Month: March 2026

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Visitors to the 2026 CFA/VFBV State Championships will have the chance to experience some of the technology helping prepare CFA volunteers for real fire and rescue emergencies.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Geelong West Firefighter Catherine joined CFA in 2023

This International Women’s Day, CFA recognises and celebrates the thousands of women across the state who contribute to a safer Victoria.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

As international crude oil prices respond to the unfolding events in the Middle East, the ACCC is examining international and domestic fuel price movements and market behaviour.

Click to enlarge

“The international price of refined petrol is a key driver of Australian retail petrol prices. While these international costs are largely outside the control of local petrol retailers, we remind retailers that making false or misleading statements to consumers about the reasons of price increases would be in breach of the Australian Consumer Law,” Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“The ACCC will not hesitate to take action if representations and market behaviour by a petrol company contravene competition and consumer laws,” Ms Brakey said. “We have written to major fuel companies to set out our expectations about domestic fuel pricing as these international events unfold.”

“At this time, as at any time, we encourage motorists to use fuel price apps and websites to shop around to find the lowest prices.”

Petrol prices were slightly higher in the December quarter 2025

Petrol prices over calendar year 2025 were lower than in 2024, but rose slightly in the December quarter 2025 compared with the previous quarter, the latest ACCC petrol monitoring report found.

In the December quarter 2025, average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) were 180.4 cents per litre (cpl), 1.6 cpl higher compared with the previous quarter, the report found.

The following figure shows the movements in average retail petrol prices in 2024 and 2025 across the five largest cities. It also shows that average retail prices fluctuated in the December quarter as petrol price cycles in the largest cities moved lower and higher.

Seven-day rolling average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities in nominal terms

Quarterly average retail prices increased in each of the five largest cities, except in Perth, where prices were the same as the previous quarter.

“While average prices were higher in the largest cities in the December quarter, they were overall lower in calendar year 2025 than in 2024,” Ms Brakey said.

In 2025, annual average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were 179.3 cpl, 8.7 cpl lower compared with 2024.

In Canberra, Hobart and Darwin, quarterly average retail petrol prices were also higher than the previous quarter.

Across over 190 regional locations that the ACCC monitors, average retail petrol prices (in aggregate) were 180.6 cpl, an increase of 0.7 cpl from the previous quarter.

Retail and wholesale other costs and margins were the main contributors to higher quarterly average prices

Higher quarterly average prices largely reflected higher retail costs and margins (gross indicative retail differences), as well as certain wholesale costs and margins. Gross indicative retail differences are a broad indicator of gross retail margins and include both retail operating costs and retail profits.

Average gross indicative retail differences across the five largest cities (in aggregate) were 17.9 cpl in the December quarter 2025, 1.5 cpl higher than the previous quarter. In calendar year 2025, annual average gross indicative retail differences were 16.3 cpl, 0.2 cpl higher than the 10-year real terms average.

Crude oil and international refined petrol prices were lower on average in the quarter, and fluctuated in early 2026

Crude oil prices trended downward during the December quarter 2025 despite geopolitical tensions as global inventories increased to their highest level in nearly four years. International prices for refined petrol (Mogas 95) prices were relatively more stable and were also lower on average than in the previous quarter.

In early January 2026, crude oil prices spiked, influenced by geopolitical developments in Venezuela and Iran, before easing by mid-January. The movements in January had minimal influence on Mogas 95 prices movements.

Over the last week, international crude oil and Mogas 95 prices have increased sharply, influenced by the Middle East conflict.

Diesel prices increased in all capital cities

In the December quarter 2025, average retail diesel prices increased in all capital cities. Across the five largest cities, quarterly average retail diesel prices were 185.9 cpl, an increase of 4.1 cpl from the previous quarter.

Annual average retail diesel prices in calendar year 2025 across the five largest cities, were 4.9 cpl lower compared with 2024.

More recently, over the last week we have seen the international benchmark price for refined diesel increase significantly.

New electric vehicle sales reached a record high in December 2025

Almost 17 per cent of all new vehicle sales in December 2025 were new electric vehicles, representing the highest monthly electric vehicle market share ever recorded in Australia.

