![\"Treasurer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5798.jpg\")
Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\nUpdated at\u00a018.55 EDT<\/p>\n
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![\"Luca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Luca_Ittimani.png\")
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n
Traffic is falling on Sydney\u2019s major roads<\/p>\n
Thousands of vehicles disappeared from Sydney\u2019s roads over the last month, in a sign motorists are looking to save on spiralling fuel costs.<\/p>\n
New South Wales government data shows traffic fell 5% from the prior year on some major arterial roads.<\/p>\n
In the last full week of March, Pennant Hills Road traffic was down 2.6% on the last week of February, before war in Iran sent petrol prices surging, or a huge 5% on the same week in the prior year<\/p>\n
Traffic fell compared to the prior year by 4.4% on Victoria Road, 2.3% on Parramatta Road and 1.8% on Military Road. On Anzac Parade in Sydney\u2019s east, traffic had been elevated in late February, 5% higher than a year prior, but by the end of March it was running 1% lower.<\/p>\n
Public transport usage has barely changed in NSW, with just under 2.38m average weekday Opal network trips in the last full week of March \u2013 same as in 2025.<\/p>\n
The streets around Sydney Airport have also emptied out. Traffic counts fell down 9% on Airport Drive and 5% on Qantas Drive from the last week of February to the last full week of March.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Address to the nation to be broadcast at 7pm<\/p>\n A bit more context to that earlier post from Tom McIlroy.<\/p>\n The Prime Minister\u2019s address to the nation will be broadcast across all TV and radio networks simultaneously at 7pm tonight.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the first time a prime minister has delivered an address like this, we also saw national addresses during the Covid pandemic and global financial crisis.<\/p>\n The PM will outline the government\u2019s response to the Middle East crisis and encourage Australians to play their part, by saving fuel for areas and industries that need it most.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese will also separately address the national press club tomorrow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Albanese prepares to address the nation tonight Anthony Albanese is preparing to address the nation this evening, as the war in Iran grows and economic fallout intensifies.<\/p>\n Guardian Australia understands an address is being planned for tonight.<\/p>\n The prime minister is expected to speak from Canberra after today\u2019s sitting of parliament.<\/p>\n Albanese will also address the National Press Club in Canberra tomorrow.<\/p>\n Prime minister Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.06 EDT<\/p>\n Government out to avoid \u2018Covid-style interventions\u2019 over fuel, says Chalmers<\/p>\n While there have been comparisons between the shock of Covid and the fuel crisis, the government has maintained the two are not the same.<\/p>\n The government \u2013 under its four-stage plan \u2013 says it wants to avoid any mandate situation on fuel or where there would be interventions to make more people work from home.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers reiterates the message when asked if fuel mandates are \u201cinevitable\u201d at some time after the Easter long weekend.<\/p>\n The treasurer says that a lot of the work, if not all the work the government is doing, is to \u201ctry and avoid some of those harsher, heavier handed interventions\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is a significant economic shock, a bit like the others, including Covid, but it\u2019s not the same, and we go to great lengths to make sure that people understand that we are doing our best to avoid Covid-style interventions.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.34 EDT<\/p>\n States \u2018need to get their skates on\u2019 to settle on GST return after fuel price windfall<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers says he wants to see the states quickly make a deal on returning part of their GST windfall from higher fuel prices \u2013 which was agreed to at the national cabinet.<\/p>\n The sticking point is that the states are trying to figure out how to return that windfall, when they all receive very different amounts of GST revenue from the federal government.<\/p>\n Chalmers says the prime minister did a \u201cgood job\u201d in making the states agree to return some of that GST, but now it needs to actually get done.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe don\u2019t want to see this drag out for ever. We don\u2019t want to see the states and territories at war over this. We want to see the relief flow to motorists.<\/p>\n Was it a mistake letting the states try to figure it out themselves? Chalmers says he doesn\u2019t believe so, and says he\u2019s \u201cnot going to be part of a kind of unseemly brawl about this\u201d, but that an agreement needs to be made \u201cASAP\u201d.<\/p>\n Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.35 EDT<\/p>\n Maximising economic benefits and minimising risk: Chalmers on AI agreement<\/p>\n Chalmers says he\u2019ll be meeting with Anthropic\u2019s chief executive, Dario Amodei, later today, after the company just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian government.<\/p>\n The treasures is asked whether the company has given any assurances around water security, energy and copyright.