TANYA PLIBERSEK
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
We’re providing tax relief to workers and making our tax system fairer so that more Australians can own their own home.
Fairer renting
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing
We’re reforming capital gains tax and negative gearing to level the playing field for first home buyers. We’re also:
■ Helping you buy a home sooner with Labor’s 5% scheme
■ which has already helped 300,000 people including 600
■ Sydneysiders to own their own home.
■ Undertaking Australia’s biggest ever home building
■ program, delivering 1.2 million homes, including 100,000
■ dwellings solely for first home buyers and 55,000 social
■ and affordable homes.
■ That includes 699 social and affordable homes in the
■ Sydney electorate, of which 74 have been built in Waterloo
■ and 160 in Redfern.
■ We’ve also built 35 units in the electorate for people ■ impacted by domestic violence and at risk of homelessness.
■ Extending the ban on foreign investors buying existing ■ homes.
■ Building more homes faster by training more tradies and ■ reducing red tape.
We’ve been working with the states to make renting fairer. Most states now have banned ‘no grounds’ evictions, limited rent increases to once a year and set minimum rental standards. We’ve also introduced incentives to create more long-term leases.
Backing small businesses
Backing Small Business
We are backing small business by delivering $3.5 billion in new measures that lower taxes and support investment. We are:
■ Making the $20,000 instant asset write off permanent.
■ Delivering a permanent two-year loss carry back for ■ companies with turnover under $1 billion from 1 July, 2026.
■ Introducing loss refundability to help start-ups in their first ■ two years.
■ Expanding tax incentives for venture capital.
■ Helping 1.5 million sole traders with our $250 tax offset ■ from 2027-28.
■ Helping small businesses to transition from discretionary ■ trust structures.
Tax Help
A progressive tax system
A Progressive Tax System
We’ve already cut personal income taxes for every single taxpayer and there are two more on the way. Every taxpayer will receive a cut of up to $268 from 1 July 2026, then up to $536 every year from 1 July 2027.
By 2027-2028 we will have delivered five tax cuts giving average wage earners an extra $2,816. It’s a bit of extra help for every tax payer.
Our volunteer accountant is kindly assisting people on low incomes (up to $70,000) to prepare their tax returns again. Please contact my office for an appointment: Fridays only, 7 August to 18 September, 2026, 1-4 pm.
Fairer Renting
Publisher’s Assistant: Mal Moody
National Sales Director: Greg Topalian Ph: 0455 120 404
Advertising Manager: Mal Moody Ph: 0484 042 615
Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au
Managing Editor: Chloe Sargeant
Digital Manager & Journalist: Patrick Lenton
News Contributors: Chloe Sargeant, Lawrence Gibbons, Patrick Lenton, Will Thorpe
Arts Contributors: Angus Sharpe, Chloe Sargeant, Coffin Ed, Josh Kerwick, Mark Morellini, Naomi Lawrence, Noa Valentine, Patrick Lenton
Cover Image: Supplied
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Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007
Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au
Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633
Website: www.cityhub.com.au
PUBLICATION DATE: 25 JUNE 2026
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@CityHubSydney
HubNEWS
Vale Jean Stuart: Pyrmont’s protector
BY LAWRENCE GIBBONS
Jean Stuart never shied away from a challenge. After flipping several fixer-uppers, the retired drama teacher set her sights on a ramshackle 100-yearold former hotel in Pyrmont.
Tattered and battered, the suburb had seen better days. In the 19th century, Pyrmont was home to an army of wharfies who worked at nearby Darling Harbour, shipping wool, coal and wheat off to Mother England.
In its heyday, the derelict Caledonian Hotel was a popular watering hole for the neighbourhood’s working-class dock workers. At the turn of the 20th century, 30,000 people lived in Pyrmont.
When Jean started renovating the old Calie in 1990, Sydney's maritime industry had relocated to Port Botany and the suburb’s population had dwindled to 3,000.
Squatters lived in every room when she bought the property at auction. The entire place needed to be gutted and restored from bottom to top. It took five years to renovate her Calie castle.
As it turns out, she wasn’t the only one to see potential in the derelict waterfront suburb. In 1992, the NSW government announced plans to commence a $1.5 billion urban renewal project on the Pyrmont peninsula. Like Michael Caton’s character in the Aussie classic The Castle, Jean’s dream home would sit in the middle of a major government-led development project.
Jean would not be deterred. While undertaking a five-year renovation project, she organised her new suburb. She formed a citizen action group called the Pyrmont Community Group, which ran out of her living room. With the help of her newly mobilised neighbours, she established a community garden
in the vacant lot next door to her property. She won accolades for this green space – until developers bought the lot and erected a multi-storey apartment building on the site, which had been known lovingly as Interim Park.
Jean fought tirelessly to preserve the local community she loved, and made her home for over three decades
I first met Jean around 1996 in the community park that she established. Charismatic and always fighting the good fight, she constantly agitated against over-development in the middle of one of Sydney’s largest redevelopment zones. Whether it was the battle to establish a waterfront park or a fight to preserve the area’s old wharves or a campaign to protect the precinct’s heritage buildings, Jean would constantly contact the City Hub with story leads,
comments and clear instructions. In 2009 she convinced me to serve with her as a co-convenor of a campaign to Save Union Square. I was the President of the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce. The then-Keneally government planned to demolish a charming row of 19th century terraces in the heart of Pyrmont. Small cafes and retail shops would be bulldozed to make way for a new Metro station. At Jean’s urging, the CFMEU put a Green Ban on the site.
We convened a rally in Union Square which was attended by several thousand people. The next day the State government back tracked on its Union Square plans and eventually shelved a Pyrmont Metro station for over a decade.
On June 9th this year, Jean died in hospital after a short illness, at the age of 95. She lived a long and impactful life.
Jean fought tirelessly to preserve the local community she loved, and made her home for over three decades.
Vale, Jean Stuart. Pyrmont is a sadder place for her passing.
Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna
Protests as Waterloo South public housing demolition looms
BY WILL THORPE
The imminent demolition of the Waterloo South public housing estate for a $4 billion private development has sparked fierce argument over how the housing affordability crisis should be dealt with.
Situated on Crown land, the current buildings contain 750 mostly-vacated units, to be replaced by 3,300 flats in a complex operated by residential developer Stockland.
The development will feature a mix of housing types; competing figures have been thrown around on the proportions. Upon completion, approximately 1,050 homes or more than 30% of the total are to be social housing, a broader category than affordable housing that includes dwellings owned by community organisations. Around 700 of the units, slightly over 20%, will be affordable.
On ABC Radio, housing minister Rose Jackson did not confirm how many homes would remain affordable in perpetuity, saying that it would be determined in the ongoing planning process.
Demolition is occurring in stages over about nine months.
“Our government believes there is strength in housing diversity and we want to support mixedtenure communities, where there is a range of social, affordable and private market housing,” said Jackson.
