r/WesternAustralia

Sometime around the mid 90s I remember going on holiday to Kalbarri - and on the way there we stopped at roadhouse.

There we were greeted by a friendly Emu that I think the owners adopted - its name was either Tuesday or Wednesday. Can’t remember why they called it that, but possibly that they found it on that day.

Anyone have any recollection of this and possibly remembers where it might have been?

Would be great to revisit if it’s still around (both the emu and roadhouse).

I have a property with lovely tenants, but for the last 6 months, the neighbours tree has been growing over the carport and I'm afraid there may be damage. The real estate has asked the neighbours twice to prune the tree but they have not.

I was aware that next steps were to contact some Citizen advice centre for mediation but I wanted to know what I could do beyond this as I don't want this to be a recurrent matter.

Just was asking for any insight, experiences and advice in this matter. TIA

A good article by two top Western Australian experts

In a matter of days, Canberra found billions of dollars to make petrol and diesel cheaper. The temporary halving of the fuel excise is costing about $2.55 billion over three months (plus GST returns), simply to blunt the pain of oil prices without changing Australia’s dependence on oil.

[The Strait - another escalation]

Iran opened the Strait on Saturday night. By Sunday it had closed again.

• Overnight Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that US forces stopped an Iranian-flagged vessel "by blowing a hole in its engine room."
• Iran responded by saying the US is "dressing up aggressive acts as diplomacy" and signalled it is not committed to the next phase of peace talks.

The ceasefire is holding in name only. The Strait remains effectively closed. The fragile opening that prompted last Saturday's optimistic fuel reserve figures has not been sustained.

• Conroy Sunday: "very fragile situation."
• Marles Sunday: "disappointing development."
• Wong Monday: "This is an inherently risky situation. Of course it is."
• Wong on the next 12 weeks: "we first need to have the ceasefire hold and the Strait open. But we also know there is going to be disruption for some time in global energy markets."

The 51-nation Freedom of Navigation Summit held Friday night produced a consensus position (de-escalation, open Strait, no privatisation, no tolls) but no operational commitments.

A follow-up conference with a defence focus will be held in London this week. Australia will participate.

[Australia and the US gap - clearest statement yet]

Wong confirmed to Sky News this morning that both the UAE and the United States made requests for assistance with the defence of Gulf countries.

• Australia chose to respond to the UAE request.
• It did not respond to the US request.

Wong: "There was a request for assistance of the defence of the Gulf countries, including from the UAE and the United States. The request we determined to respond to was the United Arab Emirates."

That is the most explicit account yet of what happened. Australia received a US request. It declined it. It accepted the UAE version of the same request.

Trump has said publicly, multiple times, that Australia was asked and was not there. The government's position ("no formal request for naval assets in relation to the Strait") remains technically accurate while this broader picture becomes clearer.

Wong asked directly whether she has confidence in Trump: "the United States under President Trump will be a very different America... one of his characteristics and tactics is unpredictability. We've certainly seen unpredictability."

Wong asked whether the government has modelled petrol rationing including site closures on certain days: declined to confirm or deny. Not a denial.

[The Economic Resilience Program opens - 18 days late]

The $1 billion Economic Resilience Program opened today, April 20; 18 days after it was announced on April 2. NatRoad's tone has shifted from "too little too late, businesses closing now" to crediting the government for delivering "a significant win."

• Zero-interest loans up to $5 million for businesses with turnover under $100 million, available through existing bank relationships; the big four plus Bank of Queensland and Bendigo Bank.
• Freight and logistics are explicitly named as eligible sectors.
• Money expected to flow within days.

The fine print: normal bank credit assessment applies.

• NatRoad flagged explicitly that operators already under financial stress may face barriers to qualifying.
• The operators most likely to need the loans are the ones least likely to pass a credit check.
• NatRoad said it will raise this immediately if small operators are being excluded in practice.

The March fuel bills are due tomorrow, April 21. The program opening the day before is cutting it extremely close for operators whose fuel cards were being declined last week.

• A separate $5 billion component is available for manufacturing firms investing in energy resilience at concessional rates; brought forward from mid-year to today.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres confirmed Viva Energy's refineries almost certainly don't qualify for the bank stream; too large on both turnover and loan size. They would deal with the NRF directly.

[Viva update - production to exceed 90% within weeks]

Viva Energy published its formal ASX market update today. Current production:

• 80% diesel and jet fuel,
• 60% petrol.

Over the next few weeks, subject to plant inspection, the company expects to lift all three fuel types to over 90% of capacity.

Viva confirmed sufficient fuel stocks to cover reduced production and ruled out price increases or supply disruptions for customers.

CEO Scott Wyatt: "We will progressively restore production once we are confident that it is safe to do so, and do not expect any disruptions to fuel availability or price increases for Viva Energy's customers as a result of this incident."

