The Albanese government will divide oversight of data centre energy sourcing between AER and the Clean Energy Regulator. The Albanese government will establish national data centre energy rules to form the basis for its artificial intelligence legislation. Escalating conflict in the Middle East has driven Brent crude above US$120 a barrel. This price movement will cost Australia an estimated $17 billion in additional petroleum import expenses over six months. Retail diesel prices have reached $3.20 per litre across the country. This increase occurred while blockades in the Red Sea disrupt global supply chains and entrench inflationary pressures.
The NEM reached a record minimum operational demand of 9,072 MW. This low occurred during the 12:55 dispatch interval on Sunday, 20 September 2026. The new all-time low for market demand demonstrates the ongoing impact of rooftop solar generation on the utility-scale dispatch profile. AEMO issued a direction to AGL SA Generation for the Torrens Island facility in the South Australian region at 17:00 on 21 September. AEMO issued this direction in accordance with section 116 of the National Electricity Law. The market operator also identified a foreseeable circumstance requiring an intervention event in the South Australian region from 09:30 on 22 September. AEMO is reviewing its guidelines for NEM registration exemptions and unit