‘Removing flags doesn’t stop racism’: regional NSW council abandons plan to stop flying Aboriginal flag 17. March 2026 (06:34) The Federation Council in Corowa received 266 submissions from ratepayers opposed to a plan to remove Indigenous flags, and only 44 in favourFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA regional New South Wales council has abandoned a controversial plan to ban the display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, after receiving almost 700 submissions criticising the idea.But because of council procedure, the flags were removed anyway – at least temporarily. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pauline Hanson fails to properly declare more free flights from Gina Rinehart 17. March 2026 (06:23) Exclusive: One Nation leader updates register after questions from the Guardian to include multiple flights courtesy of Rinehart’s companyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation senator Pauline Hanson has failed to properly declare more free flights gifted from mining billionaire Gina Rinehart – this time through her agricultural company S Kidman and Co.Hanson updated her register on Tuesday to include multiple flights taken last year courtesy of Rinehart’s company following questions sent from Guardian Australia on Monday regarding a flight from Tamworth to Brisbane on 8 December last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump seeks to delay summit with China’s Xi amid Iran war; US embassy in Baghdad reportedly targeted in air attack 17. March 2026 (06:08) Trump says delay of ‘a month or so’ requested while key official insists move is not to pressure Beijing to help unblock strait of Hormuz; Iraqi officials say drones and rockets attacked embassyEuropean countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of HormuzHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?Are fuel price increases making you cut back?Qatar says it has intercepted a missile attack while the resulting falling debris caused a fire but there were no reported injuries.The word came in social media posts from the ministries of defence and the interior. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We are the family’: low-budget thriller highlights Hungary’s election tension 17. March 2026 (06:00) Audiences draw parallels between the abduction plot of Feels Like Home and Viktor Orbán’s 16-year reignIt’s seven o’clock on a Tuesday night, and one of the most popular movie theatres in Budapest is full, not an empty seat in sight. The audience is not here for a Hollywood blockbuster, but a Hungarian film that barely had the budget to be made.Feels Like Home (Itt Érzem Magam Otthon) has captured moviegoers not only with its striking visuals but also with its timing – its release coming before Hungary’s pivotal parliamentary elections on 12 April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘National disgrace’: pothole repair backlog hits record £18.6bn in England and Wales 17. March 2026 (06:00) Only half the road network is in good condition despite 1.9m repairs last year, says industry bodyA losing battle with potholes has now seen the backlog of repairs across England and Wales reach a record £18.6bn, according to an annual industry estimate, despite councils filling in about 1.9m holes last year.The “national disgrace” of dangerously pockmarked local roads has been exacerbated by a notably wet winter, with only half of the network now reported to be in good condition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland government backflips on plan to contest all native title claims 17. March 2026 (05:57) The policy reversal came after a federal court judge asked the government to explain why it had stopped negotiating with Cape York traditional ownersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland government has made an 11th hour backflip on a secret policy to contest every new native title claim in court, on the eve of being hauled before the federal court to explain themselves.But the Liberal National party’s position appears to still be unclear after Queensland natural resources minister, Dale Last, doubled down on contesting native title in a statement to Guardian Australia on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank raises official cash rate to 4.1% in blow to mortgage holders 17. March 2026 (05:06) Reserve Bank of Australia’s second consecutive increase lifts cash rate target to where it was in February last yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has increased interest rates amid a global energy shock that threatens to push Australian inflation towards 5% in a split decision, leaving the door open to further hikes.The hike takes the RBA’s cash rate target from 3.85% to 4.1%, back to where it was in February 2025, wiping out the relief offered by two cuts last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chris Bowen declares rush on jerry cans ‘un-Australian’ as he urges end to panic buying of petrol 17. March 2026 (05:05) Energy minister says country’s fuel supply has yet to be affected by war after meeting with suppliers and retailersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChris Bowen has insisted the country’s fuel supply is yet to be affected by the war in the Middle East while criticising a rush to buy jerry cans to fill up with petrol as “un-Australian”.The energy minister made the comments after an emergency meeting with major fuel suppliers and retailers that was convened by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to demand explanations for the recent surge in petrol prices. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Will the strait of Hormuz torpedo Trump’s war? – podcast 17. March 2026 (04:00) Events in the narrow waterway are causing chaos around the globe. Jillian Ambrose explains whyThe strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water at the mouth of the Gulf, is the world’s petrol pump, a geographical bottleneck through which 20% of the world’s oil normally flows.Since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, however, Tehran has threatened to close the strait and cause mayhem. “They’ve not formally, officially shut it down, but they have said that they will set ablaze any tanker that tries to move through. For any shipping owner, for any insurer, that is as good as closed,” explains the Guardian’s energy correspondent, Jillian Ambrose. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Let the games begin: Victorian Liberals fail at sport but surprise with teamwork in viral video 17. March 2026 (03:50) Jess Wilson’s party has made a splash on social media but will they work together in the state election race?Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJess Wilson doing bombs into a swimming pool. Brad Battin in a muscle shirt curling 20kg, tattoos on show. John Pesutto throwing a discus, clad in blue jeans. Matthew Guy running, clutching a pink baton.The current Victorian Liberal leader and three of her predecessors feature in a social media video to mark what would have been the opening ceremony of the regional Commonwealth Games on Tuesday – if the state government hadn’t cancelled them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
