ABC AU
Former defence leaders say Australia is already in a fight with its biggest threats
Australia's former defence chiefs are sounding the alarm on a battle already underway — one fought not with weapons, but with narratives. A sweeping new review argues the country is deeply entangled in a global disinformation war targeting public understanding of fossil fuels and climate change. The warning reframes climate misinformation as a national security threat, not merely a policy debate.
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Australia lowers diesel standards in bid to increase supply as number of service stations running empty surges
Australia has temporarily relaxed its diesel quality standards to unlock fuel imports from the US, Canada, and Europe, amid a surge in service station outages across the country. Energy Minister Chris Bowen flagged the move as urgent, with warnings that supplies from key Asian markets could tighten as early as April. The measure reflects deepening pressure on Australia's fuel security, a long-standing vulnerability for a nation that imports the bulk of its liquid fuels.
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Sydney Morning Herald
Europe, Australia compromise on cheese and wine names in $10b trade deal
European and Australian negotiators have struck a landmark $10 billion trade deal that includes contested compromises over the use of protected cheese and wine names. The agreement opens a path to Europe's 450 million consumers, but Australian farmers are pushing back hard, arguing the Albanese government left significant market access on the table. The naming rights dispute — covering terms like "feta" and "prosecco" — reflects the deeper tensions between agricultural export ambitions and European geographic protections.
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Liberal party preferences handed seats to One Nation in South Australian election, analysts say
The Liberal Party's decision to direct preferences toward One Nation in South Australia's state election has backfired spectacularly, handing the far-right populist party at least two upper house seats and likely multiple lower house seats. The move proved doubly damaging for the Liberals, who finished behind One Nation on primary votes as Labor romped to a commanding majority. Analysts say the preferencing strategy has effectively turbocharged One Nation's presence in the South Australian parliament at the Liberals' own expense.
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Australia politics live: NSW opposition calls for fuel price limits and free Easter public transport; AI firms face fines over explicit chatbots
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane is pushing for mandatory 24-hour fuel price caps, aiming to shield motorists from volatility at the pump. Meanwhile, the federal government is moving to fine AI companies whose chatbots generate explicit content, signaling tougher tech regulation. In Victoria, tens of thousands of teachers are set to strike after last-minute negotiations with the state government collapsed.
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