Contributor, ARR.News

The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to use its emergency powers to guarantee diesel and fuel supplies to regional NSW.

Murrindindi Shire Council has expressed deep concern about the decision to close the Community Bank Kinglake branch, warning it risks undermining bushfire recovery and will leave the community without a critical local service. The branch will close on Friday 5 June 2026, forcing residents to travel around 25 kilometres to access the nearest full-service bank in Hurstbridge.

On 24 March 2026, Australia and the European Union agreed the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Prime Minister Albanese's optimistic announcement is at odds with the widespread criticism and disappointment evident in the responses from the Victorian Farmers' Federation, Canegrowers, the National Farmers' Federation, Queensland Farmers' Federation and the Australian Lot Feeder's Association

New data from more than 700 primary producers shows fuel supply is falling short of demand by millions of litres across regional Western Australia, with the most significant gaps in the grain growing regions ... "Time is critical and running out. The Cook Labor Government must intervene immediately and redirect supply to farmers as a matter of absolute urgency. The Premier has the power to act — and he must."

Australian rural confidence declined in the first quarter of 2026, with the nation’s farmers already concerned about cost pressures in the year ahead, even prior to the outbreak of the current Middle East conflict. The quarter one Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found national rural confidence had slipped to a net reading of -9 per cent (down from six per cent in the previous survey) even before the outbreak of the war against Iran.

Anthony Boyle. The past week has confirmed what operators already know: the issue is not whether Australia can source fuel overall. The issue is getting fuel into regional areas, at a price freight businesses can survive. Australia is not facing a broad national fuel shortage.

Students from across Wellington Shire have taken a hands-on step into the world of aviation, experiencing firsthand the career opportunities available right on their doorstep through an Aviation Taster Tour hosted by Wellington Shire Council. Sixteen secondary school students from three Wellington schools took part in the tour on Tuesday 17 March, travelling between West Sale Airport and the Longford Heliport.

Global investment in data centres is accelerating – and Australia is well-placed to lead – but this must happen on terms that benefit the community and deliver for the national interest. The Albanese Government’s National AI Plan, released in December 2025, sets out our ambition: to harness the benefits of AI while ensuring all Australian’s shares the benefits.

The Albanese Government is helping Australia’s trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East, ensuring truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our Government is taking practical action to support the truckies and transport operators who keep the Australian economy moving.

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to commission a National Food Supply Chain Assessment as part of the National Food Security Strategy, but has reiterated its calls for an immediate plan of action for the sector.