<\/p>\n Chalmers says the agreements with individual companies on AI are \u201cabout maximising the economic benefits of AI and minimising the risks to people and communities\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markObviously we want to make sure that this massive interest in datacentre investment in our country comes with obligations, including natural resource management, water, obviously energy, a whole range of relevant factors here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.18 EDT<\/p>\n Is the Treasury modelling a recession scenario?<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers is asked whether the Treasury is modelling \u201cnegative growth\u201d (which would mean a recession scenario) as a result of the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n The treasurer says broadly that Treasury is modelling a range of different scenarios.<\/p>\n He doesn\u2019t rule out that recession conditions are being considered, but reiterates that the sooner the war ends, the better for everyone.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe more substantial the oil shock, the longer that the war drags on, the longer it takes for the global economy to get the show back on the road. Obviously, those are the key considerations in that modelling, and the longer the shock drags out, obviously, the harsher the consequences for our economy, whether that\u2019s measured by inflation or by growth or by impacts on the labour market.<\/p>\n Australians didn\u2019t choose this war. They\u2019re paying the price for this war at the petrol bowser and more broadly as well. From an economic point of view, this war can\u2019t end soon enough, but the consequences will linger for longer.<\/p>\n He says again that the two previous scenarios, that forecast inflation in the \u201chigh fours or low fives\u201d are now considered to be \u201cconservative\u201d, but he won\u2019t put a new number on it.<\/p>\n Chalmers says the government and Treasury will continue working through various scenarios and forecasts.<\/p>\n Empty fuel pumps at petrol station in Sydney. Photograph: Hollie Adams\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.04 EDT<\/p>\n Support will \u2018shield small businesses from the worst\u2019, says Aly<\/p>\n The small business minister, Anne Aly, says it\u2019s tough at the best of times for small businesses to operate, but these measures will help \u201cshield small businesses from the worst of these global shocks that are due to the war in the Middle East\u201d.<\/p>\n Aly says the government has consulted with small businesses and peak bodies to put together today\u2019s measures.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe can\u2019t control the war in the Middle East. We can\u2019t stop the war in the Middle East, but what a responsible government can do is to do everything that it can to shield its citizens and to shield small businesses.<\/p>\n Business Council of Australia chief executive, Bran Black, is also at the press conference and endorses the collaboration between government and industry.<\/p>\n He says, \u201cwe need a genuine Team Australia response that\u2019s not empty rhetoric.\u201d<\/p>\n Treasurer Jim Chalmers and small business minister Anne Aly. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.00 EDT<\/p>\n Claude.ai signs onto Australia\u2019s national AI plan The makers of Claude.ai will become the first company to sign on to Australia\u2019s national AI plan after a meeting with Anthony Albanese this morning.<\/p>\n Anthropic, one of the world\u2019s largest AI companies, will meet with the prime minister, science minister, Tim Ayres, and assistant science minister, Andrew Charlton, to sign a memorandum of understanding.<\/p>\n The memorandum, which is not legally binding, sets out an agreement to track AI progress and \u201cpromote safety, support supply chain security and power Australia\u2019s research, development and innovation sector\u201d.<\/p>\n Ayres said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Australian government and Anthropic are working together to harness AI responsibly \u2013 securing investment into Australia\u2019s energy grid, driving economic resilience and safety for all Australians.<\/p>\n Industry and innovation minister Tim Ayres. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.52 EDT<\/p>\n Chalmers announces support package for small businesses hit by fuel crisis<\/p>\n The tax office will provide temporary relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations, while the government will help small businesses access faster credit, as part of measures to keep small businesses afloat.<\/p>\n The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is announcing the measures at a press conference in parliament.<\/p>\n The tax office relief will include, \u201cmore generous payment plans, remission of interest and penalties, and support in varying PAYG instalments where there has been a downturn in taxable income.\u201d<\/p>\n And the government will extend the Small Business Responsible Lending Obligation exemption for a further 10 years.<\/p>\n Chalmers says these are \u201ccommon sense steps\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhat we\u2019re announcing today will make our systems more flexible, our supply chains more responsive, and also businesses more supportive as well.<\/p>\n Obviously, there is a threshold for where this kind of concessional treatment will be provided, but the ATO is prepared to provide that kind of support in circumstances which are obviously because of what we\u2019re seeing in the Middle East.