What we learned today, Tuesday 14 April
We’re going to close the blog now, thanks for joining us.
Here are today’s top headlines:
Anthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei Darussalam, the first Australian prime minister to fly to the oil-rich country for a bilateral meeting with the Sultan, where he’ll discuss fuel supplies with the world’s longest-serving monarch.
Angus Taylor has unveiled the Coalition’s controversial immigration police proposal, telling reporters people who migrate from liberal democracies likelier to share Australian values than those from ‘other places’.
The Greens accused the Coalition of pursuing a “2026 version of the White Australia” policy.
The independent MP Zali Steggall said the opposition leader Angus Taylor’s new stance on immigration risked “fuelling hateful and divisive narratives about migration”, calling his comments “misleading and damaging”.
A senior military officer or diplomat is expected to represent Australia at this week’s summit on reopening the strait of Hormuz, set to be led by France and the UK.
Andrew Hauser, the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor, says the “stagflationary shock” from the Iran war is a “central banker’s nightmare”.
The federal government plans to spend between $2bn and $5bn more on drones, part of Australia’s new national defence strategy.
Qantas has redeployed aircraft to fly to Paris and Rome, and lifted fares, amid a surge in travel demand away from airlines that transit through the troubled Middle East.
Palestine protester Jim Dowling has told a Queensland court he plans to plead not guilty of reciting a banned expression on the basis that the law is insane.
Trish Crossin, the first woman to represent the Northern Territory in the Australian parliament, has died. She was 70.
Updated
PM touches down in Brunei on fuel diplomacy visit
Anthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei Darussalam, the first Australian prime minister to fly to the oil-rich country for a bilateral meeting with the Sultan, where he’ll discuss fuel supplies with the world’s longest-serving monarch.
Arriving in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday for his second trip to Asia in a week, Albanese was officially welcomed on the tarmac before making his way to the Brunei Darussalam-Australia memorial to lay a wreath.
He is being accompanied by the foreign minister, Penny Wong, for the overnight visit where he’ll meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Wednesday to discuss fuel and food trade between both countries.
Brunei Darussalam provides 9% of Australia’s annual diesel imports as well as 11% of annual crude oil imports and 11% of annual fertiliser-grade urea imports.
The last Australian leader to travel to Brunei Darussalam was Tony Abbott in 2013 to attend the East Asia Summit, but Albanese is the first prime minister to be invited for a bilateral visit.
After his talks with the Sultan, who has ruled Brunei Darussalam since 1967 and is one of the world’s richest people, Albanese will fly to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to discuss fuel supplies with his Malaysian counterpart.
Australia was one of Brunei Darussalam’s first diplomatic partners after the country’s full resumption of independence in 1984, but historic links date back to 1945 when Australian forces landed there as part of an allied campaign to liberate Borneo.
Updated
Deputy Coalition leader refuses to say what behaviours would fall afoul of new immigration policy
The deputy leader of the Coalition has said she can’t yet outline what specific types of behaviour her party would consider a “breach of Australian values” under its controversial new immigration policy unveiled today.
Jane Hume appeared on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing a short time ago where she was asked what behaviours specifically the party would proscribe as a breach if elected.
She said she could not say what behaviours would be on the list, only that the behaviours already outlined in the Australian value statement are “quite explicit about what is important to Australians”.
Asked by Patricia Karvelas if, under the proposed changes, going to a pro-Palestine rally while on a visa would be reason to deport someone, Hume said:
Look, I’m not going to get into specifics but we know that when a visa is assessed, if you have breached those values, if you have not adhered to what the expectations are of all Australians that are here now for visitors to this country, well, that should be reason enough for you to go home.
Karvelas then said: “But you cannot say what those behaviours are?”
Hume responded:
No, I’m not going to get into a rule-in or rule-out, what if it was a protest here or rally that, is a ridiculous argument.
Updated
Hanson claims credit for Angus Taylor’s immigration plan … and says it won’t work
One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, has claimed credit for the new Coalition immigration policy, released by Angus Taylor today.
She said she has no doubt “whatsoever” that One Nation’s recent rise in the polls has prompted the hardline policy, but says it won’t help the Liberals and Nationals win back disaffected supporters.
“They can see the rise in polls from One Nation, and that’s what they’ve jumped on board, because they’ve got to try and get the voters back,” she told radio 2SM.
Hanson said the Liberals could not be relied on to make all permanent migrants in Australia learn English, or to implement other tough measures.
One Nation’s own policy calls for net zero migration to Australia. Hanson said:
People aren’t stupid. People realise they put a lot of trust and faith into the Liberal party to deliver for them and the leadership wasn’t there.
Updated
NSW police investigating alleged rape at police academy
NSW police have launched an internal investigation after a police academy trainee allegedly raped a fellow recruit, AAP reports.
NSW police said they received a report on Sunday of the alleged sexual assault at their academy in Goulburn. The alleged female victim, a student at the academy, is receiving welfare support from staff, a police spokesperson said.
