Radio National Breakfast

The federal government says it is trying to avoid COVID-style restrictions amid the fuel crisis.

Commonwealth, state and territory leaders will gather for national cabinet to map out a co-ordinated response to fuel security.

While encouraging people to work from home where possible, and greater use of public transport are expected to be discussed, the states are already differing on the issue of making public transport free. 

GUEST: Daniel Mookhey, NSW Treasurer

PRODUCER: Brooke Young

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will convene a second emergency meeting with state and territory leaders this morning, as hundreds of service stations report shortages of petrol and diesel as a result of the war in the middle east.

Meanwhile, communities in WA's north-west have started cleaning up after ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle caused widespread damage - particularly in the towns of Exmouth and Carnarvon.

• GUEST: Kristy McBain, Minister for Emergency Management 
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle 

It's now been a month since Israel and the United States launched military strikes against Iran and as the conflict deepens, many of you have questions.

We're asking you to text your questions to 0418 226 576 or via ABC Listen, with #Iran ahead of your question. Over the next few weeks, we're endeavouring to answer as many of them as possible with a panel of experts.

This morning we're taking a look at some of the big questions relating to fuel and the economy.

• GUEST: Warren Hogan, EQ Economics Managing Director & David Leaney, expert in international supply chain management and a lecturer at the Australian National University 
• PRODUCER: Eddy Diamond

If you've ever been stuck behind a semi-trailer, you'd have seen the self-promotional signage - Without Trucks Australia Stops.

But with soaring diesel prices - road freight companies are struggling.

Prior to the war in the middle east, one in 12 road transport operators closed their doors last year - that's according to the commercial credit agency, CreditorWatch; citing accelerating costs as a key factor.

• GUEST: Shirley Saywell, Transport Manager of Brady & Kibble Freight from Euroa in Victoria

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a series of air defence agreements with Gulf states, which he says could be worth billions of dollars for his country.

The deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar will see Ukraine sharing expertise in countering missiles and drones that the country's military has gained during four years of war with Russia - as the Gulf states remain under attack from Iran.

• Guest: Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian MP and Chair of the country's Foreign Affairs Committee
• Producer: Pip Cook

The conflict in the Middle East has deepened, with Yemen's Iran-backed militia group - the Houthis - launching attacks on Israel over the weekend.

The entry of this powerful Iranian proxy has raised fears of further disruption to the global economy.

The armed group has the capacity to attack the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

• GUEST: Hisham Al-Omeisy is a Senior Yemen Advisor at the European Institute of Peace
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young

This week another ex-AFL player took a huge swing at the dam wall, coming out as the league's first gay male player.

Former Brisbane Lions player Leigh Ryswyck made the announcement on Joy FM's GayFL program. 

It follows the historic decision by Mitch Brown to come out as the league's first queer male footballer, when he announced last year that he's bisexual.

Hear Leigh's follow-up interview on Radio National Breakfast 

Then we cover the developments out of the Middle East, the comments out of the White House, the criticism the US President has for Australia and what some analysts think of his 15 point plan for Iran. 

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.

The ongoing war in Iran continues to cast a long shadow over Australian politics, as national cabinet prepares to meet again over fuel supplies.

GuestsPhil Coorey, The Australian Financial Review's Political EditorKaren Barlow, Chief Political Correspondent with The Saturday PaperStephanie Borys, Radio National's Political correspondent

This week another ex-AFL player took a huge swing at the dam wall, coming out as the league's first gay male player.

It follows the historic decision by Mitch Brown to come out as the league's first queer male footballer, when he announced last year that he's bisexual.

Leigh Ryswyck was drafted by Brisbane, playing one match for the Lions in 2005 before playing more than 200 games in the South Australian Football League.

Supply chain issues linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East have dominated political conversations all week.

And in breaking news this morning, the US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to April the 6th, saying he'll hold off on bombing Iran's energy plants.

• GUEST: Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle