AAP FactCheck Articles

Is Australia’s last frozen vegetable company close to closing?

The future of Australian-grown frozen vegetables is attracting significant social media attention, with a Facebook post claiming the only Australian company producing these goods is “not far from closing”.

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Quote on voting doesn’t tally as Mark Twain

In the aftermath of the United Kingdom's election some disillusioned voters have sought solace with a purported quote by US author and humourist Mark Twain.

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This is how many dams have really been built in Australia since 1984

With Australia in the grip of a severe drought, a Facebook post ponders why water supplies are low and claims the nation’s last dam was built in 1984.

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Iceland and Philippines volcanic eruptions didn’t produce more CO2 than humans

A Facebook post claims carbon emitted from volcanic eruptions have undone all human reduction strategies.

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Woolworths has not stopped buying Australian fruit

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from December 4, 2019, by an Australian page: Tony Abbott: Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. The post’s text reads: “Woolworths have to (sic) decided to source your fruit from overseas and will stop buying Australian fruits from SPC & Ardmona (sic). Let’s send them a message about putting Australians first Vote with your feet.”

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Africa “slave markets” photo is of actors at a re-enactment

A Facebook post from an Australian user on December 8 and examined by AAP FactCheck, allegedly shows people being sold off as slaves.

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Grand Canyon from space image is a Photoshop fake

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post on October 16, 2019 by a Queensland user purportedly showing the Grand Canyon from space.

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Samoa "measles timeline" ignores reality of epidemic spread

As a measles epidemic hits the Pacific island nation of Samoa, a Facebook post claims to show a timeline of events ending in the State of Emergency that was declared in November.

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Swedish crime stats claims not clear cut

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from November 23, 2019 on a page called Future Australian Prime Minister with statistics on Sweden, claiming the Nordic nation is a “world leader in many things”.

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Churchill "what are we fighting for" quote is an artistic creation

A quote attributed to Britain’s art-loving wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill, has been circulating on social media after Australia’s current prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced a restructure of the public service.

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Margarine "turkey fattener” post mixes some facts with fiction

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post which makes some alarming claims about margarine, including that it was originally created to fatten turkeys and was supposedly repurposed as food for people “when it killed the turkeys”.

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Cruise control warning a slippery mix of claims

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from June 17, 2019 by a private user, which claimed using cruise control in wet weather can cause your car to accelerate further if it hydroplanes, and take off “like an airplane”.

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"Stolen pensions" post recycles misinformation

A lengthy Facebook post from an Australian user starts with a headline that reads: “OLD AGE PENSION QUIETLY CHANGED TO WELFARE PAYMENT” and a claim that the age pension is now (or soon will be) referred to as “Low Income Aged Persons Welfare”. It also claims that “7.5% of our wages deducted before tax for the whole of our working lives has been stolen by both sides of politics”.

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Inaccurate claims about mobile phones in cars

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from a NSW user published on November 19, 2019 which claims Australia has passed laws making it illegal to touch a mobile phone while driving or with engine running.

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Daisy the dog didn’t save 967 people in the 9/11 attacks

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from October 30, 2019 by an Australian user which features a video of Daisy, a guide dog, who supposedly rescued hundreds of people from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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No, Mel Gibson didn't endorse cryptocurrency scam

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post featuring a photo of Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson above a headline reading “How Mel Gibson’s Latest investment Has Australians Making Up To $63K A Month”.

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Heart attack claims a mix of facts and fiction

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post which features a photo of a heart and claims drinking water at specific times of the day will help lower the risk of some diseases. It also details the role of aspirin in heart attacks.

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Bottled water in cars claim leaves a bad taste

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from October 5, 2019 on the page WeAreTeens which features a screenshot of a tweet. Under a caption saying “Don’t leave water in the car!!” is an image of a notice with a headline: “Bottled Water in Your Car Is Very Dangerous”.

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Wind turbines produce more energy than it takes to make them

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post from November 7, 2019 by public page Stand Up For Australia- Melbourne, which claimed a wind turbine, referred to in the post as a windmill, "could spin until it falls apart and never generate as much energy as was invested in building it".

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Dreamworld is not giving away tickets to celebrate its anniversary

AAP FactCheck examined multiple links shared on Facebook on November 15, 2019 claiming Dreamworld is giving away tickets to celebrate its anniversary.

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