According to an ABC report on 17 December 2025, Bulmer Farms, located in Lindenow, East Gippsland, Victoria, has been accused by the Fair Work Ombudsman of breaching the Fair Work Act. The allegations state that between December 2019 and December 2023, the farm severely underpaid 28 migrant workers, with total unpaid wages exceeding AUD 645,000.

The workers were primarily from Kiribati, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands, and were employed through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Reports indicate that the farm paid employees a fixed weekly wage—approximately AUD 884 to 1,105 per week—regardless of actual hours worked. However, many employees worked more than 38 hours per week, with over 7% reportedly working more than 50 hours, resulting in failures to pay legal minimum wages, overtime rates, and public holiday entitlements. The farm is also alleged to have unlawfully deducted costs for airfares, accommodation, and health insurance from workers’ pay.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth described the alleged underpayments as “completely unacceptable,” stressing that employers are legally required to pay workers for every hour worked. The farm may also have breached record-keeping and payslip obligations.

Bulmer Farms is owned by Bill Bulmer, who is also the chair of agricultural industry body Ausveg. Ausveg stated that Mr Bulmer has not been directly involved in the farm’s day-to-day operations for several years and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting farmers and worker welfare, but declined to comment further on the specific case.

The matter is scheduled to be heard on 21 January 2026 in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with each alleged breach carrying a maximum penalty of AUD 93,900.

Social justice advocates have pointed out that migrant workers often hesitate to report mistreatment due to language barriers, visa insecurity, and fear of retaliation, and have called for reforms to the PALM scheme to strengthen protections for vulnerable workers.

A 43-year-old man, Ahmed al-Ahmed, rushed at a gunman during a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where crowds had gathered for a Jewish festival. He wrestled the gun away, potentially saving countless lives. Footage shows him bravely confronting the armed attacker and successfully neutralizing the threat, though he was shot multiple times in the process and remains hospitalized. Ahmed and his family stated that he acted out of conscience, unable to stand by while people were dying. His actions have been praised by the Australian Prime Minister, state leaders, and international figures, and a large-scale fundraising campaign has been launched to support his recovery.

The shooting has also reignited debate over gun control. Data show that several Sydney suburbs in New South Wales, such as Penrith, Blacktown, Hawkesbury, and Canterbury-Bankstown, have surprisingly high gun ownership. One suspect in the shooting legally possessed up to six firearms, many of which were registered for recreational hunting. This has prompted calls to review existing firearm laws, including limits on the number of guns an individual can own, stricter licensing requirements, and whether a nationwide gun registry is sufficient to ensure public safety.

On the evening of December 14, Bondi Beach, a famous eastern Sydney location, experienced a major shooting. At the time, the local Jewish community was holding a Hanukkah celebration, Chanukah by the Sea, with hundreds of attendees present.

Eyewitnesses reported that two armed men fired at the crowd from a pedestrian bridge near the park, causing multiple injuries as people scattered in panic.

New South Wales Police quickly intervened, secured the scene, and launched an investigation. As of December 15, the incident had claimed 15–16 innocent lives, including children and the elderly. Notably, Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed while attending the festival. Police reported that one of the gunmen, a father or son, was killed, while the other was injured and under investigation.

Authorities classified the incident as a terrorist attack, with counterterrorism and major crime units involved, continuing to search the area for other possible suspects. The police urged the public to avoid the affected areas and follow instructions.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as “an evil anti-Semitic act” and expressed condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing national unity and the importance of collectively resisting hatred.

The international community also expressed concern. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Australian government for previously failing to take effective action against anti-Semitism and called on Australian leaders to combat hate and violence. Netanyahu particularly praised a local citizen who bravely stopped one of the shooters, saving many lives.

Police continue to investigate the motive and have pledged to provide ongoing updates.