Written by Sofia Pizzinato

Election watch 2025: Labor’s supermarket pricing plan 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has positioned Australia’s 3 May Federal Election as a choice between Labor’s ‘Keep Building’ approach. 

If re-elected, Labor has promised to take aim at rising grocery prices by banning supermarket price gouging. Albanese revealed plans to set up a taskforce that will investigate how other countries deal with pricing and report back within six months.  

Labor has also backed recommendations from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on supermarkets. While the ACCC didn’t directly accuse Coles and Woolworths of gouging prices, it did highlight issues like ‘shrinkflation’, confusing promotions, and lack of pricing transparency. The Albanese government plans to push for clearer pricing and set up an additional taskforce to consider an ‘excessive pricing scheme’ with oversight by the consumer watchdog. 

Australian Government mandatory cigarette health warnings 

From 1 April, smokers will see health warnings printed directly onto cigarette filters in an effort to wipe out smoking in Australia. The changes are part of Australian Government plan to cut down smoking rates and raise awareness about the serious health risks.  

Warnings will include phrases like ‘causes 16 cancers’ and ‘damages your lungs’ to really drive home the dangers of smoking. Australia is now in the same league as Canada, as the only other country to do this.  

New graphics and health inserts offering quitting tips and contact info for support services, such as Quitline, will also feature on cigarette packs making it harder to ignore the harmful effects of smoking. At the same time, menthol cigarettes will be phased, following a year-long period for the tobacco industry to prepare for the new rules.  

23rd annual Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards 

Shining a spotlight on the stars of tech journalism, the 23rd annual Lizzies celebrated the best and brightest in Australian IT reporting. The awards took place on March 28 to recognise excellence in tech, comms, and science reporting.  

Julian Fell from ABC was the standout winner, taking home three awards, including Best Journalist and Best Security Journalist. Tim Biggs and David Swan from Fairfax received the award for Best Consumer Technology Coverage, while Kate McClymont, Nick Mckenzie, Max Mason, and Tess Bennett won Best News Coverage.  

The many outstanding achievements acknowledged at the event was a testament to the growing talent and innovation in Australia’s journalism industry, honouring those making an impact in the field. 

Reddit Expands Conversation Ads  

In social news, Reddit is expanding its Conversational Ads offering, allowing advertisers to place promotions deeper within the chat section. This will give brands the opportunity to connect with users in a high-intent mindset, helping to increase campaign reach and engagement.  

With more than 100 million daily users, Reddit is emerging as a key platform for product discovery, making conversation ads more valuable for marketers. 

Last year, Reddit introduced several updates to Conversation Ads, including a refreshed design, enhanced brand safety features, and additional inventory within conversation pages. Now, all advertisers can serve ads between comments, which can be measured with both DoubleVerify and Integral science brand safety reporting. 

Lush takes a stand for DEI with bold rebrand move 

Everyone’s favourite body care company, Lush, famous for their iconic bath bombs and ethical approach to beauty, has made a powerful statement in support of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

In response to the erosion of human rights in the United States, Lush renamed its beloved bath bombs – Thermal waves, Sakura, and American Cream – to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in January this year. This change was rolled out globally this March. As a brand with over 50 locations worldwide, lush’s move reaffirms its unwavering commitment to DEI, as laid out in its Lush Ethos and Ethical Charter.  

Lush Co-Founder and CEO, Mark Constantine, said “We stand in solidarity with all those people who have worked so hard to create these rights. With this clear and simple action, Lush is sending a global message that diversity, equity, and inclusion matter, no matter where they are.”