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29 March 2026

☀️ Who owns your GP?

Major insurers are quietly buying up Melbourne clinics. Plus free trams all April. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Morning Post

Melbourne

Monday, 30 March 2026  •  Issue #637

☀️26°/11°
Mostly sunny with a top of 26°
☀️ UV 7.1  •  🌅 Sunset 7:17 PM
 

Good morning! Major health insurers are snapping up GP clinics across Melbourne—and it might change how you see your doctor. Plus, free public transport rolls on into April as fuel prices stay high.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Who really owns your GP clinic?

🎨 Formula 1® Exhibition + 5 more events

🛡️ Scam Watch: The MyGov Text Message Trap

🕰️ On this day in 1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in...

Today's Melbourne

Who really owns your GP clinic?

Major health insurers like Medibank and Bupa are quietly buying up GP clinics across Melbourne. Experts warn it could be the first step toward US-style managed care, where your insurer has more say in your treatment. Worth asking next time you visit.

via ABC Melbourne

Free trams and trains extended

Victorians will ride free on all public transport for the entire month of April as fuel prices continue to surge. It's part of the government's response to the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the country.

via 9News Melbourne

Hospitality workers owed $300,000

More than half the cafes and restaurants inspected in regional Victoria were caught underpaying migrant workers. The wage theft problem is described as deeply entrenched and pervasive across the industry.

via The Age

Around Australia

Farmers plead for fuel guarantees

National cabinet is meeting today to discuss the fuel crisis, with farmers asking for diesel guarantees, tax breaks and help buying fertiliser. Petrol rationing isn't expected to get backing.

via The Guardian Australia

Around the World

Trump's Iran strategy faltering — One month into the Iran conflict, Trump's gut-instinct approach isn't proving effective, writes the BBC's international editor.

via BBC World

What's On

Arts & Exhibitions

Every Monday we spotlight arts and exhibitions worth seeing around Melbourne.

Exhibition

Formula 1® Exhibition

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, until 19 Apr

Immerse yourself in seven rooms of F1 history—iconic cars, helmets, suits and a racing simulator.

Exhibition

A Legacy of Light

NGV International, until 3 May

Explore how artists have captured light across centuries in this major NGV show.

Free

ACMI: The Story of the Moving Image

ACMI, Federation Square, until 31 Dec

Trace film, TV and video game history through interactive displays at Australia's screen culture museum.

Free

HERstory: Remembering Military Women

Shrine of Remembrance, until 30 Aug

Powerful stories of Australian women who served—moving and free to visit.

Free

The Swinging Sixties

Old Treasury Building, until 31 Dec 2027

Relive Victoria's cultural revolution through fashion, music and social change from the 1960s.

Exhibition

BODY WORLDS: Anatomy of Happiness

Docklands, until 31 Jul

Explore real anatomical specimens and discover the fascinating science behind human happiness.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Scam Watch

Every Monday we help you spot the latest scams targeting Australians.

The MyGov Text Message Trap

Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from MyGov, saying your account has been suspended or you're owed a refund. These texts include links to fake websites that look identical to the real MyGov login page. Once you enter your details, criminals have access to your Medicare, Centrelink, and tax information.

How to protect yourself:

✓ MyGov will never send you a text with a clickable link - always type myGov.gov.au directly into your browser

✓ Check for red flags: poor grammar, urgent threats, or promises of unexpected refunds

✓ Report suspicious messages to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au or forward them to the ACCC on 1300 795 995

📊 Today's Poll

Do you trust text messages from government agencies?

Yes, usuallyNever

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

If there are three apples and you take away two, how many apples do you have?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

✏️ Today's Featured Game

Crossword

10 clues · ~3 min

1 Across Hip pocket container for spirits
6 Across Citrus fruit for tea
7 Across More than enough
Play Crossword →

Yesterday 19 people played · Average time: 1m 34s

🧠 Trivia · Music & Entertainment · 7 Qs→
Which 1965 musical film starring Julie Andrews features the song...
💡 Word Ladder · 2 steps→
DARK → ??? → DAWN

On This Day

Anniversary of

• President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C. (1981)

• The first subway line in Toronto, Canada opened to the public. (1954)

• Vincent van Gogh's painting Sunflowers sold for £24.75 million at auction, a record at the time. (1987)

• Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge, Windsor, at the age of 101. (2002)

🎂 Born on this day: British rock guitarist and musician Eric Clapton (1945), Canadian pop singer Celine Dion (1968), and American actor and filmmaker Warren Beatty (1937).

Brainteaser Answer
Two — you took them.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

The precise moment you remember what you walked into this room for: never.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

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