n Good Friday, the Albanese Government is investing to strengthen world-class healthcare for children as part of Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
This year marks 95 years of the Good Friday Appeal and 95 years of the Victorian community coming together in support of young patients and their families.
Our Government will provide $2 million to support the Royal Children’s Hospital to improve access to specialised health care for children throughout Victoria, and to expand its health information service for children and young people nationally.
The builds on the $6 million the Government has already provided to the Good Friday Appeal, funding life-changing treatment, world-class research, leadership and training. It helps attract the brightest minds to care for kids from Victoria and across Australia.
Last year, the Good Friday Appeal, together with the Royal Children’s Hospital, distributed $3 million to 41 regional health services to fund equipment, training and education.
This allowed families to receive care closer to home and was described as a “game changer” by regional health services.
Every year, thousands of people volunteer their time, experience and creativity to organise fundraising events and activities to support the hospital, culminating in the telethon on Good Friday.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution or learn more about the patients, volunteers and staff at the hospital can visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au.
< Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese:
“For 95 years, the Good Friday Appeal has been about people pitching in and helping out people who need it the most. That’s the Australian way.
“Nothing matters more than the health and wellbeing of our children, and this funding will help make sure more kids get the care they need, closer to home.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital does incredible work and this investment will help them reach more children across Victoria.
“I thank every volunteer and supporter who makes the Good Friday Appeal possible because your generosity is changing lives.”
< Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister Marles:
“The Albanese Government’s support for the Good Friday Appeal is about providing greater access to health care in regional Victoria, meaning greater access closer to home and reducing the burden on families and their loved ones.
“Having grown up with the Good Friday Appeal, I know Victorians will be digging deep today in support of a truly terrific cause.
< Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital is a fabulous cause with a rich history.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital uses these funds for projects that lift paediatric care to a new level and help to spread its excellence in care for more children and families, in more places, closer to home.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested one male in relation to an aggravated burglary and robbery in Alice Springs overnight.
Around 1:50am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report four males, including one allegedly armed with an edged weapon, entered a residence on Bloomfield Street, Gillen.
The victim, a 26-year-old male who is house-sitting the residence, woke to find the four males inside the house and they demanded car keys from him.
The four offenders fled the scene in two separate dark blue Honda CRVs.
One of the vehicles has since been recovered by police and an 18-year-old male has been arrested.
The other offenders remain outstanding and investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information or footage including CCTV is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report anonymously via crimestoppersnt.com.au.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information to locate 39-year-old Alvina Daley who was mistakenly released from custody at the Katherine courthouse this afternoon.
She was last seen wearing a black Casuarina All Sports Club shirt.
Police advise the public not to approach and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report anonymously via crimestoppersnt.com.au.
The City is home to three incredibly talented Jiu- Jitsu athletes who represented Australia on the world stage.
Tahlia (12) Liana (9) and Chanel (7) Casella are the superstar sisters from Marangaroo who were each chosen to compete at the 2025 Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championships in November last year.
Despite 10,000 other competitors, Tahlia and Liana were crowned world champions in their division while Chanel came third in her division.
“We are so proud of Tahlia, Liana and Chanel. We know how hard they have worked and to see them get rewarded on the big stage is incredible,” dad Jason Casella said.
“Dedication and hard work are what helped them get so far.”
As City of Wanneroo residents, the Casella sisters used the City’s Participation Funding to support their trip.
“My favourite part was winning my gold medal on the world stage,” Tahlia said.
“I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world and spending time supporting my training partners from Perth who also competed.”
“My favourite part was winning gold,” Liana said. “Also getting to fight on the main mat that had five cameras around me. It was being shown live around the world, I was nervous but it was so cool.”
“My favourite was walking out and seeing mum and dad cheering for me in the crowd and winning a bronze medal,” Chanel said.
JANE NORMAN, NATIONAL PRESS CLUB DIRECTOR: Prime Minister, thank you for your address today. It’s very detailed and lots of questions will be coming from the journalists here today, but I wanted to start by asking about the crisis we’re currently in and the wakeup call that I feel it’s presented Australia. As you say, we’re an island nation. We import the vast majority of our liquid fuels. We’re at the end of a very long supply chain. So, I’m wondering, what is your government’s long-term plan to make Australia either self-sufficient or far more self-sufficient when it comes to liquid fuels?
