Brent Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads; Sean Dillon, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland · Original source
The first 2.5-kilometre section of the Kennedy Developmental Road upgrade between Winton and Boulia on the Outback Way is complete, widened to an eight-metre sealed standard. The $34 million project is funded $27.2 million by the Australian Government and $6.8 million by Queensland. Works also begin this month to seal the final 11-kilometre unsealed section between The Lynd and Hughenden, backed by $70 million in federal funding, to improve flood resilience.
Andrew Barr, Chief Minister · Original source
Canberra aims to lift enrolments from Southeast Asian countries by 30 per cent by 2030, with Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand as priority markets under the Study Canberra strategy. About 1,350 ASEAN students now study in the territory, worth almost $100 million a year locally. Chief Minister Andrew Barr linked the goal to the ACT's 2027 trade agenda and to workforce needs in areas including AI, cyber security, engineering and renewable energy.
Steve Minnikin, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business · Original source
The Queensland Government has launched Service Queensland, bringing government services together online, by phone and in person. The rollout includes a new Service Queensland store in Brisbane City with extended weekday hours and Saturday trading, a new service.qld.gov.au website, a Service Queensland app that holds the digital licence, and a new call centre. Customer Services Minister Steve Minnikin said people will always be able to reach a real person.
Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing; Janelle Saffin, Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast · Original source
The NSW Government has set next steps for the six remaining temporary housing villages built in the Northern Rivers after the 2022 floods, ahead of the program's planned end in 2027. Ballina and Mullumbimby villages stay with Homes NSW for another 12 months, while Brunswick Heads and Coraki will be offered to Byron and Richmond Valley councils. Residents get individual support and up to $10,000 in financial help to find long-term homes.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister · Original source
The Australian Government is investing an additional $12 million to strengthen bushfire risk management and support the mental health of emergency first responders as bushfire season and a supercharged El Niño begin. The funding improves the Australian Fire Danger Rating System and continues the CSIRO-managed National Bushfire Intelligence Capability, the North Australia and Rangelands Fire Information Service, and Fortem mental health support to December 2027. AusAlert and Temporary Disaster Roaming will also be available this season.
