Federal polls: Morgan and Essential Research (open thread)

A lift for Labor in the latest Roy Morgan poll, which probably says more about the series’ variability than the impact of recent events.

I have two poll results to relate, plus a plug for a reupholstered BludgerTrack, where you will now find distinct series under “leadership ratings” for the Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor eras, if eras isn’t too big a word (which it is).

• The weekly Roy Morgan poll has Labor up three points to 30%, the Coalition down three to 22.5%, One Nation steady on 23.5% and the Greens steady on 13.5%. Labor’s two-party lead is out from 52.5-47.5 to 56.5-43.5 on previous election preferences, and from 51-49 to 54.5-45.5 on respondent-allocated preferences. The poll was conducted Monday to Sunday from a sample of 1562.

• I missed the latest monthly Essential Research poll last week due to preoccupation with the South Australian election. It had Labor up a point to 31%, the Coalition down two to 24%, One Nation up two to 24% (reaching parity with the Coalition for the first time in this series) and the Greens down a point to 10%. The 2PP+ measure shifted from 48-47 in favour of the Coalition to 47-46, these two being the only two-party poll results of any sort since the May 2025 election to have the Coalition ahead. Anthony Albanese was down three on approval to 39% and up three on disapproval to 51%, while Angus Taylor recorded an above-par debut of 35% approval and 33% disapproval. Further questions focused on foreign affairs, including findings that 26% supported and 42% opposed to the US-Israeli military action against Iran, and 34% supported and 26% opposed Australia’s response. The poll was conducted March 18 to 23 from a sample of 1008.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,123 thoughts on “Federal polls: Morgan and Essential Research (open thread)”

Comments Page 1 of 23
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  1. So Australians support Albanese government response to US-Israel war on Iran is in positive territory to a very difficult situation.

  2. So Australians support Albanese government …

    Voters instinctively rally to safety in wartime. Whether this endures will depend on the war, on the responses of the Government and their opponents, and on the economic and strategic fallout from the war.

    In my opinion, if the war is much-prolonged – if the economic and strategic consequences become as formidable as seems likely – then attitudes to the conflict and to the antagonists will also change. The US has very clearly committed itself to a course that it cannot see through to completion. The US and Israel started the war but they are not in position to bring it to an end. This discretion is in Iranian hands. They appear to be intent on knocking the US to its knees. They have the tools to do this.

    The US has also implicitly pitted itself against China, who are going to be the beneficiaries of the already-commenced US retreat from the Gulf. That first retreat of the US will soon enough also include Europe and may very well also include this country. If Australia wants to buy oil it will either have to agree to Iranian terms or to US terms. Who in their right mind would trust the US? Like every other oil-importing country, we may have to ditch our ties with the US in order to run our economy.

    The US is not going to be able to occupy and subdue a country of 90 million or so. In the absence of invasion and conquest – something China will not permit and the Iranians will resist – Iran and its allies will choke the life out of the transnational US-centric economy. As this develops the flow of capital into the US will certainly dry up…and at that point its fundamental insolvency will become apparent to everyone. This is already in progress.

  3. From the guardian blog – https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/02/middle-east-crisis-live-trump-prime-time-address-white-house-iran-war-israel-strait-hormuz#top-of-blog

    Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has warned that Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem would pay an “extraordinarily heavy price” for escalating attacks during the ongoing Jewish holidays.

    The guy is going to care so much, knowing he was already marked for death. He will become a shiite martyr. Israel’s leadership face the same if they leave their country.

    The US population is sick of supporting murderous Israeli campaigns, the end of their support is not too far away. Hitching yourself to Trump will have repercussions

  4. subgeometer says:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 1:03 am

    No-one is hitched to Trump. The problem for erstwhile allies of the US is to disentangle themselves from the floundering – the flailing – hegemon. The US has revealed itself as a corrupt, rogue state run by criminals and cowards. They have led the US into an irrevocable strategic and economic failure. The more the US struggles the worse will their fate become.

    Every country that has been aligned with – acted in support of or as a client of – the US is going to be choked. To release the chokehold countries will have first to disengage from the US. Along with others, we in this country will also be forced to choose. This will be difficult for Australia. We have depended for our safety on the US since Pearl Harbour…for more than 80 years. We are very much conditioned by our lack of independence…by our servility to Imperial strength. But choice is being forced upon us as we watch.

