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Last updated Thursday 30 April, 2026 1:36 PM


Today's Events


Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on offshore processing and resettlement arrangements.
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on State of Australia’s aviation sector and its ability to deliver reliable and affordable services to rural, regional and remote communities.
Joint: Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.
ABS: International Trade Price Indexes, Australia.
ABS: Federal Defendants, Australia
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See our Diary and Calendar pages for more detail. Use the Alerts Manager / All Options in the Main Menu to sign up for Diary Alerts.

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Top Headlines

New inflation figures

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows headline inflation rose to 4.6 per cent in March 2026, up from 3.7 per cent in February, driven largely by global pressures and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Quarterly inflation increased to 4.1 per cent through the year to March, with trimmed mean inflation at 3.5 per cent annually. Automotive fuel costs surged, adding 0.8 percentage points to monthly inflation. The monthly figure was slightly below market expectations. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the government has halved the fuel excise to curb rising prices and will address inflation challenges in the upcoming Budget focused on cost-of-living relief, fuel security, and economic resilience.
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Faster environmental approvals with states and territories

The Federal Government will allocate more than $45 million over four years to advance bilateral agreements with states and territories aimed at reducing duplication in environmental assessments and approvals. The investment will enable states and territories to undertake assessments or approvals on behalf of the Commonwealth under new National Environmental Standards, helping to accelerate major energy, housing, and resources projects. According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt, these reforms will streamline processes while maintaining strong environmental safeguards, with oversight by the new National Environmental Protection Agency from July 1.
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QLD: State Government to strengthen ties with Rural, Remote and Indigenous Councils

The State Government will convene meetings with Rural, Remote and Indigenous Councils this week to enhance collaboration and address the needs of disadvantaged communities. Discussions will cover disaster recovery, housing, economic development, health, and alcohol management strategies, with outcomes informing future policy. These engagements reinforce commitments under the Equal Partners in Government Agreement. Queensland Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy emphasized supporting councils to influence policy and deliver outcomes statewide, while Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson highlighted the importance of empowering local leadership to achieve real progress in Closing the Gap for Indigenous communities through practical support and engagement.
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NSW: Northern Beaches Hospital officially transitions to public hands

The Northern Beaches Hospital has officially returned to public ownership after nearly eight years under private operation. The transition, completed by the NSW Government, includes the establishment of an operational command centre to support the process and ensure continuity of care. More than 1,800 staff, including nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, have joined NSW Health as part of the change. The facility will also host the State’s first High Volume Planned Surgery Centre to help reduce surgical wait times. Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Health Ryan Park confirmed private services will remain available until June 2027 while a long-term strategy is developed.
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WA: Delivering $1.1 billion to strengthen supply chains and boost productivity in Western Australia

The Federal Government and the Western Australian Government will provide a combined $1.1 billion investment to upgrade transport links to the proposed Westport container terminal in Kwinana. The first stage focuses on expanding Anketell Road to four lanes, including a grade separation at Rockingham Road, to improve freight efficiency, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety. The upgrades complement broader infrastructure commitments across the state, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Roger Cook, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti, and Federal Member for Brand Madeleine King highlighting the project's role in future-proofing WA's economy.
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Recent Acts

Federal
Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Act 2026

01/04/2026

20

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Act 2026

01/04/2026

21

Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Act 2026

01/04/2026

22

Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026

01/04/2026

23

Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 2) 2025-2026

01/04/2026

24

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026

01/04/2026

25

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

01/04/2026

26

Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Act 2026

01/04/2026

27

Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

01/04/2026

28

Copyright Amendment Act 2026

01/04/2026

29

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Act 2026

01/04/2026

30

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Act 2026

01/04/2026

31

Commonwealth Parole Board Act 2026

08/04/2026

32

Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

08/04/2026

33

National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Act 2026

08/04/2026

34

Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Act 2026

08/04/2026

35

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Act 2026

08/04/2026

36

Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Act 2026

08/04/2026

37

Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026

08/04/2026

38

Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026

08/04/2026

39

Translating and Interpreting Services Act 2026

08/04/2026

40

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026

08/04/2026

41

High Seas Biodiversity Act 2026

08/04/2026

42

See Capital Monitor's Federal Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Australian Capital Territory

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2026

05/03/2026

5

Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2026

02/04/2026

6

See Capital Monitor's Australian Capital Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

New South Wales

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Elections) Act 2026

07/04/2026

6

Surveillance Devices Amendment (Public Interest Exceptions) Act 2026

07/04/2026

7

See Capital Monitor's New South Wales Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Northern Territory

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Sentencing Amendment (Murder) Act 2026

31/03/2026

5

Bail Amendment Act 2026

31/03/2026

6

Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Act 2026

31/03/2026

7

Electrical Safety Amendment Act 2026

14/04/2026

8

Local Government Legislation Amendment (Code of Conduct and Other Matters) Act 2026

14/04/2026

9

See Capital Monitor's Northern Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Queensland

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Act 2026

11/03/2026

4

Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

11/03/2026

5

Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

27/03/2026

6

Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Act 2026

30/04/2026

7

Appropriation (Parliament) (Supplementary 2024-2025) Act 2026

30/04/2026

8

Appropriation (Supplementary 2024-2025) Act 2026

30/04/2026

9

See Capital Monitor's Queensland Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

South Australia

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
 

 

 

See Capital Monitor's South Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Tasmania

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Petroleum Reporting (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2026

02/04/2026

1

University of Tasmania (Protection of Land) Act 2026

28/04/2026

2

See Capital Monitor's Tasmanian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Victoria

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Education and Training Reform Amendment (Free TAFE Guarantee) Act 2026

14/04/2026

12

Electoral Amendment Act 2026

14/04/2026

13

Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2026

14/04/2026

14

Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2026

14/04/2026

15

Safe Food Victoria Act 2026

14/04/2026

16

See Capital Monitor's Victorian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Western Australia

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2026

17/03/2026

1

Education and Care Services National Law Application Act 2026

31/03/2026

2

See Capital Monitor's Western Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

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Political Calendar

Federal

Federal Parliament will next sit from 12 - 14 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Additional Budget Estimates were held on 9 - 12 February 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 25 - 28 May & 2 - 5 June 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 29 October 2026.
The last Federal Election was on 3 May 2025.
Federal Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 13 May 2025.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last ACT Election was on 19 October 2024.
ACT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 19 December 2025.

New South Wales

NSW Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 24 - 27 February, 2 - 11 March, 18 - 31 August & 1 - 2 September 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 30 October 2026.
The last NSW Election was on 25 March 2023.
NSW Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 05 April 2023 and most recently amended on 26 September 2025.

Northern Territory

NT Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 9 - 18 June 2026.
The last NT Election was on 24 August 2024.
NT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 24 October 2025.

Queensland

Queensland Parliament will next sit from 21 - 23 April 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 20 - 24 & 28 - 31 July 2026.
The last Queensland Election was on 26 October 2024.
Queensland Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 19 December 2025.

South Australia
SA Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 18 - 24 June 2026.
The last SA election was held on 21 March 2026.
SA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 25 March 2026.

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 1 - 4 June 2026.
The last Tasmanian Election was held on 19 July 2025.
Tasmanian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 11 February 2026.

Victoria

The Victorian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit on from 5 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last Victorian election was held on 26 November 2022.
Victorian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 16 April 2026.

Western Australia

The WA Parliament will next sit on 5 - 7 April 2026.
The 2025-26 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 18 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 19 - 21 May 2026.
The last WA election was held on 8 March 2025.
WA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 25 November 2025.

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