Rough-sea trawler rescue the most challenging mission of pilot’s career: LifeFlight
The Bundaberg-based LifeFlight crew has completed a complex 13-hour offshore rescue after an injured fisherman broke his leg on a trawler about 110 nautical miles off the Rockhampton coast. The mission, tasked by Retrieval Services Queensland at 8.37am yesterday, required multiple refuels, almost 950 kilometres of travel and maritime winch operations in rough sea conditions.
Australian Government delivering $4.8 million in relief to regional and remote airports: King
The Albanese Government has provided critical financial relief to 34 regional and remote airports through the Regional and Remote Airport Support Program. These relief payments will help airports, largely run by local councils, to manage any debts linked to the voluntary administration of Rex Airlines, and maintain the essential aviation services they provide for their communities.
Timber Towns Victoria takes roads, AI fire cameras and policy to Parliament House: TTV
TTV met with six parties yesterday, calling for pre-election commitments on three policies, one of which proves technology that has already detected 90 unplanned fires across Victoria in two seasons.
Mixed responses to the 2026-27 Budget
The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.
Last night’s Budget left freight operators with more questions than answers: Loadshift
Matt Barrie. The freight industry doesn't ask for much attention on Budget night. But when the shelves are stocked, the construction sites are running, and the mines are operating – a truck driver made that happen. Last night's Budget should have done more for them.
Ten million Australians chose the regions – The Iran oil shock is already pricing the next move: Find a Mover
As the country reaches a regional population milestone, Find a Mover’s decade of platform data shows what the diesel surge means for movers booking now — and what the structural floor reset means for the regional migration flow long-term ... For the regional Australians making the move right now, the window to do it at anything close to last year’s price is closing fast.
The Coalition launches ‘Rescue our Rail’ petition: Canavan, McKenzie
The Coalition has launched a ‘Rescue our Rail’ petition, to fight for Australia’s critical Inland Rail project. Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said Labor’s decision to scrap the Inland Rail project halfway through was devastating for regional communities and must be overturned.
NSW Farmers calls for answers on Inland Rail
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says the Albanese Government needs to provide answers after it scrapped a multi billion dollar freight project that was poised to connect productive farming businesses and communities across the country. “NSW Farmers policy supported Inland Rail because moving freight more efficiently matters to farm businesses, regional communities, and the prosperity of the nation,” Mr Martin said.
Wrong corridor killed Queensland’s Inland Rail — A decade of failure demands a fresh start: Littleproud
The decision by the Albanese Labor Government to abandon the Queensland leg of the Inland Rail project is a devastating but not surprising blow to regional Queensland. Mr Littleproud said it was a failure that has its roots in a fundamentally flawed corridor decision made over a decade ago that has given the Albanese government the excuse to cut and run. When then-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce selected the Queensland corridor, it was routed through flood-prone land that was always going to require hundreds of millions of dollars in additional engineering...
Vital diesel reserve helps keep farmers moving: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement to secure a vital 10 million litre diesel reserve for Victorian agriculture industry. VFF Acting President Peter Star said it was a sensible step to strengthen confidence across the sector and a step in the right direction after sustained advocacy from farmers and the industry.
A new rail reality for New England
The reported decision by the Australian Government to scale back Inland Rail to Parkes has quietly reshaped the transport future of inland eastern Australia. For communities across the New England region, it raises an important question: what now fills the missing rail link to Queensland?
Record investment in the freight rail network and consolidating Inland Rail: King
The Albanese Government is today announcing a further $1.75 billion investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network, alongside a $55 million incentive scheme to get more freight moving by rail and sea ... The Government has taken the decision to consolidate the Inland Rail project...
Cook Labor Government secures 8 million litres of diesel for WA: Cook, Sanderson
The Cook Labor Government is entering an agreement to purchase an additional 8 million litres of diesel for Western Australia's strategic stockpile.
“Price crunch” – societal implications of conflict
The economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East is and will continue to have wide ranging impacts on all facets of Australian society with costs increasing due to the nation’s reliance on trucks and diesel ... 71 years later, current owner Robert Blanchard said the industry is facing its toughest times in decades and his first diesel delivery since the Middle East crisis erupted was $68,000 more than in early March.
Securing more fuel and fertiliser: Albanese, Farrell, Bowen, Collins
Under the Albanese Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers, a further 200 million litres of additional diesel for Australia has been secured, and work has commenced with leading fertiliser companies to secure more supply at this critical time in the growing season.
Stansbury and Port Vincent turn it on for Saltwater Classic
Ned Thomas. The biennial Yorke Peninsula Saltwater Classic returned to Stansbury and Port Vincent across the weekend, April 17 to 19, delivering a high-energy celebration of boating in all its forms — sail, steam, electric and human-powered. Classic cars and coastal culture also helped lure the crowds who rolled in from across South Australia and interstate.
FuelWatch failure exposes Cook Government’s disconnect from regional WA: Hunter
Nationals Member for Central Wheatbelt, Lachlan Hunter MP, has slammed the Cook Labor Government for its lack of understanding of regional Western Australia, as the fuel crisis continues to bite across the Wheatbelt.
Nolans mine: Bus-in, bus-out from Alice?
The shortages caused by attacks on Iran by Israel and the US have massively increased interest in the Territory’s huge gas reserves as well as several minerals. This is clearly the main talking point at the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES) this week in Alice Springs which may become the base for a major mine.
Fuel crisis hits hard
After more than two decades in the transport haulage business, Narrandera-based Hayllar Transport managing director Bernie Hayllar could not have envisaged the current situation he is facing due to the conflict in the Middle East. The fuel crisis has put many Riverina transport operators under extreme financial pressure due to the rising costs of fuel.
Diesel stockpile for WA – announcement and response
The Western Australian Government has announced that it has secured a stockpile diesel. The Opposition is sceptical.
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness April insights: Rising input costs squeeze farmer margins
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.
Fuel relief measures miss the mark for ag sector
AgForce says National Cabinet's decision to halve the fuel excise and suspend the heavy vehicle road user charge does little to address the immediate challenges that are facing Queensland producers. AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said while the measures may provide some relief to consumers and parts of the transport sector, they fall short in regards to agriculture.