“When renewing social housing estates, we look to increase social and affordable housing to maximise the community benefit. What we won’t do is progress with estate renewals or redevelopments that fail to deliver a significant uplift to social and affordable housing in the community.”
Amidst protests against the demolition, Jackson emphasised that “no social housing residents are being evicted to make way for the renewal.”
“We are aiming to keep
all residents within the local community, unless it is their preference to move elsewhere.” 130 residents have been relocated, with some moving into new social homes at Waterloo Metro Quarter.
NSW Labor’s abandonment of their election promise to ‘Save Waterloo’ is a total betrayal of the community
It has been reported 15 residents were still in their homes when demolition crews arrived, and Action for Public Housing has reported that tenants moved to Waterloo Metro have told them the apartments are "hot boxes" that are smaller and more expensive.
GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF BREAKING PROMISE
Action for Public Housing spokesperson and tenant Karyn Brown accused the Minns Government of breaking a promise not to knock down Waterloo South.
“In 2015, the state Liberal Party announced its intention to demolish and replace it with mostly market housing and 30% public housing, with an increase
of only 28 public homes for the entire estate.”
“NSW Labor repeatedly said they would stop the demolition and promised no more sell-offs of public housing, up to the eve of the 2023 election.”
“As the Minns Government is enforcing density on councils, public housing is low-hanging fruit, as it is already government owned. Developers seem to regard it as vacant land. They are the only ones building any new housing, and want inner-city land for maximum profit.”
Brown noted that other public housing has been demolished or threatened with demolition in Glebe, Mascot, Arncliffe, Randwick and Maroubra.
She said that market housing will be too expensive for most people.
Greens MLA Jenny Leong said, “NSW Labor’s abandonment of their election promise to ‘Save Waterloo’ is a total betrayal of the community and yet another example of their enthusiastic embrace of the policies and politics of the former Liberal government.”
CITY COULD HAVE DONE BETTER, SAYS LORD MAYOR
Lord Mayor Clover Moore has written to the housing minister calling for affordable housing built at Waterloo South to remain so in perpetuity.
Planning authority was taken away from the City of Sydney after it objected to the original plans in 2020. Nonetheless, Moore said it successfully advocated for the social housing proportion to be increased from 30% to 50% following a change of government, but that “social and affordable housing across this site should have been taken even further.”
Greens councillor Sylvie Ellsmore recently won support across party lines to increase a municipal affordable housing levy on residential developments. “If the City of Sydney was in charge of this project, our planning rules would have delivered more genuine, affordable housing.”
Photo: Action for Public Housing
Photo: NSW Government
Sydenham–Bankstown Metro line allegedly targeting October launch
BY PATRICK LENTON
Sydney Metro’s final stage of the M1 line between Sydenham and Bankstown is now internally targeting a midOctober opening, narrowing the timeframe for the last section of the $30 billion metro conversion.
Confidential project documents first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald indicate the first passenger service could occur on or around October 18, subject to final approvals. The target is contingent on completion of testing, handover to the operator and sign-off by the national rail safety regulator.
Under the “target program” outlined in internal planning, the NSW government agency responsible for the project is expected to hand the line to Metro Trains Sydney on July 13. This
handover would be followed by approximately five weeks of trial operations before any passenger services begin.
The plans also note that the final timing remains subject to “further optimisation” after operational control is transferred.
“An opening date is not confirmed, and any suggested date is purely speculative,” said Sydney Metro.
REPLACEMENT BUSES & DELAYS
The Sydenham–Bankstown section forms the final stage of the M1 metro conversion and has been closed to heavy rail services since September 2024, with replacement buses servicing the corridor.
The shutdown was initially described in 2018 as requiring 3-6 months of disruption, but
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internal documents indicate the first passenger service could occur on or around October 18
later estimates extended that period, with the Minns government indicating it could exceed earlier forecasts.
The final opening window has been shaped by operational constraints including dynamic testing, safety certification and
timetable coordination across the wider rail network.
The internal schedule also indicates coordination with major events in October, including sporting fixtures at Sydney Olympic Park and Randwick, which are noted in planning considerations for transport demand management.
Sydney Trains is also preparing broader timetable changes in the same period to separate and reorganise services on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra lines and the South Coast line as they approach the CBD.
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Photo: Sydney Metro
Construction of long-contested Rushcutters Bay skate park blindsides locals
BY WILL THORPE
Construction of a controversial skate park at Rushcutters Bay Park has surprised residents, after a decade-long campaign against it and presumptions that the project had been shelved.
The ‘Youth Recreation Area’ is being built in the southwest corner, behind the football posts and beside New South Head Road. It will also feature a halfcourt basketball and netball area, seating, bike racks, new trees and garden beds.
Opponents have cited heritage concerns. Branches and roots belonging to historic Moreton Bay fig trees, planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were recently pruned.
The trees were heritage listed in 2019, following the skate park proposal two years earlier. Some who were against the facility thought that was the end of it, but the Heritage Council subsequently granted approval, conditional on the plants not being adversely impacted.
There is also a significant Aboriginal heritage. The site, then part of the foreshore prior to land reclamation in the 1870s, was heavily inhabited by the Gadigal people during early settlement. Sydney’s expansion pushed them onwards to the La Perouse mission.
CONCERN FOR HERITAGE-LISTED TREES
Arborist Lester Willis was hired by local group the Darling Point Society. He determined that if any of the trees were to have their roots pruned, it should be done by hand with a clean saw. Yet, an excavator has recently been used.
In a memorandum appraising the impact of works, he stated a “serious degradation of the aesthetics and health of the trees.”
A spokesperson for the Woollahra Council recently told this masthead that “the approved
design incorporates specific measures to protect existing tree canopy and root systems.”
It’s not about being a NIMBY… We’re not against skateboard rinks. This is just the most inappropriate place to put it
“The project arborist has attended site inspections and provided direction to the contractor in relation to tree protection requirements. Any works in proximity to trees, including minor root pruning where necessary, have been assessed and undertaken in accordance with the approved arboricultural report and project requirements.”
COMMUNITY SURPRISED BY WORKS
Acting president of the Darling Point Society Laura Andrews said that the local community “are very unhappy with these works and the skate rink in general.”
they can stop it. Once you lose these things, you never get them back.”
Speaking to City Hub earlier in the week, Coulton rejected claims of this being NIMBYism.
“It’s not about being a NIMBY… We’re not against skateboard rinks. This is just the most inappropriate place to put it,” she said.
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender said that she has “been sharing the views of community members who contacted my office to Council.”
“It is always a challenge balancing different community voices. However, I think we really need more recreational opportunities for our older primary school-aged children and teenagers.”
Mark Silcocks is a Residents First councillor for the Double Bay ward. “I was disappointed in the large amount of misinformation circulated, in particular the impression that it was going to be a massive concrete structure like Bondi’s skate park for all ages.”
“The area being dug away for concreting is one of the few remaining unallocated green spaces in the park. There are also significant public safety and noise issues.”
