Water trigger ‘too vague’ to stop onshore gas expansion
Tweaked environmental laws remain too loose to safeguard water supplies and tackle threats to food growers and country from onshore gas wells, research shows.
Politics
Woolworths store graffitied after boycott call
After Woolworths announced it would not stock Australia Day merchandise, one of its Brisbane stores has been targeted by vandals.
Taiwan tries to lure Australian MPs as China watches on
Australian parliamentarians are set to be invited to visit Taiwan to meet the new leadership team after a historic win by the pro-democracy political party.
Doors open to housing fund as renters fall behind
A landmark government housing fund has opened its doors to developers as new data shows rental prices grew faster than home values for a second year running.
Dallas Hayden dies months after Labor leader spouse
The wife of former governor-general Bill Hayden has died at age 87, three months after her Labor leader husband.
Pill testing might have stopped festival deaths: study
The rollout of pill-testing services has been thrown back into the spotlight after research highlighted a series of potentially preventable deaths at festivals.
‘Missed opportunities’ in Aboriginal death in custody
The death of an Indigenous father in custody in the Northern Territory may have been avoided if he had received better healthcare.
Indigenous groups and gas giants promised clearer rules
A failed legal bid to stop the construction of an underwater gas pipeline has sparked a promise for clearer rules around consultations with traditional owners.
PNG asks Australia for helicopter after deadly unrest
Australia's government remains in constant communication with Papua New Guinea and has received requests for assistance after deadly rioting and civil unrest.
Aldi joins Woolies in dumping Australia Day merchandise
Another supermarket chain has joined Woolworths in choosing not to sell Australia Day merchandise in a move that sparked opposition calls for a boycott.
Australia involved in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen
Australia has participated in strikes launched by the US and the UK on Houthi rebels in Yemen, after they blocked a key maritime trading route.
Troops to aid in disasters as govt ponders relief force
Defence forces will remain available to assist during climate-related disasters as the federal government considers responses including a separate relief force.
Women’s advocate runs for Labor in Peta Murphy’s seat
The founder of a volunteer group that supports disadvantaged women has been announced as Labor's candidate in the by-election to replace the late Peta Murphy.
Wider Pacific unrest fears downplayed as riots rock PNG
Australia is monitoring unrest and violence in neighbouring Papua New Guinea with reports law and order are slowly being re-introduced in Port Moresby.
Government quiet on dead Aussie’s Hezbollah ‘links’
Whether an Australian had illegally joined a designated terrorist group overseas could not be confirmed due to privacy reasons, the Australian government says.
Attacks over Joyce meeting an ‘absurdity’: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has hit back at criticism over a meeting with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce at Parliament House.
Gender pay gaps to be exposed at Australian companies
Employers with 100 or more staff will be forced to publish their gender pay gaps as part of a government push for improved transparency and workplace equality.
School meals on the menu to boost children’s health
A parliamentary committee wants the government to put school meals on the menu across Australia in a bid to improve the health of the nation's school children.
‘Taking them for a ride’: calls for supermarket probe
Nationals leader David Littleproud has called for the consumer watchdog to inquire into the cost of fruit and vegetables at major supermarkets.
Foreign soldiers ‘an option’ to boost defence numbers
Soldiers from overseas could join Australia's defence forces under an option being considered to grow the military amid issues with recruitment and retention.
Independent puts Tas Liberal government on notice
Tasmania's minority Liberal government is on thin ice after an independent MP who quit the party threatened to pull his support.
Cast your votes, close elections on the cards in 2024
Voters in Qld, the ACT and the NT will head to the polls in 2024, with a tight by-election contest in a federal Victorian seat also taking place.
Australia, US, UK issue warning over Red Sea attacks
In a multi-national statement, Australia has condemned Yemeni rebels' attacks on ships in the Red Sea as violence in Gaza stretches toward its fourth month.
Leaders wish Australians a safe and Merry Christmas
The prime minister and opposition leader have wished Australians a Merry Christmas and expressed their gratitude to those giving up their day to help others.
Fed up to the back teeth: rural dental divide revealed
A country dentist says exposure to rural areas during study inspired his professional calling, as an inquiry calls for incentives to study and work in the bush.
PM on lunch duty as Australia takes Christmas breather
The prime minister has served lunch to the homeless as Australians celebrated Christmas their own way, while wet weather put a dampener on festivities for some.
Cultural burns help to protect country from bushfires
With bushfires raging across some parts of the nation, Aboriginal land management techniques are showing how to reduce the severity of the damage.
Travel warning as strike kills two nationals in Lebanon
The federal government has repeated warnings against travelling to Lebanon after an air strike there killed two Australians.
TikTok privacy breach allegations under spotlight
Concerns social media giant TikTok breached Australian privacy laws through its data harvesting practices are being looked at by the information commissioner.
Sniffer dogs catching a whiff of invasive ant menace
A specially trained squad of sniffer dogs has been recruited to protect the Northern Territory's unique environment from invasive, aggressive browsing ants.
Iraq invasion and carbon crusade in 2003 cabinet papers
High-level discussions about Australia's decision to enter the Iraq War and a deadly virus that swept the world have been revealed in cabinet papers from 2003.