Good morning. Iran is warning that its forces are “waiting” to resist any assault by US troops, as Tehran accuses Washington of secretly planning to put boots on the ground despite publicly seeking diplomatic talks.
The impacts of the Middle East conflict are hitting home for Australia’s economy, with Labor under pressure to take more action over the fuel crisis as vital sectors, including farming, call for help.
And we look at the plight of NDIS participants who have been left waiting months for vital disability support, as internal documents reveal how the processing of changes to plans have been beset by “devastating” delays.
Australia
Internal NDIS documents show delays in processing changes to disability support plans have ranged from three weeks to more than three months. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
World
American sailors and marines aboard the USS Tripoli, which has arrived in the Middle East. Photograph: AP
Full Story
Composite: The Guardian
What’s behind the push for more Australian babies?
When the new Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, addressed the media earlier this month, he shared a vision of a “hyper” Australia with “more Australian babies”. The statement drew headlines but it’s not the first time a politician has let it be known they want people to get busy in bed. Krishani Dhanji speaks with Reged Ahmad about why governments are pushing for more babies – and whether the policies even work.
Full StoryWhat’s behind the push for more Australian babies? – Full Story podcast
Sorry your browser does not support audio – but you can download here and listen $https://audio.guim.co.uk/2026/03/29-15710-FS_PRONATAL.mp3
In-depth
Sue-Anne Hunter in Canberra. The First Nations children’s commissioner calls herself a ‘reluctant leader’. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/The Guardian
The inaugural First Nations children’s commissioner, Sue-Anne Hunter, carries the stories of thousands of children with her as she works to hold Australian governments to account. The Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman calls herself a “reluctant leader” but is determined to speak truth to power. She talks with Sarah Collard about finding courage, her ultimate dream for her new role – and the boy she can’t forget.
Not the news
‘I’m generally a bit of a cynic … but this stranger on the forum showed me there are still good people out there.’ Composite: Victoria Hart/Getty images
In the latest of our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found themselves facing financial ruin when their car began overheating. After a series of mechanics failed to diagnose the problem, they instead turned to online forums to find an affordable solution. They were left flabbergasted when a total stranger offered to pay for a radiator and ship it to their house – repairing both the car and their faith in humanity.
Sport
With the game in the balance, Kysaiah Pickett landed the heaviest blow to Carlton, thumping home the crucial goal off one step. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
Canberra-based communications and tracking systems will help astronauts orbit the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years in Nasa’s Artemis II mission, ABC News reports. Music festival attendees, cocaine users and the affluent were among the few beneficiaries of a scheme meant to divert low-level drug users away from the courts, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Australia is firmly in the sights of North Korea’s aggressive thousands-strong army of agents posing as remote IT workers, the Age reports. And per the West Australian, WA looks unlikely to follow Victoria and Tasmania in announcing free public transport to relieve fuel shortages.
What’s happening today
Politics | National cabinet is meeting today with an expected focus on the impacts of ballooning fuel prices.
Strike action | A Fair Work Commission hearing is scheduled today over the ongoing industrial dispute involving the ABC’s journalists.
ACT | The minister for trade and tourism, Don Farrell, is scheduled to give an address to the National Press Club in Canberra.
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Brain teaser
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