Month: May 2026

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Labor Government will deliver more cost-of-living relief in this Budget to take pressure off Australians, including a new permanent $250 tax offset for workers.

Together with our existing tax relief, this new round of tax cuts means the average Australian worker could receive a combined benefit of up to $2,816 from 2027-28.

We’re helping Australian workers earn more and keep more of what they earn and providing responsible cost-of-living relief where we can.

This Budget delivers more tax cuts for workers, helps with fuel costs, helps more Australians achieve home ownership provides more funding for public hospitals, delivers cheaper medicines and supports higher wages.

New tax cuts to help with the cost-of-living

• A new tax cut for every working Australian taxpayer through the $250 Working Australians Tax Offset. This will provide workers with a permanent tax offset of $250 each year from 2027-28.
• A $1,000 Instant Tax Deduction for workers from 2026-27, to help with the cost of living and make tax time simpler.
• Increasing the Medicare levy low-income thresholds to provide tax relief for over 1 million low-income individuals, families, seniors and pensioners, including 650,000 women. 
• This is on top of the tax cuts we are already rolling out for every Australian taxpayer, including from 1 July 2026 and again from 1 July 2027.

Helping families and businesses with fuel costs

• More than halving the fuel excise and reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months.
• Giving consumers a fair go at the bowser by doubling penalties for major breaches of competition and consumer laws to a maximum of $100 million and introducing civil penalties for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct.
• ATO temporary relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues.
• Ongoing support to encourage the uptake of affordable electric vehicles as we make tax discounts for EVs more sustainable by transitioning to a permanent 25 per cent FBT discount on eligible EVs over $75,000 from 1 April 2027 and for all eligible EVs from 1 April 2029.
• The Government has also empowered the Fair Work Commission to make orders to support more timely adjustments to fuel terms in road transport contracts.

More homes and a fair go for first home buyers

• Reforming the tax system to support 75,000 more homeowners into the housing market. 
• $2 billion over four years from 2026-27 for enabling infrastructure to support up to 65,000 more homes, taking our Homes for Australia plan to over $47 billion.
• An extension to the ban on foreign investors buying existing homes.
• Helping to secure social housing for more than 4,000 eligible young people at risk of homelessness, with $59.4 million over four years from 2026-27 for states and territories.

Making healthcare more affordable and accessible

• Making medicines cheaper by listing new and amended medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme including treatments for cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease and various cancers, with $5.9 billion provided over five years. 
• Securing the future of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, with $1.8 billion over five years and ongoing funding. 
• Alongside these investments, an additional $25 billion over five years will strengthen public hospitals.

Backing higher wages

• Support for higher wages for low-paid workers by recommending an economically sustainable real wages increase for minimum wage and award-reliant workers to the Fair Work Commission.
• The Government has backed wage growth for low-paid workers in each of the last four Annual Wage Reviews. Across these reviews, the National Minimum Wage increased by over $9,120 per year.

Helping with the cost-of-living is our top priority as a government and it’s one of our highest priorities in the Budget.

We recognise that people are under pressure and we’re doing something about it with immediate help in response to the global oil shock, and more permanent support to ease the burden on workers and businesses. 

This Budget is about resilience and reform, and taking pressure off Australians is an important part of this agenda.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Labor Government will deliver a major fuel security and price relief package in the Budget, investing $14.8 billion to immediately secure more fuel, strengthen Australia’s supply chains and build long-term resilience to future fuel shocks.

The Strengthening Australia’s Fuel Resilience package will deliver more fuel for Australian motorists, and more fuel security in Australia’s economy.

The package focuses on how to help Australians now, and how to set Australia up better for the future so we are prepared for future shocks.

The conflict in the Middle East is weighing heavily on our economy and compounding the cost of living for families and businesses.

We’ve acted to shield Australians from the worst of its impacts, by delivering relief for motorists and acting on fuel supply, affordability and security in this Budget.