Dixie Coulton, a barrister and local resident, argued that with governments pushing for more inner-city housing, “people will need green space more than ever.”
“If there's enough public pressure on these people in the Woollahra Council to stop this,
Silcocks acknowledged complaints concerning noise, loss of parkland, drugs and graffiti, heritage and drainage, but was satisfied that these concerns were either negligible or had been addressed.
Nonetheless, he voted against the proposal, because he “felt it important that this opposing point of view was represented.”
“I firmly believe that once completed, the Youth Recreation Area will become a major, much loved asset to our community and many of the people who have been so concerned about it will end up sharing in the joy it brings their children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.”
Photo: Dixie Coulton
LGBTQIA+ hate crime laws pass NSW Parliament
BY PATRICK LENTON
NSW Parliament has passed the Minns Labor Government’s Crimes Legislation Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2026, with the legislation strengthening protections for LGBTQIA+ people.
The reforms expand "post and boast" offences to include assault and robbery following reported attacks against LGBTQIA+ people in NSW.
They introduce new offences for offenders who lure victims under false pretences, including through dating apps. The laws were introduced in the wake of the shocking ABC investigation into a rise of IS-inspired attacks on young gay and bi men in Sydney.
“I’ve seen those reports on the ABC… They’re shocking,” the Premier said at the time. “They’re absolutely shocking examples of violent crime in our community
directed against individuals because of their sexuality.”
Penalties for publicly threatening or inciting violence on the basis of protected attributes such as sexual orientation or gender identity will increase from three to five years’ imprisonment, with a maximum penalty of seven years where violence results.
offending was motivated by prejudice or hatred.
FIGHTING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
“These laws provide important protections for LGBTQIA+ people while imposing tough new penalties on thugs who commit hate-fuelled attacks,” said Attorney General Michael Daley.
Government at the community’s expense.”
Daley’s comment refers to a dispute on 2 June, when the Government motion to urgently bring the legislation to the LC was defeated by the Opposition and Greens voting with Mark Latham.
The bill also amends the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 to make it easier for prosecutors to establish that
“I’m glad the Opposition and Greens decided to back increased protections for LGBTQIA+ people, instead of trying to score points against the
"Stronger laws to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from hate crimes are being held hostage by the Opposition and Greens who have rejected multiple attempts to pass these laws including a bid to fast track the reforms,” Daley wrote.
Gas is not a renewable - make the polluters pay
Over the past month you might have noticed street posters in our local community calling on the Prime Minister to ‘Tax Gas, Not Beer’. Or you may have seen on social media that on the night of the Federal Budget in May, Labor hosted a $5,500 per head private function that was attended by representatives of the gas lobby. Or perhaps you’ve heard that in Australia, you pay more tax on a beer at the pub than multinational gas giants pay when they export our natural resources to make an eyewatering profit.
It’s clear that Labor has a gas problem – and it stinks.
Shamefully, Federal Labor are allowing multinational gas corporations to get away with
paying not a single cent in royalties on over half of the gas they export. Taxing gas exports could deliver at least $17 billion a year to fund public housing and public services. That’s why the Greens are fighting for a minimum 25% export tax on gas revenue.
Right here in NSW, the Minns Labor Government is progressing a sinister plan to lock in and fasttrack destructive and polluting gas projects under the guise of prioritising renewable energy.
NSW Parliament is currently considering a law that would allow harmful, dirty gas projects to be classified as “renewable energy” so they can be sped through the planning system and deliver massive profits for Labor’s corporate gas donors.
Gas irreversibly destroys our landscapes, threatens our farmland, poisons our waterways, harms our health, and pollutes our climate. It is not renewable energy. We don’t need new gas projects, and they certainly shouldn’t be prioritised over actual renewable energy projects.
That’s why the Greens want to make polluters pay and ensure that real renewable energy projects are delivered across our state.
Keep connected with our work by scanning the QR code to follow us on social media.
Jenny Leong MP Member for Newtown
Photo: NSW Parliament / Youtube
Backlash over comedian’s
“harmful” Aboriginal identity skit
BY CHLOE SARGEANT
Comedian Lisa Jane Spencer has doubled down on a controversial video using "harmful" Aboriginal stereotypes in order to make fun of transgender identity, reuploading the skit days after it was removed by Instagram.
Spencer received major backlash over her initial video, which made fun of transgender identity by showing a white woman "identifying" as an Aboriginal woman, and featuring various racist stereotypes about Aboriginal people.
After the initial video received major backlash and was taken down following reports by SBS, Spencer posted to her Instagram stories saying the skit was "directly influenced" by an SBS Insight segment with transgender woman and activist Roxanne Tickle, whom she repeatedly misgendered while defending the skit.
Spencer also claimed SBS had been “bullied” into reporting the content.
“It should be protected under parody. It was directly influenced by their segment with ‘Roxy Tickle’, where he was talking about his experience as a ‘woman’.
“Under Australian copyright law (Section 103AA of the Copyright Act 1968), this constitutes ‘fair dealing for the purpose of parody or satire.’”
The reference relates to a recent Insight episode featuring Tickle, a transgender woman who recently successfully sued social media platform Giggle for Girls for gender discrimination.
Spencer has since reposted the video, this time replacing the SBS logo with an altered version reading “Special Woke Service” — an apparent attempt to further mock the broadcaster and critics of the original skit.
ORIGINAL SKIT’S “HARMFUL” STEREOTYPES
The controversy began when Spencer uploaded a video
portraying a character called “Aunty Lisa”, claiming she had recently started identifying as a “blackfella”.
It featured Spencer wearing white face paint, dancing barefoot, chanting, banging clapsticks and pretending to sniff petrol from a jerry can.
a racist stereotype that First Nations people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have been facing for generations
The original version also displayed the SBS Insight logo despite having no affiliation with the broadcaster.
“SBS is aware of these posts and the unauthorised use of SBS logos. The posts and individuals
are in no way associated with our content and have been reported,” an SBS spokesperson told media.
“SBS unequivocally condemns all forms of racism and recognises the damaging impact it has on individuals, communities and social cohesion. Such views have no place in Australian society.”
been expressed, particularly by members of First Nations communities, community partners and those who have reached out to us directly.”
Spencer doubled down in a statement to Newscorp
“I stand by the jokes. This is comedy. I make fun of everyone equally. Plenty of people loved the video. I find the Welcome To Country offensive,” she said.
Rather than quietening the controversy, Spencer reposting the skit has triggered a fresh wave of criticism.
Among the many people responding was drag performer Tash York, who commented: “DID WE NOT LEARN ANYTHING?
Sweet Jesus diva give it up.”
Another commenter wrote: “A decision was made here. For a moment you deleted it, then you decided it was a good decision for you to repost. With all disrespect, are you okay in the head?”
ABORIGINAL PUBLIC FIGURES CONDEMN SKIT
The original video drew condemnation from First Nations leaders and public figures across Australia.
Noongar-Yamatji woman and television personality Brooke Blurton criticised the skit, saying, “Let’s be clear — it’s not humour.”
