Even Anne Ruston this morning \u2013 despite not directly endorsing a gas tax \u2013 said there should be a more open and transparent conversation<\/a> around tax in the Liberal party.<\/p>\n Taylor shut that conversation down.<\/p>\n double quotation markI don\u2019t 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\u2019t get more of those things by raising taxes, so it\u2019s pretty straightforward for me.<\/p>\n If we want more of something, let\u2019s not tax it more. And we do want more gas, we want more crude oil.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.48 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Physical violence against Australia\u2019s school principals has become \u2018disturbingly normalised\u2019, study finds<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Lead investigator and school wellbeing expert Prof Theresa Dicke said:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The report calls for coordinated action to reduce workload, improve mental health support, better workplace safety, career sustainability and professional autonomy of school leaders.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.33 EDT<\/p>\n Victoria police speak on death of Dezi Freeman<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Michael Dennis Bush, chief commissioner of Victoria Police. Photograph: ABC<\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s report is here:<\/p>\n Our liveblog is covering developments here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.21 EDT<\/p>\n Dezi Freeman shot dead \u2013 live updates<\/p>\n For the latest news on the death of Dezi Freeman, my colleague Steph Convery has another live blog going with all the updates.<\/p>\n Police are due to speak shortly, you can follow it all here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.06 EDT<\/p>\n One Nation projected to win third seat in SA Pauline Hanson\u2019s One Nation is projected to pick up a third seat in South Australia, the ABC says<\/a>. Counting is continuing after the 21 March election, where One Nation\u2019s primary vote is at 22.5%, ahead of the Liberal party\u2019s 19.3%. Labor won an increased majority, with 34 seats.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n One Nation\u2019s Jason Virgo has now been projected picked up the seat of MacKillop from the Liberal party.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The anti-immigration party is ahead in one more seat, Narungga.<\/p>\n On current projections, the Liberal party will maintain its official opposition status, with five seats.<\/p>\n Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi will lead the party in SA\u2019s upper house, where it is projected to pick up three seats.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.50 EDT<\/p>\n Death of Freeman will be \u2018a relief to the whole community\u2019: Haines<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In a statement, the member for Indi in Victoria, thanked state police and all those involved in the search \u201cfor their determination and service\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This will come as a relief to the whole community \u2013 especially to the families of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, and their colleagues.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Coalition moves to suspend standing orders in the Senate<\/p>\n The Coalition has moved to suspend standing orders in the Senate to move a motion on the war in Iran.<\/p>\n The motion condemns the government\u2019s \u201cfailure to provide urgent relief to Australians facing surging fuel prices\u201d, says the government has \u201cno plan\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Leader of the opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash, says \u201cI don\u2019t know how much more urgent it can actually get\u201d.<\/p>\n 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 \u201ccatastrophic\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markThey made it very clear to the Albanese government, \u201cguess what, we\u2019re actually important\u201d, if the bins don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Michaelia Cash in the Senate chamber. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.47 EDT<\/p>\n NSW treasurer digs in on opposition to free public transport<\/p>\n The NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, says making public transport free amid spiralling fuel costs is \u201cnot sustainble\u201d, despite mounting pressure after other states announced the measure<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s example. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe short answer as to why … is because I can\u2019t tell your listeners when this conflict is going to end. I can definitely tell them that even if the conflict was to end, that\u2019s 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\u2019ve got to keep our powder dry.\u201d<\/p>\n Mookhey said the government had modelled the impact of making public transport free on fuel supply, but said it would not make a \u201cdramatic impact\u201d, and would would not greatly benefit the regions where fuel shortages were more acute. He did not close the door on using the measure \u201cfor a short period of time\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s 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\u2019ve got to pull that trigger at the right time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Local business owner relieved Freeman located<\/p>\n Scott Brandon, owner of the Bright Brewery, a few kilometres away from Porepunkah, has just told ABC Radio Melbourne that locals feel a \u201cbig relief\u201d after the discovery of Dezi Freeman.<\/p>\n He told host Raf Epstein:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think it\u2019s a big relief for us to have this chapter resolved, if this news is correct. It\u2019s certainly something that\u2019s been weighing on our minds for several months now.<\/p>\n Brandon said when initial search operations were under way there was a \u201cbig impact\u201d on tourism in the area and it \u201ccaused a lot fear in the community\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markSince then everything has pretty much returned to normal \u2026 but it\u2019s certainly something that still gets discussed from time to time. When you\u2019ve got an unresolved event like that where somebody\u2019s clearly still being searched for, it\u2019s going to keep coming up. And so, you know, I think it\u2019s a relief just to have an end to all of that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.47 EDT<\/p>\n Iran war to last into June, CBA analyst says<\/p>\n CBA\u2019s top geopolitical strategist has warned the Middle East conflict is likely to last \u201cat least into June\u201d, saying Donald Trump will not be able to unilaterally extract himself from his war on Iran.