A male student at the academy has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
When asked about the report, NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the claims were very concerning and his thoughts were with the alleged victim.
No charges have been laid.
Updated
Coalition’s immigration policy would be ‘Trumpian’ assault on civil liberties, NSWCCL president says
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has condemned the Coalition’s new hardline immigration plan, saying it would be a “Trumpian” assault on civil liberties.
The council’s president, Timothy Roberts, said:
The Coalition’s immigration policy would be a Trumpian assault on our civil liberties. Vetting social media and making vague ‘values’ a binding visa condition is a poor attempt at cover for the Coalition to shamefully discriminate against the migrants they do not like.
This terrible vision for Australia is steeped in racism and a call back to a dark part of our history that we should be ashamed of and seek to learn from so it never happens again. Not a vision that we should replicate.
Updated
Victorian premier will not meet Harry and Meghan during their visit
Allan was also asked about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip to Melbourne. She says she won’t meet with them while they’re in town as she’ll be busy working on her cabinet reshuffle.
When asked whether taxpayers would foot the bill for police resources involved in the trip, Allan said:
I’d have to direct you to Victoria police. I am not in a position to comment on the individual travel plans and arrangements of any private citizen that travels to this state.
Yesterday, the opposition leader, Jess Wilson, said reports that Harry and Meghan might receive police protection at taxpayer expense “should appal every single Victorian”.
Updated
Jacinta Allan says Coalition immigration stance ‘straight out of the Donald Trump playbook’
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has just held a press conference where she was asked about the federal Coalition’s new hardline immigration policy. She replied:
Well, it’s clear that Angus Taylor and his Victorian Liberal leader colleague are too scared of One Nation and are too weak to stand up and fight for what matters. Unity and cohesion in this state and this country is what matters and is what important.
She described the plan as an “extreme race-based migration policy that’s straight out of the Donald Trump playbook” that “just brings division”. Allan went on:
This is the path of the federal and Victorian Liberal leadership and Liberal parties as they chase One Nation votes further and further to the extreme, because they are too weak to stand up and fight for what’s right and what’s important.
A migration policy that would exclude people and families from China, from Vietnam, from Muslim countries, from Lebanon – this is not what standing for Australia and standing for Victoria looks like. It’s being too weak to stand up to Pauline Hanson and One Nation.
Updated
Hi there, I’ll now be taking you through our rolling news coverage until this evening.
That’s all from me. Jordyn Beazley will take things from here.
Tony Burke says Taylor’s immigration plans solely about sending a ‘vibe to One Nation’
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says Angus Taylor’s immigration speech today points to the Coalition having problems with multicultural Australians who don’t speak English.
“Millions of Australians will be asking: why do the Liberals have a problem with their parents, who don’t speak great English but are great Australians?” Burke said.
Taylor’s policy announcement at the Menzies Institute has prompted wide criticism. Burke said it would not help create jobs, build houses or keep anyone safe.
The government has been bringing the numbers down and bringing the standards up.
Mr Taylor’s diatribe has nothing to do with the national interest and is entirely about sending a vibe to One Nation.
Updated
Vanessa Bleyer confirmed as new Greens senator in Tasmania
Vanessa Bleyer will become the next senator for Tasmania after a final ballot count by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
Bleyer, a specialist environmental lawyer, will replace senator Peter Whish-Wilson, who said last year he would retire from federal parliament.
Bleyer said in a statement:
I thank the members for their confidence in me. I look forward to achieving outcomes for Tasmanians in the Senate, including ending native forest logging and providing safe and secure housing to those struggling without it.
Whish-Wilson said Bleyer had “courage, integrity, a mighty work ethic, a big heart and a passion that will keep the torch burning”.
Updated
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame names new inductees, but no INXS
Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade and Joy Division/New Order will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with first-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross, the Associated Press reports.
The list was revealed on Monday night in the US, during an airing of American Idol. To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals.
Nominees who missed out this year include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition and Shakira.
Read more here:
Updated
Pat Conroy says Angus Taylor’s immigration stance ‘desperate dog-whistling’
Pat Conroy, the minister for the defence industry, said the opposition leader Angus Taylor’s newly announced stance on immigration is just “desperate dog-whistling”.
Conroy spoke to ABC TV earlier today, before Taylor’s big speech.
“We’re just seeing desperate dog-whistling from Angus Taylor who’s desperately trying to compete with One Nation in a race to the bottom,” frontbencher Conroy told the ABC. He went on:
He has to be honest with the Australian public about what industries won’t get workers through their policies.
Who’s going to lose doctors, who’s going to lose nurses, who’s going to lose aged care workers?
Updated
Bail varied for anti-Herzog protester to allow them to attend Scottish highlands-themed festival
A protester charged over allegedly biting an officer while being restrained by police at a protest against the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, has had strict bail conditions varied to allow him to attend a Scottish highlands-themed festival.
