Category: Australian News

The Prime Minister convened National Cabinet today to address fuel security and supply chain resilience in Australia in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

First Ministers were provided a situation update from the Director General of the Office of National Intelligence Kathy Klugman and the Director General of Security and Head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Mike Burgess.

Leaders agreed that while Australia is well prepared and current supply is secure, the nation must be prepared for all scenarios.

Leaders reinforced their commitment to prioritise securing fuel supply for Australian industry and households, while also shielding Australians from higher prices. Leaders acknowledged that the longer the conflict in the Middle East goes on, the more significant the impact will be for global supply chains, fuel prices, and the wider economy.

The conflict in the Middle East is an unprecedented shock to global energy markets. The International Energy Agency has called it the biggest in history. Already Australians are feeling the consequences at the bowser.

Leaders reiterated their collective mission is to protect Australians from the economic consequences of the global conflict and to ensure continued fuel security, while building economic resilience for the long term. Australia is well placed to do both.

The Commonwealth will appoint Anthea Harris as Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator to support coordination across governments and sectors.

Anthea Harris is formerly the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Security Board. Prior to this, she was Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group within the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

The Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator will be responsible for the following: 

• Leading a new Fuel Supply Taskforce that will be established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra.
• Driving coordination between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on fuel security and supply chain resilience.
• Providing consistent, coordinated updates to the Commonwealth and States and Territories on our fuel supply outlook as well as our domestic fuel distribution.
• Act as a single convening point for fuel supply and forward planning.

Leaders agreed that national coordination is essential to support States and Territories using the powers and plans they have in place regarding fuel distribution.

The Commonwealth Government is responsible for national fuel security and supply and will work with States and Territories to support distribution within their jurisdictions.

Leaders reiterated that Australia is in a good position at present and does not have an overall fuel shortage at this time. However, there are some shortages in specific areas due to an increase in demand in those locations. 

National Cabinet Leaders agreed that every Australian can play a part in helping right now by only purchasing the fuel that they need.

Leaders urged all Australians to consider others in need and not to over buy. That is not the Australian way.

Leaders agreed that the best outcome is to ensure Australia is over prepared. Today’s announcement reinforces that approach.

Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Commonwealth government has taken swift action on fuel to: 

• Release up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages.
• Temporarily amend national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore.
• Crack down on petrol companies price gouging.

Energy Ministers and officials are working closely to coordinate fuel supply updates around the country including through the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee.

The National Coordination Mechanism has convened several discussions with industry and states and territories.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs is engaging key international counterparts to help ensure the continued flow of fuel and diesel shipments to Australia from our trade partners.

The Australian Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.

Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister 

Chris Minns MP
Premier of NSW

Jacinta Allan MP
Premier of Victoria

David Crisafulli MP
Premier of Queensland

Roger Cook MLA
Premier of Western Australia

Peter Malinauskas MP
Premier of South Australia 

Jeremy Rockliff MP
Premier of Tasmania

Andrew Barr MLA
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory

Lia Finocchiaro MLA
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

The Albanese Government has appointed Anthea Harris as Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator – a new role, supporting the work governments around the country are doing to ensure Australia is overprepared and quick to respond when facing fuel and other supply chain challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

The Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator will be responsible for the following: 

• Leading a new Fuel Supply Taskforce that will be established in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Driving coordination between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on fuel security and supply chain resilience.
• Providing consistent, coordinated updates to the Commonwealth and States and Territories on our fuel supply outlook as well as our domestic fuel distribution.
• Supporting State and Territory governments to get fuels to their regions where they are in demand, and act as a single convening point for fuel supply and forward planning.

The Commonwealth Government is responsible for national fuel security and supply, and will work with States and Territories to support distribution within their jurisdictions.

This is a cross portfolio coordination role, ensuring the decisions of Government are implemented quickly and smoothly.

With shortages in specific areas due to an increase in demand in some locations, and further supply chain challenges expected throughout coming weeks and months, Ms Harris’s taskforce will lead coordination work to ensure the best outcomes for Australians and Australian businesses.

Anthea Harris is formerly the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Security Board. Prior to this, she was Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group within the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Australia is well prepared for the challenges coming from the Middle East conflict, and our fuel supply is currently secure.

Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Commonwealth government has taken swift action to: 

• Release up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages.
• Temporarily amend national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore
• Crack down on petrol company price gouging.

This appointment is the next step in shielding Australia from the worst of the economic challenges coming from the Middle East.

The Australian Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

“I want to reassure Australians – Australia is well prepared.

“Our fuel supply is currently secure – but I want us to be over-prepared.

“Anthea Harris is the right person to lead the work across governments ensuring fuel supply remains resilient and challenges coming from the Middle East are dealt with here in the Australian way – looking after each other and facing problems together.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, Chris Bowen

“Australia has entered this period of global uncertainty better prepared than before – our fuel reserves are now held onshore, we’ve invested in our refineries, and we’ve acted quickly to address localised supply shortages.

“Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Albanese Government has taken swift action to release up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages, temporarily amend national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore, and crack down on petrol companies ripping off Australian consumers.

“Today’s announcement of the eminently qualified Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator is the next step in preparing and responding to the supply chain challenges coming from overseas.”

The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is still fighting for a national Koala
Protection Act (KPA), grounded in a simple principle: the rule of law must
protect Australia’s wildlife.

For four decades the Foundation has argued that the Koala, and all other
species that call these forests home, deserve their own dedicated legislation
— a law strong enough to properly safeguard habitat and ensure that the
species survives for future generations.

In 2000, Deborah Tabart OAM, chair of the Australian Koala Foundation,
convened a national legal summit bringing together Australian and
international lawyers, scientists and conservation organisations to examine
whether existing environmental laws could adequately protect the Koala. At
the time they evaluated 22 different documents from State jurisdictions and
by and large all agreed they were not working.

At the time, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 had just come into force. After two days of discussions, participants
encouraged the Australian Koala Foundation to allow the new legislation an
opportunity to operate before pursuing separate Koala-specific law, a
decision that has been met with much regret from the Foundation.

Why? Because more than two decades later, the results are clear. Bob
Brown, then a Senator, did identify and support such a law in 2014 but in
2016, the “big” conservation groups, thinking that Labor would win the
election, decided to abandon “species specific legislation” and the rest of
course is history, says Tabart. The Koala went from Vulnerable to
Endangered in this time.

One of the most significant weaknesses of the EPBC Act is that land clearing
does not automatically trigger federal protection, even though it is
recognised as a threatening process. Only the Federal Environment Minister
has the power to trigger that Act. The current minister is Murray Watt, the
sixteenth person to hold the role since Tabart joined the Australian Koala
Foundation in 1988, nearly 40 years ago. A Koala Protection Act would
remove Ministerial approval and also “Permits to Take” which is by and
large a “licence to kill”.

In practice, projects are frequently “called in” or granted “controlled action”
status. This means developments may proceed while further environmental
information is gathered, a process that can allow large areas of Koala
habitat to be cleared while assessments continue.
For the Koala, time lost often means habitat lost and as a result suffering
illness including chlamydia.

AKF believes that Australia must now consider stronger environmental
accountability. Around the world there is increasing discussion about new
legal frameworks, including the concept of Ecocide — recognising severe
environmental destruction as a crime.

The idea that the law evolves to protect what humanity values is not new.
Following the atrocities of World War II, the Nuremberg Trials established
legal principles that led to the international recognition of Genocide and
Crimes Against Humanity.

Last week also marked International Women’s Day, a moment to reflect on
individuals whose leadership helped shape the modern world. Deborah
Tabart OAM recognises and honours the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, a
former First Lady who championed global peace in the years following
World War I through international efforts that eventually evolved into the
United Nations.

Many suggest the international system she helped inspire is now struggling
to manage a world where “might over right” is again being tested. Some
argue the UN Charter must evolve to meet the realities of the twenty-first
century — and there is confidence that dedicated leaders around the world
are working towards that goal.

The same principle applies to environmental protection. When laws are no
longer strong enough to protect what matters, they must be strengthened.
The call for stronger environmental protection also comes at a time when
citizens are increasingly engaged in planning decisions that affect wildlife
habitat. Submissions to the South-East Queensland Regional Plan have
highlighted ongoing concerns about land clearing, habitat fragmentation
and long-term planning for wildlife across Queensland.

Younger conservationists are now raising many of the same questions that
have been asked for decades — about clearing limits, planning horizons and
the continued loss of primary Koala habitat.

