Good morning, Australia! It’s Thursday, July 17
Today’s Brief: What’s Happening Right Now
Australia’s universities are facing renewed scrutiny as a royal commission examines anti-Semitism on campus, while a new national drug survey shows smoking has fallen to a historic low even as illicit tobacco use climbs. In this episode, we break down what the hearings mean for universities, why campus safety and protest rights are colliding, and how the tobacco black market is complicating a public-health success story. We also look at the political pressure now building on universities, regulators and the federal government.
Timestamps:
00:00 — Opening and headline rundown.
01:10 — Universities and the anti-Semitism royal commission.
05:10 — Smoking rates hit historic low, illicit tobacco rises.
08:30 — What happens next.
Show notes bullets:
The royal commission’s Melbourne hearing block runs from July 13 to July 17 and examines anti-Semitism in universities.
Monash vice-chancellor Sharon Pickering says she did not fully appreciate how quickly anti-Semitism could surface.
AIHW survey data shows daily smoking fell to 5.6% in 2025.
Illicit tobacco use among smokers rose to 34%.
Public-health experts say stronger enforcement, not lower excise, is the answer.
Resources mentioned:
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hearings.
AIHW National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025.
Stay informed on Australia's evolving political landscape with our comprehensive coverage of parliamentary developments and policy analysis.
Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!
For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.
As well as knowing you’re keeping MENCARI alive, you’ll also get:
Get breaking news AS IT HAPPENS - Gain instant access to our real-time coverage and analysis when major stories break, keeping you ahead of the curve
Unlock our COMPLETE content library - Enjoy unlimited access to every newsletter, podcast episode, and exclusive archive—all seamlessly available in your favorite podcast apps.
Join the conversation that matters - Be part of our vibrant community with full commenting privileges on all content, directly supporting Mencari's
Stay with readmencari.com for continuous updates on these developing stories and more from across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe. Subscribe to our newsletter for daily briefings delivered straight to your inbox!
Got a News Tip?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.
More on Mencari
Mencari—for breaking and updated news around Australia and the world.
Podwires Daily—for providing news about audio trends and podcasts.
There’s a Glitch—updated tech news and scam and fraud trends
Viewpoint 360 - An investigative report based on evidence , produced in collaboration with 360info.
Part8A Podcast features expert interviews on current political and social issues in Australia and worldwide.
