Business

The Western Australian Government has announced that it has secured a stockpile diesel. The Opposition is sceptical.

Recent rains have given Aussie farmers a valuable head start on sowing this season’s winter crop, but higher freight, fuel, and fertiliser costs are squeezing margins across the country, Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ latest Monthly Commodity Update outlines.

Parrtjima 2026 has celebrated its biggest opening weekend yet, recording the largest opening weekend attendance in the festival’s history, including the second-largest opening night, as visitors flocked to the Red Centre. Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the festival attracted nearly 8,300 attendances, with a program that’s still got plenty for all to enjoy until 19 April.

The biggest-ever AFL Gather Round attendance has led to record crowds beyond the boundary in Norwood and the Barossa, as footy fans and visitors made the most of everything on offer across the state.

Nathan Lyon is bringing his "Have You Got What It Takes" roadshow to regional Victoria and New South Wales — and it's not one to miss.

Some of you may have read my previous articles on Summit’s Force Majeure Gamble: A Pattern Emerges and CSBP’s Force Majeure Gamble ... The response on social media has been staggering, with the algorithms going off the charts — which tells me I have hit a nerve. Even more interesting are the stories of urea...

The Crisafulli Government is committed to unlocking productivity for Queenslanders with an inquiry into the impact of the Federal Government’s 2025 environmental legislation. Changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 have raised concerns with stakeholders about increased regulatory burden, compliance costs, uncertainty and delays. 

Investment in Australia’s oil and gas industries is being hamstrung by net zero policies of the major banks, despite the nation’s escalating fuel crisis ... “I am extremely concerned that the net zero policies of Australian banks prevent them from supporting businesses that have been trying to increase the production of oil, simply because they’re in the business of ‘fossil fuels’.

On today's No Drama Farmer with James Blundell and Carzo......... Fiona L Fox (ARR.News) talks about potentially turning Canola to Diesel, plus some other potential fuel sources...

Results for overnight trips were flat for most states and territories in the year ending December 2025 when compared with the year ending December 2024, except for the Northern Territory which saw an increase of 151,000 trips or 18 per cent. The NT is the only to state or territory to see an increase in overnight spend when compared with 2024, up by $523m 43 per cent.

There isn’t anywhere else in the world that celebrates Easter quite like Maldon does and word seems to be getting out. Petrol prices and global crises didn’t appear to keep anyone away: Maldon’s streets were chockas all weekend!

It was a truly international affair at the Maclean Highland gathering with competitors travelling from as far as Scotland, Canada, and New Zealand for the 121st event. Rain showers on both Friday and Saturday added a touch of Scottish ambience, said Lower Clarence Scottish Association Secretary Alister Smith, as people travelled from as far as Melbourne to enjoy the annual spectacle.

The Member for Central Wheatbelt and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food, Lachlan Hunter MP, says the Cook Labor Government is failing to manage the fuel crisis, with the town of Dowerin left without diesel for eight days. Mr Hunter said the situation exposes the growing gap between what the Government is saying and what is happening across regional Western Australia.

The State Opposition is calling for greater scrutiny of fuel retailers who appear to be using global events as an excuse to over-inflate prices. The RAA says unleaded pump prices are between 15 and 20 cents per litre higher than wholesale prices, which compares to margins of between eight and 13 cents per litre before the Middle East conflict began.

Gather Round is much more than a footy festival, with the Malinauskas Labor Government hosting more than 120 interstate investors looking for business opportunities in SA. The State Government is leveraging the event’s popularity to connect South Australian businesses with capital and investment opportunities that will support growth, innovation, and job creation.

FWCA Chair Steve Dobbyns warns hidden cost pressures are overwhelming regional industries. Forest & Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) is warning that recent fuel relief measures are failing to deliver meaningful impact for regional industries, as underlying diesel costs continue to rise sharply across the supply chain.

An entirely different High Country experience will soon be available for locals and visitors alike to learn more about our region through the writings of one Australia's most famous poets. The Banjo Paterson High Country Trail will connect the landscapes that inspired the poet's iconic verse in the Victorian High Country such as The Man from Snowy River.

Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) the peak body representing the local councils whose communities depend on forest industries, has condemned the Federal Government’s decision to list Alpine Ash and White Ash forests as endangered, warning the listing rewards ideology over evidence and risks making the forest management that these ecosystems most urgently need harder, slower, and more dangerous.

In CFA's 75th year supporting the Good Friday Appeal, the generosity of Victorians right across the state has exceeded expectations, helping us raise an incredible $2,150,000 for The Royal Children's Hospital. Once again, CFA volunteers were out in force both on their fire trucks and on foot, making their way around local streets rattling tins all morning to raise vital funds in their communities for a much-loved and well-respected cause.

The current fuel crisis failed to hinder hundreds of motor vehicle enthusiasts descending on Narrandera over the Easter long weekend for the annual Narrandera Rod Run. Although many visitors had to pay high prices for fuel to travel to the event, the situation did not put a dampener on an amazing weekend of incredible vintage vehicles taking to the streets.