AU Engine

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

very day early educators help children learn, grow and get ready for school.

It’s one of the most important jobs in the country and they should be paid fairly for that work.

That’s why the Albanese Government funded a 15 per cent pay rise for Early Education and Care Workers.

Today, the Albanese Government is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in this historic 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

This investment will be tied to a commitment from Child Care Centres to limit fee increases. We want to make sure workers can be fairly paid without the costs being passed on to families.

When combined with our support for minimum wage rises, this will mean $255 more per week for a typical full-time educator and $410 more per week for early childhood teachers, compared to December 2024 when the Government first implemented the pay rise.

For the first time employees in the Family Day Care and In-Home Care sectors will also be eligible for the payment, starting from July. More information on applications and criteria will be available soon.

Keeping costs for families down

This funding will continue to be tied to a commitment from services receiving the payment to limit fee increases for parents.

We are making sure workers can be fairly paid without the costs being passed on to families.

That’s helping to ease cost-of-living pressure while delivering better early learning for children.

This is part of the Albanese Government’s work to make early education and care more affordable, more accessible and high quality.

We also introduced the 3 Day Guarantee this year to make sure every child who needs it is eligible for three days of subsidised early learning each week, no matter what their parents do.

Strengthening safety

The Government will now require services to meet the national safety standard as a condition of the payment.

Today 95 per cent of early learning services are meeting the safety standard, more than ever before, but we want that number to be higher.

From July 2027, if services don’t meet the National Quality Standard when it comes to safety, their funding will be cut or suspended.

Parents deserve confidence that their child is safe in care.

If a service is not meeting the standard that parents expect and children deserve, it risks this funding being cut off.

This requirement builds on the Albanese Government’s reforms to strengthen safety in early education and care.

More educators, lower costs

The payment has worked to bolster our early educator workforce and keep costs for families down.

Since it was announced: 

• There are around 20,000 more ECEC workers, about an 8 per cent increase.
• Job vacancies in early education have decreased by almost 31 per cent.
• Fees at centres receiving the payment have grown at around half the rate of centres that don’t.
• The percentage of services operating with a staffing waiver has fallen from 8.9 per cent to 5.1 per cent.
• Use of casual staff by Australia’s largest child care provider, Goodstart Early Learning, fell by 5 per cent and use of agency staff decreased by 69 per cent in the first year of the program.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Early educators help give our children the best start in life.

“They do incredibly important work and they deserve to be fairly paid for it.

“Only child care centres who agree to limit their fees for parents will be eligible to receive funding for this wage increase for workers.

“We’re making child care more affordable, lifting standards and backing the people who help shape the next generation of Australians.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare

“This is good news for workers and it’s good news for families.

“Caring for and teaching kids is some of the most important work in the country.

“Our early educators deserve every cent they get and this funding locks their pay rise in.

“The payment has worked to bring more people into the early education workforce and to keep costs down for families.

“Turns out if you pay people more, more people want to do the job.

“Over the last year, working with the states and territories, we’ve done a lot to strengthen safety in early education and care.

“We’re taking the next step today, tying this funding to safety standards.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our kids.

“This will help to make sure safety and quality in early education is what parents expect and what our children deserve.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth

“Early childhood educators deserve more than our thanks, they deserve a pay rise.

“The Albanese Labor Government changed Australia’s workplace laws to deliver pay rises for early educators and to allow more multi-employer bargaining, especially in undervalued, feminised sectors of the economy like early education.

“Our Government has consistently advocated for a minimum wage rise and for undervalued workers to earn what they deserve and this has led to full-time early childhood educators typically earning $410 more per week.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh

“For too long, our early childhood educators were underpaid, undervalued and overlooked. 

“And as a result, they were walking out the door.

“With the Albanese Labor Government’s 15 per cent pay rise, we’re seeing that turn around.

“This helps create a long-term stable workforce, and that strengthens the whole sector.

“Today’s announcement is the foundation of our reforms to improve quality in early education and care and to make it more affordable for families by properly valuing our early educators.”

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Government has delivered on its election commitment to open an additional 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics with the final clinic opening in Caloundra, Queensland today.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are providing cost of living relief, helping families access healthcare without the cost, providing free Medicare-backed care close to home.

The opening is a historic milestone meaning all 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics promised by the Government are now operating around the country.

Clinics provide free Medicare-backed care for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries. No appointment needed. No out-of-pocket costs. And they are here to stay.

