Alleged Anzac Day Hecklers Face Court over 2025 Booing
Four men accused of white‑supremacist ties faced a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing for booing and shouting racist slogans during the 2025 Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. They are charged with behaving offensively and breaching the Shrine of Remembrance Regulations Act, while asserting the implied constitutional right of political communication as a defence. The case also highlights related extremist prosecutions, including a prior Nazi‑salute conviction and an alleged attack on an Indigenous site. Prosecutors may call up to 12 witnesses over a five‑day trial.
Court Hears Allegations Nicky Winmar 'Bashed' Woman's Head Against Door
Former AFL star Nicky Winmar is on trial after a woman testified he bashed her head against a wooden door in May 2025, cracking the door. He has pleaded not guilty to unlawful assault and intentionally causing injury. The Bendigo...
Four Tasty and Affordable Rice Dishes for Busy Weeknights
The article showcases four quick, budget‑friendly rice recipes—creamy parmesan risotto, baked vegetarian fried rice, Greek spinach rice with feta, and a Middle Eastern rice pudding. Each dish uses pantry staples, requires minimal prep time, and can be ready in under...
Albanese Readies Federal Budget to Favour Gen Z and Millennial Voters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to overhaul property‑tax incentives in the upcoming federal budget, targeting negative gearing and the 50 percent capital‑gains‑tax discount to give Gen Z and millennial Australians a better chance at home ownership. The government is also expected...
Iran Offers New Proposal to End War with United States
Iran has delivered a fresh peace proposal to Pakistani mediators, who have passed it on to the United States. The war, which began on 28 February 2026, has seen Iran tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz while the...
Chinese Company Launches Legal Action over Forced Sale of Port of Darwin
Chinese‑owned Landbridge has filed an arbitration claim with the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investor Disputes (ICSID) alleging that Australia’s move to force‑sell the Port of Darwin breaches their free‑trade pact. The Albanese government, citing national‑security concerns, pledged...
May Temperature Records Fall Across Victoria as Warm Weather Continues
Victoria experienced an unprecedented heatwave on May 1, with at least 20 locations recording their warmest May day on record. Avalon and Geelong tied for the highest temperature at 29.3 °C, matching a peak in Walpeup. The Bureau of Meteorology attributes the...
SA Premier Defends Course Development Despite LIV Golf Doubts
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas defended a controversial $45 million (≈$30 million US) redevelopment of the North Adelaide golf course, arguing it will become a public asset and year‑round tourism draw. The project, launched on the assumption it would host future LIV Golf...
Apologetic Insurer Claims Customers Were Not Tricked in Renewal Notices
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has sued RACQ over more than 434,000 insurance renewal notices that listed a “last period premium” inconsistent with what customers actually paid. The regulator alleges up to 70% of those notices overstated prior...
Victorian Opposition Vows $20m Saving with Public Servant Salary Cap
The Victorian Liberal‑National opposition announced a plan to cap senior public‑sector executive base salaries at just under A$600,000 (about US$396,000) per year. The proposal targets current outliers such as a Big Build executive earning A$834,000 (≈US$550,000) and the Department of Transport...
Hundreds of Jobs to Go at Home Affairs Amid 'Financial Pressures'
The Australian Department of Home Affairs will launch a voluntary redundancy scheme, aiming to shed several hundred jobs but keeping the total under 1,000. The move follows similar staffing cuts in education and social services as the Labor government tightens...
How Indonesian Farmers Are Protecting Australia's $1b Citrus Industry
Australian researchers, through ACIAR, are funding a $1.8 million, five‑year project with Indonesian and Chinese partners to detect and control Huanglongbing (citrus greening) in Java. The initiative trains local farmers to spot the Asian citrus psyllid, the disease’s primary vector, and...
