freedman acquires US rival Lectrosonics
Peter Freedman, founder and owner of Australian audio company RØDE, has acquired US-based competitor Lectrosonics, a high-end wireless audio equipment manufacturer.
As Mark Whittaker writes in Forbes Australia, the acquisition includes Lectrosonics’ facilities in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and 27,000 square metres of land.
Freedman plans to shift manufacturing of RØDE products for the Americas to this new facility within 90 days, aiming to enhance production efficiency and mitigate potential tariff impacts .
Television
Bluey, Fisk and Thou Shalt Not Steal shine at Screen Producers Awards
The Screen Producers Awards wrapped up Screen Forever on the Gold Coast with a lively ceremony hosted by comedian and actor Nina Oyama.
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, Northern Pictures reclaimed its crown as Production Business of the Year, repeating its 2022 triumph.
Ludo Pictures nabbed two major wins, Bluey was named top animated production, while Thou Shalt Not Steal took out best drama series. Meanwhile, Fisk scored Comedy Program of the Year for Origma 45.
Tech
TechOne UK exec walks after reported clash with Aussie boss
TechnologyOne’s UK-based executive Leo Hanna has resigned from the company just eight months into the role, following what’s been described as a heated clash with the Brisbane-based chief operating officer, Stuart MacDonald.
According to Angelica Snowden in The Australian, Hanna stepped down as a director on April 16, not just from TechnologyOne, but also from five related subsidiaries including Courseloop and several Scientia entities.
Insiders say MacDonald’s UK visits are anything but casual, describing his leadership style as combative.
Quantum leap or cold feet? Aussie supercomputer project under review
US-based PsiQuantum is charging ahead with plans to build Australia’s first quantum computer in Brisbane.
As Jared Lynch reports in The Australian, the company has unveiled a deal with Germany’s Linde Engineering to construct what would be the world’s largest cryogenic plant to house it.
The ambitious build is set to take years, with hopes to go live by the end of 2027.
Apple hints at an AI shake-up for Safari as Google deal wobbles
Apple is weighing a major rethink of its Safari browser, eyeing a future powered by AI search engines rather than its longtime default, Google.
The potential shift was revealed by Eddy Cue, Apple’s services chief, during a landmark antitrust case against Google in the US.
As Mark Gurman, Leah Nylen and Stephanie Lai report in The Sydney Morning Herald, at stake is a $31 billion-a-year deal that makes Google the go-to search engine on Apple devices—an agreement now under legal fire.
OpenAI goes global with plan to build AI hubs beyond US borders
OpenAI is looking beyond Silicon Valley, launching a program to co-build AI infrastructure with governments around the world, part of a new push it’s calling OpenAI for Countries.
According to Shirin Ghaffary who writes in The Australian Financial Review, the goal is to help nations stand up their own data centres and tailor AI tools like ChatGPT to local languages and needs.
The company, backed by both private and public funds, aims to kick off around 10 international projects but hasn’t yet revealed where.