‘Let’s not tax it more’: Taylor rejects Hastie’s suggestion of gas export tax
Appearing to stand in direct contrast to his colleague Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor says shuts down the idea of implementing a gas export tax.
This perhaps creates a bit of tension between the two, after Hastie said he was open to a 25% export windfall tax last week.
Even Anne Ruston this morning – despite not directly endorsing a gas tax – said there should be a more open and transparent conversation around tax in the Liberal party.
Taylor shut that conversation down.
double quotation markI don’t think anything has changed about whether we need more houses, whether we need more gas, or whether we need more oil, we need all of those things, and you don’t get more of those things by raising taxes, so it’s pretty straightforward for me.
If we want more of something, let’s not tax it more. And we do want more gas, we want more crude oil.
Updated at 19.48 EDT
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Caitlin Cassidy
Physical violence against Australia’s school principals has become ‘disturbingly normalised’, study finds
Almost half of school principals experienced physical violence in the past year and more than half were threatened with it, an Australian Catholic University (ACU) study has found.
The latest health, safety and wellbeing survey of 2,000 school leaders showed violence against principals had almost doubled in the 15 years since the research began, pointing to a growing threat of stress and burnout.
Lead investigator and school wellbeing expert Prof Theresa Dicke said:
double quotation markIf nearly half of principals are experiencing physical violence and more than half are facing threats, we must ask ourselves in what other profession would this be tolerated as business as usual? Exposure to aggression has become disturbingly normalised.
Anxiety and depression rates among school leaders are high, with 10% recording severe anxiety scores. Physical violence surged from 27% in 2011 to 48% in 2025, while threats increased from 38% to 54% in the same time period.
The report calls for coordinated action to reduce workload, improve mental health support, better workplace safety, career sustainability and professional autonomy of school leaders.
Updated at 20.33 EDT
Victoria police speak on death of Dezi Freeman
Police have begun speaking on the death of fugitive Dezi Freeman, on the run for seven months since allegedly shooting dead two police officers in Porepunkah, Victoria.
Michael Dennis Bush, chief commissioner of Victoria Police. Photograph: ABC
The Guardian’s report is here:
Our liveblog is covering developments here:
Updated at 20.21 EDT
Dezi Freeman shot dead – live updates
For the latest news on the death of Dezi Freeman, my colleague Steph Convery has another live blog going with all the updates.
Police are due to speak shortly, you can follow it all here:
Updated at 20.06 EDT
One Nation projected to win third seat in SA
Tory Shepherd
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is projected to pick up a third seat in South Australia, the ABC says. Counting is continuing after the 21 March election, where One Nation’s primary vote is at 22.5%, ahead of the Liberal party’s 19.3%. Labor won an increased majority, with 34 seats.
The result was the first proof that the party could translate its surge in polling figures into votes, which has shaken up the major parties.
One Nation’s Jason Virgo has now been projected picked up the seat of MacKillop from the Liberal party.
The Liberal candidate in the seat, Rebekah Rosser, conceded defeat this morning. In a post on social media, she said she phoned Virgo and congratulated him on the outcome.
The anti-immigration party is ahead in one more seat, Narungga.
On current projections, the Liberal party will maintain its official opposition status, with five seats.
Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi will lead the party in SA’s upper house, where it is projected to pick up three seats.
Updated at 19.50 EDT
Death of Freeman will be ‘a relief to the whole community’: Haines
Helen Haines, the MP representing the Porepunkah area, says the death of Freeman will bring relief to her community, which has had a dark cloud hanging over it for the past six months.
In a statement, the member for Indi in Victoria, thanked state police and all those involved in the search “for their determination and service”.
double quotation markOver the past six months, a dark cloud has hung over the Porepunkah community. News this morning of the death of Mr Freeman draws this prolonged and devastating incident to a close.
This will come as a relief to the whole community – especially to the families of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, and their colleagues.
Coalition moves to suspend standing orders in the Senate
The Coalition has moved to suspend standing orders in the Senate to move a motion on the war in Iran.
The motion condemns the government’s “failure to provide urgent relief to Australians facing surging fuel prices”, says the government has “no plan” to deal with rising costs and fuel supply pressures, and calls on the government to halve the fuel excise for three months and reduce the heavy vehicle road user charge.
Leader of the opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash, says “I don’t know how much more urgent it can actually get”.
She pulls the example of the waste industry who are concerned the fuel crisis will impact bin trucks from being able to pick up rubbish, which could become “catastrophic”.
double quotation markThey made it very clear to the Albanese government, “guess what, we’re actually important”, if the bins don’t get emptied, do you know what happens within 48 hours across the aged care industry and health care industry? Disease runs rampant. They actually said, this is potentially catastrophic.
Michaelia Cash in the Senate chamber. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 19.47 EDT
Penry Buckley
NSW treasurer digs in on opposition to free public transport
The NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, says making public transport free amid spiralling fuel costs is “not sustainble”, despite mounting pressure after other states announced the measure.
