Authorities in the Northern Territory are responding to severe flooding in the town of Katherine after heavy rainfall caused the Katherine River to rise to near-record levels. Emergency services say more than 700 residents have been evacuated from their homes as floodwaters continued to threaten communities across the region Officials reported that the river peaked at around 19.2 metres, exceeding levels recorded during previous major floods and forcing emergency shelters to open in local schools. Rescue teams have been assisting residents using helicopters and boats while monitoring river levels and weather conditions closely. Emergency supplies, including food and drinking water, are being transported from Darwin to assist displaced residents. Authorities also confirmed that some infrastructure has been affected, with power outages reported and certain roads temporarily closed due to dangerous flood conditions. Weather experts warn that additional rainfall and thunderstorms may continue to affect the region, potentially worsening flooding in nearby communities. Emergency services are urging residents to follow official safety advice and avoid entering floodwaters as recovery and monitoring efforts continue.

Thousands of students across Australia experienced disruptions on the first day of the national NAPLAN assessments after the online testing platform encountered a technical failure. Schools in several states reported that students were unable to access the testing system, resulting in delays or pauses to many exams. Teachers and school administrators reported that students waited in exam rooms for extended periods while technicians attempted to resolve the issue. In some schools, students were asked to leave testing areas after it became clear that the system could not be restored quickly. Education authorities confirmed that the disruption affected multiple regions nationwide and said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the outage. Officials are now working with the testing platform provider to ensure the system is stabilized before the next scheduled exam sessions. NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment used to measure literacy and numeracy skills among Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Education experts say the testing system plays an important role in monitoring learning progress, making reliable digital infrastructure essential for administering exams.

Authorities in Queensland have issued urgent warnings as significant flooding threatens homes and businesses in the regional city of Bundaberg. Emergency services say rising water levels in the Burnett River have increased the risk of inundation in several low-lying communities across the area. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that the Burnett River is expected to peak at around seven meters, placing hundreds of properties at risk of flooding. Local officials report that some residents in affected neighborhoods have faced repeated flooding over the past decade, with several communities experiencing similar events multiple times in recent years. Emergency management teams have been monitoring river levels closely while coordinating with local councils and response agencies to assist residents. Temporary evacuation arrangements and community support services are being prepared as authorities continue to assess the evolving situation. Officials are urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert, follow official safety advice, and prepare evacuation plans if conditions worsen. Authorities have also reminded the public to avoid entering floodwaters and to stay informed through official weather and emergency service updates.

Authorities across Australia have issued warnings to motorists about the risks of storing petrol in large quantities as concerns grow over rising fuel prices and supply pressures in some regions. Reports indicate that some individuals have begun stockpiling petrol and diesel in Jerry cans, prompting safety concerns among regulators and emergency services. Fire and safety officials warn that storing fuel improperly or transporting excessive amounts of petrol can create serious hazards, including fire risks, toxic fumes, and accidental spills. Experts emphasis that petrol is a highly flammable substance and must be handled and stored in accordance with strict safety guidelines. Authorities have cautioned that individuals who breach fuel storage and transport regulations may face significant penalties. Depending on the state or territory regulations, fines for unsafe fuel storage can reach up to $4,400, particularly if the fuel is stored or transported in a manner that poses a risk to public safety. The warnings come as some regional communities and farming areas report concerns about fuel availability and rising costs. Officials stress that national fuel supply systems remain stable and urge motorists to avoid unnecessary stockpiling and follow safe handling practices when purchasing fuel.

Nearly half of Australia’s 4.6 million children aged 0–14 lived within 5 km of all essential services, including childcare, schools, hospitals and GPs in 2021. According to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today, there is a stark difference regarding access to essential services between major cities and regional, remote, and socio‑economically disadvantaged areas. Children in Remote and Very Remote Australia were far more likely to live 20 km or more from essential services: 1.8% of children lived 20 km or more from a GP — a small proportion nationally, but heavily concentrated in remote regions. Access to childcare and OSHC showed similar patterns, with 10,142 children living 60 km or more from the nearest service. ABS said that remoteness brings greater variation: some children live very close to services clustered in small communities, while others face extremely long travel distances. 37.1% of children living 20 km or more from a GP were in the most disadvantaged areas, compared with just 3.5% in the most advantaged. Across the country, children were more likely to live near a government school than a non‑government one. Secondary school access followed similar trends, with 85.2% of young people aged 13–18 living within 5 km of a school.

Construction has commenced on the Suttons Beach Pavilion in the City of Moreton Bay, marking the beginning of a new phase of waterfront development for the region. A sod-turn ceremony was held on Friday, 27 February, to officially mark the start of the project. The project will include a new pavilion structure, extensive landscaping, and public amenities such as accessible toilets, showers, and a Changing Places facility. Plans also detail enhanced shade features, a rooftop space, and a public viewing deck with ocean views. “We’re looking forward to this seaside precinct opening in mid-2027, weather permitting, and the flow-on benefits it will deliver for employment, economic development and tourism in City of Moreton Bay,” Mayor Peter Flannery said. The site is expected to offer both indoor and outdoor food and beverage options, pending the outcome of a separate tender process. The Suttons Beach Pavilion Redevelopment Project has a budget of $19.5 million and is being delivered as part of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Liveability Fund, under the SEQ City Deal—a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government, and Council of Mayors (SEQ). The Australian Government and Queensland Government will contribute a combined $12.1 million, with the Moreton Bay Regional Council providing $7.4 million. The new pavilion is scheduled to open in mid-2027.

