AUSTRALIA’S SHORTEST, STRAIGHTEST NEWS
HELPING YOU SEE THROUGH THE BULLDUST
LATEST
Australian-Assembled Boxer Vehicles Begin Production
Australian Defence Force Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles have commenced assembly at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, marking the initial delivery of locally integrated armoured vehicles under the LAND 400 Phase 2 program.
Consumer Confidence Falls to Lowest Level in Over 50 Years
The ANZ–Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index recorded a reading of 63.1 for the week of 24 March 2026, marking the lowest level in over 50 years and remaining well below the long-run average of approximately 111. All five components of the index are in negative…
AFL Round 2 Match Results
Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. Sydney 13.4 (82) Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) def. Adelaide 13.10 (88) Gold Coast 19.14 (128) def. Richmond 9.6 (60) St Kilda 11.12 (78) def. GWS Giants 10.14 (74) Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Melbourne 10.10 (70) Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) def….
Population Growth Driven by Net Overseas Migration
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows net overseas migration added approximately 311,000 people to Australia’s population in the year to September 2025, accounting for around three-quarters of total growth of approximately 423,600 people. This represents a net…
Labor Returned to Government in South Australia
Peter Malinauskas will be returned as Premier after the South Australian Labor Party secured sufficient seats to form government. The Liberal Party of Australia has lost seats, while One Nation has increased its representation, with counting continuing.
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.
ENVIRONMENT
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.
Emergency Warning
Bushfire, Leave Immediately for Cape Otway, Maits Rest.
Victorian Bushfires
State of Disaster declared for bushfire emergencies.
ECONOMY
◆ 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.
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.
NATIONAL
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…
Government Reviews Online Game Ratings After Safety Concerns
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells has written to the Classification Board and eSafety Commissioner to review whether Roblox’s PG rating remains appropriate following media reports of child grooming concerns. The review request is part of broader federal…
HEALTH
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
WORLD
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.
Samoa’s prime minister proposes ban on non-Christian faiths
The country’s prime minister has thrown the future of its religious minorities into doubt after flagging potential restrictions on non-Christian faiths last month.
SPORT
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…
De Minaur Campaign Ends in Quarterfinal Loss to Alcaraz
World Number 1 Carlos Alcaraz has ended Alex de Minaur’s hopes for a home title, defeating the Australian in straight sets to reach the semifinals.
Jay Vine claims 2026 Tour Down Under overall victory
Australian cyclist Jay Vine won the overall men’s classification at the 2026 Tour Down Under, taking the leader’s jersey and the event title.