In a viral incident captured on video from the protest on 9 February, Jace Turner, 28, was restrained on the light rail tracks near Sydney’s town hall. In the video, two officers appear to punch Turner repeatedly while he allegedly bites one officer’s finger. Under bail conditions granted following his initial arrest and charge, Turner is not allowed to leave his home between 7pm and 6am.
Turner has previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting a police officer in execution of duty, causing actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
At a hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre today, Turner did not enter a plea for two additional charges laid last month, for allegedly assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty, without causing actual bodily harm, as well as hindering or resisting a police officer.
Today, the court heard that Turner, who appeared carrying a metal-topped cane, wished to have his bail varied so that he could attend a two-day Scottish Highlands-themed festival in the Blue Mountains this month. The police prosecutor opposed the variation because the festival was “entertaining” in nature, but the judge, Theo Tsavdaridis, granted it on the condition that Turner did not consume alcohol or drugs while attending. The matter returns to court on 5 May.
Updated
More than 95% of NSW service stations have diesel
More than 95% of service stations in New South Wales now have diesel or premium diesel as shortages ease, the state energy minister, Penny Sharpe has said.
Outages are starting to centre on city areas, which Sharpe said was likely due to motorists converging on the stations with the lowest prices after using the Fuel Check app.
Just 19 stations were out of all fuel types this morning, out of a total of 2,400. A week ago, that figure was 61.
There were 189 stations out of one more fuel types, mostly in metropolitan areas, with 108 stations were out of either diesel or premium diesel and just five of those out of both. A week ago, 247 stations were out of diesel.
Trish Crossin, former NT Labor senator, dies at 70
Trish Crossin, the first woman to represent the Northern Territory in the Australian parliament, has died. She was 70.
Crossin served in the federal Senate for fifteen years, from 1998 to 2013, after working as a teacher in remote schools. Prime minister Anthony Albanese hailed the woman for dedicating her life to “bringing new opportunities to the people of the Northern Territory”, writing:
She brought that same determination and those same values to the Senate. As the first woman to represent the NT in Parliament, Trish was a trailblazer. But what drove her was making that trail easier for future generations to follow.
Trish served her community, our party and the parliament with strength, decency and pride.
Penny Wong, the minister for foreign affairs, said of Crossin:
Her kindness, integrity, work ethic and commitment to Territorians were plain to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, as I did.
Updated
Coalition immigration policy ‘fear-driven’ and ‘Trumpian’, refugee groups say
Refugee advocacy groups say they are horrified but not surprised by new details of the Coalition’s proposed hardline immigration policy.
Jana Favero, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s deputy chief, said politicians were trying to “divide our communities for their own political gain, and this policy is no exception”.
She continued:
Angus Taylor has launched a hateful attack on migrant communities this morning, with no basis or evidence. He’s made it clear the Coalition intends to copy Donald Trump, by blaming migrants for problems created by politicians, instead of fixing them.
The Coalition’s immigration policy is vile and dangerous garbage, which is aimed at dividing our community and making us fearful of one another, at a time when what we need most is unity.
Amnesty International campaigner Zaki Haidari said Australia’s immigration system was “already robust” and there was no need for “fear-driven, discriminatory Trumpian-like policies”.
Australia has been built by migrants and refugees from every corner of the world. Everyone deserves a fair go, a chance to contribute, to belong, and to be part of our shared future.
Updated
ATO and Ahpra warn against dodgy super dental offers
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) are again warning Australians against applying for compassionate release of superannuation to pay for dental treatment.
While there have long been concerns about predatory providers helping people to access their super for non-urgent reasons, the problem persists.
There are limited circumstances where someone can access their super early for medical or dental treatments, such as to treat a life-threatening illness or injury, to alleviate acute or chronic pain or acute or chronic mental illness.
But there are providers pushing and assisting patients to apply outside of these limitations despite previous warnings.
“It is unacceptable for anyone to pressure Australians into accessing their superannuation savings early to pay for overpriced or unnecessary treatments,” ATO deputy commissioner Ben Kelly said.
He warned that accessing super early carries long-term financial risks and can cut into retirement savings.
A list of red flags for consumers to look out for when considering dental offers has been published here.
Zali Steggall says Taylor comments risk fuelling ‘hateful and divisive narratives’
The independent MP Zali Steggall said opposition leader Angus Taylor’s new stance on immigration risked “fuelling hateful and divisive narratives about migration”, calling his comments “misleading and damaging”.
Steggall released a long statement, saying Taylor’s remarks unfairly targeted “communities who make an enormous contribution to Australia’s society and economy, and it distracts from the real policy challenges we need to address”. She went on:
I am particularly appalled by Taylor’s comments about Palestinian refugees. Suggesting people fleeing conflict are inherently a risk based on where they come from – especially when they have been vetted by agencies such as DFAT and ASIO – is deeply irresponsible and discriminatory.