Peninsula Hot Springs, where Spencer had been employed, has also since reportedly ended her employment following the backlash. They posted to social media saying they were "aware of concerns that have been raised regarding social media content circulating online from a former employee."
“We want to acknowledge and sincerely recognise the concern and disappointment that has
“It’s a racist stereotype that First Nations people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have been facing for generations,” said Blurton.
“Words matter, and content matters. And when someone with a platform chooses to reiterate and spread racial stereotypes — harmful racial stereotypes, mind you — it actually contributes to the discrimination that First Nations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are already facing every day.”
SYDNEY FAMILY LAWYER’S
‘CHART YOUR START’ CONSULTATION HELPS GIVE CLARITY DURING SEPARATION
BY STAFF WRITERS
Whether you've been together for two years or twenty, a relationship beginning to come undone usually comes with more questions than answers. For many of us, it's not the legal process that feels most daunting at first — it's not knowing where to start.
According to accredited specialist family lawyer Bron O'Loan, that's the challenge she sees most often in her work with local Sydney families from her Rozelle and North Sydney offices.
"People do not struggle because they are doing separation 'wrong'. They struggle because they are starting without clarity," explains O’Loan.
After years of guiding clients through family law matters, O'Loan noticed a common thread: most people weren't looking for a courtroom battle. Many weren't even necessarily ready to start formal legal proceedings. What they needed was someone to help them understand their situation, their options and what steps actually mattered right now.
One client, Sarah*, approached O'Loan before things had reached a crisis point. Things hadn’t escalated, but she felt stuck.
Communication with her former partner had become increasingly difficult, and she worried that making the wrong decision early could have consequences later down the track.
Getting conflicting advice from friends, family and the internet, Sarah came to Bron needing a clear understanding of where she stood.
During their first meeting, O'Loan worked through the situation methodically, helping her identify what required immediate
Photos: Supplied
attention, what could wait, and what options were available moving forward. Sarah says that it was the moment she stopped feeling stuck and started making decisions with confidence.
Experiences like this inspired O'Loan to create the ‘Chart Your Start’ consultation.
Rather than a standard introductory appointment, the consultation is a structured 60-minute strategy session designed to help people understand their position before taking further action. The aim is to provide practical guidance, reduce uncertainty and help
clients move forward with a clear plan.
For O'Loan, it's about giving people confidence at a time when confidence can be hard to come by.
But what makes the consultation particularly unusual is the guarantee behind it.
Recognising that separation often comes with financial uncertainty as well as emotional stress, O'Loan offers a full money-back guarantee if you don’t leave the session with clarity, a plan and confidence in their next steps.
"That guarantee exists because this session should create a real
shift," she explains. "If it does not, then people should not be paying for it."
It's not a common approach within the legal profession, where consultations are rarely backed by guarantees. For O'Loan, however, it reflects a simple belief: people facing major life changes like separation deserve certainty wherever it can be offered.
In family law, the first decisions people make can have a significant impact on everything that follows. That's why O'Loan believes starting with a clear understanding of the road ahead can be one of the most important investments a person makes. Sometimes, the most valuable thing a lawyer can provide isn't immediate litigious action – it's helping someone completely understand their options, and empower them to take their first step with confidence.
If you'd like to book a 'Chart Your Start' consultation, scan the QR code:
* Name has been changed.
Reports of over-policing on Oxford Street during Pride Month
BY PATRICK LENTON
After reports of significant police presence on Oxford Street during Pride Month, Sydney MP Alex Greenwich put a call-out on social media to help respond to the complaints.
"A lot of people have tagged me in posts or reached out to my office about their concerns of some over-policing that they witnessed last Saturday night," said Greenwich on social media.
"We've got to make sure, particularly during Pride Month, that we can go out to venues [to] celebrate and have fun… What people have reported is sometimes up to 10 police officers coming into a venue which people found to be quite intimidating."
Witnesses on social media have reported police and sniffer dog presence on Oxford Street in June, claiming that one weekend, 8-10 officers entered the Oxford Hotel, Kinselas, and Universal.
"As a 78er I am not impressed. Why would you come [to] Oxford Street with this going on," one commenter shared. "We have it on video from the balcony upstairs at Kinselas Hotel… We all
Major driving reforms proposed for medicinal cannabis patients
BY PATRICK LENTON
NSW drivers prescribed medicinal cannabis will be subject to a new testing and licensing framework under reforms proposed by the Minns government, which aim to change the state’s current zero-tolerance approach to THC detection in roadside drug tests.
Under the proposed legislation, drivers with a valid prescription would be able to avoid automatic penalties if their THC levels are below a defined legal threshold.
and penalties applying on a third offence.
Penalties under the framework would include fines of up to $704 and licence suspensions of at least three months for repeat breaches. Standard penalties would still apply where alcohol or other illicit substances are present.
Premier Chris Minns has said the changes are intended to balance road safety with the needs of medicinal cannabis patients.
commented to each other, 'is this necessary?'"
Speaking to City Hub’s sister outlet Star Observer, a witness confirmed that police "hassled" people on the street, as well as entering Universal with a drug dog at 9:30pm on a Saturday night, questioning people inside.
As a 78er I am not impressed. Why would you come to Oxford Street with this going on?
“It was quite uncomfortable and disappointing. No one was causing any harm, the night hadn’t even started. Everyone just stopped and felt quite weird,” they said. “Not needed at all, especially at the time!"
Greenwich has called on the community to share their experiences, saying it’s “so important that police are there to keep us safe and that our community continues to rebuild trust after a fraught number of years – really, decades.”
Greenwich and Lord Mayor Clover Moore confirmed they have written to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission regarding the reports.
Current laws in NSW make it an offence to drive with any detectable amount of THC in saliva, blood or urine, regardless of impairment.
The reforms introduce a registration system requiring eligible drivers to notify Transport for NSW of their prescription and complete an online safety course. Only unrestricted licence holders would be eligible, with provisional and commercial drivers excluded from the scheme.
Drivers who test positive for THC during roadside drug testing would face a 24-hour driving suspension while laboratory results are confirmed. Where levels exceed the threshold, the proposal includes a three-strikes system over a two-year period, with warnings issued for the first two detections above the limit
“For thousands of people, medically prescribed cannabis is life-changing medication that is necessary for people to go about their daily lives,” he said.
The reforms follow 2024 Drug Summit recommendations and ongoing calls for a medical defence for prescribed cannabis users.
Tasmania currently remains the only Australian jurisdiction where driving with medicinal cannabis in the system is generally permitted under law, provided impairment is not present.
Photo: Ryan Withers Photography
Photo: Julian Smith / AAP
Police admit to battery, false imprisonment of Hannah Thomas
BY PATRICK LENTON
State government lawyers have conceded that a NSW Police officer punched former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas during a pro-Palestine protest, according to court documents relating to a civil case.
The admission forms part of the state’s written defence to allegations brought after Thomas was hospitalised following an incident in Belmore in June 2025, during a demonstration outside a manufacturing business.
