Parents shell out billions as back-to-school costs rise
Technology is a major factor in rising back-to-school costs as Australian teachers notice an increase in students without the essentials.
Social Issue
Hunt for vandals over ‘disgusting’ synagogue attack
Jewish leaders have condemned the "hateful criminals" behind another vandalism attack on a synagogue, as counterterrorism police take over the investigation.
Bulk billing dips with GP care more complex and costly
Patients who rely on Medicare have fewer options as more clinics stop taking new bulk-billed patients, according to a study prompting calls for more funding.
X Corp welcomes Meta’s thumbs-down for fact-checking
Rival social network X has applauded Meta's decision to follow its lead on ditching fact-checking, with its CEO calling the move an endorsement.
‘You guys are angels’: lost hiker’s tears with rescuers
Relatives of rescued hiker Hadi Nazari say they never lost hope he would return to them after he spent almost two weeks missing in rugged bushland.
Infants ‘ate food scraps off floor of childcare centre’
A childcare centre will remain closed after allegations of infants eating off the floor, staff scrolling on their phones and other serious issues were aired.
Tried and true names most popular for babies in 2024
Australian parents-to-be are sticking with tried and true names, with Oliver, Noah, Isla and Charlotte topping the baby name charts again.
Investigation as child’s body found after caravan fire
An investigation is under way after the body of a child was found following a caravan fire.
Hunt shark for closure, victim’s friend urges
A man who warned of a great white shark at a beach hours before his friend was killed says authorities need to hunt down the predator for "closure".
Latham fights for right to repeat ‘disgusting’ MP claim
A court has been asked to permanently restrain Mark Latham from again uttering a defamatory and sexually explicit remark about a political rival.
Cops accused of ‘victim-blaming’ over baby, dad deaths
Police were wrong to make submissions to an inquest into the deaths of a baby and her "dangerous" dad that could be read as victim-blaming, a coroner says.
Second body in the bushes, police suspect double murder
A second body has been found near a woman's decomposing remains, with the latest discovery likely to be her husband, police say.
Christmas in jail for accused mum in fake cancer case
A court has refused bail for the parents of a young boy who are accused of raising $60,000 by faking the child's cancer diagnosis.
Brushes with death in the bush as digital gap persists
Towns have been left without power and mobile service during major disasters, with an independent review urging the government to bolster rural connectivity.
Flowers, reflection for 10th anniversary of Lindt siege
A hostage and a rescuer of the Lindt Cafe siege have opened up about their struggles in the decade since as leaders lay flowers to mark the anniversary.
Push to strengthen hate crime laws and tackle threats
The government should make it an offence to threaten marginalised Australians and set up a national database to help combat hate crimes, a committee recommends.
Drug forum ends on sour note as diversity challenged
Accusations of diversity issues and "sanitised" recommendations have marred the end of a nation-leading forum centred on reducing community drug harms.
Lose the force: call to ban cops from Mardi Gras
A proposal to stop police from marching at Mardi Gras would be a "slap in the face" to LGBTQI officers, a state premier says.
Women’s despair after losing contraception class action
More than 1000 women who suffered chronic pain and bleeding have lost their class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer over a contraceptive device.
Neo-Nazi kept ‘shrine’ to Third Reich in bedroom
An admitted neo-Nazi who intimidated a Jewish man at a bus stop kept a shrine in his bedroom that included images of German soldiers committing atrocities.
Australia-wide study ordered into school bullying
Bullying in Australian schools will be put under a microscope as the federal government looks to tackle the behaviour in the real world.
Youth detainees abused in care to share $75m settlement
More than 100 former detainees at a notoriously troubled youth detention centre have had a $75 million payout approved for alleged abuses over 63 years.
‘Knee-jerk reaction’ social media ban set to pass
A proposal to ban children from social media is expected to become law despite experts and politicians arguing it may not make the internet safer for kids.
Landmark plan to address ‘systemic, structural’ racism
Australians are being challenged to confront systemic racism and the enduring impacts of colonisation in a landmark report from the Human Rights Commission.
Teen social media ban a step closer despite concerns
A social media ban is looming for Australians aged under 16 after the measure to force restrictions on many platforms cleared its first hurdle in parliament.
Pauline Hanson appeals court ruling she was racist
Pauline Hanson is appealing a court ruling she was racist towards Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi on the basis of alleged errors in the judicial process.
Prison isolation looms for cop after fatal Taser shot
An officer who fatally tasered an aged-care resident is waiting to learn if he will be put into isolation in custody after his manslaughter verdict.
Tech giant concern as social media ban passes
The parent company for Facebook has hit out at a looming ban on under 16s for social media, labelling the process as rushed.
Taser cop devastated by pain of elderly victim’s family
A senior constable who fatally tasered a 95-year-old woman says he remains 'devastated' by her death, after learning his bail will be continued over Christmas.
Nazi salute convictions overturned in key test for laws
Two men accused of displaying Nazi salutes at the 2022 Australia Cup final have been found not guilty on appeal, while a third remains convicted over the crime.
Indigenous kids removed from family at growing rates
Governments must get serious in supporting 'woefully underfunded' community organisations as a report reveals the startling rate of Indigenous child removals.