-3 j

Origin Energy confirms 60 customers had full bank details accessed in July breach

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. Origin Energy has confirmed the sharpest details yet on last month’s data breach — and for a small group of customers, the damage goes well beyond names and addresses. In this episode, we break down the update straight from Origin’s CEO: what was actually taken, who’s in the worst-affected group, and why the company is still holding back key details while police investigate. We walk through the numbers that matter — the 900,000 customers broadly affected, the 60 whose full bank account numbers were exposed, and the 15,000 caught up through government concession data. We also look at what Origin is offering by way of support and why the company keeps warning customers about scammers using the breach as cover. This one sits inside a bigger pattern. Qantas, Optus, Medibank — Australian companies keep getting hit, and customers keep being told to watch their inboxes. We close out with what to actually do if you’re an Origin customer wondering whether you’re one of the 60, 100, or 15,000. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

15 août

Mastercard payments declined nationwide after scheduled system update

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. Card payments were declined across multiple Australian states on Saturday afternoon after a scheduled system update disrupted Mastercard’s network, the company confirmed. Shoppers reported failures with Apple Pay, cash withdrawals and travel cards, prompting Commonwealth Bank to describe the disruption as a “global Mastercard issue.” Mastercard said in a statement the situation has since been resolved and all systems are “working as normal.” The outage left shoppers stranded at checkouts. In Bayside, Victoria, Jackie Wells had three separate cards declined while trying to pay for $208 worth of groceries at Aldi, ultimately abandoning her shopping and returning home for cash. She said she watched other customers leave stores “disgruntled” after being unable to complete their purchases. Outage-tracking site Downdetector recorded more than 1,700 reports of Mastercard issues at 3 p.m. Saturday, a figure that fell to 173 within two hours as service was restored. The most frequently reported problems involved funds transfers and mobile banking. Mastercard has not detailed what specifically triggered the failures beyond the scheduled update, and the company has not said whether further disruptions are expected. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

14 août

Former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan Announces Exit From Politics

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. Former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced Friday she will not contest the November state election, ending a 27-year political career. The announcement, made at a press conference in her Bendigo East electorate, comes just over two weeks after Allan stepped down as Labor leader on July 27 after losing the confidence of the majority of her party. Her deputy, Ben Carroll, succeeded her as premier. Allan, first elected in 1999 as Victoria’s youngest-ever woman MP, became premier in September 2023 following the resignation of Daniel Andrews. During her announcement, she reflected on the state of Australian democracy, citing concerns over social cohesion and the treatment of First Nations people and migrants. Carroll paid tribute to Allan on ABC radio Friday morning, saying she had “transformed Bendigo for the better.” Allan did not take questions following her statement. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

10 août

SA launches royal commission into artificial intelligence

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. South Australia will hold a royal commission into artificial intelligence, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced, warning that unchecked use of the technology poses a “material risk” to the way society operates. The inquiry follows Malinauskas’s recent trip to the US, where he met with representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic and Apple. The commission is expected to begin in October and report by the middle of next year, with three commissioners to be appointed and terms of reference set within four to six weeks. Malinauskas estimated the cost at around $3 million, saying it was “chicken feed” compared with the risk to jobs and the economy if AI is left unregulated. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

8 juil.

Telstra Down: Inside Australia's Nationwide Network Collapse

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. A single network fault. Millions of Australians cut off. When Telstra’s mobile network buckled nationwide, the ripple effects hit far beyond dropped calls — regional trains ground to a halt in Victoria, Sydney-to-Canberra services stalled mid-track, EFTPOS terminals froze, and taxi meters stopped dead in Ballarat. In this episode, Mencari News Australia breaks down what actually happened: the network “nodes” behind the failure, Telstra CFO Michael Ackland’s on-the-record explanation, and why regulators are now asking hard questions about telco accountability. We hear from stranded commuters, a taxi driver turning away fares, and consumer advocates warning this won’t be the last outage — unless something changes. Real voices. Verified sources. The story as it unfolded. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

1 mars

PRESSCON: Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee March 1, 2026 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday expressed support for U.S.-led military strikes against Iran, calling the Iranian regime a direct threat to international peace and security while urging Australians in the Middle East to depart immediately. Speaking in Sydney, Albanese stopped short of committing Australian forces to the operation but defended the strikes as a necessary response to Iran’s nuclear program and its support for armed proxies. He cited at least two IRGC-linked attacks on Australian soil in 2024 — including the firebombing of an Adass synagogue in Melbourne — as evidence of the regime’s global reach. Key Developments: * Australia opened a DFAT registration portal for citizens seeking assisted departure from Israel and Iran * Travel advice upgraded to “do not travel” for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE * Flight disruptions reported across the region, with Emirates and Etihad services affected by transport hub closures Australia’s Prior Actions Against Iran: * Expelled Iran’s ambassador in 2024 — the first expulsion since World War II * Suspended operations at its Tehran embassy * Listed the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism * Sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals When pressed on the legality of the strikes, Albanese deferred to the United States and allied nations directly involved, reiterating that Iran’s conduct — including bombing areas of Dubai — represented an escalation “consistent with the nature of the regime.” Australians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre at 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (international), available 24 hours a day. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

19 févr.