  5. Very late on, but in the previous thread BW and newyboy were extolling the virtues of artillery in the war in Ukraine, noting that it had caused 70-80% of casualties there.

    Like so many “fun facts” you hear, its probably true, but useless for learning any lessons.

    The better question is what is causing the majority of casualties *now*? And the answer to that is drones. Both sides had lots of artillery at the beginning of the war (as befits a centuries old weapons system), and zero drones. It took 3 years to pivot to new conditions (which is a typical lag during a hot war), to develop new technology, new supply chains, new tactics etc. So for the first three years, overwhelmingly, artillery was doing the killing. But now they have had the necessary time, for the last year, drones have ruled and are currently causing 70%+ of all casualties.

    Failing to address this pivot is to make the oft-repeated mistake of “preparing to fight the last war”. One could use the same mistaken line of reasoning to conclude at the end of WW1 that heavy artillery and heavy machineguns ruled (they did cause 80-90% of WW1 combat casualties), and that tanks and aircraft weren’t much of a thing. Of course, the former existed en masse on day one, and the latter took years of development.

    Don’t get me wrong – “the answer” is not to forget about artillery and just do drones. There is no one right answer, because every conflict is situationally dependent – who is the aggressor, what is the tactical/operational/strategic environment, force ratios etc etc determine the right mix of systems. So artillery remains important (and the upscaling of European shell production might yet be the decisive “thumb on the scale” in Ukraine’s war for survival). But using stats that cover the whole war, but which ignore developments and lessons learned during that war, are likely to lead to wrong conclusions for future planning.

  7. DPR,

    The correct answer is “both”.

    State of the art – for both sides – in Ukraine is the drone tells the artillery where you are, and then the artillery hits you.

    Basically, aerial spotting out to 10km behind the line of contact used to be a rare and precious thing for a ground army. Now it costs a couple of thousand bucks worth of cheap electronics and fiber optic cable – roughly the cost of the artillery barrage, if you’re using cheap ammo.

  10. 2025 saw total renewable power capacity reach 5149 gigawatts (GW) after the addition of 692 GW, or a 15.5% of annual increase, according to new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 also finds renewable energy dominates the total capacity expansion at 85.6% share, while non-renewables continue to account for a smaller share of additions.

    https://www.irena.org/News/pressreleases/2026/Apr/Near-700-GW-Surge-in-2025-Proves-Renewable-Energy-Resilience

    There’s a graphical summary of the report here:
    https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2026/Mar/IRENA_DAT_RE_capacity_highlights_2026.pdf

  12. Ian Whitchurch says:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:27 am

    DPR,

    The correct answer is “both”.

    State of the art – for both sides – in Ukraine is the drone tells the artillery where you are, and then the artillery hits you.

    Basically, aerial spotting out to 10km behind the line of contact used to be a rare and precious thing for a ground army. Now it costs a couple of thousand bucks worth of cheap electronics and fiber optic cable – roughly the cost of the artillery barrage, if you’re using cheap ammo.

    Noting DPR’s comment that we should not be fighting the last war, and this comment, both are in my view, exactly right.

    Australia needs to develop a complete drone ecosystem: people who can design and innovate around drones, complete internal supply chains for all the parts, a complete manufacturing industry around drones, and drones integrated tactically and strategically in defense doctrine. Ditto missiles.

    Australia is making good but limited progress. Positives are the loyal wingman, the manufacture and supply of small drones to Ukraine, and the development of submarine drones. We need, IMO, to do a lot more. Given our good relations with Ukraine, and given Ukraine has live experience of setting up and deploying a drone ecosystem, we have an obvious and willing partner in all of the above.

    It is a truism that integration is an absolute bedrock for fighting battles. The modern battlefield integrates reconnaisance platforms, comms, drones, missiles, artillery, manned and unmanned platforms, tanks, and logistics, including medical support. As for land, so for sea and air.

    What we don’t need is a Greens Defence Policy that is a national suicide note combined with the Greens nasty party political habit of white anting any and all practical defence initiatives.

  13. .. Paul Krugman .. gotta love him declares the US has lost another war to add to the last 6 it’s lost… about time the US congress admitted they have pissed human potential up against the wall for too long with the massive waste of Human Resources.

