Good Evening ! It's Tuesday November 19 . Welcome to The Front Cover, your gateway to the world of Mencari News and we're covering the pro-palestine protest in Sydney.
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Today's reading time is 5 minutes. - Miko Santos
Wage Growth Holds at 3.4% as Public Sector Outpaces Private for Third Straight Quarter
Australian wages rose 3.4% in the year to September, holding steady from the previous quarter but marking a slowdown from last year’s pace, as public sector pay increases continued outstripping private sector gains for the third consecutive quarter, new government data showed Wednesday.
The Wage Price Index climbed 0.8% in the September quarter 2025, matching growth rates from both the June quarter this year and the same period in 2024, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
ABC Announces 40% Content Surge: 60 Primetime Series Coming in 2026
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks revealed Wednesday the national broadcaster will deliver 60 primetime premium television series in 2026—a 40 percent jump from this year’s 43 productions—alongside expanded podcast offerings and “of the moment” news formats, declaring “it’s an exciting time to be at the ABC” eight months into his tenure leading the organization.
Speaking at the National Press Club Wednesday, the former Nine Entertainment chief executive outlined an ambitious content expansion strategy that positions the publicly-funded broadcaster as increasingly competitive with commercial networks and global streaming platforms struggling to serve Australian audiences.
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PM Defends Economic Fundamentals as Markets React to China News, Trump Tariff Fears
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wednesday defended Australia’s economic fundamentals despite market volatility triggered by Chinese economic indicators and Trump administration tariff speculation, telling Perth radio listeners “there’s nowhere in the world you’d rather be” while acknowledging mortgage holders continue facing pressure despite three interest rate decreases this year.
Speaking on Nova 93.7 Perth as Australian markets opened lower in response to overnight Chinese data releases, Albanese drew on lessons from the Global Financial Crisis to contextualize current volatility, recalling advice from former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry that markets are substantially driven by “the vibe.”
Opposition Demands Independent Triple Zero Investigation After Second Telecommunications Death
Shadow Minister Melissa McIntosh intensified calls Tuesday for comprehensive independent investigation into Australia’s triple zero emergency services infrastructure following a second telecommunications-related death within two months, criticizing the government’s response as inadequate.
The Coalition’s Shadow Minister for Communications demanded accountability from federal authorities following confirmation that a Sydney resident died November 13 after software failures prevented emergency calls from reaching triple zero services. The tragedy marks the second fatal telecommunications incident since September’s major Optus network outages.
Nationals Leader Dismisses Moderate Split Threat, Says Strong Coalition Serves Centre-Right Best
Nationals leader David Littleproud downplayed Tuesday concerns that Liberal Party moderates might split from the conservative coalition over climate policy disagreements, arguing that maintaining a unified centre-right alliance remains the most effective political strategy despite internal tensions.
Australia’s centre-right coalition is confronting questions about organizational stability as moderate Liberal members reportedly discuss separation following controversial climate policy decisions, but the Nationals leader insists historical precedent favors maintaining the alliance. David Littleproud, who represents Maranoa in Queensland, addressed the internal party dynamics during a Tuesday television interview while defending the Coalition’s unity.
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IN PICTURES
CHECK THIS OUT
UNSW tops the nation in social impact and environmental rankings
UNSW Sydney has climbed to the top spot in Australia and Oceania in the 2026 QS Sustainability Rankings.
The University climbed five spots to become the top-ranked university in Australia and is now tied for seventh globally. UNSW has ranked in the top 20 each year since the QS Sustainability Rankings started.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said the rankings reflected UNSW’s position as a national and global leader in social and environmental sustainability.
“Since our founding over 75 years ago, supporting positive societal and environmental impact has been a guiding force. Our new UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, reflects our ongoing commitment to leading the transition towards a sustainable society and world through research, inclusive education, and genuine engagement with communities and industry,” said Prof. Brungs. [Read more]
WATCH THIS
A decade-long investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting Mark Standen’s corruption extended far beyond his drug importation conviction.
Standen, the most senior Australian crime fighter ever convicted of drug crimes, allegedly protected criminals, sabotaged investigations, and helped facilitate multiple illegal drug imports, according to sources and official documents.
Investigative reporter Janine Cohen has followed the case for 14 years, revealing new information that challenges the official narrative. In his first on-camera interview, Standen claims innocence—but former colleagues and associates contradict his account.
Four Corners exposes the full extent of the betrayal as calls for a deeper inquiry intensify.
PICK OF THE DAY
Australian National Maritime Museum to unveil two panels honouring 814 families on the National Monument to Migration
November 22 sees two ceremonies at the Australian National Maritime Museum where 814 names from 56 different countries will be unveiled on the National Monument to Migration, also known as the Welcome Wall.
Migration and how it has shaped Australia is one of the museum’s core pillars and the National Monument to Migration forms an integral part of the museum’s activity in this space. Families whose names are on the Monument can also contribute a brief story about the person being honoured by the inscription, details of which are published on the museum website.
Honouring those who have migrated from countries around the world to make Australia their new home, the first names were unveiled on the Welcome Wall in January 1999, and the latest additions will join the close to 36,000 names that have been added since.
The Front Page is edited by Mencari’s Miko Santos
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