Melissa Sweet

@melissasweetdr.bsky.social

5.1K followers 1.7K following 4.5K posts

Journalist sharing news on health in all policies, First Nations health, health equity, social determinants of health and climate justice. Based in Australia, and providing local, national and global coverage. Editor in Chief, Croakey Health Media (NFP) .. more

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Melissa Sweet is an Australian journalist and nonfiction writer. Formerly employed by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Bulletin magazine, and Australian Associated Press, she specialises in writing about human health and medicine. .. more

Public Health 31%

Medicine 20%

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Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 8d

Quotable at @croakeynews.bsky.social home page is from a series investigating primary healthcare's role in addressing planetary health crisis.

By @mariemcinerney.bsky.social for our new #PHCmatters initiative, with support from LINA

www.croakey.org/launching-a-...

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Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

www.smh.com.au/national/vic...

‘Thank you for everything’: Tributes flow for ex-MP Katie Allen, who has died aged 59

The former Liberal MP announced a stage four cancer diagnosis in May.

www.smh.com.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

AMA welcomes Director General of Australian Centre for Disease Control

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

‘A champion of Aboriginal rights’: Alice Springs leader Geoffrey Shaw dies aged 79

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘A champion of Aboriginal rights’: Alice Springs leader Geoffrey Shaw dies aged 79

The 79-year-old Vietnam war veteran and founding member of the Central Land Council ‘believed deeply in service’

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Australia’s gun laws have long been the envy of the world. They must remain so, especially after Bondi

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Australia’s gun laws have long been the envy of the world. They must remain so, especially after Bondi | Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz

As a public health expert and Jewish Australian, I urge our leaders to ensure gun legislation matches the world we live in

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say

Move comes as union representing US diplomats said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by the process, which could ‘politicise’ foreign service

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Albanese says he feels ‘weight of responsibility’ as Labor criticises Coalition for politicising terror attack

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

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Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

www.deepcutnews.com/p/how-to-sur...

How to survive another year of chaos

From disconnecting from algorithms to rebuilding real-world solidarity, some end-of-year thoughts on preparing for 2026 together.

www.deepcutnews.com

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 2d

95% of Australian political media coverage is a demand for a dog and pony show.

Something happened, we expect you to respond this way, why aren't you responding the way we expect, oh my god, you are now under pressure to respond the way we expect!

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 2d

Quite a few people in the opposition and media forgetting just how fragile is a civil society.

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Peter Murphy @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social · 2d

Powerful words and petition from the @jewishcouncilau.bsky.social. Please read and consider signing. #auspol #nswpol #antisemitism #racism #GunViolence #diversity #community
jewishcouncil.good.do/unity/jewish...

Text: Petition: We will not be divided after Bondi. Sign the petition in solidarity with Jewish people fighting back against the politicians and lobbyists using the Bondi Chanukah massacre to push their divisive agenda.

On Sunday at Bondi we witnessed the appalling consequences of hatred and how it breeds radicalisation and violence. But as the Jewish community and the whole country grieved, politicians went on the attack, exploiting the tragedy to sow division and pit our communities against each other.

But we all deserve to feel safe, no matter our religion or where we come from. We cannot allow our grief, fear and anger to be used as a political weapon to spread division and hate.

Jewish communities are beautifully diverse, culturally and politically. Antisemitism and racism flourish when the diversity of any community is erased. The far-right Israeli government does not speak for Jewish people in Australia and is not interested in our safety. Only we can create safety for each other.

We are asking all Australians to unite behind the call to end antisemitism, racism and gun violence in the wake of this unthinkable tragedy.

The only way to build lasting community strength and safety is by coming together.

Jewish Council Australia

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d

RANZCP: Australian and New Zealand governments must take a careful, clinically grounded approach to decisions about puberty blockers, with the mental and physical health of children and adolescents placed at the centre of all policy and service decisions.

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Doctors turn Ozempic patients away from surgery due to extra risks

Doctors say they are forced to delay some procedures due to the risk of serious consequences for patients on Ozempic-like drugs.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 3d

The AMA NT rejects the NT government ban on puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for under 18s, saying it has been made on the basis of politics and not science

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 3d

“Policies that strengthen independent news organizations, bolster local journalism, fund public media, and prohibit the concentration of media power in too few hands are not only possible – they are necessary for a functioning democracy.”

