Diplomacy & Rights: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Vietnam’s To Lam in Canberra, with critics warning the leader’s past security crackdown and expanded repression of journalists and activists make rights questions unavoidable. Northern Australia Strategy: A new push at the Developing Northern Australia conference argues the north can’t be run project-by-project; energy, digital and infrastructure links are now treated as national security priorities. Census Governance: Ahead of the 11 August Census, ABS messaging stresses it’s compulsory for everyone in Australia (including non-citizens) and confidential—while experts tackle common myths about what the data is used for. Public Integrity & Housing: Queensland’s deputy premier approved planning changes tied to a developer donation, reigniting conflict-of-interest concerns as housing rules and political donations shift. Health System Pressure: Victoria’s emergency departments show regional ED stays over 24 hours are persistently high, with doctors warning patient safety is being squeezed. Waste & Community Services: Not-for-profit CEQ is expanding recycling across Cape York and Torres Strait, shipping recyclables to Cairns to ease landfill strain. AI in the Public Sector: The University of Canberra launches a Google-supported graduate certificate in law, data and AI ethics for public servants. Finance & Consumer Credit: BNPL is rebounding after the sector shakeout, with Ovanti relaunching as the market moves from hype to tighter lending. Climate Politics: A Conservative Party “climate” policy attack argues energy should not be subsidised and claims harms from climate restrictions—setting up another election-season fight.