πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australian Politics

April 11th, 2026

Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.

ABC AU

Government launches multi-million-dollar fuel saving campaign

With oil prices continuing to squeeze household budgets, the federal government is pouring millions into an advertising push urging Australians to cut back on car use. The campaign marks a significant shift toward demand-side intervention as officials look beyond supply-chain fixes. Whether it changes driver behaviour remains the real test.

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Sydney Morning Herald

In times of need, Canberra usually phones the US. Albanese instead called Beijing

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a pointed diplomatic move by turning to Beijing rather than Washington during a period of economic pressure, signaling a recalibration of Canberra's traditional alliance instincts. The decision came after Albanese faced sustained criticism for a sluggish response to rising fuel costs. The pivot to China marks a notable shift in how Australia is choosing to manage its strategic relationships in a moment of vulnerability.

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Guardian AU

Albanese didn’t return with shiploads of diesel. That doesn’t mean his Singapore visit wasn’t a success

Australia's Prime Minister secured important assurances from Singapore on refined fuel supply during his recent visit, laying groundwork for addressing the country's diesel vulnerability as Middle East conflicts threaten global supply chains. While no immediate shipments were secured, the diplomatic groundwork could prove significant if fuel stocks tighten further. Diesel supply is expected to be the next priority on Albanese's energy security agenda.

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ABC AU

High Court has made Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case a complete failure

Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case has collapsed entirely after the High Court declined to intervene, leaving intact the Federal Court's finding that he raped Brittany Higgins on the balance of probabilities. The decision exhausts every legal avenue available to Lehrmann, making the lower court's ruling the final word on the matter. It marks a definitive end to a case that has consumed Australian public life for years.

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ABC AU

Has the surge in fuel prices changed how Sydneysiders move around?

Six weeks into the Middle East conflict, record fuel prices are forcing Sydney drivers to rethink how they get around. Data shows measurable shifts in travel behavior as motorists seek alternatives to absorbing the cost at the pump. The trend signals a broader pressure on household budgets that is now visibly reshaping urban mobility patterns.

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Australian Politics β€” April 11th, 2026 - Daily Direct