<\/p>\n Chalmers says the extension of the responsible lending obligation will ensure business aren\u2019t \u201cslugged with additional regulatory burden and delays when they\u2019re accessing loans\u201d.<\/p>\n Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.55 EDT<\/p>\n Support for vulnerable Australians at risk due to fuel crisis: Acoss<\/p>\n The Australian Council of Social Services (Acoss) says frontline services are struggling to operate, and are concerned they will lose volunteers as the fuel crisis worsens.<\/p>\n The body says challenges are increasing for services that provide in-home support for Australians \u2013 including aged care, mental health and disability services.<\/p>\n It says recent survey data shows that more than 75% of community transport organisations will become financially unviable when diesel prices reach $3.50 per litre.<\/p>\n The government\u2019s cut to the fuel excise, which will reduce prices by 26.3 cents per litre, came into effect today.<\/p>\n Acoss says First Nations Australians in remote communities are also particularly impacted by the crisis.<\/p>\n Cassandra Goldie, Acoss chief executive, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markOur members are reporting staff who can\u2019t get to clients, volunteers not showing up, and food supply chains breaking down. This is happening while multiple states and territories are simultaneously dealing with extreme weather events.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.56 EDT<\/p>\n Butler tells states to \u2018get back around the table\u2019 on fuel GST windfall return to motorists<\/p>\n After failing to reach an agreement yesterday, Mark Butler hopes the states will come back to the table and to discuss returning some of the GST windfall from higher fuel prices.<\/p>\n At the national cabinet, states agreed to give back some of the GST accrued during the fuel crisis. As GST is a percentage of price, when the price goes up, it also increases.<\/p>\n Butler told the Today show this morning, that the federal government is keen for the states to agree on an arrangement.<\/p>\n double quotation markThey did agree at the national cabinet on Monday to pass this windfall gain back to motorists. We wanted that to happen through an arrangement between the commonwealth and the states whereby we\u2019d be able to deliver an additional cut to the fuel excise, which would flow in the same way through to bowsers. But they haven\u2019t yet been able to agree that amongst themselves. We want them to do that. We want them to get back around the table over the course of the next day or so.<\/p>\n Butler is on a panel with Matt Canavan, who says the PM \u201cpromised\u201d the GST windfall return and has \u201cbroken that promise within days.\u201d<\/p>\n Fuel prices on display at a petrol station in Sydney. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.27 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Nothing particularly out of the ordinary\u2019: Labor minister dismisses Trump’s European tirade<\/p>\n While other politicians have dodged commenting on Donald Trump\u2019s latest social media attack on European allies, Clare O\u2019Neil has dismissed the whole thing as \u201cnothing particularly out of the ordinary\u201d from the US president.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sunrise this morning on a panel with shadow frontbencher Michaelia Cash, O\u2019Neil said the commentary from the US president is \u201cabsolutely inconsistent\u201d with the longstanding partnership and friendship between Australia and the US.<\/p>\n double quotation markI think in the scale of late night missives from Donald Trump, this is nothing particularly out of the ordinary. When it comes to the conflict in Iran, we have a pretty simple view \u2026 we want to see de-escalation of this conflict, not escalation. And we want to see a clear timeframe for how this conflict will be brought to an end.<\/p>\n Housing minister Clare O\u2019Neil. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAP<\/p>\n Cash says the message for Australia is that \u201cwe must be stronger, more focused and more prepared when it comes to our own fuel security here at home\u201d.<\/p>\n She points out that the US has singled out Australia twice, and there\u2019s been mixed messaging between the PM and the deputy PM over whether the US has made any requests to Australia for support.<\/p>\n Richard Marles told the ABC\u2019s 730 on 10 March that \u201cA number of other countries, including the US have made requests which are centred on helping to provide for the defence of the Gulf countries.\u201d While the prime minister has said, \u201cthere is no request being made to Australia that has not been agreed to.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.20 EDT<\/p>\n Butler also avoids \u2018daily commentary\u2019 on Trump<\/p>\n The government has reaffirmed it will not send troops to reopen the strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler, spoke to ABC News Breakfast this morning, and said Australia only remains involved in a small defensive capacity, providing a military aircraft to support the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe don\u2019t have any plans to do that. I think that\u2019s been made clear by a number of ministers, we are involved in some defensive operations to protect those innocent neighbours, particularly the UAE, where there are many thousands of Australians as expats. We don\u2019t have any plans to participate in military activities in the strait.