![\"Penry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774398728_31_Penry_Buckley.png\")
Penry Buckley<\/p>\nNSW government to compel oil companies to explain where extra fuel being sentPenry Buckley<\/p>\n
The NSW government will compel major fuel companies to explain how they will distribute extra fuel released from federal reserves in the first use of emergency powers in the state to address shortages.<\/p>\n
Chris Minns announced the measure at a press conference this morning, which follows an earlier \u201cplease explain\u201d issued to fuel providers on Friday. But the premier downplayed it was prompted by any suggestions of wrongdoing. He said:<\/p>\n
double quotation markQuite understandably, those major oil companies are dealing with compliance requests from the federal government, from states and from other jurisdictions as well, and in those circumstances, we\u2019ve got incomplete information, which has prompted us to say, look, we understand you\u2019re under the pump, so to speak. We know that you\u2019ve got obligations to your customers and the stock market. We need to have eyes on this information too. Now we\u2019re not going to come in heavy handed, although this is a legal demand, but we\u2019re not doing it in an adversarial way.<\/p>\n
![\"Empty](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/11775.jpg\")
Empty fuel pumps at a petrol station in Sydney. Photograph: Hollie Adams\/Reuters<\/p>\n
The premier says 51 petrol stations are without fuel in the state, while 164 are without diesel, the same numbers as yesterday, but he said that some of the individual stations have changed, with some coming back online as others went offline.<\/p>\n
double quotation markSo that would imply that the major oil companies are able to get at least some fuel to stations that have run short.<\/p>\n
Minns said 80 of the stations without diesel are in regional NSW, while 84 are in metropolitan Sydney.<\/p>\n
The government has also announced the establishment of a fuel emergency operations centre which the premier said would \u201cinform the oil companies about where shortages are today and where they\u2019re likely to be tomorrow, and if necessary, to deploy our extraordinary emergency powers if the need arises in our community\u201d.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.32 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Speeches have started at the ABC Melbourne strike demonstration.<\/p>\n ABC journalist and union delegate Dan Ziffer, who was ringing the strike bell on exiting the building, has been speaking to the crowd.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is the first time we\u2019ve done this in decades. We don\u2019t do it lightly. We didn\u2019t choose to do this, but we do this so that we can get a better outcome<\/p>\n Ziffer says ABC management has tried to \u201cweaponise tough economic conditions to grind [staff] down to accept a sub-par offer\u201d.<\/p>\n MEAA\u2019s deputy chief executive Adam Portelli also addressed the crowd, describing the ABC\u2019s response to workers\u2019 claims as \u201cunderwhelming\u201d, saying:<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd those of you who heard the remarks of Hugh Marks this morning know that the company has not treated any of you with anything close to respect.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Hundreds of Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance members are exiting the ABC to huge cheers, some carrying signs and flags and wearing union t-shirts. They are led by Michael Slezak, the ABC\u2019S federal president of the MEAA.<\/p>\n Among them is radio presenter David Marr, former Saturday Paper editor Maddison Connaughton, presenter Fran Kelly and chief elections analyst Casey Briggs.<\/p>\n The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have just arrived in their full red and blue outfits, complete with berets, while members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) are also here.<\/p>\n A number of babies in prams and toddlers observe from the sidelines.<\/p>\n Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), who are participating in today\u2019s strikes, says it\u2019s always a \u201cbig decision\u201d for workers to take industrial action. But she says it\u2019s also \u201cexciting to see ABC workers taking a stand against management\u2019s offer and really fighting for a better deal\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.28 EDT<\/p>\n Around a hundred staff at ABC\u2019s Melbourne bureau have walked out on strike, wearing union t-shirts and filling the small park directly in front of the ABC entrance on Southbank Boulevard.<\/p>\n Supporters began gathering out the front of the glass-fronted Southbank building from about 10.30, with workers coming out in dribs and drabs until a large contingent walked off the job as a collective, exiting the building to cheers and chants of \u201cunion power\u201d from a supporters\u2019 guard of honour, at 11.13am.<\/p>\n Thunderstorms were forecast for Melbourne today, and fat drops of rain began falling just after 11am. They will be hoping it holds off long enough for the sausages on the barbecue that has been set up in the park to be cooked.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n ABC radio broadcasts left Waiting for a Star to Fall<\/p>\n In Sydney, the local 702 radio station also went with Boy Meets Girl to begin its strike cover broadcast, followed by Conversations.<\/p>\n Just before the cutoff, host Hamish Macdonald gave the last word of his shift to his boss, with a clip from an earlier interview with ABC managing director Hugh Marks saying he was \u201cvery\u201d sorry about the strike and its effect on listeners.