Independent federal MP Helen Haines remains critically unwell after being struck by a four wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Police have charged a local man and security agencies are reviewing protections for public officials as communities rally in support.
Australia has been shaken by a rare act of political violence after Independent federal MP Helen Haines was struck outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Authorities have charged a local man and counterterrorism units are involved as community leaders call for cooler political rhetoric.
Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said on Oct 21 the inflation outlook had deteriorated, lifting market odds of a fifth rate rise and forcing businesses and consumers to reassess borrowing and pricing plans ahead of the RBA meeting on November 3.
Cleanaway has agreed to a scheme of arrangement with EQT that values the ASX listed waste manager at about A$9.3 billion including debt. The deal, recommended by Cleanaway’s board, crystallises private equity appetite for Australian infrastructure and raises questions about future investment, debt loading and regulatory oversight.
New data from the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute shows capital-to-regional migration in the June quarter matched the June 2021 record, with LGAs in northern Queensland among the fastest growing destinations. The shift is reshaping housing demand, local labour markets and business prospects across regional Australia.
Challenger Limited said on 19 October 2026 it has received a non binding, conditional indicative proposal from TAL Daiichi Life Australia to buy the 79.5 percent it does not already own at A$11.80 per share. The approach values the retirement and annuities specialist at roughly A$7.9 billion and lifts takeover activity across the ASX.
Sydney Local Health District has launched an urgent review after an unmonitored inbox at Canterbury Hospital was found to contain about 3,400 unread messages, including 16 elective surgery referrals some dating to late 2025. Four patients were judged urgent and 12 semi urgent, prompting immediate contact and rescheduling.
The Department of Finance published updated guidance on October 17, 2026 clarifying how Commonwealth agencies can use Appendix A, Exemption 17 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules to directly engage small and medium enterprises. The change formalises thresholds and Indigenous procurement requirements and is intended to boost SME access to federal contracts.
A rare combination of a very strong Pacific El Nino, warm regional seas and a stalled Tasman Sea high has pushed Australia toward what meteorologists say could be the wettest El Nino year on record, as heavy storms and flash flooding batter large parts of the east coast.
The Reserve Bank of Australia on October 16 published an overview and draft papers from its 2026 research conference, spotlighting how central bankers should weigh inflation control against output and employment when supply shocks and global uncertainty persist.
A video recording device was discovered in female-only accommodation on the Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Leeuwin, prompting a Joint Military Police Unit investigation and inspections across the fleet as defence leaders promise accountability and support for personnel.
IREN on October 14 publicly revealed plans for a 900 megawatt data centre campus near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, proposing more than AU$10 billion in staged investment and targeting initial grid connection in 2029. The announcement comes weeks after a separate A$15 billion proposal for the same region and intensifies questions about electricity supply, local impacts and approvals.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released October 15 show the national unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent in September after a sharp drop in employment, reigniting concern about the economy ahead of looming political and monetary decisions.
Workato announced an agreement with Sydney based Gulanga Group and Trellis Data on October 14, 2026, to integrate locally trained language models into its enterprise automation platform, aiming to give Australian organisations onshore AI options that meet data sovereignty and procurement requirements.
Veterinarians and industry bodies in north Queensland are reporting an unseasonal rise in bovine ephemeral fever, commonly called three day sickness. Authorities are urging vaccination after cases since September have led to rapid deaths in some herds, though there is no risk to humans or the meat supply.