Television
Pressure mounts on Nine over MAFS police drama
Nine and Endemol Shine are facing increased scrutiny as police and workplace regulators investigate an on-set incident from Married at First Sight. The reality-TV juggernaut, a ratings powerhouse for Nine, now finds itself under investigation after reports surfaced of a “groom” allegedly punching a wall during an argument.
As Meg Watson writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, SafeWork NSW has also been alerted to potential workplace safety concerns tied to the show.
NSW Police confirmed it is looking into the matter, involving a couple touted as one of the “experiment’s strongest.” Officers from South Sydney Police Area Command have launched an investigation, though authorities remain tight-lipped on further details.
‘Outback wrangler’ takes legal action
With his reputation and business interests on the line, Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has hit back in the Federal Court, launching a cross-claim as he defends a lawsuit from the widow of his late co-star.
As Robyn Ironside reports in The Australian, Danielle Wilson is seeking damages from Wright, his aviation company Helibrook, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) over the 2022 helicopter crash that killed her husband, Chris Wilson, during a crocodile egg collection operation.
The lawsuit raises serious questions about liability and aviation safety regulations, with Wilson arguing that CASA should never have permitted the use of a “human sling” in such risky conditions.
Brands
Big pay, bigger gap: Why high salaries still skew male
Australia’s top earners remain overwhelmingly male, with million-dollar paychecks still largely out of reach for women in industries like finance and construction.
As Lucy Dean, Euan Black and Elouise Fowler report in The Australian Financial Review, fresh data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reveals that at 24 major companies – including Goodman Group, IFM Investors, Morgan Stanley, and UBS – only a handful of women cracked the top salary brackets in 2023-24. In all but two of these firms, women made up less than a third of those earning seven figures.
WGEA chief Mary Wooldridge points to a system that rewards long hours and hefty bonuses – perks that often favour men. Overtime and incentive pay, key drivers of high salaries, tend to go to those with the flexibility to work extra hours, leaving women at a structural disadvantage.
Tech
IVF giant Genea faces brand fallout after data breach
Amazon outpaces Starlink in race for NBN’s satellite contract
Amazon is on track to secure a lucrative deal to provide satellite internet across rural Australia, edging out Elon Musk’s Starlink in a high-stakes battle for the National Broadband Network (NBN) contract. Amazon’s Kuiper satellite system has emerged as the frontrunner to replace NBN’s ageing Sky Muster service, which is set to be decommissioned by 2032 but is already losing customers to Starlink’s faster speeds.
As Ronald Mizen reports in The Australian Financial Review, the agreement, which would mark NBN Co’s first major outsourcing of satellite services, is still awaiting final approval. With a federal election looming, sources say the contract’s execution could face delays as ministers Katy Gallagher and Michelle Rowland review the terms.
If finalised, the partnership would reshape regional connectivity and reinforce Amazon’s foothold in Australia’s broadband market.
Retail
Supermarkets lose billions as shoppers shift to specialty retailers
Australia’s major supermarkets are losing the battle for non-food essentials, with an estimated $500 million in sales shifting to competitors like Chemist Warehouse, Amazon, Bunnings, and Temu. Internal Coles research reveals the supermarket giant alone has lost around $100 million annually over the past four years, as pharmacy and online retailers expand their offerings in health, beauty, and home care.
As Eli Greenblat reports in The Australian, shoppers are increasingly turning to specialty stores and online marketplaces for products once considered supermarket staples – think skincare, dishwashing tablets, nappies, and cleaning supplies.
The shift is reshaping the $120 billion grocery sector, with pharmacy, hardware, and e-commerce players carving deeper into Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, and independent grocers’ market share.