The Australian Government has launched the first phase of the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program, aimed at supporting First Nations people transitioning out of the justice system. Of the 16 organisations selected to deliver services under the program across multiple correctional facilities nationwide, 15 are First Nations-led and community-controlled. The initiative seeks to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector. The REAL Program offers personalised mentoring and coordinated support to help participants move into employment, education, and training. Support begins up to six months before release from custody and continues for 12 months after release, with efforts to reconnect participants to culture, Country, and language where appropriate. The program also includes referrals to health, housing, and social services. “This program is about supporting First Nations people as they transition out of the justice system and into training, education or employment,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said. According to the government, research indicates that social support during the early stages of post-release reintegration can reduce the risk of reoffending. Consultations conducted to inform the program’s design emphasized the importance of continuity of support before and after release, as well as the value of culturally appropriate mentoring provided by First Nations people. The program is being rolled out in two phases during 2026, with the first phase underway in selected facilities and the second phase planned for later in the year through a future grant opportunity.

A major multicultural health event is returning to Brisbane in 2026, with Metro South Health announcing its two‑day Multicultural Health Symposium: A Culture of Care, a forum designed to tackle inequities in healthcare and strengthen culturally responsive practice across Queensland. The symposium will run from 16–17 March 2026 at Brisbane Technology Park and is expected to draw clinicians, researchers, policymakers and community leaders from across the state. The event comes at a time when Queensland’s cultural diversity continues to grow. More than 300 languages are spoken across the state, and one in five Queenslanders is born overseas, according to Metro South Health’s event briefing. This demographic shift is reshaping the demands on the health system, particularly in regions like Brisbane’s south, Logan and Ipswich, where migrant and refugee communities are among the fastest‑growing populations. Queensland Health data shows that culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities often face higher barriers to accessing care, including language challenges, lower health literacy, and limited culturally tailored services. In some regions, interpreters are required in up to 30% of hospital interactions, and CALD patients are more likely to delay seeking care due to communication or cultural concerns. These pressures are compounded by the state’s broader health trends: Queensland’s population has grown by more than 1 million people in the past decade, increasing demand on hospitals, community health services and primary care. The 2026 symposium aims to address these gaps by showcasing real‑world case studies, community‑led insights and new models of care designed to improve outcomes for multicultural patients. The program includes keynote presentations from national and international experts, interactive workshops, and sessions focused on co‑designing solutions with communities.

By Juliano Oliveira Opposition and Brisbane City Council are trading barbs over recent ABS figures on increased rates. In a statement released today, Brisbane’s Labor claimed that while most other capitals have limited their increases to 5% or less, Brisbane residents and ratepayers have faced an 8.3% rise in the rates, fees, and charges paid to Council over the past year. “Whether you’re renovating your home, registering a dog, opening a small business or burying a loved one, it’s becoming more expensive to live, work and play in Brisbane than ever before,” Leader of the Opposition, Cr. Jared Cassidy said. The Opposition also slammed Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner by affirming that he “is struggling to keep the lights on, making drastic cuts to the bricks and mortar of Council, while liabilities and expenses continue to escalate into the hundreds of millions of dollars.” Brisbane City Council told MAN TV that Labor’s figures have been misrepresented and that the 8.3 per cent figure includes Logan, Redland, Ipswich and Morton Bay – and bundles in State charges and fees from other council areas outside of Brisbane. “Fees and charges did not change in our latest financial reports. Only our annual budget can change fees and charges. “The average rate increase was 3.87 per cent in the last annual budget, lower than the current CPI rate of 5.2 per cent – which is effectively a rate decrease in real terms.”

Budget Direct allegedly overcharged insurance customers and denied online discounts, according to ASIC claims. ASIC has started proceedings against Auto & General Services Pty Ltd, alleging sustained misconduct related to Budget Direct insurance over several years. Between March 2020 and July 2024, Auto & General promoted discounts of up to 30% for customers purchasing car, home, or motorbike insurance policies online. During this period, these advertisements reached millions of consumers. However, ASIC alleges that approximately 39,000 customers lost their online discount after making amendments to their policy during the first year of their individual coverage, if those changes occurred between March 2020 and July 2024. The average loss per customer was nearly $100, totalling approximately $3.3 million across all affected individuals in this timeframe. ASIC alleges the advertising was misleading because customers were not told their discounts would be removed if they changed policy details, such as address, during sign-up or when making changes. ASIC alleges Auto & General knew of the discount issue as early as 2016 but failed to act or inform affected customers for several years, from March 2020 to July 2024. Senior staff reportedly knew of the problem yet did not resolve it during these years. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court emphasized that the case highlights the regulator’s 2026 enforcement priority, which targets misleading pricing practices that affect the cost of living for Australians. ‘We have taken multiple cases alleging failures by insurers to deliver on their pricing promises to customers. ‘In this case, we allege Budget Direct removed discounts without notice if the customer made certain changes to their policy details, leaving tens of thousands of people out of pocket.’ ASIC contends that customers lost discounts when they changed details like address, vehicle or payment frequency, even though their policy remained active. Australians should be able to take insurers at their word, especially when it comes to discounts that influence their decision to take up a policy and compare it to other products in the market. ‘We allege Budget Direct’s conduct was misleading and deprived tens of thousands of Australians of millions of dollars in savings they were promised,’ the Deputy Chair said. Auto & General has since paid more than $3.8 million, including interest, in remediation to approximately 39,000 affected customers for losses incurred between March 2020 and July 2024. ASIC will seek court declarations and civil penalties as proceedings continue.