The Australian Koala Foundation believes the answer is clear: Australia
needs a law designed specifically to protect the Koala and its habitat across
the nation.

A Koala Protection Act would ensure that the survival of the Koala is not left
to flawed planning systems but safeguarded by enforceable national
legislation.

The Australian Koala Foundation remains confident that such a law will be
achieved.

Because when people speak clearly enough, the law ultimately follows.

About the Australian Koala Foundation

The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is the principal non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the effective management and conservation of the Koala and its habitat. Our proudest achievement is the recent finalisation of mapping the entire geographic range of the Koala, via our Koala Habitat Atlas mapping methodology. The AKF is also dedicated to a Koala Protection Act.

Greens spokesperson for the arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“The cancellation of Bluesfest today is another devastating blow to Australia’s music community and a stark warning about the fragile state of our arts sector.

“For more than three decades, Bluesfest has been one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals, attracting world-class artists, supporting local performers, and drawing tens of thousands of visitors to regional communities.

“Countless arts organisations, venues, and festivals are being pushed to the brink in this cost of living crisis. 

“Without urgent and sustained investment, more events that support Australian musicians and creatives will disappear.

“The arts are a vital part of Australia’s cultural identity. Live music and festivals create jobs, boost tourism, support small businesses, and provide a platform for emerging Australian artists.

“The cancellation of yet another music festival today should be a wake-up call. 

“Governments at all levels must provide stronger funding and policy support for the arts sector; from festivals and venues, to the artists and crews who bring Australian music to life.

A Senate inquiry hearing into the job and program cuts at the CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific research agency, has revealed low morale for our scientific community and a grim future for essential science in the face of the climate crisis.

Damning evidence to the committee today showed:

• A push to privatise research funding at CSIRO, with implications for the nature of CSIRO’s research agenda.
• Further jobs cuts (up to 350) are expected at CSIRO, on top of the 800 positions already slashed in the past 18 months.
• Low morale among the workforce at CSIRO with staff left devastated by the dehumanising approach to job and program cuts without consultation.
• Inadequate government funding of Australia’s leading scientific research agency, which is unable to keep up with inflation costs of research.
• An economic and human life cost from “adapting blindly” to the climate crisis as a result of lack of funding.
• Shrinking career opportunities for scientists as a result of dwindling funds and employment opportunities at CSIRO and universities.

Greens spokesperson for finance, public sector, workplace relations and employment and Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:

“The Greens secured this inquiry in response to job cuts and funding pressures. The inquiry has revealed the real-world implications of inadequate public funding for science and on our ability to face the climate crisis and future health challenges.

“I’ve heard evidence today from a range of different scientists who have shared the alarming consequences of funding cuts. In the midst of a climate crisis and after a global pandemic, Labor is pouring billions into submarines instead of the fundamental research needed to adapt to and tackle these global challenges.

“At a time when science investment should be growing, our leading research agency is cutting hundreds of jobs to stay afloat. These aren’t just numbers — they’re skilled workers essential to Australia’s scientific future. Our science needs long-term continuity of funding and should be at least in line with the OECD average of 2.7% of GDP.

“CSIRO workers are facing relentless uncertainty about their jobs and research. These are dedicated scientists, and losing their expertise would be a serious blow.

“In the face of a worsening climate crisis, the work of the CSIRO is vitally important to Australians and our future generations. We should be strengthening our research capacity, not murdering its capability slice by painful slice. 

“The Greens are calling on the government to properly resource CSIRO to ensure the long term critical science and knowledge we need to keep our nation safe and prosperous. We heard evidence that, once lost, it will be difficult if not impossible to rebuild these research capabilities.”

Greens spokesperson for science and Senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Cutting CSIRO staff and science programs, especially within the Environmental Research Division in Hobart, shows the Albanese Labor government does not truly value environmental science or the scientific community in Tasmania.

“From the high personal cost being imposed on each and every scientist being told their life’s work is no longer important and required, through to institutional reputational damage and the negative message this sends to young career scientists — it’s a very difficult time and it doesn’t have to be this way.

“You can’t gut the critical role scientists play at CSIRO and then turn around and say you support early career research programs, that just doesn’t make sense.

“It is deceitful for the government to say job cuts are necessary due to budget constraints when it can find hundreds of billions of dollars for nuclear submarines and subsidies for fossil fuel companies. 

