Joanna Woodburn

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Xanthe Gregory |Joanna Woodburn

A four-month investigation into the discovery of "forever chemicals" in a New South Wales river has identified a composting facility as a major contamination source. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) began an extensive testing program of the Belubula River in the state's central west after PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were detected last year.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Joanna Woodburn

New South Wales Health is refusing to detail what work it is doing to improve access to abortion services at public hospitals across the state. The department is reviewing its policies governing termination of pregnancy, after its own report on the state's current abortion laws specifically recommended that ways to balance the rights of conscientiously objecting health practitioners with a woman's entitlement to receive timely care be examined.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Joanna Woodburn |Hamish Cole

When Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky faced a tense meeting with US leader Donald Trump at the White House, his plight struck a chord with a couple 16,000 kilometres away in rural Australia. Jan Giles and Adrian Sykes from Binalong, a village of 500 people in southern New South Wales, were "appalled" by the way Mr Zelensky was treated. "I was disgusted because here's this man, coming for help and he's belittled," Ms Giles said. "It's schoolyard bullying and we don't accept that anywhere.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Joanna Woodburn

Grace Tame has been a keynote speaker at an inaugural conference to support people who help victims and survivors of violence. The 2021 Australian of the Year has shared personal stories about her own abuse and where she finds courage. The Grace Tame Foundation is vowing to trigger legislative change across Australia to advocate for survivors. Running brings Grace Tame comfort and a sense of temporary escape, but for a time in her life it became tainted. This story contains graphic descriptions.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Joanna Woodburn

An internal document obtained by the ABC has shed further light on abortion services in western New South Wales, after Orange hospital temporarily suspended terminations with no identified pregnancy complications. The terminations of pregnancy policy was prepared by the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) to govern how medical care should be managed and responded to at its health facilities, including Orange Health Service.