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The federal government has signalled it won't be extending the fuel excise cut beyond the end of this week.

The tax on fuel was halved for three months to help motorists with soaring costs as a result of the war in the Middle East.

Support was extended through July, but at a smaller discount of about 16 cents per litre and it's due to end this weekend.

Sharon Middleton runs trucking business Whiteline Transport. 

She says the increased cost of fuel will eventually be passed on to consumers. 

The federal government has hailed the nationwide AusAlert system test a success despite reports of many people not receiving the alert.

South Australia has recorded seven new suspected cases of H5 bird flu, including five detections at the same site over two days.

This brings Australia's total number of H5 birdflu cases to 20, across South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Reporter Josh Brine has been at the fishing town of Southend on SA's Limestone Coast.

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An interim review into the NT child protection department's handling of the circumstances of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby prior to her death has been tabled in the NT parliament.

Coverage that provides news and analysis of national issues significant to regional Australians.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Coverage that provides news and analysis of national issues significant to regional Australians.