Journalists at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have announced a 24-hour strike starting Wednesday, marking the first such action in two decades. The decision follows the rejection of a management proposal to raise wages by 10 percent over three years. Around 60 percent of ABC journalists voted against the offer, citing inflation of 3.8 percent in January and dissatisfaction with the proposal’s omission of key issues such as maternity leave and the use of artificial intelligence.

Union representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance said the offer would reduce working conditions, fail to keep up with inflation, and allow AI bots to replace journalists. The Community and Public Sector Union also warned that broadcast disruptions were inevitable until a fair proposal was made. ABC’s Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the offer as financially responsible and sustainable under current conditions.

To resolve the dispute, ABC has sought assistance from Australia’s Fair Work Commission. The last strike by ABC employees occurred in 2006 over similar pay and workplace concerns.

Three members of Iran’s women’s football team who had stayed in Australia on humanitarian visas have decided to return to Iran. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Sunday that the players informed officials of their decision after being given multiple opportunities to discuss alternatives. Initially, seven team members had sought asylum, but only three now remain in Australia.

The Iranian team had traveled to Australia in February for the Women’s Asian Cup, arriving before the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28. Out of the 26-member squad, six players and one support staff member initially stayed behind on humanitarian grounds. On March 9, the rest of the team departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur, where they have been waiting. Two players and one support staff member are among those now returning.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency described the return as a “shameful failure of the American-Australian project” and “another defeat for Trump,” reflecting Tehran’s political framing of the event.

Australia has announced the deployment of a long-range military surveillance aircraft and missiles to the Persian Gulf region, citing potential threats of Iranian attacks on 12 countries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Australian Air Force will send an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and support personnel for four weeks to strengthen airspace monitoring and regional security.

According to Australian authorities, the deployment follows a request from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition to the aircraft, Australia will supply the UAE with advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles. Albanese emphasized that the move is defensive, aimed at enhancing the Gulf nations’ protective capabilities and ensuring airspace safety.

The decision came after a phone conversation between Albanese and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The prime minister also cited the safety of approximately 115,000 Australian citizens living in the Middle East, including 24,000 in the UAE, as a key reason for the deployment.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australian citizens were aboard a US nuclear-powered submarine involved in an attack on an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka. Speaking to Sky News, Albanese said that while Australia typically does not confirm such matters, the decision was made in the public interest following a meeting of the national security committee. He emphasized that no Australian personnel took part in offensive actions against Iran.

According to Albanese, the three Australians were present on the submarine as part of the AUKUS trilateral defense partnership to gain operational experience with allied forces. The Iranian warship was struck by torpedoes fired from the US submarine, resulting in the deaths of at least 87 Iranian sailors, according to the report.

The incident adds tension to ongoing regional hostilities, with reports of further attacks and damage to Iranian infrastructure in recent days.

Adelaide University has cancelled a scheduled literary festival event featuring UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese. The event, part of the Constellations: Not Writers’ Week festival, was to be held at the university’s Elder Hall on Thursday night. Organisers said the university informed them on Monday that certain procedural requirements had not been met and revoked the booking. A new venue, Norwood Concert Hall, has been secured to host the 650 ticket holders, with Albanese participating via video link alongside academics Henry Reynolds and Lana Tatour.

The Association for the Promotion of International Law (APIL), which organised the event, disputed the university’s claim of procedural lapses, saying it had been in contact with Elder Hall management since early February. Adelaide University stated it was unaware of the external event until the previous Friday and could not approve the booking without proper review. The cancellation followed a report suggesting that hosting Albanese might breach US sanctions, as she was previously placed on a sanctions list by the Trump administration.

Festival organisers and speakers accused the university of bowing to media pressure and undermining free speech, while the university maintained it supports open exchange of ideas within policy guidelines.

Australia has deployed military assets to the Middle East as a precautionary measure amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move in parliament, citing the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region. As part of an emergency plan, six crisis response teams have already been sent, and at least two military aircraft have been deployed to designated locations, according to national broadcaster SBS News.

The deployment aims to ensure the safety of Australian citizens in the region and to enable swift evacuation if necessary. The government has not disclosed detailed military information, but the action reflects growing concern over the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the active participation of the United States.

Australia’s decision underscores its role as a Western ally closely monitoring regional stability while prioritizing the protection of its nationals in a volatile Middle East environment.

Australia has deployed several crisis response teams and military equipment to the Middle East as part of preparations for potential emergency situations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the move, stating that the deployment was part of the government’s emergency planning. According to reports, six crisis response teams have already been sent to the region, and military assets were positioned earlier in the week.

The announcement was made in the Australian Parliament, though Albanese did not provide further details about the nature or location of the deployment. Al Jazeera reported that the move is part of Australia’s readiness measures for possible regional emergencies. Separately, Australian broadcaster SBS News reported that two military aircraft have been sent to the Middle East.

The deployment underscores Australia’s precautionary stance amid rising tensions in the Middle East, though the government has not disclosed specific threats or operational objectives.

Australia has confirmed it will not participate in the joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated in an interview with Australia’s Nine Network that the country has no plans to join the attack now or in the future. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on Monday.

Relations between Australia and Iran have been tense in recent years. In 2025, Canberra expelled the Iranian ambassador following allegations that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was linked to antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, a claim Tehran has denied. Despite Australia’s history of joining US-led operations such as the Iraq war, the government has decided to distance itself from the current Iran conflict.

