‘Culture of fear’, politicisation infects public sector
A creeping culture of politicisation, marginalisation, secrecy and fear has been uncovered within the Victorian public service, a report has found.
Weather
Season’s first tropical cyclone could impact Qld coast
Tropical Cyclone Jasper has formed 1500km northeast of Cairns as a category one system and is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the coast.
Qld police to miss recruitment target: audit
Demand for police is increasing while the service offers no strategic approach to workforce planning, an auditor-general's report has found.
Floods and outages hit two states as deluge persists
Major flood warnings are in place for several river systems in Victoria as the rain persists, while severe storms threaten NSW and Queensland.
Dire warning as Australia braces for summer bushfires
Every state has been put on alert for a heightened bushfire risk over summer with metropolitan areas among those under threat.
Queensland faces heatwave, storms, increased fire risk
Heatwave conditions are building across parts of Queensland, prompting a warning from authorities for locals to take precautions against fires and storms.
Qld Health faces long-stay patient challenge
The Queensland government will inject $200 million over two years to help address the number of long stay hospital patients causing significant challenges.
Total fire bans as temperatures soar and bushfires rage
Queensland firefighters are bracing for a day of high temperatures and strong winds as a fierce blaze continues to burn west of Brisbane.
Eighty Queensland fires active, evacuations ordered
Dozens of bushfires are burning across Queensland, with some downgraded amid warnings the state is still facing difficult conditions in the next few days.
People told to leave as fire threatens Qld homes
Bushfires continue to threaten properties in Queensland with soaring temperatures expected, ensuring firefighters are on high alert.
Cyclone not expected to threaten Australian coast
A tropical cyclone is not expected to threaten Queensland's coast after forming in the South Pacific, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
App to help Aussies prepare homes for bushfires
A free app will allow people to assess and take steps to improve their home's bushfire resilience following the Black Summer disaster.
Spring turns up the heat for footy finals fever
The mercury is expected to soar in multiple cities as special provisions are put in place for a scorching NRL grand final.
Cooler weather brings relief as firies battle blazes
Firefighters are looking to take advantage of cooler conditions as they battle to control several blazes and carry out vital hazard-reduction burns.
Queensland on bushfire alert as spring heat fans fears
Fire crews remain on high alert as unseasonably hot spring weather sends temperatures soaring to almost 40C in parts of Queensland.
Cool change gives small relief to fire crews across NSW
NSW communities near the Queensland border and on Sydney's western fringe have been told to prepare to take action as multiple bushfires burn across the state.
NSW swelters as spring heatwave warnings issued
The weather bureau has issued heatwave warnings for parts of southern and coastal NSW, as temperatures reach 33C in Sydney and 34C out west.
Bureau declares double weather whammy for Australia
Australia's weather bureau has finally declared an El Nino event alongside a second driver of dry weather, with communities told to prepare for heat and fire.
Bureau declares weather double whammy for Australia
Australia's weather bureau has finally declared an El Nino event alongside a second driver of dry weather, with communities told to prepare for heat and fire.
Heat builds up across NSW as temperature records tumble
Fire authorities are on alert for the risk of increasing winds fanning bushfires as spring heat builds up, with Queensland and NSW set to swelter.
Vic on alert for high-risk bushfire season after floods
As regional communities continue to pick up the pieces from devastating floods, Victoria will lurch back into a high-risk bushfire season this spring.
No El Nino for now but authorities remain on alert
The prospect of hotter, drier weather has authorities concerned even as the Bureau of Meteorology holds off on declaring an El Nino event.
‘Not safe to return’: Tara residents flee bushfire
Authorities have issued a "not safe to return" warning to evacuated residents of the town of Tara, in Queensland's Western Downs, after a fire nearby spread.
Northern summer the hottest ever measured: UN agency
The UN's World Meteorological Organization says August is estimated to have been around 1.5C warmer than the pre-industrial average.
Storm warning as east coast braces for fire season
While spring is expected to be drier than usual on Australia's east coast, residents have been told that flooding could still hit disaster-weary communities.
Ageing population, climate to change face of economy
Australians 40 years from now will live longer and have fewer children while the country's economy becomes greener, a landmark reports shows.
Australia’s big wet fuels bushfire risks this spring
Vast swathes of the country face a heightened fire risk this spring as heat makes a comeback after years of cooler, wetter La Nina conditions.
Aussie winter on track to be among hottest on record
Tasmania is on track for its warmest July on record, with the eastern seaboard also well above average for mid-winter.
Good outlook for farmers despite lower commodity prices
Trade conditions are expected to improve for Australian farmers, although dry weather could weigh on some producers, Rural Bank says.
Thousands delayed as winds force flight cancellations
Dozens of flights in and out of Sydney have been cancelled due to wild winds as turbulence hit a flight from Honolulu, injuring passengers.
Calmer conditions after windy airport flight chaos
Holiday travellers departing Sydney airport can expect calmer weather and shorter delays, after two days of flight cancellations due to high crosswinds.