Australia news live: power bills could rise up to 9% over coming year, regulator says; family pay tribute to missing surfer
Deputy PM says retaliatory tariffs on US not in Australia’s interests
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, says retaliatory tariffs on the US would not be “in the interest of the Australian economy or Australian workers”.
Marles is speaking on ABC Radio National, where he is being asked about the Trump administration’s decision to reject Australia’s plea for an exemption from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
The Trump administration has imposed taxes on imports from important trading partners, including tariffs of 25% on all imported steel and aluminium which came into effect yesterday.
In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on nearly $30bn worth of American imports.
Asked if Australia would do anything similar, Marles said:
In terms of doing retaliatory tariffs, that would not be in the interests of the Australian economy, of Australian workers.
So we’re not about to do anything which is an act of self-harm. And really this is ultimately the point here – I mean, tariffs are an act of self-harm.
This is not going to do the American economy any good, and we’re not about to engage in harming the Australian economy.
Key events
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, has responded to the draft determinations by the Australian Energy Regulator and Victorian Essential Services Commission.
Bowen has called the news is “mixed” but says, overall, power bills “remain too high”.
In a statement, Bowen said:
While today’s news is mixed it does show energy retailers are responding to competition – with energy plans that are 25% cheaper than the DMO it’s worth shopping around.
It’s clear energy bills for Australians remain too high, and we’re providing help for people doing it tough as we deliver longer term reform.
We also know 80% of households aren’t on the cheapest energy plan they could be which is why we’re making it easier for households to find and switch to better plans.
The federal government is encouraging households to check they are on the best deal available, saying data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission shows about 80% of households could be paying less on a different deal.
Bowen says it is important to note that, while the DMO is the benchmark for standard offers from retailers, the AER has recorded falls in the median market offers.
The most competitive market offers are now between 19% and 25% lower than the DMO, the minister says.
Bowen says that, in 2024, Australia produced more renewable electricity than ever before, with a record 46% of the electricity in the grid renewable in the last quarter of 2024.
Victorian energy customers on state’s default offer can also expect power bills to go up
Victoria’s Essential Services Commission has released a separate draft decision for power prices over the coming year.
For residential customers on the Victorian default offer – which is set by the commission rather than energy companies – annual prices would drop by $19 in some distribution zones but increase by up to $68 in others, compared to 2024–25.
The average across the state’s five zones is a $12 increase on last year, which the commission says is less than 1%.
The commission says the main factors influencing the proposed price change for residential customers are higher electricity network costs, which are partially offset by lower wholesale and environmental costs.
For small businesses on a Victorian default offer annual prices would increase across the five distribution zones by between $77 and $128, compared to 2024–25.
The average across the five zones is a $103 increase on last year, which the commission says is 3%.
The commission says the main factors influencing the proposed price change for small business customers are higher wholesale and network costs but also lower environmental costs.
Consultation on the draft decision, which includes a public forum, runs until 11 April 2025, with the commission’s final decision due by 24 May 2025.
AER explains ‘high price events’ affecting power prices
The regulator says wholesale market and network costs, the two largest components of DMO prices, have gone up by 2% to 12% for the majority of customers.
The AER says:
Average wholesale market spot prices increased across 2024, impacted by factors such as high demand, coal generator and network outages, and low solar and wind output that drove high price events across DMO regions.
These high price events have also affected the price of wholesale electricity contracts for 2025–26.
Network costs increased for most customers, although some customer types in South Australia and south-east Queensland have seen network costs decrease, the AER says.
The AER says multiple and varying factors have contributed to rising network costs in each region, including inflation and interest rates leading to a higher rate of return.
Retail costs are a smaller component of DMO prices than wholesale and networks costs, but these have also increased due to growing costs reported by retailers, the AER says.
Energy regulator chair concedes it is a ‘challenging time’ for those affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Clare Savage, says the agency acknowledges it is a “challenging time” for consumers, particularly those affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
In a statement, Savage said:
This is a very difficult time for many communities across northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland who have been or remain without power following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The AER says it will be working with retailers to “ensure they are focused on the need to support affected customers”.
Savage also acknowledged cost-of-living pressures, saying:
We know that cost-of-living pressures are front of mind for many households and small businesses.
We’ve seen cost pressures across nearly every component of the DMO, and we have given careful scrutiny to every element of the DMO cost stack to ensure prices are a reasonable reflection of the costs of a retailer to supply electricity.
Household power bills expected to rise between 2.5% and 8.9% over coming year, Australian Energy Regulator says
Australians should expect to see their power bills go up in price over the coming year, the nation’s energy regulator says.
The Australian Energy Regulator has today its draft default market offer (DMO) for 2025-26, setting a guide for electricity prices in New South Wales, South Australia and south-east Queensland.
The regulator says cost increases “across nearly all components of the DMO” have resulted in prices for residential customers increasing between 2.5% and 8.9% – depending on the region – compared with last year.
Small business customers could see rises between 4.2% and 8.2%, the regulator says.
NSW SES responds to more than 7,500 incidents after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) says it has received more than 14,000 calls and responded to more than 7,500 incidents after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
In the past 24 hours, the NSW SES says it responded to 158 incidents, including one flood rescue involving a car driving into flood waters.
All emergency warnings have been downgraded, with 32 watch and act or advice level warnings in place from Crescent Head to the Queensland border.
The SES says while emergency warnings have been downgraded and many people are returning home, some communities from the west of Port Macquarie, through to the upper and lower Clarence and into the northern rivers remain isolated by flooded roads.
The overall number of isolated properties is changing as flood water recedes. The SES says:
Over the last 24 hours, isolations have occurred at Palmers Island, Palmers Road, Cedar Creek, Mulquimneys Rd Fiddler’s Creek, Stokers Siding, Commissioners Creek, Dum Dum and Dunbible, Billinudgel and the Pocket and parts of Lower Kangaroo and Middle Creek.
The SES says it has received more than 75 requests for resupply, with boats and helicopters dropping essential food, water and medical supplies to the isolated communities.
The SES says it is 50 multi-agency crews as they assess the damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred across the northern rivers region of NSW.
More than 2,200 rapid damage assessments have been completed in the Tweed and Coffs areas, Lismore, Bellingen, Cassino, Arrawarra and Grafton regions.
Those who need urgent medical, food or water supplies can contact the NSW SES on 132 500.
For the most up-to-date information, people should download the hazards near me app or visit the NSW SES website.
US commerce secretary defends tariff regime, singles out Australia for criticism
The US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has criticised Australia, accusing it of subsidising cheap aluminium exports, as he defended the Trump administration’s tariff regime.
As we have reported, the Trump administration rejected Australia’s plea for an exemption from its decision to impose 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminium.
Speaking to Fox Business today (yesterday in the US), Lutnick said:
You’ve got dumpers in the rest of the world. Japan dumps steel, China dumps steel. What that means is, they make it, they over-produce, and they sell it dirt cheap … to drive our guys out of business.
The president is here to protect American workers. He’s here to protect American industry. We’re going to stop that nonsense and bring steel [production] here.
We’re not going to stand for China dumping, Japan dumping, Australia does a lot of aluminium at below cost. I mean, this has got to end, and the president is on it, and he’s protecting America.
Jacinta Allan defends new bail laws
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has defended her government’s decision to implement what she says are the “toughest bail laws in the country”.
Allan was on ABC News Breakfast a short time ago speaking about her announcement yesterday that her government would reintroduce the offence of committing an indictable crime while on bail.
Allan said her government had listened to the community even though she expected to see more people on remand as a result.
She was asked if the government had spoken to the family of Veronica Nelson – an Aboriginal woman who died while remanded in custody – who had condemned the government’s plan.
Allan said:
Through the attorney general, there has been contact made with Veronica Nelson’s family.
What happened through the circumstances around [her] death was an absolute tragedy.
And that’s why the safeguards, in response to the [coronial investigation] that were put in place in 2023 will remain in place.
The focus here is on the serious and worst offenders who are causing such concern and trauma in the community.
You can read more about how Nelson’s family have responded to the new laws here:
Richard Marles says tariffs ‘an act of self-harm for US’
Marles says the tariffs are “really disappointing”.
Asked if he agreed with industry minister Ed Husic’s characterisation of the tariffs as a “dog act”, Marles said:
Well it’s a really disappointing. There’s no doubt about that.
It’s disappointing because it is an act of self-harm for the US, but it’s also disappointing in the context of our relationship with the US.
We’ve had a free-trade agreement with the US, which has been in place for a very long time now, and it’s been a great benefit to both countries.
We are two very close partners and friends. We are allies in a security sense but we are partners and friends economically.
Deputy PM says retaliatory tariffs on US not in Australia’s interests
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, says retaliatory tariffs on the US would not be “in the interest of the Australian economy or Australian workers”.
Marles is speaking on ABC Radio National, where he is being asked about the Trump administration’s decision to reject Australia’s plea for an exemption from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
The Trump administration has imposed taxes on imports from important trading partners, including tariffs of 25% on all imported steel and aluminium which came into effect yesterday.
In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on nearly $30bn worth of American imports.
Asked if Australia would do anything similar, Marles said:
In terms of doing retaliatory tariffs, that would not be in the interests of the Australian economy, of Australian workers.
So we’re not about to do anything which is an act of self-harm. And really this is ultimately the point here – I mean, tariffs are an act of self-harm.
This is not going to do the American economy any good, and we’re not about to engage in harming the Australian economy.
Catie McLeod
Good morning. I’m taking over the blog from Martin Farrer and will be with you until this afternoon.
Family pay tribute to missing surfer
The family of the surfer presumed taken by a shark off the coast of Western Australia has issued a statement paying tribute to a “beloved partner, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend”.
Police believe Steve Payne was attacked by a shark on Monday while surfing at Wharton beach, east of Esperance.
Payne, 37, originally from New Zealand but resident in Australia, “was one of the best”, his family said, and “was smart, kind, funny, laid back and very practical”.
He loved his partner deeply, the family said, “cherished his family, thought the world of his best mates, and was devoted to his dog”.
Payne, his partner and their dog, Poppy, were five weeks into a six-month caravan trip around the western half of Australia when the attack happened. Just a week before his death he had surfed “one of the best waves of his life, sharing the wave with a dolphin”.
Payne’s remains have not been found but drone footage taken in the area showed a shark and a cloud of blood in the water. The search for Payne has been called off.
The family said:
Steve would not support a shark cull or any attempt to kill the shark responsible. He and his partner spent a lot of time in the ocean together, had enjoyed many dives with sharks and knew the risks.
Read more here:
Global competition threat to universities, report warns
Caitlin Cassidy
Australia’s universities are being threatened by global competition from Asia and the Middle East, the QS World University Rankings by Subject has found.
This year, 38 Australian universities earned nearly 1,000 ranked entries across 60 disciplines, an increase of 5% on 2024. It had 13 entries in the world’s top 10 across eight subjects – four fewer than last year, reflecting “intensifying global competition”.
The University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney each ranked among the world’s top 100 in 52 of 55 subject areas, followed by the University of Queensland, with 50 subjects ranked.
But 65% of Australia’s ranked entries declined in employer reputation scores, based on feedback from hiring managers. The decline was most prevalent in arts and humanities subjects.
QS’s chief executive, Jessica Turner, said for years Australia had “outperformed expectations” despite its geographic remoteness and smaller population.
However, the landscape is shifting. Emerging markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, are investing heavily in higher education, rapidly improving their institutions’ global standing.