BREAKING: Australia's Unemployment Holds at 4.1%, But Youth Underemployment Surges to 14.8%

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. The ABS Labour Force report for January 2026 presents a mixed picture of the Australian jobs market. While headline unemployment held steady and full-time employment rose by 50,000, a simultaneous loss of 33,000 part-time positions tempered overall employment growth to just 18,000 for the month. Key Details: * Unemployment rate steady at 4.1% (seasonally adjusted) * Full-time employment up 50,000; part-time employment down 33,000 * Net employment growth of 18,000 for January * Participation rate fell to 66.7% — down 0.6 percentage points from January 2025’s record high * Underemployment rate rose 0.2 points to 5.9% * Underutilisation rate climbed 0.2 points to 10.0% * Youth underemployment jumped 1.0 percentage point to 14.8% * Total hours worked rose 0.6% — outpacing employment growth Trend Indicators: * Trend unemployment fell from 4.2% in December to 4.1% in January * Unemployed persons decreased for the fourth consecutive month * Trend hours worked grew faster than employment on an annual basis ABS Commentary: Sean Crick, ABS Head of Labour Statistics, noted the youth underemployment rise “largely reversed the fall recorded last month,” flagging the reversal as a key concern within an otherwise stable headline result. Crick attributed stronger hours growth to fewer workers taking seasonal leave compared with typical Januarys. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

18 févr.

Australian Wages Rise 3.4% Annually as Public Sector Outpaces Private Growth for Fourth Straight Quarter

This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise. Australian wages grew 0.8% in the December quarter 2025 and 3.4% over the year, according to seasonally adjusted data released Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Wage Price Index report showed public sector wages rising at an annual rate of 4.0%, outpacing private sector growth of 3.4% for the fourth consecutive quarter. ABS Head of Prices Statistics Michelle Marquardt attributed the stronger public sector result to new state enterprise agreements delivering multiple pay rises throughout the year, including backdated increases applied shortly after agreements were finalised. Healthcare and social assistance was the top-contributing industry for the quarter across both sectors, driven by Commonwealth-funded wage increases in aged care and early childhood education, as well as scheduled enterprise agreement rises for frontline health workers in New South Wales. Private sector annual wage growth edged up to 3.4% from 3.3% recorded in the year to December 2024. The ABS noted the Wage Price Index is designed to measure pure price change in wages and salaries, independent of workforce composition or changes in the quality or quantity of work performed. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wage Price Index, Australia, December Quarter 2025. Released Feb. 18, 2026. 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. 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. The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence. We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure. Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world. Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari. Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here. We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theregisterau.substack.com/subscribe

The Flashwire

Origin Energy confirms 60 customers had full bank details accessed in July breach

Mastercard payments declined nationwide after scheduled system update

Former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan Announces Exit From Politics

SA launches royal commission into artificial intelligence

Telstra Down: Inside Australia's Nationwide Network Collapse

PRESSCON: Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee

BREAKING: Australia's Unemployment Holds at 4.1%, But Youth Underemployment Surges to 14.8%

Australian Wages Rise 3.4% Annually as Public Sector Outpaces Private Growth for Fourth Straight Quarter

Bande-annonce

Welcome to Flashwire

À propos

Informations

The Flashwire

Épisodes

Origin Energy confirms 60 customers had full bank details accessed in July breach

Mastercard payments declined nationwide after scheduled system update

Former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan Announces Exit From Politics

SA launches royal commission into artificial intelligence

Telstra Down: Inside Australia's Nationwide Network Collapse

PRESSCON: Albanese Backs U.S. Iran Strikes, Warns of Regional Escalation as Australia Urges Citizens to Flee

BREAKING: Australia's Unemployment Holds at 4.1%, But Youth Underemployment Surges to 14.8%

Australian Wages Rise 3.4% Annually as Public Sector Outpaces Private Growth for Fourth Straight Quarter

Bande-annonce

À propos

Informations