Speaking to ABC Radio Sydney this morning, Mookhey was asked why his government would not commit to implementing long-term fare relief following Victoria and Tasmania’s example. He said:
double quotation markThe short answer as to why … is because I can’t tell your listeners when this conflict is going to end. I can definitely tell them that even if the conflict was to end, that’s not going to result in an immediate normalisation of the fuel supply chain. So we have to prepare for a scenario that runs for a couple of months. And we’ve got to keep our powder dry.”
Mookhey said the government had modelled the impact of making public transport free on fuel supply, but said it would not make a “dramatic impact”, and would would not greatly benefit the regions where fuel shortages were more acute. He did not close the door on using the measure “for a short period of time”.
double quotation markIt’s not sustainable, I can definitely tell you that. Like, it would only be there for a short period of time. So we think that if we have to pull that trigger, we’ve got to pull that trigger at the right time.
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Benita Kolovos
Local business owner relieved Freeman located
Scott Brandon, owner of the Bright Brewery, a few kilometres away from Porepunkah, has just told ABC Radio Melbourne that locals feel a “big relief” after the discovery of Dezi Freeman.
He told host Raf Epstein:
double quotation markI think it’s a big relief for us to have this chapter resolved, if this news is correct. It’s certainly something that’s been weighing on our minds for several months now.
Brandon said when initial search operations were under way there was a “big impact” on tourism in the area and it “caused a lot fear in the community”:
double quotation markSince then everything has pretty much returned to normal … but it’s certainly something that still gets discussed from time to time. When you’ve got an unresolved event like that where somebody’s clearly still being searched for, it’s going to keep coming up. And so, you know, I think it’s a relief just to have an end to all of that.
Updated at 19.47 EDT
Patrick Commins
Iran war to last into June, CBA analyst says
CBA’s top geopolitical strategist has warned the Middle East conflict is likely to last “at least into June”, saying Donald Trump will not be able to unilaterally extract himself from his war on Iran.
Madison Cartright said we shouldn’t hope for a repeat of the Taco trade (or “Trump Always Chickens Out”) that had been a feature of his coercive trade policies.
double quotation markTariff policy was the prerogative of the president. But he cannot unilaterally decide when to end the war with Iran.
As National Cabinet sits down to develop a united strategy to deal with the fuel crisis, Cartwright laid out why federal and state leaders should be planning for a longer conflict that stretches our limited fuel reserves.
double quotation markAny lasting agreement to end the war must include Israel and Iran.
There is no common ground between Iranian demands and US demands at present. There is also a schism between the US and Israel. If the US were to end its participation in the war before meeting its objectives, Israel will likely continue the war.
There is also no guarantee that Iran will open the strait of Hormuz if the US were to abruptly exit the war without negotiating an agreement favourable to Iran first.
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Jonathan Barrett
Selling pressure intensifies on ASX due to Iran war escalation
The Australian share market has opened sharply lower this morning, as fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict ignite oil prices and trigger a bout of global inflation.
Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1% in early trading to hover near the 8,430 point mark. The index is down more than 8% from levels reached late last month, shortly before the conflict erupted.
Market strategy consultant Greg Boland, from trading platform Moomoo says selling pressure has intensified as the Iran war outlook worsens.
He says:
double quotation markThe combination of rising volatility, persistent inflation concerns, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty is keeping investors on the defensive, with markets increasingly pricing a higher-for-longer interest rate environment.
The ASX has been pulled around by sharp moves in the oil price, with rising energy prices fuelling global inflation, which drags down equity markets.
While investors largely ignored the initial strikes against Iran, sentiment has soured due to concerns the US does not have a clean exit strategy that can guarantee a stable resumption of the oil trade, and other freight, through the crucial strait of Hormuz.
Updated at 19.34 EDT
Benita Kolovos
The Victorian attorney general, Sonya Kilkenny, was holding a press conference in Melbourne as the news emerged of the police shooting of Dezi Freeman. She said:
double quotation markIt is a developing situation and of course understand Victoria police has put out a statement a few moments ago. I think the main thing is our thoughts, our concerns and our support are with the Porepunkah community and the families of the two police officers who were killed in that tragic incident nearly six months ago.
Updated at 19.17 EDT
Reopening strait of Hormuz will ‘bring down price of fuel at the bowser’, Taylor says
Angus Taylor says he wants the strait of Hormuz opened up, when pressed on whether he supports Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
Taylor is asked twice whether he supports the war in Iran and whether he “100% supports” the tactics of Trump.
Both times the opposition leader skirts around the question and says the idea of bringing down fuel prices by reopening the waterway isn’t unpopular.
double quotation markWe absolutely want to see the strait of Hormuz opened up. We want to see that happen straight away. Because that will bring down the price of fuel at the bowser. So we want America to succeed in those endeavours. We want it to happen as quickly as possible.
I don’t think the idea of bringing down fuel prices by opening up the strait of Hormuz is unpopular at all.
Updated at 19.20 EDT
‘Let’s not tax it more’: Taylor rejects Hastie’s suggestion of gas export tax
Appearing to stand in direct contrast to his colleague Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor says shuts down the idea of implementing a gas export tax.
This perhaps creates a bit of tension between the two, after Hastie said he was open to a 25% export windfall tax last week.
