AGP Executive Report

Middle East Shockwaves: Trump says he’s paused a planned attack on Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal, boosting markets as oil and inflation fears ease slightly. RBA Warning: Reserve Bank chief economist Sarah Hunter warns inflation expectations can turn into a self-fulfilling spiral that forces rate hikes and risks recession. ASX Set to Rebound: After a 1.45% slide on Monday, futures point to a firmer open as Wall Street steadies. Energy Pressure: Australia’s gas reservation plan is under scrutiny at industry talks, while producers push for more supply as Strait of Hormuz disruption keeps fuel costs front and centre. Public Service Overhaul (NZ): Nicola Willis’ Budget in New Zealand flags cuts of about 8700 roles and $2.4b in savings over three years. Victoria Lottery Scrutiny: Victoria’s 40-year lottery extension faces an auditor-general review over claims of “devious” lack of transparency. Health Watch: Ebola border screening could tighten if the outbreak spreads further. Crime & Cost of Living: Retailers warn cigarette tax is fuelling Melbourne’s black market and organised crime. Security Incident: A Brisbane Bunnings Newstead store was evacuated after a bomb threat, with police later finding no suspicious item.

Markets Jolt on Iran Warning: Trump’s “clock is ticking” message on Iran has oil jumping and shares sliding across Asia, with Australia’s ASX 200 down about 1.4% as bond yields and inflation fears creep higher. Rare Earth Security Push: Australia has ordered China-linked investors to sell stakes in Northern Minerals, citing national-interest concerns over dysprosium supply and foreign influence. Health Watch—Hantavirus: Europe is stepping up monitoring after hantavirus deaths on a cruise ship, but officials say panic isn’t warranted and responses vary by country. Emergency Services Upgrade: South Australia is finishing major ambulance-station upgrades at Mount Gambier and Bordertown to improve response times and working conditions. Tech & AI Governance: Snowflake says it has cleared Australia’s IRAP assessment for handling government data in Melbourne on Google Cloud. EU/Global Culture: Eurovision’s 2026 winner was Bulgaria’s Dara with “Bangaranga,” beating hot tips including Australia.

Counter-terror shake-up: Australia has appointed its first full-time counter-terrorism chief, Brendan Dowling, to lead and coordinate prevention and response across agencies. Bondi backlash: Islamic State has urged followers to use the Bondi Beach massacre as an “instruction manual” for future attacks, while the fallout from the attack continues to spark debate and security scrutiny. Courtroom fight: Former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan has lodged another challenge after losing an extradition appeal over claims he trained Chinese military personnel. Business pressure points: Rex’s former directors face ASIC action over statements that promised profit before a $35m loss, and Meta has rolled out new AI-assisted age checks and easier reporting tools for parents. Housing and health: A fresh push to cool house prices is being debated alongside new federal moves cutting private health rebates for older Australians from 1 April 2027. Regional shocks: A 5.2 earthquake in China’s Guangxi region killed at least two and forced thousands to evacuate.

Eurovision Shock: Bulgaria’s Dara wins the 70th Eurovision in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” while Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second as protests and a boycott cloud the contest. Defence Diplomacy: Australia’s Richard Marles meets Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman, with both sides pushing deeper military and security cooperation amid regional ceasefire concerns. Cost-of-Living Pressure: An Italian tomato producer warns prices could jump if high energy costs persist through the summer harvest, after paying about 50% more for energy tied to the Iran war. ASX Tech Boost: Weebit Nano completes a $73m raise on the ASX to scale up its ReRAM memory tech and speed AI commercialization. Aviation Disruption: Qantas diverts a Melbourne–Dallas flight to Papeete after a passenger allegedly bites a crew member; the airline issues a no-fly ban. Security & Space: The US Navy boosts MQ-4C Triton drone support across the Indo-Pacific, while ICEYE plans its first Asia-Pacific satellite manufacturing hub in India.

Solar Glass Deal: ClearVue Technologies is teaming up with Chinese vacuum-glass maker LandVac to build solar-powered “power-generating glass” in Hong Kong, aiming to cut building energy use by about 70% and reduce exposure to oil-price shocks. Trade Fight: Australia faces a potential multi-billion-dollar bill after a Chinese investor, Landbridge, sued over efforts to terminate the Darwin Port lease on national-security grounds. Aviation Disruption: A Qantas Melbourne–Dallas flight was diverted to Tahiti after a passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant, with the traveller later banned from flying. Health Watch: WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Invasive Species: Fire ants have been found in inner Brisbane’s Musgrave Park, raising fresh alarm ahead of the Olympics. Eurovision: Bulgaria won Eurovision in Vienna with Dara’s “Bangaranga,” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan amid boycott and protest fallout.

Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s Eurovision grand final is tonight, but the glitter is shadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation in the Gaza war, with several countries staying away and broadcasters tightening voting rules. Australian Spotlight: Delta Goodrem is tipped as a top contender in the 25-country final, alongside Finland’s fiery duo, as Australia’s presence keeps the contest’s politics front and centre. Defence & Markets: Canberra’s defence push is feeding optimism for ASX defence stocks, with drones and missiles framed as a new “tailwind” for local suppliers. Fuel Watch: Anthony Albanese again dodged whether the fuel excise cut will extend past June 30, saying supplies are now higher than before the Iran war. Tech & Cost of Living: Starlink is lifting prices in the US by $5–$10 a month for most plans, with changes rolling in from mid-June. Safety on Beaches: NSW is rolling out shark-bite trauma kits to 129 beaches, aiming to speed up first response while the shark nets debate continues.

Fuel Watch: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia’s petrol, diesel and jet fuel stocks are now higher than before the Iran war began, but he won’t confirm whether the petrol excise cut will be extended—an assessment is due before July 1, with the current relief set to expire end of June. Rural Fallout: Farmers and landholders are still in limbo over Inland Rail land that sits idle, with uncertainty continuing even after parts of the project were scrapped. Water Rights Fight: NSW has passed a bill that could allow environmental water flows to inundate private property under the Murray-Darling plan, sparking claims it undermines property rights and compensation. Health Alert: A new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri province has been confirmed, with dozens reported dead. Sport & Culture: Delta Goodrem is back on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, while the Waratahs face the Drua in Fiji with a must-win Super Rugby push.

Hantavirus scare in Australia: Health officials are still working out how to talk fast and clearly during the MV Hondius outbreak, after the Andes strain prompted quarantine and raised fears online—Reuters reports authorities are trying to avoid the Covid-style confusion and misinformation spiral while admitting knowledge gaps. Defence tech push: Australia is backing new undersea navigation prototypes so autonomous vehicles can find their position when GPS can’t—three local companies win contracts under the Undersea Navigation Challenge. Pacific military reshuffle: The US Army says it will redesignate the 7th Infantry Division as a Pacific multi-domain command, with AI and faster decision-making front and centre at LANPAC. Eurovision buzz: Delta Goodrem has booked Australia’s spot in the Grand Final in Vienna, but protests over Israel participation are expected. Markets mood: Stocks dipped and oil rose after Trump–Xi talks failed to deliver major breakthroughs, keeping investors jittery.

Hantavirus response: Australia is moving to the next stage of the MV Hondius operation after evacuations, with six passengers still in quarantine and plans for further health staff to board before full disinfection on arrival in the Netherlands. Solomon Islands politics: Matthew Wale has been elected prime minister after Jeremiah Manele’s ousting, ending weeks of constitutional brinkmanship and putting a China-sceptic leader back in charge. Budget and capability: The federal push to rebuild “Indonesia capability” gets a funding boost via the Australia–Indonesia Institute, while an inquiry hears migrants are “complements, not replaces” for regional jobs and food security. Regional security: Saab pledges long-term defence commitment to Japan as Indo-Pacific tensions rise, and Australia’s wider Hormuz mission chatter continues amid Iran-linked shipping risks. Health alert: NT reports Australia’s first diphtheria death in almost a decade, with cases concentrated in remote and Indigenous communities. Road toll: A tourist coach crash on Queensland’s Bruce Highway killed one and hospitalised others, including many foreign nationals.

Tourism Pressure Point: Sri Lanka’s hotel lobby warns it could lose billions in tourism revenue unless urgent reforms fix policy delays and forex leakages, arguing the gap between tourist arrivals and earnings is widening and pushing for tax relief, renewable incentives, faster digital licence approvals and better registration enforcement. AFL Betting Fallout: Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick deflects questions over team manager Mark Opie’s AFL integrity probe tied to bookmaker Okebet, while the AFL’s own betting links keep coming under scrutiny. China–US Tone Shift: Xi tells Trump Beijing is aiming for “constructive, strategically stable” ties with “measured competition,” but flags Taiwan as a potential flashpoint. Cyber Speed-Up: A new report says ransomware attacks are escalating in minutes, not days, with Australia among the most targeted countries. Health Win: Australia’s free RSV jab for pregnant women is cutting baby hospitalisations by almost half. Tech Security: Instructure says it reached an agreement with hackers after Canvas was breached, seeking to stop data from being published.

Markets Watch: ASX 200 futures point to a softer open after a brutal banking slide, with Commonwealth Bank down 10.4% on its profit miss and investor jitters over negative gearing/capital gains changes. Global Pressure: Asia’s reserves are sliding as oil-price shocks from the Iran war force central banks to defend currencies, with the Philippines and India hit hardest. Security & Safety: Queensland police allege a Brisbane man’s hours-long knifepoint car theft spree has ballooned to 25 charges. Policy & Politics: Tasmanian independent senator Tammy Tyrrell has joined Labor, while debate grows over whether the federal budget left Centrelink increases “unheard.” Community Impact: Victoria Police logged 161 family-violence call-outs in one suburb in a week—an alarming snapshot of a trend line still climbing. Workplace Law: South Australia’s new Workplace Protection Order scheme is now in effect, giving courts power to bar repeat violent or harassing people from public-facing workplaces. Energy & Food Costs: The food industry warns a “perfect storm” of conflict, fuel and freight costs is squeezing supply chains.

