16 News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 14 to 17 April 2026.

The visit is part of the Government’s efforts to work with regional partners to maintain the two-way flow of energy supplies, fertiliser and other critical goods.

In Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Albanese will have an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss energy, food security, and the flow of essential goods between our countries.

Brunei Darussalam supplies 9 per cent of Australia’s diesel imports, and 11 per cent of our fertiliser-grade urea imports. Australia is a key supplier of food and agricultural products to Brunei Darussalam.

In 2023, under the Albanese Government, Australia and Brunei became Comprehensive Partners, committing to work even more closely on energy, climate change, food security, and economic ties.

In Malaysia, Prime Minister Albanese will meet the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, to discuss the supply of fuel and other critical goods between our countries.

Malaysia is Australia’s third-largest source of refined fueland supplies 10 per cent of Australian imports of fertiliser-grade urea. Australia supplies 95 per cent of Malaysia’s imported natural gas.

As Comprehensive Strategic Partners, Australia and Malaysia will continue to work closely to ensure the continued flow of essential supplies including fuel.

Prime Minister Albanese will be joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, who will meet with Brunei’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof and Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan.

Minister Wong will then travel separately for meetings with counterparts in Singapore.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Engaging with critical regional partners such as Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia will help ensure Australia’s energy supply remains secure during times of uncertainty.

“We are taking every step to reinforce relationships and engage with key partners to keep our fuel supply flowing.

“My Government is continuing to take every practical action to shield Australians from the impact of the war in the Middle East.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“Working with our regional partners matters more than ever because energy security in our region is a shared challenge.

“We’re continuing to engage closely with countries in our region to support the flow of essential goods like petrol, diesel and fertiliser.

“We know that global supply challenges will be with us for some time, which is why we are focused on supporting Australians through this difficult period.”

The Australian Government is pleased to recommend to Her Excellency, the Governor‑General, a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Subject to the Governor‑General’s consideration and approval, these changes will take effect from July 2026.

The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN will be appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force.

Vice Admiral Hammond has had a distinguished career, spanning 40 years, in the Royal Australian Navy serving in frigates, and extensively in and later commanding submarines and the Australian Fleet. Appointed the Chief of Navy in 2022, Vice Admiral Hammond will continue to bring valuable insight to the role of the Chief of the Defence Force – including towards Australia’s acquisition of conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines through AUKUS, and the delivery of Navy’s future surface combatant fleet.

The Government extends its deepest gratitude and thanks to the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN. Admiral Johnston will retire with the change in command in July.

Admiral Johnston has served in the ADF for over 48 years, in both Navy and joint appointments. As the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, he was instrumental to the design of Australia’s future force and the subsequent ADF implementation of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Admiral Johnston has also provided long-term leadership to ADF operations as the Chief of Joint Operations and as the Chief of Defence Force.

He is the longest serving ADF officer at the three and four-star ranks, and we congratulate him, and his family, for this tremendous achievement.

The Chief of Joint Capabilities, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM, will be appointed as the new Chief of Army.

Enlisting as a soldier in the Army Reserves in 1987, Lieutenant General Coyle has worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels and in command roles, including Head Information Warfare, Commander Forces Command, Commander Joint Task Force 633, Commander 6th Brigade, Commander Task Group Afghanistan and Commanding Officer 17th Signal Regiment. Lieutenant General Coyle will be the first woman in our nation’s history to command the Australian Army.

The Government extends its sincere appreciation to the retiring Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC. Lieutenant General Stuart has served with great distinction and leadership across the Army – most notably as the first Chief of Army to begin his career as a soldier. Lieutenant General Stuart has been key to preparing the Army for the changes required to the force following the 2024 National Defence Strategy.

The next Chief of Joint Capabilities will be appointed in due course.

Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley AM CSC RAN will be appointed on promotion as the Chief of Navy.

Rear Admiral Buckley has served in Oberon and Collins class submarines, including commanding HMAS Collins and commanding the Submarine Force. He was the Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability at the Australian Submarine Agency, before becoming Deputy Chief of Navy in January 2025. This experience places Rear Admiral Buckley in a unique position to lead the Royal Australian Navy and its people over the coming years as it continues its vital contributions to the peace, safety and stability of the Indo‑Pacific region.  

