Morning Post Melbourne

Archives
31 March 2026

🌦️ Bill hike trifecta

Household costs jump this month, plus house prices cool and your midweek gig guide ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Melbourne

Wednesday, 1 April 2026  •  Issue #639

🌦️27°/19°
Possible shower developing, UV index 6.8
☀️ UV 6.8  •  🌅 Sunset 7:14 PM
 

Good morning! If you've been feeling the pinch lately, you're not alone — millions of households face a trio of price hikes starting today. Plus, Melbourne's housing market shows signs of cooling, and we've got your midweek entertainment sorted.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Triple blow to household budgets hits this month

🎵 Mostly Mozart: Concert One + 5 more events

💪 Health & Wellness: Mediterranean Diet Protects Your Memory

🕰️ On this day in 1976: Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and...

Today's Melbourne

Triple blow to household budgets hits this month

Millions of Australian households are facing a trifecta of price increases starting April. The changes affect multiple essential services and could significantly impact your monthly expenses. Here's what you need to know about the increases and how to navigate them.

via ABC Melbourne

Melbourne house prices fall as rates and global tensions bite

Sydney and Melbourne are seeing a slowdown in property price growth after consecutive Reserve Bank rate hikes. Global uncertainty from the Iran conflict is also spooking buyers across the country.

via The Guardian Melbourne

Victorian schools expand device restrictions

Victoria's classroom phone ban will now extend to all private schools and include internet-enabled smartwatches and wireless headphones. The nation-leading policy aims to reduce digital distractions during learning time.

via The Age🔒 paywall

Around Australia

Socceroos cruise past Curaçao in World Cup send-off

Nestory Irankunda scored twice as the Socceroos' substitutes sparked a convincing 5-1 victory over Curaçao in their FIFA Series clash in Melbourne ahead of the World Cup.

via ABC News

Labor draft platform takes stronger China stance

Labor's 2026 draft party platform is more assertive on China and omits previous mandatory jail term positions, designed to provide scaffolding for a long-term government.

via The Guardian Australia

Around the World

Iran reportedly using children in security roles — An 11-year-old is reported to have been killed in an air strike while manning a checkpoint in Tehran.

via BBC World

What's On

Music & Entertainment

Every Wednesday we highlight live music and entertainment around Melbourne.

Music

Mostly Mozart: Concert One

Melbourne Recital Centre, until 1 Apr

Morning chamber music by ANAM musicians — 20% off with code SENIORS20

Comedy

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Citywide venues, until 19 Apr

The world's largest comedy festival turns 40 with nearly 800 shows

Free

St Paul's Cathedral Lunchtime Concerts

St Paul's Cathedral, every Wednesday 1pm

Free half-hour concerts showcasing young local talent in a stunning heritage building

Music

Paris Cat Jazz Club

6 Goldie Place, CBD, Wed-Sat evenings

Intimate underground jazz in a 1930s French bop-inspired setting

Free

Sea Shanties & Folk Songs

Mission to Seafarers, every Thursday 7pm

Maritime music and history in a beautiful waterfront heritage building

Free

Motley Jazz Saturday Sessions

The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton, every Saturday 5pm

Free weekly jazz performances in an intimate Carlton venue

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Health & Wellness

Every Wednesday we share a tip for living well.

Mediterranean Diet Protects Your Memory

Following a Mediterranean-style eating pattern - rich in olive oil, fish, nuts, and vegetables - may reduce dementia risk by up to 23% according to recent Australian studies. Focus on swapping butter for olive oil and adding more fish like salmon or sardines to your weekly meals.

Source: Dementia Australia

📊 Today's Poll

Which Mediterranean diet swap appeals to you more?

Cooking with olive oil instead of butterEating fish twice a week

📊 Yesterday's Poll

Do you think Melbourne's public transport has improved in the last 10 years?

Yes, it's better led with 68%

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

A man looks at a photograph and says: 'Brothers and sisters I have none, but that man's father is my father's son.' Who is in the photo?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

💡 Today's Featured Game

Word Ladder

6 steps · ~2 min

DAWN → DUSK

Change one letter at a time · Par: 6 steps

Play Word Ladder →

Yesterday: 🧠 51 played  ·  💡 21 played  ·  ✏️ 23 played

🧠 Trivia · Sport · 7 Qs→
Which Australian tennis player won Wimbledon in 1971 and was known for her...
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Employees or walking stick

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in California. (1976)

• Canada's Northwest Territories was divided to create Nunavut, Canada's newest territory. (1999)

• Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević surrendered to police in Belgrade. (2001)

• American forces invaded Okinawa in the final phase of World War II's Pacific campaign. (1945)

🎂 Born on this day: American actress and singer Debbie Reynolds (1932) and American film director Barry Sonnenfeld (1953).

Brainteaser Answer
His son.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

The Tim Tam debate: bite the corners off or eat it like a civilised person?

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

No big media. No algorithms.

Morning Post isn’t owned by a media conglomerate. It’s independent, locally focused, and funded by readers like you.

Help keep it independent

From around $1 a week.

How was today's edition?

★★★★★
Not greatLoved it

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.

Want to advertise in this newsletter? Learn more

Sponsors and advertising help keep Morning Post free. We only partner with brands relevant to our readers.

Want to say goodbye? Unsubscribe

Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Morning Post Melbourne: