“Hi Mum” message scam hits peak as ACCC urges caution
Scamwatch says there’s been a significant spike in so called “Hi Mum” message scams in Australia over the past two months.
National News
Pandemic waste could be recycled to make concrete stronger
COVID-19 has challenged us in many ways, including how to dispose of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that’s an essential part of our pandemic response. Engineers at RMIT University may have an answer
Pandemic anxiety could drain $7 billion from New South Wales
Rising rates of anxiety and depression caused by COVID-19 lockdowns could sap up to $7.4 billion from the NSW economy by 2025, a report suggests.
PM announces robodebt royal commission
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a royal commission into the controversial robodebt scheme.
Regional plans key to environmental rescue
The Federal Government has put regional planning at the heart of its strategy to halt Australia's alarming environmental decline.
Rethink bargaining for wage growth: unions
Australian workers should have access to collective bargaining power which would help move wages, the peak body for unions says.
Farnham mouth cancer surgery successful
Veteran Australian singer John Farnham is recovering in hospital after undergoing almost 12 hours of surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his mouth.
Visa backlog a ‘hopeless situation’: PM
The backlog of skilled worker visas is a "hopeless situation" but the government is working as fast as it can to get them processed, the prime minister says.
Aussies in ‘denial’ over pandemic end
Australians must change the way they live and accept that the threat from COVID-19 and other viral infections will persist, a leading epidemiologist says.
Australia must confront climate risks: RBA
Australia must take action now to reduce the risk that climate change poses to a financial system that provides mortgages, insurance and protects savings, the central bank says.
Australia urged to bump up cyber defences
Government and industry have been warned to invest in stronger cyber defences as part of a national push to fight crippling ransomware and other online attacks.
Murdoch sues Crikey for defamation
Media mogul Lachlan Murdoch is taking defamation action against the Australian operators of Crikey news.
Inquiry to examine Morrison ministries
An inquiry will be held into former prime minister Scott Morrison's decision to appoint himself to multiple ministries, after government legal advice said it was "inconsistent" with constitutional conventions.
Energy change needs thousands of sparkies
Australia must train tens of thousands of new sparkies if it wants to be a renewable energy superpower, according to the Electrical Trades Union.
Song and dance in bush court over Santos
Traditional owners have given evidence to a bush court in song and dance in a bid to stop a massive Northern Territory offshore gas project.
John Farnham undergoing cancer surgery
Veteran pop rock singer John Farnham, 73, has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery.
Gains for consumer confidence again
Consumer confidence grew for the second week in a row despite weak wages growth and expectations of more interest rate hikes.
PM set to release Morrison legal advice on Tuesday
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be briefed on Monday afternoon on legal advice about whether Scott Morrison breached any rules after he appointed himself to five portfolios.
Ampol backs EVs, wary on efficiency rules
Ampol is betting on more electric vehicle drivers fast-charging at service station forecourts as the petroleum company navigates the energy transition, but is less upbeat about prospects for hydrogen.
Royal commission awaits virus response
A royal commission into Australia's COVID-19 response will be held as soon as is practical, Anthony Albanese says.
Australia’s largest ever fentanyl seizure
Australia's largest ever shipment of the deadly opioid fentanyl has been intercepted in Melbourne.
Qantas says sorry with $50 discounts
Qantas has apologised after facing a barrage of complaints over delayed flights, cancellations and mishandled baggage, offering customers a $50 flight discount to make amends.
Legal advice on Morrison to be handed down
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to receive legal advice from the solicitor-general on whether Scott Morrison breached any rules after he appointed himself to five portfolios.
Celebrating the telegraph that changed Australia
The overland telegraph line that changed the way Australia communicated with the outside world is turning 150 years old.
Inflation a priority for summit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says inflation won't hit the UK's level of 10 per cent, with cost of living pressures a top priority at Labor's upcoming jobs and skills summit.
Repeat waves prompt long COVID fears
COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise as a leading infectious diseases expert warns Australia is losing its battle with the virus.
Housing downturn endures, outlook unclear
The two biggest housing markets in Australia are leading the property downturn but may have already seen their sharpest declines, some analysts say.
Indigenous voice ‘won’t lead to payments’
An Indigenous voice to parliament and other aspects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart will not lead to reparations for First Nations people, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Insurance gap widens for most vulnerable
Australia's most vulnerable households are spending an average of more than seven weeks of their annual income on home insurance premiums due to the impact of extreme weather events.
Jobless rate hits 3.4 per cent: ABS
Australia's unemployment rate has dropped to 3.4 per cent, with 20,000 jobs added. It's the lowest unemployment rate since August 1974,
Emissions safeguard has failed: minister
The federal government is beginning consultations about lowering the safeguard mechanism, which was put in place to ensure large companies reduce their emissions.