Australian cruise holidays are offering better value as the industry avoids fuel price increases affecting other travel sectors. Cruise lines purchased fuel in advance, keeping prices stable, with families potentially saving $3,000 on 10-night cruises compared to resort holidays. The local cruise season continues for another month with Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Oceania among lines still operating in the region.

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Australian families are shifting from caravanning to camping for the Easter school holidays due to rising fuel prices. Campers face extreme temperature fluctuations in tents, experiencing freezing conditions at night followed by intense heat when sunrise hits the tent. Social media users share camping experiences and etiquette tips, including maintaining distance from other campers' tents and using designated paths in caravan parks.

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The Prime Minister delivered a primetime address to the nation regarding fuel supply concerns amid the Iran war, announcing measures including halving the fuel excise and urging Australians to conserve fuel where possible. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Miles defended the speech against criticism of lacking detail, emphasising the government's actions to secure supply, release national stockpile reserves, and underwrite fuel cargoes. Western Australia's Premier Roger Cork has declared a fuel emergency as energy experts warn harsher restrictions may be imposed after the Easter holidays.

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Matildas star Mary Fowler has signed a reported $10 million five-year deal with Adidas, one of the most lucrative contracts in women's football history. The deal followed a bidding war between Adidas, New Balance and Nike, sparked in part by Fowler becoming the first women's footballer to walk at Paris Fashion Week. Her agent describes the signing as brands pursuing a cultural icon rather than just a footballer.

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Australian health insurance premiums are increasing by an average of 4.41%, the largest rise in nearly a decade. Gold policyholders will pay approximately $167 more for singles and $330 more for families annually, with major providers like NIB implementing increases up to 5.47%. Australians earning over $101,000 without private health insurance face a Medicare levy surcharge of $1,010, while basic hospital policies cost around $977, making coverage financially advantageous for many despite the premium increases.

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New laws targeting unethical migration agents commence today, introducing stricter oversight and enhanced continuing professional development requirements. The regulations respond to cases of agents supplying false information and exploiting vulnerable clients, with 14 registered migration agents sanctioned this year after the Department of Home Affairs tripled funding to the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). The changes limit daily training classes from 10 to six and require more interactive education, while less than 1% of agents have been sanctioned overall.

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Jackie O is suing her former employer ARN for unfair contract termination, seeking $82.25 million in compensation. The lawsuit follows a similar action by her ex-co-host Kyle Sandilands just one week earlier, with Jackie citing psychosocial health and safety issues and bullying in the workplace. ARN has stated they will challenge both lawsuits from their former radio stars.

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Shark nets have been removed from New South Wales beaches one month earlier than usual, just before the Easter long weekend. The decision follows a summer that recorded the highest number of shark attacks in January for the past decade. Alternative mitigation strategies include acoustic receivers that track bull sharks through buoys at beaches like Vaucluse and Balmoral, providing data on shark seasonality and activity patterns, particularly during weather events and murky water conditions.

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US President Donald Trump declares America will no longer assist countries with oil supply issues if they didn't support the US regarding Iran, as 20% of global oil supplies remain blocked behind the Strait of Hormuz due to US-Iran tensions. Australian private health insurance premiums increase by 4.41% from today, the largest rise in nearly a decade, with one in four Australians considering abandoning their coverage. The Australian Government launches Medicare Mental Health Check-In, a free service without GP referral requirements for people experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress.

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has scrapped surcharge payments on card transactions, but small businesses warn they will pass these costs onto consumers through higher prices. Small business owners report struggling with mounting expenses including fees, taxes, payday super payments, minimum wage increases, and the abolition of junior award rates. The debate centres on whether banks making record profits should absorb transaction processing costs, or whether small businesses and consumers will bear the burden.

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