AU Edition - Today's top story: Five years into AUKUS, what do we have to show for it? We've measured progress on three key metrics September 15, 2026 AU Edition   Five years ago today, the AUKUS deal was announced between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, with the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia as its centrepiece. Since then, AUKUS has generated an extraordinary level of debate. Given the scale of the program, questions have swirled about the progress made, and where the money is going. With no central database for AUKUS spending, researchers Thomas Corben and Esther Soulard at the University of Sydney’s US Studies Centre set out to build one. They combed through public announcements, portfolio budget statements, annual reports and strategy documents, and attempted to trace everything that’s been spent, announced, promised or projected. Measuring progress is difficult, but they’ve reached a conclusion about whether our investments to date are worth it.   Justin Bergman International Affairs Editor   Today's newsletter supported by Black Inc Books   Five years into AUKUS, what do we have to show for it? We’ve measured progress on three key metrics Thomas Corben, University of Sydney; Esther Soulard, University of Sydney Though reliably measuring progress is difficult, it would be disingenuous to say Australia has nothing to show for its investments to date. Trailblazing lawyer Mary Gaudron, a woman of many firsts, leaves a huge and lasting legacy Kcasey McLoughlin, University of Newcastle The first woman judge on the High Court shaped Australian legal history and was an inspiration to many. Big AI wants to slow down AI research. Is it a safety pause or a strategic retreat? Andrew Cullen, The University of Melbourne AI companies are calling for a coordinated pause to progress – but making it work, and keeping AI safe, won’t be easy. Why big tech will hate the Australian tax office’s latest ruling Kerrie Sadiq, Queensland University of Technology Australia’s laws don’t deal with all the ways local profits are shifted offshore. The ATO aims to close that gap. Unsustainable – or manageable? We don’t yet know how data centres will impact Australia’s environment Michael Vardon, Australian National University The data centre boom will mean more energy and water use. The real question is how the energy is produced – and where the water comes from. Australia’s digital duty of care bill needs these three changes to tackle online child sexual exploitation Joel Scanlan, University of Tasmania Tech platforms need to be responsible for reporting online child sexual exploitation rather than relying on victims to do so. Make ‘em laugh: how One Nation uses comedy to normalise harmful ideas Kurt Sengul, Macquarie University; Jordan McSwiney, University of Canberra The party’s Please Explain cartoon series has ignited a political firestorm, but behind the punchlines and backlash is an insidious way to spread propaganda. Australia’s female economists have been making history for nearly 150 years. It’s time we knew their stories Duygu Yengin, Adelaide University In a stubbornly male dominated field, how brilliant did a woman have to be to succeed? It’s been one year since Australia assessed its national climate risk. But have we listened? Andrew B. Watkins, Monash University Over the past 12 months, the federal government has approved multiple fossil fuel projects and cut climate science funding. 1 in 3 uni students experience serious financial hardship. Could concession cards for all help? Lucas Walsh, Monash University The peak body for Australian universities says the measure would ease cost-of-living pressures for students. Politics + Society View from The Hill: One Nation would have more people leaving than entering Australia over three years Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra One Nation has released a radical policy that would see Australia reduce its temporary migrant population by 750,000. All-round condemnation for Pauline Hanson over Indigenous slur Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Pauline Hanson’s derogatory remarks about Indigenous people on a podcast last year have been slammed by members of the government, the Liberals and the Nationals. Democrats’ chances of gaining control of Congress at US midterms depend on Iran war Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne Recent polling shows if the disruption caused by the Trump administration’s war with Iran continues, Democrats will likely gain control of Congress. Why strengthening ties with the Global South was a top priority for Putin’s recent diplomacy blitz Alexey D Muraviev, Edith Cowan University The Ukraine war certainly featured in conversations. Tellingly, however, Putin steered many talks with leaders towards fuel, trade and transit. Health + Medicine Skipping showers is the latest trend. But is there any science to ‘pheromone’ maxxing? Samuel Cornell, The University of Queensland; Rob Brooks, UNSW Animals use pheromones as chemical messengers to attract a mate or mark territory. But human sweat is very different. Business + Economy ‘Buy now, pay later’ doesn’t feel like debt. For young people, that can be a big problem Aaron Gilbert, Auckland University of Technology; Ayesha Scott, Griffith University; Qian Wang, Auckland University of Technology; Sommer Kapitan, Auckland University of Technology A survey of young New Zealanders finds four in ten didn’t view buy now, pay later as debt. That perception can influence how they use it. Environment + Energy Imported phosphate for fertiliser is expensive – could this homegrown alternative be a solution? Leo M Condron, Lincoln University, New Zealand Research shows a phosphorus-rich compound found in wastewater raises uptake by plants and reduces discharge to waterways. Science + Technology Data from more than 600 people shows resting heart rates have their own secret rhythm Philippa Karoly, The University of Melbourne The rhythms aren’t necessarily tied to hormones, nor any other single cause. Arts + Culture Rinse: Amrita Hepi’s show about beginnings is a mid-career masterpiece Caroline Wake, UNSW The internationally acclaimed fusion of choreography and monologue, co-created by Hepi with Mish Grigor, is a witty exploration of beginnings. Books + Ideas Poetry is popular with young Australians, from pop-up readings to poetry slams Ann Vickery, Deakin University Young poets are performing at poetry slams, pop-up events and salons around Australia – and publishing, too. Who are they – and why is poetry so popular? Shocks, alchemy and John Howard’s ‘long shadow’ have shaped 21st century Australian politics John Hawkins, University of Canberra For much of this century, while Australia changed, federal parliament was stuck in a ‘white-bloke past’. Your Say Thank you for publishing this critical article for today’s world titled ‘Data centres in Australia: your questions answered’. I ask how the growth of data centres in Australia is impacting the challenges we are facing with the changing climate. Water definitely needs more focus here in Australia as is also the question of recycling the many technical components that depreciate with wear and tear in data centres. Every resource has a use by date; that simply can’t be the signal to dump it somewhere until further notice! — Otto Lechner Read the article I read with interest 'Decorating the heavens’: a new Leonard French window sheds light on his masterpiece’. My interest is that I have some pieces of the glass used in that ceiling work. The background is that Les Hawkins was given the job of assembling all the glass panels for that ceiling. Les was, I believe, an employee of NGV. He hired an old mill and spent something like a year doing all the assembly work, including chipping the glass to fit them all together. His whole family helped. The glass was very hard, and each panel was very heavy. Other members of my family have better memories than me of some of the details. Les had four children and they may still be alive. The eldest two are, I think, Martin and Irene. My grandmother (nee Nance Watt) was Les' mother's sister (nee Irene Watt), and I got given the pieces by my mother. The family was fairly close-knit. Thank you for a nice reminder of some family history. — Matt Wilson Read the article   We'd love to hear from you. Each day we publish an edited selection of your views on our stories. 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