<\/p>\n Health minister Mark Butler. Photograph: Morgan Sette\/EPA<\/p>\n Butler also avoids making running commentary on Donald Trump, and says despite the escalation in the Middle East, he believes the alliance and Aukus agreement with the US is rock solid.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re very confident about the future of Aukus, the US, president, the administration, more broadly, the Congress, has made clear its commitment to that important security partnership \u2026<\/p>\n This is why we don\u2019t provide a daily commentary on the remarks made by the US president. We\u2019re focused on the substance of our relationship.<\/p>\n In a similar vein, Labor frontbencher Catherine King told RN Breakfast this morning: \u201cWe\u2019ve said right at the start of all of this, we wouldn\u2019t be running a running commentary on everything that President Trump has saying.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.33 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019d be a very busy boy\u2019: O\u2019Brien avoids judgment on Trump\u2019s comments<\/p>\n Asked what he made of Donald Trump\u2019s comments, telling European allies to \u201cget your own oil\u201d, Ted O\u2019Brien says he wouldn\u2019t comment.<\/p>\n Trump on his Truth Social website overnight, told European governments worried about fuel prices to \u201cgo get your own oil\u201d by force from the Gulf, comments that sent oil prices<\/a> even higher.<\/p>\n On AM, O\u2019Brien said either way the strait of Hormuz is still blocked, and should be unblocked.<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019ve deliberately avoided making a running commentary on the comments from the president, I\u2019d be a very busy boy if I did otherwise.<\/p>\n I think though, if you look through the language and the tone of the president to the key issue here, we have the strait of Hormuz still effectively blocked. It is in the globe\u2019s interest, indeed, it is in Australia\u2019s national interest for it to be opened.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.41 EDT<\/p>\n Australia contributing to offensive action in strait of Hormuz \u2018in national interest\u2019, says shadow foreign minister<\/p>\n The opposition says we should be \u201copen\u201d to sending assets and personnel to open up the strait of Hormuz, but questioned Australia\u2019s capability.<\/p>\n Speaking to ABC\u2019s AM program this morning, shadow foreign minister Ted O\u2019Brien said supporting action to open up the strait would be in Australia\u2019s national interest.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe key question is, is it in our national interest? And my view is yes, it is. The second question is, what can we contribute in a material sense, that part of the equation we are yet to understand? And I think they\u2019re the two questions that need to be answered \u2026 but I believe we should be open to making contribution.<\/p>\n But he clarified that would not mean sending \u201cboots on the ground\u201d into Iran or participating directly in the war.<\/p>\n O\u2019Brien said supporting efforts to clear the strait are \u201cnot unlike previous conversations\u201d where the government deployed the E7-A wedge tail aircraft and personnel with bipartisan support.<\/p>\n Shadow foreign minister Ted O\u2019Brien. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.04 EDT<\/p>\n Hike in health insurance premiums comes into effect today The largest increase in private health insurance premiums in almost 10 years comes into effect today.<\/p>\n After multiple requests asking insurers to resubmit their premiums, the government in February approved an average premium increase of 4.41% from 1 April 2026.<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler, said the ultimate increase reflected the rising costs of providing care and ensuring the viability of private hospitals.<\/p>\n However, with premiums rising faster than inflation, many consumers are questioning the value proposition. You can read more about why some are losing confidence here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.46 EDT<\/p>\n Welcome<\/p>\n Good morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you for the final sitting day of the fortnight.<\/p>\n After a couple of technical glitches we are here with you and ready to go!<\/p>\n Australians will face the biggest rise in insurance premiums in almost 10 years, after the government approved an average premium increase of 4.41% that will come into effect today.<\/p>\n The government\u2019s fuel excise has just come into effect \u2013 but Labor says don\u2019t expect the savings to show up today. Meanwhile both sides of politics are avoiding responding to Donald Trump\u2019s latest criticism of European nations, telling them to \u201cget your own oil\u201d, after he criticised them for not supporting the US\u2019s offensive efforts in the Middle East.<\/p>\n And Labor\u2019s draft national platform has been released, removing the party\u2019s longstanding opposition to mandatory jail terms, and includes more assertive language on China. You can read the full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty happening so let\u2019s get stuck in.<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tom_McIlroy.png\")
Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\")
Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n![\"Natasha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Natasha_May.png\")
Natasha May<\/p>\n![\"Krishani](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Krishani_Dhanji.png\")
Krishani Dhanji<\/p>\n