If you weren’t paying attention this week, we’ve got you sorted.

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Senator Jacqui Lambie confesses son’s ice addiction

On Monday, independent senator Jacqui Lambie revealed her personal struggle of having a son with an ice addiction, during senate. Lambie opposed the social services legislation amendment bill. The bill would see the removal of welfare payments for those in psychiatric institutions who have been charged with a serious offence like manslaughter, rape or murder. Her personal account not only challenged the government to rethink mental illness but also sparked a nationwide conversation about the problems families face surrounding drug abuse.

Abbott announces Australia’s emissions target

Australia plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. The government came under scrutiny for the target, which is significantly lower than several countries including the U.S., European Union and Canada. The Climate Institute said that in order to avoid 2 degrees warming globally, Australia should cut 45 per cent by 2025.

Government rejects free vote on same sex marriage

After a six hour debate involving Liberals and Nationals, the governing coalition decided against allowing party members a free vote on same sex marriage. Roughly 70 MPs spoke against a free vote and 33 showed their support. Abbott has promised either a plebiscite or referendum on the issue going into the next election. However, with 72 per cent of the public supporting the legalisation of same sex marriage, the decision has reignited criticism of a government who isn’t listening to the public.

Scientists discover breakthrough obesity research

Within a decade, parents will be able to determine whether their newborns will become overweight in their teens. Research conducted by Queensland scientists found that 30 per cent of teenagers aged 14 to 16 were more likely to binge eat. The findings will enable early intervention and psychological help for people who are genetically at risk of binge eating.

Your hangover could be costing the economy

Hungover employees are taking an estimated 1.5 million sick days for alcohol and drug related illnesses and it’s costing the Australian economy around $3 billion dollars a year. The ‘Alcohol-and-drug-related absenteeism: a costly problem’ study found a significant decline in ‘sickies’ relating to alcohol since 2001, but also found that 16 per cent of employees use illicit drugs every year. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) surveyed 12,196 people and research showed a negative impact on individuals, business and the wider community.

David Jones show mixes fashion and music

David Jones showcased both cutting edge fashion and Australian music talent at their annual spring/summer runway show this week. While Daniel Johns performed We Are Golden from his new album TALK, models graced the runway for celebrity guests such as Gigi Hadid, Samara Weaving and Isabel Lucas. Local designers Camilla and Marc, Zimmermann and Tigerlily stayed true to their boho-theme in long, flowing maxi dresses. Rebecca Vallance, Christopher Esber, Bassike, Ginger and Smart and Strateas Carlucco paraded edgier designs with monochromatic layers of sweaters and tunic tops.

IN PICTURES: David Jones Spring/Summer 2015 fashion show: http://t.co/O0ORpgIq2U #9News pic.twitter.com/6nS2AAv0qe

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) August 6, 2015

New research shows the ugly truth behind fast food

A new study suggests fast food outlets are cheating the public of nutritional information on their food options with legal loopholes. Researchers surveyed 210 food chains across five states including McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks, Subway and Red Rooster. Only 3 per cent of stores provide a correct kilojoule count for their whole menu, despite compulsory labelling laws introduced from 2012. McDonalds and Hungry Jacks were found to only list the kilojoule count for meal deals on their menu, leaving out single burgers or sides and nutritional information for kids meals was not provided at 13 outlets. Labelling laws were designed to help tackle obesity and assist people in making healthier food choices.  

Tennis

Tennis has again come into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been slammed for an on-court sledge to opponent Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters. Kyrgios can be heard saying “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend, sorry to tell you that mate” to Wawrinka after losing the first set.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the comments I made during the match last night vs Stan… http://t.co/WfFUnSQjYx — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 13, 2015

Cricket

Michael Clarke has announced his retirement from test cricket following Australia’s Ashes loss. The WAGs of cricket made the headlines after Ian Healy blamed the cricketer’s wives and girlfriends for the Ashes disaster.

AFL

AFL drug stories have again stolen the headlines. Collingwood players Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas have accepted two-year bans after testing positive in February to the drug clenbuterol. News Limited released an article linking controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank to the Geelong Cats. Mark Thompson slammed the report and said it was an attempt to tarnish the Cats’ flag successes. The Hawks are also firming as flag favourites after a 14-point win against the Eagles on Saturday.

Q&A to become news and current affairs 

The ABC board has moved Q&A from its television division to news and current affairs. Some have accused the ABC of doing this so Tony Abbott will allow Coalition frontbenchers to appear on the show again. The move will mean the show is subject to the same rules as 7:30 and Four Corners. This has been called the setting of a dangerous precedent that impairs the objectivity of the network. The move won’t come into effect until 2016.

More foreign actors on Aussie soil?

A review into the process through which foreign actors and crew get their visas to work on local films could lead to less meaningful roles available for Australian actors. Currently, foreign talent visas need approval from both the Immigration Department and the Federal Arts Minister, including consultation with the actor’s union and the MEAA. Proposed changes include the removal of the Arts Minister and MEAA from the process as well as the removal of a requirement that 50 per cent of lead roles and 75 per cent of supporting roles be played by Australian actors to receive government funding.

Cats steal the show

Cats Make You Laugh Out Loud, an hour-long compilation of cat videos sourced from YouTube, was the highest rating program of the night last Tuesday. The success of the special has been called a blow to local television production. Due to its success, Seven will be screening Dogs Make You Laugh Out Loud next week in the same time slot. Unfortunately, this is not a joke.

You laughed, but the funny cat show killed it http://t.co/iozEnyhUDs pic.twitter.com/8LoOFg4vCi — The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) August 12, 2015

Tarantino trailer release

The first trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s next film, The Hateful Eight, was released. The film is Tarantino’s second Western, following the success of Django Unchained in 2012. Tarantino previously decided to cancel the movie after the script was leaked in 2014, but changed his mind after a well received live reading of the leaked script. The film is set to be released in Australia early next year.

Audio: Jack Howard.

Feature image: Jake Stevens.

Joely Mitchell, Tam Kendi, Ewa Staszewska, Tijan Biner, Johanna Brasier and Ethan Miller are the editors of upstart this semester. They are all third-year Bachelor of Journalism students at La Trobe University. You can follow them on Twitter here: @joelymitchell, @tamkendi, @EwaStaszewska, @tijanb, @JohannaBrasier and @ethanmiller1994.