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC is warning fuel retailers they should fully pass on all fuel excise cuts by the Federal Government as quickly as possible.
It was announced today that under a deal between States and Territories and the Federal Government, fuel excise would reduce by about 5.7 cents per litre (cpl), in addition to the cut in fuel excise of 26.3 cpl, which came into effect on 1 April.
In addition, the ACCC has today served notices on several businesses operating across SA, WA, QLD and the Northern Territory requiring them to justify sizable ‘fuel surcharges’ imposed on deliveries to remote areas.
Fuel excise reductions must be passed on
The ACCC is continuing to monitor fuel prices daily in capital cities and more than 190 regional locations and will closely analyse price movements following the government’s cut in the fuel excise from 1 April 2026, and the subsequent cut.
“We are pleased to see that already several retail sites have dropped fuel prices and passed on savings to customers in response to the initial cut in fuel excise on 1 April,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We expect the same for the further cut in the excise under the proposal announced today, so that retail petrol and diesel prices should reduce initially by about 26.3 cpl and ultimately by 32 cpl, from what they would otherwise have been,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
Latest fuel monitoring report data on the excise cut
The ACCC monitors retail fuel prices, as well as changes in underlying benchmark prices, which continue to be volatile and also influence retail price levels.
Figure 1 – Daily average retail petrol prices in the 5 largest cities
Source: Informed Sources data.
Figure 2- Daily average retail diesel prices in the 5 largest cities
Source: Informed Sources data.
In almost all city and regional locations, average retail petrol and diesel prices decreased following the excise cut. The size of the reductions varied widely between locations, with reductions in some regional locations being more than 20 cpl, while others did not change significantly on the first day of the fuel excise cut.
On April 1, across the five largest cities, daily average retail petrol prices were 16.7 cpl lower and daily average retail diesel prices were 15.0 cpl lower, compared with the previous day.
For regular unleaded petrol, average prices reduced by between 7.2 cpl and 25.4 cpl, with the greatest reduction in Darwin and smallest reduction in Perth.
For diesel, average prices reduced by between 9.1 cpl and 19.5 cpl, with the greatest reduction in Adelaide and the smallest in Perth.
Separate to the impacts of the excise cut, in the week to the end of March, international refined fuel prices continued to be volatile. More details are available in our weekly fuel price monitoring report this afternoon.
“Many service stations raised fuel prices relatively quickly around the start of the conflict in the Middle East, in many cases without usual lags from the turnover of fuels in stock,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
The ACCC understands that rather than basing retail prices on the cost of fuel currently in their storage as they usually would, some retailers moved to pricing based on what it would cost them to restock at the current prices.
“Fuel companies know that consumers expect them to pass on the excise cut with similar haste or risk losing customers,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“While we recognise some areas have had supply or demand challenges, we encourage motorists to shop around where possible and reward those service stations that pass on the reductions.”
In addition, the ACCC is concerned about reports that some fuel retailers increased their retail fuel price soon after the Government initially announced the fuel excise would be reduced, before then cutting prices.
“We are concerned that pricing changes may be used to obfuscate a failure by retailers to fully pass on the reduction in the excise and, if that is the case, we will take appropriate enforcement action,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses are prohibited from engaging in misleading conduct or making misleading representations, including false or misleading statements about prices. This includes false or misleading statements about price savings and discounts.
“Increasing prices shortly before offering a “discount” can be misleading conduct under the Australian Consumer Law,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
Businesses must substantiate fuel surcharges imposed
Today the ACCC has sent legal notices known as substantiation notices to some distributors supplying goods or services to remote and regional Australia, asking them to substantiate the representations they have made about their reasons for imposing sizable fuel surcharges or levies.
These types of surcharges are being widely justified on the basis that the suppliers’ costs have increased due to the impact of rising oil and fuel prices in the supply chain.
The businesses have three weeks to respond to the ACCC and to substantiate the representations they have made about ‘fuel surcharges’.
