The Latest Breaking News from Checkmate

Peter Dutton linked the end of the cashless debit card to crime in Alice Springs. What are the facts?

Peter Dutton linked the end of the cashless debit card to increasing crime in Alice Springs. But there's one major problem with his claim.

ABC News · Feb 3, 2023

The pandemic entered a new phase in 2022, but vaccines were still the major magnet for misinformation

A federal election and a pandemic groaning into its third year saw misinformation continue to spread apace in 2022. But one topic was particularly bad.

ABC News · Dec 15, 2022

The Young Liberals posted a 'renewable superpower scorecard' graphic using WWF research. But they used that research selectively

A graphic shared on social media by the youth wing of the Liberal Party has misappropriated WWF Australia branding to points-score on renewable energy. But there are a few details the Young Liberals left off.

ABC News · Dec 8, 2022

The 'surprising' finding of an online poll about COVID-19 vaccines is not what it seems

A news.com.au poll on vaccine satisfaction was shared dozens of times in online groups populated by anti-vax activists, some with direct call outs encouraging manipulation of the results.

ABC News · Oct 27, 2022

Did Pfizer make a 'scandalous' admission to the European Parliament about its COVID-19 vaccine?

Despite a claim that has gone viral, Pfizer never said that pre-market trials of its COVID-19 vaccine tested for its effect on transmission of the virus.

ABC News · Oct 20, 2022

Matt Canavan raised questions about what's causing Australia's excess deaths. So what is really happening?

A recent jump in "excess deaths" has led to suggestions that COVID-19 vaccines might be killing Australians. Experts say the coronavirus is likely to blame.

ABC News · Oct 13, 2022

One Nation's Mark Latham said just 0.17 per cent of Australians are transgender. Here's what we found.

The One Nation MP used the latest census data to claim transgender people are over-represented in public debate. But a lack of "meaningful data" means the size of Australia's transgender population remains unknown.

ABC News · Oct 6, 2022

Tape on a plane? We look into viral photo that suggests Qantas is winging it with repairs

A photo of a plane purporting to be operated by Qantas went viral this week, after it was suggested duct tape had been used to fix major maintenance issues. So what's really going on?

ABC News · Sep 29, 2022

Some politicians and pundits claim the Voice to Parliament would be a 'third chamber'. Five constitutional law experts weigh in

As Labor progresses a referendum on the Voice to Parliament, some politicians and pundits have claimed it would be a 'third chamber'. We asked five experts to weigh in.

ABC News · Sep 22, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II's death sparked a slew of misinformation. Here's what you need to know

Following the death of the Queen, rumours began to spread online on everything from the nature of her passing to the colour of the BBC's banner.

ABC News · Sep 15, 2022