What we learned today, Monday 13 April
We will wrap up the live blog here for the evening. This is what made the news:
One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce said there has to be a chance at “redemption” for those convicted of crimes, shortly after party leader, Pauline Hanson, said she fired a convicted rapist who worked as One Nation’s campaign manager.
The defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, said the government is not considering joining the upcoming US blockade of the strait of Hormuz.
The federal government announced a raft of new appointments in defence, including Susan Coyle to be chief of army – the first time a woman has held the position.
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says 57 ships carrying various types of fuel – crude oil, jet fuel, diesel and petrol – are on their way to Australia, “about standard” for this time of year.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will visit Brunei and Malaysia this week as the government seeks to shore up Australia’s supply of diesel, fertiliser and other critical goods in the wake of shortages caused by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Petrol prices are below 220 cents a litre in most cities and diesel prices are easing as a rapid wholesale price spike unwinds.
Uber will add a fuel surcharge to its non-EV fares for almost two months starting from Wednesday in response to petrol price rises.
The Victorian health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, finance minister, Danny Pearson, and minister for skills, Tafe and water, Gayle Tierney, all announced they would not contest the November state election.
The Australian share market dropped sharply this morning after US-Iran peace talks broke down and Donald Trump said the navy would blockade the strait of Hormuz.
Until next time, thanks for following along.
Updated
Queensland premier hints at bail law crackdown
Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, has hinted his government will implement new bail laws, “the toughest we’ve ever seen”, on Karl Stefanovic’s podcast.
The LNP won last year’s Hinchinbrook byelection on a platform of “breach of bail go to jail”, but the party has yet to adopt the policy. In Queensland, breach of bail is already an offence for children, after Labor passed its own 2023 crackdown, overriding the state Human Rights Act.
Crisafulli appeared in an episode of Stefanovic’s four-month old podcast on the weekend.
The premier agreed with Stefanovic’s suggestion that the courts “need to catch up” with the state government’s flagship adult crime legislation and that there was a need for tougher bail legislation.
Crisafulli said the government was considering “really tough bail laws, like the toughest we’ve ever seen” at the behest of regional MPs.
And I’ve told them to go and mount a case for it and do the work, draft the legislation, and we’ll consider it, and we’ll consider it quickly.
Updated
Queensland government accused of chasing headlines in clash over environment laws
The Queensland Productivity Commission will investigate the economic impact of recent changes to national environmental protection laws, state treasurer David Janetzki said on Monday.
He said the inquiry would look into concerns about compliance costs, delays and uncertainty for Queensland businesses resulting from reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
It would also interrogate the exclusion of fossil fuel projects from fast-track assessments on national interest grounds, he said.
The inquiry follows Queensland government calls for the federal government to speed up approvals for an oil exploration project in the Taroom trough, west of Brisbane.
Premier David Crisafulli visited the area last week, claiming he was standing over a “sea of oil”.
Federal environment minister Murray Watt accused the Crisafulli government of chasing headlines, saying the federal government had yet to hear details about the Taroom proposal.
He called on the Queensland government to come to the negotiating table:
One of the key ways we can speed up approvals is for state governments to sign bilateral agreements with us to let approvals happen simultaneously.
So far, David Crisafulli is yet to even come to the table on a bilateral agreement with us.
- AAP
Updated
Opposition says defence industry minister ‘confused’ on blockade position
Following from that interview, the shadow education minister, Julian Lesser, told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing that despite the government not considering joining the US blockade of the strait of Hormuz, if a request is made, the government should consider it.
He said:
I thought Pat sounded confused in that interview I have to say.
I think the junior defence minister should be very clear on these points.
I think the ordinary course of things is if you are asked by your most important ally to participate in these matters you need to consider the request that’s before you and to give it proper consideration.
That I know certainly what a Coalition government would do.
We would consider a request properly that was put before us and I think that’s what a government would actually do in such circumstances.
Updated
Albanese government ‘not considering’ joining US blockade of Hormuz
The defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, has said the government is not considering joining the upcoming US blockade of the strait of Hormuz.
Conroy told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing that no request has been made, and when pressed on whether the government’s position would change if a request was made, Conroy said:
Our position is we’re not considering joining the blockade and no request has been received either.
