Shadow Roads Minister, Mark Coure, has called for urgent action to address the state’s worsening road toll, following a tragic Easter period where 10 lives were lost on NSW roads.
Mr Coure said the latest official figures reveal a crisis that is escalating, not improving.
“103 people have tragically lost their lives on NSW roads in 2026 alone, up from 97 at the same time last year,” Mr Coure said.
“Even more alarming, the 12-month road toll has surged to 362 lives lost, compared to 328 the previous year, which is a massive increase that shows we are going backwards.”
“These are not just numbers, they are sons, daughters, parents and friends. Entire families are being torn apart.”
Mr Coure said the shocking Easter toll highlights the urgent need for a stronger, more effective road safety strategy.
“Ten deaths over Easter is a devastating toll. It should be a wake-up call to the Government that what they’re doing right now simply isn’t working,” Mr Coure said.
“Year after year, we’re seeing more lives lost and more people seriously injured on our roads.”
The latest data also shows serious injuries are rising sharply, with 11,667 people hospitalised in 2025, up from 11,120 the year before.
Mr Coure said enforcement alone is not enough to reduce the road toll.
“We need safer roads, more investment in blackspot programs, better signage, and strong education campaigns that actually change behaviour,” Mr Coure said.
“You cannot fine your way to safer roads, you have to build safer roads.”
First fuel shipments secured under new Strategic Reserve Powers
The Albanese Labor Government has secured approximately 100 million litres of additional diesel for Australians, with two shipments coming from Brunei and South Korea.
This is the first of the expected shipments of fuel secured under the Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers.
Under these new powers, Export Finance Australia (EFA) has partnered with Viva Energy to make this purchase of more than 570,000 barrels of additional diesel possible.
EFA has also agreed to commercial terms with Ampol, Park Fuels, and IOR. These agreements are supporting them to purchase the additional fuel needed to address regional shortages and critical supply gaps.
Additional fuel can be directed to where it is needed most, including to our farmers, to our regional communities, and to the services that all Australians rely on.
The Government is only helping to acquire additional supply valuable for Australia’s fuel security, where it would be cost prohibitive for private suppliers to source on commercial terms without government support.
The Albanese Government is protecting Australians from the worst of this global challenge by securing the fuel needed to keep our nation and our people moving.
the Prime Minister
“This agreement strengthens Australia’s fuel security by ensuring additional cargoes are delivered to the domestic market when and where they are needed most.
“We’re taking every practical measure required to shield our nation and household budgets from the worst of this global uncertainty.”
Minister Farrell
“We know that the impacts of this conflict will be with us for some time, and we are taking every possible step to secure what Australians need to keep our country moving.”
“Our Strategic Reserve powers go further than fuel, they will secure the supply of strategic materials that are vital to our economy, including fertiliser and other goods impacted by the current conflict in the Middle East.”
Minister Bowen
“We are working with industry to shield Australians from global uncertainty and keep our nation moving.”
“These cargoes are additional to existing contracted supply, are required to remain in Australia and will be directed to the industries and regions which need them the most.”
Securing more fertiliser for Australian farmers
The Albanese Labor Government has worked with industry and the Indonesian Government to facilitate 250,000 tonnes of additional agricultural grade urea for Australian farmers from Indonesia.
This deal, between Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and PT Pupuk Indonesia, supported by the Australian and Indonesian Governments, facilitates around 20 per cent of the remaining fertiliser needed for the current season.
The Government is working closely with Australia’s key international partners and domestic industry to secure critical additional fertiliser supply.
Having this additional supply locked in will give greater certainty for farmers as they make planting and management decisions for this season.
This is a demonstration of the close partnership and friendship between Australia and Indonesia.
The Government will continue to work with partners across the region to support food and energy security, in the interests of Australia and our neighbours.
Australia plays a critical role supporting food security in Indonesia, and across our region, which this agreement helps strengthen.
This significant new agreement builds on the Government’s work to help get fertiliser to Australian farmers, including:
- Joint Leaders’ Statement with Brunei Darussalam committing to cooperation on food security and resilient supply chains for food production
- Establishing a Fertiliser Supply Working Group between Government and industry
- Amending legislation to underwrite the purchase of fuel and fertiliser by the private sector
- Streamlined border processes for imported fertiliser.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“This is a significant outcome for our farmers. We understand how critical fertiliser is for Australian farmers, for our food production system and the food security of our region.
“This deal also shows why it’s critically important that we have strong relationships with our regional partners.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong
“Australia is working with our international partners, particularly in our region, to strengthen our shared energy and food security.
“Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and friends, and we thank the Indonesian Government for their partnership.
“The Albanese Government is focused on ensuring Australia gets the supplies we need – including petrol, diesel and fertiliser – and that those supplies can get where they’re needed.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins
“I have been working day and night with industry to support fertiliser getting to Australian farmers.