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The tug-of-war over CNN shows how dysfunctional US media has become | Margaret Sullivan

The network’s fate has become a battle of corporate ownership, not a question of what benefits Americans

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 3d

Minns’ outrageous rhetoric on peaceful protests sows division in our community. It’s unbecoming of his office

www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...

The NSW premier’s outrageous rhetoric on peaceful protests sows division in our community. It’s unbecoming of his office | Timothy Roberts

The antisemitic attack in Bondi was an act of hate-fuelled violence. Rushing through regressive laws in such distressing times is poor leadership – and dangerous

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 4d

Puberty blocker bans in Queensland and NZ risk extreme harm to trans youth, UK expert warns

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘Some will take their own lives’: Puberty blocker bans in Queensland and NZ risk extreme harm to trans youth, UK expert warns

Sociologist who surveyed effect of 2024 UK ban says denial of gender-affirming care has left trans and non-binary children in ‘abject misery and severe distress’

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Recommendations for your summer reading, listening and watching – Croakey Health Media
www.croakey.org/recommendati...
Thanks to all who contributed, to this compilation and throughout the year

Recommendations for your summer reading, listening and watching

The Croakey team are taking a summer break. This article leads our final proper Croakey News bulletin for 2025, and

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

As Federal and NSW Governments move on gun control, what more could be done? – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/as-federal-a...
By Stephen Bendle

As Federal and NSW Governments move on gun control, what more could be done?

Introduction by Croakey: The Albanese Government will establish a National Gun Buyback Scheme for surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Amid Federal Government announcements, trauma expert calls for “visible, tangible solidarity” with the Jewish community – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/amid-federal...

By STARTTS CEO Jorge Aroche

Amid Federal Government announcements, trauma expert calls for “visible, tangible solidarity” with the Jewish commun

Introduction by Croakey: The Federal and New South Wales Governments have declared Sunday, 21 December as a Day of Reflection

www.croakey.org

Reposted by Mark Petticrew

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Moving beyond individual choice: why public health language matters – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/moving-beyon...
By Mark Robinson, Mark Chenery and James Smith

Moving beyond individual choice: why public health language matters

Introduction by Croakey: As we head into the season for New Year's resolutions, we will begin to see advertising, media

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Put health, communities and the environment at heart of food security strategy, Federal Government urged – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/put-health-c...
By Emma-Kate Rose, Jade Miles, Kelly McJannett, Michelle Gortan, and Serenity Hill

Put health, communities and the environment at heart of food security strategy, Federal Government urged

Introduction by Croakey: As we reported recently, many experts have signed an open letter to the Australian Government expressing strong

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

A safe news and information environment: what will it take? – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/a-safe-news-...

#HEAL2025

A safe news and information environment: what will it take?

Following the mass shootings at Bondi Beach on 14 December, many media organisations have reported on the spread of related

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

The mid-year budget update – and what it means for health and aged care – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/the-mid-year...

By @charlesmk.bsky.social

The mid-year budget update – and what it means for health and aged care

Charles Maskell-Knight writes: Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher released the 2025 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

An urgent call for government investment in place-based climate adaptation – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/an-urgent-ca...

By Dr Ned Bible, NT Climate Justice Project Officer for the Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places.

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

The Health Wrap: rise of pseudoscience, key safety and quality concerns, data gaps – and more great adventures – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/the-health-w...

The Health Wrap: rise of pseudoscience, key safety and quality concerns, data gaps – and more great adventures

The unintended consequences of whole-body scanning for heathy people, an examination of Indigenous health checks, innovation in healthcare, and the

www.croakey.org

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 5d

Queensland ban on puberty blockers for gender dysphoria to continue until at least 2031, LNP announces

Decision comes despite independent review finding that treatment decisions ‘must be informed by each individual’s presentation and circumstances’ * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A pause on puberty blockers and hormone treatment for new adolescent patients with gender dysphoria in Queensland’s public system will continue until at least 2031, the state’s health minister, Tim Nicholls, announced on Friday. The decision comes despite a review by Victoria’s former chief psychiatrist, Prof Ruth Vine, now made public, finding that treatment decisions “must be informed by each individual’s presentation and circumstances”. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Weighing up the evidence and ethics on shaken baby syndrome – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/weighing-up-...
By Dr Kerry Breen AO and Dr Stephen Cordner AM.

Weighing up the evidence and ethics on shaken baby syndrome

Introduction by Croakey: Action is needed to address ethical issues surrounding the medical diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, particularly when

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 5d

Social media companies allow antisemitic hate to flow ‘unchecked’, Australia’s race discrimination commissioner says

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...