There are calls for the New South Wales government to rethink proposed reforms which some warn could exacerbate the housing crisis. Under proposed legislative changes, if someone is living in a caravan connected to power and water for longer than six months or if the caravan exceeds 20 square metres, they would need council approval. If the proposed laws come into effect, it would represent the biggest shakeup of such planning laws in three decades, but there are questions over whether now is the right time as the state battles a housing crisis. New South Wales Planning Minister Paul Scully says the changes wouldn’t be retrospective, and people wouldn’t need a development application. Sky News understands fees would vary between councils. “In a time where we are increasingly seeing tiny homes and movable dwellings becoming permanent secondary residencies, we also want to provide our Councils with peace of mind when planning for local amenities and infrastructure,” Mr Scully said in a statement.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has criticised the Opposition and the Greens for refusing to support the Albanese government’s proposed emergency migration laws. The legislation could allow certain groups from blacklisted countries to enter Australia. The Coalition has questioned why certain people would be permitted while others from the same country are banned. The government is considering calling an urgent session of Parliament before the federal Budget in another attempt to pass the law. Some believe Labor has nobody to blame but itself for the bill's failing. “The Labor Party had this legislation weeks before we returned to Parliament last week,” One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby told Sky News Australia. “They’ve made no attempt to consult with either the Coalition or the crossbench … so as far as I’m concerned, the Labor Party are the ones playing politics with this.”

The latest Newspoll shows the Coalition surging ahead of Labor in Western Australia and drawing level in New South Wales. Support for both parties is now beginning to slip in South Australia. More male and young voters are turning towards the Opposition, while the government has seen increased support in Queensland. On a national scale, Labor’s primary vote has increased by one per cent but still trails the Coalition 33 to 37 per cent. Labor has maintained its lead on a two-party preferred basis – 52 to 48 per cent – while Anthony Albanese remains 12 per cent ahead of Peter Dutton as the better prime minister.

Pope Francis has led the Easter Mass at St Peter’s Square despite concerns over his health. The 87-year-old has been battling a respiratory illness. He used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine. Around 30,000 people gathered at the Vatican to hear the Pope. The Pontiff had skipped the Good Friday procession due to health reasons.

While Meghan Markle is reportedly 'anxious' about Prince Harry's upcoming UK visit, others are questioning whether he will finally mend his relationship with the family. Plus, King Charles has returned and is raring to get back into action. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

U.S. president Joe Biden proclaims Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter, Labor urged to ‘get rid of’ Giles or O’Neil when both ‘ran for cover’ after a press conference. Plus, the Australian government slams Meta's political move. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says Meghan Markle hasn’t “had much reason to come to the UK”. Ms Krakue said Meghan “doesn’t have a very good relationship” with her in-laws. “She’s made it very clear that she’s not fond of the institution. “I’m actually surprised that she continues to use her title. “Particularly for her new brand.”

Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says Prince Harry is due to come to the UK in May to “celebrate the 10-year anniversary” of the Invictus Games. Ms Krakue said it is not known if Meghan Markle “will be joining him”. “Obviously his family coming to the UK has been a huge security concern for Prince Harry. “Meghan is marked as to be confirmed on the guest list. “So she is on the guest list but she hasn’t yet confirmed.”

Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says Princess Catherine and King Charles have been “praised” by cancer charities for raising awareness. Ms Krakue said both of them being “open about their diagnosis” has an effect on the public to get “more proactive with their own health”. “Particularly in the case of King Charles, where the condition that he was treated for is very common. “9 in 10 men over the age of 75 suffer with an enlarged prostate. “It was really good for him to draw awareness to this common issue.”

Sustainable Australia Party founder William Bourke warns it is unfortunate that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has become almost the face of the anti-immigration push. Australia’s immigration intake hit record numbers in January, with a net increase of more than 55,000. Migration is fuelling demand for limited housing supply as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson called for a plebiscite on immigration. “I am pro-immigration and I think that extreme should be not dominating the debate like it does,” he told Sky News Australia. “I think we need a rational and mature discussion about this.”

The Jury has debated whether Australia needs a plebiscite on immigration amid soaring migration numbers in the past five years. Australia’s immigration intake hit record numbers in January, with a net increase of more than 55,000. Migration is fuelling demand for limited housing supply as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson called for a plebiscite on immigration. The Jury ultimately found Australia does not need a plebiscite on immigration. One member of the Jury claimed politicians are not listening to Australians and should not waste money on a plebiscite. Another member of the Jury said the people should be telling the government what the average Australian wants to have a happy life.