The 90% target is more specific and more optimistic than anything said publicly at Friday's Geelong presser.

[The fuel - where things stand]

Saturday's Bowen figures remain the most recent official update; built before the Strait closed again:

• 46 days petrol (up 8 from previous Saturday).
• 31 days diesel.
• 30 days jet fuel.
• 61 ships en route.
• All of May contracted.

The ships already en route are still coming.

What the Strait closing again changes is June and beyond; which was already uncertain.

The sulphur standard extension to September now looks less like caution and more like foresight.

[Tasmania - April 20 date]

The Tasmanian Government updated its official fuel supply page today (April 20) with identical language to April 17.

Supply is secure, regular deliveries continuing.

The warning date has passed without a declared shortage.

Whether the agricultural diesel pressure TasFarmers described has been quietly absorbed into the national supply chain, or is building without public acknowledgement, is not visible from official sources.

Sources:

Wong, Sky News Politics Now transcript, 20 April 2026 · Ayres, ABC RN Breakfast, ABC Radio Sydney, and Today Show transcripts, 20 April 2026 · Ayres NRF press conference transcript, 20 April 2026 · NatRoad media release, zero-interest loan program opens, 20 April 2026 · Viva Energy ASX market update, Geelong Refinery Incident Update, 20 April 2026 · Tasmanian Government fuel supply alert, alert.tas.gov.au/fuel-supply, 20 April 2026 · Marles, ABC Insiders transcript, 19 April 2026 · Conroy, Sky News Australia transcript, 19 April 2026 · Bowen weekly press conference, 18 April 2026 · WA FuelWatch data, 20 April 2026

i am looking for a bit undercover/not so popular but good spots where i can go

I'm 20F and need some quick cash. Can anyone suggest any part time gigs or anything that can get me some quick money maybe in a week as I have rent due.

hi guys! im a bit new to the town, could someone tell me a little about the dirt racing and whats it about and just genral stuff

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.

There are thousands of international students in Australia — working, studying, paying high fees, trying to build a future — but when it comes to having an actual voice, it feels like… there isn’t one.

Or at least not one that students genuinely feel connected to.

There are organisations, yes. But most students don’t even know they exist. And even if they do, it doesn’t feel like those bodies are actually reflecting what students deal with day-to-day — finding jobs, dealing with landlords, managing costs, handling stress, figuring out PR.

It feels very top-down.

A lot of “representation” exists on paper, but not in the reality students are living every day.

Most conversations that matter are happening on Reddit, WhatsApp groups, random Facebook posts — not through any structured or recognised platform.

And that says a lot.

Because when people don’t feel heard in official spaces, they create their own.

I’m not saying there aren’t people trying to do good work. I’m sure there are. But clearly something is missing — otherwise students wouldn’t feel this disconnected.

What we really need is something that connects both sides:

real student experiences and actual representation.

Not just policies, not just websites — but something that students actually use, trust, and feel part of.

Curious to hear from others:

Do you feel like international students in Australia actually have a voice?

Or are we all just figuring things out on our own?

Where are we buying NOR joondalup/Wanneroo area

Hey all!

I’m currently based in NSW and am wanting to move to WA. I am more interested in living in the coastal areas. Does anyone have any advice on towns/regions that are laid back and aren’t too hectic?

Any advice in general about the move is welcome xx TIA xx

[The Strait opens]

During last night's 49-nation Freedom of Navigation Summit, news broke that Iran has agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz to all passage.

• Albanese confirmed this at his Saturday morning press conference.
• He described the development as positive but fragile. He did not use the word "resolved."
• The summit was hosted by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer, with Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Meloni attending in person.
• 49 countries participated virtually, including Australia.
• Consistent position across all: de-escalation, open Strait, no privatisation, no tolls on passage.
• An IMO report on seafarer welfare (many have been stranded on ships in the Gulf for weeks) was also tabled.
• A follow-up conference in London this week will discuss what assets and contributions each country will provide.
• Australia confirmed it will participate. Albanese: "Australia remains, of course, prepared to provide assistance."

On timeline: even if the Strait opening holds, the supply impact will take months to flow through.

• Ships already in transit need to clear.
• Mines need to be swept.
• Infrastructure damaged in the opening strikes (including South Pars and Qatar's Ras Laffan) needs repair.
• Insurance barriers need to be resolved.
• Albanese: "You're talking 90 days before the expectation, at least."

This is not job done. It is the beginning of a long tail.

[The fuel - weekly figures]

Bowen's Saturday update is the best fuel reserve picture since the crisis began.

• 46 days petrol on hand; up 8 from last Saturday, and 10 days more than when the crisis began at end of February. Just under 2 billion litres.
• 31 days diesel; unchanged from last week. 2.8 billion litres.
• 30 days jet fuel; up 2 from last week.
• 61 cargo ships en route; up from 57 last week.