In calendar year 2025, electric vehicle sales rose by 38 per cent compared with 2024 and represented just over 13 per cent of all new vehicle sales.

Note to editors

Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded (Mogas 95) is the relevant international benchmark for the wholesale price of petrol in Australia. Singapore Gasoil with 10 parts per million sulphur content (Gasoil 10 ppm) is the international benchmark for the wholesale price of diesel.

Gross indicative retail differences represent the difference between average retail petrol prices and indicative wholesale prices.

‘Petrol’ means regular unleaded petrol unless otherwise specified.

Price changes are reported in nominal terms unless otherwise specified.

Background

On 10 December 2025, the Treasurer issued a new Ministerial Direction to the ACCC to monitor the prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of petroleum products in the petroleum industry in Australia, for a further five years commencing on 1 January 2026. The ACCC is required to give the Treasurer a report on the monitoring at least once every quarter.

Link to the new direction. 

In February 2026, The Federal Court ordered Mobil Oil Australia to pay $16 million in penalties for making false or misleading representations about the fuel sold at nine petrol stations in north and central Queensland, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

During the January fires, the generosity of CFA volunteers was widespread, and when Yea members called for help with road incidents, the assistance that followed was overwhelming.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today I met with Canada’s Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François‑Philippe Champagne, to advance our shared commitment to boosting economic resilience, productivity and prosperity.

Canada and Australia have a lot at stake and a lot to gain as middle powers in an increasingly complex and volatile global economic environment, and there are big opportunities from closer collaboration.

Our discussion focused on global economic challenges and shared priorities, including the impact of global conflict and uncertainty, the importance of boosting resilience, promoting open trade and encouraging two‑way investment.

Leaders agreed to establish an Economic Security and Prosperity Ministerial between respective Economic Ministers, and Minister Champagne and I look forward to championing this important initiative over the years ahead.

This initiative will include a focus on better regulatory alignment between our economies, easier two‑way investment, and further cooperation on critical minerals.

Leaders also agreed to prioritise the modernisation of the Australia–Canada Tax Treaty to support investment, including for our superannuation and pension funds.

Updating the treaty will help support joint investments in major projects and ensure the agreement, which was last updated in 2002, reflects modern tax policy settings and international standards.

Australia and Canada will work together to make our economies more resilient and more productive, and seize the opportunities of a world undergoing transformational shifts and technological change.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The National Anti-Scam Centre has released its latest fusion cell report today, detailing how a sector-wide crackdown on romance scams has helped to strengthen disruption efforts, enhance intelligence sharing and improve victim education and support.

The Romance Scam Fusion Cell, which ran from July 2025 to December 2025, brought together dating and social media platforms, law enforcement, banks, victim support services, cryptocurrency exchanges, and academic experts in a coordinated effort to tackle romance scams. For the first time, it also included survivors of romance scams who bravely shared their lived experience.

The report highlights the combined actions of the taskforce to address the significant financial and emotional harm caused by romance scams. Romance scams are persistently in the top three scam types causing losses. More than $28.6 million in financial losses was reported to Scamwatch between January and December in 2025 due to romance scams.

“Romance scams are deeply personal crimes that can have lasting emotional and financial impacts. Scammers use emotional manipulation to build trust before seeking money, personal information or even to encourage people to participate in investment scams,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“The Romance Scam Fusion Cell has demonstrated the value of coordinated action in tackling this harm. By sharing intelligence and working collaboratively across sectors, we are better equipped to identify and respond to scam activity earlier, assist with victim support and reduce the risk of further financial and personal harm.”