He said Australia is not a party to the war between Iran and the US, and has taken no part in offensive actions.
He would not comment on whether the US naval blockade is an escalation of the conflict.
Oh, look, I am not going to provide commentary like that. That’s for commentators to provide.
Updated
Melbourne’s ‘skipping girl’ temporarily replaced with ‘scrolling girl’
For nearly nine decades, an eye-catching animated neon sign of a little girl skipping has been lighting up Melbourne evenings.
Little Audrey, as she is affectionately known, has now been temporarily plunged into darkness and replaced with a girl hunched and glued to a glowing screen.
The “scrolling girl” campaign from Team Kids and Dairy Farmers aims to highlight the consequences of replacing a childhood dominated by play with one filled with screens.
“This has resulted in much less physical activity outside of the home, with terrible consequences for children’s physical and psychological development,’’ child and adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said.
The “scrolling girl” campaign from the outside-school-hours care provider and dairy brand will involve a term-long skipping challenge in 270 schools.
Despite Australia’s world-leading social media ban, teenagers are spending close to three hours a day on small screens.
That’s three times longer than spent playing sport or other physical activity, as captured in the YouGov survey of more than 1,000 parents conducted to coincide with the active children campaign.
- AAP
Updated
Victorian opposition leader questions taxpayer expenses for Harry and Meghan trip
The Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, was also asked about reports that police will need to deploy extra resources for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Melbourne later this week. She said:
Suggestions today that Harry and Meghan, who are coming here as private citizens for a commercial purpose, may be provided Victoria police security or protection at taxpayer expense should appall every single Victorian. Victoria police are there to provide security and safety for Victorians. They are funded by the taxpayer, and we are standing here today talking about the fact that they are under-resourced – that we’re closing police stations in this state because we simply do not have enough police officers. Any suggestion that officers are going to be pulled off duty to provide security and protection for Harry and Megan’s visit is absolutely unacceptable, and the government needs to rule out that this is occurring.
Updated
Victorian opposition responds to ministerial resignations
The Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, held a press conference earlier this afternoon, where reporters asked her about the resignation of three government ministers.
Wilson says while the premier, Jacinta Allan, will be spuriking a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, it “doesn’t change the fact that this is a tired government”.
Wilson went on:
To shuffle the deck chairs is going to do nothing to actually change the direction of this state. The only way, the only way to get a fresh start here in Victoria is to change the government this year. So whatever the premier does in terms of a reshuffle, in terms of changing which ministers hold which portfolios, these are the same people who have sat around the cabinet table, that have been part of the Labor party for a decade.
Updated
That’s all from me. Josh Taylor will pick things up from here. Take care.
Oil prices ‘marching towards’ US$140 a barrel, CBA says
The international oil price benchmark will “be marching” towards US$140 a barrel over coming weeks, after Donald Trump’s threat to blockade the strait of Hormuz marked a further escalation in the conflict, a leading analyst says.
The international oil benchmark, Brent crude, has jumped by 7.3% to US$102.15 in the aftermath of the threat, having retreated towards US$90 earlier this week amid hopes of a ceasefire.
But CBA’s Vivek Dhar said the widely quoted Brent crude “futures” contract, which represents a price at which financial markets expect a barrel of oil to be delivered in June, was not reflecting the “physical” market that shows oil changing hands at above US$140 a barrel.
“The increasing disconnection between physical benchmarks and the widely quoted Brent futures has raised concerns that the prices being borne by consumers are no longer being reflected in future markets,” Dhar said.
This outcome shows the significant stress oil markets are facing from the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz since the end of February.
“The situation is now set to worsen with Iranian barrels now likely to fall” were the Americans to blockade the strait.
We see Brent futures marching towards physical prices in coming weeks. Iran’s response can accelerate this price increase depending on the severity of their actions.
Updated
Barnaby Joyce says criminals need chance at ‘redemption’ after Pauline Hanson dumps convicted rapist employed by party
One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce said there has to be a chance at “redemption” for those convicted of crimes, shortly after party leader Pauline Hanson said she fired a convicted rapist who worked as One Nation’s campaign manger.
Sean Black, who was jailed for rape in 2018, was rehired by One Nation in 2020 after serving his time in prison. He remained employed by the party until Sunday.
