Native title claim for Torres Strait islands decided
Native title over Torres Strait islands Warral and Ului is shared by the Badulgal and Mualgal peoples but not the Kaurareg group, the Federal Court says.
crime, law and justice
Grieving parents question slow pace of hospital change
The parents of Aishwarya Aswath say a coroner's report into the seven-year-old's death has vindicated their concerns about Perth hospital staffing.
Arsonist jailed for ‘terrorising’ apartment building
A serial arsonist started lighting fires at houses and apartments in Brisbane's inner south the day after being released from a lengthy jail term.
Qld man charged with child sex crimes spanning decades
Far north Queensland police have arrested a man and charged him with dozens of sex offences against 14 victims over a 22-year period.
Concussed AFL players launch class action
Thousands of AFL players could be eligible for up to $2 million each in concussion compensation as part of a landmark class action to be filed in Victoria.
GPs back Queensland plan to offer illicit pill testing
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has backed the Queensland government's plan to roll out illicit pill testing to minimise harm to users.
Man jailed for life for savage murder of estranged wife
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of his estranged wife Samantha Fraser, who was due to give evidence against him in a rape case a week later.
Ex-teacher Leifer allegedly claimed accuser was needy
A woman allegedly sexually abused by former ultra-Orthodox teacher Malka Leifer told a counsellor she was told the abuse was to help get her over her neediness.
Rolfe trying to pervert course of justice, lawyers say
Lawyers for the NT Police have told an inquest into the death of Indigenous teen Kumanjayi Walker the officer who shot him is trying to intimidate witnesses.
REDcycle’s parent company to be wound up
The company behind Australia's failed REDcycle recycling scheme will be wound up after it left stockpiles of soft plastics across the country.
REDcycle wound up by court over stockpiled plastic
Failed plastics recycler was REDcycle, which was given millions in support by supermarket giants to recycle soft plastics, is being wound up.
Make knives uncool like drink driving: Qld police plea
Almost a dozen knife-related murders and an increase in police action against young people carrying the weapons has Queensland authorities looking for answers.
Teen charged with hindering Sydney park stabbing case
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with affray and hindering an investigation as NSW police probe the stabbing death of a man in southwest Sydney.
Two teens charged with murder over ‘stupid’ stabbing
Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and charged after a man was stabbed to death during an early morning confrontation.
Man who abused stepdaughters jailed for 28 years
A man will serve up to 28 years behind bars after sexually abusing his three stepdaughters as children in their family home in rural NSW.
Young truck driver jailed over grandfather’s death
A 23-year-old truck driver has been jailed after running a red light in Brisbane in an 83-tonne prime mover and killing a "much loved" grandfather.
Watchdog says Qld youth laws will ‘erode basic rights’
National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds says Queensland's plan for tougher bail laws and more children's prisons will fail to improve community safety.
Kathleen Folbigg cops discover box of secret recordings
More than 500 hours of police tapes have been discovered as an inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for killing her children reaches a crucial stage.
Killer’s jail time extended for ‘outrageous’ drug plot
Convicted killer George Marrogi and his girlfriend Antonietta Mannella have been sentenced for running a drug empire while the underworld figure is behind bars.
Homicide probe begins after Queensland man stabbed
Queensland police have launched a homicide investigation after a 20-year-old man died following a stabbing during a brawl south of Brisbane.
‘Inadequate’ staffing on night of girl’s sepsis death
A coroner has found Perth hospital staff missed the signs a seven-year-old girl was dying of sepsis because of the pressures caused by "inadequate" staffing.
Nine youths sentenced for roles in brutal gang bashings
Nine juveniles have been sentenced for their roles in two brutal bashings in which 17-year-olds continued to be assaulted even after they were knocked out.
Mayor given sex for promoting land plan, jury told
Jurors heard audio of Brisbane lawyer Sam Di Carlo arranging a "girlfriend experience" for Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, allegedly to aid a planning approval.
Extradition of Cordingley murder accused ‘imminent’
Queensland authorities say the extradition of a man in India accused of murdering Toyah Cordingley four years ago in Queensland is close.
Man pleads guilty to cold case death of Scott Johnson
Scott Phillip White has pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the 1988 cliff death of Scott Johnson after successfully reversing an earlier guilty plea to murder.
Police offer $500,000 reward for missing Qld mother
Queensland Police will offer a $500,000 reward for information about the disappearance of Christine Maria Fenner in February 1999.
Group ‘wanted to fight’ man before fatal stabbing
A nine-strong group travelled to an apartment to fight Joshua Lindsay Elkerton-Sandy before a fatal Australia Day stabbing of 18-year-old, a court has heard.
New laws prep Queensland for coercive control offence
The Queensland government is preparing to introduce a standalone coercive control criminal offence as updated domestic and family violence laws pass parliament.
Gun pointed at woman’s head by carjacker on crime spree
An armed carjacker who committed 28 offences in 26 days is already eligible for parole after being handed his latest jail sentence.
Health bodies praise proposed Qld drug diversion change
Queensland health organisations have welcomed the expansion of a drug diversion program as a positive step towards a health-based approach to drug use.
‘Hot potato’ sparked covert gay-hate police operation
A special inquiry is examining whether NSW police deliberately ruled out suspects in cold cases involving gay men being thrown off Sydney cliffs in the 1980s.