Royal biographer Angela Levin claims Prince Harry’s exit from the Royal Family got “worse and worse” over time as he did more interviews. Sky News Australia looks back at the fallout between Prince Harry and the Royal Family as the monarchy goes through an unstable period. Prince Harry only found out about Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis on television at the same time as the rest of the world. Ms Levin hit out at the prince for saying “disgusting things” about the Royal Family after leaving. “His interview with Opera Winfrey and also his Spare he wrote where he was incredibly unpleasant – told lots of lies,” she told Sky News Australia.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says there is no doubt King Charles’ cancer diagnosis puts “tremendous” short-term pressure on senior members of the Royal Family. It has been a dramatic time for the Royal Family as King Charles and Princess Catherine both battle cancer, placing enormous strain on already depleted royal ranks. Queen Camilla gave a brief update on Princess Catherine this week and thanked well-wishers for their support for the Royal Family during a walkabout in Shrewsbury. However, despite the enormous challenges facing the Palace, royal experts and insiders have told Sky News that the House of Windsor remains strong. “You have got Queen Camilla who has been doing a good deal and most particularly (pressure) on Prince William,” Mr Fitzwilliams told Sky News Australia.

Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter has hailed King Charles’ willingness to speak openly about his cancer diagnosis. “Learning the King wasn’t quite well I think was very jarring for a huge number of people,” Ms Arbiter told Sky News Australia. “But at the same time, his willingness to be so open about his diagnosis has had an extraordinary knock-on effect and it really speaks to the enduring fascination with the British royals but also how people look to them to inform elements of their own life.”

AMP CEO Alexis George says Australians are the “best in the world” with compulsion and saving money as the government considers assessing superannuation reforms. Australia’s superannuation net pot is now close to $3.5 trillion and is growing fast due to the rapid population increase and low unemployment rates. “I think why it is time to have a good look is that many baby boomers are moving into the next phase of their retirement which is actually when they start to draw down from the system,” she told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “This is the first time we’ve seen a big wave moving through that to draw down. “So I think it’s natural for us to have a look at it right now.”

The devastating impact of the Baltimore Bridge collapse is being felt by the United States economy. CNN reporter Tommie Clark says 15,000 jobs “depend directly” on the port of Baltimore. “More than 100,000 other jobs linked to it,” she said. “The port handles billions of dollars worth of foreign cargo each year. It also manages heavy farm machinery, imported sugar and coal exports. “The extent of the impact hinges on how long the channel is closed.”

The leader of Northern Ireland's second-largest political party has been charged with historical sexual offences. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigned from the Democratic Unionist Party and Gavin Robinson has been named the interim leader of the party. In a statement, DUP deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly says she is “deeply shocked and devastated” by the news. “I will be working closely with out new interim party leader Gavin Robinson and my colleagues in the time ahead to continue the work of tackling the big issues faced by Northern Ireland,” Ms Little-Pengelly said. All of Donaldson’s social media accounts appeared to have been deleted since his resignation.

Sky News host Rita Panahi has urged arts organisations to produce content with “broader appeal” if they want to attract the wider community. This comes as the Sydney Theatre Company faces a worsening financial situation in the wake of a pro-Palestine demonstration which was staged during a play. It is reported between 15 and 20 positions are at risk, and seven roles have already been identified for redundancy. “I’m talking about stripping out that political ideology that is often so vapid and boring,” Ms Panahi said. “The half of the country that considers itself conservative, or centre-right ... you’re missing out on that market.” “They really are damaging themselves and this is just another example of that.”

Sky News host James Morrow has urged arts organisations across Australia to “stay out of politics”. The Sydney Theatre Company faces a worsening financial situation in the wake of a pro-Palestine demonstration which was staged during a play. It is reported between 15 and 20 positions are at risk, and seven roles have already been identified for redundancy. “What are they thinking, getting up there, putting on their keffiyehs and doing the whole cosplay routine,” Mr Morrow said. “It always ends in tears.”

Sky News host Rowan Dean has urged Australians to “get cash moving again”. The social media campaign "Draw Out Some Cash Day" is set to run on Tuesday, April 2 – encouraging Australians to withdraw cash from ATMs in protest of the move to a cashless society. “Cash equals freedom ... they are doing everything to push us into this digital CBC world,” Mr Dean said. “Which is absolutely a prison – basically a technological prison. “Get your cash out on Tuesday, let’s show them we still love cash.”