Tara Donnelly

Tara Donnelly is Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology. She has spent more than a decade covering these topics in Australia, the US and Canada, and has authored over 500 Canstar Blue articles. Her expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC , The Australian Financial Review, 4BC Radio and The Sydney Morning Herald. Tara has been nominated for multiple awards for her technology reporting, including Canstar Blue’s highly commended recognition for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. She has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and is passionate about simplifying complex subjects so consumers aren’t just informed, they’re connected and confident. You can read more of Tara's published articles and follow Tara on LinkedIn.


Samsung Galaxy Note 8 phone in spilled liquid

Samsung fined $14 million for false waterproof phone claims

Posted by June 27th 2022

Samsung Australia has been smacked with a massive $14 million fine after incorrectly advertising the water resistance of multiple Samsung Galaxy smartphones. The Australian Federal Court handed down the verdict last week, in response to proceedings …


Wireless earbuds in a woman's hands

The best EOFY tech & gaming deals 2022

Posted by July 7th 2022

The mid-year sale season is the perfect time to snatch a sweet deal on a range of tech, including smart watches, tablets, games, and smart devices. And while many shoppers will head to retailers such …


Smiling young dark haired woman using laptop against mint green background

Exetel retains top spot in NBN speed report

Posted by May 14th 2024

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its latest report on NBN speeds, pitting 12 of Australia's biggest and best-known providers against one another in a quarterly battle for broadband supremacy. And in …


Amaysim gives customers free 4G phones due to Optus 3G refresh

Posted by July 1st 2022

Prepaid telco Amaysim is giving a free 4G-compatible smartphone to customers set to be affected by Optus’ 3G network refresh. Amaysim customers still using a 3G device not compatible with the 900MHz 3G network will be …


A blue piggy bank next to a mobile phone

Telstra confirms phone plan prices will rise in July

Posted by March 24th 2023

Aussies continue to feel the sting of higher living costs, with Telstra confirming that its postpaid mobile plan prices will rise from July 1 for both new and existing customers. Current Telstra subscribers will see their …


Mother and young daughter using tablet together

ACCC pits the NBN against New Zealand’s broadband in new report

Posted by June 2nd 2022

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a new report that pits Australian broadband speeds and performance against New Zealand’s fibre and fixed wireless networks, to see just how the NBN stacks up. …


Woman paying bill using smartphone

Telstra error leads to delayed $11 million payout for customers

Posted by May 27th 2022

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has again called out Telstra for compliance failures, after the telco delayed paying customers more than $11 million in compensation. The ACMA launched an investigation into Telstra's conduct regarding …



A piggy bank next to a laptop

NBN Co proposes price changes that could double your broadband bill

Posted by February 27th 2023

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released full details on proposed variations to broadband pricing submitted by NBN Co that, if approved, could cause internet bills to double over the next decade. NBN Co …


iPhone SE 2022 review: Small but mighty

Posted by March 27th 2025

Apple's newest smartphone, the more-affordable iPhone SE, hit Aussie stores in late March, offering buyers a lower-priced alternative to the premium iPhone 13 series. With a retail price beginning at $719, the 2022 edition of …