Boosting Australia’s fuel security

• Securing more fuel internationally through the $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility, in addition to the around one billion extra litres of fuel secured for the period from March to June through temporarily relaxing the Minimum Stockholding Obligation and adjusting fuel standards
• Building long term fuel resilience through the $3.2 billion Australian Fuel Security Reserve and increasing the Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), to increase Australia’s reserves of diesel and jet fuel to 50 days
• Strengthening the Fuel Security Services Payment to ensure the future of Australia’s last two remaining oil refineries, and providing $10 million in 2026-27 to develop feasibility studies to expand our domestic refining capacity
• $54.7 million over five years from 2025-26 to manage Australia’s Fuel Security Framework
• $9.2 million over two years from 2025-26 to deliver a nationally coordinated approach to managing disruptions to fuel supply chains through the Fuel Supply Taskforce

Strengthening supply chains and relieving pressure on fuel users 

• $2.9 billion to more than halve the fuel excise and slash the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months to 30 June 2026, to help with the cost of living
• $1 billion in interest free loans through the National Reconstruction Fund’s Economic Resilience Program, to provide cashflow relief to manufacturing and logistics businesses in critical supply chains. This complements the $5 billion committed to the NRF’s Net Zero Fund since last Budget 
• $67.7 million over four years from 2026-27 to support greater enforcement of competition and consumer laws by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, weekly fuel price monitoring across capital cities and more than 190 regional locations penalties for major breaches doubled from $50 million to $100 million and civil penalties to be introduced for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct
• Streamlining the ACCC’s powers to allow industry to better coordinate during exceptional circumstances
• $55 million in 2026-27 for a Transport Resilience and Capacity Kickstart pilot program to incentivise more freight to move via trains and cargo ships
• Accelerating heavy vehicle reforms through National Competition Policy to increase heavy vehicle transport productivity and support the uptake of zero emissions heavy vehicles
• An additional $8.2 million in 2026-27 to defer cost recovery arrangements for agricultural export services, with improvements to streamline biosecurity for fertiliser imports

Building resilience  

• Delivering the $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program, to boost the production of low-emission fuels in Australia, and working with industry on a market measure to drive demand and to reduce our reliance on imported fuels
• $4 million for a green bunkering strategy to support uptake of low-carbon maritime fuels
• Ongoing support for electric vehicles through a permanent 25 per cent fringe benefits tax discount for eligible electric cars costing up to the fuel efficient luxury car tax threshold.  Electric cars costing up to $75,000 will continue to receive a full fringe benefits tax exemption, provided the arrangement commences before 1 April 2029
• Releasing $40 million over four years to accelerate the roll out of fast kerbside electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as committed as part of the Net Zero Plan announced in MYEFO 2025-26 
• $40.5 million in 2026-27 to accelerate the electrification of Australia Post’s delivery fleet

The conflict in the Middle East is having a substantial impact on Australian motorists and businesses and we’re taking decisive action to address this issue.

Our work to reduce the fuel excise and road user charge, secure more fuel, increase scrutiny of prices, and build resilience in our fuel sector is already making a meaningful difference but we recognise we need to do more and we are in this Budget.

It’s about taking the sting out of petrol prices and securing more fuel for Australians motorists immediately, and shoring up Australia’s resilience and fuel security for the future.

This Budget is all about resilience and reform, which is why our efforts on fuel affordability, supply and security is so important.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Labor Government is delivering a stronger and more sustainable Budget with smaller deficits, less debt and net policy decisions that improve the bottom line.

Responsible economic management is a defining feature of this Government and this Budget is our most responsible yet.

Strong fiscal discipline is even more important at a time of heightened global uncertainty, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering. 

Decisions in this Budget mean we are saving more than we’re spending, compared to the mid-year update.

Our saves are greater than revenue upgrades and the budget impact of tax reform.

We have taken difficult decisions for the right reasons, delivering a Budget that is now $44.9 billion stronger than was forecast at MYEFO.