The Albanese Government delivered a major Medicare investment in the Budget, making Medicare Urgent Care Clinics a permanent part of Australia’s health system.

The significant health measure includes an additional $1.8 billion over five years from 2025-26 and $525.6 million a year ongoing from 2030-31 to keep Medicare Urgent Care Clinics open and free.

There have been more than 3.1 million visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia since the first one opened in June 2023, with projections to deliver 2 million instances of care per year with all clinics now open.

More than one in four of these presentations were patients aged under 15 years old, more than one in four were on weekends, and one in four were after 5pm on weekdays when many GPs are not available.

A recent interim evaluation report of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics Program found:  

• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are achieving their purpose in delivering urgent care services and reducing equivalent Emergency Department presentations by around 10% nationally.
• 45% of patients reported that they would have sought care in an Emergency Department or called an ambulance if the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic was not available. This increased to 48% in the afterhours period.
• Patients are satisfied with the care they receive, and staff enjoy the variety of working across both general practice and urgent care.

With the opening of the final clinic, four out of five Australians will now live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

The Caloundra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be the 26th clinic to open in Queensland, located at Shop 1, Little Mountain Central Shopping Centre, 65 Pierce Avenue, Little Mountain.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics help patients get the care they need for free and ease pressure on hospitals.

“Now that all of Labor’s clinics are open, four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk billed Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

“When you go to an Urgent Care Clinic, all you will need is your Medicare card, not your credit card.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler

“Labor promised an additional 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics at the last election and our Government has delivered on that promise.

“Across Australia, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are fulfilling their promise by making sure Australians can walk in and receive urgent care quickly and for free, seven days a week over extended hours.

“They are making a real difference, for patients and for busy hospital emergency departments. More clinics, in more locations, and all patients need is their Medicare card.”

Quotes attributable to Senator Mulholland

“The Albanese Government is delivering for people in Caloundra with the opening of the Caloundra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

“This clinic will be a game changer in an area of high population growth, particularly young families.

“All people in Caloundra and the surrounding region will need is their Medicare card, not their credit card, to get the urgent care they need.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a stealing with violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs in the early hours of this morning.

Around 1:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that three male youths had disturbed a 54-year-old male as he slept in a tent at a caravan park on Ragonesi Road.

It is alleged the offenders armed themselves with an edged weapon and a blunt weapon and threatened to steal his vehicle. The victim confronted the youths who jumped a nearby fence and fled the scene.

Police attended; however, the offenders remain outstanding.

The victim did not suffer any injuries and investigations are ongoing.

Strike Force Viper has carriage of the investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference P26172096. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

In April volunteers from three CFA brigades came together to deliver a fun and educational fire safety experience at Little Dreamers Early Learning Centre in Dandenong.

The event highlighted the value of brigade collaboration, with members from Keysborough, Dandenong and South East Region Community Safety brigades working together to engage young children in fire safety learning.

Inside the classroom, Gillian Grigg from Keysborough and Sumit Wadhera from Dandenong taught the children about smoke alarms, calling Triple Zero, the “Get down low and go, go, go” fire escape message, and how firefighters help keep the community safe.

The children also watched a volunteer put on full protective clothing, helping them feel more comfortable around firefighters in emergency gear.

Outside, Jamie McDonald from South East Region Community Safety Brigade and Stewart Matulis from Keysborough gave the children a hands-on experience with the tanker. The opportunity to hold the hose and spray water was a clear favourite and brought plenty of smiles.

The visit was warmly received by both children and staff, who thanked the volunteers with handmade posters and a small food hamper.

Most importantly, the event demonstrated what can be achieved when brigades work together. By combining their skills and resources, volunteers delivered an engaging community education program and strengthened local connections. The visit was such a success that the centre immediately requested a follow-up session.

This partnership is a great example of how brigade collaboration helps CFA build safer, more connected communities.

Submitted by	CFA News

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police Drug Detection Dogs Rafa and Swift were on the drug-bust trail, helping police seize half a kilogram of cocaine during a traffic stop.

The vehicle, a white Hyundai Tucson, was travelling northbound on the Stuart Highway near Katherine after returning from Queensland when police conducted a random traffic stop.

Rafa and Swift indicated the presence of drugs beneath the front passenger seat, leading police to locate the cocaine.

Two men, aged 23 and 33, were arrested and later charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of a dangerous drug.