Joyce was asked about Black in an interview with Sky News this morning, where he said:
If every person [who] goes to jail … if from that point on … there’s no redemption, there’s no chance of any sort of betterment …
I can see where this is going to go, people are going to start suggesting all range of people who have had criminal convictions. You know, this is the game that then gets played.
Joyce went on to say he knows “other people in politics who’ve been to jail for serious crimes and they’re still, they’re still staff members”:
But you don’t go out scratching their eyes out.
If you believe there’s redemption, if you believe a person has turned a corner …
Updated
Convicted rapist who fled detention back behind bars
A gang rapist who spent five days on the run after fleeing detention will stay in prison after being caught, AAP reports.
Michael Angok did not apply for bail in Blacktown local court on Monday after he was caught in western Sydney while on the run from immigration detention.
He was being transported from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre for medical treatment, before he escaped from Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital on Wednesday morning.
After some of his personal items were found on the road nearby, police eventually tracked down Angok and arrested him on Sunday.
He was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a gang rape at a park in the western Sydney suburb of Doonside in 2014.
The 30-year-old had served his sentence for the offence and was being held in custody as an immigration detainee awaiting deportation.
Updated
Uber fuel surcharge won’t apply to EVs
Just a quick update to our report earlier from Luca Ittimani on a new Uber surcharge. Uber said today it would add a surcharge of 5 cents per kilometre to all trips from 15 April to 8 June.
The transportation giant just confirmed those increased fares will not apply to electric vehicles.
Uber said:
The surcharge will not apply to battery electric vehicles (EVs), just for all trips in petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles.
Updated
Jacinta Allan thanks outgoing ministers
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan thanked each resigning minister for their contributions.
She singled out Danny Pearson’s major reforms of Workcover, the ban on engineered stone and his “relentless” pursuit of datacentres.
She thanked Mary-Anne Thomas for taking on the health portfolio during the Covid-19 pandemic and for her role in establishing urgent care clinics, the virtual emergency department, the ability for pharmacists to prescribe medication and public fertility care, reforms Allan said she “will always be incredibly grateful for”.
Allan also said Gayle Tierney “achieved so much fighting for working people” in her 36 years in politics, including almost a decade as a minister.
Allan confirmed the Labor caucus would meet on Tuesday to make new cabinet appointments, with portfolio arrangements to be confirmed “very soon”.
She said:
Good governments are only as good as their people, and as this group of experienced people moves on, they will be replaced by new ministers with new ideas and new solutions. My Labor team has a unity of purpose that is guided by our values. We can renew and refresh because of this.
The trio also released their own statements. Tierney said the decision was “not easy” but “after nearly 20 years in parliament, for me, it is simply time to pass the baton”.
Pearson said he was leaving politics with an “immense sense of gratitude.”
Thomas said:
I have worked all my life for a better, fairer and more equal world, and my approach has always been to leave nothing in the tank. I realise that I can’t make that same commitment for another four years.
Updated
Three Victorian ministers won’t contest their seats next election
Three Victorian government ministers have announced they will not contest their seats at the November state election.
The health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, finance minister, Danny Pearson, and the minister for skills, Tafe and water, Gayle Tierney, all issued statements confirming their decision, with plans to step down from their ministerial responsibilities immediately.
The premier, Jacinta Allan, will hold a press conference shortly. Labor sources have told Guardian Australia the caucus will meet on Tuesday morning to elevate four MPs to cabinet.
The fourth vacancy was left by Natalie Hutchins, who announced her retirement and stepped down from cabinet in December. Her responsibilities were distributed among existing ministers at the time.
Eureka MP Michaela Settle, Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke, Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson, Box Hill MP Paul Hamer and Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch are all being floated by sources for a promotion.
Updated
Economic inequality is straining Australian democracy, report finds
Australia’s trust in democracy is under strain, with calls for parliamentarians to better represent the public and build confidence in a system people don’t think is working for them, AAP reports.
While discontent with democracy is relatively low in Australia, it remains under pressure amid a global slide away from liberal democracy, according to the Grattan Institute.
Strain is being driven by economic inequality and unfairness, as well as a declining sense of belonging, the institute found in its Future-Proofing Australia’s Democracy report, released on Monday.