    I note the manoshere gets a mention..

    https://youtu.be/RTy9VNZTtN8

    Ps..I hope Aukus gets sunk in the crossfire

  15. Kronomex says:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 6:30 am

    Noem’s gone, now Bondi. How long before Hegseth gets the boot? Donnie’s starting to fall apart big time. Can repugs build up the courage to slough off the curse of Trump? Ah well, at least he has his tiny one-man band of PP to try and back him up.

    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-fires-pam-bondi-as-us-attorney-general-20260403-p5zl44.html

    There are still commentators in Australia who don’t get it that Trump is a demented, disinhibited and malignant narcissist.

    Yesterday we had Paul Daley writing an article urging Albanese to stick it Trump.

    Today’s Guardian podcast has a question about Albanese being ‘soft’ on Trump.

    Various commentators and the Greens are extolling Spain’s sticking it to Trump. These same people are routinely silent about Spain losing $30 billion in trade as a direct consequences. That is a lot of spanish lives ruined right there. And for what? Trump’s behaviour has not changed a single bit because of Spain’s interventions. It is not how malignant narcissists work.

    They also extol the virtues of Carney’s approach to shirtfronting Trump. Canada’s unemployment rate is 6.8%. The same people who praise Carney are dead silent about the consequences.

    Malignant actually means malignant. Trump is increasingly vengeful. Not less vengeful. Not the same vengeful. Increasingly vengeful.

    As his narcissism is increasingly threatened and as his dementia is increasing his disinhibitions, Trump is becoming increasingly dangerous. Not less dangerous. More dangerous.

    As Noem and Bondi have discovered. And, I am afraid, as Iran is about to discover.

  17. DPR of CBR says:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 3:09 am

    Very late on, but in the previous thread BW and newyboy were extolling the virtues of artillery in the war in Ukraine, noting that it had caused 70-80% of casualties there.
    …

    I was not extolling the virtues of artillery but noting the fact that it is causing three quarters of all casualties. I think artillery is a terrible weapon and its consequences are horrific. I would be very happy for Australian never to have to use artillery ever again.

    One test of your theory about the ongoing significance of artillery would be whether either of the Russian or Ukrainian military commanders would consider withdrawing their artillery from the battlefields.

    Your general comments about the increasing significance of drones and missiles is, of course, 100% correct.

  19. Trump’s attempt to change the US electoral system is DOA…

    Democrats’ lawsuit to block President Donald Trump’s new anti-voting executive order has been assigned to the federal judge who quickly blocked his last executive order on elections — finding that the president holds no power whatsoever to dictate election policy.

    The Framers “assigned no role at all to the President” in running elections, wrote District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in a 110-page opinion in January that permanently enjoined most of Executive Order No. 14,248, which attempted to impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements and limits on mail voting. “Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures.”

    The assignment is a coincidence — lawsuits are effectively assigned to federal judges on a given district court at random. But it makes it that much more likely that the new executive order will meet the same fate as the last.

    https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/in-bad-news-for-trump-judge-who-blocked-his-last-anti-voting-order-will-hear-challenge-to-new-one/

  20. Donald Trump has ordered a 100 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals manufactured outside the United States, a move that could have a big impact on Australia. Australia exported $US1.32bn of pharmaceuticals to the US in 2025, United Nations COMTRADE data shows.
    The US Supreme Court ruled in February the President’s sweeping ‘liberation day’ tariffs were illegal, however the pharmaceuticals levy has been enacted under different legislation.
    https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/donald-trump-slaps-100-tariff-on-pharmaceuticals-hitting-australian-industry-hard/news-story/703b31296d9824ca6feca6342610afa6

  21. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday asked the Army’s top officer to step down and retire, an extraordinary move amid the war with Iran and the latest in a series of clashes between the Pentagon chief and the service’s senior leadership.

    Gen. Randy George had been expected to hold the job of Army chief of staff until fall 2027, completing a typical four years in the post. But Hegseth has decided to go in another direction, Hegseth’s team said in brief written statement confirming the shake-up.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/02/hegseth-ousts-army-general-randy-george/

    Isn’t there a war going on? Jeez these people are just hopeless!

  22. And Bondi’s gone too.

    President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was ousting Pam Bondi as attorney general, saying her chief deputy, Todd Blanche, will temporarily step into the role.

