Government faces pressure to widen virus inquiry scope
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accused the government of running a "protection racket" for Labor premiers by excluding state issues from a COVID-19 inquiry.
health
Young and healthy but defenceless to deadly infection
It's the strain most likely to cause illness, disability and death, but meningococcal B is not included in the immunisation schedule Australia-wide.
Ambulance ramping soars to record high
Queensland paramedics have recorded a record high in lost hours as ramping at emergency departments continues to soar.
‘Nothing to cover up’: surgeon denies ‘illegal’ clinics
An Australian medical pioneer of prosthetic limb implants has faced a court grilling over his allegedly illegal and unethical consultations with US patients.
Prescription pilot just the tonic for pharmacists
Pharmacists will be able to prescribe medications and administer more vaccines under a pilot program being expanded throughout Queensland.
Cloud-based micro businesses floated for future economy
Artificial intelligence in health, education or agriculture could fix many social challenges and is within reach for even the smallest firms, a report shows.
Access to pill eased and more pharmacy scripts in sight
Women in NSW will be able to get the oral contraceptive pill through their local pharmacy rather than visiting a doctor for a prescription in a year-long trial.
COVID-19 third-leading cause of Australian deaths, ABS
Nearly 10,000 Australians died from COVID-19 last year, the first time in more than 50 years that an infectious disease has been in the top five killers.
Medics warn cholera and dengue fever spreading in Sudan
Cholera deaths and infections have been confirmed in Sudan for the first time since the war between rival military factions began, health authorities say.
Lockdowns, border closures exempt in pandemic inquiry
Experts will look into Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but decisions taken by the states on lockdowns or border closures will be exempt.
Jump in women diagnosed with under-recognised condition
It's estimated one in seven Australian women aged 44–49 live with a painful inflammatory condition and patients are being diagnosed at an earlier age.
COVID royal commission backer says things have changed
The Albanese government has been forced to defend its decision not to set up a royal commission but rather a three-expert inquiry into the pandemic.
PM set to announce COVID-19 inquiry: report
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could be poised to announce the details of a special commission of inquiry into the handling of COVID-19 pandemic.
Melanoma expert ‘patient zero’ in brain cancer fight
A leading pathologist fighting incurable brain cancer has trialled a personalised vaccine that could become the new frontier in treating the disease.
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
health
natural disasters
weather
Heatwave, bushfires wreak havoc as threat moves north
Bushfires are burning across a number of states as a heatwave is forecast to move into Queensland and the Northern Territory, sparking a wave of warnings.
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.
Chicken blamed for three-state listeria outbreak
A commercial chicken product is the probable cause of nine listeria cases in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, according to health investigators.
Record-breaking heatwave sparks catastrophic fire risk
Unseasonably warm weather and strong winds have left the much of the country sweltering in a heatwave with fire warnings closing dozens of schools.
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.
Prenatal program helps Indigenous mums and bubs thrive
A unique prenatal health care program is closing the gap in maternal and infant health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and their babies.
Show us the money, as rural health on life support
Rural Australia is the engine room of the national economy, but little profit is returned for crucial services like healthcare, a conference has been told.
Push to flush drug decriminalisation is dead on arrival
The federal Liberals are pushing to overturn ACT drug decriminalisation laws after claiming they would be a Canberra "tourism attraction''.
Healthy respect for ruling on GP payroll tax changes
Paying a general practitioner directly at their service will not qualify for payroll taxes, under an announcement by the Queensland government.
Certainty for temporary health workers in NSW budget
Temporary frontline workers at risk of being let go from their positions will be made permanent under a NSW budget measure to improve hospital staffing levels.
Disability inquiry calls for urgent government response
The head of the disability royal commission has thrown down a challenge for all governments to respond to abuse and neglect exposed by the long-running inquiry.
AI is revolutionising diabetes treatment, inquiry told
Life-changing artificial intelligence technology is being used to treat diabetes patients, although access remains limited, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.
New mums more likely to spot faces in everyday objects
Women who have just had a baby are much more likely than other women to see faces in everyday objects.
Cosmetic cowboys face fines with new surgeon laws
Strict protections over the title "surgeon" have been passed by Queensland's parliament to crack down on doctors falsely advertising qualified cosmetic surgery
Boys’ mistreatment prompts action on disability report
Five recommendations put forward by the disability royal commission will be adopted fully or in principle by the Queensland government.
UN observer slams Australia over toxic threats, climate
Australia has been scolded over contaminated sites, new oil and gas projects and a "reactive" environmental protection framework by a UN investigator.
Major upgrade to ageing hospitals in $3b NSW govt blitz
Western Sydney's stretched health services and hospitals will receive a significant boost as part of a major budget investment by the NSW government.