Month: April 2026

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: This is Drive with Oliver Peterson. And I’m pleased to say that standing opposite me here in the 102.5 ABC Perth Studios is the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. Good afternoon.

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Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Issued on
29 Apr 2026 08:56

Warning area
Callington Road, Strathalbyn in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke

Action
Smoke from the Adelaide Hills Recycling Centre, Dump Fire is in the Langhourne Creek Road, Hillside Road and Willyaroo area.

Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.

Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.

If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.

More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

Source: Tasmania Police

TASK FORCE SCELUS INTERCEPT LEADS TO DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES

Wednesday, 29 April 2026 – 8:50 am.

A 22-year-old Devonport man has been charged with a number of drug and weapon offences following a vehicle intercept and subsequent searches on Sunday 26 April 2026. Task Force Scelus members intercepted the vehicle in Latrobe.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants was conducted, during which police located a quantity of drugs. As a result of the intercept, police obtained and executed search warrants at two addresses in Latrobe. During the searches police located MDMA, Ketamine, methylamphetamine(ice), speed, heroin, cannabis, three replica firearms, including a replica Glock-style handgun and two assault rifle-style replica firearms.
The 22-year-old man has been charged with: · Trafficking in a controlled substance · Selling a controlled drug, possessing controlled drugs · Possessing a controlled plant product · Possessing items used for the administration of a controlled drug · Unlawfully possessing a dangerous article in a public place · Possessing a firearm when not the holder of a firearm licence.
He has been bailed to appear at the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
People involved in the illicit drug trade should expect to be targeted by police. Task Force Scelus is actively identifying, disrupting and charging offenders who profit from selling drugs in our communities, including those who possess or use illicit firearms, replica firearms or firearm-like weapons.
Our message is clear: if you are trafficking or selling drugs in the Western District, police will continue to target you, your associates, your vehicles and the places you operate from.Replica or not, firearms and firearm-like weapons can cause real fear and real harm in the community, and they have no place in criminal activity.
Anyone with information about illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a violent disturbance that occurred in Ampilatwatja yesterday.

From around 5pm onwards, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received several reports of a violent disturbance occurring at the local oval. It is alleged a large group, some armed with weapons, was engaged in fighting.

Arlparra police attended and the group dispersed.

A 32-year-old male suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his head and body. He was subsequently conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment.

Investigations into the disturbance is ongoing and anyone who has information is urged to call police on 131 444 or attend their local police station. Please quote reference NTP2600040463. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 14-year-old male who escaped from custody in Katherine yesterday afternoon.

Around 3:50pm, a 14-year-old male deemed fit for custody following an aggravated robbery and vehicle crash on Sunday morning, was being escorted on foot by police to a caged vehicle to be conveyed from hospital to the Katherine Watch House.

He broke free from escorting members and ran from the hospital grounds, towards the Katherine CBD, while remaining handcuffed to his front.

The youth attended a family residence in Kalano Community and police were contacted. Police attended around 8pm and he was returned to custody without incident.

Acting Superintendent Warren Scott said “Police are grateful for the assistance of the community as Katherine General Duties members and members of the Northern Investigations Section worked together to apprehend the youth”.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Thanks for joining us. Today, Australia pauses to remember the 35 people whose lives and futures were stolen from them at Port Arthur 30 years ago. We think of everyone whose world was shattered by the loss of those innocent victims. We think of, and thank again, the first responders, and we think of the broader Tasmanian community as well. We think of Walter Mikac, who channelled his devastating loss into a call for national action on gun law reform. And out of tragedy, it is important to remember that Australia is a better place because the Howard government and the parliament of the day came together to answer Walter’s call. This will be a very difficult day for many people, and our thoughts are with them today.