Australia’s diverse, multi-faith, multicultural society is one of our greatest strengths. It is something all Australians should be deeply proud of. Migrants are not a burden – they are vital to Australia’s economic success and social fabric.
Steggall went on to say she believes the Coalition is attempting to distract from its “lack of real policies by dog-whistling to One Nation voters”.
Updated
Harry and Meghan welcomed at Melbourne Royal children's hospital
Prince Harry and Meghan have arrived at the Royal children’s hospital – the first stop on their Australian tour – to a crowd of staff and patients gathered just inside the hospital’s front doors.
As the couple walked in almost without ceremony, a collective soft “hiiii” seemed to float up from the gathered crowd, as if they felt that speaking too loudly might scare the former royals away.
The pair stopped to greet hospital management in the foyer before making their way around the arc of people gathered to see them, paying particular attention to the children in the crowd.
From outside the building you would not know anything out of the ordinary was occurring here today – except perhaps for a handful of haphazardly parked cars on the nature strip.
Inside, staff, patients and visitors are craning to catch a glimpse of the couple from all the way up the central walkways, which overlook the foyer from multiple levels.
Updated
Taylor says 1940s immigration brought over ‘great, great Australians’
Circling back to Angus Taylor’s press conference a little earlier, where he outlined the first planks of the opposition’s immigration policy.
In a Q&A after his speech, Taylor spoke glowingly of his grandfather William Hudson’s role in bringing “great, great Australians” to the nation in the 1940s from war-ravaged Europe – suggesting these refugees and their “great cappucinos” were ideal migrants. He said:
Those people loved this nation as much as any Australian I’ve ever met, because they had left war-torn Europe, they knew what they were leaving, and they knew what an incredible place they had come to and they embraced it.
They were and are … great, great Australians. That is the immigration program we’ve got to get back to.
My colleague Tom McIlroy has written previously about Taylor’s many references to Hudson throughout his political career.
Back in February, Taylor used Hudson’s story to make a similar distinction between good immigration and bad immigration praising the Italian migrants who brought cappuccinos to Cooma for the first time.
Taylor said “if someone doesn’t subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut,” forgetting that Australia’s democracy, freedoms and rule of law are the reasons millions around the world want to live in a society like ours.
Updated
NSW sticking to new road tax despite federal go-slow
The New South Wales premier has recommitted to imposing a new road tax despite pushback from electric vehicle users and the federal government.
Chris Minns once more promised to stick to his plans to bring in a road user charge by July 2027, putting a fee of 2.97c per kilometre for an EV and 2.37c for a plug-in hybrid.
The federal transport minister, Catherine King, on Sunday suggested the Albanese government may no longer be in a rush to bring in its own scheme for fear of deterring new EV purchases, adding: “if there is such a scheme, it does need to be national.”
Minns pushed back, telling reporters today:
We’ve got a different view from them ... Purchasers of electric vehicles understand someone still has to pay for the roads and we need to prepare today for all the eventualities and uptake in EV usage, a decline in excise and petrol usage and how we’re going to fund roads.
Speaking alongside him, Julie Delvecchio, chief of the EV Council, said road user charges should be deferred until EV uptake hits 30% of the market, from its current level of about 15%. Minns responded:
No, and with respect, Julie. We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this. We’re seeing a decline in excise at petrol understandably. We want to make sure that there’s enough money to find roads.
Updated
Victorian Labor taps new cabinet ministers
Victorian Labor’s new cabinet ministers have been decided by MPs.
Party whip Julianna Addison has told reporters Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch, Eureka MP Michaela Settle, Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke and Box Hill MP Paul Hamer were elected unopposed.
The premier will hold a press conference later this afternoon.
Updated
Greens accuse Coalition of reviving White Australia policy
The Greens accused the Coalition of pursuing a “2026 version of the White Australia” policy after Angus Taylor outlined the first planks of the opposition’s immigration policy.
David Shoebridge, the Greens immigration spokesperson, said the policies unveiled on Tuesday showed the Coalition had been “captured by extremists”.
Shoebridge pointed to Taylor’s claim that the cohort of Palestinian refugees who fled the war in Gaza presented a “clear risk to the country” and should be reassessed.
He posted on X:
The Greens know that immigration and multiculturalism makes us strong. We have experiences, talents and knowledge from across the world together here. It’s a key part of what makes us the Lucky Country.
The truth is that both Labor and the Coalition see the racism and division of One Nation and Trump and instead of fighting it, they copy it. This is hurting millions of Australians who fear their religion, their origins or their skin colour will make them a target.
Updated
Taylor says those seeking permanent residency would need to learn English
Taylor said English proficiency will become a requirement for those seeking permanent residency. He said:
The Coalition will make learning English an obligation for permanent visa holders, not an option.
Updated
Taylor claims people who migrate from liberal democracies likelier to share Australian values than those from ‘other places’
Taylor claimed those from Gaza presented a “high risk” to Australia. He said:
For too long we’ve turned a blind eye to the reality of immigration and integration.
