On October 19, 2025, Australian insurance company Bupa awarded over AUD 14 million in bonuses to more than 20 senior executives for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. One executive received AUD 2.5 million, more than double their AUD 1.1 million salary, while 19 others shared AUD 11.6 million in bonuses, including AUD 5.5 million in deferred payments.

This comes after Bupa admitted that between 2018 and 2023, over 7,500 customers were misled, resulting in canceled or delayed medical procedures. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found some customers were incorrectly upgraded or denied timely medical treatment. Bupa agreed to pay AUD 35 million in fines, though the Federal Court has not yet determined if the penalty is appropriate.

Consumer Health Forum CEO Elizabeth Deveny criticized the bonuses, saying, “When a company breaches consumer trust, millions in executive bonuses send the wrong message.” Bupa stated that the issues stemmed from systemic errors rather than individual wrongdoing and implemented corrective measures since 2021, including AUD 14.3 million in compensation for 4,100 incorrect claims. They also disciplined executives and revised bonus policies.

Experts have noted that awarding large bonuses amid such failures highlights a corporate culture prioritizing financial performance over customer responsibility. It remains unclear if executives will be required to return part of their bonuses.

On October 19, 2025, large-scale anti-immigration protests erupted in Melbourne’s city center, coinciding with counter-protests against racism. The two groups clashed violently, resulting in two police officers being hospitalized. Police plan to use extensive CCTV and body-worn camera footage to identify and prosecute individuals who engaged in violent behavior. One woman may face charges.

The anti-immigration rally, organized by March for Australia, opposed what organizers describe as mass migration policies and attracted a large crowd. Victoria Police used flashbangs, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to control crowds and prevent escalation. Superintendent Wayne Cheeseman said members of the counter-protest, “United Against Racism: Migrants and Refugees Are Welcome,” were desperately trying to confront the anti-immigration demonstrators.

Protesters threw large rocks, glass bottles, and rotten fruit at police during the chaos. One female officer reportedly suffered a suspected broken hand from being kicked, and a male senior constable sustained a leg laceration. Cheeseman commented, “Melbourne has had enough. Protesters threw rocks and glass bottles at police, set bins and flags on fire — this has gone too far.” He emphasized that police used force in response to protesters’ actions, not proactively.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the violence, stating that protesters who acted violently must face serious legal consequences. She also said new security legislation scheduled for November would help prevent similar incidents.

Victoria Police union secretary Wayne Gatt compared the scenes to Northern Ireland in the 1970s, calling them “filthy and disgusting,” and criticized that only police rights were unprotected while extreme protesters were “completely out of touch with reality.”

Counter-protesters criticized police for restricting the demonstration rights of thousands and allegedly tolerating the racist intent of the anti-immigration rally. They claimed that at least five protesters were hospitalized, although police said no reports had been received.

Similar protests took place in Sydney and Brisbane on the same day, but without the severe violence seen in Melbourne.