Can I also announce today that I have made a decision to recommend to the Governor-General that Meghan Quinn be appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Defence. Meghan is a senior leader in the Australian Public Service. She’s currently the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Ms Quinn’s term will commence on the 18 May for a five-year period. Ms Quinn will be the first woman to be the permanent Secretary of the Department of Defence, and is an outstanding public servant who, after an exhaustive process that we went through, was clearly the standout candidate. I do want to take the opportunity once again to thank Greg Moriarty for his service, and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States.

Today, we’ve just come from Cabinet and we can announce today that our Government is taking the next steps to ensure that Australian journalism is sustainable now and into the future by ensuring that large digital platforms cannot avoid their obligations under the News Media Bargaining Code. The News Bargaining Incentive will go to the next stage. We released a discussion paper in November. We had submissions in December. And today we’re releasing an exposure draught of the legislation. That is an exposure draught which will encourage dealmaking between the platforms and news organisations. It will envisage some 2.25 per cent of Australian revenue being paid. That can be offset through deals, by 150 per cent for deals done with traditional media and 170 per cent through deals done through smaller media organisations. We want to see these commercial arrangements occur. If they do occur, then it’s expected that that figure will drop to 1.5 per cent and will produce revenue of between $200 and $250 million dollars, which is the figure that was envisaged to be on the previous regime that has needed to be fixed.

Importantly as well, this is not about government revenue. Every single dollar will go back to journalists to pay for the journalism that you all produce here in the Gallery, but newsrooms right around the country produce as well. This is important for the integrity of the system. We have engaged in extensive consultation. At this point, the three organisations, Meta, Google, and TikTok as well have been consulted with and we’ll continue to engage with. But we want to see these deals done as were previously done under the previous regime. But it is a regime that did need reform, and that is precisely why we are doing it today. We think that investment in journalism is critical to a healthy democracy. It matters. It’s something that defines the way that Australian society operates. And frankly, if the work is being done by the people here at this press conference and in other places right around Australia, then your work needs to have a monetary value attached to it. It shouldn’t just be able to be taken by a large multinational corporation and used to generate profits for that organisation with no compensation appropriate for the people who produce that creative content.

And so, this is a fix that we are putting forward. There’s no substitute for Australian news and stories being told by Australian journalists. We envisage that we’ll introduce this legislation in the winter sittings, and we would ask for broad support right across the Parliament, right across the House and the Senate for this legislation. But the reason for the exposure draft being released is so that people can have full transparency about what we are planning to do here. I’ll ask the ministers to make comments and then we’re happy to take questions.

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As the PM indicated, the incentive is set at a level at 2.25 per cent, such that if digital platforms enter into deals where there’s a 150 per cent offset, they will end up paying an amount equivalent to 1.5 per cent of their revenue, which is our estimate of the deals that they had entered into under previous arrangements. There is a slightly more generous offset of 170 per cent for deals that are entered into with small media organisations, which is a reflection of the importance of diversity in the media. The test for which digital platforms are covered is a two-limb test, which will cover Meta, Google, and TikTok and eligible expenditure under the deals will include amounts of money that are spent to support the production of news. I’ll just conclude by saying that the intention here is that digital platforms will enter into deals, and that’s very much the way this has been designed, and that then is a segue into the work of my colleague, Minister Wells.

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The News Media Bargaining Incentive means if a platform doesn’t do a deal with a news publisher, the money will come to us and we will deliver that funding to news organisations based on how many journalists they employ. The more journalists they have, the more money they will get under this proposal. And we are consulting on this to make sure that we get it right, because local news matters to local communities, and these stories can’t be told without backing Australian journalists. And that’s exactly what the Albanese Government is doing.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

rime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of Japan, Her Excellency Sanae Takaichi, to Australia from Sunday 3 May to Tuesday 5 May 2026.

This will be Prime Minister Takaichi’s first official visit to Australia since taking office.

This year marks 50 years since the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan – the foundation for our relationship of trust and friendship today.

Our Special Strategic Partnership is underpinned by deep trade and investment ties, growing security and defence cooperation and enduring cultural ties between our nations.

Prime Minister Albanese will meet with Prime Minister Takaichi at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 4 May 2026 for the Australia–Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting.

