Sudden fare increase Australia
Either a fare sale ended, or when you crossed midnight you passed a 40-45 day advance purchase requirement for the cheaper fare.
Were the new fares in a different fare class? They don't have to be to go up, but if the cheaper fare class was no longer available after midnight, that screams advance purchase threshold for me.
No blame on the airlines for this one - they can set whatever price they want, whenever they want.