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be back Friday morning,\u201d Macdonald concluded, before Boy Meets Girl warbled, \u201cI hear your name whispered on the wind \/ it\u2019s a sound that makes me cry\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.29 EDT<\/p>\n ABC bulletins begin replacing news with pop and classical music<\/p>\n Presenters have begun to tell audiences that programming will be disrupted due to the strike.<\/p>\n ABC Radio Melbourne has joined the strike, with Mornings host Raf Epstein announcing just before 11am that staff were striking.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re all going out on strike because it\u2019s an argument over how best to provide sustainable, secure work. Staff and management really do agree on you being the priority and providing you with some quality programming. Staff and management disagree on how we get those sustainable and secure jobs. That\u2019s the reason for the strike. We don\u2019t like not talking to you and being with you, but I\u2019ll be back on your radio on Friday morning.<\/p>\n Then it went into the 1988 hit Waiting for a Star to Fall by Boy Meets Girl.<\/p>\n Over on Radio National at 11am, Hilary Harper on the program Critics Corner said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThings will look a bit different from now on. My colleagues and I are on strike. Normal programming will resume at 11am tomorrow.<\/p>\n RN switched to music, playing Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach, then switching to a pre-recorded episode of The Law Report.<\/p>\n Shortly before 11am, Triple J hosts said that automated messaging would be aired during the strike.<\/p>\n At 11am, the song Monsoon by Emma Louise & Flume began, soon cutting to NWA\u2019s Express Yourself \u2013 the song that was played 82 times in a row on the same station during ABC industrial action in 1990.<\/p>\n Listeners were told:<\/p>\n double quotation markDue to industrial action, we can\u2019t bring you your usual programme.<\/p>\n The automated message including an apology for the interruption to services.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.24 EDT<\/p>\n Staff are filtering out of the ABC\u2019s back exit in small groups, some raising their fists in defiance. Each time a new group emerges, the crowd of about 100 supporters and union members cheer and clap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>ABC staff begin strike More than 2,000 ABC staff around the country have walked off the job for a 24-hour strike, forcing ABC services across TV, radio and digital to use BBC World Service and repeat programming.<\/p>\n Staff are protesting what they say is a low pay offer from the ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, as well as work conditions and the broadcaster\u2019s refusal to rule out replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n The strike begins at 11am on Wednesday and ends at 11am on Thursday meaning the 7pm news bulletins and ABC TV\u2019s 7.30 with Sarah Ferguson will be cancelled tonight.<\/p>\n ABC News Breakfast will not air on Thursday morning as journalists, studio crew and directors go on strike.<\/p>\n ABC staff at Sydney\u2019s Ultimo office walked off the job for the first major strike in 20 years.<\/p>\n Representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) are preparing a barbecue for hundreds of striking staff, cooking up snags and buttering loaves of bread.<\/p>\n The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), representing technical, operations and studio crew, is also taking part in the strike.<\/p>\n \u201cStronger Together,\u201d a CPSU banner reads.<\/p>\n Staff at the ABC\u2019s Parramatta office will also congregate at Ultimo via a convoy.<\/p>\n The ABC headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.06 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Shame on ABC staff\u2019 striking, says shadow communications minister<\/p>\n The shadow communications minister, Sarah Henderson, has attacked ABC staff and journalists who will be going on strike shortly.<\/p>\n Staff are protesting<\/a> what they say is a low pay offer from the ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, as well as work conditions and the broadcaster\u2019s refusal to rule out replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first time in 20 years that staff at the public broadcaster have gone on strike.<\/p>\n Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Henderson says the current offer of a 10% increase in salary over three years and an upfront $1,000 bonus is \u201ca pretty good deal\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markThere has never been a more important time in this country when we need ABC journalists and other content makers out in the field.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also incredibly concerned that ABC presenters are hijacking news programs to convey false information about this dispute, this is completely unacceptable. ABC presenters are talking about the fact that this is not a fair deal and that they are prosecuting their own case, hijacking news programs which is a breach of their impartiality conditions<\/p>\n I say shame on ABC staff who have made this decision. Australians deserve much better than this.<\/p>\n Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.10 EDT<\/p>\n ABC staff prepare to walk out<\/p>\n ABC staff at Sydney\u2019s Ultimo office are about to walk off the job this morning in their first major strike in 20 years.<\/p>\n Representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) are preparing a barbecue for hundreds, cooking up snags and buttering loaves of bread in anticipation for the walk-off.