About one in 10 Australians also agreed it was sometimes justified to use extreme measures such as violence to advance a cause they cared about, the report noted.
The institute recommended a more representative federal parliament to boost trust and improve long-term decision-making, increased engagement with civil society to make people feel they have a voice, and investment in news media to ensure trusted information.
Updated
Chris Bowen says 57 ships carrying fuel en route to Australia
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says 57 ships carrying various types of fuel – crude oil, jet fuel, diesel and petrol – are on their way to Australia, “about standard” for this time of year.
Bowen held a press conference a moment ago, saying 4.1bn litres of fuel were locked in and contracted to head to Australia over the next four weeks.
Bowen said:
We have on hand 38 days’ worth of petrol, which is a very good outcome for Australia. As you will have noticed these figures haven’t moved around all that much over the last month or so.
That’s a good thing.
Updated
Economic stress scares off Australian homebuyers and auction clearances fall
Homeowners are turning away from auctions to sell early, privately or not at all as economic stress scares off buyers and sales rates slide.
Fuel prices have pushed up costs everywhere and left the Reserve Bank warning it could hike mortgage rates further, even if that could increase unemployment and risk recession.
Consumer confidence has also fallen to a record low in ANZ’s survey, and open home attendance has followed suit. The number of people bidding at the average auction in Sydney or Melbourne was one-third lower in the final week of March than it was a year before, Ray White reported.
Falling buyer interest has started to drag down house prices in the two capitals, while encouraging homeowners and investors to sell up as soon as they can.
At the same time, the cities have seen solid numbers of homes listed for sale. Finalised sales have slumped from the nearly 30,000 recorded in both cities in the December quarter to less than 20,000 in each in the March quarter.
Read more here:
Updated
Albanese is asked if government is considering tax on LNG exports
Rounding out the end of the press conference, Anthony Albanese is asked whether the government is considering a 25% tax on LNG exports in the budget. Albanese bats it away, saying the budget is next month.
Asked what his reaction is to WA considering its own strategic reserve, and whether the national stockpile needs to increase, Albanese said he has had “very constructive discussions” with WA premier Roger Cook, and will continue to do so.
We’ll work bilaterally, but also we’ll work through the national cabinet.
One of the things that people want to see is for there to be national coordination and one direction going forward - and that is one of the lessons of Covid.
Updated
Albanese questioned on response to people killed in Lebanon
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese was asked:
What’s your message to tens of thousands of Australians of Lebanese background who are grieving this war – many who’ve lost family members and their family homes.
And what’s your response to their criticism that the government’s lacked a meaningful response to the humanitarian toll?
Albanese said any loss of innocent life it to be regretted, and the ceasefire should apply to Lebanon:
And I feel for grieving families who’ve lost innocent relatives and friends, wherever that occurs.
When we say we want to see a ceasefire and an end to conflict, there are two areas.
One is - we see the loss of innocent life and we’re very conscious of the humanitarian impact ... Secondly, as well, is the global economic impact, which also has real consequences for humanitarian concerns.
The conflict is having a greater impact in developing countries that require fuel for just the absolute essentials of life, is having an enormous impact - which is why we’ve called for, consistently, de-escalation and a solution going forward.
Updated
PM won’t say whether there will be NDIS changes in the budget
Asked whether the war was affecting the federal budget – to be held in May – and whether there were changes planned to the NDIS in the budget, the PM admitted the uncertainty is having an impact on the budget, but doesn’t address the NDIS specifically.
Well, the budget is now less than a month away, I think, in terms of dates and we’ll work through the government’s budget processes.
We’ll continue today, they’ll continue next week.
Obviously, the uncertainty that’s there - this is having a massive global impact.
This is the biggest spike in fuel prices that the world has ever seen.
This obviously has implications.
And the government is dealing with that.
And one of the things that it will mean is that the budget is likely to be settled later than usual.
Updated
PM again defends $20m fuel ad campaign
Asked about the $20m fuel ad campaign and whether it is a good use of taxpayer money, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said it was important to inform the public of the government response, and given the information flowing around had led to increases in demand for fuel in some markets of up to 1,000%.
