From 1 July, the Australian Government will expand Paid Parental Leave, allowing eligible parents to access up to 26 weeks of government-funded leave. The policy is designed to support new families by increasing time at home, raising payment rates, and widening eligibility. Under the expanded scheme, families who take the full entitlement will receive close…
538 Australian Councils Unite in Canberra to Demand Fairer Federal Funding CANBERRA, Australia — In a powerful demonstration of national unity, all 538 local councils represented at the National General Assembly (NGA) in Canberra have called on the Australian Parliament to urgently restore Financial Assistance Grants to 1 per cent of national taxation revenue, warning…
Canberra, ACT — The ACT Government has welcomed a significant expansion of the Territory’s international aviation network, with Virgin Australia commencing direct flights between Canberra and Bali from today. The new service represents Virgin Australia’s first international route operating from Canberra Airport and provides a non-stop connection between the nation’s capital and one of the…
Australia has secured the largest defence export agreement in its history following the signing of a landmark government-to-government arrangement with Canada to export Australian-developed Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology. The agreement, valued at A$2.5 billion, marks the first international sale of Australia’s world-leading OTHR capability and represents a major milestone for the nation’s defence industry. The…
The Prime Minister today convened the sixth meeting of National Cabinet since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, with discussions focusing on Australia’s fuel security, cost-of-living pressures, and the national response to H5 avian influenza. During the meeting, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator Anthea Harris provided an update on…
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has strongly defended women’s reproductive rights, declaring that access to abortion and reproductive healthcare in Victoria is “not up for debate.” In a statement released on Friday, Ms Allan addressed growing national discussions about abortion laws and women’s access to healthcare, reaffirming the Victorian Government’s commitment to protecting existing rights and…
Australia’s leading human rights honours are now accepting nominations, with the Australian Human Rights Commission celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. The Australian Human Rights Commission has officially opened nominations for the 2026 Australian Human Rights Awards, recognising individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to promoting and protecting human rights across the country….
ACT Policing has continued its crackdown on retail crime across Canberra, with 149 people arrested between January and May 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to combat shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and violence against retail workers. Police say retail theft remains a significant concern for businesses, employees, and the wider community, prompting increased patrols and close…
Canberra (Jacka, ACT), June 2026 — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers have used a press conference at a major housing construction site in the ACT to promote the government’s housing agenda, defend economic policy settings, and respond to questions on international tensions, cost-of-living pressures, and domestic reforms. The visit took place in the…
Australia will increase most biosecurity and imported food regulatory charges by 3.8% from July 1, 2026, as part of the government’s cost recovery framework for quarantine, inspection, and import-related services. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced that the annual indexation adjustment will apply to the majority of fees charged to importers, customs…
Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board has left its benchmark cash rate unchanged at 4.35%, opting to assess the impact of three earlier interest rate increases while warning that inflation remains uncomfortably high and further tightening may still be required. In a unanimous decision announced on Tuesday, policymakers said inflation had risen significantly in…
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have carried out surprise inspections at around 40 businesses across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay to ensure migrant workers are receiving their correct pay and entitlements. The inspections, which began on 2 June, focused mainly on fast-food outlets, restaurants and cafés, particularly…
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