WA hits headlines for record heat and apocalyptic red skies from cyclones; sparse biographic note: Western Australia is the westernmost Australian state.
Australia's states and federal government are implementing temporary free public transport measures to counter rising fuel prices caused by the Iran war. Victoria and Tasmania are providing free travel until July, while other states focus on different cost-of-living relief strategies. The measures aim to ease household financial pressures.
From May 4–5, Japan has signed defence and security pacts with Indonesia and Australia and has elevated economic and energy cooperation with Australia. Tokyo has agreed frameworks for defence-industry cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint exercises with Indonesia, and has agreed a package with Australia on energy, critical minerals and deeper defence collaboration.
A 38-year-old man has died after a shark bite at Horseshoe Reef off Rottnest Island, near Perth. Police say a coroner’s report will follow; authorities are urging caution in the water following a spate of attacks along Australia’s east coast.