Those who migrate from liberal democracies have a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values compared to those coming from other places …
The Gazan cohort of 1,700 people here on visas presents a high risk to our nation. That cohort must be reassessed entirely, with far greater scrutiny …
Australia has a non-discriminatory immigration program … But for an immigration program to work in the national interest, it must discriminate based on values.
The opposition leader claimed Australians were “fed up” with Labor’s immigration policies.
Updated
Australia ‘changing for the worse’ due to ‘migrants of subversive intent’, Taylor claims
Angus Taylor is moving on to immigration, what he says is “an issue of deep and growing concern to Australians”.
Unfortunately, something has changed in recent times. Immigration numbers are too high. Consequently, Australians can see the country they love changing for the worse.
The Coalition was adamant earlier this morning that their policies are not Trumpian in nature. But in his earlier report, political editor Tom McIlroy noted similarities to recent US rules in some elements of the plan:
Taylor claims there are two categories of migrants: those who embrace Australia, and those who are “subversive” and want Australia “to change for them”:
Declining immigration standards have seen our door open to migrants of subversive intent.
Updated
Taylor: ‘Bigger government and a bigger Australia has not meant a better Australia’
Taylor is listing a slate of grievances with the Labor party, including the ongoing fuel shortage, what he says is a shortage in defence spending and, the topic of this speech, the rate of migration into Australia.
He said:
Under my leadership we will change for the better. We will deliver policies for the change our nation needs …
Now here’s the truth: Bigger government and a bigger Australia has not meant a better Australia.
Updated
The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, is up in Canberra to unveil the Coalition’s new, hardline immigration policies.
We’ll bring you those updates as soon as they happen.
Updated
Victoria premier at meeting where MPs will decide who to join cabinet
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has arrived at a Labor caucus meeting where MPs are set to decide who will be elevated to cabinet.
Yesterday, ministers Mary-Anne Thomas, Gayle Tierney and Danny Pearson announced they would not be recontesting the November election, joining Natalie Hutchins who resigned in December.
It leaves four vacancies to be filled, with Labor sources saying Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch, Eureka MP Michaela Settle and Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke will fill three. Box Hill MP Paul Hamer and Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson are both vying for the final spot, which will be determined by the socialist left faction.
Updated
Nationals preselect local publican to challenge premier in Bendigo seat
The Nationals have confirmed Andrew Lethlean has been chosen as the party’s candidate to challenge the premier, Jacinta Allan, in her seat of Bendigo East at the November state election.
Allan has held the seat since she was first elected in 1999. But the Nationals are confident Lethlean, a local publican, can make the seat competitive after his strong showing in last year’s federal election in the overlapping seat of Bendigo.
At that poll, Lethlean polled 29.7% and Chester was left hanging on with a narrow 1.4% margin. It was the strongest swing away from Labor anywhere in the country, at 9.8%.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lethlean said it was a privilege to run in the state election. He said:
The Bendigo community means everything to me. It’s given me so much and I’d like to give something back. I will be fighting for every vote and if elected will fight hard every day for Bendigo.
The Nationals’ State President, Jo Armstrong, said:
Andrew’s standing in the Bendigo community was reflected when he achieved a near 10 per cent swing in last May’s federal election.
However, at the state election, the Nationals will also face competition from One Nation, who plan to capitalise on the anger in regional Victoria.
Chris Minns says Taylor needs to offer more than ‘wishy-washy policy’
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has challenged Angus Taylor to offer more than “wishy-washy policy” in his calls for “values-based” immigration.
The federal opposition leader will this morning propose increased vetting and stricter conditions on migrants to Australia, including to deport visa holders who fail to uphold the Australian values statement.
Minns told reporters earlier this morning immigration levels had exceeded the federal government’s targets and he believed a “values-based” approach had universal support.
On Taylor’s upcoming speech, Minns said:
The general point, that we want people to come to Australia who love Australia, is a good principle … We’re in a position where we can effectively choose who the future Australians are and of course the commonsense position would be, if you’re going to choose, you want to choose people that love the country and are going to contribute to it.
I’m going to watch his speech today but I just say that, if it’s full of noble words and grand statements, but wishy-washy policy, we’ve heard all that before …
There’d be no circumstance where we should be in a position to be accepting people into our country that don’t love the country and the prime minister has made that very, very clear, particularly over the last six months. Every prime minister’s made that case … The question is, what’s the federal opposition proposing in this policy?
Updated
Deputy RBA governor fears ‘big real income shock for Australia’
The deputy governor also noted that consumer confidence measures have “fallen very, very sharply”.
I don’t think those surveys necessarily tell you a lot about what consumption is going to do. But if they’re right, we have a big income shock coming our way.
He noted that Australia was “the highest user of diesel per capita in the world”.
So this is a big real income shock for Australia, even if national income and fiscal coffers may benefit from that net export position.
