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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced $4 million in funding for a pre-feasibility study into a proposed oil refinery in Karratha. Indian-origin billionaire Vikas Rambal’s firm, Perdaman, will lead the study. This project aims to boost Australia’s energy security. If built, it would be the first new large-scale refinery since the 1960s.
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption uncovered a document on Wednesday targeting former police minister David Elliott. Icac is investigating allegations that the Reformers faction took undeclared political donations. Dylan Whitelaw said, “I think it comes back to the standard factional warfare that occurs inside political parties.”
Organised campaigns against wind and solar energy have proved “extremely effective” in undermining community support for renewable energy. Rebecca Huntley said, “All that these campaigns need to do is create the perception that other people think windfarms are a bad idea.” Many Australians now underestimate how much electricity comes from renewables.
Young Liberal power brokers created a “shit sheet” on a NSW minister accusing him of an extramarital affair, an inquiry heard Wednesday. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating if the group took illegal donations to damage the minister’s career. A former staffer said he believed it was factional warfare.
Jessica Roberson faces legal threats after posting a video of a Provac Australia driver making a racist gesture two weeks ago. She shared the footage online to seek accountability. The company sent a cease-and-desist letter, claiming the posts caused commercial harm. Meanwhile, the firm said it has zero tolerance to racism.
Premier Ben Carroll is hiring Labor veteran Julie Ligeti to run his government until the November 28 election. Ligeti will lead the Premier’s Private Office as Carroll prepares for a cabinet reshuffle this Monday. A source said the premier hoped to complete the transition and shift into full campaign mode.
The $67.6 million Journalism Assistance Fund subsidises wages for over 2,000 journalists at 185 Australian media organisations. Launched last November, the program aims to support public-interest reporting. Communications Minister Anika Wells said, "This support is not conditional on what stories" are published, rejecting claims that the fund influences editorial independence.
The Queensland Disability Advisory Council has been vacant since August 2025. The group, which advises the government on disability issues, has not met for almost a year. Jeramy Hope said, "People with disability can be an afterthought." Officials said they are now working to appoint new members to the council.
Six south-west Victorian councils say fixing local and state roads could cost over $500 million. Labor allocated $1.04 billion for roads, while the Coalition promised $5 billion over four years. Colac Otway Shire chief executive Andrew Tenni said, "Collectively, a total amount of around $40 million would be required."
Almost 3,000 children were in residential care in Queensland in March, a record high. Minister Amanda Camm said, "I will be marked on that." The government now plans to move children into family-based care. They got $200 million to fix the system after many response times fell behind last year.
The ICAC investigation into the NSW Liberal Party started this week in Sydney. The hearings focus on branch-stacking and alleged prohibited donations between 2019 and 2023. Many figures appeared, including Jean Nassif. Angus Taylor got mentioned in messages regarding donations, but he denied the claims and is not under investigation.