Stories from Canberra · Australia

Former opposition leader Bill Shorten has accepted a position at a university in Canberra. The role reportedly includes an annual salary of 400,000 Australian dollars. The position is located at a university in Canberra, potentially the Australian National University.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia is navigating a more uncertain future.

Australian truck drivers are managing during a fuel supply crisis. Initially, concerns focused on the availability of diesel for drivers and farmers. However, the current issue is reportedly not related to supply shortages.

The ACT Brumbies will play the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Pacific, seeking revenge for a loss in March. The Reds won the previous match by three points with a late try. The Brumbies are fifth on the ladder, with Queensland sixth.

Golden Murray Water is advocating for an immediate and permanent end to non-strategic water buybacks. The group manages an irrigation district containing approximately 6,000 kilometres of channel.

The Australian government is reviewing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which has cost over $11 billion over 14 years. The plan aims to make the nation's largest river system sustainable, but it has not yet recovered all necessary water levels.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) inappropriately distributed approximately $3.7 billion during the last financial year. Senior official John Dardo made the statement during a parliamentary inquiry.

Australian statistical agency data for June 2025 shows the country has 27.6 million residents. Approximately 8.8 million people, or 32% of the population, were born outside of Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that middle powers like Australia have had to adjust to the shifting global dynamics caused by the Trump administration. He made these remarks during a wide-ranging interview with Radio National to mark one year since his re-election. Albanese noted that the United States is playing a different role in the world under Donald Trump. Albanese described the current global environment as volatile, stating he cannot recall a more volatile time in his lifetime. He also referenced the ongoing land war in Europe during an interview with the ABC. The comments address the changing geopolitical landscape under the current US administration.

Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood stated that any moves to scale back negative gearing or capital gains tax concessions should be tied to income tax relief. Wood noted that current property tax settings have distorted investment decisions.