Category: Australian News

On Good Friday, the Albanese Government is investing to strengthen world-class healthcare for children as part of Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.  

This year marks 95 years of the Good Friday Appeal and 95 years of the Victorian community coming together in support of young patients and their families.

Our Government will provide $2 million to support the Royal Children’s Hospital to improve access to specialised health care for children throughout Victoria, and to expand its health information service for children and young people nationally.

The builds on the $6 million the Government has already provided to the Good Friday Appeal, funding life-changing treatment, world-class research, leadership and training. It helps attract the brightest minds to care for kids from Victoria and across Australia.

Last year, the Good Friday Appeal, together with the Royal Children’s Hospital, distributed $3 million to 41 regional health services to fund equipment, training and education.

This allowed families to receive care closer to home and was described as a “game changer” by regional health services.

Every year, thousands of people volunteer their time, experience and creativity to organise fundraising events and activities to support the hospital, culminating in the telethon on Good Friday. 

Anyone wishing to make a contribution or learn more about the patients, volunteers and staff at the hospital can visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au. 

Prime Minister Albanese:

“For 95 years, the Good Friday Appeal has been about people pitching in and helping out people who need it the most. That’s the Australian way.

“Nothing matters more than the health and wellbeing of our children, and this funding will help make sure more kids get the care they need, closer to home.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital does incredible work and this investment will help them reach more children across Victoria.

“I thank every volunteer and supporter who makes the Good Friday Appeal possible because your generosity is changing lives.”

Deputy Prime Minister Marles:

“The Albanese Government’s support for the Good Friday Appeal is about providing greater access to health care in regional Victoria, meaning greater access closer to home and reducing the burden on families and their loved ones.

“Having grown up with the Good Friday Appeal, I know Victorians will be digging deep today in support of a truly terrific cause.  

Minister Butler: 

“The Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital is a fabulous cause with a rich history. 

“The Royal Children’s Hospital uses these funds for projects that lift paediatric care to a new level and help to spread its excellence in care for more children and families, in more places, closer to home.”

Last night, I joined more than 40 countries on a ministerial call on the Strait of Hormuz as part of Australia’s support for international efforts to ensure critical waterways are not held hostage by the Iranian regime.

I thank UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for convening the meeting with representatives from every continent, as well as key international organisations including the International Maritime Organization and the European Union.

Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait, coupled with its attacks on commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, is causing unprecedented energy supply shocks and impacting oil and fuel prices.

Iran is deliberately inflicting economic pain on communities worldwide, including the Indo-Pacific, with the costs borne disproportionately by the most vulnerable.

Australia joined partners in condemning the Iranian regime’s weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ministers urged Iran to act in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes.

The focus of last night’s meeting was diplomatic and civilian initiatives countries could pursue to make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe. Ministers agreed on the importance of continued coordination and collective action.

Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying troops on the ground in Iran.

The Australian Government continues to support de-escalation and the resolution of this conflict.

The longer this war goes on, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be.

Today, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Jo Clay has called on all members of the ACT Legislative Assembly to stand with workers and community members fighting to save the Yerrabi Yurwang Northside Health Service, which is pausing operations this morning after the ACT Government refused to provide funding for the service.

Jo Clay, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens:

“Canberra is often painted as one of the wealthiest cities in the country, but that’s only half the story. This city is a tale of two stories, and right now the gap between them is growing, leaving entire communities in the dust.

“For First Nations people on the northside, that inequality is stark.

“It is unacceptable that access to culturally appropriate health services depends on what side of town you live. Just 17% of First Nations people on the northside are accessing health services, compared to 20-29% in the south.

“The team at Yerrabi Yurwang have been doing incredible work under impossible pressure. Last year, the Greens stood with them and the community, backing their call for proper investment. The need has only grown since then.

“Instead of stepping up, the government has walked away. Today, that decision means a vital, community-led health service is shutting its doors, right in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, when people need support more than ever.