These statutory appointments will be presented to the Federal Executive Council.

The Government extends its sincere gratitude to Admiral Johnston and Lieutenant General Stuart, and their families, for their longstanding commitment to the defence of Australia, their service to country and their lasting contribution to the ADF.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Australian Defence Force is tireless in its efforts to keep Australians safe – and I am so pleased to announce these new appointments. 

“From July we will have the first ever female Chief of Army in the Australian Army’s 125 year history.

“I thank the outgoing Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army for their service, and wish them well in their retirement.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:

“It is an honour to confirm these senior appointments to lead the Australian Defence Force. I know that in these roles, each of them will continue to make an enormous contribution to the safety and security of Australia, and I look forward to working with them to do so. 

“My sincere thanks and gratitude go to Admiral David Johnston who has led the Australian Defence Force for the past two years with enormous impact, implementing some of the most significant and consequential decisions in decades – including Defence’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide, driving AUKUS and the transformation of our Navy, and working with international partners to build our defence relationships.

“I would also like to personally thank Lieutenant General Simon Stuart for his contributions to the Australian Army at such a consequential time, and wish him and his family all the best as he retires.”

NDIS workers in NSW and the ACT are still struggling to afford fuel to drive clients to essential appointments, the Australian Services Union NSW & ACT has warned as it backs calls for a higher car expenses allowance.
The ASU NSW & ACT – the union for NDIS workers – is supporting the ACTU’s application to the Fair Work Commission to increase the amount community and disability sector workers can claim for transport and fuel expenses when driving their own car for work. 
ASU NSW & ACT Secretary Angus McFarland said the government’s initial fuel excise cut was welcome, but not enough to shield disability workers from pain at the pump.
“We support the ACTU’s call for a higher allowance that better protects essential workers, including disability support workers, from high fuel costs,” Mr McFarland said.
“Our union has been inundated with calls from NDIS workers across NSW and the ACT who can’t afford fuel to support people with disabilities. Hundreds of disability support workers have told us that the cost of fuel is affecting their work, their wellbeing, and their lives outside their job.
 
“The higher that fuel prices are, the more money disability support workers lose simply for doing their job of driving people with disability to the care and support they depend on. 
“NDIS workers often use their own cars to drive people with disabilities to medical appointments and other important services. With sky-high fuel prices, NDIS travel reimbursements are falling short, leaving workers out of pocket.
“During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the government stepped in with urgent support to keep disability services running. We need that same urgency now. NDIS workers need a transport allowance that covers high fuel costs so they can keep driving and supporting their clients.”
 
 

Australia will provide $2.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to support their responses to Tropical Cyclone Maila.

An initial $1.5 million will be provided to Solomon Islands, where the most severe impacts have been felt in remote communities across Western and Choiseul provinces. A state of disaster has been declared in those provinces.

Australia has released an initial $1 million in support for Papua New Guinea to respond to humanitarian needs arising from the impact of the cyclone, with a particular focus on regions most heavily impacted including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and islands affected in Milne Bay Province.

Australia’s support will deliver lifesaving assistance to vulnerable communities, including delivery of humanitarian relief supplies and technical assistance. Funding will also be delivered through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership program with non-government organisations supporting the work of local partners.

Australia will work closely with the Governments of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to coordinate the effective delivery of this assistance and support local response efforts.

We offer our condolences for the tragic loss of life associated with the cyclone. Our thoughts are with the people of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea during this challenging time.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:

“Our focus is on getting essential support on the ground quickly to help those most affected in Solomon Islands and PNG.

“In times of crisis, Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific partners.”

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy:

“Australia will always respond when disaster strikes.

“We will continue working closely with the Governments of Solomon Islands and PNG to deliver support where it is needed most.”

Minister for International Development, Dr Anne Aly:

“This funding will help address the urgent humanitarian needs of our nearest neighbours and support vulnerable people, including women and girls.”