<\/p>\n There are a number of affiliate unions who have also gathered to show their support for ABC union members.<\/p>\n \u201cStronger Together,\u201d a CPSU banner reads.<\/p>\n Staff at the ABC\u2019s Parramatta office will also congregate at Ultimo via a convoy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.05 EDT<\/p>\n Government should use gas \u2018leverage\u2019 in Asia to secure fuel, says Tehan<\/p>\n The shadow energy minister, Dan Tehan, says the government does have leverage over its coal and gas exports and should use that to guarantee supply.<\/p>\n Australia imports oil from Asian nations including Singapore (which released a joint statement with Australia on fuel supply), South Korea and Malaysia.<\/p>\n Tehan tells Sky News there is more anxiety that come mid-to late April, the fuel won\u2019t be arriving in Australia.<\/p>\n double quotation markWhat we need to be doing is sitting down and saying to them, that secure supply will continue and we would like you to offer us similar reassurance.<\/p>\n What we need to be doing is to get from them, assurances that what supply they do have that they\u2019re willing to export that, they would look to us first \u2026 absolutely we want to be made a priority.<\/p>\n Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan. Photograph: Paul Braven\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.13 EDT<\/p>\n Government needs to \u2018come clean\u2019 on fuel shortages, says Hume<\/p>\n Jane Hume says the government needs to tell Australians where fuel shortages are being experienced and where petrol bowsers are being closed, rather than relying on the states.<\/p>\n In question time this week, Chris Bowen has provided numbers on how many bowsers are running empty and service stations closed, when asked.<\/p>\n But Hume says the details should be more granular so people know where to go, and where not to, with the deputy opposition leader telling Sky News:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe government needs to come clean on it exactly where fuel is and where fuel isn\u2019t around all of the states. We can\u2019t simply rely on these daily updates from different premiers. There has to be a central location when we understand where fuel is, where fuel isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n The opposition has created a website where users can log fuel shortages<\/a> (but it hasn\u2019t yet collated the information so you can\u2019t see what people have submitted).<\/p>\n Deputy opposition leader Jane Hume. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.33 EDT<\/p>\n NSW government to compel oil companies to explain where extra fuel being sent The NSW government will compel major fuel companies to explain how they will distribute extra fuel released from federal reserves in the first use of emergency powers in the state to address shortages.<\/p>\n Chris Minns announced the measure at a press conference this morning, which follows an earlier \u201cplease explain\u201d issued to fuel providers on Friday. But the premier downplayed it was prompted by any suggestions of wrongdoing. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markQuite understandably, those major oil companies are dealing with compliance requests from the federal government, from states and from other jurisdictions as well, and in those circumstances, we\u2019ve got incomplete information, which has prompted us to say, look, we understand you\u2019re under the pump, so to speak. We know that you\u2019ve got obligations to your customers and the stock market. We need to have eyes on this information too. Now we\u2019re not going to come in heavy handed, although this is a legal demand, but we\u2019re not doing it in an adversarial way.<\/p>\n Empty fuel pumps at a petrol station in Sydney. Photograph: Hollie Adams\/Reuters<\/p>\n The premier says 51 petrol stations are without fuel in the state, while 164 are without diesel, the same numbers as yesterday, but he said that some of the individual stations have changed, with some coming back online as others went offline.<\/p>\n double quotation markSo that would imply that the major oil companies are able to get at least some fuel to stations that have run short.<\/p>\n Minns said 80 of the stations without diesel are in regional NSW, while 84 are in metropolitan Sydney.<\/p>\n The government has also announced the establishment of a fuel emergency operations centre which the premier said would \u201cinform the oil companies about where shortages are today and where they\u2019re likely to be tomorrow, and if necessary, to deploy our extraordinary emergency powers if the need arises in our community\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.32 EDT<\/p>\n Victorian government announces plan for three hours of free power a day The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, and energy minister, Lily D\u2019Ambrosio, are holding a press conference this morning to announce a plan to give households three hours of free power in the middle of the day.<\/p>\n Dubbed the \u201cMidday Power Saver,\u201d the government says it will require energy retailers to offer households a discounted tariff for three hours during the middle of the day.<\/p>\n More details, including the time period, will be released in May before it commences in October. People will have to opt-in to the plan via their energy provider.<\/p>\n The government says the free power is only possible thanks to investment in renewable energy, which has meant the state produces more electricity than needed during the day.<\/p>\n It says it will particularly benefit households who can shift their electricity use to the middle of the day but will also reduce peak demand as a result.