Tobacco arson ‘puppeteer’ arrested in cross-state raids
Police in two states have arrested 13 people who were allegedly part of an organised crime group and seized millions of illicit cigarettes, and stolen cars.
crime, law and justice
MPs set to back stronger gun laws after fatal shooting
Politicians are being asked to back a bill before parliament to strengthen gun laws in a bid to avoid a repeat of a fatal shooting that has shocked a community.
Pizza-eating killer jailed for partner’s fatal bashing
Robert Rickerby will spend up to 15-and-a-half years behind bars after admitting to killing his partner in their Melbourne home.
‘Stop the killing, stop the dying’: hero cop’s mission
The officer who brought an end to a stabbing rampage inside a Sydney shopping centre has credited her training and team in handling the "unfathomable tragedy".
‘Never in doubt’: Wilkinson defends Higgins rape report
A judge erred in ruling that Lisa Wilkinson acted unreasonably before reporting on allegations that Brittany Higgins was raped, the journalist's lawyers claim.
Australians dabble with crime as cost of living bites
Thefts of groceries and alcohol are increasing, with police citing the cost of living and high interest rates as factors turning non-offenders to crime.
Cousins admit role in identity theft, phone fraud scam
Two men have admitted involvement in a syndicate that obtained details of telco customers while selling discounted devices before intercepting their delivery.
Girls hailed for bravery after woman shot dead in car
Police have hailed the bravery of two girls who raised the alarm after a woman was allegedly shot dead in front of them by a neighbour.
Man warned of prison dangers at sentence over handgun
A judge has warned a drug dealer who kept a handgun in his car to resist being tempted to return to the criminal world during a mandatory 12 months in prison.
‘I love you, being stabbed’: slain worker’s text to mum
A man has been convicted of the stabbing murder of Declan Laverty, a young bottle shop worker who texted his mother while dying in the back room of the store.
Weapon access investigation after woman fatally shot
A 31-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a woman in front of two kids in north Queensland had his gun licence revoked three years ago, police say.
Man arrested in search after woman shot dead
A man has been arrested after a woman was shot dead and a man was injured while coming to her aid in an "absolutely shocking" incident in north Queensland.
Man jailed for ‘vicious’ bashing after drunken betrayal
A man has been jailed after being found guilty of manslaughter following a night of drunken betrayal that ended with a "vicious" bashing.
Murder charges laid after woman killed in shooting
A man will face court charged with murder and attempted murder following a shooting that left a woman dead and another man in hospital.
Police shoot knife-wielding man
A man has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after allegedly confronting police with a knife and being shot in the stomach.
Woman died amid ‘terrible failure’ of aged care system
A family member's mental health issues combined with mistakes by the health and aged care system led to an elderly woman's "horrible" death, a judge says.
Teen boy charged over ‘vile’ ranking of schoolgirls
A Queensland teenage boy has been charged after an Instagram post ranked female students at a Gold Coast high school into "vile" categories.
ATO whistleblower to face trial after appeal dismissed
The SA Court of Appeal has dismissed tax office whistleblower Richard Boyle's appeal against a decision that he was not protected by whistleblowing laws.
Greg Lynn jury asks to watch video of his evidence
Jurors deliberating on whether airline pilot Greg Lynn is guilty or innocent of the murder of two campers have asked for videos of the accused giving evidence.
Man murdered fiancee’s daughter, dumped body in barrel
Justin Stein has been found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Charlise Mutten, shooting her twice at close range before dumping her body in a barrel by a river.
‘Bittersweet’: truth-telling for abuse in state schools
A formal apology will be made to victims of sexual abuse in state-run schools in Victoria after the government conceded it failed to protect them.
Leaders condemn ‘ugly’ political attack on MP’s office
A federal Jewish MP whose office was vandalised and set alight fears people will get hurt if local tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict continue to escalate.
Church rioter’s sentencing delayed due to new charges
The first sentence against a participant of an angry mob riled up by a bishop's stabbing has been delayed as the rioter faces new domestic violence allegations.
Former PM could give evidence in Reynolds-Higgins case
Liberal senator Linda Reynolds says she'll fight to clear her name in a lawsuit against Brittany Higgins, with Scott Morrison set to potentially give evidence.
Legal challenge to NSW mines over barrier reef impact
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is facing a Federal Court challenge over the potential impact on the Great Barrier Reef of extending coal mines in NSW.
Families told missing loved ones had ‘gone walkabout’
Many Indigenous women and children are not taken seriously or criminalised when they go missing and fall victim to crime, stoking mistrust in police.
‘Belong in school’: force fears as kid arrest ban looms
Police will no longer be able to arrest children under the age of 12, with Premier Jacinta Allan declaring 10 and 11-year-olds don't belong injail.
‘Crime of passion’ motive behind 2004 murder mystery
A loving husband and father was killed and dumped in a river 20 years ago by an obsessed man who wanted to continue an affair with his wife, police allege.
‘Postcard Bandit’ in legal bid for freedom from WA jail
The bank robber dubbed 'the Postcard Bandit' has launched legal proceedings in WA, asking a court to declare his prison sentence invalid and order his release.
Case to be locked in as ex-cop accused of double murder
Prosecutors hope to soon finalise their case against ex-senior constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon who allegedly murdered two men, including his former partner.
Father and children killed in car crash
Three people have died, including two children, in a two-vehicle crash west of Brisbane while a woman has been airlifted to hospital.