Health portfolio quartet join nation’s newest ministry
A third-time elected state government has backed splitting its health portfolio four ways as the ink dried at its swearing-in ceremony.
health
Pope Francis starts new process for Catholic reforms
Pope Francis has started a new three-year process for church reforms as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia in hospital in Rome.
Pope starts new Catholic reform process from hospital
Pope Francis has embarked on a new reform process for the Catholic Church, from his hospital bed.
IVF, contraception drugs cheaper as birth rate dips
Several women's health drugs are being made cheaper as the government aims to boost the success of IVF treatments and help those suffering a painful condition.
First photo released of convalescing Pope
Pope Francis did not appear at the window to greet children gathered in his honour, but released his first photo since his hospitalisation later in the day.
Worsening Closing the Gap outcomes ‘failing’ kids
With Closing the Gap targets focusing on incarceration, and child protection worsening, advocates say Australia is failing Aboriginal kids.
Pope remains stable, chest scan confirms improvements
Chest scans have confirmed Pope Francis remains stable and his condition is improving, the Vatican says.
COVID response failed human rights amid fresh warning
Health experts have warned Australia is less prepared for the next pandemic as a report details instances of governments ignoring human rights during COVID-19.
Cousins fostering resilience, one per cent at a time
Tired of seeing young men being failed by the system, these cousins decided to do something to empower their peers and build more resilient communities.
Pope Francis sends first audio message from hospital
Pope Francis has recorded a laboured audio message to thank people for their prayers for his recovery since he was hospitalised with double pneumonia.
Pope rests on peaceful night of third week in hospital
The Vatican says Pope Francis is resting on Thursday after a peaceful night during his third week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia.
Health alert as mosquito virus spreads in three states
A second case of the deadly Japanese encephalitis has been detected in regional Victoria after a handful of cases were reported in NSW and Queensland.
Election fever: PM off to Canberra but only for a party
Labor has ramped up its messaging on health as the prime minister teased reporters about rising expectations an election could be called within days.
Sniffer dogs deployed as pill testing trial begins
One state's long-awaited pill testing trial has kicked off with a warning illicit drug use remains banned, as sniffer dogs are used elsewhere at the festival.
Faith-healing tragedy: child dies without insulin
A vibrant and happy child, Elizabeth Struhs, eight, endured a slow and painful death after a church group encouraged her parents to deny her insulin.
Disability provider charged over fatal bathtub burns
Disability support provider LiveBetter is facing health and safety charges over the bathtub burns death of a client, almost a year after it copped a $1.8m fine.
Key to tackling rheumatic heart disease in Australia
More needs to be done to tackle rheumatic heart disease in Australia, but among the best prevention programs are those which are community-led, researchers say.
Free tests could become ‘forever chemicals’ case study
Tens of thousands of people could become a case study on the health effects of 'forever chemicals' if government supports a testing campaign.
Pope reaches two-week mark at hospital with pneumonia
A guarded sense of optimism surrounds Pope Francis and his recovery from pneumonia as he reaches the two-week mark in hospital.
Medicare the winner as parties match funding pledges
Healthcare funding is to receive a certain boost with both major parties pledging to spend billions of dollars as they prepare for the federal election.
Prayers as Vatican says Pope passes ‘tranquil’ night
The Pope is resting in hospital after a "tranquil" night, the Vatican says, as he thanks doctors and supporters in a written message.
Labor ‘waited too long’ to announce big election pledge
With a federal election looming, an expert warns it will take more than a rate cut and a health promise to turn the political tides in Labor's favour.
Pope Francis remains in critical condition
The Pope's supporters have been told to make their prayers for him "stronger and more intense" as he remains in a critical condition.
‘Blow for women’ as hospitals shut maternity wards
Staffing challenges and declining birth rates have been blamed for maternity wards closing at private hospitals in two jurisdictions.
Disease deaths, cases rise as new flood menace surfaces
Authorities are concerned about the death toll caused by a disease linked with heavy rain, with the number of cases rising in flooded northern Australia.
Pope’s health ‘slightly improving’, Vatican says
The Pope's health is improving and he is alert, able to move around and even doing some work, the Vatican says.
Fresh cyclone threat brewing off sodden coastline
A cyclone is almost certainly looming off the coast of Australia's rain-soaked north but forecasters say its path is still uncertain.
Pope ‘rested well’ but won’t lead Sunday prayers
The Pope "rested well" overnight, the Vatican says, but will not lead Sunday prayers for a second consecutive week as he's treated for double pneumonia.
State euthanasia changes to hinge on conscience vote
Victoria is moving to change its voluntary euthanasia laws after falling behind other states and erecting too many barriers for terminally ill patients.
Pope had ‘peaceful’ night despite pneumonia diagnosis
The Vatican says Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia, after new tests showed a further complication in the condition of the 88-year-old pope.
‘Brave’ drug takers cop police presence at test trial
The first music festival to take part in a state's pill-testing trial has been named but doubts remain about how effective the scheme will be.