Australia said it had deployed two more military aircraft and a “significant number” of defence personnel to the Middle East to help support its citizens there if the ongoing war between Israel and militant group Hamas escalates.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would focus on having one-on-one conversations with Australians to rally support for the Indigenous referendum, as early voting began in some parts of the country.

Australia’s southeast on Sunday sweltered in a heat wave that raised the risk of bushfires and led authorities to issue fire bans for large swathes of New South Wales state.

Australia’s Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) said on Monday higher fuel prices were expected to drive its fuel bill higher by about A$200 million ($128.80 million) in the first half of financial year 2024.

More than half of Australians would reject the inclusion of an Indigenous advisory panel in the constitution, a newspaper poll showed on Monday, as the government struggles to lift support for the landmark proposal ahead of a vote in about six weeks.

Australia’s Labor government will introduce legislation to close “loopholes” in workplace law, a move opposed by employer groups fearing higher costs, when parliament returns on Monday.

The roommate of a refugee bludgeoned to death by guards and other local contractors in an Australian-run detention centre on Manus Island nine years ago, will not stop in his fight for justice.

Australia’s army chief released the names of four aircrew feared killed when an Australian Defence Force helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.

Australian resource and energy exports climbed 9% to a record A$460 billion ($300 billion) in the financial year just ended, but are forecast to slide over the next two years as some energy prices have dropped back to levels last seen before Russia invaded Ukraine.

The Australian government welcomed a defence cooperation agreement between its closest neighbour Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the U.S.

A rare hybrid solar eclipse over a remote town on Australia’s west coast drew thousands on Thursday to witness the event.

The Australian government on Thursday took the first formal step towards holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and set up an Indigenous “Voice to Parliament” to advise lawmakers on matters that impact their lives.