Written by Chloe Atkinson

New advertising code to fight greenwashing 

The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced its new Environmental Claims Code, which will take effect on 1 March 2025. Setting a new standard for advertisers, the Code aims to support government efforts to eradicate greenwashing. 

Recognising the industry’s influence and responsibility in ushering in a more sustainable future, the new Code plays a crucial role in encouraging behavioural change in consumers. 

Advertisers are obligated to ensure that claims made about sustainability targets or future actions are realistic, achievable, and regularly tracked. Images, sounds, and all environmental claims must be truthful, clear, and verifiable.  

The self-regulatory system aims to prevent the creation of misleading ads. In the case where an ad is found to include unverifiable claims, the Code is in place to minimise the impact on consumers.

Culture trouble confirmed at Nine Entertainment 

A bombshell independent report has found that Nine Entertainment, Australia’s biggest media company, has systemic issues with bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Based on 122 interviews, it cited a lack of accountability from senior leadership and that perpetrators of inappropriate behaviour were not reprimanded. 

While the report does not name individuals responsible for wrongdoing, it confirmed multiple leaders in the corporation attempted to cover up or discouraged the reporting of incidents. 

Nine has released an apology and pledged to implement all 22 recommendations in the report, aimed to facilitate a “reset of culture”. 

Vindication for sacked Qantas employees 

Following a ruling handed down by the Federal Court, Qantas has agreed to provide compensation totalling $170,000 to three former staff members who were unfairly dismissed in 2020. Two of these employees had been with the corporation for more than 20 years, and all three are currently aged over 50. 

This is just the first compensation decision in the unfair dismissal case against Qantas, which affected 1,700 baggage employees who were illegally fired during the pandemic. According to the Transport Workers Union (TWU), it could cost Qantas more than $100 million in compensation to impacted workers.  

Starting in 2016 when the TWU filed a lawsuit against Qantas for terminating employees to reduce expenses, the airline’s long-running unfair dismissal case has ultimately resulted in a guilty charge. Qantas attempted to appeal this decision in 2023 but will now be ordered to compensate all affected staff. 

Standing on hope: Australian scientists on the verge of curing paralysis 

A world-first human trial aiming to restore movement in quadriplegics will begin in Australia next year. Led by researchers from Griffith University, the trial will see about 20 patients receive treatment that could restore use of the spinal cord. 

By transplanting cells from the noses of patients into the site of injury, scientists believe that regeneration and repair of damaged spine tissue may be possible. Olfactory ensheathing cells from the nose regenerate on a daily basis and have an important peripheral nervous system function.  

There are currently 20,800 Australians with spinal cord injuries and 400 new traumatic injuries every year. Even small improvements for these patients would have life-changing potential.