“It is clear that science is no longer a priority for this government.”

Today, the Albanese Labor Government, with the support of the Liberals, handed security agencies a veto over what information can be given to Royal Commissions into the Bondi attack and how that evidence can be used.

The Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, is meant to respond to a recommendation from the Interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, but only partially implements this.

The Veterans Royal Commission found that members of the Defence Force and security agencies did not feel free to give evidence to the Royal Commission because of fear of prosecution for breaches of secrecy provisions. As the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion begins this protection is clearly essential, and it is not being given by Labor’s proposals.

This Bill does not give the protection recommended by the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide. It only gives current and former members of security agencies protection from prosecution if they give evidence to the Royal Commission in accordance with arrangements negotiated between the security agency and the Royal Commission. The Bill also provides that the Royal Commission can only use such information in accordance with arrangements agreed to by the security agency.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Justice, said: “You cannot have the security agencies deciding what evidence is given to the Royal Commission about their own activities. This Bill lets the fox run the hen house.

“The horror we saw at Bondi was a national tragedy. This Royal Commission must be able to closely scrutinise the role of Commonwealth security agencies before and after this racist attack. This cannot happen when those same agencies are looking over the commission’s shoulder.

“The Greens have long called for the protection of whistleblowers, including those inside security agencies who want to provide information to Royal Commissions or the Parliament.

“There must be proper protections for brave truth tellers, and agencies can’t hide from scrutiny behind secrecy clauses where this stands in the way of uncovering fundamental problems.

“This Bill goes nowhere near the protections needed for witnesses to the Royal Commission who look at David McBride in jail and are right to be worried what will happen to them if they tell the truth.”

Today the War Parties, Labor, One Nation and the Liberals voted together to pass a Bill that will slam the door on Iranians fleeing a war they have cheered on.

Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No 1) Bill 2026 gives the Minister of Home Affairs the power to block people with valid temporary visa from travelling to Australia.

The Government has made clear that it plans to immediately use this law against 7,200 current visa holders from Iran. The Albanese Government does not want people fleeing Labor’s, Trump’s and Netanyahu’s illegal war from seeking safety here in Australia.

This power can be used to block people from any country from entering Australia. As war and instability spreads across the Middle East, this law could be used on over 61,000 people in the region. This includes not only 7,200 from Iran, but 1,150 from Lebanon, 157 from Palestine, 207 from Syria and more around the region.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Leader said: “This Iranian visa ban is a new low from a Labor government who keep showing themselves to be morally bankrupt on refugee rights.

“It’s extremely cynical how Minister Burke has painted himself as a hero for providing asylum for a handful of women who have distinguished themselves on the soccer field, while shutting the door on thousands more.

“In all my time in Parliament, it’s a new low for Labor to simultaneously champion themselves as humanitarians, while shutting the door on thousands of needy people. I don’t know how you can live with yourselves.”

Senator David Shoebridge Greens Spokesperson on Immigration: “This is Labor again leading the way on cruelty towards migrants and refugees. One Nation and the Liberals back Albanese in, but it is Labor that leads the pack of war parties. They send our military into an illegal war, then slam the door on those fleeing it.

“This Bill will stop grandparents from seeing their grandkids, stop students from getting an education, stop people from bringing their skills and talent into businesses and the community. All because Labor wants to out-cruel One Nation and the Coalition on immigration and refugees.

“Labor keeps saying this war was about protecting the Iranian people from a brutal regime. We can see today what Labor really thinks of the Iranian people, they have just told them to stay in Iran in danger and fear.”

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Triple 0 service outage:

“The evidence that the committee has heard from the ACMA today is disturbing.

“This regulator has proven time and time again that they are asleep at the wheel.

“Despite being informed by ambulance services immediately after the fact, the regulator failed to ask TPG about the death of a customer who couldn’t access Triple 0 services, and allowed the telco months to publicly verify this incident. This is astounding.

“The relationship between the corporations and the regulator ACMA is far too cosy.

“The fact that nobody – from the regulator, to the department, to the Minister’s office – was willing to front up to the Australian people and tell them that another person had died says a lot.

“ACMA are the regulator. Their job is to ensure these telecommunications companies are delivering services properly. Time and again, they prove that they’re just not up to the job.