    In a social media post about the move, Trump called Bondi “a Great American Patriot” and loyal friend. He praised her tenure leading the Justice Department and said she would be moving to an unspecified “important new job in the private sector.”

    Blanche will be taking over as acting attorney general, Trump said. Before being tapped to serve as the Justice Department’s second-ranking official, Blanche had served as Trump’s personal attorney, defending him in multiple criminal cases. Blanche posted on social media Thursday afternoon thanking Trump “for the trust and the opportunity to serve.”

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/02/trump-fires-bondi-doj/

    Although Blanche isn’t anywhere near better.

  23. Long piece on Denis Richardson in the SMH today – he has a message for those who want to break ties with Trump’s USA…

    Richardson is no fan of Trump, lamenting his “contemptible” and “abusive” attitude to America’s traditional friends. “You can understand a lot of people globally questioning US credibility and reliability,” he says. “I can understand why a lot of Australians would feel dispirited in the America they see today.”

    So is there a case for a bit more straight-talking from Australia when Trump disparages his allies and embarks on poorly considered military frolics?

    “No,” he says firmly. “The Australian government is not paid by the taxpayer to let fly and give them five seconds of warm inner glow by saying things that wreck the relationship with the US … The idea they should be calling Trump out is just rubbish.”

    While Trump’s America may be increasingly erratic and self-interested, Richardson says China’s rise means we need to hug Washington as close as possible and keep it engaged in our region. The key, he says, is to “not allow emotion to get in the way of it”.

    https://www.smh.com.au/national/my-chat-with-dennis-richardson-was-very-relaxed-suddenly-his-laid-back-tone-vanished-20260331-p5zkbw.html

  24. And Gabbard could be next, if Hegseth doesn’t go first. Although I’m sure Trump will want to confer with Putin first before nominating another DNI.

    Trump polled advisers about replacing Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief
    Exclusive: Pressure intensifies for Gabbard after president’s displeasure with Iran war testimony

    Donald Trump has privately asked cabinet members in recent weeks whether he should replace his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, venting frustration that she shielded a former deputy who undercut his rationale for war with Iran, according to two people briefed on the discussions.

    It is not clear that Trump will actually fire Gabbard over the episode. Currently, there is no standout candidate to take the job, and advisers have cautioned that creating a high-profile vacancy before a successor is ready could cause unhelpful political distractions.

    But Trump’s discussions mark an ominous development for Gabbard, given the president tends to poll his advisers when he starts to seriously consider whether a personnel change is necessary. The two people spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/02/trump-tulsi-gabbard-intelligence-chief

  25. The firing of Ms. Bondi, 60, ends a turbulent 14-month tenure as attorney general in which she tried desperately to appease a boss who demanded unimpeded control of the Justice Department to pursue politically motivated investigations against targets of his choosing, even when prosecutors warned that there was no evidence to do so.

    In the process, Ms. Bondi surrendered much of the department’s historic independence and oversaw the exodus of experienced career officials, leaving the department’s public corruption and national security units, along with many local U.S. attorneys’ offices, weakened and demoralized.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/us/politics/trump-fires-bondi-attorney-general.html?smid=url-share

    For many however, this will forever be Bondi’s legacy:

  27. World News & Politics Patrol:

    Trump: U.S. will bomb Iran “back to stone ages” over next 2-3 weeks: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/trump-bomb-iran-stone-ages-power-plants

    ‘Be serious… don’t speak every day’: Macron criticises Trump approach to Iran war: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevk0e4ykwko

    Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force: https://www.reuters.com/world/macron-says-it-is-unrealistic-open-hormuz-strait-by-force-2026-04-02/

    Iran to allow safe passage of Philippine ships, fuel supply through Strait of Hormuz, says Manila: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iran-allow-safe-passage-philippine-ships-fuel-supply-through-strait-hormuz-says-2026-04-02/

    Austria denies US use of airspace for Iran military operations: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/austria-denied-us-access-its-airspace-gulf-military-operations-reports-newspaper-2026-04-02/

    Trump threatened Europe over Strait of Hormuz, with weapons for Ukraine as bargaining chip, FT reports: https://kyivindependent.com/trump-threatened-to-halt-weapons-to-ukraine-unless-europe-helped-open-strait-of-hormuz-ft-reports/

