ADF whistleblower breaks 15-year silence on sexual abuse cover-up – 7 July 2025
Women who speak up about sexual abuse and harassment should be supported, not silenced. Unfortunately, Australian laws are failing people who blow the whistle. On 60 Minutes and 9Fairfax, multiple women spoke about abuse in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including Julia Delaforce who shared that in 2010 she was sexually harassed at knifepoint in a NSW military base by a drunken, machete-wielding senior male corporal. She was then instructed by her superiors to drive her assailant home. The Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project is Australia’s first dedicated legal service to help people come forward and speak out when they witness or experience wrongdoing and harm. They also advocate for stronger laws and a National Whistleblower Protection Authority.
https://www.hrlc.org.au/updates/adf-whistleblower-breaks-15-year-silence-on-sexual-abuse-cover-up/
Media monitoring firm iSentia accused of tax evasion by Thai police – 8 July 2025
Thai police arrested the former Asia chief executive of iSentia, David Liu, in June over suspected tax evasion of up to 5.2 million baht ($246,000). He denied wrongdoing, the Bangkok Post reported. iSentia says the proceedings are “without foundation” and it is confident they will be dismissed. This was two months after the major media monitoring provider signed a lucrative contract with the Australian Taxation Office.
Why that ‘local’ store closing down sale might be a total scam – 8 July 2025
Australians are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated online shopping scams known as “ghost stores”: fake websites designed to look like legitimate retailers, often selling high-end fashion at attractive prices. These sites are powered by AI, built to mimic genuine e-commerce platforms with polished branding, glowing fake reviews, and seamless checkout experiences. The consumer watchdog estimates it has received at least 360 reports about 60 online retailers since the start of 2025.
A Whistleblower Protection Authority for Australia – 9 July 2025
Polling conducted by The Australia Institute in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre and Whistleblower Justice Fund shows that 84% of Australians support the introduction of a Whistleblower Protection Authority, and only 5% oppose. As recognised by whistleblowing experts, the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No.2) would represent a step forward for whistleblower protections, and the integrity arm of government more broadly.
https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/a-whistleblower-protection-authority-for-australia/
German arrested on Koh Phangan for investment fraud targeting Australians – 9 July 2025
A 54-year-old German has been arrested on Koh Phangan for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme targeting investors in Australia. Police found scripted dialogue used to dupe investors in Australia into making fake stock investments and detailed records of victims. Muang police station in Pathum Thani have undertaken the legal processing on the fraud charges. Surat Thani police would bring additional charges against him under the Foreign Business Act, Pol.
Police seeking ‘piranhas’ involved in $3 million blessing scams – 9 July 2025
Seven “predators” are believed to have fled to China after robbing huge amounts of money” and jewellery in a so-called spiritual blessings scam in NSW. Spiritual blessing scams are where victims are coerced into placing cash and jewellery in a bag, and told the bag needs to be blessed by a spiritual healer before it is returned empty. Two people have been charged in Australia and a third is in custody in New Zealand, the force added, after more than 80 instances of the scam in Sydney, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/police-seeking-piranhas-involved-in-3m-blessing-scams/zfy6xdh50
Former radio host sues over 2012 royal prank – 9 July 2025
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is facing legal action from a former radio host who was involved in a controversial royal prank call back in 2012. Michael Christian is suing SCA under the Fair Work Act, the Corporations Act as a whistleblower, and under Common Law for breach of contract. Christian is now suing the network, accusing SCA of not immediately taking public accountability for the incident and allegedly leaving him and Mel Greig (the other radio host) to be the “scapegoats”, according to a statement from his lawyers. The former host claims he was assured by SCA that his career would be protected and restored if he remained silent. Instead, he alleges, his former employer was “gradually marginalising” him within the business over the past 13 years.
CBA worker fired over alleged fraudulent transactions disputes sacking – 9 July 2025
A Commonwealth Bank employee has sought to dispute the termination of his employment, claiming that the major bank unfairly dismissed him. The worker alleges that he was fired after raising two disputes pertaining to his personal bank account, which is assigned with CBA. According to the worker, CBA accused him of making “false disputes in an attempt to gain financial benefit”. He claimed that he made these disputes purely as a customer of the bank – submitted that it had nothing to do with his ongoing employment.
Parents of Klemzig early learning centre speak out amid investigation – 9 July 2025
Some parents say they have no concerns with an Adelaide early learning site at the centre of an investigation while others are considering removing their children.
The Little Shining Stars Early Learning Centre said it had amended some of its policies and procedures.
The Education Standards Board has also listed a handful of childcare centres and a school for failing to comply with different provisions of the national regulations.
Junior doctor charged after camera found in staff bathroom at Melbourne hospital – 10 July 2025
Victorian detectives have charged a trainee surgeon with stalking after his colleagues found a camera allegedly recording them in a staff toilet at a major Melbourne hospital. The junior doctor, who is employed at The Austin Hospital, is also charged with using an optical surveillance device, after investigators raided his home in Heidelberg West.
Defence accuses ex-detective of bungled investigation into Gareth Ward assault allegations – 10 July 2025
The former detective who led a sexual assault investigation into NSW MP Gareth Ward has admitted to breaching a court order by arriving hours late to give evidence, prompting sharp criticism from the defence. He was also grilled over investigative delays and accused by the defence of failing to pursue key lines of inquiry. The former officer’s cross-examination is expected to continue.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-10/gareth-ward-trial-detective-cross-examination/105518436
TikTok investigated by European regulators over users’ personal data being stored in China – 10 July 2025
The European data regulator has opened another investigation into social media platform TikTok. The Data Protection Commission said the video sharing platform admitted to holding “limited” personal data of European users on servers in China. TikTok told AFP in May that it had notified the regulator of an issue regarding personal data transfers.
Port Douglas front and centre in huge national super fund investigation – 10 July 2025
Port Douglas is at the heart of a significant national investigation into the Shield Master Fund, a superannuation investment scheme that has allegedly misused hundreds of millions of dollars. ASIC is leading one of its largest inquiries, involving approximately 40 specialist investigators, into the fund’s operations. The investigation centers on the planned $300 million Fairmont Resort in Port Douglas, which, despite never receiving approval from the Douglas Shire Council and remaining in the pre-development stage, reportedly received over $100 million in loans from the Shield Master Fund before its collapse in 2024.
Fraud, friction, and the future: Prioritising trust in a high-stakes market – 11 July 2025
Because of rising regulatory scrutiny, growing public vigilance regarding digital threats, and fast-evolving technologies, finding ways to establish consumer trust has become a key topic in Australia’s boardroom. According to our 2025 Safety in numbers report that outlines trust and safety investment trends, Australian business leaders are “walking the talk”, with 52% saying they intend to significantly increase their investment in fraud detection over the next 12 months. Paper outlines the new initiatives or corporates are undertaking.
Alleged sex offender Joshua Dale Brown filled in as cook at childcare centre just days before police charges – 11 July 2025
A Melbourne childcare worker filled in as a cook and prepared meals for children just days before police charged him with contaminating food with his bodily fluids, along with dozens of sex offences. Mr Brown is now facing more than 70 charges.