Ben Sowter, QS senior vice-president, said cuts to arts and humanities in Australia could have “profound long term consequences”.
If Australian institutions continue to deprioritise these subjects, they risk not only diminishing their global standing but also weakening their ability to produce graduates who can navigate complex, interconnected challenges.
Caitlin Cassidy
Victoria to become first jurisdiction to ban machetes
Victoria will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban machetes after police seized a record number of knives from the state’s streets in 2024. It follows similar reform in the United Kingdom, which took 18 months to pass. The state government is confident it will pass the ban in six.
Under the legislation, machetes will be listed as a prohibited weapon without an exemption, to take effect from 1 September 2025 with an amnesty period of two months. Offenders will risk two years in prison or a fine of more than $47,000 for being caught in possession of a machete.
Police will also have expanded knife search powers to declare a location a designated area to randomly search for weapons for up to six months.
The premier, Jacinta Allan, will call on major retailers to immediately stop placing stock orders for machetes and write to the federal government about action on imports at the border – and a national ban.
She said there was “zero reason” for people to be carrying machetes without a reason, adding it built on the toughest bail laws in the nation, announced on Wednesday.
We’ll always give police what they need to keep Victorians safe – we’ll build on the extra powers we’ve already given them and help members search for more knives.
DiCaprio speaks up for Western Australia forest
Leonardo DiCaprio has drawn the world’s attention to the government’s decision to allow the mining company South32 to clear native forest in WA’s jarrah forests for bauxite mining.
The actor claimed the operation at Boddington could threaten the critically endangered woylie (or brush-tailed bettong) and that the government was prioritising “mining development over environmental protection”.
He posted on Instagram that:
The mining company @south_32 is set to clear 9,600 acres of this old growth forest, which is home to threatened species like the Critically Endangered Woylie. This operation will destroy critical habitat for over 8,000 species, 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth. While native forest logging was banned in Western Australia in 2024, clearance of native forests for mining is still allowed due to separate government policies that prioritize mining development over environmental protection.
DiCaprio is the co-founder of the group Earth Alliance, which funds online activism on environmental issues.
Australia doesn’t respond well to bullying, Wong warns Russia
Caitlin Cassidy
Australians will not respond well to “bullying behaviour” from Russia, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has warned.
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30 on Wednesday evening, Wong was asked about threats from the Russian government of “serious consequences” for Australia if troops were to join a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
She said it was the “sensible thing” to ensure the global rules-based order was maintained.
I don’t think Australians respond very well to that kind of bullying behaviour from anybody, and certainly not from Russia … we would consider any request and that is the sensible thing to do.
We have an interest in the UN charter not being undermined by a permanent member of the security council. These are rules which keep us all safe, and we have to continue to work to defend them. We continue to advocate, alongside so many others in the international community and in Europe for a just and enduring peace, a fair resolve for Ukraine.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Catie McLeod with the main action.
Our own analysis of parliamentary records shows that Peter Dutton billed taxpayers for flights to Sydney on the days of three NRL grand finals, a rugby tournament and a Matildas World Cup game. Last night, the Coalition was again forced to clarify its policy on breaking up the big insurance companies, with Dutton now saying “certainly something has failed” in the market.
Victoria will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban machetes after police seized a record number of knives from the state’s streets in 2024. It follows similar reform in the United Kingdom, which took 18 months to pass. The state government is confident it will pass the ban in six. It comes amid public concern about crime with the state government promising Australia’s toughest bail laws. More details coming up.
The family of a surfer fatally mauled by a shark has paid tribute to him as authorities suspended the search for his remains. Steven Payne, 37, was attacked at a remote beach about noon on Monday at Wharton Beach, east of Esperance in Western Australia. A large search failed to find his remains and WA police yesterday said it had been suspended “pending any new information being received”.
Plus: Leonardo DiCaprio has spoken out against mining in WA, and Penny Wong has a message for Russia. More on those stories coming up.