Updated
Stagflation threat from Iran war a ‘nightmare’, RBA deputy governor says
Andrew Hauser, the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor, says the “stagflationary shock” from the Iran war is a “central banker’s nightmare”.
Speaking at an event in New York this morning, Hauser said the RBA was “judging the balance” between the damage to the economy from “a big income shock” associated with soaring fuel prices, versus a sharp rise in inflation.
We’re going to have to think about that in that overall way. It is the central bankers’ nightmare: you know, the stagflationary shock, with inflation up, activity down [and] judging the balance between those two.
With financial markets earlier this morning pricing in a 64% chance of a third straight interest rate hike at the next central bank boarding meeting on 5 May, Hauser said it was “easy to see that upside inflation pressure”.
But he said it was “more important for us now to think through what that medium term impact might be”.
“It might still be on the upside, in which case we’re going to have to respond” with higher rates.
But we do also need to take account of the possibility that activity slows.
Updated
Taylor says permanent residents should be excluded from 5% home deposit scheme
Angus Taylor, the opposition leader, said the opposition will push scrapping the government’s 5% first homebuyers’ deposit scheme for permanent residents.
You can read more about that scheme itself here:
Taylor spoke to 2GB earlier, saying the program should be exclusively for Australian citizens. He said:
Seriously, this is a scheme designed for Australians to get into a home. Young Aussie citizens.
So let me give you a sneak preview of the speech I’m going to give at 11 o’clock today. I will say at that speech that we will restrict that program to Australian citizens.
One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has been pushing content lambasting apparent government promotion of the scheme overseas in recent days.
Updated
Palestine protestor Jim Dowling to plead not guilty
Palestine protestor Jim Dowling has told a court he plans to plead not guilty of reciting a banned expression on the basis that the law is insane.
Dowling was arrested last month at a protest outside Boeing’s Brisbane headquarters, in the CBD. He was carrying a sign which read: “From the River to the Sea, Brisbane will be free of Boeing”.
Under laws passed last month the expression is banned if reciting or publishing it would menace, harass or offend.
He appeared briefly in Brisbane arrest court this morning, without legal representation.
“I’d like to plead insanity. I think the charge is insane and anyone who takes it seriously is a bit sus as well,” he said.
Magistrate Belinda Merrin said she would make a note that the charge was being contested. He will appear again on 29 April.
Outside court Dowling said he would use the case to protest against the arms trade and mass murder.
I was arrested for holding a simple sign that said ‘From the River to the Sea, Brisbane will be free of Boeing’.
No mention of anything to do with any other politics, just Boeing … whatever happens to me in court’s not a big issue.
Updated
Duniam adds we’re not ‘copying America’
Duniam said the immigration proposal would not echo Trump policies in America.
We’re looking at Australian law for Australian circumstances.
We’re not talking about copying America in any way. That is not where we’re going.
Updated
Shadow immigration minister questioned about details of Coalition’s hardline immigration plan
The shadow immigration minister, Jonathon Duniam, said the Coalition’s new hardline immigration plan is designed to “fix a broken system”, saying the opposition would also target about 65,000 people who have overstayed their visas, had protection visa claims denied or exhausted their efforts to stay in Australia.
Duniam spoke to Sky News a moment ago, saying the proposal would focus on those who the opposition believes do not support Australian values. He said:
This is about getting in the people who, we believe, are right for our country, that share our values.
He said plans to check travellers’ social media accounts would apply to those coming from areas “deemed higher risk” by law enforcement:
If people are making an application for a tourist visa from certain jurisdictions that might be deemed higher risk by intelligence or law enforcement agencies, then yes, that they would go down that pathway.
When asked if AI would be used as part of that process, Duniam said “of course” the government should take advantage of such tools if it would help the vetting process.
Updated
Qantas lifts fares and adds Europe flights amid conflict, redeploying from US and domestic network
Qantas has redeployed aircraft to fly to Paris and Rome, and lifted fares, amid a surge in travel demand away from airlines that transit through the troubled Middle East.
The Australian airline says it has redeployed capacity from its US and domestic network to take advantage of the strong interest in Europe-bound travel, according to a market update released this morning.
Middle Eastern airlines have been reducing services due to the Iran conflict, prompting passengers to seek alternatives.
While Qantas is benefiting from demand for flights that transit through Asia, it says its jet fuel bill is rising sharply due to surging oil prices.
“The group has taken action to mitigate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, including international network changes, capacity adjustments and fare increases,” Qantas says.
Updated
NSW premier says EV plans will give families a ‘real alternative’ to petrol vehicles
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the EV strategy was about making it simpler for families to go electric and increase savings over time. He said:
Families are feeling the pressure every time they fill up.
This is about giving people a real alternative, one that’s cheaper to run and with this rollout, easier to access.
Julie Delvecchio, the chief executive of the EV Council, said:
NSW is pushing on the right barriers to unlock EV uptake and help people access cost-of-living savings that come from making the switch.
