Australian government reduces fuel excise cut and confirms H5N1 bird flu case

The cut had been in place for the past three months. Officials said the change marks the start of a planned taper of the relief measure.

Bird flu detection Authorities confirmed the arrival of H5N1 bird flu in Australia on Saturday. Experts described the detection as a genuine wildlife emergency.

Tax reform debate The government defended recent tax changes, stating they are intended to help younger Australians enter the housing market. The opposition said carve-outs from capital gains tax reforms amount to layering failure upon failure and called for the reforms to be scrapped.

Fatal incidents under investigation Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale that occurred overnight. In Cairns, police are investigating a car rollover that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy early Sunday morning.