<\/p>\n Allan said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis could save families up to $300 per year off their energy bills \u2013 more if they have solar and batteries.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll bring you more from the press conference later this morning.<\/p>\n Homes with rooftop solar panels will benefit most from a to give Victorian households three hours of free power in the middle of the day. Photograph: Darren England\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.16 EDT<\/p>\n Australians return home on direct flights from Middle East<\/p>\n There are now 8,144 Australians and permanent residents who have returned to Australia from the Middle East on 76 direct flights.<\/p>\n This morning a flight from Dubai to Melbourne arrived with 75 Australians.<\/p>\n There are three more flights scheduled to arrive to Australia today \u2013 one from Dubai to Perth, another from Dubai to Sydney, and a third from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne.<\/p>\n Emirates and Qatar Airways planes sit on the tarmac at Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney. Photograph: Hollie Adams\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.29 EDT<\/p>\n Chalmers introduces anti-fuel price-gouging bill<\/p>\n As promised by Chris Bowen yesterday, the treasurer is introducing a bill to give the consumer watchdog powers to hand out bigger fines for price-gouging.<\/p>\n Fines for misconduct under the new legislation will be doubled from $50m to $100m.<\/p>\n Late last week the ACCC had received more than 500 reports of possible price-gouging<\/a> at petrol stations since the war broke out in Iran.<\/p>\n Introducing the bill, Jim Chalmers says it will:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[Outlaw] false or misleading representation including lying about the reason for price increases, price fixing, colluding on prices and other cartel behaviour.<\/p>\n What we are introducing will empower the ACCC to throw the book at any companies who illegally and unfairly increase their prices since the start of the war.<\/p>\n Chalmers says the bill will also penalise fuel companies refusing to sell to independent retailers.<\/p>\n Petrol pumps at a fuel station in Australia. Photograph: Ye Myo Khant\/SOPA Images\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.33 EDT<\/p>\n Government introducing bill to close loophole for child sexual abusers<\/p>\n The government will today introduce legislation that will help close a loophole to stop convicted child sexual abusers from hiding their assets in superannuation and avoid paying compensation to their victims.<\/p>\n The survivors law will allow survivors of child sexual abuse to apply for a court order to access \u201cadditional personal or salary sacrifice superannuation contributions\u201d made by the offender if court ordered compensation is unpaid for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n The government says the legislation will also take effect on unfulfilled historical compensation orders if they remain legally enforceable and were awarded in relation to a criminal conviction or finding of guilt for child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n The attorney-general, Michelle Rowland, says:<\/p>\n double quotation markThere can be no opportunity for criminals who are convicted of child sexual abuse to avoid paying compensation to their victims, and I look forward to this vital legislation delivering exactly that.<\/p>\n The attorney-general, Michelle Rowland. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.58 EDT<\/p>\n ABC staff set to strike at 11am<\/p>\n ABC journalists and staff across the country will go on strike today from 11am as they push for better pay and better conditions. That includes many of our ABC colleagues who sit in the office next to ours in the press gallery corridor at Parliament House.<\/p>\n It means things will look and sound a little different this afternoon and tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n Staff are protesting what they say is a low pay offer from the ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, as well as work conditions and the broadcaster\u2019s refusal to rule out replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.46 EDT<\/p>\n Where did the $40 fuel cap idea come from?<\/p>\n The government has this morning shut down an idea that motorists could be limited to filling their tanks up to just $40 under a fuel rationing plan.<\/p>\n But where did this suggestion come from?<\/p>\n Former South Australian senator, Rex Patrick, received the government document which includes several possible responses to emergency fuel shortages, through a freedom of information request.<\/p>\n The plan was actually last updated in 2019 (before the Albanese government was elected), even though Patrick received the document in 2024.<\/p>\n This morning, Murray Watt said he\u2019d \u201cknock that one on the head\u201d and confirmed the idea isn\u2019t being considered by Labor.<\/p>\n![\"Stephanie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Steph_Convery.png\")
Stephanie Convery<\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774398730_201_Caitlin_Cassidy,_L.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\nStephanie Convery<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774398730_802_Josh_Taylor.png\")
Josh Taylor<\/p>\nCaitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Amanda_Meade.png\")
Amanda Meade<\/p>\nCaitlin Cassidy<\/p>\nPenry Buckley<\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774398731_931_Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\n