O75 Public Administration

Chinese spy fears tossed in the boot: more EV choices for MPs

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Original article by Ben Packham, Elizabeth Pike
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 29-Apr-26

Special Minister of State Don Farrell has added Chinese-made electric vehicles to the list of taxpayer-funded cars that are available to federal MPs and senators for their private use. The revised list includes six vehicles made by BYD and one made by MG; the Toyota Prado and four utes are the only internal conbusion engine cars among the 22 on the list of approved vehicles. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess has previously raised concerns about the potential security concerns associated with Chinese-made vehicles, warning that conversations of a classified nature should not be held in them due to the potential for eavesdropping. The US is set to to ban the installation of Chinese software in electric vehicles.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION

King champions AUKUS, NATO in historic speech to US Congress

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Original article by Vanessa Marsh
Herald Sun – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

King Charles III has emphasised the defence, intelligence and security ties between the UK and the US in his address to a joint session of Congress. King Charles noted amongst other things that the two nations are co-operating on the F-35 jet fighter program and the AUKUS submarine alliance; he received a standing ovation from some members of congress when he mentioned AUKUS, of which Australia is also a member. King Charles stressed the importance of the NATO alliance, which has been criticised President Donald Trump since the Iran war began, while he said that he hopes the close ties between Britain and the US will continue. Trump was not present for the King’s speech due to protocol.

CORPORATES
UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

Albanese Government maintains large two-party preferred lead while One Nation and the Coalition are tied on primary

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

A Roy Morgan survey shows that primary support for the ALP was virtually unchanged at 30% last week; the L-NP Coalition was also virtually unchanged at 22.5% (Liberals 19% and Nationals 3.5%). One Nation gained support (up 1% to 22.5%), while support for the Greens was 14% and support for Independents/ Other Parties was 11%. On a two-party preferred basis (based on how electors said they would ‘vote’ their preferences) the ALP was on 54.5% (down 1%), but still well ahead of the L-NP on 45.5% (up 1%). When preferences are allocated based on how Australians voted at the 2025 Federal Election, the ALP on 54% (down 0.5%) leads L-NP on 46% (up 0.5%). If a Federal Election were held now the ALP would be returned to Government with a clear majority under either method. This Roy Morgan survey was conducted from 20-26 April, with a representative Australia-wide cross-section of 1,587 electors.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, MORGAN POLL, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, ONE NATION PARTY

ANZ-Roy Morgan Inflation Expectations were at 6.6% in late April – up 0.3% points from the month of March

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan Inflation Expectations increased in the month of March 2026 and have continued to increase in April as the US and Israel war on Iran has continued, and are now at 6.6% for the week of 20-26 April (up 0.3% points from the month of March). Inflation Expectations have averaged 6.1% over the first 16 weeks of 2026. However, a look at monthly Inflation Expectations for March shows the measure at 6.3% for the month (up 1% point from the prior month of February, and 0.2% points above the current average for 2026). Looking back over the last six months, since mid-October 2025, weekly Inflation Expectations have averaged 5.8% over this extended period. The data for the Inflation Expectations series is drawn from the Roy Morgan Single Source, which has interviewed an average of around 5,300 Australians aged 14+ per month over the last decade, and includes interviews with 4,115 Australians aged 14+ in March 2026.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence increased 3.5pts to 67.8 in late April – highest for over a month

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence rose 3.5pts to 67.8 in the week to 26 April, although this is still the seventh-lowest Consumer Confidence reading of all time. Consumer Confidence is now 15.6pts lower than a year ago (83.4), and 4.8pts below the 2026 weekly average of 72.6. Analysis by State shows that Consumer Confidence improved significantly in Victoria and South Australia, was up slightly in New South Wales and Queensland, but down in Western Australia.. Now 17% of Australians (up 2ppts) say their families are ‘better off’ financially than this time last year, while 54% (down 3ppts) say their families are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, 20% (down 1ppt) of respondents expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 44% (down 1ppts) expect to be ‘worse off’. Only 4% (unchanged) of respondents expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months, while 48% (down 5ppts) expect ‘bad times’. Meanwhile, 17% (up 2ppts) of Australians say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items, while 51% (unchanged) say now is a ‘bad time to buy’.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Donald Trump names former Republican congressman as new US ambassador to Australia

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Original article by Stephen Dziedzic
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

The Trump administration has nominated David Brat as the next US ambassador to Australia, a post that has been vacant since late 2024. Brat was part of the so-called Tea Party movement and was elected to Congress in 2014, but he lost the 2018 election. The free-market economist has frequently expressed Christian nationalist views and commented on issues such as the Ukraine war and free trade. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement saying that the federal government has "welcomed" the nomination of Brat, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will work with whoever becomes the next ambassador. Brat’s appointment must be confirmed by the US Senate.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Higher tariffs on Chinese steel could raise construction costs

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Original article by Michael Read
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 22-Apr-26

Economist Huw McKay says the federal government’s decision to increase the tariffs on Chinese steel products is "potentially counterproductive". McKay warns that this will increase construction costs, which will in turn add to inflation and the housing supply crisis. The government recently increased the tariff on Chinese-made steel reinforcing bar from 19 per cent to 24 per cent, in response to a recommendation from the Anti-Dumping Commission. The government has previously increased the tariffs on a range of other Chinese steel products, including bolts, hot-rolled coil and ceiling frames.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. ANTI-DUMPING COMMISSION

Prince Harry and Meghan’s four-day visit to Australia did not win the Australian public over

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 22-Apr-26

A large majority of 82% of Australians aged 18+ knew Prince Harry and Megan visited Australia for four days last week (equivalent to 18.1 million Australians), according to a special Channel Seven-Roy Morgan SMS Pulse Poll. Awareness of the trip was high at over three-quarters of Australians across almost all key demographics. Women (84%) were slightly more likely than men (81%) to know about the trip, and age was clearly correlated with awareness; 79% of 18-34 year olds knew about the trip, 80% of 35-49 year olds, 84% of 50-64 year olds and 87% of people aged 65+. The SMS Pulse Poll was conducted with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,767 Australians aged 18+ on 18-19 April.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED

AUKUS submarines are not the priority, US Navy says

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Original article by Michael Koziol
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 22-Apr-26

US Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher says the Trump administration remains committed to the AUKUS alliance. However, he says the US Navy’s priority is the next-generation Columbia-class of nuclear-powered submarines, rather than the Virginia-class vessels. Gaucher has conceded that the production rate for Virginia-class submarines is still well below that required to meet the needs of both the US Navy and the deal to sell at least three vessels to Australia via the AUKUS defence pact. A spokesman for Defence Minister Richard Marles say the federal government is confident that the US submarines will be delivered.

CORPORATES
UNITED STATES NAVY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF DEFENCE

Labor races to secure fertiliser and diesel

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Original article by Ronald Mizen, Ryan Cropp
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 22-Apr-26

The federal government is confident that Australia will have sufficient petrol supplies for the month of May and at least the first part of June. However, government sources have indicated that the outlook is less certain for diesel, jet fuel and fertiliser. Australia is likely to face competition for these commodities in coming months, as European and Asian countries begin to rebuild their stockpiles. The government is set to announce new deals for Wesfarmers and Incitec Pivot to underwrite the purchase of fertiliser on the international market; this will be similar to a recent deal for Export Finance Australia to underwrite to fuel cargo purchases on the global spot market.

CORPORATES
WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, INCITEC PIVOT LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA