Geelong avoids sanction over player concussion deal
A Geelong AFL player with a history of head knocks signed a secret deal with the club to take legal responsibility for future concussions.
health
Urgent call to give blood as flu season depletes stocks
More than 12,000 blood donors are needed nationwide to lend their arm to save lives, with certain blood types running low as winter sidelines thousands.
Labor holds firm as seniors face $250 health cover hike
Health Minister Mark Butler has defended a cut to private health insurance rebates for over-65s as he faces a revolt among states opposed to the change.
Fresh hope as treatment cost slashed for rare cancer
Patients suffering a rare form of brain cancer will be able to access a new, targeted treatment at low cost for the first time in two decades.
Pay rise for aged-care nurses amid dire worker shortage
The federal government hopes a milestone pay rise for aged-care workers will help attract and retain staff in a sector stretched by shortages.
‘Breathtaking’ NDIS exploitation in remote communities
Multiple groups have told an inquiry the federal government's proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms should not go ahead in their current form.
‘Not good enough’: pleas to act on Indigenous targets
Indigenous women and children are at risk as the nation falls woefully behind Closing the Gap targets because of limited collaboration, experts warn.
Isolation leaving the elderly at risk of malnutrition
Why are elderly Australians "starving"? A report has found isolation can put older Australians at risk of malnutrition.
Spike in kids’ crisis calls spotlights health challenge
Mental conditions including anxiety, mood and substance disorders have surged in young adults, while children are calling support lines at record rates.
Labor backs telehealth for voluntary assisted dying
Labor says legal barriers preventing telehealth use in voluntary assisted dying should be removed, as it also resolves to allow a conscience vote on the issue.
PM draws battle lines against Hanson for party faithful
Anthony Albanese has led calls to Labor's true believers to make the case for change to counter the growing popularity of Pauline Hanson and One Nation.
Ex-Socceroos captain receives devastating CTE diagnosis
Paul Wade says it's scary knowing his memory is going and he is experiencing mood swings due to the repeated head knocks he copped during his soccer career.
Experts warn abortion ‘fear mongering’ risks rural care
While there is greater uptake of abortion pills across Australia, many complexities remain for women seeking to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, research shows.
Seat swap after son’s crash killed mum, inquest told
Tracee Grosvenor was found dead behind the wheel of a crashed car but it soon emerged someone else had been driving, an inquest has been told.
Birth trauma change urged after ‘free birth’ inquiry
A coroner has called for hospitals to be more sensitive to women with traumatic past experiences after investigating an unassisted home birth resulting in death
Young Australians urged to discuss organ donation
A teen back on the rugby field and a sister honouring a final wish highlight the life-changing impact of organ donation ahead of this year's DonateLife week.
Deal spares MS patients $33k annually in medicine costs
MS patients have avoided paying tens of thousands of dollars for treatment, with the government keeping key multiple sclerosis treatments on the PBS.
Pauline Hanson’s high-end summer Eurotrip draws heat
A luxury fashion show and meeting with a divisive UK podcaster has opened Pauline Hanson up to criticism as rivals question her anti-establishment persona.
Painful wait for women as unfounded claims delay payout
It could be another 12 months before a $405 million settlement for pelvic mesh injuries is fully paid out but the tidal wave of pain goes on for those hurt.
Flaws in aged-care reform laid bare by $1800 crutches
Aged-care reforms are failing to rein in costs and are puting at risk elderly Australians' right to die with dignity, the sector's inspector-general says.
Confirmed Ebola cases pass 2000 in Congo outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with cases reaching 2011 and deaths hitting 754.
‘Passion and purpose’ of melanoma researcher remembered
After a life where he made skin cancer largely beatable and greatly accelerated brain cancer research, an Australian of the Year winner has been farewelled.
Native bird flu case sparks ‘nightmare’ wildlife fears
Experts fear native species could be devastated by a deadly bird flu strain after it was discovered in a wild non-migratory species for the first time.
More bird flu detections spark wildlife fears
Australia's bird flu tally may be edging towards double figures, with experts warning of a potentially ''devastating'' impact on already-threatened wildlife.
Saving lives, playing gigs all in a country practice
A doctor who moved to the country to save up for a sailing trip is still working in the bush 40 years later, a career path he encourages others to explore.
‘Pure elation’: Aussie IVF innovation sparks baby joy
Australian scientists have achieved the first pregnancies using a trail-blazing 3D-printed IVF device smaller than the width of a human hair.
Precautions urged as sixth bird flu case confirmed
Australia's sixth bird flu case has been confirmed as the nation's top veterinarian issued advice to keep free-range hens housed, where practical.
Wider spread fears as bird flu emerges in third state
A deadly strain of avian flu detected for the first time in NSW has prompted authorities to ramp up surveillance and industry containment measures.
Struggling Liberals seek reboot in winter of discontent
Down in the polls, Liberal leader Angus Taylor will look to reconnect with voters through a blitz of marginal seats as parliament rises for its winter break.
Community buy-in boosts jabs for Indigenous kids
Better transport, shorter wait times and cultural safety are all factors in improving immunisation rates for First Nations children, a study has found.
Struggle to pay attention? How to tweak your life to help you focus
Two experts explain why staying focused, especially in our modern world, can be so hard.