All of May now contracted. Starting into June.

4.1 billion litres locked in over the next four weeks:

• 2,055 million litres diesel,
• 753 million litres petrol,
• 390 million litres jet fuel,
• 903 million litres crude oil.

Bowen: "We've actually seen more fuel in Australia now as a result of government and industry working so closely together, than when this international conflict began."

National outages: 120 stations without diesel nationally; 1.7% of approximately 8,000 stations.

Continued improvement across the board.

[WA Government weekly update]

• 10 stockouts out of 771 stations statewide as of Friday; significant improvement from earlier in the week.
• WA confirmed its fuel supply is unaffected by the Geelong fire. WA does not receive fuel from Viva Geelong.
• State strategic reserve confirmed at 4 million litres with capacity to expand to 12 million litres. 100% state-owned.
• Emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972 ratified by WA Parliament this week.
• Commissioner for Consumer Protection writing to all fuel suppliers to compel information on pricing; ensuring the fuel excise cuts have been passed on to consumers in full.

[The refinery - Monday update incoming]

Geelong remains at 80% diesel and jet fuel, 60% petrol.

• Viva is working through the weekend.
• Bowen confirmed Viva will update the Australian people on Monday with their plan to increase production further.

Bowen: "I'm confident that diesel and jet fuel will return to more normal levels quite quickly. Petrol will take a little bit longer."

[The spot market failure - explained]

Bowen in the SMH/Age podcast this week gave the clearest account yet of why regional outages occurred and why they were so persistent.

The fuel market operates on two systems: contracted and spot.

• The contracted market serves cities and large industrial users; miners, major operators.
• The spot market serves regional areas.

When the crisis hit, every contracted buyer immediately purchased their maximum allocation.

• Refineries were legally obliged to honour those contracts.
• The contracted market consumed all available supply.
• The spot market (which regional WA depends on) was left with nothing.

Bowen: "It wasn't the intention. It was just that the city works on contracts... the spot market really failed to work because the contracted market was taking up all the fuel."

It was not a logistics failure. It was a market structure failure.

[Sulphur standard extended]

Bowen extended the higher sulphur petrol standard (50 parts per million) from end of May to end of September.

• A blending-down period follows to December 31.
• The extension signals the government expects ongoing supply pressure in the international market even with the Strait opening.

The long tail is already being built into regulatory settings.

[Singapore Protocol concluded]

The binding Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies to the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement has been substantially concluded. Wong and Farrell finalised it in Singapore Friday.

• It covers petroleum oils including diesel, and LNG.
• Both countries commit to avoiding export prohibitions or restrictions on essential supplies between them.
• The Australia-Singapore Economic Resilience Dialogue is formalised as the ongoing coordination mechanism.
• Enters into force after domestic processes in both countries.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Balakrishnan at the signing: "Relationships are tested in times of crisis. More recently, during Covid-19, we stood together, and now in this current crisis of supply chains, again, we found complementarity and mutual interdependence."

[Wong on the Trump gap]

The discrepancy between Trump's public statements ("they were not there when we asked them to be there") and Australia's position has not been resolved, but Wong's language has shifted.

• Pressed hard by Karvelas on the "formal/informal" distinction, Wong said: "We have not said no to any request."
• She also confirmed she had a call with Secretary Rubio earlier in the conflict and that Australia continues to engage with the US administration to ensure they are "very clear about what we have been asked to do and what we are doing."

That framing ("what we have been asked to do") is meaningfully different from "no request has been received."

The government is no longer simply denying requests exist. It is describing a process of responding to requests and accounting for what it has provided.

[National Incident Centre activated]

Albanese confirmed the National Incident Centre has been activated for the first time since COVID; in relation to medical supply shortages caused by the crisis.

He did not elaborate on specifics but described it as part of whole-of-government preparation for downstream impacts.

[What else]

Australia locked in contracts for the first three Mogami-class general purpose frigates; built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, first delivery to the RAN in 2029.

• Subsequent ships to be built at Henderson Defence Precinct.
• Marles and Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi signed the "Mogami Memorandum." Up to $20 billion committed over the decade to the GPF program.

Tasmania's April 20 diesel risk date is two days away. No new figures today pending further state-level updates.

The NatRoad March fuel bill deadline is three days away.

Sources: Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Bowen press conference, Sydney, 18 April 2026 · Minister Bowen weekly fuel update, 18 April 2026 · Foreign Minister Wong, ABC Afternoon Briefing and 10 News+ transcripts, 17 April 2026 · Singapore-Australia Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies media release, 17 April 2026 · Singapore doorstop transcript, 17 April 2026 · WA Government Weekly Fuel Update, 17 April 2026 · Marles and Conroy joint media release, Australia locks in first three general purpose frigates, 18 April 2026 · Bowen, SMH/Age Inside Politics podcast transcript, 17 April 2026 ·