Uncertain Nature: Floods and Tropical Cyclones
The year 2025 opens with extreme weather that paralyzes the northern region. North Queensland suffered historic flooding as a result of a low pressure system that “went silent” at one point, shedding up to a metre of rain in just 48 hours.
Not yet having time to recover, early March bore witness to weather anomalies as Tropical Cyclone Alfred slammed into Southeast Queensland and New South Wales (NSW). What surprised scientists was that Alfred's path tracked very far south—a phenomenon that was last seen 50 years ago. The impact is fatal: the housing crisis is worsening, and the cost of insurance premiums is skyrocketing due to increasingly real climate risks.
Strong winds and big waves are already starting to hit the Queensland coast ahead of Cyclone Alfred. Credit: SBS News
Law and Order: The Tragedy of Mushrooms and Forest Fugitives
In the court room, public attention was riveted to the Erin Patterson case. A “deadly lunch” case involving poisonous mushrooms in a beef wellington dish ended in a guilty verdict for triple murder. In a historic moment for Victoria's legal system, judges handed down a minimum sentence of 33 years in prison in a hearing that was broadcast live.
Erin Patterson is accused of committing three murders and one attempted murder. Credit: SBS News
Social Turmoil and Community Voices
The impact of the global conflict is also being felt on the streets of Australia. In August, Sydney witnessed a historic march on the Harbour Bridge attended by about 300,000 pro-Palestinian protesters. The demonstration sparked a national debate over limits on the right to protest and public safety.
On the other hand, the rise of a neo-Nazi movement targeting Aboriginal sacred sites in Melbourne adds to a long list of communal tensions. In response to this, the Scanlon Foundation report emphasises that despite rising cost of living pressures and global uncertainty, the resilience of Australians is instead found in strong local community ties.
Bright Spots and New Hope
In the midst of a tough year, there were moments of triumph for civil and environmental rights:
- Treaty History: Victoria officially became the first state to pass legislation to establish a permanent Indigenous representative body in parliament—a major step towards the empowerment of Aboriginal citizens.
- Conservation Good News: Once briefly presumed extinct, a population of Leadbeater's possum has been rediscovered in New South Wales, providing new hope for threatened species conservation efforts in Australia.
Closing 2025, Australia stands at a crossroads between urgent climate challenges and efforts to strengthen social cohesion for a more stable future.
