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Leader of the Nationals WA Shane Love MLA says Regional Western Australia has once again been left behind, with the State Budget delivering more disappointment for communities that generate the wealth of the nation ... "Regional WA is the powerhouse of our state and our nation, yet only a miniscule amount of the wealth generated in the bush is reinvested where it is created."

Despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty across the world, Western Australia's economy remains the strongest in the nation ... Over the past five years, the State's domestic economy has grown by 27.2 per cent, well above the national rate of 20.9 per cent.

The Cook Labor Government is delivering for regional Western Australia in the 2026-27 State Budget through investments in health, housing and jobs for the regions, while providing significant cost-of-living relief for families.

The Liberals and Nationals last night voted to repeal the state’s ban on uranium mining and nuclear energy. All Liberal and Nationals members of the Legislative Council voted in favour of John Ruddick’s Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2025.

The 36th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (ACSEES) was convened virtually 21 April 2026 ... The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) updated the Committee on its business priorities and progress on the Basin Plan Review.

NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Government to pause plans to fast-track renewable energy projects in regional NSW, warning that rushing approvals will deepen community distress, entrench an unfair power imbalance between large developers and landholders, and generate more objections and conflict.

Allora local Sally Higgins has been appointed by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen as the United Nations Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) for COP31 - a global role created to ensure young people are meaningfully included in international climate discussions.

A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.

The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed ... calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.

Australia’s dairy producers are facing the 2026/27 season with "limited margin for error" as they juggle rising input costs, Rabobank says in its newly-released annual Australian Dairy Outlook ... escalating input costs – led by fuel, fertiliser, water, labour and interest rates – remain the dominant pressure for the nation’s dairy producers.

Cricket legend Nathan Lyon talks about the “Have You Got What It Takes Tour” ... "it’s a coordinated effort to influence leadership at every level of the community. By bringing together elite sport, leadership principles, and grassroots development, David and I want to support leaders across regional Australia to tackle their most important challenges. This isn’t just about building better athletes or better leaders, it’s about building stronger communities that can thrive."

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Danny the leak detection dog and his handler set to arrive in the region this May, bringing technology typically used in major city networks to remote communities. “This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks, and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” Mayor Holmes said.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has marked the close of the formal public consultation period for the Basin Plan Review, a significant milestone in shaping the future of water management across the Basin. More than 2,400 submissions have been received from First Nations people, community members, organisations, local, state and national government agencies.

AusNet has formally applied to the Victorian Government to compulsorily acquire easements from Victorian farmers to build the Western Renewables Link (WRL) transmission line before the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is completed.

A significant new hotel and tourism development in the Barossa Valley has been granted planning approval, paving the way for a world-class hospitality offering in one of South Australia's most celebrated wine regions.

Patricia Gill. Obi Manuel wants to be an artist when he grows up. The 14-year-old made his debut into the art world at the Brave New Works Festival at the end of March. Obi lives with Down syndrome and attends the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre and started drawing and colouring in on bus trips...

Following considerable community pressure and lobbying by Towong Shire Council, the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry decided to hold a dedicated ‘open mic’ session for Towong residents. "While this session will be held online and not physically in the shire, it will at least provide an opportunity for the inquiry to hear the voices of our communities directly," said Towong mayor, Cr Peter Tolsher.