“This closure will force people to travel long distances, by car or unreliable public transport, just to access culturally-appropriate healthcare. For many, that means going without.

“This is a political choice from the Labor Government and it’s the wrong one. The Greens are calling on the government to immediately restore funding to Yerrabi Yurwang and work with the community to secure a long-term future for this essential service.

“If the Labor Party is serious about Closing the Gap, backing self-determination, and delivering real health outcomes for First Nations people, then it needs to stop talking and start funding, by stepping up for the Yerrabi Yurwang Northside Health Service.”

The ACT Greens will be attending the rally to save Yerrabi Yurwang Health Service and are calling on members of the public as well as members of the ACT Legislative Assembly to join in showing their support for aboriginal-controlled health services.

The Greens welcome today’s release of a series of reports from the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist and the National Science and Technology Council that examine how resilience to mis and disinformation can be strengthened in Australia.

The reports come a week after a Greens-initiated Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy found coordinated false and misleading information campaigns are infringing multiple human rights, dividing Australian communities, and hindering global progress on climate change by eroding public trust in climate science and influencing political outcomes.

Greens spokesperson for Science, and Select Committee chair, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“The release of these reports helps progress a timely and critical national conversation, taking place alongside international conversations, on how governments can strengthen and protect our information ecosystems.

“The reports published by the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist reinforce substantial evidence provided to the Select Committee regarding the urgent need for the development of a national, society-wide plan to address this wicked problem.

“Majority Select Committee recommendations – supported by Labor – for the Australian Government to adopt the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity and to endorse the UN Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change provide clear frameworks for how a national plan to strengthen our information ecosystem could be progressed.

“Australians have low literacy and understanding of mis and disinformation – what it is, why it happens, and how to recognise it. Especially the tactics and tools employed by various disinformation actors and vested interests.

“Report findings handed down by Australia’s Chief Scientist are consistent with many found by the Select Committee.

“Both reports found that certain social and traditional media outlets intentionally present biased or misleading information to appeal to specific audiences and that this may be done to drive user engagement and platform profits, while also amplifying inaccuracies. 

“This doesn’t just refer to the propagation of false or misleading information relating to climate change and energy, but also the deliberate manipulation of public discourse by multiple actors. 

“Knowledge and information is power. When our information ecosystems are polluted by profit-driven tech platforms, fossil fuel corporations and other vested interests, this becomes an urgent and significant obstacle to the public’s ability to make educated and informed decisions.

“The Greens implore the Albanese government to act on the Select Committee’s recommendations. This includes implementing legislative or regulatory reform to identify psychosocial harms caused by mis and disinformation, and placing the onus of addressing these harms onto digital platforms while monitoring the effectiveness of their mitigations through regulatory and civic oversight.

Responding to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement on gambling ad reform at the Nation Press Club today, Greens spokesperson for communications Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: 

“The Prime Minister has caved to the gambling lobby. 

“Gambling ads will continue to flood online and blanket digital apps, ads linked to sport will stay on TV, and there’s no National Regulator to hold the gambling lobby accountable.

“It’s weak and gutless and leaves young Australians to be groomed by the gambling predators. 

“This proposal is riddled with loopholes that will benefit the gambling companies and allow them to continue their insidious targeting.

“Genuine gambling reform has to take aim at the industry’s most harmful practices – including their predatory online advertising and inducements. 

“What has been outlined today by the Prime Minister does not match the scale of reform desperately needed to take on the vultures in the gambling industry.

“Online platforms are now the frontline of gambling promotion, with younger Australians increasingly exposed. The only way to tackle this insidious industry head on is with a complete ban on gambling ads. 

“The Greens will work through the details when we see the legislation and push for the protection Australian families deserve – but this announcement today doesn’t touch the sides.”

The new Sydney Fish Market is expected to have its biggest day of trade to date as operators prepare for more than 60,000 visitors on Good Friday.

Across the Easter long weekend, approximately 650 tonnes of seafood is expected to be sold – including 100 tonnes of prawns and nearly one million oysters.

To manage the demand, fishmongers and retail stores will have extended hours opening from 5.00am on Friday.

Adding to the holiday atmosphere there will also be visits from the Easter Bunny from 10am to 12pm on Good Friday and 11am to 2pm on Easter Sunday.

The new Sydney Fish Market has all your Easter feast needs bringing together Sydney’s finest seafood specialists, gourmet providores, fresh produce vendors and specialty food retailers.

Alongside premium seafood, Mayfarm Flowers offers farm fresh flowers, Olivetta has limited edition Easter boxes and Blackwattle Deli stocks everything for an Easter feast.

Limited-edition treats on offer, include Cow & The Moon’s hot-cross brioche filled with house-made gelato and Stitch Coffee’s White Rabbit chocolate bar, created in partnership with local chocolatier South Pacific Cacao. For a special Easter dining experience, Ichié has teamed up with Christie’s Seafood for a live lobster offer, with chefs preparing lobster one of three ways – sashimi, stir-fry or deep-fried.

More than 100 seafood species will be available across the long weekend, including Easter staples like prawns and oysters to seasonal standouts including Yellowtail Kingfish, Ocean Perch, Mullet and Gould’s Squid.

Sydney Fish Market’s restaurants are also ready to serve up fresh flavours and Easter cheer across the long weekend. From casual bites to sit-down feasts and festive cocktails, diners can taste the very best local produce while enjoying the best harbour views.

Public transport is the best way to get to Sydney Fish Market, with train, light rail and bus stops nearby.

You can plan your trip using the Transport for NSW Trip Planner or check out the Travel Access Guide.

For more information about Sydney Fish Market visit Home – Sydney Fish Market

The new harbourside destination has attracted more one million visitors in its first two months of trading and even gained the attention of Time magazine, who named it one of ‘the World’s Greatest Places of 2026’.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Sydney Fish Market will be buzzing this Easter, set to attract more than 60,000 on Good Friday and sell more than 650 tonnes of seafood across the long weekend.

“Fishmongers and retailers are prepared for the crowds with all seafood counters stacked and a number of limited edition Easter treats on offer across retailers and restaurants.

“The weekend will be made extra special with visits by the Easter Bunny on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.”

Sydney Fish Market CEO Daniel Jarosch said:

“For so many Sydney families, Easter starts at the Fish Market and this year that tradition has a spectacular new harbourside setting.

“From our fishmongers opening at 5am on Good Friday to late-night dining, there’s something for everyone over the entire long weekend.”

Sydney Royal Easter Show visitors can hop on into the showbag pavilion this year knowing that the goodies, toys and treats on offer have been checked by NSW Fair Trading.

Compliance rates in 2026 have improved on previous years, with fewer non-compliant toys identified during this year’s inspections.

NSW Fair Trading inspected more than 400 showbags with a focus on products within the agency’s scope of mandatory safety and information standards. No products containing button batteries were identified.

One toy promoted as being suitable for children under 36 months was found by inspectors to have small parts which could easily detach, posing a potential choking hazard. The trader accepted the assessment and agreed to remove the item before the showbags were sold.

Meanwhile, four cosmetic products were found to be missing mandatory ingredient labelling as required under the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020, with the traders taking steps to ensure compliant labelling is affixed prior to sale.

NSW Fair Trading will continue to work with exhibitors to ensure all products sold at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show meet Australia’s mandatory safety and information standards, supporting a safe and enjoyable experience for families across NSW.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show commences today, on 2 April, and will run until 13 April 2026 at Sydney Olympic Park.

Find out more about the safety of children’s products and toys: https://www.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/consumer-rights-and-protection/safety/childrens-products-and-toy-safety

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Easter Show is an exciting time for families across NSW, with showbags often at the centre of many happy memories.

“NSW Fair Trading inspected hundreds of showbags to make sure the products inside meet the highest safety standards – and we’re pleased to say that product compliance rates have improved even further this year.  

“This is a testament not only to the dedication of traders, but also the great work NSW Fair Trading is doing on the ground to ensure families enjoy the Show safely.”

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“Year after year, showbags bring joy to kids and nostalgia to adults. NSW Fair Trading inspects the contents of showbags to ensure the products included are compliant and ready for a great day out.

“We’re pleased to see exhibitors largely taking safety seriously and working closely with our inspectors to resolve issues before showbags reach the public.

“Our inspectors will be maintaining a strong presence throughout the show to ensure to ensure every product sold meets mandatory safety and information requirements.

The Albanese Labor Government is bringing forward $6.15 billion in concessional capital to support Australian businesses affected by global disruptions.

This accelerated delivery of funds will help protect local manufacturing and supply chain businesses from market disruptions, and support investments in increased production capability, capacity and decarbonisation efforts.

The $1 billion Economic Resilience Program, $5 billion Net Zero Fund, and $150 million in concessional finance under the Forestry Growth Fund will open shortly to provide a greater scope of support and concessional finance to Australian businesses.

The Economic Resilience Program (ERP) will provide zero interest loans to fuel, fertiliser and other critical supply chains businesses to support Australia’s domestic industries and supply chains impacted by market disruptions.

This will help keep our trucks, trains and planes moving, and our critical production activities online when we need them most.

Originally on track to open mid-year, the $5 billion Net Zero Fund will open sooner to support new manufacturing investment and improvement of energy efficiency in hard-to-abate sectors. This includes scaling domestic manufacturing capabilities in clean energy supply chains – such as wind, solar and energy storage solutions – and the production of low carbon liquid fuels.

The $150 million Forestry Growth Fund will support timber processing for use in housing construction and investment in mills and processing facilities to move up the value chain.

These programs are all sub-funds under the Government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.

To find out more, subscribe to the NRF’s newsletter for updates https://www.nrf.gov.au/subscribe.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Today we are unlocking billions in capital to keep our economy moving forward.

“Unprecedented events overseas continue to disrupt businesses here at home – the Economic Resilience Program is about investing in more production for fuel, fertiliser and logistics.

“We are serious about backing Australian jobs, businesses and industries. And today we are taking action to get this money flowing well ahead of schedule.”

Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:

“Investing in Australian industry is about making Australia stronger.

“Businesses right across the country in dozens of industries are under severe pressure because of unprecedented events overseas.

“By bringing forward $6.15 billion in capital, the National Reconstruction Fund can more quickly support businesses to increase production, capability and capacity.

“This will help them to navigate global supply chain disruption and make sure Australia has more of the things it needs.”

The Albanese Government is taking strong action to protect Australians, particularly children and young people, from the harms of gambling.

New reforms include restrictions on gambling advertising and a crackdown on dodgy operators to protect vulnerable Australians.

The reforms will minimise children’s exposure to gambling harm by stopping the deluge of advertisements through:

• Restricting gambling advertising on broadcast television to no more than three ads each hour between 6am and 8.30pm, with a complete ban during live sport broadcasts within those hours
• Banning gambling ads on the radio during school drop off and pick up times (8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm)
• Banning gambling ads through online platforms, unless people have a logged in account, are over 18 and have the option to opt-out of gambling advertising
• Banning the use of celebrities and sports players in gambling ads, along with odds-style ads targeting sports fans
• Banning gambling ads in sports venues and on players’ and officials’ uniforms. 

Complementing this strong action on gambling advertising, the Albanese Government will:

• Crackdown on harmful and emerging online lottery products, as well as banning online keno “pocket pokies”
• Make match-fixing criminal offences consistent across Australia, improving the integrity of Australian sport and lessening its appeal as a target for criminal infiltration
• Boost enforcement against illegal offshore gambling providers
• Continue work to strengthen BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register, following the recent statutory review
• Expand financial counselling support for gambling and work to increase public awareness of online gambling harms.
  The Government will develop legislation to implement these measures, with reforms to begin from 1 January 2027.

the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Government is taking decisive action to tackle the community and public health concerns associated with gambling.

