Sweeping shake-up of Defence to deliver ‘bang for buck’
The nation's defence department will be revamped in the biggest reforms in half a century to tackle project delays and cost blowouts worth billions of dollars.
Politics
Immigration ‘division’ as parties jump on bandwagon
An ex-Howard government minister has urged the Liberals to stand by Australia's non-discriminatory approach to immigration as support bleeds to One Nation.
‘Disgraceful’ bid to remove defence class action claims
The defence force faces backlash as it seeks to exclude complaints of sexual violence and harassment experienced by female members overseas from a class action.
Australia raises heat over climate summit hosting goal
Climate Minister Chris Bowen hopes to meet with his Turkish counterpart to resolve an impasse over the right to host the world's most important climate meeting.
Pacific leader seeks investment, Australia eyes defence
The leader of one of the Pacific's poorest countries believes Australian business investment can benefit both nations during a time of great opportunity.
Commonwealth Bank boss reveals preferred migration rate
The boss of Australia's biggest bank has nominated a preferred migration rate while appearing before a parliamentary committee. saying a target is appropriate.
First test for Liberal leader as party fights ‘optics’
A woman tasked with steering state Liberals out of a political mire denies egos will make it difficult to select who's in and out of the shadow cabinet.
Ley tries to keep above fray amid Liberal infighting
Current and former Liberals are locked in an extraordinary spat amid accusations some party members are undermining Opposition Leader Sussan Ley
House prices surge as city-dwellers flee to the regions
Aspiring home buyers are fleeing to the regions as falling interest rates and limited supply drives city house prices to fresh record highs.
New Liberal leader bats away factional frontbench fear
A former Liberal premier has warned the state party's first female leader not to reward factional players with promotions but she's offered no assurances.
New arrivals should have ‘Australian values’: Ley
The opposition leader has given more details about her soon-to-be-released migration plan as she also prepares to outline major defence changes.
Damaged Liberal brand takes another hit as leader quits
Another leadership spill looms for the beleaguered Liberals after a state leader succumbed to pressure from his colleagues and called it quits.
‘Can’t have it all’: Australia abandons climate summit
Australia will not host the UN's annual climate summit in 2026, instead yielding to a rival bid from Turkey in a last-minute compromise deal.
Slash spending and reform taxes, IMF urges Australia
Australia should reintroduce a mining tax and limit spending growth in the NDIS and aged care, according to a leading global financial institution.
Family law system not safe for Indigenous women: study
First Nations women experiencing family violence face a law system that is fraught with barriers to access justice, a report has found.
No Christmas cheer from Greens for environment overhaul
A prominent conservationist has urged an entire rewrite of long-awaited environmental reforms as Labor remains confident they will pass before Christmas.
Liberal leaders try to repair party image after turmoil
Winning over climate-conscious and diverse voters the coalition lost at previous elections won't be an easy feat, but new leaders are laying the groundwork.
D-day looms for nature overhaul but final deal elusive
The environment minister has urged the coalition and Greens to come to the table and do a deal on big reforms to Australia's nature protections.
‘New hope’ for climate after COP summit wraps up
Environment groups are welcoming a fresh commitment to phase out fossil fuels despite what they say was an underwhelming finish to the 2025 UN climate summit.
G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
Leaders at the G20 summit have signed a statement strengthening their commitment to the Paris climate agreement and declaring their support for free trade.
Coalition has ‘mountain to climb’ in dire poll result
Liberal MPs and senators are preparing to convene but are playing down the prospects of a leadership spill as they digest another round of negative polling.
Dire housing affordability widening the wealth divide
An extraordinary rise in demand combined with constrained supply has created a boom in Australian home values and rents over the past five years.
National AI safety hub to manage risks, deliver rewards
An institute will advise the government on how to shut down risks from artificial intelligence and ensure companies follow the rules.
Liberal dramas continue as state leader faces spill
A state Liberal leader is set to face a leadership challenge less than 12 months after rising to the top job as the party grapples with dire polling.
PM launches blistering attack on climate policy ‘mess’
Anthony Albanese has torn strips off the coalition's climate and energy policies after an apparent about-face over public funding for coal-powered plants.
‘New direction’ as Liberals crown first woman leader
A newly minted Liberal leader has declared she has enough time to sell her vision for the state, 12 months out from an election.
Bid to have Brittany Higgins declared bankrupt stalls
Former senator Linda Reynolds' bid to bankrupt Brittany Higgins following a successful defamation case against her one-time staffer has hit a road block.
‘Cracks’ in NDIS led man to seek prison return instead
Jayden Conroy was stabbed 11 times while behind bars but faced with inadequate NDIS support on the outside, he sought to return to prison life.
Arts day delivers millions, with a bit of taxpayer help
An arts donations day run by Creative Australia has raised $2 million, but the cost to taxpayers may well exceed the amount provided by private donors.
Backlash as premier vows longer jail time for kids
Children as young as 14 face the possibility of life in prison for committing violent crimes under state laws that have sparked widespread backlash.
Russia redress considered as embassy land ruling upheld
A ruling in favour of the Commonwealth acquiring land intended for a Russian embassy on national security grounds has been welcomed by Australia's government.