Key achievements of the Romance Scam Fusion Cell

Disruption outcomes

• Established new frameworks between banks and digital currency exchanges for sharing suspected scam transactions, stopping the theft before it occurs
• Sharing of URLs used in romance baiting investment scams with digital currency exchanges and identifying related scam-linked blockchain transactions
• 377 scam websites, WhatsApp accounts, emails and social media profiles referred for takedown and blocking
• 1,004 suspected scam transactions and 168 suspect scam cryptocurrency wallet addresses referred for investigation, blocking, and blacklisting
• Improved on-platform screening and safety by sharing romance scam trends and scammer tactics intelligence with digital platforms

New operational capabilities 

• Developed three frontline response guides for bank staff, law enforcement, and support workers/carers to promote consistent, trauma-informed scam identification, disengagement, and referral
• Piloted a disengagement referral process for banks, connecting customers still engaged in a romance scam to support organisations. Despite a limited number of referrals, the trial provided valuable insights into operational challenges and strategies for connecting victims with appropriate support services

Support and resource development

• Developed a pilot Online Relationship Health Check, a 20-question self-assessment tool to help victims identify romance scam risk factors in their relationships
• Raised awareness and early intervention capabilities in the aged care and disability support sectors through hosting industry forums for management and client-facing staff
• Delivered an Australian-first romance scam online peer-support group pilot demonstrating the benefits of small group, recovery support led by fellow participants
• Co-designed, with First Nations community members, a culturally appropriate romance scam awareness poster in the Murrinh-patha language
• Developed a Language Matters guide to support crime-accurate, trauma-informed and non-stigmatising communication across the ecosystem
• Created and delivered train-the-trainer resources to uplift support worker staff capability and build confidence in organisations working with at-risk populations

“Behind these figures are not only those targeted by scams, but also the friends, families, and support networks who are affected. Everyone deserves to feel safe when connecting online,” Ms Lowe said.

“Every intervention counts and each disruption represents a critical break in the scam cycle. The National Anti-Scam Centre will continue working with partners to disrupt scam activity, improve prevention efforts and support access to timely, compassionate and practical assistance. We thank all fusion cell participants for their time expertise and energy.”

Fusion cells are time-limited taskforces designed to bring together expertise from government and the private sector to take action to address specific, urgent scam issues. The Romance Scam Fusion Cell is the third fusion cell coordinated by the National Anti-Scam Centre. The first fusion cell focused on combatting investment scams. The second fusion cell addressed job and employment scams.

For further details about fusion cells, please see here.

How to spot a romance scam

Romance scammers often follow a similar pattern:

• Creating a fast emotional bond
  Scammers may present as attentive, understanding and affectionate early on. They often mirror interests and values to create a sense of connection and trust.

^{An example of a scammer ‘love bombing’ through text messages}

• Moving conversations off platforms
  Requests to switch from dating apps or social media to private messaging services are common. This helps scammers avoid detection and monitoring.
• Avoiding in-person contact
  Scammers typically have reasons why they cannot meet, such as working overseas, military service or sudden travel restrictions.
• Introducing a financial request
  Requests may start small and escalate over time. These can include money for emergencies, investments, travel, gifts, cryptocurrency or gift cards.

^{An example of a romance scammer introducing a financial request}

• Applying pressure or secrecy
  Scammers may create urgency, discourage talking to friends or family, or suggest the relationship is private or special.

^{An example of a romance scammer escalating to threats and extortion}

Learn how to Stop. Check. Protect. to stay safe from scams:

STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.

What to do:

• Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
• Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
• Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
• Trust your instincts if something feels wrong

CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.

What to do:

• Contact the person or organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
• Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC
• Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals

PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.

What to do:

• Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve lost money or shared financial details
• Contact IDCARE (www.idcare.org or call 1800 595 160) if you want support to recover – they can help you create a plan to the limit damage of scams
• Report to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)  to help protect others
• Report to police (www.cyber.gov.au)
• Change passwords and security details if you think they’ve been compromised
• Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
• Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
• Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA is preparing to issue a small number of Schedule 3 private land burn-off permits to farmers around parts of Lismore, Camperdown and Colac areas, through to the Great Ocean Road.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Airservices Australia

At its meeting today, the Payments System Board discussed a number of issues, including:

• The future of cash distribution arrangements. The Board discussed the ongoing challenges in the cash distribution system. Access to cash remains vital for many Australians, particularly in regional and remote communities. Members acknowledged the importance of the long-term sustainability of the cash distribution system and expressed support for the proposed regulatory framework for providers of cash distribution services. The framework would include crisis powers for the public sector to assist in managing risks to the continuity of cash distribution services across Australia.
• Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging. The Board discussed the evidence and public interest case for amending the regulation of card systems. In particular, the Board discussed the relative merits of options on card payment surcharging, interchange fee regulation and transparency of card payment fees. Members agreed to publish, by the end of March, a Conclusions Paper and an implementation timeline for any regulatory action.
• The system-wide resilience of the Australian payments system. The Board discussed the findings from RBA analysis of systemic risks arising from limited interoperability, third-party and concentration risks, and resilience arrangements for merchant card acquiring. Members expressed their support for industry efforts to strengthen resilience and contingency arrangements so that the payments system meets the high reliability standards expected by Australians. The RBA will continue to contribute to these efforts by sharing its analysis with industry and providing guidance.