'Self-Belief, Respect': Indigenous Boxers Building Strength with David Pocock
Cuz Boxing launched its first Indigenous Development Camp in Canberra, bringing together 30 First Nations athletes aged 10‑18 for intensive boxing training and cultural mentorship. The program, supported by former Wallabies captain David Pocock and community elders, blends physical conditioning...
Tradwives, Gangsters and One Very Special Dog: April's 10 Best Books
ABC Arts released its April roundup of the ten best new books, spotlighting titles that span satire, true‑crime, and social critique. Highlights include Caro Claire Burke’s *Yesteryear*, which thrusts a trad‑wife influencer into 1855, Patrick Radden Keefe’s investigative *London Falling*, and...
ICC Judges Reject Bid to Release Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte
International Criminal Court judges dismissed former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's appeal for release, allowing the proceedings on his alleged crimes against humanity to continue. The 81‑year‑old faces three counts tied to thousands of deaths during his 2016‑2019 war on drugs,...
Australian Billionaire's Waste-to-Energy Plan Labelled 'Waste Colonialism'
Australian billionaire Ian Malouf proposes a $900 million waste‑to‑energy plant at Vuda Point, Fiji, capable of generating up to 80 MW and supplying roughly 45% of the island’s electricity. The facility would burn up to 900,000 tonnes of waste annually, including material imported...
'Spectacularly Ill-Advised': Energy Giants Condemn Gas Tax
Australia is debating a 25% tax on gas exports and higher petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) on windfall profits. Energy giants such as Shell, ConocoPhillips and Origin Energy warned the measures would deter investment, reduce energy security and damage trade...
'I Know Who My Son Is': Elijah Hollands's Father Posts Heartfelt Message
Elijah Hollands, a 23‑year‑old Carlton midfielder, was hospitalized after a mental‑health episode during Thursday’s game against Collingwood. His father, former AFL player Ben Hollands, posted an emotional Instagram message pledging to support his son and urging others to check on...
More than $1m Worth of Fines From AI Seatbelt Cameras Withdrawn in WA
Western Australia has withdrawn more than $1.1 million AUD (≈$730,000 USD) in seat‑belt fines after six months of AI‑assisted road‑safety cameras. The system issued roughly 53,000 seat‑belt infringements, of which about 2,000 were cancelled, representing less than 4% of total penalties. Minister...
Hobart to Ditch Hire E-Scooters and Bring in 'Safer' E-Bikes Instead
The City of Hobart announced it will remove its shared e‑scooter fleet and replace it with a dedicated e‑bike program. Council cited ongoing safety, regulatory and parking issues as the primary drivers of the change. The e‑bike initiative builds on...
Could Australia Make Enough Biofuel to Keep Us Flying?
Rising jet‑fuel prices—up 150% since the Middle East conflict—have forced Qantas and Virgin to slash domestic routes, spotlighting Australia’s reliance on imported fuel. The government’s $1.1 bn Cleaner Fuels Program aims to jump‑start sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production from canola, sugar‑cane...
NT Councils Could Cut Access to Pools, Street Lights Due to Power Price Hike
Northern Territory's electricity tariff reform, set to begin on 1 July, will raise power prices for local councils. Darwin City Council estimates the increase will add roughly $330,000 USD to its annual budget, translating to a half‑percent rate rise for ratepayers. To...
Triple Murderer Erin Patterson's Estranged Husband Writing His Memoir
Simon Patterson, the estranged husband of convicted triple‑murderer Erin Patterson, is preparing a memoir about his experience. Prosecutors dropped his own poisoning allegations, so they were excluded from her 2023 murder trial that resulted in a minimum 33‑year sentence. Patterson’s...
Indemnified Soldiers Give Evidence in War Veteran's Case, Documents Show
Three indemnified Australian Defence Force witnesses have provided written statements to prosecutors, detailing their personal involvement in the execution of Afghan detainees under the direction of former SASR soldier Ben Roberts‑Smith. The Victoria Cross recipient faces five murder war‑crime charges stemming...
