Australia Wide

The ongoing war in the Middle East has continued to impact fuel prices and supply, and a fire in one of Australia's two refineries added even more strain. But there was some good news with the PM confirming the fire wouldn't escalate the fuel security plan and that more diesel had been secured following overseas visits.

Coverage that provides news and analysis of national issues significant to regional Australians.

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart has been dealt a blow, with a court finding the family of former mining pioneer Peter Wright has the right to potentially hundreds of millions of dollars worth of past and future royalties.

Regional routes are the first casualty in QANTAS cutting costs in response to the war in Iran. 

On Australia Wide why collective awe and wonder around the Artemis 11 mission is crucial to humanity right now.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Last time round, more than fifty years ago, regional Australia played a key role tracking the mission to the moon. Today on Australia Wide how regional Australia is once again playing a pivotal role. 

Theme park Dreamworld could be expanded prompting concerns about how an influx of tourists could burden an already gridlocked region. 

Conservationists have figured out how to teach young birds their song to protect the critically threatened species, regent honeyeater.  

The ongoing war in the Middle East has continued to impact fuel prices and supply, but there was some good news this week in the form of cuts to the fuel excise and reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge. But, it remains front of mind for many Australians, with changes to travel plans impacting tourism and day to day life.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Global fuel shocks are having a devastating impact on regional communities.   

Tourists bussed out of Exmouth on the Ningaloo coast as cleanup underway after Cyclone Narelle  

Police have shot dead fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman following a three-hour stand-off in Victoria's north-east. 

For people in the country, rampant petrol prices and supply issues caused by the war in the Middle East have been compounded by Cyclone Narelle which has hit the northern part of Australia. While there's some relief in sight in the form of tankers on their way, remote communities continue to worry about long term supply of diesel which supply critical generators. Meanwhile, the fuel crisis is prompting some to consider EVs. 

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle has intensified to a category four system and remains off the northern WA coastline where it could strengthen further threatening coastal communities.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

As war in the Middle East continues fuel price hikes are being felt everywhere - including the tourism sector with Easter around the corner. One Gold Coast couple has cancelled their caravan holiday plans while tourism operators are starting to wonder when they may have to curtail trips.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Mobile education services travelling across regional New South Wales say rising petrol prices are putting early childcare education at risk.

From fire to flood, how climate change contributed to a summer of whiplash weather and extremes. 

Locals celebrate 'mud coming back' to Tasmanian wetland once choked in weeds.

Floodwaters inundated the top end and northern Queensland, with residents and farmers now counting the cost. A dramatic helicopter rescue in the NT was a timely reminder to stay out of floodwaters, while two people have died in Queensland and some residents say it's time to move.

Hundreds of volunteers are hitting the streets across Bundaberg as part of the Mud Army that are ready to help residents of inundated homes with the clean-up.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Bundaberg residents are evacuating their homes and businesses as the city faces its worst flood in more than a decade.

Katherine experiences worst flooding in 28 years as remote NT communities evacuated. 

America and Israel's attacks on Iran have dominated the news all week. The bombs are literally half a world away from regional Australia - but the flow on effects are widespread and do feel close to home, including for Iranians living in Australia, those caught up travelling in the regions and on every day activities from filling up to bowsers to regional Australians who expert lamb or yoghurt.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Dark starry skies are disappearing due to rapid urbanisation and artificial light pollution.

Questions raised about whether insurance in disaster-prone areas is fit for purpose.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

Farmers in the far west of New South Wales are delighted that the drought has been broken by record breaking rains. Records have been taken at Britt Anderson's Cymbric Vale Station. This is the heaviest rain to fall there in a century

The Tasmanian Government will introduce stronger firearm laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, but it will not impose caps on the number of guns people can own. It has also announced what it calls a "nation-leading" buyback scheme.

Rural and regional people say a recent Medicare change is affecting access to mental health treatment. The change, implemented in November, means patients will need to see a GP face-to-face first to access treatment via video consultation.

Wittenoom traditional owners have launched a $1.5 billion compensation and clean-up case against the West Australian government. 

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.

The sound of regional Australia. News and analysis from the ABC's network of regional reporters.