Roads Desk
The work diary gets a second generation
The NHVR and Transport Certification Australia have a new Electronic Work Diary framework. Drivers on an approved system keep the one they have.
Bel McRae · 3 Sept 2026
Australia correspondent
Bel McRae
Australia desk
Bel McRae is The Gold Standard's Australia correspondent. McRae covers Canberra, the states, and the Roads desk: heavy vehicles, the NHVR, the freight task.
Australia
The national primary moved
One Nation won Secret Harbour on 29 August, but the Guardian Essential poll puts the party at 23 percent nationally — down five points since May — while Labor falls to 26 and Albanese hits his lowest approval as PM.
Bel McRae · 2 Sept 2026
Australia
One Nation says Loy Yang A stays on
Monday at Miners Lookout, Pauline Hanson and Warren Pickering pledged to keep Loy Yang A past 2035, scrap net-zero subsidies, and repeal Victoria’s 1983 nuclear ban. AGL still prints 2035. Election 28 November.
Bel McRae · 2 Sept 2026
Australia
Rowland told Hanson to look inward
After Albanese and Chalmers branded One Nation a danger at Queensland Labor’s conference, Hanson claimed the language invites political violence. The Attorney-General told her to examine her own party instead.
Bel McRae · 2 Sept 2026
Australia
Cash is not a rebuild
ASIC’s Monday review found cash settlements in at least 63 percent of final home claims. IAG and Allianz each used cash in more than 80 percent.
Bel McRae · 31 Aug 2026
Breaking · Australia
One Nation takes Secret Harbour
Luke Herdegen is One Nation’s first Western Australian lower-house MP after the 29 August 2026 by-election. Labor’s Georgia Tree conceded on 30 August.
Bel McRae · 30 Aug 2026
Australia
Quorn Park is the NEM’s first single-hybrid GPS plant
On 27 August Potentia finished a A$190 million hybrid 10 km northwest of Parkes: 98 MW solar, 20 MW / 40 MWh battery, one GPS, one controller. About 160,000 panels. Zen Energy holds ten years of offtake.
Bel McRae · 30 Aug 2026
Australia
Commonwealth names six groups for Sydney to Newcastle rail
Six consortiums were shortlisted on 24 August for early work on trains and the first tunnels. Planning money is $230 million until 2028. Construction is still listed for 2029.
Bel McRae · 30 Aug 2026
Australia
Midland’s new private hospital opened on Thursday
St John of God Midland Private Hospital opened 27 August 2026. 123 beds in the old railway workshops. Sixty public beds come back with the move.
Bel McRae · 30 Aug 2026
Australia
One Nation previews coal and gas policy at Marnoo
One Nation previewed coal, gas and a VicGrid strip for VNI West at a Farmers Fightback rally. The formal launch is Monday at Yallourn.
Bel McRae · 30 Aug 2026