WHO IS HARRY P RUSSELL?
This craftsman is the real deal – an intelligence insider with 30 years working at the cutting edge of counter-intelligence in Australia and abroad then a further six years working in national law enforcement in Sydney. Harry uses his works of fiction to expose and reveal people and events who cannot be identified for legal reasons. The subtext to all of his novels is ‘What if?’
What if former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt never really drowned? What if the brilliant CSIRO scientist Gilbert Bogle was poisoned in Sydney by a Chinese death squad in 1962? What if U.S. President John F Kennedy was the victim of a KGB assassination squad in 1963? What if the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing could have been avoided?

Harry P Russell is a writer in the mould of John Le Carre who understands how the world of espionage and counter-intelligence works. He began his working life as a journalist with a literature degree and a deep interest in history. In the early 1970s, Australia’s internal security agency, ASIO, rang him with a job offer. The preface to his fifth novel (‘Daedalian Down Under’) describes what happened next:
‘I spent the (next thirty) years of my working life serving my Country without realising I was actually working against it? The impact of this on me was initially confronting, then eventually transforming.
I knew at the time something was wrong, very wrong. I kept telling myself: ‘Surely not here. Surely not in our little backwater of Australia. Why would those ‘Big Players’ even bother?’
But they did. I was working with, indeed alongside traitors to my Country who I always suspected existed but could never prove it. Subsequent revelations have confirmed my suspicions. It was no coincidence that all of ASIO’s operations were bouncing off brick walls for all those years. I kept asking myself: ‘Are we really that bad? That unsophisticated? That naïve? I thought not. And, sadly, I was right.
My Quintessential Series of fictional novels on Foreign Interference in Australia is all I now have at my disposal to dramatize this sad ‘in camera’ chapter of Australian history. In its wake, I retain some hope that someone, somewhere, might learn from it. ‘
Harry’s works of espionage fiction include a five book ‘Quintessential’ series on foreign Interference in the second half of 20th Century Australia, as follows:

You can find and read Harry’s novels by accessing the following link: Harry P Russell

We are pleased to announce that the new Hold The News is now a a weekly publication which means more time for your articles to be seen and read. This latest move will make each publication more interesting and no doubt increase reader engagement.

We encourage all existing and would be writers to use this free platform to express your ideas and opinions.

Our readers are looking for Australian content, so feel free to write about issues that you feel strongly about.

Looking forward to see how this new weekly edition takes off.

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In recent years, businesses have increasingly shifted the traditional role of customer service onto the customer. This is usually done through automation, and while automation can sometimes improve the customer experience when it works properly, more often than not, it doesn’t.

Most people looking for specific information already go straight to a website. It is only when the information can’t be found that they pick up the phone — only to hear an automated message telling them to go back to the website and find it themselves.

Telephone auto-attendants in general send a clear message to the customer: your time is worth less than that of a receptionist.

Navigating automated menus is often a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Where a receptionist could redirect you in seconds — or simply tell you with a smile that the person is on leave — the auto-attendant can waste precious time sending you around in endless loops.

People are social animals
A little conversation with a real person can sometimes make someone’s day. What value do you place on a brief chat about the weather, a well-intended joke, or a shared gripe? These small moments can brighten an otherwise uneventful day.

Real people learn from experience
A good customer service person quickly recognises a common issue and works out how to deal with it. A computer program, on the other hand, will generally repeat the same useless solution all day long. Recent advances in AI may eventually produce auto-attendants that can learn, imitate human conversation, chat about the weather, crack a joke, and remember every customer by first name — but what will humans do?

Will we eventually see a situation where my AI agent is having a conversation with your AI agent, both wasting tokens while pretending to care? The boss will soon instruct them to cut the small talk and get on with business in order to save money.


Face-to-face customer service
It is already well proven that people are prepared to pay $5.00 for a cup of coffee because it is made by a real barista. No doubt Breville or any of the appliance makers could design a machine capable of making the perfect coffee, but the barista serves a completely different purpose.

A good barista remembers your name, remembers how you like your coffee, and hands it to you with a smile.

That’s worth $5.00.

The ultimate challenge is to deploy technology in ways that remove the drudgery of life while still allowing human interaction to flourish during work and leisure.

Australian scientists are vaccinating tadpoles
Australian researchers are trialling a radical new strategy to save our native frog species from a devastating wildlife pandemic. They’re vaccinating tadpoles.

The skin-eating pandemic
For decades, the amphibian world has been quietly ravaged by chytrid fungus, a brutal waterborne pathogen. To give you an idea of the scale, this single fungus has caused the decline of over 500 amphibian species globally, and pushed dozens straight into extinction.
In Australia, the impact has been nothing short of catastrophic. Unique local treasures like the southern corroboree frog, the northern corroboree frog, and the Baw Baw frog have been virtually wiped out in the wild.

The way the fungus operates is particularly cruel because it attacks a frog’s skin. For an animal that literally relies on its skin to breathe and stay hydrated, this is a death sentence. As the infection takes hold, it blocks the frog's ability to absorb vital electrolytes like sodium and potassium, with the tragic end result being cardiac arrest.