It is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars better than what the Coalition left us.

This is possible because of our responsible approach to finding savings and reprioritisations, spending restraint and banking all revenue upgrades.

These actions mean that this budget update is helping to take the pressure off inflation and building fiscal buffers at a time of global uncertainty.

The Government’s decisions mean: 

• The Budget is $44.9 billion stronger than the mid-year update and $264 billion better than what we inherited.
• The deficit in 2026-27 is $31.5 billion, $2.8 billion lower than MYEFO and $7.8 billion lower than we inherited.
• Debt is down a further $18 billion in 2026-27 than forecast in the mid-year update and is now $173 billion better than we inherited. This means we avoid more than $70 billion in interest costs over the decade.
• The peak in gross debt is now forecast to be 35.8 per cent of GDP, 1.2 percentage points below the mid-year update and 9.1 percentage points below what we inherited.
• Gross debt as a percentage of GDP remains below what we inherited in every single year.
• We’ve found a further $63.8 billion in savings and reprioritisations, taking the total since coming to government to almost $180 billion.
• Net policy decisions are positive for the second consecutive update, with net decisions accounting for provisions totalling $26.1 billion over the forward estimates.
• Real payments growth averages just 1.5 per cent for the eight years to 2029-30, the lowest rolling eight-year average in almost three and a half decades. Average growth is less than half the 30-year average and around a third of the 4.1 per cent average of our predecessors.
• For the first time on record, consecutive updates have returned every single dollar of revenue upgrade to the bottom line. This means the Government has returned 76 per cent of revenue upgrades. Our predecessors never returned every dollar of revenue upgrade, averaging a return of around 40 per cent.

Looking further ahead, the budget bottom line is better and debt is lower in every year of the medium term. 

This is a result of disciplined decisions the Government has taken to rebuild fiscal buffers, including putting the NDIS on a sustainable growth trajectory, banking revenue upgrades and structural reforms to the tax system.

While there is a lot of uncertainty, Treasury are projecting the Budget will return to balance over the medium-term. They would not project this were it not for the Government’s structural improvements to the Budget. 

Australia is not immune from uncertainty and volatility in the global economy as a result of conflict in the Middle East. 

We are well placed and well prepared to confront these challenges with faster growth at the end of last year than any major advanced economy, low unemployment, solid wage growth and stronger public finances than most of the developed world.

Australia remains one of only nine countries with a AAA sovereign credit rating from all three major ratings agencies and has lower gross debt than every major advanced economy.

When we came to Government, we inherited a trillion dollars of debt, bigger deficits and stagnant wages.

We’ve made real progress on the Budget at the same time as we’re providing responsible cost of living relief like new tax cuts for Australian workers, making the economy more productive and funding the services Australians rely on.

This Budget is all about resilience and reform, and a stronger and more sustainable Budget is central to this agenda.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

This warning was reissued to correct typographical errors

Issued on
12 May 2026 18:06

Warning area
Vine Vale, Bethany, Gomersal, Tanunda and Seppeltsfield near Tanunda, approximately 7km south of Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley.

Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke

Action
Smoke from the VINE VALE Hayshed Fire is in the Vine Vale, Bethany, Gomersal, Tanunda and Seppeltsfield 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: New South Wales Health – State Government

NSW Health is advising people in the Inner West to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of two confirmed cases.
The two cases are not known to each other but are linked to an earlier NSW case in a returned traveller from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.
One case visited several locations across the Inner West while unknowingly infectious, including healthcare facilities.
A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website. Exposure locations and times are updated regularly.
People who attended the locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
If it has been less than 6 days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 16 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.
Dr Christine Selvey, Director of Communicable Diseases NSW said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.
“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients,” Dr Selvey said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Selvey said.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have a dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet .
People can also visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for information on health risks, including measles outbreaks relevant to their travel destination.
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

NSW Health is advising people in Western Sydney to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case.
This person has had no known contact with anyone else with measles and did not attend any known exposure locations in Sydney.