'Attention-Seeking' Man Allegedly Targeted Police, Defence in 'Cybercrime Spree'
A 22‑year‑old Adelaide resident, Aiden Wood, was charged with 12 hacking offences after allegedly launching a four‑month cybercrime spree that targeted critical government infrastructure, including the Australian Federal Police and Defence Force, as well as the NBN network at a...
US Alliance Indispensable as Marles Looks to Build More Self-Sufficient ADF
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles unveiled a new defence strategy that will boost spending by roughly AU$53 billion (about US$35 billion) over the next decade, channeling billions into air and missile‑defence, command‑and‑control, autonomous systems and the AUKUS submarine programme. The plan also...
Gold Mine Stops Underground Operations After magnitude-4.5 Earthquake
Newmont’s Cadia gold mine in New South Wales halted all underground operations after a magnitude‑4.5 earthquake struck just west of the site on April 15. The tremor, the strongest ever recorded in the Central West region, prompted an immediate evacuation...
Moana Pasifika to Leave Super Rugby at End of Season
Moana Pasifika announced it will disband after the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, citing an unsustainable $7 million annual operating cost and the inability to secure new ownership. The Auckland‑based franchise, which entered the competition in 2022, sits last with a...
Terminaly Ill MP Says Ban on Telehealth for Assisted Dying Must Change
Victorian MP Emma Vulin, diagnosed with motor neurone disease, has written to Attorney‑General Michelle Rowland urging a change to the federal Criminal Code that bans telehealth consultations for voluntary assisted dying (VAD). The current law criminalises doctors who use phone...
Government Announces Billions in Spending on Military Drones
The Australian government unveiled a decade‑long investment of at least $12 bn AUD (about $7.9 bn USD) in military drones and counter‑drone systems. The package includes $2 bn AUD (~$1.3 bn USD) in the new Integrated Investment Program and $2.2 bn AUD (~$1.45 bn USD) for...
How These Queer Couples Split the Mental Load Might Surprise You
The article explores how queer couples divide the mental and emotional labor at home, highlighting three pairs who tailor chores to personal strengths, skills, and gender‑affirming preferences. Zoe and Georgia split tasks like gardening, laundry, and finances based on enjoyment...
Live: US Navy Begins Blockade of Iranian Ports After Failed Peace Talks
The U.S. Navy has initiated a blockade of Iranian ports after weekend peace talks collapsed, citing Iran's refusal to renounce a nuclear program. The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz—key to global oil flows—faces heightened tension, with the International...
Saudi Arabia Gets More Oil Flowing as US Blocks Strait of Hormuz. What You Need to Know About Iran Today
US President Donald Trump announced a unilateral blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran refused nuclear assurances in talks held in Islamabad. The move comes as Saudi Arabia’s East‑West pipeline, damaged earlier by an Iranian strike, has returned to...
Secret Documents Reveal Landmark Housing Project's Budget Headache
Internal Victorian government documents reveal that the state’s $5.3 billion (≈$3.5 billion USD) Big Housing Build has absorbed an extra $1 billion (≈$660 million USD) in unbudgeted costs within two years. Soaring construction prices – timber and reinforcing steel up about 60% – added...
Minister Casts Doubt on Road User Tax over Concerns It Could Hurt EV Uptake
Transport Minister Catherine King signaled that a proposed road‑user charge on electric vehicles is unlikely to be introduced now, citing concerns it could dampen the rapid rise in EV adoption. The federal government faces a looming $10‑12 bn USD annual shortfall...
Independent Supermarkets Struggle to Keep Prices Down as Iran War Hurts
The Iran‑Israel conflict has driven up global fuel and fertilizer prices, raising supply costs for Australian farmers and grocery distributors. Independent chains such as Drakes Supermarkets are absorbing extra supplier charges, while smaller retailers face new minimum delivery fees that...