• Developments in the account-to-account payments system. The Board discussed industry progress against the recommendations from the 2025 Risk Assessment of the intended decommissioning of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS). The Board noted that the removal of the 2030 target end-date has reduced the risk of a disorderly transition in the short to medium term. Members acknowledged the initiatives taken by industry to support the modernisation of the A2A payments system, including the establishment of the A2A Payments Roundtable and the work currently underway to define a shared vision and objectives for A2A payments across industry and the public sector.

  Despite these positive moves, the Board expressed concern about insufficient consensus within industry, particularly on how best to process bulk payments in the future. This lack of consensus is impeding the effective decision-making needed to establish a path forward for A2A payments that is consistent with the public interest, including the enhancement of resilience. It also lowers the likelihood of successfully delivering the vision. Members agreed that if industry participants are unable to make coordinated progress on modernising A2A payments, the RBA would take further action to achieve outcomes in the public interest.

• Project Acacia findings and a roadmap for future work. The Board discussed the findings from Project Acacia, noting the potential benefits to the functioning of the financial system that could be unlocked by the growth of tokenised asset markets. They also acknowledged the barriers to development of tokenised asset markets in Australia, including those that were raised by industry participants during the project. Members expressed their support for an ongoing program of work, supported by public-private collaboration, that will promote responsible innovation in Australia’s wholesale payments and financial market infrastructure. The Project Acacia final report will be published in late April.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Infrastructure investment at Australia’s four largest airports increased by more than 43 per cent in 2024-25, however consumers could face higher airfares as airports seek to recover their costs by charging airlines more in the coming years, the ACCC’s latest Airport Monitoring Report shows.

Click to enlarge

Australia’s four largest airports, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, collectively invested $1.5 billion on aeronautical facilities in 2024-25 – funding projects to expand capacity, upgrade terminals, and improve access, a 43.6 per cent increase in investment compared to the previous financial year.

This marks a shift from the relatively low levels of investments in the period after the pandemic, and reflects major construction works now underway at all four airports.

The airports have collectively proposed spending almost $20 billion in major infrastructure projects over the next decade.

Upcoming major projects include Perth Airport’s new terminal and runway development, Melbourne Airport’s third runway project, Sydney Airport’s proposed integration of its T2 and T3 domestic terminals, and a third terminal at Brisbane Airport.

“Ongoing investment is needed to ensure airports can continue to meet the needs of travellers and airlines, with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airports collectively handling about 120 million passengers in 2024-25,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“Large capital programs are likely to place upward pressure on airport charges paid by airlines, which may result in higher airfares for passengers as these costs are recouped,”

“It is important that airport charges reflect sensible and timely investment decisions, efficient costs and a rate of return that matches the risks involved,” Ms Brakey said.

Airport charges are not regulated and the ACCC has consistently raised concerns that the current monitoring framework is inadequate and an ineffective constraint on the behaviour of the major airports, who hold market power.

Implementing measures such as binding commercial arbitration to settle any disputes between airports and airlines, as well as improving the detail of financial data provided to the ACCC, would help to address the strong market power of major airports, and potentially limit the growth of charges that ultimately impact the price of airfares. 

Given the time since the 2018-19 Productivity Commission inquiry, and both the scale of planned investment and growth in aeronautical profits at the major airports, we encourage the government to consider directing the Productivity Commission to commence a new inquiry into whether the regulatory settings for airports are appropriate.

Sydney Airport most profitable, Perth records standout growth

Each of the four airports reported record revenues for aeronautical operations, collectively earning $2.9 billion in 2024-25.

