Afternoon Update: Victorian fuel price fears after refinery blaze; One Nation’s SA seat recount; and how to breathe

Want to get this in your inbox every weekday? Sign up for the Afternoon Update here, and start your day with our Morning Mail newsletter Victoria’s petrol prices could spike up to 20c a litre due to a huge blaze at Viva Energy’s oil refinery in Geelong, but oil and supply chain experts say the effects should be short-lived. Late on Wednesday, a fire broke out at the facility that provides about half of the state’s petrol, and 10% nationwide, with an equipment error thought to be the cause. The federal energy minister, Chris Bowen, has said petrol, diesel and jet fuel continues to be produced at the refinery at reduced levels as a safety precaution. He said there would be an impact on petrol production. More than 80 unopened ballots found in SA seat won by One Nation prompts recount NSW’s highest court strikes down anti-protest law introduced in wake of Bondi beach terror attack Former NSW MP spruiked as ‘esteemed’ Liberal at campaign event – despite Icac’s ‘serious corrupt conduct’ finding Australian federal court issues warning to lawyers over ‘unacceptable’ use of AI Democrats file articles of impeachment against Hegseth for ‘high crimes and misdemeanors

Apr 16, 2026 → Apr 16, 2026