Melissa Sweet

@melissasweetdr.bsky.social

5.1K followers 1.7K following 4.1K posts

Journalist sharing news on health in all policies, First Nations health, health equity, social determinants of health and climate justice. Based in Australia, and providing local, national and global coverage. Editor in Chief, Croakey Health Media (NFP) .. more

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Melissa Sweet is an Australian journalist and nonfiction writer. Formerly employed by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Bulletin magazine, and Australian Associated Press, she specialises in writing about human health and medicine. .. more

Public Health 31%

Medicine 20%

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Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 10d

And that's a wrap on this week's @croakeynews.bsky.social bulletin.

The theme is: "Fighting for health"

Subscriptions are available here:
www.croakey.org/subscribe-to...

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 6h

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Kunanyi/Mount Wellington cable car included in draft recommendations

The Tasmanian government has made a draft recommendation for a cable car on Hobart's Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, documents released under Right to Information laws show.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 6h

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Five charts show what's changed since the world agreed to fight climate change

It was a moment of euphoria when the world came together to sign a pact on climate action. Ten years on from the 2015 Paris Agreement, we managed to shift the needle. But the problem is, it is just no...

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 6h

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Heart surgery patients warn delays at public hospitals could cost lives

Ian Parker waited more than three months for urgent heart surgery that should have been done within 30 days. He was inspired to share his story after an ABC investigation.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 6h

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Why the BBC's issues go deeper than its 'doctoring' of Trump video

It is not US President Donald Trump who represents the biggest political threat to the BBC, but a leaked 8,000-word letter of complaint to the broadcaster's board motivated by "despair at inaction".

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 6h

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Professors urge governments to overhaul 'broken' childcare system

Some of Australia's leading early childhood education professors join forces to release a six-point action plan to help fix the country's "broken" childcare system.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia’s poker machine story started 70 years ago. We were warned of harms from the beginning

Australia is the poker machine capital of the world. But from nearly as soon as they were installed, people voiced their opposition to the pokies

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

Unrwa has the capacity and expertise to support a postwar Gaza. We want to help make this peace work

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Unrwa has the capacity and expertise to support a postwar Gaza. We want to help make this peace work | Philippe Lazzarini

With a ceasefire in place, rebuilding must begin, justice be delivered and healing seriously addressed by Palestinian and Israeli societies, says the commissioner-general of Unrwa Philippe Lazzarini

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

If you care about the BBC, stand up and defend it: this could be the beginning of the end

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

If you care about the BBC, stand up and defend it: this could be the beginning of the end | Polly Toynbee

Replacing the TV licence with a means-tested alternative may help disarm the right of one of its most effective weapons, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

Victoria urged to ramp up train, tram and bus services – and make off-peak transport cheaper

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Victoria urged to ramp up train, tram and bus services – and make off-peak transport cheaper

Infrastructure Victoria urges Labor to boost public transport in key Melbourne suburbs

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster

Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses

www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...

‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses

The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 19h

www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au/council-push...

Council pushes for transparency on antibiotic use in waterways - Huon Valley Council

Huon Valley Council shares the community’s concern about the potential impacts of florfenicol antibiotics for commercial salmon farming in our waterways. While Council has no jurisdiction over the de...

www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 20h

The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson

The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 20h

Young people are increasingly being killed or injured on e-bikes. It’s time for governments to act johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...

Young people are increasingly being killed or injured on e-bikes. It’s time for governments to act

In the span of just a few days, two children were killed in separate e-bike crashes in Queensland – one on the Sunshine Coast and another on the Gold Coast.

johnmenadue.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 20h

A new generation of journalists emerges from the Amazon, just in time for COP30. www.cjr.org/feature/repo... via @cjr

A new generation of journalists emerges from the Amazon, just in time for COP30.

A new generation of journalists emerges from the rainforest, just in time for COP30.

www.cjr.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

BBC director general and News CEO resign over Trump documentary edit
bbc.com/news/article...

BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit

Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resign after criticism Panorama misled viewers with an edit of a speech by Donald Trump.

bbc.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

BBC bosses treating 'systemic bias' allegations seriously, Nandy says
bbc.com/news/article...

BBC bosses treating 'systemic bias' allegations seriously, Nandy says

The broadcaster's chair is set to issue a response to a parliamentary committee over claims a Panorama documentary misled viewers.

bbc.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Why is the BBC expected to apologise over a Donald Trump speech edit?

Boris Johnson and White House criticise the corporation, but some journalists say criticism is part of campaign to destroy the BBC
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...

Why is the BBC expected to apologise over a Donald Trump speech edit?

Boris Johnson and White House criticise the corporation, but some journalists say criticism is part of campaign to destroy the BBC

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Climate and Health Alliance @climate-health.bsky.social · 1d

We’re still energised after The Climate + Health Summit! 💚 Grateful to the inspiring health leaders, experts & innovators working toward resilient, sustainable communities. Thanks to all who joined and to Jamie Lake @ Manta Ray Media for capturing the spirit so perfectly 👇
youtu.be/drUN0OSyzU8

The Climate + Health Summit 2025

YouTube video by Climate and Health Alliance

youtu.be

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Who owns the future?
Lots here to interest those with a concern for public health, AI, commercial determinants of health, digital platforms etc:
preview.mailerlite.com/c3e3j0d9l7/2...

Who owns the future?

preview.mailerlite.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Arms industry infiltrates National Press Club johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...

Arms industry infiltrates National Press Club

More than a quarter of the National Press Club’s sponsors are part of the global arms industry or working on its behalf.

johnmenadue.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d

My thoughts exactly!

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d

“Tasmania’s director of public health, Mark Veitch, issued a statement on Friday afternoon recommending people consider not consuming fish caught within three kilometres of a salmon pen being treated with florfenicol, if they wanted to avoid exposure to antibiotic residue.”

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d

Keen to hear from #publichealth and AMR experts on this

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...