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Jade Nacionales

Hi! I am a journalist currently studying at RMIT.

About Me

I am a third-year journalism student at RMIT University with a particular interest in political reporting.

I feel strongly about public interest journalism and its importance to sustain our society. I've covered policy issues, institutional accountability, and multiculturalism. My reporting reflects a belief that journalism's most important role is holding power to account and keeping communities informed.

You can find my work linked below.

My Work

The Westsider •

No changes to Willy Beach Life Saving Club redevelopment plans despite state takeover

By Jade NacionalesRMIT Journalism student


Redevelopment plans for the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club will now be managed by the state government but there is no indication that the current proposal will be changed in any way.


Local MP Melissa Horne says that Hobsons Bay Council “requested this project be assessed as a State Project, however this will not change the project or who delivers it.”


“This is the next step in progressing the redevelopment of the Williamstown Swimmi...
The Westsider •

Funding agreement for Willy Life Saving Club changed without public notice

Plans to redevelop the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club are again under scrutiny following the release of the State government’s original funding terms and conditions for the $11.349m grant.

Proposed plans to modernise the historic clubhouse have been mired in controversy due to the inclusion of a two-storey building with a function venue, gym, expanded members areas and facilities encroaching onto public land.

Residents opposed to...
The Swanston Gazette •

Home and Away: Australia's third culture youth missing from the multicultural conversation

A generation of young Australians is growing up navigating multiple cultures. Balancing life in Australia and the weight of cultural expectation. They speak multiple languages, shift between customs, and often find themselves translating not just words, but their entire characters, treading carefully on a thin line between pride and pressure.Third culture kids or TCKs is a term coined by sociologist Ruth Hill in the 1950s, originally a term to define the children of expats. The definition has ex...
The Swanston Gazette •

Federal Budget 2025: what's in store for you?

Student debt repayments are set to be reduced by 20% if Labor is re-elected, eliminating $19 billion in debt for over 3 million students.“University education is a life-changing opportunity, but it should not leave Australians with a lifetime of debt,” said Jim Chalmers to the House of Representatives.The main point of contention in Chalmers’ budget is the $17 billion in tax cuts, which amounts to roughly $50 a week for the average income earner.The Coalition have been opposing the proposal prof...
The Swanston Gazette •

Rising complaints regarding inaction by RMIT security

Concerns have risen regarding the inaction taken by security on RMIT’s City Campus to uphold their duty of care to RMIT students.Hilary’s experience on campus last semester was “the first time [she’s] had any kind of incident where [she’s] had to call security”.The third-year RMIT student was studying late at night on Level 13 of Building 10, when a man in a dark grey hoodie stopped just a few metres away from her and “started staring at [her]”.Shortly after the man left, Hilary called RMIT secu...
The Swanston Gazette •

Unpaid internships: rite of passage or pipe dream?

Internships are a stepping stone in order to land your dream job, or a requirement to obtain your degree. It’s all for the experience; you shouldn't expect to be paid.Amidst a cost of living crisis, the idea of applying for internships is beginning to be out of one’s reach. The pressure to earn a living wage while also gaining necessary work experience has become a conflicting idea.The Fair Work Act currently allows for unpaid internships to be legal, unless there is an “employment relationship”...
The Swanston Gazette •

News consumption and social media: a double-edged sword

As the internet began to grow, news corporations have made the shift towards broadcasting news online to generate more engagement. However, this caused a loss of credibility within the media.Amidst this change in the media landscape, the demand for more accessible news grew. Online newspapers began to feature new interactive elements, such as videos and user-generated content – e.g. commenting on news posts – allowing the user experience to become more engaging. The increased interaction results...
The Swanston Gazette •

China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific explained: how does this implicate Australia?

China’s presence in the Asia-Pacific has granted them influence in the politics of their neighbouring states. To ensure national security, China aims to foster good relationships with surrounding countries. However, many of China’s neighbours have expressed concern over its increased militarisation in the Asia-Pacific region. Tensions have heightened between China and Australia, as Australia has now overtaken China in becoming the “leading source of bilateral loans to the Pacific,” according to...

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