    Hegseth ousts Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-ousts-army-chief-of-staff-gen-randy-george/#amp_tfFrom2025124saoh17751625946274referrerhttps3A2F2Fwwwgooglecomampsharehttps3A2F2Fwwwcbsnewscom2Fnews2Fhegseth-ousts-army-chief-of-staff-gen-randy-george2F

    Trump ousts Pam Bondi as attorney general in major shakeup: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pam-bondi-fired-news-trump-b2951084.html

    The White House posted and then rushed to delete an hour-long recording of an event with President Donald Trump that captured him lashing out at the Supreme Court after justices signaled expressed skepticism about his birthright citizenship case: https://www.thedailybeast.com/white-house-scrambles-to-wipe-trump-easter-meltdown-supreme-court-justices-footage/

    Trump says it’s ‘not possible’ for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and day care: ‘We’re fighting wars’: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-not-possible-us-pay-medicaid-medicare-daycare-re-fighting-w-rcna266381

    Kristi Noem husband’s cross-dressing was ‘an open secret in DC’: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kristi-noem-husband-white-house-secret-b2950834.html

    Colorado court throws out election denier Tina Peters’ 9-year sentence for tampering with election equipment: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/colorado-court-throws-election-denier-tina-peters-sentence-trump-rcna266421

    Trump’s Pentagon Is Undercounting Troop Casualties in Middle East: https://newrepublic.com/post/208551/pentagon-iran-troop-casualties-donald-trump

    Trump Is Doing Structural Damage to American Intelligence: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-doing-structural-damage-american-intelligence-cia

    Charges filed against bounty hunters who drew ‘replica firearms’ at anti-ICE protesters: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/01/charges-filed-against-bounty-hunters-who-drew-replica-firearms-at-antiice-protesters

    TikTok pulls Israeli ultranationalist’s account for breach of hate speech rules: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/02/tiktok-israeli-ultranationalist-account-west-bank-settlers

  29. Hegseth fires Top Army General

    Pete Hegseth asks US Army chief Randy George to step down, retire immediately
    US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down and retire immediately. The reason for the move remains unclear, but it comes amid a broader reshuffle of top military leadership.

    https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/us-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-asks-army-chief-randy-george-to-step-down-retire-immediately-reuters-2890943-2026-04-03

  30. U.S. will bomb Iran “back to stone ages”, where they belong, over next 2-3 weeks
    So much for liberating the under trodden people of Iran from their despotic yoke.
    Is there any greater crime than destroying a people, virtually on a whim (or on Bibi’s instructions)

  32. Various commentators and the Greens are extolling Spain’s sticking it to Trump. These same people are routinely silent about Spain losing $30 billion in trade as a direct consequences.

    Spain is in a customs union with the EU so that’s not how it works. But of course sometimes there’s a price to be paid for defending the common interests of all humanity. Nobody thought Albo would close Pine Gap, but it was still a surprise to see him cheering on this world historical clusterfuck the day it launched – try to think of a more embarrassing moment in ALP history

  34. The Iran war was never about freeing women and those under theocratic rule. I have no idea why people ever thought it was.

  35. Oakeshott Countrysays:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 9:02 am
    U.S. will bomb Iran “back to stone ages”, where they belong, over next 2-3 weeks
    So much for liberating the under trodden people of Iran from their despotic yoke.
    Is there any greater crime than destroying a people, virtually on a whim (or on Bibi’s instructions)

    C@tmomma, where are you?
    From the beginning it was an illegal war. It was never ‘moral’ war was as Greg Sheridan said on Insiders.

  37. it was still a surprise to see him cheering on this world historical clusterfuck the day it launched – try to think of a more embarrassing moment in ALP history

    Great question – one thought: having the White Australia Policy as the first plank of its platform for the first ten years of its federal existence.

    In the current situation, party members who so virulently opposed George W’s illegal invasion of Iraq, did nothing or scrambled to make excuses for the abomination.

  39. Interested if anyone has any further information about the Oz troops in the ME. I posted an AI description last night and so far haven’t found anything to suggest it wasn’t reasonably accurate despite being a ‘spur of the moment’ question to Google.

  40. So what did Australia actually say on 28th February 2026, when the war first started?

    Cheerleading? All the way with DJT?

