Melissa Sweet

@melissasweetdr.bsky.social

5.1K followers 1.7K following 4.4K 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 · 3d

And that's a wrap on this week's @CroakeyNews bulletin. It's been a bit huge...
www.croakey.org

Subscribers and donors are always welcome, always appreciated!
www.croakey.org/subscribe-to-croakey/
www.croakey.org/support-croa...

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 38m

The Victorian Health Minister is either poorly briefed or deliberately not listening to experts on the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) decision....

Question Time: re VicHealth: Legislative Assembly - 9 December 2025 youtu.be/aYW3zpneNjw?...

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 44m

Question Time: re VicHealth: Legislative Assembly - 9 December 2025 youtu.be/aYW3zpneNjw?... via @YouTube

Question Time: Legislative Assembly - 9 December 2025

YouTube video by parliamentofvictoria

youtu.be

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 52m

Improving health and healthcare in remote communities, what will it take? – Croakey Health Media

www.croakey.org/improving-he...

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1h

This post has been updated with further commentary:

Victorian Government faces avalanche of opposition over its move against VicHealth

www.croakey.org/victorian-go...

Victorian Government faces avalanche of opposition over its move against VicHealth

The outpouring of support for VicHealth continues following last week’s shock announcement that the Victorian Government plans to close it

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1h

#LessonsfromWales, for improving Australians’ health and wellbeing
www.croakey.org/lessons-from...
Dr @lrussellwolpe.bsky.social reports for the Croakey Conference News Service

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2h

Latest edition!

#TheZap: so much health and aged care news, plus key consultations now open – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/the-zap-so-m...

By @charlesmk.bsky.social

The Zap: so much health and aged care news, plus key consultations now open

Summer reading recommendations, widespread concerns about aged care reforms, inequities in access to palliative care, and calls to increase investment

www.croakey.org

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

“This sort of incarceration is reminiscent of 19th century jails," Coroner Urquhart said.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

What is being done about WA's '19th century' youth justice conditions?

The inquest findings into WA's first recorded death in youth detention, that of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, are a stark warning for the government — and vulnerable lives remain at stake. WARNING: This...

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 7h

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

One of PNG's rare conjoined twins dies after urgent surgery

Surgeons have separated a rare set of conjoined twins after they were urgently flown from Papua New Guinea to Australia, but only one of the boys has survived.

www.abc.net.au

Reposted by Melissa Sweet

Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 11h

Open letter to fellow Victorians, from a current #VicHealth Early Career Research fellow (me).
Dear Victorians, please help #savevichealth ...

Sign the petition here: www.change.org/p/keep-viche...

SHARE the petition.

Follow Friends of VicHealth on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/frie...

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 12h

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Three-year-old girl killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, local sources say

The child was reportedly playing near her family's tent in Mawasi Rafah when she was shot.

www.bbc.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 13h

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

After the Rain reflects on Indigenous art's legacy while looking to future

Indigenous artists from across Australia, including Alair Pambegan and Grace Kemarre Robinya, feature as part of the National Indigenous Art Triennial in Canberra: After the Rain.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 13h

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

The EU has voted in favour of a teen social media ban, but not like Australia's

The European Union says it will learn from Australia's new laws to bar under-16s from social media, with steps to implement the world-first ban already underway and European Commission President Ursul...

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 13h

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

Rural Queensland town loses only permanent doctor

The suspension of Tim Lane leaves a Central Queensland town of 3,000 people with no permanent hospital doctor or GP.

www.abc.net.au

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 13h

Australia’s bushfires were held at bay by five wet years — but experts warn the country is ‘ready to burn’

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

Australia’s bushfires were held at bay by five wet years — but experts warn the country is ‘ready to burn’

Blazes in NSW and Tasmania have already led to a firefighter losing his life and close to 40 homes being destroyed as an ominous fire season begins

www.theguardian.com

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 1d

Victorian Government faces avalanche of opposition over its move against VicHealth – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/victorian-go...

With comments & statements from many.

Victorian Government faces avalanche of opposition over its move against VicHealth

The outpouring of support for VicHealth continues following last week’s shock announcement that the Victorian Government plans to close it

www.croakey.org