He said:
That explosion in demand that occurred, we have all seen footage as I’m sure your network has shown of people driving up to a station, filling up jerry cans in packed utes or vans, and as well filling up water tanks full of diesel and then that being kept in a similar way to which during the Covid pandemic, some people filled their garages with toilet paper, that’s one thing.
Filling your garage with fuel is both unwise, not helpful for the national interest but also dangerous.
He said the government response is a sensible thing at a time when other countries have been forced to have public holidays every week to deal with demand.
That is what is happening.
What we are doing is informing the public and that is a sensible thing to do.
Updated
Incoming ADF chief says navy is ‘ready as it has ever been’
In responding to a question on whether Australian ships would be able to defend themselves if Australia got involved in the US blockade, incoming head of the defence force, Mark Hammond, said there are 10 surface combatants right now, with eight at sea today.
The navy is ready as it ever has been.
They are fitted with one of the most advanced radars in the world – CAR radar and some of the most advanced missile and point defence systems in the world.
He said they are “absolutely” capable of performing, but the question of Australia’s contribution is one for the government, and no such requests have been made yet.
Updated
Albanese asked about Trump’s Hormuz blockade plans
Turning to questions, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is asked about US president, Donald Trump’s, announcement that he would seek to blockade the strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran failed. Albanese stuck with his usual response on this matter:
Well, we want to see the strait of Hormuz opened and with freedom of navigation taking place, so obviously, the lack of a resolution in the negotiations that took place on the weekend were disappointing.
We want to see de-escalation and we want to see those negotiations resumed.
Updated
Coyle appointment ‘deeply historic, Marles says
The defence minister, Richard Marles, notes the “deeply historic” appointment of Susan Coyle to be chief of army, noting it is the first time a woman has held the position.
Her achievement means that she will be the first woman to command a service in Australian history.
It is a deeply historic moment – one that should be noted.
Susan said to me – you cannot be what you cannot see.
Susan’s achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force today and women who are thinking about serving in the Australian Defence Force in the future.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said:
Lt Gen Coyle will be the first woman in our nation’s history to command the Australian Army.
On Mark Hammond’s appointment to the chief of the defence force, Marles says Hammond is the first person who began life as enlisted personnel to become the chief of the defence force.
He has literally gone from scrubbing decks to - in July becoming the chief of the defence force.
Updated
New defence force chief announced
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is holding a press conference in Canberra and is announcing a range of new defence appointments.
Albanese said he has recommended to the governor general that V Adm Mark Hammond, the chief of the navy to be appointed as chief of the defence force.
Albanese said:
Vice Admiral Hammond had a career spanning 40 years in the Royal Australian Navy, serving in frigates and extensively in and later commanding submarines and the Australian fleet.
He replaces the current chief, David Johnston, who will leave the post in July for retirement after 48 years of service in the ADF.
Lt Gen Susan Coyle, will be the new chief of army. She is now the chief of joint capabilities. Coyle replaces the retiring chief of army, Lt Gen Simon Stuart, and Coyle’s replacement will be appointed in due course.
Rear Adm Matthew Buckley will be appointed on promotion as the chief of navy, promoted from deputy chief of navy. Buckley has been the deputy since January 2025.
Updated
All Australian immigration detainees to be handcuffed while travelling, US company says after spate of escapes
The American private prison company running Australia’s onshore immigration detention system has ordered that all detainees be handcuffed while travelling – regardless of whether they pose a risk – after a string of security lapses.
More than a dozen escapes or attempted escapes have taken place since the Management and Training Corporation (MTC) began operating the immigration detention centres last March, having won a $2.3bn contract with the Department of Home Affairs.
Internal documents seen by Guardian Australia reveal MTC executives told staff on Saturday they must now handcuff all detainees during escorts. That applies to detainees who pose a low risk, with only those with a medical reason to be spared.
Read more here:
Petrol prices fall below 220 cents a litre for first time in a month
Petrol prices are below 220 cents a litre in most cities and diesel prices are easing as a rapid wholesale price spike unwinds.
Unleaded prices have fallen over the last week in Australia’s capitals and are now close to where they were a month ago, MotorMouth data shows. Wholesale unleaded prices have similarly fallen back to their lowest point in about a month.