Thomas brought a civil claim after she required a number of surgeries as a result of the incident. Court documents state that the
officer struck Thomas in the eye while holding a police torch, with the state accepting that the use of force constituted a battery.
[The officer] punched the Plaintiff's right eye with his right hand… causing immediate bleeding and swelling
"[The officer] punched the Plaintiff's right eye with his right hand, causing the Plaintiff to scream, as well as causing immediate bleeding and swelling
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… At the time of the punch, [the officer] was holding a police torch in his right hand."
DEFENCE ACCEPTS UNLAWFUL ARREST
Thomas was among a group of protesters arrested at the scene, with all charges later dropped.
The state’s defence also accepts that Thomas was unlawfully arrested and falsely imprisoned during the incident, according to the filings.
The court documents indicate that the state acknowledges Thomas suffered “harm and damage” as a result of the incident and that she is entitled to damages, although it disputes
some of the broader allegations made in the claim.
An officer has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, and is expected to face further court proceedings later this year.
NSW Police have previously described the matter as a “critical incident” investigation, which was referred to oversight bodies.
The protest occurred outside a facility that demonstrators allege supplies components used in Israeli strikes in Gaza – which the company has denied.
The civil case involving Thomas remains ongoing before the courts.
Photo: Instagram
COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY
2026’S 'RACE AROUND THE WORLD' –LET’S DO A SYDNEY 'BURBS VERSION
The ABC’s decision to revive the Race Around The World program in 2026 might seem a curious one. When that first series aired between 1997 and ‘98, it was an entirely different era.
The world seemed a lot safer, opposed to the endless wars of today. The internet was gaining momentum but it was relatively free of travel vloggers. It was a time of innocence and hope, fuelled by anticipation for the new millennium.
The series was a huge hit for our national broadcaster – but it was criticised for the production pressure it put on the ABC, and considerable financial cost.
Just why the concept was revived some 27 years later is somewhat of a mystery. Maybe in today’s cynical, cutthroat world, there was an element of nostalgia. Who I am to talk – I have been lobbying the ABC for the return of Mr Squiggle for years now.
The initial series certainly sparked the careers of many of the budding filmmakers, who graduated to important roles in the media. Perhaps the best known was John Safran, who has returned to the current series as a judge.
Watching the first few episodes of the revival, it’s hard not to be impressed by the logistical workings. Co-ordinating six young Australian filmmakers, venturing solo to some 10 countries over 100 days, shooting a short film every 10 days, is no mean feat.
And it can’t be cheap – all those airfares, hotel rooms and a sizable production crew back home to piece it all together.
With this in mind, I’d like to suggest a much more economical version. I could suggest a ‘Race Around Australia’, but let’s go even cheaper and make it a ‘Race Around The 'Burbs’, thrusting young filmmakers into the wilds of Sydney’s grittiest suburbia.
It will save the ABC a fortune as the youthful aspirants are simply given an Opal card, bus timetables and a map of the Sydney train network, and a meagre meal allowance. The winner will be the ‘racer’ who comes up with the quintessential piece of video footage of the Emerald City 2026.
In the first episode, one filmmaker would arrive in Western Sydney just in time to catch a gunman firing an AK-47 into a function centre. She even manages to hail an Uber and
can afford is a miserable junior burger at the Westfield Plaza Maccas. Not very cool!
You would expect an ecological slant amongst the short films. Visually, what could be better than 500,000 stinking, pooping bats terrorising residents at Harrington Park near Camden. Where’s that AK-47 when you need it?
Despite numerous complaints of the pungent smell, the filmmaker highlights their endangered status and ends with the acerbic comment, “you’d have to be batshit crazy not to like these cute little critters”.
At the conclusion, when the Opal cards have been exhausted, the judges are all but unanimous in awarding first prize to a film which
pursues the gunman, hoping for a possible on-the-spot interview. She loses the getaway car in traffic but later discovers the burnt wreck with a smouldering bucket of KFC in the backseat. A wonderful ending shot!
Burwood was recently voted the 16th coolest suburb in the world by Time Out, so one of our culinary aware (and bloody starving) racers sets out to discover its amazing multicultural cuisines. There’s some fabulous Asian and Middle Eastern food on sale. But with the minimal meal allowance, all they
truly captures the spirit and identity of suburban Sydney.
Johnny was literally ‘Johnny On The Spot’ when by sheer accident he witnessed a police pursuit of an out-of-control teenager in a stolen car. He captures the entire action on his drone, the highlight being the stolen car ploughing into the living room of a suburban family, who narrowly escape annihilation. The only dissenting voice comes from judge John Safran, who quips “you can watch that crap on the six o’clock news every night”.
Photo: ABC
Photo: Australian Story
A murder. An interrogation. A clouded world of fantasy and fear.
17–20 Sep
SCORCHED EARTH
THE BONDI FESTIVAL IS MORE IMPORTANT IN 2026 THAN EVER BEFORE
BY CHLOE SARGEANT
For three weeks each winter, Bondi embraces unity, the unique, and the unusual. The beachfront fills with ice skaters, performers, market stalls, comedians and curious crowds, turning one of Australia's most familiar stretches of sand into a vibrant hub of community spirit.
For many locals, this year’s Bondi Festival arrives at a time when gathering together feels particularly meaningful.
Less than a year after the tragic terrorist attack that shattered Sydney and left deep emotional scars throughout the Bondi community, the festival's return is more important than ever.
Taking part in the festivities can help make an important point: that Bondi’s public spaces still belong to people who fill them with life, creativity, unity and connection. The community is still grieving, but it is by continuing to show up for one another that Bondi, and Sydney as a whole, can heal.
Running from 3 – 19 July, Bondi Festival will once again transform the beachside suburb into a giant winter playground, with comedy, theatre, live music, art, food and family events.
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said the festival remains one of the highlights of the local calendar.
“The iconic Bondi Festival is an unmissable event, with the nation’s most famous beach transforming into a winter wonderland for three exciting weeks of jam-packed fun and entertainment.”
The festival officially kicks off with the prestigious Waverley Art Prize, one of Australia's longest-
running municipal art awards, bringing together artists from across the country before the wider festival program unfolds.
Awesome Black at the Bondi Pavilion in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
Taking part in the festivities can help make an important point: that Bondi’s public spaces still belong to people who fill them with life, creativity, unity and connection
Among the favourites are the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel overlooking the beach, ice skating by the ocean, the Bondi Festival Food Markets, and
The festival's theatre program is particularly ambitious this year. Audiences can expect works staged on a moving bus, interactive productions exploring artificial intelligence, performances built from true stories shared by Bondi locals, and shows that lean wholeheartedly into absurdity and experimentation.
“Bondi Festival’s ticketed program offers audiences the best line up of contemporary performing arts – shows that are surprising, provocative, hilarious and push past the limits of what theatre can be,” Goldberg said.