Filling regional charging gaps, expanding support for heavy vehicle fleets and investing in workforce training are practical steps that will get more Australians into EVs sooner.
Updated
EV funding blitz to get more gas guzzlers off NSW roads
The NSW government unveiled its 2026 EV strategy on Tuesday in an effort to give confidence to motorists hesitant about switching from their increasingly pricey petrol cars, AAP reports.
Rolling out more fast-charging stations in regional and remote areas to encourage EV take-up among non-city dwellers will be one of the top priorities in the $100m package.
EVs currently make up about 15% of new car sales in NSW but the likelihood of purchases accelerating during the fuel crisis has exacerbated the need for more infrastructure.
The government says switching to an EV from a petrol-run vehicle can cut fuel costs by up to $3,000 a year, or entirely if using home solar, making the choice an economic one for those frustrated at the bowser.
Australia to join latest Hormuz summit this week
A senior military officer or diplomat is expected to represent Australia at this week’s summit on reopening the strait of Hormuz, set to be led by France and the UK.
The British prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said overnight the summit of at least 40 countries would seek to “advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends”.
The defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, told ABC radio it was yet to be confirmed who would attend the talks on behalf of Australia, expected to take place towards the end of the week.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, attended the first summit remotely earlier this month.
“The key thing is there’s the coalition of nations that are really keen to see a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” Conroy said.
Updated
Qantas flight from Brisbane circles off coast for nearly three hours after technical issue found shortly after takeoff
A Qantas flight bound for Perth from Brisbane last night circled near its departure airport for nearly three hours after a technical issue was discovered just after takeoff.
Pilots aboard QF943, which left Brisbane airport around 8.20pm on Monday night, reported a technical issue related to an airspeed indicator. They followed standard procedures and the aircraft circled off the coast over Stradbroke Island to reduce fuel prior to landing.
The plane landed safely in Brisbane just after 11pm and all passengers were provided accomodation overnight. An additional flight to Perth was scheduled to leave this morning.
The aircraft will be inspected before returning to service.
Harry and Meghan touch down in Australia
Prince Harry and Meghan have reportedly touched down in Melbourne to begin a four-day visit to Australia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Melbourne and Sydney together, while Harry will head to Canberra solo, for a private trip one royals expert has described as a “faux-royal” tour.
You can read details about their schedule, including several expensive ticketed events, here:
Updated
Shadow minister says immigration proposal reflects need to have the ‘right people in our country’
Melissa McIntosh, the shadow minister for the NDIS, said it is “about time” the Coalition lay out a harder stance on immigration.
McIntosh was asked this morning on RN Breakfast if migrants were an asset to Australia. She replied:
Of course. I come from a migrant family. My dad came here in the 1950s to create a better life for him and his family and worked really hard for us.
This is the story of Australia, but we need to have the right people in our country who love our country, who share our values.
You have to be sticking your head in the sand if you can’t see that there are issues now with some of that, stemming from the people who are coming here who don’t share our values.
Sydney to get first new cathedral in more than a century
Sydney is getting its first new Roman Catholic Cathedral in more than a century, part of a massive 7.7-hectare integrated precinct in the northern suburb of Waitara. Irish architect Niall McLaughlin, winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal, will lead the design.
The new cathedral is expected to be a unifying force for more than 250,000 Catholics in more than two dozen parishes in the Diocese of Broken Bay, stretching from the lower north shore to the Central Coast.
London-based architect McLaughlin will work alongside Australian executive firm Hayball during the construction that will feature timber framing and sandstone structures inspired by the region’s Hawkesbury River-Nepean River watershed and local bluffs.
The new cathedral will be integrated with a new education campus incorporating St Leo’s Catholic College and a new base for CatholicCare to support seniors and people living with disabilities.
The project will be funded through a combination of the church’s institutional capital and a dedicated fundraising appeal for philanthropic donations.
Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, who was recently promoted by Pope Leo XIV to a senior legal role at the Vatican, will stay on as the temporary administrator of the diocese to oversee the project before leaving for Rome.
Updated
Taylor discusses new hardline immigration plans
The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, said his new proposal for immigration policy is needed to “put Australian value first” as he’s set to unveil the full details of the hardline plans, including a Trump-style social media vetting process.
You can read more about the plan here:
Taylor spoke to ABC AM this morning, saying:
We know people have come to our country in recent times who don’t share our core values, our belief in democracy, our belief in the rule of law, our belief in basic freedoms.
Taylor was asked how a social media vetting process would work, considering Asio can already check social media of incoming migrants if the agency has concerns. The opposition leader said the change would create a “cross-border, cross-agency taskforce” to do so, and allocate more resources to check.
“What we don’t have is a legally binding and enforceable values test in the Migration Act, and we don’t have a cross-agency taskforce set up in this way which would receive extra funding,” he said.
It’s bolstering it and giving it extra resources and putting this team together in a way where they can ensure that extremists, that radicals who do not believe in our way of life, don’t come into the country.