Diesel prices are sitting close to 315 cents a litre on average, which is about where they’ve been for the last three weeks, after fuel excise cuts were cancelled out by surging wholesale prices.
Diesel’s wholesale price fell more than 10 cents a litre in all cities on Monday, unwinding the rapid spike seen on Wednesday. The energy minister, Chris Bowen, said at the time prices would be volatile and would not persistently fall until the US war on Iran ended.
He made those remarks after Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran which sent oil prices plummeting to about US$96 a barrel, on the West Texas Intermediate benchmark. Oil surged above $104 a barrel this morning on news Trump plans to blockade the strait of Hormuz.
Updated
Albanese and Marles expected to make defence announcements
We’re expecting to hear from the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the defence minister, Richard Marles, later today, ahead of the release of a new national defence strategy later this week.
The strategy gets updated every two years and its release is expected to coincide with Marles speaking at the National Press Club later in the week.
The PM also needs to announce a new chief of defence, as the two-year term of Adm David Johnston comes to an end in July. Chief of Navy Mark Hammond and Chief of Joint Capabilities Susan Coyle are among names being speculated for senior leadership appointments. Coyle could become the first woman to lead the Army, or even the first female chief of defence, which is the country’s most senior military officer.
The government also needs to tap a new Defence Department boss, after secretary Greg Moriarty was named as Australia’s new ambassador to the United States. He started that job in Washington earlier this month, so a new appointment to lead bureaucrats at Russell is expected very soon.
Updated
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Political editor Tom McIlroy and the team will be answering readers’ questions on the Australian Politics podcast. Please send us your questions about politics, the economy and the current upheaval in the world.
Our email is australianpolitics@theguardian.com and we would love to hear from you.
ASX falls after Trump pledge to block Hormuz
The Australian share market dropped sharply this morning after US-Iran peace talks broke down, and Donald Trump said the navy would blockade the strait of Hormuz.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8% to trade at the 8,890 point mark in the opening minutes of trading. The benchmark had been poised to open higher, according to futures pricing over the weekend, before the breakdown in peace talks spooked traders.
Market strategy consultant Greg Boland, from trading platform Moomoo, says the increase in geopolitical tension will weigh on market sentiment.
“The potential for US naval action around the strait of Hormuz raises the risk of disruption to global oil supply, which could feed directly into inflation expectations and complicate the outlook for central banks,” Boland says.
Oil prices have also lifted back above the $US100 a barrel this morning, according to futures pricing.
Global equity markets have been pulled up and down by the Middle East conflict given energy disruptions and increased oil costs contribute to global inflation by elevating costs across nearly all goods and services.
Updated
Albanese says multimillion-dollar fuel saving ads not a waste
The prime minister defended a $20m advertising campaign urging drivers to cut down on fuel use ahead of a four-day trip to Asia to shore up petrol and diesel supplies, AAP reports.
The taxpayer-funded campaign, which rolled out from Monday, tells drivers to conserve fuel by changing their driving habits or leaving the car at home as volatility in the Middle East impacts global oil supply.
Albanese rejected claims the ads were a waste of money in the middle of the fuel crisis, saying the campaign provided practical information to the public.
“We need to give people that information,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program.
We want to keep the economy moving … we want people to go about in a sensible way and that’s why a public information campaign is very important at this point in time.
Updated
Uber lifts fares by 5 cents a kilometre to cover fuel prices
Uber will add a fuel surcharge to its fares for almost two months starting from Wednesday in response to petrol price rises.
The ride-share company had already hiked its fares in March, with the level of increase varying depending on trip location and length. Uber today announced it would add a surcharge of 5 cents per kilometre to all trips from 15 April to 8 June.
The company said all surcharge revenue would go straight to its drivers to cover their fuel costs. Its competitor, DiDi, announced an identical measure on 18 March – nearly a month ago.
Uber made the announcement alongside the Transport Workers Union, which has been in negotiations over working conditions for ride-share drivers. The union’s national secretary, Michael Kaine, said:
Ride-share drivers have been struggling under skyrocketing fuel costs, and Uber’s actions acknowledge this with meaningful cost relief.
With a TWU application under way in the Fair Work Commission to lift standards across the ride-share industry, we will continue working with Uber and other platforms towards getting fair pay and conditions in place for ride-share workers as soon as possible.