The visit will be the fourth time the leaders have met, with previous meetings last year on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the APEC Summit in Gyeongju and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“I am honoured to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi to Australia for our Annual Leaders’ Meeting where we will continue to work together under our Special Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people and the region.

“50 years ago, our nations laid the foundation for a partnership based on trust, shared values and mutual respect by signing the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

“Australia and Japan share strong strategic alignment. Our cooperation is essential to maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“Our enduring trade and investment ties underpin our relationship, creating jobs, providing opportunity and delivering economic growth to both our nations.”

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting an information session on subdividing residential land on Wednesday May 6 at The Capital’s Banquet Room from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

At the session, people will hear from City experts about how to subdivide a block of land. The practical session will explain the steps involved, what needs to be considered, and give people a chance to ask questions.

More than 90 per cent of the region’s houses are large, free-standing houses. At the same time, many people are looking for smaller houses that are easier and cheaper to look after.

Strategic Planning Manager Anthony Petherbridge said it was important to provide different types of housing to reflect a changing community.

“In Greater Bendigo community, there are around 13,000 people who live alone and close to 13,000 residents living in two-person household,” Mr Petherbridge said.

“Through the Managed Growth Strategy, the City is planning for a future Greater Bendigo with a mix of housing types. This includes family homes, smaller homes, student accommodation, second dwellings (a small second house behind an existing house) and low-rise apartments.

“These types of homes can be built in existing urban areas where people are close to education, jobs, opportunities, shops, and public transport.

“By the 2050s, Greater Bendigo will need another 38,000 homes. Many of these will be ‘middle housing’, that is one and two-bedroom houses, townhouses, duplexes, second dwellings or ‘granny flats’ and low-rise multi-unit buildings.

“This session on May 6 is for anyone thinking about subdividing their land. It will help people understand what is involved before starting a project.”

To book your spot for the information session on subdividing your land, visit:

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Government is taking the next step to ensure Australian journalism is sustainable now and into the future.

Draft legislation to establish a News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) is now available for consultation.

The proposed legislation addresses a limitation in the long-standing News Media Bargaining Code which allows digital platforms to avoid their obligations by removing news from their service.

Under the Incentive, digital platforms operating significant social media or search services are encouraged to do commercial deals with eligible news publishers as the preferred model, with generous offsets provided to reduce their liabilities.

Platforms who elect not to do commercial deals with news publishers will need to pay a charge as a proportion of their revenue, with any charges collected to be distributed back to the news media sector.

Consultation on draft legislation is open until 18 May 2026. Draft legislation is available at https://consult.treasury.gov.au/c2026-763377.

The Government is also developing the distribution mechanism to return any money collected by the NBI back to the Australian news media sector to support the employment and critical work of journalists.

A strong and diverse news sector is vital for a healthy democracy, and the Albanese Government is committed to ensuring a viable future for public interest journalism.

Stakeholders can have their say on how any money raised is distributed to the media sector.

The consultation paper is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say. Submissions close on 18 May 2026.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Journalists are the lifeblood of Australia’s media sector, playing a vital role in keeping communities informed about the news that matters to them.

“Local news matters to local communities and these stories can’t be told without Australian journalists.

“My Government will always back Australian journalists and Australian news.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport, Anika Wells

“There has never been a more important time to ensure journalists are supported to keep Australians up to date with the latest and most accurate news.

“This is part of the Albanese Government’s work to make sure our laws keep pace with changing digital technologies and deliver outcomes that are in the interest of the Australian public.”

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Daniel Mulino

“In an increasingly uncertain world, it is crucial Australians are able to get news seen through Australian eyes and with an Australian perspective.

“This remains the case whether it is news from overseas or from just around the corner, being delivered through traditional or innovative ways.

“Large digital platforms have an important role to play in providing access to news for all Australians and being partners in innovation, we would like to see them work with the news media on commercial deals with benefit to both parties.”