‘Stealth’ land claim law parked after Indigenous uproar
Labor has shelved changes to crown land aimed at protecting fire stations and marinas from Aboriginal claims after being accused of "scaremongering".
environmental politics
Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge
Enquiries about new and second-hand electric cars are setting records as motorists look for ways to avoid the rising price of petrol and diesel.
Bumpy path predicted for self-driving cars in Australia
Australia could cut emissions and car parks by introducing self-driving cars, but the technology could also have unexpected negative effects on roads.
‘Flashing red’: climate imbalance reaches all-time high
Energy in must equal energy out for a stable climate, but the balance is increasingly off kilter with troubling, long-lasting consequences.
Renewable energy project may help blow down power bills
The savings from a new type of energy project could slash electricity bills for households in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, and consume less farming land.
Postcode where more drivers plug into electric car cuts
More than 100,000 Australians have taken advantage of the federal government's tax exemption for electric vehicles but households in one location are most keen.
Intensifying storm looms for flood-soaked communities
A possible tropical cyclone looks set to bring more wild weather to parts of northern Australia still recovering from record-breaking flooding.
‘Hyper-Australia’: Nationals leader targets One Nation
The new leader of the Nationals has outlined his plan to take on One Nation after being elected to the top job following David Littleproud's shock resignation.
Car sales slow down but electric vehicles charge ahead
Electric vehicles have broken sales records in Australia even as the larger automotive market stalled, with sales of petrol and hybrid models falling.
‘Absolute dream’: candidate’s hope for sex abuse reform
As politicians prepare for a hotly contested federal by-election, an independent reveals her hope for big reforms to protect child sexual abuse survivors.
How mirroring nature might just save the humble oyster
Oyster reefs are already a restoration priority and Australian research could boost survival rates of the water-filtering, habitat-providing species.
Green groups slam ministerial exemption for Alcoa mine
Conservationists are outraged that a minister has used national interest provisions to continue strip-mining a forest ecosystem.
Popular car brand earns $24m debt under pollution rules
Some of the most popular car companies in Australia and a selection of luxury brands have failed to meet emissions targets in their first year of operation.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
Australia's biggest electric vehicle incentive is under review and both traditional car makers and the EV industry warns change could lead to a crash.
Pump it up: former PM calls for action on hydropower
Hydropower projects should receive more support and faster approvals if Australia is to meet its renewable energy targets, a group has warned.
Discount loans to drive down the price of electric cars
Finance on electric vehicles from two big brands will be subsidised by the government under a plan to cut the cost of low-emission cars.
Households could get paid under plan to price pollution
Australia could raise $35 billion a year by putting a price on pollution and help households and businesses by sharing the revenue, a report has found.
Bushfire evacuee slams ‘selling the future for money’
An activist arrested while blocking a major port has slammed the "unbelievably irresponsible" federal government after fighting to save her home from fires.
Alarm bells as Murray declared critically endangered
Listing the beleaguered Murray River as critically endangered must be backed with action if it is to be saved, environmentalists say.
National recycling pilot to stop solar energy eclipse
A national trial will recycle solar panels at the end of their working lives to extract valuable metals and boost Australia's circular economy.
Charges and changes: electric car shifts coming in 2026
Twists and turns are coming to Australia's electric car market, from a potential road-user charge and tax reform to the price of models launching on our shores.
Nukes and carbon capture remain off future energy plan
Wind and solar systems are projected to be the cheapest energy-generating technology in 2050 while small nuclear reactors will cost the most.
Mine site emissions new battlefield in coal climate war
Coalminers and environmentalists are clashing over a climate report on the sector finding net-zero emissions targets are unlikely to be hit at the current pace.
Koala ‘misinformation’ cry as population counts soar
Fresh data reveals Australia's koala count could be much higher than previously thought, as a contentious park to protect the species is called into question.
Aussies’ latest car choices are driving down pollution
The growing popularity of hybrid and electric cars is helping to reduce Australia's transport emissions but big, old cars are slowing progress.
Thirsty AI technology could strain Aussie water supply
Data centres supporting artificial intelligence technology could use as much as 20 per cent of the water supply in some cities unless policies change.
Energy costs force most renters to swelter over summer
Most Australians who rent their home say they avoid using cooling and heating appliances due to high costs.
Environment reforms to pass after Labor-Greens deal
The first major changes in decades to Australia's long-criticised environment laws aim to better protect natural sites and speed up project approvals.
‘It’s disastrous’: state scathing of nature reforms
A ground-breaking overhaul of Australia's environment laws has been labelled a disaster that could devastate economic growth.
Grins as environment laws pass in ‘win for the country’
An overhaul of environmental laws has cleared parliament, with the prime minister toasting the reforms despite the coalition branding them "economy wrecking".