David Sparkes
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Articles by David Sparkes
Program: The fallout after data centre company Firmus axes its planned ASX float
Firmus is a data centre operator backed by chip-making giant Nvidia and it has axed its plan to list on the Australian share market. The float had been billed as one of the biggest debuts in the history of the market, and it was a $44 billion float. So what went wrong?
Program: Firmus cancels planned ASX launch
It was meant to be one of the biggest debuts the history of the Australian share market, but now it's over before it even started. Data centre operator Firmus has confirmed it's axing plans for an initial public offering on the ASX. The hype around the planned move was enormous, with the company aiming to raise $44 billion dollars.
Program: Germany announces new Ukraine aid package
Germany is ramping up its support for Ukraine as it tries to defend itself from a surge of Russian air attacks. Moscow has been hitting cities across Ukraine with ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, while Ukraine has been using drones to strike Russia’s oil industry.
Program: Roosters win NRL grand finals
The Sydney Roosters are on top of the world this morning after both their men's and women's teams won their NRL grand finals yesterday.
Program: How Manchester City was found guilty of football's 'biggest scandal'
Manchester City has been found guilty of arranging 'sham' sponsorship contracts as part of financial breaches worth about $1.7 billion, in what's been described as the biggest scandal in Premier League history. An independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of the league's financial rules, spanning a nine-year period from 2009. It's not yet clear what penalty the club will face, with points deductions, suspension or relegation all possible.
Program: Man City found guilty of financial breaches
It's being described as "the biggest scandal" in the history of the English Premier League. One of the world's biggest football clubs, Manchester City, has been found guilty of cheating, to the tune of $1.7 billion. The club has had a meteoric rise since 2008 but the revelations blow a hole in the legitimacy of everything it's achieved.
Program: AI hacks: calls for tougher notification rules
As concerns about AI hacks grow, the Federal Government is considering rules to force AI companies to notify authorities about breaches as soon as they happen. The Medicare database hack by an OpenAI agent, is the latest in a string of security breaches globally, but it took months for the company to notify Australian authorities.
Program: Should OpenAI have to report an AI hack the moment it happens?
The federal government is exploring whether to force tech companies to immediately report it when an artificial intelligence agent breaches a website, after OpenAI took months to reveal one of its agents had accessed a Medicare data portal. An OpenAI agent got into public and private files containing information about government health programs in June, but the company didn't tell Services Australia until September.
Program: Why the RBA is expected to raise interest rates to a 15-year high
The Reserve Bank's board is expected to raise the cash rate to 4.6 per cent on Tuesday, which would be its highest level in nearly 15 years. It follows Monday's revelation from the Federal government that the budget came in $6 billion better than expected, thanks largely to higher than expected tax revenue from superannuation and investment returns.
Program: AI helps drive looming interest rate rise
The Treasurer Jim Chalmers is spruiking new data, which shows the latest federal budget came in $6 billion dollars better than expected. That good news comes as households brace for bad news tomorrow, when the Reserve Bank is expected to hike up interest rates. One economist says those two stories have one thing in common - they're both driven in part by the booming artificial intelligence sector.
Program: Households brace for interest rate rise
Australians are bracing for what economists predict will be another rise to interest rates this week. There is some good news today. This year's Federal Budget is in better shape than originally forecast, with $6 billion dollars slashed from the deficit. But the Reserve Bank has made it clear, it's still worried about stubbornly high inflation.
Program: What Albanese and Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly
Australia wants a say on the biggest issues in the world as it pitches for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. In a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the world must unite to tackle climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence and the breakdown of international rules.
Program: Albanese calls for unity in UN speech
China and the US over AI, Israel's dismissal of claims of genocide in Palestine, and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, these are the kind of titanic struggles Australia wants a say on, as it pitches for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council.
Program: Angry Anderson dies, aged 79
Program: Angry Anderson dies, aged 79 Thu 24 Sep 2026 at 7:10amThu 24 Sep 2026 at 7:10amThu 24 Sep 2026 at 7:10am Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Program: Children's illustrator Terry Denton dies, 76
One of Australia's most popular children's book illustrators and authors, Terry Denton, is being remembered for his incredible career, after he died aged 76. He was particularly famous for his partnership with writer Andy Griffiths over three decades, in which he illustrated the wildly successful Treehouse books, which sold more than 10 million copies.
Program: Children's illustrator Trent Denton dies, 76
One of Australia's most popular children's book illustrators and authors, Terry Denton, is being remembered for his incredible career, after he died aged 76. He was particularly famous for his partnership with writer Andy Griffiths over three decades, in which he illustrated the wildly successful Treehouse books, which sold more than 10 million copies.
Program: How Victoria will manage its data centre rollout
Victoria has become the latest state to nail its colours to the mast with a set of restrictions controlling the rollout of new data centres. With conditions around renewable energy use and water, the rules contrast starkly with the approach of Queensland and the Northern Territory. It means the goal of having nationally consistent set of rules is a long way off.
