Nick McLaren

Illegal seafood and ALP fundraisers etched into iconic restaurant's fame For four decades Lagoon Restaurant has been one of Wollongong's most iconic and controversial establishments, enjoying a prime seaside location and a close relationship with the city's political class...

After 40 years of being run by the same family, the lease of a popular restaurant with a controversial history is coming to an end. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

What is it with Kiama? A previous member, Matt Brown had to resign as Police Minister after a wild office party where he danced in his underwear and simulated a sex act on a female MP. Brown then lost his seat to Ward in 2011. #Kiama #GarethWard

Patients 'left to fend for themselves' amid mental health crisis in NSW Patients and their families navigating the mental health system in regional NSW say critical gaps in care are leading to deadly consequences for people with complex needs.

Patients left to fend for themselves in NSW regional mental health crisis.

Just in: By-election to be held in the seat of Kiama on Sat Sept 13, to replace Gareth Ward.

Breaking: Jury finds NSW MP Gareth Ward guilty of sexual abuse After nine weeks of evidence, a jury finds the Kiama MP guilty on four sexual abuse charges involving two young men.

NSW MP Gareth Ward found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Sly Stone, pioneering funk and soul musician, dies aged 82 American songwriter lit up generations of dancefloors with his group Sly and the Family Stone

Sly Stone, the American musician who lit up generations of dancefloors with his gloriously funky and often socially conscious songwriting, has died aged 82.

Israeli army 'boards' Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Gaza-bound ship, group says The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says the Israeli military has "boarded" the Gaza-bound charity ship the Madleen, after the Israeli foreign ministry earlier said it had told the ship to change course.

It was always going to happen but hey … 12 people aboard the Madleen, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have been detained by Israeli authorities.

A close look at this viral Chinese video reveals something is off The ABC was among hundreds of media outlets which reported on the incredible footage. Experts say the video was at least partially manipulated by artificial intelligence.

Video of a Chinese paraglider widely published by news media outlets around the world was at least partly manipulated by generative artificial intelligence tools www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06...

Australia's largest gas project approved for operation to 2070 The life of Australia's largest oil and gas project will be extended to 2070, with Environment Minister Murray Watt giving the long-awaited environmental approval for Woodside's North West Shelf proje...

The life of Australia's largest oil and gas project will be extended to 2070. Aren’t we meant to be net zero by 2050?

Trial hears man refused NSW MP's sexual advances before alleged rape One of the alleged victims of former NSW Cabinet Minister Gareth Ward tells a court the politician raped him in his Sydney home after he repeatedly declined his advances.

On Day 3, Kiama MP Gareth Ward's trial hears man declined sexual advances before alleged rape www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

'They detain dogs with humans': Shocking claims from Gaza detainees Two Palestinians released during the Gaza ceasefire have detailed shocking claims against Israeli forces, while the IDF insists all prisoners and detainees were treated appropriately. WARNING: Some re...

Two Palestinian men allege they were shackled, blindfolded, beaten, dragged across broken glass, scalded with hot water and kept in rooms with dogs at an Israeli detention facility.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

The forgotten story of the Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War When one side of the Spanish Civil War asked the world for help, a small band of Australian men and women answered the call.

The forgotten story of Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War

Homeless, nomads in lakeside car park told to move amid protests More than a dozen homeless and nomadic people living in a public car park in southern Wollongong have been given eviction notices. The government says it is to provide "suitable housing" in winter.

Kully Bay homeless living in vans and buses on Lake Illawarra receive eviction notices #Wollongong

THE EARTH IS MELTING (and Other Inconveniences)
A few years ago, I found myself photographing the Extinction Rebellion protests, read my thoughts, view full thread below👇
#Climate #Environment #Activism #Protests #XR #Sustainability #Earth #Future #Justice #Nature #Change #Hope #Awareness #Action

Israel is keeping up its blockade of aid as kids starve to death As the total ban on any humanitarian aid entering Gaza stretches into its third month, doctors warn babies are starving in hospitals.

“I'm terrified of losing my granddaughter, something as simple as milk could save her life,”

'Mandate' for offshore wind as voters rebuke plan to scrap zones Supporters of large-scale renewable energy projects are urging Labor to get on with the job of assessing offshore wind options in New South Wales after the weekend's landslide election victory.

The re-elected federal government is being urged to get on with establishing Australia's offshore wind industry.

Australia's Bisalloy Steel sells to IDF in violation of UN Arms Treaty - Michael West ASX-listed Bisalloy Steel illegally exports Australian-made armoured steel for vehicles regularly used by the IDF killing machine.

Is Bisalloy steel selling ‘weapons steel’ to Israel? It’s all about the wording.

Celebrations in Gilmore as the ALP wins at 8.30pm #ausvotes @abcnews

ABC predicts Labor to take Cunningham in the northern Illawarra

As election day nears, one topic has been largely ignored: the environment With Australia in the grip of what many consider a biodiversity crisis, here's what the major parties have promised when it comes to nature laws and the environment.

So what are political parties offering when it comes to our nature laws? Not much it seems.

Najat on X: "Full documentary - Louis Theroux’s The Settlers https://t.co/n7loQsVjsK" / X Full documentary - Louis Theroux’s The Settlers https://t.co/n7loQsVjsK

I know, I know, I shouldn't link to X, but this documentary will be almost nowhere to be found soon. Spread it while we can.

#FreePalestine #GazaHolocaust

x.com/theafroaussi...

Housing policies a 'slap in the face' for young voters Young people in some of Australia's most expensive regional towns are disappointed with both major parties, as experts warn their policies are likely to push house prices up even further.

"I will never be able to live where I grew up." With a median home price of almost $1.5m, Kiama is the most expensive place to buy a home in regional Australia.

Where do the major parties stand on climate? Turns out they’re worlds apart As the election campaign draws to a close, it's safe to say both major parties have been quiet on climate change. While Labor policies have made some progress to decarbonise, the Coalition threatens t...

Where do the major parties stand on climate change? Turns out they're worlds apart.

'Forever coward murderers' confronted by hit-and-run victim's family A mother and son convicted of murdering an Indigenous teen in Nowra have been told by victim's family of the grief caused by the "revenge attack".

The grandmother of south coast teen Taj Hart, who was murdered in deliberate hit-and-run, has lashed out at the pair responsible in court.

Oh please tell me more 🥹

'We feel them still near us in spirit': Australians mark Anzac Day Thousands of people have come together to mark Anzac Day across the country, 110 years after Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the Turkish coastline at Gallipoli.

Australians mark 110 years since Gallipoli with Anzac Day dawn services across the country

Man charged with murder over stabbing outside farmers market A 47-year-old man will face court today after handing himself in to police after the stabbing death of another man in a Nowra street, on the NSW south coast.

Man charged with murder after stabbing death in Nowra on Easter Sunday.

HUGE. Finally some common sense & respect for the community's connection to the environment. Thank you High Court of Australia! #nswpol #auspol #nswforests #endnativeforestlogging #saveourforests #greatergliders

U.S. says it is now monitoring immigrants' social media for antisemitism Effective immediately, the government says it will begin screening immigrant social media for activity that officials think indicates support for antisemitism.

Effective immediately, the government says it will begin screening immigrant social media for activity that officials think indicates support for antisemitism.

Well he has now been replaced by Nathaniel Smith, also from the Right faction