Pacific

• Australia: Amazon sued for unfair contracts for more than one million subscribers 2 July 2026
  Australia’s consumer watchdog has launched legal action against Amazon, alleging the company used unfair contract terms when it introduced advertising to its Prime Video streaming service. The watchdog claims that more than one million subscribers were affected after Amazon added advertisements to a service that had previously been commercial-free, unless…
• Australia: government accused of violating human rights by exporting coal and gas 26 June 2026
  A group of ten Australians has lodged a complaint with UNHCR, arguing that their government's continued support for coal and gas exports is contributing to climate-related harm and violating their human rights. The case is believed to be the first brought before an international body since a 2025 International Court…
• Australia: under-16s prepare for social media ban 4 December 2025
  The impending ban on social media access for under-16s in Australia has sparked confusion, concern, and debate among students, parents, experts, and global observers. From 10 December, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and others must demonstrate effective age verification or face major fines. Schools are scrambling to prepare…
• Australia: vital defence pact under threat 20 June 2025
  The critical Aukus defence pact, agreed by Australia in 2021 with the USA and UK, to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, faces uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews its alignment with the ‘America First’ agenda. Valued at over $230 billion, Aukus promises Australia a strategic leap in military capability. However, some US…
• Australia: Albanese secures re-election with landslide majority 8 May 2025
  Anthony Albanese has defied the ‘incumbency curse’, securing a historic landslide re-election for Australia’s Labour Party. At the start of the year polls had put Albanese's popularity at record lows, but he led a disciplined campaign focused on cost-of-living concerns, healthcare, housing, and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. Voters rejected the…