“If you like your theatre on the edge, Bondi Festival is ready for you.”
Goldberg said accessibility and inclusivity remain central to the festival's mission, and that it “takes seriously its mission to welcome all-comers.”
The program features a packed schedule of music, talks and family-friendly events. There’s crowd-pleasers like Bingo, Burlesque & Bondi Vybes, bringing together live entertainment, music and plenty of Bondi personality, and Paw Parade, a day dedicated to the suburb’s beloved dogs.
Waverley Council Executive Manager of Arts, Culture and Events, Tanya Goldberg, said Bondi Festival has always been about embracing the unique character of the area, because Bondi at wintertime “has its own special magic.”
As Bondi marks the year that matches its postcode, the festival feels less like a series of events and more like a community gathering on a grand scale — an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to support local artists, local businesses and one another.
The invitation is simple: rug up, head to the beach in the middle of winter, and spend some time with your community.
Because festivals are never just about the Ferris wheel, the ice skating or the shows. They're about seeing familiar faces, meeting new people and remembering that even after the hardest of times, communities must still find reason to gather, celebrate and keep moving forward together.
For three incredible weeks, Bondi Festival presents a stellar lineup of comedians, artists, musicians and performers taking to venues, stages and iconic spots around Bondi. Gear up for laugh-out-loud comedy, live music, mesmerising art installations, mouth-watering food and many more beachside surprises to set your winter alight.
LIVE MUSIC THEATRE FAMILY FUN COMEDY LIVE MUSIC THEATRE FAMILY FUN COMEDY
HubARTS
IZZARD: THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET
BY JOSH KERWICK
Retrofitting iconic works like Shakespeare for “one actor, every role” theatre trend feels like a natural progression of this format, and in the very capable hands of a performer like Eddie Izzard, a tale like Hamlet can come to life in a way rarely ever seen before.
Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet practically eschews any particular look at all. Unlike these other more opulent productions that utilise bedazzling stagecraft and prerecorded footage, there’s not much in the way of lighting and zero set. Given its distinct lack of flourishes, the performer at the core of this show kind of has to be sensational – and luckily, Eddie
Izzard was a splendid fit. She began last month’s show at the Sydney Opera House by shattering the fourth wall, evoking how Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed. She soon settled into character(s) and provided a wholly unique, enrapturing way to experience Hamlet
It’s a serious testament to both Izzard as a performer and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work that this show was so good. Not many actors get the chance to deliver all three of the play’s soliloquies, but Izzard handled them all with seemingly effortless gusto and grace.
TEENAGE SEX & DEATH
AT CAMP MIASMA
Schoenbrun's cerebral slasher flick is a must-see
(See p.22)
The play’s humour was also delivered in a way that smartly adjusted the humour to fit the oneactor format.
The only real criticism I harbour is that I do think the various roles could serve to be a smidge more separate. While Izzard was a funny, warm and dramatically affecting performer, I occasionally found it a bit difficult to understand which character was which. I’m fairly familiar with Hamlet, but not enough to be able to tell who is
who solely by lines of dialogue –and there were times where, given the show’s simplicity, it was hard to tell.
Alas, it matters very little when Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet is a most impressive act of performance. Izzard was magnetic as all the characters in this iconic play, and she proved that there’s always a new way to put on the works of Shakespeare that’ll be quite unlike any other version you’ve seen before.
SKANK SINATRA: THE NAME ON EVERYBODY'S LIPS
BY NAOMI LAWRENCE
Powerhouse vocalist and seasoned raconteur, the award-winning Jens Radda AKA Skank Sinatra turned an hour of musical theatre favourites into a loud, sweaty, self-aware celebration of queerness and the fine art of working a room.
Backed by a live pianist, Sinatra's latest show, Skank Sinatra: The Name on Everybody's Lips at Qtopia Sydney, traced her journey from South Africa to Europe and eventually Australia.
Broadway standards, personal anecdotes and audience interaction collide in a performance that’s meticulously crafted while appearing delightfully off the rails. The show's greatest strength wasn't necessarily the singing, impressive though it is – it was Sinatra herself. A natural cabaret performer, she possesses an instinctive understanding of how
to build anticipation, recover from the unexpected and make every audience member feel like they're in on the joke. Whether responding to a heckle, a technical hiccup or her own carefully orchestrated chaos, she was lightning-fast and disarmingly warm.
The audience spent most of the show firmly in the palm of her hand, eagerly following her through stories, punchlines and
increasingly fabulous wardrobe reveals.
Vocally, Sinatra brought colour to the material. Her voice shifted easily between smoky jazz husks and rich musical theatre belts, finding fresh angles on familiar songs. Yet it was during spoken sections, particularly the autobiographical storytelling and running gags involving her Liza Minnelli obsession, where the show
Visually, the production punched above its weight.
The lighting design lent glamour and atmosphere to a relatively intimate cabaret setting, and combined with the costumes and Sinatra's presence, it created a show that consistently felt polished.
The pacing mostly held together, ebbing and flowing naturally. However, the final stretch lost some momentum as the energy began to soften. It was a minor stumble in an otherwise tightly structured hour.
For a performer mounting only her second cabaret show, Sinatra demonstrated remarkable command of the form. More importantly, she understood what cabaret is supposed to do: connect, entertain and leave audiences feeling like they've shared something uniquely alive.
Sinatra delivered an hour of sharp laughs, big vocals and unapologetic camp – as she repeatedly reminded us, she's doing it all for the gays.
Photo: Daniel Boud
Photo: Kate Arnott
FREE PUBLIC SCREENINGS ACROSS SYDNEY FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FREED FROM DRACONIAN NOISE CAPS
BY JACQUES NIEUWOUDT
The state government has announced that the Sydney Opera House’s iconic forecourt will no longer be subject to draconian noise caps. These reforms include permitting evening events with the same noise levels as day time events, and extending their curfew until midnight.
The changes also include the easing of event size restrictions, with the maximum capacity of smaller events increased from 5,000 to 6,000 people, and that of larger events at the Southern Forecourt from 6,000 to 7,000.
“We’re turning up the vibrancy of the Sydney Opera House, expanding capacity and hours so more people can enjoy the world class venue and cultural icon,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese endorsed the changes, telling media that the Opera House is “an asset that should be maximised”.
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron also lauded the changes, saying the Opera House can now “deliver a more contemporary, diverse and dynamic outdoor event program, elevating the patron experience while maintaining appropriate heritage safeguards for this significant precinct.”
While these reforms mark a major win for Sydney’s nightlife, the changes follow a decade of noise complaints from the residents of the luxury Bennelong Apartments (colloquially dubbed the ‘Toaster’) next door.
The Toaster and its so-called “cartel of wealthy inhabitants” famously realised a $15,000 fine for the Sydney Opera House in 2017, over a Florence and the Machine concert exceeding the noise limits.
However, Minister John Graham has pushed back, saying residents who acquire property beside the thumping heart of Sydney’s arts scene have no business dictating how loud it thumps.