Eurovision Fallout: Israel’s Noam Bettan stormed into the 2026 final in Vienna despite loud anti-Israel protests, with security removing disruptors and boos/whistles greeting his “Michelle” performance. Middle East Pressure: As Trump heads to Beijing for talks with Xi, he played down US economic pain from the Iran conflict, while oil and inflation worries keep markets jittery. Australia’s Housing & Migration: The Coalition is pushing a plan to cap temporary immigration by linking arrivals to new home completions, aiming to slow “mass migration running ahead of homes.” Budget Backlash/Support: Australian unions welcomed Budget 2026/27 housing and fuel-security moves, while critics say everyday relief still falls short. Tech & Defence: SPARC AI says it’s setting up permanent operations in Ukraine to speed up drone autonomy via its Overwatch software. Cyber Crime: In Canada, CIRO has banned a former Scotia Securities rep for life after misconduct tied to client borrowing.

Budget 2026 Fallout: Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending sweeping budget reforms as a fix for a “broken status quo”, while admitting wage growth is lagging inflation and rural leaders warn health and roads funding is still short. Middle East Pressure: Australia is moving to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with Defence Minister Richard Marles backing a UK- and France-led mission and planning to deploy the E-7A Wedgetail; markets are jittery as US-Iran talks stall and oil stays elevated. Cyber Shock: Instructure says it has reached an agreement with the Canvas hackers after the ransom demand, with Australian schools and universities among the hit. Security & Travel: Australia has updated its Philippines travel advice, warning terrorist attacks could occur anywhere—especially across parts of Mindanao. Sport Integrity: Sports Integrity Australia issues fresh warnings on peptides ahead of the Enhanced Games. Eurovision Tension: The contest kicks off in Vienna amid Gaza-linked boycotts and heavy protest atmosphere.

CEO Shake-up: CGI has named long-time IT consulting leader Tim Hurlebaus as chief after the AI debate rattled investors and pushed the share price down hard. Disaster Politics: A Trump-era FEMA nomination has reignited questions about whether the agency will be cut or rebuilt, after the pick previously argued to abolish it. Budget Fallout: Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ 2026-27 Budget doubles down on “fairness” with major housing tax changes, while warning the Middle East conflict could still drive inflation above 7% and push oil toward US$200. Cyber & Identity Risk: A Sophos survey says 71% of organisations faced identity breaches, with AI-linked attacks making the problem worse. Health Scare: Hantavirus concerns continue after cases linked to the MV Hondius, with early symptoms like fever and headache flagged. Sport & Security: Racing Victoria reversed a chief vet appointment after police charges surfaced, while World Cup-bound Iraq gained two FIFA-eligible players.

Cyberattack on schools: Instructure’s Canvas (used across Australia’s education sector) was hit by a criminal breach tied to ShinyHunters, after the platform went offline late April and later resumed with patches, revoked access and rotated keys—raising fresh fears of follow-on scams. Budget shock on housing: Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the 2026 federal budget will tackle the “pressures and anxieties” behind One Nation’s rise, with negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions now back on the table—despite earlier promises they were “off the table.” Money stress hits households: A new survey finds 42% of Aussies have under $1,000 in savings and 77% are stressed, with grocery bills the biggest worry. Pacific diplomacy: Vanuatu’s cabinet has approved a new Nakamal Agreement version with Australia, while talks continue over how far it limits sensitive sectors amid China competition. Corporate watchdog moves: ASIC is investigating DroneShield after scrutiny of disclosures and a major share sell-off by former leaders. Regional security: US officials say efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing as Middle East peace hopes fade, keeping oil and cost pressures front of mind.

Terror Plea: A Stafford man who urged “killing migrants when they arrive on their boats” has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences in the UK, including encouraging terrorism and spreading a manifesto linked to Anders Breivik. World Cup Buzz: Dallas has released its 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule, with nine games at AT&T Stadium in a month-long tournament. Health Alert: The hantavirus crisis on MV Hondius is still unfolding, with remaining passengers being moved and more cases testing positive after evacuations. Fuel & Food Security: Australia’s Albanese government is pushing a $7.5bn fuel and fertiliser security facility in the lead-up to next week’s Budget, aiming to protect supply during global shocks. Myanmar in Crisis: Cardinal Charles Maung Bo tells Australian bishops Myanmar is in a “polycrisis” five years after the coup, with displacement and collapsing health and education systems. Tech & Politics: Australia’s political scene keeps shifting after One Nation’s Farrer win, while cyber and digital security stories continue to dominate headlines.