“We’re getting the balance right here, letting adults have a punt if they want to but also making sure Australian children don’t see betting ads everywhere they look.

“What we don’t want is kids growing up thinking that footy and gambling are the same thing.”

Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek

“Every Australian knows someone hurt by gambling. Gambling harm doesn’t just hurt individuals – it can have a devastating impact on families and communities.

“We’re making sure a new generation of kids don’t grow up thinking having a punt is a vital part of enjoying sport.

“Gambling is increasingly recognised as a contributing factor in domestic violence. Young men are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm.

“These reforms will put the welfare of young Australians first and play a critical role to help prevent family and domestic violence.”

Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport Anika Wells

“Gambling addiction is a serious public health issue and this announcement represents strong reform to reduce gambling harms in Australia’s history.

“From 1 January next year Australians will be able to sit down with their families and cheer on their favourite team without being bombarded by gambling advertising.

“Our reforms will break the connection between wagering and sport, minimise children’s exposure to wagering advertising and reduce its saturation across the internet, radio and TV channels.

“Australian parents, families and sports fans have been calling for action, and we thank all those involved for their continued engagement and advocacy as we’ve worked continuously to get the settings balanced and right.”

Today the states and territories agreed to work with the Albanese Government to forgo increased GST revenue on fuel transactions, locking in more relief for motorists.

This will provide another $400 million of fuel relief and will be delivered through additional 10.9 per cent cut to the fuel excise for three months, which is a further 5.7 cents per litre cut.

Combined with the halving of fuel excise already legislated by the Government, the total reduction in excise on petrol and diesel will be 32 cents per litre.

This relief is already starting to show up in petrol prices and we expect more to flow through in the next one to two weeks.

This is more help with the cost of living for millions of Australians when they fill up.

People are under cost-of-living pressure and a lot of that pressure is being piled on at the petrol pump due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Giving back the GST windfall on fuel will help to further take the sting out of petrol price rises.

This agreement delivers on the commitment by states and territories at Monday’s National Cabinet to return additional GST revenues they are receiving on fuel from the elevated prices we are seeing.

It is easier and faster to implement this by further cutting fuel excise than by amending the GST itself.

This builds on the Albanese Government’s temporary measures to halve the excise and eliminate the heavy vehicle road user charge. 

Using the legislation passed this week, the Treasurer will today issue a determination to reduce the fuel excise by an additional 10.9% for the period from 1 April to 30 June, giving effect to the welcome announcement by the states today.

For petrol and diesel, this translates to an additional 5.7 cents per litre. Combined with the halving of fuel excise already legislated by the Government, the total reduction in excise on petrol and diesel will be 32 cents per litre.

The combined changes made by the Commonwealth and States this week will cut the cost of a 65-litre tank of fuel by nearly $23. 

This extra relief is on top of all the other action we’re taking to address fuel affordability and security:

• Boosting fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline Minimum Stockholding Obligation for petrol and diesel.
• Getting more fuels into the market by temporarily amending fuel standards.
• Supporting our domestic refineries to create more fuel here in Australia. 
• Empowering the ACCC with bigger penalties for misconduct, including doubling penalties up to $100 million. 
• Our work with the ACCC to authorise major suppliers to get fuel where it’s needed in the regions and ramp up fuel price monitoring.
• Engaging with international partners to strengthen supply chains and fuel security.

The conflict in the Middle East has compounded uncertainty in the global economy and led to significant increases in oil and petrol prices, and we’re not immune from that volatility.

This is more help with the cost of living that comes on top of ongoing relief like tax cuts, more bulk billing, cheaper medicines and cheaper childcare and we thank the states and territories for coming to the table with us to deliver it. 

The Albanese Government is prioritising immediate fuel security and affordability at the same time as we’re focused on inflation, productivity and resilience and global uncertainty, and this relief is an important part of our efforts.