“I am very grateful for the cooperation and support of the Indonesian Government in finalising this.
“While this is a commercial deal, the Australian and Indonesian Governments have been working to support this positive outcome.
“This guarantees supply of fertiliser to Australian farmers at this critical time.
“This will mean Australia can continue to play an important role supporting food security in Indonesia and our region at a time of global uncertainty.”
“I am very grateful for the cooperation and support of the Indonesian Government in finalising this”
Scott Bowman, President, Incitec Pivot Limited
“Incitec Pivot’s trading relationship with PT Pupuk Indonesia, supported by the collaboration between the Australian and Indonesian governments, has yielded a positive outcome for Australian for Australian farmers”
“This additional volume for the period May to December, at prevailing market prices, is another critical plank in servicing the needs of Australian farmers.
“Australian farm output is necessary for regional food security, and this is a crucial contribution to securing inputs via Australia’s largest fertiliser distributor, Incitec Pivot”
“Whilst there is more work to do to ensure farmers requirements can be fully met this upcoming season, this additional volume will go a long way to shoring up critical supplies to Australian farmers”
Rider dies after falling from bush trail near Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died after falling from his bike near Lake Macquarie this afternoon.
About 2.30pm (Friday 17 April 2026), emergency services were called to a bush trail off George Booth Drive, near Seahampton Road, Seahampton, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found that a rider had fallen down an embankment while riding on the bush trail.
The rider – a 69-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.
He is yet to be formally identified.
Police have established a crime scene and an investigation into the cause of the crash has commenced.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Driver dies after hitting tree – Greta
A driver has died after crashing into a tree in the state’s Hunter Region today.
About 2pm (Friday 17 April 2026), emergency services were called to Leconfield Road, Greta, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found that a Kia sedan had crashed into a tree while navigating a bend in the road.
The driver – a 19-year-old man – died at the scene.
Forensic officers have attended and will examine the scene of the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Investigation underway after bus and ute collide then hit house in Lake Macquarie
An investigation is underway after a bus and a ute crashed before hitting a house in the Lake Macquarie area this morning.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Clydebank and Oakwood roads at Balmoral shortly before 6am (Friday 17 April 2026), and found two people trapped.
A woman – who was a passenger in the ute – was released by Fire and Rescue NSW before being taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering multiple injuries. She’s reported to be in a critical condition.
The 72-year-old male bus driver was taken to the same hospital after also being released by Fire and Rescue NSW. He’s being checked for a suspected leg injury and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Three other people travelling in the ute, the 43-year-old man driving, his wife and eight-year-old son have been taken to the same hospital to be checked as a precaution.
Two people in the home at the time were not injured; however, the house has sustained significant structural damage.
Police injured, man charged following high-visibility operation – Lake Macquarie
A man will face court after a police officer was allegedly struck by an unregistered motorbike during a police operation in the Lake Macquarie area today.
About 11:30am (Thursday 16 April 2026), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were conducting high-visibility patrols on e-bikes along the Fernleigh Track, Kahibah, following reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.
While officers were speaking with a 14-year-old boy on the track, an allegedly unregistered motorbike, ridden by a 47-year-old man, approached police, who identified themselves as police officers and directed him to stop.
The rider allegedly did not stop as directed and continued riding towards police before striking an officer in the arm with the motorbike.
The man then rode into a stationary police e-bike, causing damage to the vehicle, before crashing into a nearby guard rail.
The man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The police officer was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.
Following the arrest, police also searched the motorbike locating and seizing an unauthorised cardboard number plate and two knives. All items will undergo forensic testing.
He was charged with seven offences – drive recklessly/furiously or speed in a manner dangerous, custody of a knife in a public place, use vehicle with unauthorised number plate, use unregistered vehicle, use uninsured vehicle, use vehicle on road related are with motor vehicle tax unpaid and malicious damage.
Police will allege in court the carboard numberplate was registered to a different vehicle and registered to another person.
He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division – Court 2 tomorrow (Friday 17 April 2026).
Escaped inmate arrested following manhunt – Newcastle
Police have arrested an inmate following a manhunt across the Newcastle area today.
On Tuesday (14 April 2026), police were notified that an inmate at a correctional facility in Grafton, had been incorrectly released.
Following the report officers immediately commenced a search to locate the 35-year-old man.
During the search, police determined the man had travelled from Grafton to the Newcastle area.
Following extensive inquiries, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District Domestic Violence Team arrested the 35-year-old on Boreas Street, Hamilton North, this afternoon (Thursday 16 April 2026).
He has been taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant.
The man was refused bail and will appear before Bail Division Local Court 2 tomorrow (Friday 17 April 2026).
2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program
Today, the Albanese Government has released the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program.
Together, these documents set out the Government’s plan to respond to our strategic circumstances and keep Australians safe.
In delivering the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, the Albanese Government continues its structured approach of identifying the capabilities we need and funding them appropriately.