A further search of one of the men’s residences resulted in the seizure of an additional 125 grams of cocaine and items consistent with drug supply.

Police also seized his Mercedes-Benz, valued at approximately $100,000, as evidence.

Further intelligence led police to seek assistance from Queensland Police. A search warrant executed at the second man’s property resulted in four additional arrests and the seizure of 112 grams of cocaine, 56 grams of ketamine, 28 grams of fentanyl, cash and mobile phones.

Senior Sergeant Meacham King said the traffic stop was a great outcome for the Dog Operations Unit in Katherine.

“The intelligence gathered led to further arrests and drug seizures, helping take dangerous drugs off our streets,” he said.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

LIBBY COKER MP, MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE: So thank you very much for being with us today. It is a very exciting day. I am thrilled to have my boss and the Prime Minister of the country, Anthony Albanese, with us today. We also have Brooklyn and Lachie and Rosco, and we’re here today because we want to actually celebrate and encourage people to take up 5% first home buyer deposit scheme. This has been an amazing scheme. Lots of people in my community of Corangamite are taking up this opportunity, not just here, though, but across Australia, because we know how important it is to have a roof over your head, and as you’ve said, Lachie, to invest in your future rather than someone else’s, so this is amazing. And I’d like to hand over to Anthony to speak.

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But we know as well, we need to do more. Which is why in the Budget in May we’ve made changes for property investment arrangements, and that’s about enabling more young Australians to get into their first home as well. So that last Saturday, when young home buyers turned up at options, they weren’t competing with investors if it was an existing property. So it meant that they get a fair crack, because if you have investors competing with first home buyers, and investors know if they bid an extra $20,000 for a home, then that will be an increase in their tax deductions they’re able to make through negative gearing. Then it’s not a fair system, and that’s why we are making these practical changes to make a difference. But in addition, of course, we’re grandfathering the measures that are put forward, so that people who’ve made existing arrangements aren’t impacted can continue to negatively gear properties, but as well, for future, if you want to invest in a negatively geared property, you can do so, but it’s got to be a new build. So you’re building not just assets and wealth for yourself, you’re building assets and wealth for the nation as well, making a difference for housing supply. We estimate these changes will mean 75,000 additional first home buyers get into the market on top of the measures that we’ve taken place with the 5% deposit scheme. So I do want to thank Brooklyn and Lachie for welcoming us into their beautiful new home, where they’ve been living just for a period of months as a result of our scheme. It gives me a great deal of pride to know that my government’s prepared to make difficult decisions, but the right decisions in the national interest. Not just sit back and say it’s all too hard, and we’re going to watch home ownership be something that’s talked about, but as something that’s a historical fact. We want it to be a reality for people today, and that’s why we’re prepared to make these changes. And why our comprehensive plan for increased supply, increased public housing, increased private rentals, increased home ownership is going to make a substantial difference to the way that the country functions as we go forward. Happy to take some questions.

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Source: Airservices Australia

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.35 per cent.

Inflation picked up materially in the second half of 2025, and information since the beginning of this year confirms that some of the increase reflected greater capacity pressures. The latest data show that headline and underlying inflation are still too high. Oil prices have eased in recent weeks, although energy and most related commodity prices remain higher than they were prior to the conflict in the Middle East. There are signs that some firms experiencing cost pressures are increasing the prices of their goods and services and others are looking to do so. Short-term measures of inflation expectations have eased but remain higher than earlier in the year.

Financial conditions have tightened this year in response to three increases in the cash rate target. Money market interest rates and government bond yields have risen, and the exchange rate has appreciated. There are signs that growth in consumer spending is slowing as expected and momentum in the housing market has shifted, with housing prices falling in some capital cities. The unemployment rate was higher than expected in April, but other measures of labour market conditions have been more resilient. Growth in business investment is strong and credit is readily available to both households and businesses.

There continue to be heightened uncertainties about the outlook for domestic economic activity and inflation. Resolution of the conflict in the Middle East is at an early stage, and there are plausible scenarios where inflation is higher and activity lower than envisaged under the May baseline forecasts. Global oil supply issues will take some time to resolve, maintaining upward pressure on global energy prices and inflation. At the same time, a period of prolonged uncertainty may also cause growth to be lower in Australia’s major trading partners and in Australia.

Decision

As expected, the disruption to global oil supply is having an impact on inflation. Higher fuel prices have added directly to inflation and there are indications that this is passing through to the prices of other goods and services, so inflation is likely to remain high for some time. This inflation impulse is in addition to the high inflation recorded around the start of 2026, reflecting capacity pressures in the economy.

