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Abha Haval

Hello. 

I’m a freelance journalist working on creating human-interest stories by giving a voice to the untold and unseen. I’m currently working on expanding my digital storytelling, and cover issues related to the environment, science and technology.

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Advocates speak out on scapegoating migrants as cause of housing crisis

by ABHA HAVAL
 
More than 40 housing organisations have joined forces in expressing their concern over migrants being scapegoated as the primary cause of the housing crisis, calling on the prime minister and opposition leader to show leadership on the issue.
The organisations – which include the Australian Council of Social Services, the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia and National Shelter – wrote a letter, saying the housing crisis was caused by poor policy choices by suc...
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Government to invest $100 million in gambling harm minimisation

by ABHA HAVAL
 
This GambleAware Week, the Minns Labor government is investing a record-breaking $100 million towards gambling harm minimisation across NSW, focusing on the cost of gambling in the community.
The theme for this year’s GambleAware Week, ‘What’s gambling costing you?’, aims to boost awareness of the damaging effects of gambling beyond monetary loss, including loss of family time, impacts on physical and mental health, and negative influence on the community.
The investment is a sig...
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'No' voters on WeChat largely influenced by misinformation, research shows

by ABHA HAVAL
 
With only a day to go to vote for the Voice to Parliament referendum, there has been steady backlash from the voters who don’t want to see First Nations peoples have a place in Parliament. 
Research so far suggests that the ‘No’ campaign has been largely influenced by misinformation in the community regarding what the Voice entails, how it constitutes legally, and how will it affect Australia’s population. 
Critics have highlighted a need to counter the misinformation circulating...
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Sydney Councils calls for support over disrupted Drag Story Time events

By ABHA HAVAL
City of Sydney councillors put forward a motion in support of Drag Story Time events, after a number of events were disrupted due to rise in homophobia and abusive threats targeting the LGBTQA+ community.
Deputy Mayor Sylvie Ellsmore will be bringing the motion forward at the upcoming Local Government NSW Annual Conference, to encourage more council members to support local LGBTQA+ inclusive events year-round.
With this motion, the council aims to provide a safe space for the perfo...
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Environmental activists rally in Sydney to end native forest logging

By ABHA HAVAL
At a rally organised by the Bob Brown Foundation, a large crowd gathered in Marrickville on Saturday (12 August) to take a stand against forest logging nationwide. People chanted “save the forests” and “we speak for the trees” in an effort to end logging.
The speakers at the protest included Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens MP Sue Higginson, conservationists John Seed, Susie Rusell, Dr Kim Loo, climate activist Chris Black and comedian Dan Ilic. Musicians Montaigne and William...
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Experts warn number of young people at risk of homelessness is growing

By ABHA HAVAL
During National Homelessness Week, Australian experts have emphasised the growth in the number of young people at risk of being homeless each day. Homelessness experts believe the rise in people seeking shelter is due to the impact of cost-of-living pressures and mental health issues among young people under the age of 25.
The demand for assistance from homeless shelters and housing services has increased consistently over the past year due to the worsening housing crisis, shortage...
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Northern Beaches bus routes canceled due to driver shortages, privatisation to blame

By ABHA HAVAL
In an attempt to forgo the industry-wide shortage of bus drivers, Transport for NSW has cancelled a number of B-line bus services along the routes coming into the Sydney’s CBD from the northern beaches and lower north shore.
As of Monday 17 July 2023, privately owned franchise Keolis Downer Northern Beaches (KDNB) has adapted a temporary, reduced timetable to ‘improve the predictability and visibility of available services’, allowing passengers to plan a better trip.
Commuters from...