In recognition of our dangerous and unpredictable strategic circumstances, the 2026 Integrated Investment Program includes an additional $14 billion over the next four years, and an additional $53 billion over the decade, through Defence funding, estate modernisation and alternative financing where appropriate. As a result, Defence spending as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rise to 3 per cent by 2033 under the NATO approach.
The Albanese Government’s record increase in Defence investment coincides with major reforms, including the establishment of the Defence Delivery Agency and the Government’s response to the Estate Audit, to ensure every dollar of investment is focused on value for money and greater speed to capability.
Not only are these investments acquiring and sustaining the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe, they are also supporting tens of thousands of highly skilled, well-paid Australian jobs directly and across supply chains.
2026 National Defence Strategy
The inaugural National Defence Strategy delivered in 2024 identified that Australia’s strategic environment was deteriorating and that our nation faced the most challenging circumstances since the Second World War.
It set out, for the first time, the concept of National Defence and adopted the Strategy of Denial as the cornerstone of Defence planning.
The 2026 National Defence Strategy builds on these foundations by:
1. increasing efforts to develop greater self-reliance;
2. prioritising capability acquisition and sustainment plans, drawing on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East;
3. strengthening the resilience of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and building stronger, more diverse international industrial partnerships;
4. improving national civil preparedness and resilience to help Australia manage and recover from regional or global disruption; and
5. increasing coordination with regional partners to strengthen and preserve the global rules based order.
The 2026 National Defence Strategy puts Australia on a path to strengthen our self reliance; it reinforces the industrial foundations needed for National Defence; and it situates Australia firmly within a network of trusted regional partnerships.
Above all, it ensures Australia remains secure, sovereign and ready — not just for today’s challenges, but into the future.
2026 Integrated Investment Program
The Albanese Government has allocated $425 billion over the decade to deliver accelerated capability for the integrated, focused force – to increase the ADF’s self-reliance and contribute to regional deterrence.
The 2026 Integrated Investment Program prioritises investment to:
1. deliver an enhanced undersea warfare capability, supported by a sovereign fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines;
2. accelerate the delivery of more lethal maritime capabilities;
3. further expand long-range strike capabilities across the integrated, focused force;
4. accelerate the introduction of integrated air and missile defence capabilities;
5. expand the adoption of autonomous and uncrewed systems across the land, air and maritime domains;
6. field counter-uncrewed air systems to protect Australian sites, events and critical infrastructure; and
7. deliver a resilient and secure multi-orbit satellite communications system.
These investments, including the additional $53 billion in new funding over the decade, will also strengthen the resilience of our sovereign defence industrial base, create and sustain Australian jobs, and build stronger, more diverse international industrial partnerships and supply chains.
The 2026 Integrated Investment Program also includes targeted investments to increase preparedness and resilience to ensure the ADF is postured and prepared today to respond to unforeseen events tomorrow.
Throughout all of this, the Albanese Government continues to invest in Defence’s most important capability — its people. Recruitment, retention, training and skilling are central to delivering on the concept of National Defence. The 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program continue the important work of growing and retaining our Defence Force.
As a Defence enterprise, there is no more important or consequential task than defending Australia and protecting the security, interests and livelihoods of every Australian.
The work the ADF and their enabling APS colleagues perform directly supports this mission and we thank them, and their families for their continued commitment and service.
Copies of the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program are available online at https://www.defence.gov.au/nds
Joint Statement – Lebanon – Latest Developments
We, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, call for the inclusion of Lebanon in the regional de-escalation efforts and urge all parties to work toward a lasting political solution. The continuation of the war in Lebanon puts at risks the current regional deescalation, which we have welcomed and must be fully respected by all parties.
We welcome the initiative by President Aoun to open direct talks with Israel and the acceptance by Israel to start the talks facilitated by the United States. We call on both parties to seize this opportunity. Direct negotiations can pave the way to bring lasting security for Lebanon and Israel as well as the region. We stand ready to support them. We therefore call upon all parties to urgently deescalate and seize the opportunity offered by the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks of Hezbollah against Israel which must cease immediately. We also condemn in the strongest terms the massive Israeli strikes on Lebanon conducted on 8 April which, according to the latest information shared by the Lebanese authorities, resulted in the death of more than 350 persons and wounded more than 1000. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.
We also condemn in the strongest terms the attacks against UNIFIL and we reiterate that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers must be ensured at all times.
We express our full solidarity and our steadfast support for the Lebanese people and authorities. We stand ready to provide emergency assistance to the more than one million displaced persons in Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese government.
We reaffirm the importance of respecting for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). We will continue to support the Lebanese state to exercise its full sovereignty over the whole Lebanese territory. In this context, we commend the decision of the Lebanese government to ban Hezbollah’s military activities, as well as its decision to reinforce the full imposition of state authority over Beirut and to have the sole monopoly on weapons, and we encourage full and swift implementation.