This decision underscores a shift in Australia’s approach to Middle East conflicts, signaling a more cautious stance in aligning with US military actions.

More than 115,000 Australian citizens are stranded across the Middle East after air routes were closed due to conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Australian authorities. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government hopes to repatriate citizens once commercial flights resume, as that would be the most feasible large-scale option.

Wong told reporters that the ongoing conflict has caused casualties and led to the closure of regional airspace, preventing both Australian and commercial flights from operating. The government is monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with airlines to assess when flights might restart. An online crisis portal has been launched for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their close relatives in Israel, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register for assistance.

Wong also commented on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the responsibility for explaining the U.S. and Israeli actions lies with those governments. She added that no one is mourning Khamenei’s death, describing his rule as one marked by brutality against his own people.

Australia concluded its T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Oman. Batting first, Oman were bowled out for just 104 runs in 16.2 overs, with Adam Zampa leading the attack by taking four wickets for 21 runs. In reply, Australia chased down the target in only 9.4 overs, finishing at 108 for 1. Captain Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, while Travis Head scored 32 from 19 deliveries before being dismissed just 13 runs short of the target.

The win equalled the record for the fastest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, matching England’s 9.4-over chase against the United States in the 2024 edition. Zampa’s bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as Australia’s bowlers set up the victory with disciplined and aggressive spells.

This result marked a strong finish for Australia in the tournament, highlighting their batting depth and bowling strength as they exited the competition on a high note.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied across Australia on Monday to oppose the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who faces accusations of inciting genocide against Palestinians. In Sydney, police used pepper spray and clashed with protesters as Herzog began his four-day trip by laying a wreath at Bondi Beach to honor victims of last year’s mass shooting. Authorities warned that participants in a planned march from Sydney Town Hall to the New South Wales Parliament risk arrest, as the area was declared protected during the visit. A Sydney court rejected a legal challenge against the protest restrictions filed by the Palestine Action Group.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to respect the solemn nature of Herzog’s visit, describing it as one made in goodwill. Herzog said he came to express solidarity and friendship, while alleging that the protests sought to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Amnesty International Australia and the Jewish Council of Australia criticized the visit, citing Herzog’s alleged role in inciting genocide and calling for accountability. Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne and Canberra before returning to Israel on Thursday.

A small aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of South Australia on Friday afternoon, killing all three people on board, including the pilot, according to police. The crash occurred near Long Bay, close to the port town of Goolwa South, about 63 kilometers south of Adelaide. Police confirmed that all three male occupants were found dead and that the wreckage had been recovered from the water.

Authorities said investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrived at the crash site on Saturday to begin an investigation into the incident. Local media outlet Seven News shared a video on social media platform X showing the aircraft descending nose-first into the sea at high speed.

Police have not yet released further details about the cause of the crash or the identities of the victims, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Australia and Indonesia signed a new security agreement on Friday aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Canberra and Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The deal includes plans to build new military training facilities and enhance joint operational capabilities. According to a joint statement cited from Jakarta, a senior Indonesian officer will be embedded within Australia’s defense forces as part of the collaboration. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as a historic moment for bilateral relations.

Albanese said Australia would help Indonesia improve its military training infrastructure to make joint exercises more effective. He emphasized the countries’ shared maritime boundary as a natural foundation for close partnership. The agreement comes as Australia seeks to bolster its defense capacity amid China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while Indonesia maintains a balanced foreign policy to preserve ties with its key trading partner, China.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the pact reflects Indonesia’s “independent and active” foreign policy and commitment to good neighborly relations. The deal follows a 2024 defense agreement that led to large-scale joint military exercises in East Java.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has warned that Beijing will take measures to protect its companies’ interests if Australia forcibly reclaims control of the strategically important northern Darwin Port. The warning came after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government’s intention to bring the port back under national control, calling the 2015 lease to China’s Landbridge Group a short-sighted decision in terms of economic and national security.

The Darwin Port was leased to Landbridge for 99 years in 2015, a move that sparked intense domestic debate in Australia and led to stricter oversight of foreign ownership of critical infrastructure. Xiao Qian told Australian media that if Landbridge is forced to relinquish the lease, Beijing will act to safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. He cautioned that such a move could harm Chinese investment, cooperation, and trade in the region, ultimately affecting Australia’s own interests.

Darwin is one of Australia’s closest cities to its Asian neighbors and hosts a U.S. Marine base. The port lease had previously drawn criticism from Washington for lack of prior consultation.

Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open after Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury during their quarterfinal match in Melbourne. Musetti had taken a commanding two-set lead, winning 6-4 and 6-3, before suffering thigh and groin injuries that forced him to withdraw while trailing 1-3 in the third set. The Serbian star, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, advanced by walkover to his 13th semifinal appearance at the tournament.

Djokovic’s path to the last four was marked by unusual fortune. In the previous round, he progressed without playing after Czech player Jakub Mensik withdrew with stomach pain. The 38-year-old has now won a record 103 singles matches at the Australian Open, surpassing Roger Federer. Djokovic will face second seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, after the Italian defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women’s singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and American Jessica Pegula reached the semifinals, while Poland’s Iga Swiatek was eliminated following a straight-sets loss to Rybakina.