The Latest Breaking News from Scott Morrison

A further escalation in Ukraine is touted to push fuel prices well above $2.50 a litre.

Scott Morrison spruiked his economic and security credentials in Western Australia but remained tight-lipped about any cost of living measures in the budget.

The Australian government is under pressure to cut fuel excise as petrol prices hit an eight-year high and Prime Minister Scott Morrison trails in the polls just weeks before a general election.

This week’s Newspoll, conducted March 9-12 from a sample of 1,520, gave Labor a 55-45 lead, unchanged since last fortnight. Primary votes were 41% Labor (steady), 35% Coalition (steady), 8% Greens (down one), 3% One Nation (steady), 3% Clive Palmer’s UAP (down one) and 10% for all Others (up two).

As a new Newspoll showed Anthony Albanese drawing level with Scott Morrison as preferred leader, the cost of living has emerged as a major campaign issue.

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Monday: Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will push ahead with a paid sick leave trial for workers in insecure employment. Plus: Australia’s top 10 public swimming pools

Just over a fortnight out from the federal budget, the prime minister says easing pressures on the family budget will be a key priority.

Scott Morrison says he is pleased he spoke with experts from the Bureau of Meteorology last year about summer cyclones and floods. It comes as former emergency service chiefs accused the Morrison government of "bungling" the flood disaster.