Stories from Australia

Northern Beaches Hospital has officially returned to public hands. All 490 beds at the hospital will be transitioned into public control, funded by New South Wales taxpayers. The facility has operated under a joint private and public partnership with Healthscope since its opening in 2018. Healthscope entered receivership in May 2025 with more than $1 billion in debt. More than 1,800 medical professionals at the hospital are now New South Wales health employees following the return to public ownership. The facility in Frenchs Forest previously operated via a partnership with Healthscope. Access to private services at the hospital will remain available until mid-2027. The transition follows public calls to end the private partnership led by the parents of Joe Massa, a two-year-old who died after receiving treatment there.

A new 50-metre pool is scheduled to open soon in Kananara. The town has been without a swimming pool since 2024. Katrina Jowett from the Kananara Croc Swim Club noted the lack of facilities has been difficult for local families.

A new report recommends the creation of a national AI task force and changes to the Fair Work Act. The report also calls for human oversight of AI decisions. The Federal Minister for Employment is scheduled to lead a forum on AI adoption today.

The City of Sydney has voted in favor of allowing the Greens to investigate a potential ban on air-beam bees throughout the local government. The decision follows discussions regarding local environmental or regulatory policies.

A commission is scheduled to release its interim report tomorrow regarding counterterrorism efforts. The report is understood to find weaknesses in Australia's counter-terrorism system and attempts. Dennis Richardson resigned from the Commission, stating he was treated as a well-paid researcher and feared he would have little influence on the findings. Some details of the report have already been leaked to the media. The Australian reports that the Commissioner will defer substantive findings regarding the actions of the National Intelligence agency. The report is expected to be made public through the federal government following the meeting. An interim report by the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has been released. The report covers findings related to social cohesion and antisemitism.

Markets are expecting March consumer pricing data to show a 1.1% monthly increase or 4.6% annually. Monthly figures for March are scheduled for release later this morning. The data release will also include quarterly figures.

A search of devices belonging to Desi Freeman uncovered a stash of child exploitation material. Freeman shot and killed two police officers last year. The search occurred following an investigation into historical sex offenses and sexual exposure. Officers attempted to execute a warrant at his Pawpunker home in August last year. The material was found inside Freeman's home, according to a report from ABC NewsRadio AU. Freeman previously opened fire on Victorian police officers in August last year while they were executing a warrant. The source stated that Freeman was being informed of the findings. The report was delivered by Stephen Jedj.

The state's natural resources minister announced the end of a decade-long freeze on gas exploration to address imminent supply gaps. The dry conditions arrive while farmers are already managing diesel supply shortages. Local dams and eastern seaboard rivers remain full due to recent rain and cyclones. This marks the first time in more than a decade that such exploration has been permitted. The move is intended to ensure a secure and reliable energy supply for the region, according to KPMG Chief Economist Brendan Rinn. The government is also slashing application fees for these areas. The decision follows forecasts predicting potential gas shortages in coming years, according to Minister Huss. Liberal leader Taylor claimed the move would result in increased taxpayer costs. The Prime Minister has called for calm following protests that disrupted a recent event.

The memorial event for victims of the Bondi Beach massacre has been renamed the Concert for Hope. The change follows a refusal by members of the Hellenic Choir of Australia to perform alongside Jewish participants. The original event title was cancelled.

ACCC head Rod Sims, who designed the bargaining code, welcomed the incentive-based scheme. Under the scheme, media companies face penalties if they do not reach a deal, making it cheaper to negotiate than to pay the charge.