Paul Johnson

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tom Hartley |Richard Mockler |Jenny Ky |Paul Johnson

Australia is "surrounded" by the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. And it is morphing as sea animals and birds bring it ever closer to these shores. Warning: This story contains images that may upset some readers. Soaking up the Antarctic summer sun, a herd of crabeater seals lay oblivious to the impending threat. The killer virus that infiltrated Earth's most remote ecosystem continues to jump between animals, leaving a trail of death and devastation in its wake.

Jan 11, 2025 | abc.net.au | Paul Johnson

Three years ago it was the men's world number one and allegedly lying on an entry visa, this year it's the men's world number one and a controversial doping case. Welcome to AO 2025 where two questions and controversy look set to reign over the year's opening grand slam. Should men's world number one Jannik Sinner have received a doping ban? And has tennis once again done itself a disservice by promoting a double standard that favours the stars of the sport over lesser lights?

Nov 28, 2024 | abc.net.au | Paul Johnson

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told 7.30 parliament will sit in February, to consider remaining bills on the government's agenda, pushing back against the notion of an early 2025 election. That election will be set against the backdrop of the continuing cost of living crisis but Mr Albanese was keen to counter Opposition leader Peter Dutton's suggestion that Australians should ask themselves if they are better off now than they were three years ago.

Nov 26, 2024 | abc.net.au | Paul Johnson

Australian private renters make up around one fifth of those nationwide who are living without essential items, according to a new joint study released by peak body the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), and the University of New South Wales. The study also found that of those Australians renting — after they pay their rent — 22 per cent are living below the poverty line, as the nation's dual housing affordability and cost of living crises continues.

Nov 11, 2024 | abc.net.au | Kamin Gock |Paul Johnson

Imagine jumping off a 10-metre platform and plunging into water faster than a car can go in a school zone. Now double it. This is what eight-time cliff diving world champion Rhiannan Iffland has done hundreds of times. The Australian made her debut in the cliff diving series in 2016 and has dominated the extreme sport, where she leaps from 21 metres above the water before hitting it at speeds of 85 kilometres an hour. "It's daunting. It's scary every single time," Iffland told 7.30.