“We have seen an increase in complaints from consumers and small businesses about the introduction or increase of fuel surcharges, including surcharges of more than 70 per cent imposed on small businesses servicing remote communities,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
The ACCC recognises that businesses have experienced cost increases due to higher fuel prices. However, we are investigating whether the size of some of the surcharges, presented as due to rising fuel costs, exceed those increases.
Fuel surcharges have also been reported in the cities including as levies to consumers at cafes and restaurants, as well as travel companies.
“Businesses must not mislead consumers about their prices. If a business is going to impose a surcharge or levy and represent that it is directly related to the high fuel costs, then the business must be able to substantiate and justify those representations,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“The ACCC will take appropriate action against breaches of Australian Consumer Law, such as misleading consumers about surcharges.”
Consumers or small businesses are encouraged to report concerns about businesses imposing large fuel surcharges to the ACCC.
The ACCC is also concerned these surcharges or levies are being used by some businesses or industry groups to increase prices across the board.
“Businesses are reminded that they need to make decisions about prices and levies independent of their competitors. Coordination of prices by competitors is a serious breach of competition laws,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
These matters are at an early stage, and the ACCC will not provide further detail about these matters at this stage.
NSW Health is reminding people to protect themselves from mosquito bites ahead of the Easter long weekend and upcoming school holidays.
Recent mosquito monitoring has detected Ross River virus activity in mosquito trappings in parts of greater western Sydney. Earlier this year, Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and Barmah Forest virus activity were detected in inland areas of NSW.
NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Kerryn Coleman, said even though summer is over, continuing warm weather and wet conditions mean mosquitoes are still around in significant numbers, particularly in the greater Sydney region.
“The Easter long weekend and the school holidays are a time when many people travel, spend time outdoors, and take part in activities like camping and visiting parks, which can increase the risk of exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites,” Dr Coleman said.
“The Ross River virus activity recently detected in greater Sydney is particularly concerning because of the density of the population, so with many people planning to be outdoors, we are encouraging them to take the necessary precautions not to get bitten.
“Viruses such as Ross River and Barmah Forest can cause unpleasant symptoms, including tiredness, rash, fever, and sore and swollen joints.
“These symptoms usually last a few days, but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months.
“There is no specific treatment for these viruses. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
NSW Health recently expanded free access to the JE vaccine to people who plan to visit high-risk local government areas for outdoor recreational activities including camping, caravanning, boating, hunting and fishing while mosquito activity remains high.
The JE vaccine is also free for anyone who lives or routinely works in various inland regions as well as people who work in some high-risk occupations.
People planning to travel to the high-risk regions in the school holidays should have a discussion with their vaccination provider as soon as possible.
“JE is a rare but serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes. While many people experience mild illness, it can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness and in rare cases can be fatal,” Dr Coleman said.
Actions to prevent mosquito bites include:
Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times
Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Be sure to apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear. and socks
Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk
Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions
Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges
While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net
Remember, Spray Up – Cover Up – Screen Up, to protect from mosquito bites.
For more information on protecting yourself from mosquito bites visit: Mosquito borne diseases.
Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on the NSW Health website.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Strike Force Trident is calling for information in relation to an aggravated burglary last night in Millner.
Around 9:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports multiple youths unlawfully entered a victim’s residence on Francis St, Millner.
One of the offenders confronted the adult male victim while allegedly armed with a knife.
While attempted to remove the offender’s weapon, the victim suffered a minor injury to his hand. He did not require medical treatment.
The youths fled the scene and it is alleged they have stolen the keys to the victim’s residence.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information or CCTV is urged to contact police on 131 444, quote reference number P26095612 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating an aggravated assault that occurred in Milingimbi last night.
Around 9pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of disturbances and armed persons fighting in Milingimbi, including a report that a male was seriously injured.
Police arrived on scene and confirmed a 35-year-old male had been stabbed to the back with an edged weapon.
He was conveyed to hospital via CareFlight in a critical condition.
Multiple offenders also damaged the windows of the attending police vehicle.
Investigations are ongoing into the incidents and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quote reference number P26095595 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.