Commissions for strata managers should be banned ‘sooner rather than later’, NSW productivity commissioner says 24. March 2026 (05:56) Peter Achterstraat says protections are essential as apartments increasingly become ‘the only place people can afford to buy’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales productivity commissioner wants exorbitant commissions for strata managers banned “sooner rather than later”, with apartments expected to make up half of all Sydney homes by 2041.The NSW government is yet to commit to implementing the recommendations contained in Peter Achterstraat’s report. He has advised outlawing commissions on insurance premiums and other services. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Iran dismisses Trump claim of talks; von der Leyen says global energy situation is ‘critical’ 24. March 2026 (05:52) Iranian parliament speaker says ‘no negotiations’ held with US, as Trump postpones energy strikes for five days; European Commission chief says war must come to negotiated endTrump claims ‘productive’ talks with Iran but Tehran denies contactIsrael launches new strikes on Tehran as Trump pauses Iran energy attacksIsrael’s military is reportedly saying search and rescue forces are on their way to several sites in the country’s south, where reports of impacts have been received.More on this soon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ABC staff strike: BBC content to replace flagship shows, including 7.30 and AM 24. March 2026 (05:47) Triple J will air without presenters while ABC News Breakfast is not expected to air as staff walk off the job to protest pay and conditionsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereThe ABC’s flagship news programs including 7.30 and AM will be replaced by the BBC World Service when ABC journalists walk off the job for 24 hours for the first time in 20 years on Wednesday.Staff are protesting what they say is a low pay offer from the ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, as well as work conditions and the broadcaster’s refusal to rule out replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.Sign up to get Guardian Australia’s weekly media diary as a free newsletter Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan to begin biggest-ever oil release from national reserves as Middle East energy crisis bites 24. March 2026 (05:36) PM Sanae Takaichi says about 80m barrels of stockpiled oil to be provided to refiners – equivalent to 45 days of domestic demand • Middle East crisis – live updatesJapan will begin the biggest-ever release of oil from its strategic reserves this week, the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has said, as the country braces for possible shortages caused by the US-Israel war on Iran.The government last week approved the release of 15 days’ worth of private-sector reserves, amid concern that the conflict in the Middle East will continue to hinder the flow of tanker traffic along the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Von der Leyen urges US and Iran to resolve Hormuz crisis, warning distance offers no protection to Australia 24. March 2026 (05:15) Speaking after signing trade agreement in Canberra, the European Commission president warns ‘situation is critical’ for global energy supplyMiddle East crisis – live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe US and Iran must come to the negotiating table to immediately end the de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz and stop hostilities in the Middle East, the head of the European Commission says.Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said Iran’s efforts to block the strategic waterway via attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and critical infrastructure “must be condemned”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand to give cash payments to some low income families as global fuel crisis worsens 24. March 2026 (04:33) Policy begins on 1 April and is aimed to ease financial pressure as the price of fuel surges due to conflict in the Middle EastNearly 150,000 New Zealand families will soon receive a weekly cash payment to help them afford petrol, the government has announced, in what is believed to be the world’s first fuel relief package that directly pays citizens since the Iran war began.On Tuesday, prime minister Christopher Luxon and finance minister Nicola Willis announced roughly 143,000 families with children will get an extra NZ$50 ($29.20; £21.80) a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit – a payment to families with dependent children where at least one parent is in paid employment and neither parent receives benefits. Another 14,000 families on slightly higher incomes will also be eligible for payments, but will receive less than $50 per week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European wine, chocolate and cars to become cheaper in Australia amid landmark trade deal with EU 24. March 2026 (04:24) Australian manufacturers can call their wares parmesan and kransky, but terms like feta, romano and gruyere will eventually be phased outFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEuropean food, wine, cars and fashion goods will become cheaper for Australian buyers under a long-awaited trade deal, but farmers are furious about meagre quotas for meat exports.After almost a decade of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have struck an agreement that will lead to both sides slashing tariffs and expanding trade across a range of areas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hong Kong police can demand phone and computer passwords under amended national security law 24. March 2026 (03:53) Refusing to comply could lead to year in jail and hefty fine, while providing false information carries up to three years in prisonHong Kong police can now demand that people suspected of breaching the city’s national security law provide mobile phone or computer passwords in a further crackdown on dissent.The amendments to the law also empower customs officers to seize items that are deemed to have “seditious intention”, regardless of whether any person has been arrested for an offence endangering national security because of the items. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian business fined for telling influencers to lie about paid Instagram post in first of its kind penalty 24. March 2026 (02:59) Watchdog also fines PhotobookShop for editing a paid review from an influencer who had described process as ‘fiddly’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn online photobook retailer has been fined nearly $40,000 for asking social media influencers to not disclose they had been paid to post a review on Instagram.It marks the first time a penalty has been handed down to an Australian business for an influencer not disclosing paid post. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