The Board remains focused on ensuring that inflation does not become embedded once the impulse from higher oil prices has passed through. To achieve this, growth in demand needs to slow to reduce capacity pressures and help bring inflation back to target. Following the three increases in the cash rate target since the beginning of the year, financial conditions are now tighter than they were, and there are signs that the economy is slowing as expected. But inflation is still too high and the Board judged that it was appropriate to leave the cash rate target unchanged while it assesses the response to previous interest rate rises and the impact of the oil supply disruption.

The Board will be attentive to the data and the evolving assessment of the outlook and risks to guide its decisions. In doing so, it will pay close attention to developments in the global economy and financial markets, trends in domestic demand and the outlook for inflation and the labour market. Monetary policy is well placed to respond to developments and the Board is focused on its mandate to deliver price stability and full employment. It will do what it considers necessary to achieve that outcome, including increasing the cash rate target further if required.

Today’s policy decision was unanimous.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo’s new Affordable Housing Action Plan 2026-2028 outlines a range of actions addressing the need for more affordable and social housing, while also challenging the stigma around homelessness, rough sleeping, and housing stress in the community.

The two-year plan complements the City’s Managed Growth Strategy to support denser and more diverse housing options primarily in urbans areas. The Managed Growth Strategy also identifies additional growth areas for greenfield development.

Adopted at Council last night, the Affordable Housing Action Plan 2026-2028 has been informed by public consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. The plan includes three flagship projects together with a range of actions to support people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

The Plan includes three flagship projects:

• Partnering in a Housing Australia Future Fund bid working with Registered Housing Providers, youth, health, and community wellbeing organisations with a focus on:
  • Delivering higher-density homes on unused Council land
  • Developing housing that achieves platinum rating (wheelchair accessible)
  • People at high risk of homelessness
• Making building small homes easier:
  • Encouraging small secondary dwellings often referred to as granny flats on existing house blocks (including accessibility for small dwellings)
  • Providing practical planning advice and reducing or waiving planning permit fees not already exempted
  • Investigate changes to the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to encourage affordable housing such as encouraging apartment developments in the city centre
  • Trialling more flexible rules for Tiny Houses on Wheels and caravans to provide more low-cost options
• Improving community narratives around homelessness in our community:
  • The City will be one of only eight Victorian councils participating in STAND, an international initiative led in Australia by the Municipal Association of Victoria. The 12-month initiative aims to reduce stigma and change negative narratives about homelessness
  • Advocate to the Victorian and Australian governments for adequate levels of social housing
  • Advocate for ongoing funding for homelessness prevention services and related activities, and crisis housing in Greater Bendigo
  • Partnering with local services to provide wrap-around support, including housing, health and social services and provide guidance on safe refuge areas for homeless people

Greater Bendigo is growing with 40,000 more people expected to live in the region by 2046. Different types of houses are needed to meet community needs including family homes, smaller houses, apartments, and flexible living options.

Demand far exceeds the amount of social housing currently available. As homelessness and housing insecurity increase, a wide range of people are having trouble finding housing, often for the first time.

More than 800 people are homeless or at risk, and over 2,400 people are using homelessness services. Older women are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the plan focuses on practical actions.

“Affordability and availability of housing is an issue of national significance and high local importance in the community,” Cr Prince said.

“By working in partnership with government agencies, industry and community services, we can take meaningful steps toward improving housing levels in the region, supporting vulnerable people and building a stronger, more inclusive Greater Bendigo.”

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Australia’s domestic airlines have responded to higher jet fuel prices by increasing airfares and reducing seat capacity on some routes, the ACCC’s latest Domestic Airline Competition report has found.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global fuel markets. Jet fuel prices were over 40 per cent higher in early June 2026 compared to mid-February 2026, increasing cost pressures across the aviation sector.

Refining margins, the cost of converting crude oil into jet fuel, also remain significantly elevated. The spread between the price of Brent crude oil and jet fuel was 64 per cent higher in early June than in February.  

The Qantas Group and Virgin Australia both locked in part of their fuel costs ahead of time to reduce the short-term impact of higher prices. Rex reported that due to its smaller scale, it does not hedge against jet fuel prices.

In response to elevated fuel costs, the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia have reduced or suspended several domestic services, increased some airfares, and continued targeted sales to boost demand on more price-sensitive routes.