“No longer will noise levels at the Sydney Opera House forecourt be dictated by the bedtimes of the residents at the Toaster,” said Graham.
“Over the decades it became a Sydney sport to move in next door to a pub and then campaign to close it down. We are putting an end to that and the same approach should apply to the world’s greatest performance venue.
“The Sydney Opera House is everyone’s house and these changes make sure the experience matches the epic setting.”
BY PATRICK LENTON
World Cup fever has hit Sydney! Free public live screenings of Socceroos matches have been happening across Sydney during the current FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The Minns Labor Government initiative will see Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour and Cathy Freeman Park at Sydney Olympic Park host live broadcasts of every Socceroos match on giant screens.
the energy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup directly to the people of Sydney.
“From Darling Harbour to Western Sydney, these live sites will bring communities together to support the Socceroos and experience the atmosphere of the world’s biggest sporting event right here at home for free.
“This is exactly the kind of vibrant, world-class city the Minns Labor Government is building; one where people can come together and enjoy
The Darling Harbour site will continue screening through to the quarter finals, semifinals and final stages, while Sydney Olympic Park will host finals screenings if Australia progresses beyond the group stage. No tickets or registration will be required.
Group stage matches included Australia vs Türkiye on 14 June, USA vs Australia on 20 June, and Paraguay vs Australia on 26 June.
Finals matches are scheduled at Tumbalong Park from 10 July through to 20 July, including quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said NSW has a “proud history” of hosting public screenings of major sporting events.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing
unforgettable experiences in our fantastic public spaces.”
“There’s nothing quite like the FIFA World Cup. It’s the biggest sporting event on the planet, and when the Socceroos take the field, the entire country is going to be behind them,” said Minister for Sport Steve Kamper.
“We want every football fan to have the chance to be part of that experience, whether you’re in the city at Darling Harbour or cheering alongside thousands of fans in Western Sydney.
“Football in Australia has never been bigger, especially after the incredible success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and this is another chance for Sydney to show why we’re one of the great sporting cities of the world.”
Photo: AAP Image / Rob Prezioso
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
ARMISTICE FLUTES’ ALBUM LAUNCH RAISES FUNDS FOR CHILDREN IN GAZA COLLE OFFERS A
PLATFORM FOR SYDNEY'S ELECTRONIC UNDERGROUND TO SHINE
BY ANGUS SHARPE
Before the arrival of New York dream-pop artist Maya McGrory – AKA Colle – on stage at the Vanguard Theatre on June 4, five local acts had already performed 30-minute sets. Selected by the hosts of fbi.radio’s Deep Web program, each of these artists existed within the swelling Sydney pool of electronic musicians.
String Club – Astrid Bell and Kata Szasz – smiled and giggled as they experimented with a range of instruments. Bass, pan flute, feedback from a karaoke microphone, fuzzy drum loops. Then, once a rhythm formed, Bell would stretch slow, repetitive lyrics to sink into the beat. The audience were lulled into a joyful, calm contentment.
Riki Twinkle Wells treated the small theatre as if it were a stadium. Her confidence on stage was impressive, and the meticulously designed hyper-pop was a pleasure to move to – the performer often lost herself to her music.
Mona Mule continued the hyper-pop theme, yet in a far more experimental, jarring manner. Despite being steeped in electronica, the chaotic backing track and the performer’s discordant vocals were more reminiscent of a 1970s fringe post-punk act.
Finally, the last act before the headline, DJ-turned-liveperformer Genie treated us to a collage of seductive trip-hop, constructing evolving dancing soundscapes while tentatively placing ethereal vocals through the mix.
Often audience members would arrive for a support, then
leave. Therefore, by the time Colle arrived on stage, very few of her fans were aware of what had occurred before.
Granted, her performance was beautiful. Playing with violinist
Zachary Paul, her long autotuned lyrics melted seamlessly into his shimmering clouds of floating strings. Occasionally she would drop delayed guitar into the songs, though most of the swelling music came from a synth-heavy backing track. It was graceful music, expertly realised.
Despite being billed as a headliner, and drawing the largest crowd of the night, McGrory’s performance was simply a reason to give a diverse range of local performers a chance to play.
And in a time when these artists need as much exposure as possible, to have an international headliner providing such a platform is something that should be applauded.
Photo: Supplied
BY NOA VALENTINE
When we think of the sounds of protest music, drums, horns, guitars and chants yelled through megaphones first come to mind. Armistice Flutes want us to know that their instrument of choice is just as powerful.
Sydney-based flute quintet
The Armistice Flute Choir is a contemporary flute ensemble formed in 2025 and led by Australian/ British composer and musician, Keyna Wilkins. The project’s performances blend traditional Western classical techniques, experimental acoustics, and global folk elements.
The mission statement of Armistice Flutes is to use musical composition and improvisation to promote messages of hope and global peace.
The ensemble brought this mission to The Flute Tree & Woodwind Group in Leichhardt on 14 June, where they performed live compositions from their debut album to raise funds for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).
They also launched their album Hope at the event, which features Wilkins as well as Australian flautists Liz Cheung, Chloe Chung, Laura Chislett, and Jessica Scott.
Wilkins is a pioneering Australian/British composermusician, one of three finalists for the Australian Art Music Awards for Individual Excellence in 2021 and 2018.
Chloe Chung is a crosscultural flutist, playing both Western flute and dizi (Chinese bamboo flute). As well as being a music educator, Chung has also recently completed a
season performing with Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra’s Asia tour of Miss Saigon. Laura Chislett is a flutist educator and a cross-style recording artist. Her repertoire ranges performing Bach, Boulanger, Ferneyhough, Vali, as well as improvisation for TV series Against The Wind
Jessica Scott specialises in orchestral, contemporary, improvised and experimental performance and a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London.
Liz Cheung is a musician, performer-improviser in Adelante Tango, the DeeBeeTees, and illustrator in Dreambox Collective, and appears as guest artist with various other ensembles.
Armistice Flutes have regularly partnered with local charities and peace advocacy groups across Sydney, especially events raising money for food distribution in Gaza.
Founded in 1991, the PCRF is an international organisation that provides free medical care to injured and ill children across Gaza by funding volunteer medical missions, and paediatric, orthopaedic and educational training.
REVIEW
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
BY NAOMI LAWRENCE
He-Man has finally made it to live action again in Masters of the Universe. Directed by Travis Knight, the proudly silly film follows Adam Glenn (Nicholas Galitzine), Prince of Eternia, as he finds his way home to defeat the evercackling Skeletor (Jared Leto).
The film is at its most alive in the first act, where Adam recounts his origin story on a date, navigating life on Earth and obsessively searching for the lost Sword of Power.
It's surprisingly fresh and genuinely funny, but once the action shifts back to Eternia, the emotional beats grow formulaic, and what begins as a clever riff on
the mythology settles into a runof-the-mill hero's journey.
