The adopted family members being dumped in hard times
Looking after a family is difficult in a financial crisis but animal welfare groups are concerned about the growing number of pets being banished altogether.
Social Issue
Next-generation Indigenous women flying employment flag
Rising employment among Indigenous women has been linked to substantial gains in post‑secondary education, which have outpaced those of Indigenous men.
Neo-Nazi group outlawed under anti-hate legislation
A neo-Nazi group that advocates for a white Australia has been listed as a prohibited hate group after advice from the nation's domestic spy agency.
‘Direct discrimination’: court loss for app’s trans ban
A legal bid by an app and its founder has backfired, with an appeal panel awarding twice the initial amount of damages for excluding a transgender user.
‘Troubling’ crackdowns no fix to homelessness crisis
Strained by chronic housing supply challenges, a leading researcher has warned councils against forcibly removing their homeless populations.
Racism ‘out of control’ as grieving communities suffer
Racism has spiked alarmingly in the wake of the alleged murder of a five-year-old girl, an Aboriginal women's group has told a federal inquiry.
Misconceptions cloud palliative care as population ages
Australians have been urged to start conversations about end-of-life care as the nation's ageing population puts palliative care in the spotlight.
Husband betrayed by ‘cruel’ wife who faked son’s cancer
A mother who faked her six-year-old son's cancer diagnosis to raise thousands of dollars has been jailed for more than four years.
Treasurer downplays property tax windfall from budget
Jim Chalmers is talking down the amount of extra revenue that changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount will add to the budget.
Young children who died in tragic house fire identified
A fundraiser supporting a family who lost two children in a house fire on the day they were due to move interstate has revealed tragic details about the blaze.
‘No place in hell’ for father over fatal crash cover-up
The mother of two siblings killed in a horrific car crash has said the unlicensed driver's father failed as a parent after falsely reporting the SUV as stolen.
Fiscal restraint to define federal budget as costs rise
Health, defence and welfare commitments are among fiscal pressures weighing on the federal budget as Treasurer Jim Chalmers vows to put a lid on spending.
Man charged over ‘horrendous’ alleged triple murder
A man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after an alleged domestic violence incident that killed three family members and injured another.
Accused outback child killer to stay behind bars
A man accused of the horrific murder of five‑year‑old Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs has been excused from appearing in court via video link.
‘Dirty daddy’: ex-priest’s Christmas hunt for child sex
A former priest who tried to meet three children for sex told someone he shared vile images and video with that there was "no such thing as too young".
Accused outback child killer to stay behind bars
A man accused of the horrific murder of five‑year‑old Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs has been excused from appearing in court via video link.
Books banned as publisher cuts ties with guilty author
Author Craig Silvey's publisher has moved to cut ties after he admitted guilt to child exploitation charges, while WA schools have permanently banned his books.
Slavery and terror group charges for ‘ISIS brides’
There have been chaotic scenes at Sydney and Melbourne airports as three Islamic State-linked women were arrested after arriving with their families from Syria.
Crowds swathed in pink light candles for little girl
Thousands of people have attended sombre candlelight vigils across Australia to honour and grieve for a little girl, many wearing her beloved colour pink.
NDIS revamp deadline guaranteed as ‘hostages’ exposed
Anthony Albanese has offered assurances to disabled Australians as a premier warns overhauling a federal support scheme will leave the discarded worse off.
‘Sinister, threatening, vulgar’: jail for sextortion
A judge has lambasted a man who manipulated intimate images with AI then graphically threatened eight women, before sentencing him to jail time.
Security vs welfare: Australia’s ‘ISIS brides’ dilemma
A group of Islamic State-linked women and children are again attempting to return to Australia, sparking fresh debate over how to manage the associated risks.
Survivors leave hospital after inferno killed children
The surviving family members of a house fire that killed two children and hospitalised four siblings and a parent have been discharged from hospital.
Gasps as ex-charity worker avoids jail over abuse book
An author will be placed on the sex offenders register after penning a novel found to describe the sexual abuse of a child through explicit toddler role-play.
‘Deeply concerning’: childcare centre closures attacked
An embattled childcare group rocked by abuse allegations against one of its workers is closing down dozens of centres.
Cracks show in One Nation vote as Hanson taunts rivals
The number of voters backing Pauline Hanson's political movement appears to have plateaued, but the firebrand senator says her rivals are copying her policies.
‘Dangerous garbage’: coalition migration plan panned
The coalition's hardline plan to end non-discriminatory migration based on acceptance of ''fair go" Australian values has drawn widespread criticism.
Roblox’s game-changing safety overhaul under scrutiny
The sweeping changes to the controversial gaming platform came after Communications Minister Anika Wells called for an urgent meeting.
‘Internet rabbit hole’: why man sent threats to mosque
An isolated man who sent threatening letters to Australia's largest mosque spurred by alcohol and right-wing views will serve out his sentence in the community.
‘Warning flare’ for high Indigenous kids’ jail rates
Laws sold as a solution to community safety are being used to lock up First Nations youth while fuelling future crime, according to experts.
‘Foul play’ likely in missing mum’s 50-year cold case
A missing mother likely met with foul play, police say, after she vanished in 1976 but her now-deceased husband was never interviewed over the disappearance.