Sex slave’s ‘extreme pain’ revealed as woman faces jail
A woman found guilty of owning and using two slaves, who were forced into sex work to repay sizeable debts, is poised to be sentenced on six charges.
Social Issue
Brawls erupt as protesters clash at immigration rallies
Demonstrators in headlocks and police using pepper spray to disperse crowds have marked a day of controversial rallies protesting migration in Australia.
Far-right threat exposed by anti-immigration rallies
The threat of far-right extremism must be taken seriously, a senator says, after widespread anti-immigration marchers spilled out in streets across the nation.
Social media ban no ‘watertight’ fix for child safety
A social media ban is unlikely to completely protect kids from online harms as questions remain over age-assurance technology.
‘Endless grief’ for parents of boy run over at school
The parents of a young boy killed as he sat at a school picnic table have questioned why the killer driver only faces a careless driving charge.
‘Evil’ woman jailed for forcing women into sex slavery
A woman has been jailed for keeping two Thai women as slaves and forcing them to perform painful sex work every day for at least 12 hours.
‘Pains me to the heart’: MP fears NDIS autism changes
Anxious parents of autistic children are urging for adequate supports to be in place as proposed changes to the disability scheme take communities off-guard.
‘Gut-wrenching’: kids shut out from homeless support
Thousands of children flee violent or abusive homes across Australia each year, only to be sent back or left to the streets by ailing, ill-equipped services.
State squeezes feds on national CCTV trial in childcare
A national trial of CCTV in childcare centres is expected to be discussed at a meeting of federal, state and territory ministers after a damning safety review.
Crisis-driven response to family violence ‘must end’
There is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to fix the crisis-driven, siloed approach to domestic, family and sexual violence, a royal commissioner says.
The wrong fit: children with autism moved off NDIS
A plan to divert children with autism and development delays from the NDIS is crucial to ensure the scheme remains sustainable, the disability minister says.
Access all areas for Headliners at outback music bash
All roads are leading to Mundi Mundi as some 15,000 people of all ages and abilities converge in the outback to enjoy three days of live music under the stars.
Reforms begin to close working-with-children loopholes
An urgent plan to close loopholes in working with children checks will not "reinvent the wheel" but the government is confident it will help protect children.
‘Bloody Latham’: court battle wraps after sex act tweet
Former federal Labor leader turned right-wing outsider Mark Latham has gone on a tirade as he defends vilification claims from a rival MP.
‘Not acceptable’: child ‘groomer’ retains work permit
Authorities are racing to cancel a blacklisted educator's working with children permit after his ex-employer substantiated claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Ending greyhound racing could save taxpayers $450m
A state will fork out almost half a billion dollars in subsidies for the greyhound racing industry over the next decade, budget office analysis shows.
Another greyhound racing ban could see dishlickers done
It's a dog day afternoon for the greyhound racing industry as another government announces plans to stop punters spending a night at the dishlickers.
Fair go or no go? Aussie workers face ‘class ceiling’
People from disadvantaged backgrounds are often denied the chance to get ahead at work, despite Australia frequently being touted as a classless society.
Youth advocate remembered for his ‘visionary’ work
Father Chris Riley had a heart as big as the country he served, the prime minister said, after the Youth Off the Streets charity founder died aged 70.
Ex-cop charged with ‘sickening’ abuse of childcare kids
An after-school-care worker was a serving police officer at the time he allegedly produced child abuse material of 10 pre-school-aged victims.
Family anguish as cop who killed gran avoids jail again
A former police officer convicted for killing an elderly woman with a Taser strike will not be jailed after a court dismissed prosecutors' sentence appeal.
RBA not swayed by jobless spike as next rate call looms
Reserve Bank governor Michelle Bullock has pushed back on rate cut expectations and weighed in on Donald Trump's pressure on Fed chair Jerome Powell.
Aboriginal women’s service tackling financial abuse
A grant of up to $200,000 will help an Aboriginal women's service tackle financial abuse in their community and build independence for survivors.
Suspended jail term for abusive former Miss Australia
Verbal and physical abuse by a one-time Miss Australia winner of her then-husband was a serious example of family violence.
Calls for childcare register to include work histories
There are calls for the employment history of childcare workers to be included in a national register after an accused abuser was sacked but continued to work.
Pedestrian tragedy sparks elderly driver test review
A state government is considering rule changes for elderly drivers after a female pedestrian was killed and a man and child seriously injured in a car crash.
Man fights for life as elderly driver rules questioned
There are calls for national testing rules for elderly drivers after a car driven by a 91-year-old driver ploughed into two adults and a child, killing a woman.
‘Crisis’: animal shelters struggling to survive
Animal shelters around Australia are struggling financially, battling to keep their doors open or dealing with long wait-lists for surrenders.
Birth trauma preventable yet affects too many women
One in three women experience birth trauma, but experts say it can be prevented by improving access to continuity of midwifery care and antenatal education.
Saints star weighs up police involvement over racism
St Kilda's Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Port Adelaide's Jase Burgoyne have been sent racist messages online after their teams' matches over the weekend.
New questions on sexuality, gender part of census trial
New questions about sexuality and gender will be part of a trial run of the national census involving more than 60,000 homes ahead of the main event.