    Joint statement with:
    Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia
    Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister
    28 February 2026

    Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.

    For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation.

    Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty. In response, Australia took the unprecedented steps of expelling Iran’s Ambassador, suspending operations at our embassy in Tehran, and listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism.

    Our Government has sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals, including more than 100 linked to the IRGC.

    With international partners, including the United States and the G7, we have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.

    These calls have gone unheeded. Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead. A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy.

    It has long been recognised that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security. The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The United Nations Security Council has reimposed sanctions on Iran for failing to comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the International Atomic Energy Agency Board has formally declared Iran in non-compliance with its non-proliferation safeguards obligations.

    We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security. Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation. We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited.

    Given our concerns around security in the region, we have also upgraded Australia’s travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to Do Not Travel. Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so.

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region.

    Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.

    https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/statement-iran#:~:text=28%20February%202026,retain%20power%20is%20without%20legitimacy.

  41. Economically speaking, the strait of Hormuz needs to open in next two weeks, otherwise the global economy is stuffed.

    Meanwhile The ramifications of what has occurred with this imbroglio will take years.

  42. Trump stop getting rid of hotties!

    CSL will not be affected by pharma its products are in the right category to avoid tariff .
    Both those Trump departees did a fantastic job in law and order and lowest homicide rate since 1900 in USA and sealed the borders and smashed drugs in USA.
    Did well ladies!
    Can you cry on my shoulder?

    If he gets rid of sexy Caroline I will go beserk!

    Re strait Iran will be crippled if it does not reopen as its economy is a basketcase without all the oil revenues.Trump knows this,and USA in surplus of oil revealed yesterday highest in 3 years.

    Winning!

  43. Article from the Weatherzone website – it’s a much better explainer than the usual sensationalist MSM offerings.

    La Niña over: El Niño now possible for Australia in 2026

    The Bureau of Meteorology has declared that La Niña is officially over, with forecasts now pointing at a rapid transition to El Niño later this year.

    The Bureau’s latest Southern Hemisphere Monitoring report, issued on March 31, declared that “the 2025-26 La Niña has ended.”

    This declaration ends a La Niña episode that started in spring last year and contributed to above average rain over large areas of northern and central Australia.

    https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/la-nina-over-el-nino-now-possible-for-australia-in-2026/1891293

  44. Re drones in the ADF: BW has mentioned the RAAF and RAN. The Army also operates a variety of unmanned air vehicles (UAV) and smaller drones.

    Infantry battalions are equipped with smaller drones for tactical reconnaissance. There’s a multitude of drones in use, many of them locally made .

    The Army’s 20th Regiment at Enoggera is equipped with a variety of UAV, used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR). It was formed about 20 years ago and has deployed to East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s part of the 16th Aviation Brigade and operates several largish UAV, as well as traditional radar targetting systems.

  45. Trump ordered destruction of east wing so he could build a bunker at cost to taxpayer,

    Although he his mad and bad, and he is not long for world. He wants the Trump legacy to continue, and after the Iran imbroglio his whole family including grandchildren have a target on their backs, and Iranians have very long memories.

    What is the saying, revenge is a dish best served cold.

  46. RQ

    Herald Sun: SAS contingent sent to Middle East
    • A small contingent (~90 troops) from Australia’s SAS has been quietly deployed to the Middle East. 
    • The deployment reportedly happened around two weeks prior to publication. 

    Likely location
    • Troops are believed to be based at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE (near Dubai). 

    Purpose (key point)
    • The mission is understood to be defensive / contingency-focused, not combat:
    • Emergency evacuation / rescue of Australian diplomats and civilians
    • Support if regional instability escalates
    • They are not expected to participate in US offensive operations.

    Reddit via ChatGPT

  47. Kronomexsays:
    Friday, April 3, 2026 at 6:30 am
    Noem’s gone, now Bondi. How long before Hegseth gets the boot? Donnie’s starting to fall apart big time. Can repugs build up the courage to slough off the curse of Trump? Ah well, at least he has his tiny one-man band of PP to try and back him up.

    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-fires-pam-bondi-as-us-attorney-general-20260403-p5zl44.html

    Noem is not actually fired. She is moved into a cushy job, which doesn’t have public profile.
    She was called ugly fascist b**ch.

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