Today
Government to help buy ‘shiploads of fuel’ under new powers
The government will use taxpayer funds to underwrite the purchase of critical imported fuel as the conflict in the Middle East threatens national supplies.
Trump urges Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalise ties after Iran war
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils new fuel security powers amid a deepening supply crunch; an Iranian strike wounds US troops and damages aircraft at a Saudi base; Follow live updates.
Yesterday
Australia warns travellers of strikes on Dubai hotel; US deploys ‘drone speedboats’
DFAT has urged travellers to seek shelter over possible strikes on a Dubai hotel; Drone speedboats have been deployed into the Middle East; Anthony Albanese says six tankers of fuel en route; direct talks with Malaysia for supply ongoing. Follow live.
EV tax break to roll on as sales soar
The Albanese government is reconsidering plans to scale back the $1.3 billion-a-year fringe benefits tax exemption for electric vehicles.
Australia’s fuel crisis is just the first domino to fall
Rebuilding our lost sovereignty will require government to rein in profligate spending on industry losers and stop treating the budget as a bottomless well.
David Rowe cartoons for March 2026
David Rowe is a multiple Walkley award-winning cartoonist. He draws a daily political cartoon and one for the Chanticleer column.
Fuel supply now guaranteed until May, after which uncertainty looms
The prime minister says there will be a nationally consistent response to the fuel crisis and not a rerun of the COVID-19 fiasco where states went their own ways.
Why these people decided to vote for One Nation
Blue-collar workers are moving away from Labor and towards Pauline Hanson’s surging party. Pollsters expect the trend will extend beyond South Australia.
The US won’t protect you, top diplomat warns Australia
Former DFAT boss Peter Varghese has urged the Albanese government to pursue a more self-reliant defence policy, arguing US global primacy is not a key interest.
In pictures: March 2026
This month conflict in the Middle East starts to show its effects on Australia. Our photographers have captured moments that mark this time in history.
As the world burns, Canberra fumbles
The economic effects of the Iran crisis make the Albanese government’s budget decisions harder – but also more necessary to make tough choices. That’s not happening.
This Month
Pentagon reportedly plans ‘final blow’ in Iran; Trump threatens more bombings
The US is reportedly preparing options for a dramatic military escalation in Iran; Israel says it has killed the head of the IRGC navy. Follow live updates.
Labor’s wage rise plan amid oil spike risks ‘stagflation’
Economists fear a decision to increase minimum pay could aggravate impacts of the energy price shock, push inflation higher and put more people out of work.
Ignored warnings about fuel security have left Australia vulnerable
It’s not as though we haven’t been warned before – since in 2012 there have been warnings about the nation’s fuel reserves.
Canberra wants Tomago saved – just not all on its dime
Australia needs to avoid indulging in political slush funds dressed up as “industrial policy” and pivot towards a smarter, future-looking strategy.
‘Needless secrecy’: Government resolves to be upfront over fuel crisis
National cabinet will meet next Monday to discuss the crisis, amid some internal frustration over the government’s tone and messaging to date.
‘Really escalating now’: Lobster prices to rise before Easter
Fuel insecurity is driving up prices for lobster fishers and prompting some West Australian farmers to delay seeding ahead of the first autumn rain.
Copyright holders are ready to do AI deals – under existing laws
A leading creative industry CEO representing songwriters and music publishers says current legislation is fit for purpose in the age of artificial intelligence.
Australians suffering because of Trump’s war, says Hastie
Given the conflict’s impact here, Andrew Hastie says voters should consider One Nation’s loyalty to the US president when considering a vote for Pauline Hanson.
Four Frenchmen in court over luxury goods heist from Canberra home
But the men dispute claims they took $10 million worth of goods, allegedly including a Richard Mille RM 88 which could be worth $6 million second-hand.
Australia blocks entry for 7000 Iranian visa holders
Tony Burke says thousands of Iranians who hold temporary visas will be no longer be allowed to enter the country as the US-Iran war drags into a fourth week.
Pentagon ramps up defence supplies; Iran says it will target US aircraft carrier
The IRGC has made a mockery of the US 15-point plan in a video response; US deploying thousands of paratroopers to Middle East in coming days. Follow live.
Anthropic boss Dario Amodei to meet Chalmers, Albanese in Canberra
The meetings are unlikely to resolve the impasse over key issues such as copyright reform which are standing in the way of the artificial intelligence giant building data centres here.
PM urged to apply key COVID lesson to manage fuel crisis
Business is urging the Albanese government to take full charge of the response to the fuel crisis to avoid a repeat of the splintered response to the pandemic.
‘We hate surprises’: Japan warns against new gas tax
The Asian nation’s ambassador has warned that the imposition of a windfall tax on LNG exports may deter investors.
