This week in Australia
Australia's recent news cycle highlights persistent economic pressures and their impact on everyday citizens. A significant story involves the collapse of labour hire firm iComply, leaving workers owed over $12 million in unpaid superannuation, underscoring vulnerabilities in employment practices. Concurrently, despite a cut in the fuel excise, diesel prices
About Australia
Australia, a vast continent known for its unique biodiversity, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant multicultural cities, plays a significant economic and cultural role in the Asia-Pacific region. Its democratic government upholds press freedom, yet the media landscape is characterized by concentrated ownership, primarily by News Corp and Nine Entertainment. This concentration often sparks debate about media diversity, even as the country maintains a strong tradition of investigative journalism.
Visiting Australia
Media landscape
Australia enjoys a free press, but its media environment is largely dominated by a few major players, notably News Corp Australia and Nine Entertainment, leading to concerns about diversity of voices. Despite this concentrated ownership, the country maintains a robust tradition of investigative journalism and public broadcasting through entities like the ABC and SBS.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Australian news, consult both major national newspapers and the publicly funded broadcasters like ABC and SBS for diverse perspectives.
Sources we track 2
Lyrid meteor shower lights up Australian skies: Your guide to the best view
- The Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest recorded celestial events, is visible annually in April. - Earth passes through a debris trail left by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, causing fragments to disinโฆ
Russian Missiles Strike Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities, Killing 12
- Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least 12 deaths, including a child in Kyiv and six in Odesa. - The attacks targeted residential โฆ
Launceston councillor Danny Gibson resigns after scandal-plagued term
- Danny Gibson, former mayor and councillor of Launceston, Tasmania, has resigned effective immediately. - His resignation follows historical allegations of misconduct towards young men, including claโฆ
Australia turns to Brunei for vital fertilizer supplies amid Middle East disruptions
- Australia is seeking to secure critical fertilizer supplies by diversifying sources away from the Middle East due to ongoing conflict. - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Brunei to discuss staโฆ
Australians Increase Spending in March, Led by Over-65s Amid Rising Petrol Prices
- Australian household spending rose 2.9% in March, driven by a 22.9% increase in transport costs due to higher petrol prices. - Spending increased across all tracked categories, including hospitalityโฆ
Record entrants rev up for Rockynats festival despite fuel crisis
- Rockynats, Queensland's largest car and motorcycle festival, is set to host a record 1,900 entrants despite a national fuel crisis. - The event features a street parade, drag races, and burnout compโฆ
Live: Authorities continue to battle fire at Viva Energy oil refinery
- An "unprecedented" fire broke out overnight at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Geelong, Australia. - Authorities are continuing to battle the blaze, which is impacting petrol production. - While dieโฆ
Boy, 4, Dies in Fatal Suburban Crash in Dubbo; Police Appeal for Witnesses
- Police are investigating a fatal crash in Dubbo, New South Wales, where a four-year-old boy was struck and killed by a vehicle. - Emergency services responded to the incident on Wednesday evening, aโฆ
De Minaur suffers shock loss as Alcaraz withdraws from Barcelona Open
- Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur suffered a surprising early exit from the Barcelona Open, losing to world number 88 Hamad Medjedovic. - De Minaur struggled with his serve and committed numerโฆ
Arrest Warrant Issued in Legal Battle for $27k in Unpaid Long Service Leave
- Two Canberra women are pursuing over $27,000 in unpaid long service leave entitlements from their former employer. - Their case reached the ACT Magistrates Court, which issued an arrest warrant for โฆ
Cage fighter claims 'mucking around' led to fatal spar
- A professional cage fighter is on trial for murder after allegedly killing his best friend during a sparring session in Sydney. - The accused told police it was an accident, claiming he kicked his fโฆ
Albanese, Sultan of Brunei share 'deep concern' amid ongoing energy crisis
- Australia and Brunei pledged to strengthen energy supply chain resilience and maintain open trade amid global energy concerns. - Brunei may provide additional diesel and fertiliser supplies to Austrโฆ
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Could Turn Into Global Agrifood Crisis