<\/p>\n Madison Cartright said we shouldn\u2019t hope for a repeat of the Taco trade (or \u201cTrump Always Chickens Out\u201d) that had been a feature of his coercive trade policies.<\/p>\n double quotation markTariff policy was the prerogative of the president. But he cannot unilaterally decide when to end the war with Iran.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n double quotation markAny lasting agreement to end the war must include Israel and Iran.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Selling pressure intensifies on ASX due to Iran war escalation<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Market strategy consultant Greg Boland, from trading platform Moomoo says selling pressure has intensified as the Iran war outlook worsens.<\/p>\n He says:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.34 EDT<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.17 EDT<\/p>\n Reopening strait of Hormuz will \u2018bring down price of fuel at the bowser\u2019, Taylor says<\/p>\n Angus Taylor says he wants the strait of Hormuz opened up, when pressed on whether he supports Donald Trump\u2019s war on Iran.<\/p>\n Taylor is asked twice whether he supports the war in Iran and whether he \u201c100% supports\u201d the tactics of Trump.<\/p>\n Both times the opposition leader skirts around the question and says the idea of bringing down fuel prices by reopening the waterway isn\u2019t unpopular.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think the idea of bringing down fuel prices by opening up the strait of Hormuz is unpopular at all.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.20 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Let\u2019s not tax it more\u2019: Taylor rejects Hastie’s suggestion of gas export tax<\/p>\n Appearing to stand in direct contrast to his colleague Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor says shuts down the idea of implementing a gas export tax.<\/p>\n This perhaps creates a bit of tension between the two, after Hastie said he was open to a 25% export windfall<\/a> tax last week.<\/p>\n Even Anne Ruston this morning \u2013 despite not directly endorsing a gas tax \u2013 said there should be a more open and transparent conversation<\/a> around tax in the Liberal party.<\/p>\n Taylor shut that conversation down.<\/p>\n double quotation markI don\u2019t 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\u2019t get more of those things by raising taxes, so it\u2019s pretty straightforward for me.<\/p>\n If we want more of something, let\u2019s not tax it more. And we do want more gas, we want more crude oil.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.48 EDT<\/p>\n Four tests for national cabinet, says Angus Taylor<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Taylor says the fuel needs to be transported to where it\u2019s 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 \u201cwhat comes next\u201d.<\/p>\n The message is similar to what the opposition was pushing last week, pressuring the government during question time to explain why fuel wasn\u2019t getting to areas \u2013 particularly regional areas \u2013 facing shortages.<\/p>\n Taylor says:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This government keeps telling us there\u2019s more than enough stocks. They\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Police association says Dezi Freeman shot dead by police Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association Victoria, has just issued a statement saying the man fatally shot was Dezi Freeman.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markOur members said they would find him. They did.<\/p>\n Closure isn\u2019t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community. It doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Gatt said police officers \u201cwon\u2019t reflect on the loss of a coward\u201d. Instead, he said they will spend the day remembering \u201cthe courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community\u201d.<\/p>\n Gatt\u2019s statement went on:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.59 EDT<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Freeman was home with his family when police attended the property to serve a warrant in relation to alleged historical sexual offending.<\/p>\n He fled the scene immediately after the shooting in the direction of Mount Buffalo national park.<\/p>\n Less than two hours later, police said a single gunshot was heard coming from the bushland \u2013 a report that was later corroborated by investigators.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what we reported at the time:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.42 EDT<\/p>\n Victoria police fatally shoot man in search for Dezi Freeman 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.<\/p>\n In a statement this morning, police said the fatal shooting occurred at a property in north-east Victoria shortly after 8.30am.<\/p>\n No police officers were injured during the incident.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A press conference will be held at 11am.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.42 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Damning indictment\u2019: crossbench and Coalition<\/a> unite to push Labor on home care support<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n David Pocock said he\u2019d heard stories of older Australians being charged $200 for a shower, and many were going without basic care.<\/p>\n The Coalition\u2019s shadow health and aged care minister, Anne Ruston says \u201cit speaks volumes\u201d that parliamentarians across the political spectrum have come together on the issue.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is a damning indictment of the government\u2019s failed Support at Home rollout and the real harm it is causing vulnerable older Australians.<\/p>\n It is unacceptable that Labor is allowing a flawed algorithm to determine what care an older Australian can receive \u2026 The Government is relying on an automated system that clearly doesn\u2019t work, while ignoring the expertise of doctors and nurses.<\/p>\n The same pollies banded together<\/a> last year to force the government to bring extra home care places online, as wait lists sky rocketed.<\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Caitlin_Cassidy.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Tory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tory_Shepherd.png\")
Tory Shepherd<\/p>\n![\"Penry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774831272_403_Penry_Buckley.png\")
Penry Buckley<\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774831273_755_Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774831273_338_Patrick_Commins.png\")
Patrick Commins<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774831273_458_Jonathan_Barrett.png\")
Jonathan Barrett<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\n