Labor ‘unashamed’ in pitch for cost of living vote
The federal budget will deliver help for working people, Anthony Albanese declares, as Labor tries to draw the opposition into revealing its hand.
Politics
‘Up against the clock’: time ticking for Brisbane 2032
The flag has dropped on the race to the 2032 Games with a venue plan unveiled but organisers are "up against the clock" to finish construction, an expert says.
‘Optimism’ in budget as Australia seen turning a corner
The cost of living will be centre stage in the government's budget as many continue to do it tough, but a cabinet minister says there is reason to have hope.
Rental reforms to help keep young staff in pricey homes
The difficulty of businesses finding young labour has been highlighted as tenant-empowering reforms are due to hit Australia's least-affordable housing market.
Move to enshrine eco approval smells fishy, critics say
The federal government has been accused of selling out the environment and undermining democratic rights after pushing controversial laws through parliament.
Cheaper power bills pledge as Dutton spurs gas supply
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's budget reply has outlined an alternative vision to drive down energy costs and ease pressure on household budgets.
Child removal ‘deepening wounds’ in Indigenous families
First Nations children in one state are 20 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous kids, a report from Human Rights Watch has found.
Feds accept GST recommendation despite state pressure
A controversial GST carve-up will go ahead as a federal minister says his government will not overrule an independent body's recommended funding for states.
Ceasefire first call amid Ukraine peacekeeping push
Anthony Albanese will speak with world leaders on peacekeeping in Ukraine, but its ambassador to Australia wants a ceasefire to come in first.
Australia may back Ukraine peacekeeping after talks
Ukraine's fight against Russia has implications for the world, the prime minister says, as Australia contemplates contributing to peacekeeping efforts.
US tariffs should be a ‘wake-up call’ for Australia
Australia has been warned against relying on Donald Trump as it continues to try to negotiate for an exemption from the US president's trade tariffs.
IVF, contraception drugs cheaper as birth rate dips
Several women's health drugs are being made cheaper as the government aims to boost the success of IVF treatments and help those suffering a painful condition.
Independent makes minority government ‘safeguard’ pitch
A senator vying for re-election has positioned himself as a safeguard in a minority government as his campaign kicks off.
Coalition backs AUKUS as sub concerns rise to surface
The coalition reaffirms its support for the AUKUS partnership as voices on both sides of politics raise concerns about the multibillion-dollar defence pact.
Vote to bypass court to strip citizenship ‘last resort’
A referendum asking Australians whether a minister should have the power to strip a dual national of citizenship has been floated by the coalition.
Australia again makes its case for US tariffs exemption
The government has made another pitch to US officials to gain an exemption from American tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium imports worth $1 billion.
Sunshine State dark as mining boom costs GST billions
One state has gone backwards in the latest recommended GST revenue carve-up with billions of dollars flowing to another as its population booms.
‘So much strength’: women call for end to violence
Indigenous women have gathered at the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to call for an end to violence and inequality.
Consumer confidence surges on back of interest rate cut
Australia's economic outlook is looking rosier as inflation continues to fall and following the first decline in interest rates in more than four years.
Murder trial told teen hit with shopping trolley pole
A man accused of murdering Indigenous teen Cassius Turvey told his girlfriend's mother he struck a boy with a pole, a court has heard.
Labor edges ahead of coalition in Roy Morgan poll
Support for federal Labor has risen in four states and helped it edge ahead of the coalition, a Roy Morgan poll indicates.
Climate 200-backed candidates edging out incumbents
Momentum is building for Climate 200-backed independents as they claw away at major party margins and have a strong chance of being elected at the federal poll.
State doomed to ‘repeat’ deaths with harsher bail laws
Laws to tighten the granting of bail for children and repeat serious offenders have been criticised as knee-jerk by some legal and Aboriginal groups.
Palmer pledges big biscuits for Patriots election blitz
Billionaire Clive Palmer has munched on a favourite Australian snack while expounding on his new party's Trump-style policies and promising to spend big on ads.
Scapegoating Muslims fuels spike in attacks on women
Women are copping the brunt of a spike in attacks and abuse against Muslims as the Israel-Hamas conflict and other incidents raise local community tensions.
Poll party on hold as triumphant premier waits on count
The final makeup of state parliament is still taking shape after Labor's barnstorming third-term victory, delaying the returning premier's official victory lap.
Metal makers reinforced as new US tariff threat emerges
The government assures a key export sector of support as a new tariff threat emerges while fresh funding reinforces metal manufacturing against US levies.
PM downplays personal poll lift as Labor maintains lead
Anthony Albanese has improved his standing among voters, drawing level with Peter Dutton for satisfaction in polling for the first time in a year.
‘Rock bottom’: Nats leader despairs at state poll loss
The Liberals and Nationals should view an election wipe out like a drug addict hitting rock bottom and realise they need to change, a party leader says.
Trump rips into ‘weak and ineffective’ Malcolm Turnbull
US President Donald Trump has called former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull weak and ineffective" in a late-night rant on social media.
Trump-Turnbull spat overshadows talk of tariff relief
Australian hopes of US tariff exemptions hinge on Donald Trump's talks with the federal government, not rows with a former prime minister, an ex-diplomat says.