LATEST
Counting underway for 2026 South Australian State Election
Polls closed at 6:00 pm ACDT for the South Australian State Election, with the Electoral Commission of South Australia processing results for 47 House of Assembly seats. ECSA recorded 466,364 early votes cast, up significantly from the early vote counts in 2022.
Chuck Norris Dies Aged 86
Chuck Norris, the American martial artist and actor known for roles in Walker, Texas Ranger and The Way of the Dragon, has died aged 86. His family confirmed he died on 19 March 2026 in Hawaii following a recent hospitalisation.
◆ ASX 200 – Weekly Close
The ASX 200 closed the week down -2.16%, making YTD gains since Jan 1 down -3.43%, at 8428.40 it is currently trading -4.33% below its six-month end of week rolling average.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle Reaches Category 5
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is at Category 5 intensity and is forecast to cross the Far North Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cape Melville on Friday morning, with severe impacts expected across Cape York Peninsula and…
RBA Raises Cash Rate to 4.10 Per Cent
The Reserve Bank of Australia increased the cash rate target by 0.25 percentage points to 4.10 per cent at its March 2026 monetary policy meeting. The decision reflects persistent inflation remaining above the 2–3 per cent target range.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle Forecast to Impact Far North Queensland Coast
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (Category 3) is intensifying in the Coral Sea and is forecast to cross the Far North Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Port Douglas late Thursday or Friday. Destructive wind gusts exceeding…
Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix
Mercedes opened the 2026 Formula One season with a dominant one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix, with George Russell converting pole position into victory ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari initially challenged for the lead through Charles Leclerc…
◆ ASX 200 – Weekly Close
The ASX 200 closed the week down -3.78%, making YTD gains since Jan 1 up +1.41%, at 8851.00 it is currently trading +0.42% above its six-month end of week rolling average.
ENVIRONMENT
Category 3 Cyclone Mitchell to Hit Pilbara Coast; Port Closures and Evacuations Active.
Destructive winds up to 220 km/h. Major ports (Port Hedland, Dampier) closed. Flash flooding expected through Gascoyne. Evacuation centres open in Karratha and Onslow.
Cyclone Watch Issued for WA Coast as System Luana Intensifies
Residents in Western Australia’s north are on alert as the Bureau of Meteorology issues a formal cyclone watch for a system expected to reach Category 2 strength.
Catastrophic Fire Danger Declared for Parts of South Australia
The Country Fire Service has escalated fire danger ratings to Catastrophic for the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas as a severe heatwave sweeps the state.
Cyclone Warning
Tropical Cyclone Koji has developed into a Category 2 Cyclone and is moving towards the Queensland coast. Warning zone Innisfail to Mackay.
ECONOMY
RBA Backs Regulatory Framework for Cash Distribution System
The Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia has expressed support for a proposed regulatory framework for Australia’s cash distribution sector. The framework would include public-sector crisis powers to maintain continuity of cash services. The Board…
Household Spending Rises 0.3% in January Driven by Services
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported household spending rose 0.3% in January 2026, following a decline in December. The increase was driven by services spending, which rose 1.0%, while spending on goods fell 0.3%.
◆ ASX 200 – Weekly Close
The ASX 200 closed the week up +1.29%, lifting YTD gains since Jan 1 to +5.39%, at 9,198.60 it is currently trading +4.53% above its six-month end of week rolling average.
Annual CPI inflation steady at 3.8% in January 2026
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to January 2026, unchanged from the December 2025 reading, with Housing costs up 6.8% and Food and non‑alcoholic beverages up 3.1% as leading contributors to…
NATIONAL
Federal Government announces $39.2 million for Perinatal Mental Health Centre network
Assistant Minister Emma McBride announced the establishment of a new Perinatal Mental Health Centre in Devonport as part of a $39.2 million federal investment to create 20 specialized centres nationwide.
Federal Government approves 4.41% average private health insurance premium increase
The Australian Government confirmed it has approved an average 4.41 per cent increase in private health insurance premiums from 1 April 2026
Angus Taylor elected leader of the federal Liberal Party
The federal Liberal Party elected former energy minister Angus Taylor as its new leader in a partyroom ballot, defeating incumbent Sussan Ley 34 votes to 17 and ending her nine-month tenure; Victorian senator Jane Hume was elected deputy leader by party members.
ADV Reliant Delivers 400,000L of Water to Kiribati
Australian Defence Vessel ADV Reliant has completed a three-day mission delivering 400,000 litres of fresh water and 15 pallets of humanitarian supplies to Banaba Island, Kiribati. The deployment followed an official request for assistance from the President of…
HEALTH
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WORLD
New Zealand Landslide
Search and recovery ongoing for 6 missing persons including children at Beachside Holiday Park, Mount Maunganui. 2 fatalities previously confirmed
Board of Peace
United States President Donald Trump is asking countries to pay $A1.5 billion for a permanent spot on his so-called “Board of Peace”. Originally conceived as a board to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, the proposed international body is seemingly expanding…
Japan will head for a snap election
Japan’s Prime Minister has announced plans to dissolve the parliament and trigger a snap election in less than three weeks. Sanae Takaichi is hoping to capitalise on her surging public opinion ratings.
One dead, at least 15 injured after passenger train derails near Barcelona
A containment wall has fallen onto a train track near the Spanish city of Barcelona, derailing a commuter train.
SPORT
Josie Baff wins gold in Women’s Snowboard Cross
Australian snowboarder Josie Baff won the gold medal in the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, finishing ahead of Eva Adamczyková (CZE) and Michela Moioli (ITA)
Scotty James claims silver in Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe
Australian snowboarder Scotty James secured the silver medal in the men’s snowboard halfpipe final at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, with Japan’s Yūto Totsuka taking gold and Ryusei Yamada bronze.
Cooper Woods wins gold in Men’s Moguls
On the final run in the men’s final for Moguls, Cooper Woods has laid down the run of a lifetime to finish first on the podium winning the first gold medal in Australia’s Olympic campaign at Milano Cortina 2026.
Flag Bearers announced for the Winter Olympics
Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham have been named as Australia’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Both are veteran moguls skiers — Anthony is the defending Olympic champion in women’s moguls, and Graham is a silver…