Even Anne Ruston this morning – despite not directly endorsing a gas tax – said there should be a more open and transparent conversation around tax in the Liberal party.
Taylor shut that conversation down.
double quotation markI don’t think anything has changed about whether we need more houses, whether we need more gas, or whether we need more oil, we need all of those things, and you don’t get more of those things by raising taxes, so it’s pretty straightforward for me.
If we want more of something, let’s not tax it more. And we do want more gas, we want more crude oil.
Updated at 19.48 EDT
Four tests for national cabinet, says Angus Taylor
Heading back to Canberra, the opposition leader, Angus Taylor is speaking to reporters and says there are four clear tests for the government out of national cabinet today.
Taylor says the fuel needs to be transported to where it’s needed, the fuel excise should be cut in half, there should be transparency in the fuel supply chain and the national cabinet needs to tell Australians “what comes next”.
The message is similar to what the opposition was pushing last week, pressuring the government during question time to explain why fuel wasn’t getting to areas – particularly regional areas – facing shortages.
Taylor says:
double quotation markWe have heard and seen last week a whole series of plans being bandied around, around rationing, around limits to the amount that families can take at the Bowser, look, we just need transparency.
This government keeps telling us there’s more than enough stocks. They’ve told us that time and time again, the stock levels are up at a higher level than they were before the crisis. And so what we need is the stocks move to the companies.
SharePolice association says Dezi Freeman shot dead by policeBenita Kolovos
Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association Victoria, has just issued a statement saying the man fatally shot was Dezi Freeman.
He said:
double quotation markOur members said they would find him. They did.
Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community. It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public.
Gatt said police officers “won’t reflect on the loss of a coward”. Instead, he said they will spend the day remembering “the courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community”.
Gatt’s statement went on:
double quotation markThey have worked tirelessly. During the emergency, in the operation that followed and the months thereafter, members across the state have devoted themselves to this singular pursuit. Days like today offer a sobering reminder that policing happens while you sleep, when the media spotlight on an investigation dims and when everything seems lost and forgotten. RIP Vadim and Neal. Today, we remember you.
Updated at 18.59 EDT
Benita Kolovos
Freeman is accused of shooting dead two officers, Det Sen Const Neal Thompson and Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart, and injuring a third in the town of Porepunkah on 26 August.
Freeman was home with his family when police attended the property to serve a warrant in relation to alleged historical sexual offending.
He fled the scene immediately after the shooting in the direction of Mount Buffalo national park.
Less than two hours later, police said a single gunshot was heard coming from the bushland – a report that was later corroborated by investigators.
In February, police conducted another extensive search of the park and told reporters they were exploring three scenarios in relation to Freeman: he died near Mount Buffalo by self-harm or misadventure; he escaped the area and was being harboured; or that he has escaped the area and has survived without help.
Here’s what we reported at the time:
Updated at 18.42 EDT
Victoria police fatally shoot man in search for Dezi FreemanBenita Kolovos
In some breaking news, police have fatally shot a man in their search for Dezi Freeman, the man accused of killing two officers in Porepunkah last year.
In a statement this morning, police said the fatal shooting occurred at a property in north-east Victoria shortly after 8.30am.
No police officers were injured during the incident.
They said the state coroner will attend the scene and the investigation will be overseen by professional standards command, which is standard process for a police shooting.
A press conference will be held at 11am.
Updated at 18.42 EDT
‘Damning indictment’: crossbench and Coalition unite to push Labor on home care support
As we brought you a little earlier, members of the crossbench, Greens and the Coalition have come together to push the government to reform its aged care home care program.
David Pocock said he’d heard stories of older Australians being charged $200 for a shower, and many were going without basic care.
The Coalition’s shadow health and aged care minister, Anne Ruston says “it speaks volumes” that parliamentarians across the political spectrum have come together on the issue.
double quotation markThis is a damning indictment of the government’s failed Support at Home rollout and the real harm it is causing vulnerable older Australians.
It is unacceptable that Labor is allowing a flawed algorithm to determine what care an older Australian can receive … The Government is relying on an automated system that clearly doesn’t work, while ignoring the expertise of doctors and nurses.
The same pollies banded together last year to force the government to bring extra home care places online, as wait lists sky rocketed.
Updated at 18.31 EDT
NSW treasurer calls for national framework with ‘triggers’
The New South Wales treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, says he wants to see a national framework put in place with planned interventions and triggers for those interventions.
Ahead of the national cabinet meeting today, Mookhey spoke with ABC RN Breakfast, and said while everyone has been talking about all the states and commonwealth working together that needs to be translated “from a principle into practice”, with the development of a framework.
double quotation markThose interventions should be staged, they should be escalating, and they should be commensurate to the challenges that we’re facing in the market. I think that’s pretty common sense. People would expect us to have pretty clear, or at least as clear as we can, triggers for actions.
People would expect us to have pretty clear, or at least as clear as we can, triggers for actions. And then people are entitled to know what exactly, the actions are.
A couple of states including Victoria and Tasmania have pledge free public transport to combat the rising fuel cost for consumers.
Mookhey says that’s a decision for individual states, and doesn’t have to be a nationally coordinated approach.
Updated at 18.41 EDT