Updated
Albanese says Australia wants to see ‘freedom of navigation’ return amid strait of Hormuz blockade threat
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was asked earlier if Australia supported the US blockade of the strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran stalled. He had this to say to Channel Nine’s Today:
Well we want to see is negotiations continue and resume. We want an end to this conflict.
We want to see the strait of Hormuz opened for all. We want to see freedom of navigation as required by international law as well.
He went on to say that he’s not sure “anyone” is a “Trump whisperer” when it comes to influencing how the US will move forward in its negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Updated
Woman drowns at popular outback swimming hole
A woman has drowned at a popular outback swimming spot in the Northern Territory despite desperate efforts to save her, AAP reports.
The incident happened at Ellery Creek Big Hole, west of Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services received reports CPR was being performed on a 25-year-old woman at the tourist site. Ambulance crews arrived, but were unable to revive her and she died at the scene.
After the drowning, police urged all visitors to take care around waterways and follow safety advice when visiting remote locations.
There were 81 drowning deaths in Australia over the 2025/26 summer, according to Royal Life Saving.
Updated
Government to fund ads for helpline on pornography websites
The child abuse prevention service is operated by Jesuit Social Services, which has run a trial scheme since 2022. It will now be able to expand its coverage as a result of commonwealth funding, and do so permanently.
“Child sexual abuse is one of the most significant issues facing Australia, with one in three girls and one in five boys having been the victims of child sexual abuse. The prevalence of online offending has only intensified this issue and the need for evidence-based approaches to prevention,” Stop It Now! general manager, Georgia Naldrett, said.
We know that it’s really important to work with people offending or at risk of offending, so we can intervene earlier, and ultimately keep children safe.
Our experience delivering the pilot program since 2022, supported by independent evaluation, shows that this approach helps callers take meaningful action to reduce harm and keep children safe.
As in other similar services, the federal government will fund pop-up ads on pornography websites to warn people when they attempt to access illegal content. The ads will refer people to Stop It Now!
The 2017 royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse also recommended the federal government fund a national scheme to assist the non-offending partners of paedophiles, akin to the Australian charity that was a global leader in the field, PartnerSpeak.
A senate inquiry and the Australian National Audit Office have released damning reports into its tender process, which was conducted by the Attorney-General’s Fepartment.
Updated
Federal government funds helpline for paedophiles for the first time
The federal government has funded a helpline for paedophiles for the first time, nine years after the service was recommended by the child abuse royal commission.
Stop It Now! will prevent child sexual abuse by providing therapy to potential and former perpetrators of child sexual abuse. It consists a free and anonymous phone helpline, website and online self-help resources.
Similar helplines have operated in the UK and US for decades. Free inpatient services for paedophiles are also common in mainland Europe. Neither have ever been previously offered in Australia.
Updated
Australia has not been asked to help blockade of strait of Hormuz
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the government wants to see negotiations between the US and Iran continue, adding Australia has not been asked to participate in any blockade of the strait of Hormuz.
The US president, Donald Trump, said the American navy will blockade the passage after peace talks between the two nations stalled.
Albanese told Channel 9’s Today this morning:
We haven’t been asked to participate. We’ve received no requests. We haven’t been asked … and I don’t expect that we will be.
What we want is for negotiations to resume. We want to see an end to the loss of life and the loss of infrastructure, civil in the Middle East. And we want to see trade resume.
This is having a massive global economic impact, not just on Australia. Every single country is being impacted.
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Tips for saving fuel
The fuel-saving tips include a few simple actions motorists are encouraged to take, including:
Looking after your vehicle’s tyres, which could reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%.
Travelling light and minimising drag, which can increase fuel efficiency.
Using air conditioning and heating on low settings, which can make a difference in fuel consumption.
Only filling up with fuel when you need and not overfilling your fuel tank.
Monitoring your speed an acceleration, and minimise idling.
You can read them all here.
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Australian government’s new campaign over fuel use draws mixed reactions
The Australian government launched a new ad campaign this weekend to encourage the public to minimise their fuel use amid the global energy crisis.
It’s already been a divisive effort, with One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce calling the ads “ridiculous” and Liberal senator James Paterson saying Australians don’t want to be “lectured”.