Taylor said he believes the “vast majority” of migrants who come to Australia do the “right thing” and love the country.
Updated
Marles says Australia still hopes strait of Hormuz will reopen as Trump blockade begins
The defence minister, Richard Marles, said Australia still wants to see the strait of Hormuz open after the US naval blockade of Iranian ports began on Monday evening.
Marles spoke to RN Breakfast, saying the government was “deeply invested” in having the strait open and the global fuel supply chain “return to normal”. He said:
We are working with all of our partners around efforts that are being taken forward in respect of the straits of Hormuz and how Australia can best contribute. … We really need to see what plays out throughout the remainder of the ceasefire.
The minister added he believes the US, too, wants to see the strait of Hormuz open, despite Trump’s blockade.
Updated
Labor to boost spending on military drones
The federal government plans to spend between $2bn and $5bn more on drones, part of Australia’s new national defence strategy.
Set to be released by the defence minister, Richard Marles, on Thursday, the plans will bring spending on uncrewed and autonomous capabilities by the defence force to between $12bn and $15bn over the next decade.
Local manufacturing will also be prioritised in the plans.
“The war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East underscore the rapid advancements in these technologies, and the ability for these systems to generate significant asymmetric advantage against larger, more expensive platforms,” Marles says.
Expanding our fleet of autonomous and uncrewed systems across all domains will not only help the ADF keep our nation safe, but will boost Australia’s sovereign defence industry – supporting local jobs and harnessing Australian innovation.
Updated
Melbourne to Thailand flight diverted after passenger’s alleged behaviour
A 37-year-old woman faced court on Monday after her alleged disruptive behaviour forced an international flight bound for Thailand to divert to Perth.
Australian federal police (AFP) said airline staff alerted them to an incident on Sunday where the passenger allegedly acted in an “increasingly erratic manner … before escalating to verbally abusing passengers and cabin crew”.
The flight diverted to Perth airport, where AFP officers boarded the aircraft and removed the woman after she allegedly refused to exit the aircraft as directed.
She appeared in Perth magistrates court on Monday, charged with one count of behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner endangering safety on an aircraft. The offence carries a maximum penalty of a $16,500 fine. She is due to reappear in court on 11 May.
Updated
Good morning, Nick Visser here to take over the blog. Let’s get to it.
Suspected crocodile remains dumped on Adelaide roadside
Reptile remains, believed to be from a crocodile, have been found dumped on the side of the road in Adelaide.
A spokesperson for the state’s environment and water department confirmed in a statement that department staff had “collected the remains of a reptile at Waterloo Corner”. They said:
The remains, which were dumped on the side of the road at Coleman Road, will be analysed in an effort to confirm the species and any other information.
It is not currently known how the remains came to be located at the site.
The department asked anyone with information to visit the Call it Out wildlife crime portal, or contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
Updated
Food supplied to hospitals and nursing homes at risk due to fuel crisis
The authors say it is the first comprehensive assessment of public food procurement in Australia. Leah Galvin, co-lead of GFPA and report co-author, says:
A different approach can increase the use of fresh, local produce, redirect spending to Australian farmers and producers, support the people working in public food service kitchens, and generate real benefits for Australia.
The authors also emphasise the prescience of the release of the report, which comes as Australia’s food system and supply chains, including food supplied to public institutions such as hospitals and aged care centres, are all at risk of breakdown due to the fuel crisis triggered by the war in Iran.
Dheepa Jeyapalan, also a co-lead of GFPA and co-author of the report, says:
Better public food procurement is not about spending more, it’s about spending smarter. The evidence is clear, public support is strong, and the solutions exist. Given the threat to our food system caused by the global fuel and fertiliser crisis, now is the moment for leadership.
Health experts have previously warned governments there needs to be a national food policy movement away from multinational corporations and towards healthier, more local food systems.
Updated
Poor hospital food adding to health costs, report says
Australian governments are spending $2.13bn every year feeding people in hospitals, aged care facilities and other public settings – low-quality food which contributes to poor diet and long-term health costs, a new report has found.
That investment (which equates to $6m a day) is one of the most powerful policy levers available to governments to improve national health outcomes, but it is currently marked by a near-exclusive focus on cost and scale, according to the report titled Transforming the Public Plate.
Commissioned by philanthropic organisation Macdoch Foundation and released by the newly formed Good Food Purchasing Australia (GFPA) initiative, it has found public food procurement is dominated by large suppliers and multinationals, with limited pathways for small, medium, local and First Nations producers to participate.
Without a national framework of standards to drive better outcomes from public food spending, the authors say Australia is falling behind other comparable countries such as the UK, EU and parts of the US.
Indeed, when Guardian investigated hospital food around the world, what Australia was serving paled in comparison with more wholesome options overseas. And a big part of the problem was not using fresh food but contracting out food preparation services to private companies to produce meals in bulk and deliver them frozen.
Updated
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Nick Visser with the main action.
