Government orders non-essential staff to leave Israel and UAE
The Australian government has told non-essential Australian officials in Israel and the UAE to leave due to the deteriorating security situation amid the ongoing war in the Middle East
Penny Wong, foreign affairs minister, announced the decision on Thursday night in which she said “essential” Australian officials would remain in the countries to help Australians who needed support.
She added that registrations for the department of foreign affairs crisis portal were open for Australians in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Qatar and the UAE.
The Australian Government has directed the departure of non-essential Australian officials posted to Israel and the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation. Essential Australian officials will remain in-country to support Australians who need it.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) March 12, 2026
Key events
Backpackers found dead in submerged car were heading for fruitpicking jobs
Two backpackers were on their way to pick fruit when their car drove off a bridge into flood waters, Australian Associated Press reports.
Their bodies were discovered at Kilkivan, west of Gympie, yesterday in the submerged vehicle during a search for two missing Chinese tourists who disappeared in flood-ravaged Queensland.
The tragedy marked the first flood-related deaths in the rain-drenched region as other communities braced for rising river levels.
The backpackers – a 26-year-old man and 23-year-old woman – left Brisbane on Sunday to take the four-hour drive up to the North Burnett region.
“Their intention was to go to Mundubbera to do fruit picking,” the police minister, Dan Purdie, told reporters.
A friend reported them missing on Tuesday, sparking a large-scale search.
“It looks like the vehicle has driven off a bridge into flooded waters, which is really sad to see,” Purdie said
The victims’ families have been notified and will travel to Australia as police work with the Chinese consulate.
NSW government extends no-interest loan scheme amid cost-of-living concerns
Penry Buckley
The Minns government has extended a no-interest loan scheme for a further five years amid renewed cost-of-living concerns including a burgeoning energy crisis caused by conflict in the Middle East.
The government has announced a further $21.5m will go towards the NSW no-interest (NIL) scheme, under which individuals who earn less than $70,000 before tax, or families who earn less than $100,000 combined, can borrow up to $2,000 for appliances, furniture, car repairs or medical expenses, or up to $3,000 for housing-related expenses such as rental bonds.
The NSW minister for better regulation and fair trading, Anoulack Chanthivong, says:
We understand the pressure households in every corner of NSW are facing – whether they need to replace a stove, or a fridge, or are just trying to get help securing a new rental property.
By offering this alternative, consumers can safely obtain items for the household or key medical procedures while safeguarding their financial wellbeing and independence.
About 12,000 people used the scheme in the last financial year, down from almost 13,500 in 2023–24, but there are renewed cost-of-living concerns amid potential fuel shortages. As we reported yesterday, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, has warned against panic buying, saying government departments had met to discuss the coordination of fuel for hospitals and emergency services in the event of shortages.
Government orders non-essential staff to leave Israel and UAE
The Australian government has told non-essential Australian officials in Israel and the UAE to leave due to the deteriorating security situation amid the ongoing war in the Middle East
Penny Wong, foreign affairs minister, announced the decision on Thursday night in which she said “essential” Australian officials would remain in the countries to help Australians who needed support.
She added that registrations for the department of foreign affairs crisis portal were open for Australians in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Qatar and the UAE.
The Australian Government has directed the departure of non-essential Australian officials posted to Israel and the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation. Essential Australian officials will remain in-country to support Australians who need it.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) March 12, 2026
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before Nick Visser takes you through to the weekend.