Live: Trump Says Iran Has 'No Cards' But Hormuz Blockade as Peace Talks Set to Begin
U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad to lead a delegation for peace talks with Iran, while Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf insists that frozen Iranian assets be released and a cease‑fire in Lebanon be secured before negotiations begin. Meanwhile, Hezbollah...
How Serious Is the Iranian Sea Mine Threat in the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a map designating a danger zone in the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels of anti‑ship mines. U.S. intelligence estimates Tehran holds over 5,000 mines, including Maham 3 deep‑water and Maham 7 shallow‑water influence mines, which could...
Warships 'Could Absolutely Deploy' To Iran if Asked, Defence Chief Says
Australia’s chief of defence, Admiral David Johnston, affirmed that the Australian Defence Force could deploy a warship to the Strait of Hormuz if the government orders it, despite criticism over the navy’s aging frigates. He emphasized that the decision rests...
Alcoa Rejects Mercury Emissions Concerns From Its WA Refinery
Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia reported a spike in mercury emissions, reaching about 400 kilograms in 2025—almost twice the 2022 level. The increase coincides with higher bauxite throughput and deteriorating condensers, which Alcoa attributes to natural ore variation....
Smallest Town in Australia for Sale as Two Residents Decide to Sell Roadhouse
Two longtime residents of Cooladdi, Queensland, have put the entire outback town up for sale. The asking price is roughly AUD 400,000 (about US$264,000), which includes their four‑bedroom home, the Foxtrap Roadhouse, a motel, shop and other amenities. The town, once...
Squid Sightings Spawn Hope for Fast Species Recovery in South Australia
After a devastating harmful algal bloom in early 2025 wiped out southern calamari along South Australia’s coast, recent sightings of a large squid off Kangaroo Island and smaller individuals in Encounter Bay have sparked optimism. Fishers report the first sizable...
Qld Premier Says Federal Government Should Fast-Track Oil Projects
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged the federal government to fast‑track approvals for oil projects in the Taroom Trough, a 750‑square‑kilometre exploration area in central Queensland. He argues the development is essential for national fuel security and could shave years off...
Claims Wild-Caught Australian Seafood Will Soon 'only Be Afforded by the Rich'
Australian wild‑caught seafood is facing a steep price surge as fuel costs for fishing vessels have doubled, pushing operating expenses from $54,000 to $100,000 per trip. A permanent ban on demersal fishing in Western Australia and the recent collapse of...
'Incredibly Worrisome': Concerns for Sick Refugees without Medicare
A growing number of asylum seekers in Australia are denied Medicare, leaving them without essential preventive care. Visa categories such as bridging visas often exclude families, and eligibility can lapse during lengthy residency processing. The story of Raj, who cannot...
Live: Markets Brace for Iran War Deadline, Oil Prices Fall on Deal Hopes
Physical crude prices have surged to near $150 a barrel as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz cuts roughly 12 million barrels per day from global supply. Dated Brent, the benchmark for immediate delivery, is trading about $20 above June...
Leg Amputee Forced to Wait Two Months for Rehabilitation Services
Phillip Norris, a 66‑year‑old radio announcer from Inverell, NSW, underwent a leg amputation in December and spent two months navigating a fragmented rehabilitation pathway. After multiple hospital transfers and a 2,000‑km travel burden, he finally received a prosthetic leg at...
Darwin Midwife's $1.1 Million Government Contract Under Review
The Northern Territory government is reviewing a $1.1 million contract granted to Claire Marks, a midwife whose registration is limited to supervised practice. The funding supports her firm Midwives in Darwin, created to plug a void after the collapse of private...
As the World Counts Down to Trump's Iran Deadline, Here's What You Need to Know
U.S. President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum to April 7, threatening to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In the hours before the deadline, the United States and Israel launched strikes...
Tourism Industry Council Warns Sector at 'Tipping Point'
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has warned that the state’s visitor economy is at a "tipping point" as operators grapple with soaring fuel, energy and labour costs and a wave of cancellations. While Easter drove occupancy spikes of up...