Moira Deeming endorsed for top spot on Victorian Liberal ticket
Moira Deeming, a vocal state Liberal MP previously expelled from her party, has made a surprising return by securing the top position on the Victorian Liberal Party’s upper-house ticket for the Western Metropolitan Region, following a contentious internal contest, according to AAP.
Deeming initially withdrew her candidacy after the party favored businessman and Indian community leader Dinesh Gourisetty, who had backing from the party’s moderate faction. However, Gourisetty stepped down after it was disclosed that he had provided a character reference for an individual now convicted of child sexual abuse, prompting a renewed preselection process.
With no other eligible candidates remaining, Deeming was endorsed for the position.
On Sunday, she expressed gratitude to her supporters, including state Liberal leader Jess Wilson, and stated her commitment to highlighting what she described as "Labor’s callous betrayal of hard-working families" ahead of the November election:
"When we win, I will work tirelessly to restore good governance to this great state of Victoria."
BoM tracking tropical cyclone in Solomon Sea that could move towards Queensland coast
The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring a tropical cyclone in the Solomon Sea, currently classified as a category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts reaching 165 km/h. The cyclone is expected to move slowly through the region midweek before heading southwest. It is not anticipated to directly impact the Queensland coast before midweek but may approach northern Queensland thereafter.
Long weekend sees spate of road fatalities across Australia
The Easter long weekend was marked by multiple road fatalities nationwide, many involving motorcyclists, as reported by AAP.
In the latest incident, police discovered a vehicle that had crashed into an embankment after leaving the road in the NSW upper Hunter area on Sunday night. Paramedics attempted to provide medical assistance to a man at the scene, but he was pronounced dead.
Earlier that day, emergency services responded to South West Rocks on the NSW mid-north coast, where a motorbike rider had crashed and become trapped beneath a nearby vehicle. The rider died at the scene.
Additionally, in far north Queensland, a 31-year-old man lost control of his quad bike on a local road in East Palmerston, a rural farming area near Innisfail, on Saturday. His green Kawasaki quad bike struck a pole, and he was declared dead at the scene.
Federal government data indicates that over 1,336 people have died on Australian roads in the 12 months leading to February, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the previous year.
TGA opens public comment period on improved sunscreen regulations
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has initiated a public consultation on proposals to enhance sunscreen regulation in Australia. Stakeholders have until 23 May to provide feedback on options including improving the reliability and transparency of SPF testing and simplifying sunscreen labeling.
The TGA stated:
"These proposals are intended to strengthen confidence in sunscreen performance. If accepted, options presented in this paper would be implemented in a proportionate and targeted manner, with appropriate transition periods incorporated. …
Given Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma in the world, with around 2,000 people dying each year, it is critical that the regulatory settings are appropriate to ensure consumer confidence in sunscreens."
Bowen says Australian fuel supplies ‘OK’ through April and into May
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, expressed optimism regarding fuel supplies in Australia, noting that fuel retailers have promptly passed on reductions in the fuel excise.
He commented:
"We’re encouraged by how quickly that’s been passed on. Obviously, the ACCC is monitoring closely any particular service stations or suppliers that might not do the right thing. I’ll leave them to comment on their own actions and independent activities."
Bowen added that fuel supplies are "OK" through the end of April and into May, with orders "locked in."
Bowen won’t comment on Trump’s Iran tirade but agrees strait of Hormuz should re-open
When asked about US President Donald Trump’s recent statements calling on Iran to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while threatening further attacks on Iranian infrastructure, Bowen declined to comment directly but affirmed Australia's interest in reopening the strait.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Bowen said:
"Well, for the last 10 years, I haven’t made a habit of commenting on every social media comment of president Trump, and I don’t intend to start now because we’d all keep ourselves very busy. We want to see the strait of Hormuz open."
When further questioned about whether Trump’s remarks warranted an Australian government response, Bowen added:
"We are not participants in this war. We didn’t participate in the decision to begin the war, but we are, like many like-minded countries, calling for it to end in the best interest of the people of the Middle East, obviously, but also in the best interest of the world economy."
Good morning
Good morning, and happy Monday. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Let’s dive in.
