A Queensland man has lodged a human rights complaint over the latest national fitness-to-drive standards, calling the guidelines “demonstrably ableist”.

Casey Archbald, who is autistic, has held his licence for about 30 years without any issues. He only became aware that he may have to notify the state transport department about his autism after reading a 2023 ABC News story. The ABC has reviewed the 2012 and 2016 editions of the transport departments’ documents, and found that neither document contained the phrases “autistic”, “autism”, or “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD).

People with medical conditions likely to affect their ability to drive must report them to the state or territory authority with a medical certificate. Doctors determine a person’s eligibility to drive based on the medical standards and guidelines provided in the Assessing Fitness to Drive (AFTD). The previous editions have mentioned neurological conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis; autism wasn’t included until 2022.

Mr Archbald therefore lodged a human rights complaint with the Queensland Human Rights Commission against the Queensland Transport Department over it earlier this year, describing that the law is wrong, irrational and possibly illegal. University of Wollongong’s Associate Professor Amanda Webster also said there was nothing in the “identified symptomatology or characteristics” that are common to autism that would be associated with impaired driving.

A National Transportation Commission (NTC) spokesperson said “neurodevelopmental conditions” have been included in the standards for more than 14 years. Though in a statement they admitted TC and Austroads further clarified that an autism diagnosis alone does not determine whether a person can drive safely, and the commission has undertaken further engagement, including working with autism and health representatives to develop clearer public information and engaging with licensing authorities about the language used in their communications.

Amidst the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and the severe disruptions to the global energy supply chain, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will personally lead a delegation on an emergency diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia next week, aiming to secure and lock in a long-term stable supply of liquid fuels and crude oil for Australia.

In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) flagship political talk show “7.30” on Monday evening, Bowen revealed that thanks to the government’s “minimum inventory obligation” policy implemented in recent years, Australia currently has approximately 41 days’ worth of domestic and en route petrol reserves. While this figure is higher than the historical average of recent years and sufficient to meet short-term domestic consumption demand, Bowen emphasized that the risks in the global energy market have not been eliminated.

He expressed “extreme concern” about the current squeezed crude oil supply in the Middle East, citing the military conflict in Iran and surrounding geopolitical tensions as disrupting shipping in key waterways such as the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, leading to sharp fluctuations in international oil prices and strain on the refining supply chain.

Despite the Australian government’s call for public rationality, the rise in international crude oil prices has already impacted Australian retail petrol stations. Bowen concluded by emphasizing that the global situation remains highly volatile, and that “obtaining the most accurate intelligence and engaging in proactive diplomatic maneuvering are key to ensuring Australia’s fuel security and economic stability in the coming months.”

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority is proposing to shift its construction boundary in Box Hill to conserve more of a popular public park, instead displacing residents and businesses.

Original Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) planning for the new Box Hill station in eastern Melbourne was set to reduce the size of the Box Hill Gardens by 25 per cent. Revised plans reduce the impact to about 10 per cent and instead, 10 more properties and a laneway will be compulsorily acquired.

On Monday night, Whitehorse City councillors voted unanimously to support conservation of the park and oppose further construction encroachment elsewhere in Box Hill. The SRLA spokesperson said the authority expected the formal acquisition process for the additional properties to start in late 2026. But Whitehorse City Council Mayor Kirsten Langford said there had been little community consultation over the proposed changes.

Box Hill’s small business owners are frustrated at already having to move their businesses, due to the construction of the Suburban Rail Loop. Whitehorse Ratepayers Association members also said construction work had smothered the vibrancy of the retail precinct.