Fears are growing that Australian produce could rot in fields if backpacker visa cuts go ahead. A federal agriculture department official told a Senate estimates hearing that no modelling had been done on the likely effect on harvests. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that second-year visa places will fall from 57,000 to 45,000, and third-year places from 31,000 to 5000. The Northern Territory government has warned that the Top End mango harvest could lose 1000 workers. The National Farmers Federation has urged the government to return to regular visa processing.
Anangu Traditional Owners and plant scientists have identified physiological traits that helped some desert plant species survive a mass dieback at Uluru. The dieback followed a record-breaking hot drought from 2018 to 2019 in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Researchers found that plants relying on drought-avoidance kept leaf water content better, which was the trait most closely linked to dieback severity. Neither strategy guaranteed survival under extreme heat and drought. Study author Jay Nicholson said the findings show that desert plants can be vulnerable, and that community nurseries and Anangu cultural burning could help reduce drought impacts.
Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss is returning to Wagga with country star Troy Cassar-Daley for their acoustic tour. The tour follows the release of their live album, which debuted at No. 10 on the ARIA chart. Moss recalls Wagga's thriving 1970s pub scene and hints at another Cold Chisel reunion. The duo will perform in Albury and Wagga this month, with a November show in Thirroul.
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The Australian government has offered the European Space Agency a sum believed to be below the reported A$100 million-plus it originally sought, to fly Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station. Australia is not an ESA member state and so must pay for a seat, which is what drives the cost. Supporters argue the investment could bring returns through industrial contracts, as ESA's geographical return principle links funding to domestic businesses. Canada's earlier robotics investment is cited as an example of such payoffs. If accepted, a mission could occur as early as 2028.
The Youth Advocacy Centre says its funding has been cut after it criticised the Queensland government's youth justice measures. Chief executive Katherine Hayes said the organisation applied for several tenders but was awarded none, with its contract ending early. She said the cut affects $3 million and 19 frontline workers. Hayes believes the cut was retaliation for her criticism. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber says the program was not renewed because it did not meet government performance targets on reoffending while on bail.
Darwin's Smith Street Mall has reopened to the public after police said a reported credible threat this morning was false. Workers had earlier been evacuated from the Darwin Innovation Hub building, and residents were told to avoid the area. He said police take every threat seriously and would respond in force. Police said they would provide a further update later today.
Adelaide residents are being urged not to release koi carp or unwanted goldfish into the River Torrens. More than a dozen suspected koi were seen at Hackney last week, with a smaller number upstream at Dernancourt. Green Adelaide suspects members of the public released the fish. Koi are a noxious species in South Australia and cannot be owned without a permit. Dumping koi, goldfish or other non-native fish in South Australian rivers can attract fines of up to $120,000. Green Adelaide says koi compete with native fish for food and disturb river plants.
Analysts and big energy users say loopholes in a proposed federal gas reservation scheme could let Santos escape its obligations. Under the plan, exporters would set aside up to 20 per cent of their production for the domestic market each year. Union leader Paul Farrow warned the draft laws could allow paper supplies and wide ministerial discretion. Santos has been accused of driving up east coast prices by buying large volumes of local gas to export. Industry lobby Australian Energy Producers argued the policy goes too far and could reduce supply.
The CLP Government says the Northern Territory's mining industry is gaining momentum, with five major projects reaching final investment decision or securing committed funding since 2024. Together they represent more than $5 billion in announced investment and thousands of construction and operational jobs. Several projects are building accommodation for growing workforces, including a 252-room village at the Jervois Copper Project. Exploration investment rose 49 per cent in the June 2026 quarter compared with a year earlier. Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said Territory workers and businesses must be the first to benefit.
A series of public sector events is scheduled between November and December. They include a First Nations women's leadership masterclass in Darwin on 4 and 5 November and the NT Governance Forum on 6 November. Leadership and policy courses for APS and NSW public servants run in November. The Regulatory Reform in Practice Summit will be held in Canberra and virtually from 1 to 3 December, with Kelly Wood of the Department of Finance among the speakers.
Seventeen people from the Northern Territory have been named as nominees for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards. Nominees were recognised in four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero. Their work covers youth mentorship, education, First Nations culture, volunteering, community advocacy and healthcare. National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson said the nominees share a commitment to caring for others. The Northern Territory award recipients will be announced on November 9 in Darwin, with the ceremony livestreamed online.
Former Fraser Coast councillor and One Nation candidate James Hansen, 57, has been found dead in a flooded creek in Queensland. He went missing on Monday after trying to cross flooded Smothering Creek on Boompa Road, near Maryborough. Police say a report will go to the coroner while investigations continue. Mr Hansen was a dairy farmer and served on Fraser Coast Regional Council for three terms. Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour paid tribute to him as a passionate advocate for rural producers. Severe weather and rising floodwaters continue to affect parts of Queensland.
A Brahman bull named Maverick sold for $100,000, the top price at the Lancefield Brahmans Invitation Sale at CQLX in Gracemere on Monday, October 26. Buyers from Queensland and the Northern Territory pushed prices to the top figure. The top heifer, Palmal WC Estelle 2915, sold for $36,000. Bulls were up $3731 on average compared with the 2025 sale, when no females were offered. Maverick was bought by Rob Flute and Sharon West of Chatfield stud in Charters Towers.
Perth Airport's chief executive, Jason Waters, has warned travellers to prepare for major disruption over the next few years. The airport plans to consolidate its terminals and move Qantas into a central hub. A new domestic and international terminal is planned at Airport Central, with preliminary work expected within 12 months. Waters said he could not yet confirm the total cost or completion date, though he expected the project to stay on target. The new terminal is hoped to open by 2031.
Police have arrested a 31-year-old man over a domestic violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs on Saturday. Officers from Strike Force Viper detained him at a property in the Sadadeen area on Monday afternoon, around 1:30pm. He has been remanded in custody while police prepare charges against him. He is expected to face the Alice Springs Local Court the following day.
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City of Palmerston has released the Palmy Youth Info Map, a pocket-sized guide for young people aged 12 to 25. The map lists 17 services across Palmerston and surrounding areas, covering activities, health and wellbeing, education, employment and emergency contacts. Parents, carers, friends and support workers can also use it to help young people find support. The map is available on the council website, with printed copies at Civic Plaza, Palmerston Recreation Centre and the City of Palmerston library.
Prosecutors have dropped a breach of bail charge against Labor MP Luke Gosling at a short hearing in the Darwin Local Court. Gosling still faces two charges of assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly, which he denies. Those charges were not raised in court on Monday. Gosling's lawyer, Marty Aust SC, described the withdrawal as a first step in the successful defence of all charges. Gosling's bail conditions bar him from coming within 50 metres of NT Government House.
Tasmania Police joined law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand in a week of coordinated action that seized hundreds of illegal firearms. Nationally, 603 whole firearms were seized, along with 61 privately manufactured or 3D printed firearms and 808 gel blasters or imitation firearms. In West Launceston, Taskforce Raven seized a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle and a privately manufactured firearm. A 31-year-old man was charged with firearms and minor drugs offences and is due to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on 23 December 2026.
A bail-breach charge against federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been withdrawn by prosecutor Jo Poole in Darwin Local Court. No reason was given. Gosling's lawyer, Marty Aust SC, said the decision was only the first step in defending all charges. Gosling continues to deny the allegations. He still faces two counts of assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at a Darwin festival in July. The assault matters return to court on November 25.