Program: Vic sets new rules for data centres
The Victorian Government has announced new rules that will require data centres to get all of their energy from renewables, and keep a buffer of at least 150 metres from homes. It's in contrast to Queensland and the Northern Territory, which have decided to allow the data centres to be powered by fossil fuels. It means the goal of having nationally consistent rules is a long way off.
Program: Domestic violence deaths shock NSW
Four horrific deaths in separate incidents over the weekend in New South Wales have brought the country's domestic violence crisis into sharp focus. The alleged killings happened across the state in the space of 48 hours. In three of those cases, men known to the female victims have been charged with murder.
Program: Four domestic violence deaths shock NSW
Program: Four domestic violence deaths shock NSW Mon 21 Sep 2026 at 8:00amMon 21 Sep 2026 at 8:00amMon 21 Sep 2026 at 8:00am Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Program: How China could hack our power and telco networks 'today'
The nation's spy boss has warned China is actively preparing to switch off power and telecommunications networks in Australia, if a conflict breaks out. The director general of ASIO, Mike Burgess, says Beijing is working to understand how those systems operate and it would probably target specific areas, like defence communications. Cyber security experts say he's right and Australia needs to make sure it's ready for the possibility of hackers trying to shut down our networks.
Program: ASIO warns telcos and electricity under threat
The nation's spy boss has warned China is actively preparing to switch off power and telecommunications networks in Australia, if a conflict breaks out. The director general of ASIO, Mike Burgess, says Beijing is working to understand how those systems operate and it would probably target specific areas, like defence communications. Cyber security experts say he's right and Australia needs to make sure it's ready for the possibility of hackers trying to shut down our networks.
Program: Live music: frantic tour breaks record
Sydney-based band Fathom has broken a world record, by performing nine gigs in 12 hours. The duo only just made it, finishing with seconds to spare in Canberra. They say they were fundraising for Beyond Blue, and trying to support other bands trying to make a living in the live music scene.
Program: Pot holes: motorcyclist's death angers Victorians
The Victorian Government is facing a backlash after the death of a motorcyclist, who crashed after hitting a pot hole on a rural highway. Just last week, the state's Auditor General published a scathing report, finding that almost half of the road network was in poor condition. It's put pressure on the new Premier Ben Carroll, as support for One Nation surges ahead of a state election in November.
Program: One Nation big cuts to migration
One Nation has unveiled a plan for big cuts to Australia's migration intake, promising to slash the number of temporary migrants and unlawful non-citizens in the country by three quarters of a million over three years if it wins the next election. A range of industry groups have criticised the plan, saying it threatens to shrink their workforces at a time when they're already facing shortages.
Program: Serbs celebrate notorious war criminal
Thousands of Serbs have turned out in Belgrade for the funeral of one of Europe's most notorious war criminals, Ratko Mladić. The Bosnian Serb commander orchestrated the massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in 1995. Despite his crimes, many in Serbia still believe he is a national hero, a view that is straining the country's relationship with the European Union.
Program: Hospitals hit by aged care crisis
State and Territory health ministers are warning the federal government that pressure on the nation's hospitals is worsening, because thousands of beds are being taken up by patients waiting to get into aged care. Their concerns are not new, but come as the federal government struggles to win support for its plan to axe the health insurance rebate for people over 65. It wants to invest those savings in the aged care system.
Program: How NASA's new telescope will explore the hidden universe
A new NASA telescope that could change the way we view the universe has been successfully launched into space. The Nancy Grace Roman telescope will eventually take up position about a million miles from earth and has the ability to explore black holes, dark energy, dark matter and discover new planets. This content was transcribed automatically and may contain errors. Read more on how the ABC is automatically creating audio transcripts .
Program: NASA's new telescope launches into space
A new NASA telescope that could change the way we view the universe has been successfully launched into space. The Nancy Grace Roman telescope will eventually take up position about a million miles from earth and has the ability to explore black holes and discover new planets.
Program: Australians feared dead in Nepal-Tibet floods
Hundreds are confirmed dead, and more than 1,400 people are still missing in the flood catastrophe in Nepal and Tibet. Among the missing are at least 39 Australians, and their families are desperately trying to make contact with them. Some of them have already left Australia, flying to Nepal to search for their loved ones.
Program: The 'costly' WA GST deal Albanese just vowed to keep
David Sparkes: Independent economists, most of the states and territories and the Productivity Commission all say Western Australia is getting too much money out of the GST. But the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is adamant there'll be no change. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister: WA is a driver of our national economy and a great strength and we want to support WA. It's reasonable that WA get its fair share.
Program: Government criticises Productivity Commission's report
The Federal Government is openly criticising the work of the Productivity Commission today, as debate continues over how revenue from the Goods and Services Tax is shared. In it's interim report, the independent commission says the current deal, struck in 2018, gives Western Australia too much of the money generated by the GST and it should be rewritten.
Program: Rental prices still rising
New figures out today show the cost of renting a unit is still rising faster than Australians' incomes. The new report by the housing advocacy group, Everybody's Home, finds that Sydney is still the most expensive capital city for renters. Two regional centres have even pricier rental properties.
Program: Canada and US in escalating trade 'war'
A war of words and tariffs has broken out in North America, after the collapse of trade talks between United States and Canada. US President Donald Trump reacted by hitting a range of Canadian goods with 50 per cent tariffs. The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's going to match those tariffs. Featured: Sean Duffy, US Secretary of Transportation Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister Professor Robert Brooks, Monash University Last-ditch negotiations between the two countries collapsed.
Program: Israel plans major West Bank settlement
Israeli plans for a major new settlement in the West Bank are drawing international condemnation. The UK, France, Germany and Italy have issued a joint statement, slamming Israel's project to drive out Palestinian residents and construct more than a thousand new homes for its settlers.
Program: KPMG under pressure at inquiry
The auditing and consultancy firm KPMG has faced more tough questioning about its mishandling of confidential client information at a parliamentary hearing today. MPs rejected claims by current and former executives that they did not know just how bad the problem was.
Program: NACC asked to probe govt gambling reforms
The independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie has asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate whether any Government MPs have been "improperly influenced" by the gambling industry. Mr Wilkie is concerned that personal relationships, gifts and hospitality may have have compromised the MPs' ability to form policies on the matter. The Albanese government is pushing to get its proposed laws on gambling ads and online gambling through parliament in this sitting fortnight.
Program: Suppression order reform in Vic
The Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced plans to abolish suppression orders protecting the identities of convicted rapists and make coercive control a standalone criminal offence. The moves come two weeks after he took over as leader and as his Labor Government struggles in the polls ahead of the November state election.
Program: Why rapists' names have been kept secret
The Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced plans to abolish suppression orders protecting the identities of convicted rapists. The moves come two weeks after he took over as leader and as his Labor government struggles in the polls ahead of the November state election. Legal experts say it's a good start, but doing away with suppression orders during trials is needed for better courtroom transparency.
Program: NSW targets AI cheating in schools
In NSW, there has been a mixed reaction to a government push to abolish take-home assignments for year 11 and 12 students, to prevent them using AI to cheat. Education experts say authorities face a difficult balancing act, between stopping students from cheating with AI, and preparing them to use the technology when they are in the workforce.
Program: Israel rejects Gaza peace plan
A peace deal to end the war in Gaza now appears to be in tatters, after Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu rejected it. US President Donald Trump announced the 15-point plan last month, saying Hamas and Israel had both agreed to it.
Program: Indigenous journalists address racism inquiry
Indigenous Australian journalists are warning that racism is on the rise in some parts of the media. They were giving evidence at the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Today's hearing was in Melbourne.
Program: Armed drone discovered at German airport
A drone armed with explosives has been found at a German airport, one of Europe's largest cargo hubs, while a DHL cargo plane also hit an unidentified object near the same location. Germany has launched a counterterrorism investigation after the incident at Leipzig/Halle airport, which is a major hub for a Ukrainian airline, amid concerns it marks an escalation in drone warfare in Europe.
Program: Trump insists Irans talks are happening
There's a state of confusion today about whether peace negotiations are underway between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump insists new talks to end the conflict have begun and are ongoing, but the regime in Tehran claims there are no such talks. The oil shortage stemming from Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz is putting immense pressure on President Trump in his own country.
Program: Trump backs down on threat to Iran
US President Donald Trump says talks with Iran will take place today, in a bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Not for the first time, the President had threatened major strikes against Iran, but called off the imminent attack, claiming a deal to end the fighting is within reach.
Program: Geoffrey Watson SC questioned over Gatto findings
At the Queensland inquiry into the construction union, the CFMEU, a well-known anti-corruption expert has refused to withdraw his allegations that notorious Melbourne gangland figure turned businessman Mick Gatto controls a network of labour hire companies. Geoffrey Watson has written a report on alleged criminal conduct on Victorian government building projects. He was under cross examination at today's hearing by a lawyer for a firm linked to Mr Gatto.
Program: Oil refinery for WA under consideration
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Program: Why Rebel Wilson was accused of defamation
Hollywood actor and director Rebel Wilson has been cleared of defamation against the lead actor on her film The Deb. Charlotte MacInnes sued Ms Wilson in the Federal Court over a series of social media posts. How did it play out? Rebel Wilson outside court April 30 for defamation trial David Sparkes: Australian movie star and director, Rebel Wilson, has had a win in court, with a judge clearing her of defamation.
Program: Telstra thinks software fault caused outage
In an update, Telstra Group Chief Financial Officer Michael Ackland has revealed the company believes a software fault is the likely cause of today's massive outage. Telstra has made welfare calls to customers whose triple zero calls failed and in some cases police are following up to check callers are ok. Mr Ackland is also warning that fraudsters are trying to take advantage of the situation, calling customers and pretending to be from Telstra.
Program: Daredevil proposal and arrest atop Empire State Building
A Russian couple scaled the 443 meters of one of the United States' most famous skyscrapers - the Empire State Building - all in the name of love. Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus unfurled a banner on top of the Empire State Building, before Beerkus got down on one knee. The couple - who have amassed large social media followings and documented a climb in a 2024 Netflix documentary have been arrested.
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