Australia’s LINA – the Local and Independent News Association – has set the date for its 2026 conference.

“Block out March 25-27 in your calendar,” says LINA executive director Claire Stuchbery.

Murray Bridge in South Australia – once a buzzing local publishing centre noted by then proprietor Mike Hambidge for its “multimedia madhouse” – is the venue for the annual event.

“As always, the schedule will be packed with panels, workshops and chats about where our local news media industry is going,” says Stuchbery. “Looking forward to seeing you there.”

This year’s summit – co-hosted by The Westsider in Melbourne – attracted more than 150 delegates. The event’s first international guest, INMA’s Jodie Hopperton, delivered a keynote address, while US-based Broadstreet joined workshops on implementing and selling advertising. Other focusses included revenue growth, HR for newsrooms, and journalism ethics and purpose.

• LINA is inviting registrations for a ten-week ‘Sustainable Growth Program’ – starting next month – which supports newsrooms to innovate and trial new project concepts. LINA covers 75 per cent of the fee for newsrooms, with publishers to contribute $1,000 + GST to participate.

Expert mentors supporting the next programme include LinkedIn News director and former Huffington Post editor Nicolette Logue; media strategist and former Private Media managing director Olivia McDonnell; and a former journalist and Polaris Media digital transformation lead Belle Kwan.

• Nell O'Shea Carré, LINA’s head of policy and communications, reports that LINA has responded to the Senate inquiry into ‘Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy’, stressing that governments have a responsibility to ensure public access to healthy, diverse information systems and to counter misinformation with a coordinated approach.

“Central to this is support for independent and local newsrooms, which provide trusted, evidence-based reporting,” she says. “Our submission calls for capacity-building and regulatory support to help these outlets continue their vital democratic role while developing sustainable business models.”

LINA is also preparing to submit to the committee for the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025, expressing concern about the proposed reforms and their potential to impact journalists’ role of investigating, scrutinising and reporting on authorities such as government. “Reach out to discuss,” she says.

• LINA has welcomed Brisbane newspaper Village Voice – which delivers 75,000 print copies monthly to a community in the city's inner northern suburbs – as its newest member. Village Voice covers politics, development, arts and culture, sport, business and other community updates.

Pictured (from left) Nicolette Logue, Olivia McDonnell and Belle Kwan and (below) this year’s summit delegates