This record revenue came despite a slowing of passenger growth to an increase of 4.6 per cent in 2024-25, compared to 13.7 per cent growth in 2023-24.

Sydney Airport generated $584.3 million in aeronautical operating profit in 2024-25 and recorded the highest return on aeronautical assets at 20.8 per cent, the highest level observed in over two decades of monitoring by the ACCC.

“Sydney Airport continues to earn significantly more aeronautical revenue and profit than the other major airports, both from a total and per‑passenger perspective,” Ms Brakey said.

“Sydney Airport’s aeronautical profits eclipsed all of the other airports combined, more than double Melbourne as the next most profitable.”

Sydney Airport’s higher earnings compared to the other airports is due in part to a greater share of international passengers, who typically generate higher revenue than domestic passengers.

It also reflects that Sydney Airport handles the most passengers in Australia.

Perth Airport delivered the strongest year‑on‑year improvement in profitability, with aeronautical profit increasing by 73.7 per cent to 130.6 million in 2024-25.

Passenger growth continues, but at a slower pace

Combined passenger numbers at the four airports grew by 4.6 per cent in 2024-25. The increase was largely driven by sustained international passenger growth, which increased by 9.5 per cent to 40.4 million passengers.

Perth Airport recorded the strongest international growth, with passenger numbers up 17.8 per cent, followed by Brisbane Airport (16.3 per cent), Melbourne Airport (8.3 per cent) and Sydney Airport (5.5 per cent).

“While international passenger growth slowed from 2023-24 to 2024-25, the continued strong passenger growth reflects the willingness of international airlines to add services to Australia’s major airports,” Ms Brakey said.

“Domestic passenger numbers grew by 2.2 per cent to nearly 80 million – highlighting a sustained demand for leisure travel and tourism within Australia.”

Passengers generally satisfied with services

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth airports were rated ‘good’ for the average overall quality of their services and facilities in 2024-25.

While rated the highest of the four airports by passengers, Brisbane Airport’s overall rating fell to ‘satisfactory’ following lower ratings from airlines.

Airlines noted the impacts of major construction works at Brisbane Airport and gave low ratings for the availability and standard of aerobridges, check-in services and facilities, and baggage processing facilities.

Car parking continues to be a profitable business

Airports continued to earn substantial profits from car parking, with the four airports collectively earning $402.1 million in operating profits in 2023-24.

Brisbane Airport’s car parking profit remained the largest, increasing by 7.9 per cent to $125.3 million, while Sydney Airport reported an increase of 11.1 per cent to $108.7 million.

Profits fell by around eight per cent at both Melbourne and Perth airports, to $101.3 million and $66.7 million respectively.

Sydney Airport generally had some of the most expensive rates for parking, while Melbourne Airport was generally the cheapest for both at-terminal and at-distance parking.

“Car parking continues to be a lucrative business with operating profit margins above 60 per cent at Brisbane, Perth and Sydney airports,” Ms Brakey said.

“To save money, motorists are encouraged to book online in advance, or consider off‑airport parking providers as they can be substantially cheaper for extended stays,”

“Dedicated free waiting zones can also be a convenient option for collecting travellers.” Ms Brakey said.

Background

The ACCC’s airport monitoring role is established under the Airports Act 1996 and Airports Regulations 2024, as well as two directions from the Australian Government to monitor the prices, costs and profits of aeronautical and car parking services at Australia’s four largest airports (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney).

The four airports are assessed for quality of service using airline and passenger surveys, as well as objective measures. The possible ratings for airport quality of services are ‘very poor’, ‘poor’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

The ACCC measures operating profit by earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA). Operating profit margin is EBITA as a percentage of revenue.

Aeronautical operations are those that directly relate to providing aviation services, including runways, aprons, aerobridges, departure lounges and baggage handling equipment.

Media enquiries: 1300 138 917
Email: media@accc.gov.au
accc.gov.au/media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The winning team from Oscar 1

CFA’s Oscar 1 Technical Rescue Brigade has claimed first place at the 2026 Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) in Bendigo, showcasing their skill and teamwork against some of the country’s top mining emergency response teams.

Submitted by	CFA News