It never becomes boring exactly, but it does abandon its most interesting idea for a blockbuster we've seen before, landing somewhere between Guardians of the Galaxy and Lord of the Rings
Thankfully, everyone involved understood the assignment. Between the sculpted physiques, melodramatic speeches, glorious blowouts and persistently cheeky jokes, the franchise's camp legacy is celebrated with open arms. Galitzine is near-perfect casting, a lovable himbo with enough heroic earnestness to sell even the cheesiest dialogue.
Painful as it is to admit, Leto is the star of the show, channelling a delightful theatrical menace that suits him – sassy skeletons might be his niche.
Alison Brie is similarly delightful as Evil-Lyn, bringing dry wit and exasperated henchwoman energy. Camila Mendes as Teela is frustratingly reduced to a subplot, echoing the film's larger habit of reaching for more than it properly develops.
The action is big, loud and frequently fun, shot with enough comic-book energy to carry even the repetitive stretches. The CGI is surprisingly solid, and Daniel
COLONY
BY MARK MORELLINI
Zombie flicks are an addictive form of entertainment.
The latest zombie flick release is Colony, a South Korean production directed by Yeo Sang-Ho, whose previous films include Train To Busan and Peninsula Colony is set in a locked down high-rise building, threatened by a highly contagious bio attack. The film follows a group of people who are attempting to escape from the hundreds of zombies scouring the building.
What makes their plight more terrifying is they’re alone –nobody can hear them scream. They must reach the roof unassisted, because the rescue teams will not aid them owing to their potential exposure to the virus, unleashed by a crazy man wanting to take humanity to the next level.
Excitement, suspense and
constant zombie action are the reasons this film has successfully captured the imagination of moviegoers and accelerated the hype worldwide. The film premiered at a midnight screening at Cannes this year to elated audiences.
This zombie horror flick stands out in the genre due to the acting skills of the scores of minor players portraying the zombies. Authenticity is achieved through
sinister body movements and facial expressions, compounded by grotesque and very frightening transformations by skillful VFX and SFX artists.
The main cast, who may be A-List actors in South Korea, are largely unknown to Australian audiences, but they deliver performances which enhance the credibility and horrific nature of the story.
The traditional horror technique
Pemberton's score does heavy lifting.
Ultimately, Masters of the Universe is a messy film that wants to be a fantasy epic, meta comedy, nostalgia trip and coming-of-age story all at once. Is it great? Occasionally. Is it gloriously silly, self-aware, and packed with enough camp fantasy nonsense to satisfy fans, the gays, and anyone willing to embrace absurdity?
By the power of Grayskull, absolutely.
Masters of the Universe is in cinemas now.
of having audiences warm to characters only to have them brutally eliminated one by one is utilised. At a running time of just over two hours, no time is wasted in introducing audiences to the braindead creatures.
Unsettling and blood-curdling scenes of people being chased, mauled and frenziedly devoured may be too graphic and nauseating for more sensitive viewers.
There’s never a dull moment in Colony – no cheesy sequences which traditionally saturate these films, and the production values are high. Australian viewers who have never watched a South Korean film may be surprised at the high standards of their filmmaking.
Colony is a fun and high paced gorefest – infectious entertainment!
1/2 Colony is in cinemas now.
Photo: IMDb
REVIEW
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA
BY JOSH KERWICK
Adeeply metatextual twist on the traditional slasher film, Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is one of the most psychologically intriguing horror films of the 2020s so far.
The ‘Camp Miasma’ franchise is an ailing, problematic horror franchise that queer filmmaker Kris (Hannah Einbinder) has been given the task to remake for contemporary audiences. Her goal? To retell the story of ‘Little Death’ (Jack Haven), the franchise’s villain, without all the transphobia and homophobia.
She tracks down original final girl Billy Preston (Gillian Anderson) to ask her to star in this new imagining. On the original campsite, the two immediately have a strange chemistry as they discuss all things Miasma. Soon, they embark on a psychosexual odyssey of self-discovery.
Although I Saw The TV Glow is an incredible depiction of the trans experience through a horror lens, Camp Miasma feels like an even more personal film for Schoenbrun.
Kris is a properly fascinating character, portrayed wonderfully by Einbinder as a person trying to
TIP TOE
BY CHLOE SARGEANT
Progress isn't a straight line, and society can change far quicker than we think: this theme runs through much of Russell T Davies’ work, like Queer as Folk. Tip Toe might be the bleakest expression of it yet. Be warned, the first scene is a deeply horrifying one.
Set around Manchester's Canal Street, it follows Leo – played with enormous warmth and complexity by Alan Cumming –and his hostile neighbour Clive, played with terrifying authenticity by David Morrissey. The staff of Leo’s gay bar are all played with true heart, as are Clive's two sons, who are the catalyst for this show about a neighbourhood dispute turning violent.
The show's defining line, "I used to walk into a room and go ta-dahhhh! Now I tip toe," articulates a feeling that has become common in LGBTQIA+
communities lately: never quite knowing how tolerant a room will be anymore, and so being ready to shrink ourselves. It would have sounded absurdly pessimistic even ten years ago, yet here we are.
What makes the series work so well is that Davies understands that grand acts of discrimination or violence rarely occur right off the bat. They creep in through headlines, political talking points, social media pile-ons, off-hand comments, so on. None of those things seem particularly significant alone, but together, they create an atmosphere that grows. Tip Toe is fundamentally about this atmosphere.
There are moments where Davies appears determined to wrestle every social issue into Tip Toe. But these moments feel forgivable because the series is operating from such a place of genuine urgency.
But although Kris and Billy are of different generations, I found their bond utterly fascinating. Their shared experience of attempting to understand the dichotomy between their personal desire and what’s considered “right,” mirrors our own relationship to horror films – what does it mean for us that we find pleasure in such misery?
I won’t spoil exactly how crazy it gets, but Schoenbrun takes the viewer to a truly cerebral place.
figure out how she feels about what her own relationship to horror means for her feelings of desire for Billy. Equally remarkable is Anderson, playing the reclusive former actress with incredible charm and a surprising amount of humour – this film is also really funny!
Pair that with sensational filmmaking that shows real knowledge and mastery over slasher movie aesthetics, and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is a fascinating, beautiful and unabashedly queer film about the genre.
If you’re a fan of horror, queer cinema and/or the work of David Lynch, then Jane Schoenbrun’s latest is a must-see for 2026. 1/2
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is in cinemas from August 6.
Some viewers will undoubtedly find it heavy-handed or overcatastrophising. But many LGBTQIA+ people may have a very different reaction: horrified recognition of reality.
But by the time the brutal finale arrives, Davies doesn't really seem to be asking audiences whether they agree with him, he's asking whether they've properly been paying attention.
That's what makes Tip Toe so phenomenally unsettling. Underneath the dark humour, the well-cooked performances, and the thriller mechanics sits a question that feels uncomfortably relevant: if this is where anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric is in 2026, what will the end game look like?
You can stream Tip Toe now on Binge.
Photo: IMDb
Photo: IMDb
REVIEW
