🛩 Qantas data leak hits 6m customers
Dog deaths at Rowes Bay | Tassie to host world-first AI zone | Townsville rebuild plan approved | Amazon Prime Day deals and more
G’day and welcome back to another Townsville Times Thursday, July 3.
Today's newsletter is 1,060 words and a 5-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Report uncovers NDIS shortfalls in North Queensland
Qantas data breach sparks: Privacy concerns
Humpbacks return to: North QLD waters
Trending: Winter rain sparks concern for locals
Around the web (Snippets): Chloe Forster joins WNBL Fire, Tassie to host nation’s largest AI Factory, child monitoring spyware app warning and heaps more
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1. One Big Thing: Report uncovers NDIS shortfalls in North Queensland
What’s Happening: A new report from Kismet, Australia’s first all-in-one digital healthcare and disability ecosystem, has uncovered alarming shortfalls in National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service delivery across North and Far North Queensland.
Data from the Kismet Care Index shows participants in the electorates of Leichhardt, Kennedy, Herbert, Dawson, and Capricornia face major barriers to accessing the care they’re funded for.
Local Impact: Kismet Co-Founder and CEO Mark Woodland said the data makes clear that the system is failing many locals.
“When participants can’t use their funding, face long delays, and are stuck with one or two provider options, the system is failing them,”
“This data tells us what local communities have been feeling for a while; care isn’t equally available to everyone.” Don Elgin, former Paralympian and Head of Events at One Community, which is now part of Kismet
What To Look For Next: One Community, now part of Kismet, will host a Ready-Set-Connect event on Tuesday, 15 July 2025 at Brothers Leagues Club in Kirwan, Townsville.
Read more in the full article below👇
2. Qantas data breach sparks privacy concerns
What’s Happening: Qantas has confirmed a cyber attack on a third-party platform used by a contact centre, compromising millions of customer records.
The breach was contained swiftly after detection on Monday, with Qantas stating that all core systems remain secure.
Why It Matters: The incident puts the personal information of up to 6 million customers at risk, including names, emails, phone numbers, birth dates, and Frequent Flyer numbers.
“Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.” Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas Airways
Local Impact: Australians who interacted with Qantas contact centres could face potential risks, such as phishing or identity fraud.
The airline has set up dedicated support lines to assist affected customers with identity protection advice.
What To Look For Next: Read more in the full article 👇
Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Priceline Pharmacy Fairfield Central is hiring an Operations Manager to oversee two bustling Townsville locations and lead a team of 50 staff.
This full-time role offers a salary of $100,000 - $120,000 and is perfect for a high-energy retail leader who thrives on coaching teams, streamlining operations, and delivering exceptional customer service. Apply now.
Have a job opening? Promote your vacancy here 👇
3. Humpbacks return to North QLD waters
SeaLink Marine & Tourism will operate whale watching cruises departing Townsville during peak humpback migration season, mid-July to August.
Cruises are scheduled on catamarans equipped with viewing decks and provide expert commentary as guests observe humpback whales in local waters near Magnetic Island.
The tours operating from Townsville provide a chance for residents and visitors to see whales while increasing awareness of marine conservation.
Information on schedules and details for these Townsville whale watching cruises can be found at sealink.com.au/whale-watching.
More info in the full article below. 👇
4. Trending
🕰️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
First-year health students will visit Atherton, Yungaburra and Mareeba as part of: GROW Rural NQ, exploring rural clinics and careers
It has been decided that Tasmania will host the nation’s largest: AI facility, with the creation of a world-first AI Factory Zone in the northern part of the island
Dog owners are being urged to avoid Rowes Bay and Pallarenda Dog Beach, after a toxic warning has been: Issued following the tragic death of three dogs in the past fortnight
New research using guineafowl races suggests dinosaurs were: Probably slower than we once thought.
Australia’s food safety authorities recalled a: Popular imported chocolate bar known as the “Dubai chocolate”, citing the presence of undeclared allergens
Microsoft will lay off: 9,000 employees, or less than 4% of the company, amid hefty AI bets
The Townsville Fire have signed Western Australian young gun: Chloe Forster for the upcoming WNBL 2025/26 season
Beware of Catwatchful, a spyware masquerading as a child monitoring app that claims: To be “invisible and cannot be detected,” all the while uploading the victim’s phone’s private contents to a dashboard viewable by the person who planted the app.
Townsville Council endorses recovery plan to: Rebuild after record floods and 4,000 evacuations
Amazon Prime Day 2025, date and early deals have been: Released with all the latest news on this year's upcoming mega-sale
6. Upcoming Events
🏉 🖼 “Leagues” Art Exhibit: July 5 onwards; a brand-new exhibition that brings together some of the country’s leading contemporary artists at Pinnacles Gallery
🎉 NAIDOC Week: July 6 to July 13; participate in celebrations that are taking place over the week at Citylibraries
👧🏻 👯 Hip Hop Classes: July 8 to July 12 from 4:30 pm onwards; classes open for ages 8 to 14 at the White Room, Northreach Baptist Church
🎭 Carrie - The Musical: July 9 to July 12; presented by North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre at Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre