Stories from Australia

Thousands of people across Australia attended dawn and sunset services to mark Anzac Day 2026. The commemorations honor the bravery and sacrifice of servicemen and women, marking 111 years since the Gallipoli landings in 1915. Services were also held in France to remember Australian sacrifices during German occupation.

Tinnitus, the ringing in the ears, can be caused by loud noise exposure, such as from concerts, and issues with circulation to the ears. Hearing aids can help manage tinnitus if hearing is impaired.

Police have charged three women in their early 20s for spray painting walls at RSL clubs in Heidelberg, Reservoir, and Faulkner. The defacement occurred overnight and has been described by officials as disgraceful. The incident is part of a series of vandalism reports in the region. Victoria police have charged three teenagers in connection with a series of attacks on hospitality venues in Melbourne. The investigation into the string of attacks is ongoing. No specific details regarding the nature of the attacks or the identities of the teenagers were provided. Three teenagers have been charged in connection with an alleged attempted kidnapping in South Melbourne. Police state the trio is linked to targeted attacks against promoters of a weekly local event.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces accusations of yielding to gas industry interests as the Labor government prepares to reject a new export tax. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to reassure the gas industry and international trading partners regarding calls for a 25% tax on gas exports. The government is facing pressure to implement the new tax to increase returns for Australian taxpayers ahead of the budget. Communications Minister Annika Wells announced a bargaining incentive plan where tech companies will be taxed 2.25% of their revenue if they fail to strike agreements with traditional media companies. The funding will be distributed to news organizations based on newsroom size. The plan aims to ensure news organizations receive compensation for content shared on digital platforms.

A 72-year-old man from Colac has been charged by Victoria Police in connection with a decade-old murder investigation. The charge relates to the suspicious disappearance of a brother of a prominent football figure in 2012. The case remains a significant development in a long-running cold case. A man has been charged in connection with the abduction and rape of a young mother in Melbourne's southeast. The incident occurred more than 40 years ago, according to police.

Australian Minister Don Farrell indicated that the Labor government is unlikely to implement a 25% windfall profits tax on gas exports in the upcoming budget. While some lawmakers have called for the tax to generate $17 billion annually, senior sources suggest there is a growing consensus against hiking taxes on LNG amid a global oil crisis. The final decision is expected to be revealed in the federal budget in two weeks. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the upcoming budget will not include a tax on gas exports. The announcement follows recent social media scrutiny and a Senate inquiry regarding the issue. Albanese stated that gas exports are directly linked to national fuel security. He also ruled out changes to existing contracts during a speech in Western Australia. The Prime Minister noted that jeopardizing investment during a global fuel crisis would be detrimental.

Australia is seeing significant investment in data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, with recent figures reaching approximately $25 billion. This follows a major $24 billion takeover of data center operator AirTrunk. The influx of capital highlights the country's growing role in the global AI landscape. The investment comes as the company expands its infrastructure capacity. The announcement was made during a discussion on regional economic drivers.

Australia and Japan have entered a $7 billion agreement to develop stealth frigates, strengthening their maritime security partnership. The deal positions the two nations as 'Pacific Guardians' to secure regional waters. This move signals a deepening strategic alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. This agreement marks the highest level of Japanese arms sales since World War II. The deal includes the export of radar systems and patrol boats to countries including the Philippines. Japan is also initiating joint research with the United Kingdom and Italy for next-generation submarine technology. Xiang Haoyu of the China Institute of International Studies noted the significance of this defense cooperation. Australia finalized a $7 billion deal to purchase three Mogami-class frigates from Japan this month. The agreement represents Tokyo's largest defense sales contract to date.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen is considering a 25% tax on gas exports as part of a broader strategy to secure higher returns for the region. The government is weighing the economic benefits against the need for regional cooperation in liquid fuels and gas. The proposal comes amid a growing public campaign for increased taxation on gas companies. An analysis by the Australia Institute suggests a 25% tax on gas exports could generate $17 billion in annual revenue. No specific timeline for implementation was provided. The report notes that Australian nurses currently pay more in taxes than the gas industry. The findings were released in Canberra.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia has diversified its fuel supplies to include non-traditional suppliers in response to the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused significant disruptions to the global oil supply, forcing nations to seek alternative energy security measures. This shift aims to mitigate the economic impact of maritime tensions in the Middle East. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated she will seek fuel security for the region. Wong noted the importance of continued supplies of LNG, coal, and food. The comments were made during a discussion regarding regional energy stability. Senator Penny Wong stated that Australia can only supply energy and food to Asia if it receives reliable fuel supplies from the region.