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🗞️ Mondayisation
So you can talk to your colleagues about something else other than the weather this morning, we’ll be starting off your Monday morning with some good news.
Pick & Scroll News
February 16, 2026
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Good morning. So you can talk to your colleagues about something else other than the weather this morning, we’ll be starting off your Monday morning with some good news.
NSW will officially be getting an extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027 since Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
Premier Chris Minns said the Monday public holiday wouldn't detract from the solemnity of Anzac Day and NSW residents could be "trusted" not to skip commemorations…
All the headlines and more below...
AUSTRALIAN NEWS
NSW to enjoy extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027
NSW will add an extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027 since Anzac Day falls on a weekend. LINK
Australia Post has proposed raising the basic postage rate to $1.85 as mail volumes fall and its letters division posts a $230M loss, the worst since the 1930s. LINK
Job seekers are turning to dating apps like Grindr, Hinge and Tinder for networking and career leads whilst the traditional job market remains competitive and narrow. LINK
Australia’s sharemarket is approaching record highs as 80 companies including major miners and retailers prepare earnings results amid volatile investor sentiment and higher interest rates. LINK
The IMF warned that the federal government may need to bail out heavily indebted states like VIC and the NT as it urged joint tax reforms including higher GST and land tax expansion. LINK
AI agents are transforming software engineering by generating code and improving customer support, reducing staff needs. LINK
ATO and cybersecurity experts have warned Australians against sharing a tax file number or financial documents with AI tools like ChatGPT due to major privacy and accuracy risks. LINK
Australia is facing increasing calls for a federal spending review as government expenditure reaches 26.9% of GDP. LINK
COMPANY NEWS
KPMG faces AI cheating scandal
KPMG Australia found 28 staff used AI to cheat on training tests, including a partner fined over $10,000, as it boosts monitoring and transparency efforts. LINK
Barbeques Galore entered voluntary administration due to financial pressures and changing consumer habits, affecting 500 staff and lowering the value of existing gift cards. LINK
The High Court will hear appeals in class actions against CBA over alleged disclosure failures before a 2017 $700M AUSTRAC settlement. LINK
Humm is facing a boardroom battle as co-founder Andrew Abercrombie defends his seat, confronting conflict of interest claims and shareholder unrest ahead of a 19 February vote. LINK
Coles is in Federal Court defending its ‘Down Down’ campaign while the ACCC alleges prices were deceptively increased before being advertised as discounted. LINK
Two AI researchers have resigned from OpenAI and Anthropic, warning commercial pressure is undermining ethics and that the technology poses grave societal risks. LINK
Sizzler will return to Australia via Minor Hotels at Sydney Airport after a 6-year absence as part of an expanded hospitality push. LINK
Crown Resorts will offshore over 100 corporate roles as part of $220M in cost cuts, facing industrial action in Melbourne over stalled union wage negotiations. LINK
AGL and Origin Energy reported strong earnings as surging electricity demand and policy stability have supported their multi-billion dollar investment plans for a major energy transition. LINK
ACCC approved Ramsay Health Care’s $251M acquisition of National Capital Private Hospital, expecting the deal to finalise in FY27. LINK
Nib Group will sell its World Nomads travel insurance business to International Medical Group for $67.5M as part of a strategic overhaul. LINK
BWP Trust, the landlord of Bunnings, reported a 41% lift in first-half net profit to $221.8M, raising its dividend from increased property values and rental income. LINK
Webjet has ended takeover talks with Helloworld and BGH Capital as neither party submitted binding bids matching their original 90 and 91 cent offers. LINK
Alvarez & Marsal aims to grow its Australian and NZ revenue by 60% to $160M as it hires over 100 staff and has secured profit for the first time during expansion. LINK
CHART OF THE DAY
Housing finance for first home buyers surged 15.5% QoQ in value, partly reflecting the start of the expanded 5% low deposit scheme and a sharp increase in average loan sizes for first home buyers.
ONE MORE SCROLL
Draft Pick: Olympic figure skater receives approval to use ‘Minions' music for routine.
Odd Pick: South Korean governor draws criticism for suggesting importing women for marriage as population fix.
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TRIVIA
The "Fifth Pocket" Mystery: Most modern denim jeans still feature a tiny, narrow pocket inside the front right pocket. While we use it for coins or lip balm today, what specific 1800s accessory was it originally designed to hold?
Answer below
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