“Higher jet fuel prices are driving significant changes in how airlines operate, including reducing or suspending services and increasing fares on some routes,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“We’ve seen services paused or withdrawn on routes such as Adelaide to Mount Gambier, Alice Springs to Brisbane and Darwin to the Gold Coast, meaning fewer travel options for some communities.”

Virgin Australia has reportedly implemented a fare increase of around 5 per cent across domestic economy and business services since March 2026. The Qantas Group has not disclosed the size of its fare increase.

As indicated by revised forecasts published in April 2026, both major airline groups are expecting to recover at least some of the additional costs in jet fuel by raising fares and reducing capacity. This has meant higher prices and less choice for some consumers.

Passenger demand remained steady, supported by holidays and major events

Easter school holidays and major events, including AFL Gather Round in Adelaide and the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, contributed to the busiest April for domestic travel since 2019.

Domestic airlines carried around 5 million passengers in both March and April 2026, while seat capacity also increased 1.9 per cent in April compared with a year earlier.

“Demand has remained resilient over recent months, supported by holiday travel and major events,” Ms Brakey said.

Average revenue per passenger fell by 3.4 per cent in April, but this largely reflects that tickets were purchased earlier before recent fare increases.

“With many travellers booking well in advance, particularly around holidays and major events, the latest data does not fully show the effect of higher airfares.”

“We expect this to become clearer over coming months and will continue to monitor the impact on consumers and the broader aviation sector,” Ms Brakey said.

Service reliability improves in April

On-time arrival rates were lower and flights were cancelled more frequently in February and March 2026, before improving in April.

In April, the industry average on-time arrival rate was 82.9 per cent, the best result reported since February 2022.

Qantas’ 85.8 per cent on-time performance was also the strongest of any airline since February 2022.

On-time performance improved in April following more favourable operating conditions, including fewer weather disruptions and no ground delays attributed to air traffic control at Australia’s four largest airports.

“It’s encouraging to see on-time performance at its highest levels in recent years, giving travellers more confidence that their flight will arrive at the time they booked,” Ms Brakey said.

The industry cancellation rate in April was 1.9 per cent, below the average of 2.2 per cent.

Virgin Australia continued its consistent performance seen in recent years, the best of all airlines at 0.8 per cent.  

Potential new entrants could strengthen competition

This report also discusses interest from two new potential airline entrants, Zinc Airlines and Koala Airlines.

“Australia’s domestic airline sector remains highly concentrated, with the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia operating 98.5 per cent of passenger flights,” Ms Brakey said.

“We welcome credible interest from potential new entrants and the positive impact this could have for consumers.”

“More competition can deliver better outcomes for passengers through greater choice, new routes and downward pressure on fares. We will continue to track developments in the market closely,” Ms Brakey said.

Consumer guarantees for disrupted flights

The ACCC continues to receive reports from consumers concerned about their rights when flights are disrupted, particularly amid the impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East on international travel.

Whether consumers are entitled to a refund or other remedy will depend on the specific circumstances of the booking and disruption.

Consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law are unlikely to apply where a flight is delayed or cancelled due to the actions of a third party – for example, a government closing its airspace or imposing flight restrictions. In these cases, a consumer’s entitlement to a refund will generally depend on the terms and conditions of their booking.

If a consumer proactively cancels or changes their booking, the consumer guarantees will also not apply, and the available remedy will depend on the terms and conditions of the booking.

However, consumer guarantees may still apply where the disruption is not caused by a third party. This could include situations where a flight is affected by severe weather or by an airline failing to meet safety requirements.

“We encourage consumers with an upcoming international flight to review the terms and conditions of their booking, as well as contact their airline to best understand their options,” Ms Brakey said.

Background

On 6 November 2023, the Treasurer directed the ACCC to recommence domestic air passenger transport monitoring.

Under this direction the ACCC is to monitor prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of domestic air passenger transport services for a period of three years. The ACCC is required to report on this monitoring at least once every quarter.

As part of the 2026-27 Federal Budget delivered in May 2026, the Government announced its intention to extend the ACCC’s airline monitoring function until December 2029.

The ACCC collects data from Jetstar, Qantas, Rex and Virgin Australia for monitoring purposes.

A full copy of this report is available on the ACCC’s website at Domestic Airline Monitoring.

Source: Government of Western Australia

A new, easy-to-use printed guide and map invites you to discover the stories of the people, places and natural landscapes that shape the region.