- Ships carrying critical agricultural inputs must resume passage through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent a global food price crisis, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). - Eโฆ
'Clearly Misled': Pressure Mounts on CIT CEO to Resign Amidst Disclosure Allegations
- An independent MLA is demanding the CEO of the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), Margot McNeill, step down, alleging she misled the board prior to her appointment. - Statutory declarations sugโฆ
How White Should Your Teeth Actually Be? Experts Say Natural Variation is Key
- There is no definitive standard for how white teeth should be, with natural variations existing among individuals. - Tooth color changes with age, becoming less white and more yellow due to internalโฆ
'Fierce and defiant' disability advocate remembered after drowning
- Disability advocate Ellen Fraser-Barbour drowned at Ellery Creek Big Hole near Alice Springs. - The 35-year-old deafblind and autistic advocate was remembered as a
CFMEU Breached Industrial Laws at Least 25 Times in 14 Years, Inquiry Hears
- The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) in Queensland has allegedly breached industrial laws at least 25 times over 14 years, an inquiry heard. - The former head of Australiaโฆ
ASIC Probes Individuals in Sanjeev Gupta's Collapsed Australian Empire
- Australia's corporate watchdog, ASIC, is investigating individuals within the collapsed empire of steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta. - Three of Gupta's industrial companies in Australia have collapsed, leaโฆ
Judgement Day Looms for Gina Rinehart in High-Stakes Battle Over Iron Ore Dynasty's Fortune
- Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, awaits a court judgment on a legal claim to her iron ore mines. - The claim is brought by the family of her late father's former business partner, Peter Wrโฆ
Fuel Excise Cut May Backfire, Analysts Warn
- Australian energy analysts warn that the government's temporary fuel excise cut may hinder efforts to conserve oil and transition to electric vehicles. - While petrol prices have dropped significantโฆ
WA eyes COVID quarantine facility for prison conversion amid inmate surge
- Western Australia is considering converting an unused COVID quarantine facility into a prison due to a significant rise in inmate numbers. - The facility, located in Bullsbrook, was built in 2022 buโฆ
WA Secures 4 Million Litres of Diesel for Strategic Stockpile
- Western Australia has secured a 4-million-litre stockpile of diesel to address localized fuel shortages. - The fuel will be owned by the state and stored in the Kimberley region, prioritizing remoteโฆ
INXS Out, Phil Collins In as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees Announced
- The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, featuring artists like Phil Collins, Billy Idol, and Fela Kuti. - Notable snubs include the band INXS, who were nominated but did notโฆ
Man Charged After Molotov Cocktail Attack on OpenAI CEO's Home
- A man has been charged with attempted murder and arson after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home. - Authorities state the suspect, Daniel Moreno-Gama, opposed artifโฆ
Da Nang Denies Discrimination Against Indian Tourists, Seeks Verification
- ฤร Nแบตng authorities have denied allegations of discrimination against Indian tourists, stating no such incidents have been recorded. - The city has requested verification of the information and emphโฆ
'Make a noise': The ordinary people who took their fight to our highest court
- Rodney Croome and his partner Nick Toonen took their fight to decriminalize homosexuality in Tasmania to Australia's High Court in the 1990s. - Homosexuality was a crime punishable by up to 21 yearsโฆ
Gout Gout's 'supersonic' run rewrites Australian record books
- Australian sprinter Gout Gout has set a new national record in the 200m race with a time of 19.68 seconds. - His performance has garnered international attention, with media outlets in France and Beโฆ
Global food crisis warning, accusations of Hormuz piracy as blockade begins
- The US has begun a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump accusing Iran of "extortion" following initial peace talks. - Iran has labeled any US blockade attempt as "piracy" and threaโฆ
Australian Banks Report Hundreds of Suspicious Tobacco Deals After Crackdown Call
- Australian banks have reported hundreds of suspicious transactions related to illicit tobacco since a crackdown was called for late last year. - AUSTRAC, the anti-money laundering regulator, has pasโฆ
Coalition Proposes Social Media Checks, Deportation for Breaching Australian Values
Australia's opposition plans to introduce social media screening for all visa applicants and deport individuals who breach Australian values if elected. The proposed "Enhanced Screening Coordination Cโฆ