“Australians are being let down by a regulator that is more of a lapdog than a watchdog – meanwhile a handful of big corporations are getting away with poor service and self regulation.”

Labor has wasted $53 billion on tax concessions for wealthy property investors since it came to power in 2022, according to new data compiled by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).

The PBO analysis shows that a further $190 billion will be wasted over the next decade, if Labor continues to delay action on winding back the capital gains tax (CGT) discount and negative gearing. 

The Greens say this foregone revenue should instead have built public and affordable housing, calling on Labor to end the waste at the May budget.

Greens leader Larissa Waters: 

“Labor cannot keep subsidising and boosting the profits of property investors while a generation is locked out of home ownership and renters struggle to keep a roof over their heads.

“Australia is suffering the worst housing crisis in living memory, and Labor’s pathetic tinkering has only entrenched housing inequality. 

“When it’s easier to buy your fifth home than your first, you know the system is truly cooked.

“The upcoming budget gives the government a once-in-a-generation choice to back regular people over wealthy property barons, billionaires and big corporations. The Greens would wholeheartedly support this.

“Albanese should stop handing billions to support speculators through the CGT discount, end negative-gearing handouts, and redirect that money into public and affordable housing.”

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“In the midst of a housing crisis, Labor has wasted billions on property tax breaks which could have instead built more public housing.

“Handing out $53 billion in tax breaks for wealthy property investors that could have instead helped fix the housing crisis, shows just how little Labor cares about first-home buyers and renters.

“First-home buyers don’t stand a chance because the government has allowed investor lending to run rampant backed by the CGT discount and negative gearing.

“Labor must end the runaway housing price inflation driven by bad policy and tax breaks for property hoarders. It must end unlimited rent increases.

“Australia’s housing system is rigged for the wealthy; it’s a system designed to drive up the cost of housing and rents, generating enormous wealth for the 1%.

“Labor needs to deliver bold, ambitious tax reform that puts home buyers and renters first. It must do away with tax incentives for those who need it least.

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice Senator Nick McKim:

“The Capital Gains Tax Discount is the most unfair tax break on the books.”

“Nurses, carpenters, cleaners and bartenders are paying twice the tax of someone making the same amount of money buying and selling investment properties.”

“Winding back the CGT discount would help renters, first-home buyers and the budget. The evidence given to the Greens-led Senate inquiry has made the case for change overwhelming.”

“Labor has a massive majority in the House of Representatives, the opposition is in disarray, and the Greens with balance of power in the Senate are ready to pass progressive and ambitious tax reform.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity for genuinely progressive tax reform to pass the parliament.”

The Albanese Government will strengthen Australia’s maritime security with a $176 million investment to deliver 40 new Australian-designed and built Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USV) – one of the world’s largest sovereign USV fleets.

Announced today, the contract with Ocius Technology expands Navy’s operational fleet to 55 Bluebottles, significantly boosting long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability across Australia’s vast maritime domain.

This investment will create 50 jobs at Ocius’ new advanced manufacturing facility in Sydney, supported by a second production site in the NSW Hunter region and an extensive Australian supply chain. Further opportunities for small and medium Australian businesses will be generated as production scales. 

The Bluebottle, developed in partnership with Navy and initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, is a long-endurance USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy. It provides persistent surface and sub-surface surveillance, can carry payloads and operates as part of a teamed, integrated maritime force.  

Increasing Bluebottle capability delivers a sovereign, persistent and scalable capability, supporting a key priority identified in the Albanese Government’s National Defence Strategy. 

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP

“The Bluebottle is an innovative platform designed, developed and manufactured right here in Australia. This is an excellent example of Defence and industry working together to deliver cutting-edge capability.  

“The Albanese Government’s investment in Ocius Technology and their Bluebottle USV has accelerated the delivery of the autonomous systems for Navy.

“Over the next five years and beyond, Bluebottle will monitor Australia’s maritime approaches and strengthen Defence’s ability to protect our national security interests.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP

“With this investment the Albanese Government is backing Aussie ingenuity while creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs for locals. We are investing right now to uplift our sovereign defence industry. 

“With this world-leading technology, we are able to increase surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches and respond to increasing maritime threats.

“Accelerated development of autonomous capabilities will be fundamental as we navigate this new era of global uncertainty.”