The environment minister, Murray Watt, said the ads and advice offered by the government were all about communicating to Australians about where the country is during the fuel shortages. He told RN Breakfast:
Even the tagline of this campaign, Every Little Bit Helps, is a reminder to Australians that we all can take actions ourselves to contribute to solving this national situation that we’re in at the moment.
Those basic things like taking unnecessary things out of your car to reduce the weight of your car, removing roof racks if you don’t need them. They’re only little things, but they can actually make a difference.
So I think it is important that the government plays a role in ensuring that Australians have accurate information and, as I say, gives people some ideas about what they can be doing to help as well.
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Rare earths deal will be ‘valuable economic opportunity’ for Australia
The trade minister, Don Farrell, said:
Australia has abundant deposits of critical minerals and rare earths, well-established resources and energy supply chains, and the expertise to extract and process those minerals.
The Albanese Labor Government stands ready to seize this valuable economic opportunity and to build investment and export opportunities for the critical minerals sector.
Other projects funded by this deal include:
Alcoa Gallium Recovery Project (WA)
Arafura’s Nolans Rare Earths Project (NT)
Astron’s Donald Rare Earths Project (Vic)
Graphinex’s Esmerelda Graphite Mine (Qld)
RZ Resources Copi Rare Earths Project (NSW)
La Trobe Magnesium (Vic)
Northern Minerals Heavy Rare Earths Project (WA)
VHM Goshen Rare Earths Project (Vic)
Global Advanced Metals (WA)
EQ Resources Mt Carbine Tungsten Project (Qld)
You can read more about the background to the funding deal here:
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Australia and US announce slate of rare earths and critical minerals projects
The Australian and US governments have announced a tranche of rare earths and critical minerals projects that will be funded under a deal signed last year in the wake of increased restrictions on Chinese critical minerals exports.
The projects funded under the $5bn agreement will target the mining and extraction of nickel, cobalt, gallium, magnesium, vanadium and graphite.
The critical minerals framework was designed to break China’s near-complete hold over materials essential for renewable energy technology, electricity grids, advanced military hardware and other commercial goods.
The resources minister, Madeleine King, said in a statement on Monday:
These materials are crucial to defence systems, advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies that will help Australia and the world meet net zero commitments.
Export Finance Australia (EFA) and the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) were providing funding for the projects, including issuing coordinated letters of support/interest of up to a combined total of around $849m for Tronox Holdings rare earths refinery project, and up to $500m each for Ardea Resources’ Kalgoorlie nickel project, both in Western Australia.
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Prime minister says visits will help ‘ensure Australia’s energy supply’
Albanese said in a statement on Monday:
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.
Wong said energy security was a “shared challenge” in the region:
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.
Albanese to visit Brunei and Malaysia this week
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will visit Brunei and Malaysia this week as the government seeks to shore up Australia’s supply of diesel, fertiliser and other critical goods in the wake of shortages ccaused by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Albanese will travel first to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei on Tuesday for a meeting with the sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, to discuss “energy, food security, and the flow of essential goods between our countries,” according to the PM’s office.
Brunei supplies 9% of Australia’s diesel imports, and 11% of Australia’s fertiliser-grade urea imports, while Australia exports food and agricultural products to Brunei.
In Malaysia, Albanese will meet the prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, for similar negotiations, as Malaysia is Australia’s third-largest source of refined fuel and supplies 10% of Australian imports of fertiliser-grade urea, while Australia supplies 95% of Malaysia’s imported natural gas.
Wong will then travel separately to Singapore for meetings with her counterparts there.
Updated
Good morning
Good morning, and happy Monday. Nick Visser here to bring you the day’s news. Here’s what’s on deck:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will visit Brunei and Malaysia this week, the latest diplomatic visits meant to shore up Australia’s fuel supplies. Brunei supplies 9% of Australia’s diesel imports and Malaysia is the country’s third-largest source of refined fuel.
Australia and the US announced a slate of rare earths and critical minerals projects, including those that will support the mining of nickel, cobalt, gallium and other minerals.
The federal government has funded a helpline for paedophiles for the first time. It will consist of a free and anonymous phone helpline, a website and online self-help resources.
Stick with us.