With the source of the infection unknown, it is likely measles is currently circulating within the community, and other people may have been unknowingly exposed to measles.
The person visited several locations across Western Sydney while unknowingly infectious, including healthcare facilities.

A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website​. Exposure locations and times are updated regularly.
People who attended these locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.

If it has been less than 6 days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to seek advice from your GP who can contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 23 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.
Western Sydney Local Health District Public Health Physician, Dr Conrad Moreira, said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.

“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients,” Dr Moreira said.

“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.

“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”

Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Moreira said.

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”

Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.

Children under the age of 12 months can have an extra, early, dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).

People can also visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for information on health risks, including measles outbreaks relevant to their travel destination.

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case.
This case is a returned traveller from South and Southeast Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.
The person visited several locations while unknowingly infectious, including healthcare facilities. 
A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health w​ebsite​. Exposure locations and times are updated regularly. 
People who attended these locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk. 
If it has been less than 6 days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 48 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Public Health Unit Staff Specialist, Dr Alvis Zibran said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time. 
“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed above, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles, so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients and wear a mask,” Dr Zibran said. 
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes. 
“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Zibran said.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have an extra, early, dose of MMR from six months of age​​ if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particul​arly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet​. 
People can also visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for information on health risks, including measles outbreaks relevant to their travel destination.
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. 

Source:

Issue date: Tuesday, 12 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Friday, 15 May 2026 as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES). The inquiry was referred to the Committee on 27 November 2025, by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.

At its public hearing the Committee will hear from a broad range of stakeholders about their experiences with the NES, building on evidence already heard from the government, unions and the business sector.

The hearing will enable the Committee to gather further perspectives on key issues, including reproductive health leave, cultural, kinship and carer’s leave, compassionate leave for bereaved parents, the costs and administrative impacts of the NES on small businesses, and employment conditions for young workers.

Committee Chair, Dr Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would allow the Committee to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how the NES operates in practice.

‘As the nature of work continues to evolve, it is important that the National Employment Standards (NES) remain clear, fair and fit for purpose. The Committee is seeking to understand how the NES supports key worker groups—including First Nations employees, carers and women—while balancing these protections with the operational and financial realities faced by employers,’ Dr Garland said.

The Committee will hear evidence from:

• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Council of Small Business Organisations Australia
• The Compassionate Friends Australia
• Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
• Families Australia
• National Tertiary Education
• Australian Education Union
• Community and Public Sector Union
• Health Services Union
• Finance Sector Union
• Australian Youth Affairs Coalition

Further information is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday 15 May 2026
Time: 9:00am to 2.15 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra ACT/Videoconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Media enquiries

Dr Carina Garland MP, Chair 
James Dimas
0432409033

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4037
employment.reps@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Source: Tasmania Police

Man charged with stealing $22,000 in cash

Tuesday, 12 May 2026 – 4:26 pm.

A 53 year old Rokeby man has been charged over a burglary of a Hobart business on Wednesday 8 April where a safe containing $22,000 in cash was stolen.
As a result of investigations, South East CIB have today charged a 53 year old man from Rokeby, with burglary, stealing, and unlawful possession of property.
He has been bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on 24 August 2026.
Investigations are continuing and police are urging members of the public to contact 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au if they have further information.

Source: Tasmania Police

Man charged with stealing $22,000 in cash

Tuesday, 12 May 2026 – 4:26 pm.

A 53 year old Rokeby man has been charged over a burglary of a Hobart business on Wednesday 8 April where a safe containing $22,000 in cash was stolen.
As a result of investigations, South East CIB have today charged a 53 year old man from Rokeby, with burglary, stealing, and unlawful possession of property.
He has been bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on 24 August 2026.
Investigations are continuing and police are urging members of the public to contact 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au if they have further information.