The problem with captive breeding
Right now, some of these species only exist at all because of intensive, incredibly costly captive-breeding programs run by zoos and universities. But we've been stuck in a difficult loop. Releasing these captive-bred frogs back into the wild usually fails because the fungus is waiting for them in the mud and water.

To break this cycle, biologists are completely shifting their strategy. They’re moving the spotlight away from adult frogs, and focusing on building immunity in tadpoles.

Of course, the logistics of vaccinating a creature smaller than your thumb nail brings up an obvious image. You can’t exactly line up thousands of fragile tadpoles for individual syringe injections.

So, scientists found a clever workaround.

Vaccine delivery without needles
Because tadpoles have highly permeable skin, researchers at Macquarie University and the University of Canberra are introducing weakened, heat-killed strains of the fungus directly into the water of their laboratory tanks. As the tadpoles swim, they naturally absorb the antigen through their skin.

Think of it as immersion therapy for the immune system.

By exposing them to a non-lethal version of the threat early on, their bodies learn how to recognise and fight the danger. The hope is that when these tadpoles finally grow legs, undergo metamorphosis, and hop onto land as adult frogs, that immune memory goes with them.
It’s a massive shift in how we look at conservation. In the past, saving an endangered species meant managing its habitat or fencing off predators, but when you’re fighting an aggressive, invisible disease; those old methods aren't enough.

It’s a meticulous, high-stakes gamble with absolutely no guarantees, especially as habitat loss and climate change continue to pile on the pressure. But for Australia’s most endangered amphibians, these tiny aquatic inoculations might be the only real shot they have left.

References

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2024) A leap for conservation: breakthrough inoculation trial gives green and golden bell frog a fighting chance, DCCEEW, NSW Government, accessed 17 May 2026.

Waddle AW, Shine R and Vogt S (2023) Advances in Managing Chytridiomycosis for Australian Frogs, Annual Reviews.

Federal Parliament sitting week: Tuesday 12 May, Wednesday 13 May, Thursday 14 May

Bills Introduced
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026
This bill aims to crack down on misleading or deceptive conduct by businesses in the marketplace. It creates new penalties and enforcement powers for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to pursue unfair trading practices. The changes will affect retailers, online sellers, and service providers across Australia.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
The bill seeks to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It introduces changes to how the scheme operates and is funded to balance support for participants with fiscal responsibility. This affects around 500,000 NDIS participants and their families.

Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026
This bill modernises Australia's business registration systems and related administrative processes. It updates legislation governing how businesses register and report to government bodies. All Australian businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, will be affected.

Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025
The bill strengthens protections for phone and internet customers against disconnection and billing disputes. It introduces new requirements for telecommunications companies to notify consumers and follow dispute resolution processes. Every Australian using mobile or broadband services is affected.

Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026
This bill creates new tools to detect and prosecute illegal tobacco trade. It introduces new powers for enforcement agencies and penalties for smuggling and selling counterfeit tobacco products. The measure targets criminal networks and protects legitimate tobacco retailers.

Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026
The bill removes or updates outdated government regulations across multiple areas. It streamlines compliance requirements for businesses and individuals. Small businesses and regulatory bodies will see the most direct impact.

Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026
The bill provides tax concessions and financial support for survivors of institutional abuse. It creates new tax breaks and assistance pathways for eligible survivors. Thousands of Australians who experienced abuse in institutions will potentially benefit.

Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Banning Dirty Donations) Bill 2026
This bill tightens rules around political donations by foreign entities and others ineligible to participate in Australian democracy. It introduces new disclosure requirements and penalties for breaching donation laws. The changes affect political parties, donors, and election integrity.

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026
The bill gives the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission temporary powers to respond quickly to market emergencies or crises affecting consumers. It creates streamlined processes for urgent consumer protection interventions. Consumers and businesses in essential services sectors are most directly affected.

Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026
The bill clarifies rules for Australian businesses involved in exporting controlled goods and materials. It updates obligations for facilities registered under export control schemes. Exporters in agriculture, defence, and sensitive goods industries will be affected.

Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026
The bill allows customs officers to issue infringement notices for importing counterfeit goods without requiring court involvement in every case. It speeds up penalties for trademark violations at the border. Importers and trademark holders are primarily affected.

Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 and Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026
These bills increase payments to Australian authors and illustrators when their books are borrowed from libraries. They boost the lending right payment rate and expand which publications qualify. Authors, illustrators, and the publishing industry will benefit.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025
The bill updates ASIO's powers and oversight arrangements for national security investigations. It introduces new procedures and limitations on surveillance activities. All Australians are affected by ASIO's operational framework, particularly those under investigation.

Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025
The bill aims to reduce the retirement savings gap between men and women by amending superannuation laws. It introduces measures to improve superannuation outcomes for lower-income earners and carers. Women and part-time workers, who are disproportionately affected by the gender super gap, are the primary beneficiaries.

Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026
The bill implements changes to military discipline and conduct procedures following a review of defence force justice systems. It introduces new rules and processes for handling misconduct allegations in the armed forces. Australian Defence Force members and those alleging misconduct are most directly affected.

Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026 and Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026
These bills remove or update outdated secrecy laws that restrict disclosure of government information. They reduce unnecessary restrictions on what can be publicly discussed about government operations. Journalists, researchers, and the general public benefit from greater transparency.

Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time