Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread
The NSW authority responsible for water pollution has been grilled about the spread of cancer-linked chemicals throughout water supplies in a fiery exchange.
inquiry
Children ‘sacrificial lambs’ under harsher crime laws
Proposed legislative changes to juvenile offending laws have been heavily criticised by stakeholders at a public parliamentary hearing.
‘Keep fighting’, mother urges veterans after inquiry
The mother of a navy officer who took his own life has urged families to keep fighting despite the government responding to an inquiry into defence suicides.
Rush to pass social media ban angers experts, MPs
As parliament prepares to stop people younger than 16 using social media, the government has been accused of trying to ram through the laws without scrutiny.
‘Better deal’ for suppliers as supermarkets face fines
Supermarkets face fines of up to $10 million if caught breaching a grocery code of conduct that will become mandatory.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Laws to end path to treaty fast-tracked in shock move
The Queensland government has been accused of pushing through laws ending the path to treaty and truth-telling without consultation, sparking outrage.
University ‘incubator’ for Jewish hatred, inquiry told
Jewish students are "hiding" their religion on campus amid a rising tide of hatred, a parliamentary inquiry into anti-Semitism at universities has been told.
Sex predators on notice as Defence tackles violence
Australian troops convicted of sexual crimes face being kicked out under moves to tackle violence and misconduct in the military.
Migration laws crackdown blasted by experts, advocates
Legal experts and advocates have lambasted the government's proposed migration bill changes as "constitutionally unsound" and "misguided", at a Senate inquiry.
Cascading crises besiege domestic violence services
Domestic violence services are overwhelmed by growing demand and a lack of resources, the first public hearing of a royal commission in SA has been told.
Developer malaise means Woolies is behind more malls
Woolworths has cast itself as being in competition with cake shops and newsagents, while also showing the might of its construction arm.
Tired helicopter crews ‘didn’t want’ to let team down
A probe into a fatal Taipan army helicopter crash has been told aircrew didn't want to let their team down by pulling out of exercises when tired.
Govt agencies urged to consider the cost of AI failures
The cost of repaying those harmed by AI decisions should be considered before government departments deploy the technology, an inquiry has heard.
Competition at Sydney Airport ‘less than we like’
There is less competition at Australia's busiest airport than what the nation's consumer watchdog would like, as it supports reform of flight slots.
Dozens of ‘forever chemicals’ yet to be assessed
A parliamentary inquiry into PFAS substances has heard almost 20 per cent of the chemicals in the regulator's inventory have not been fully assessed.
IGA talks shop over cheaper prices at supermarket probe
Bosses of the company supplying independent grocers say prices are consistently coming down, benefiting customers and their stores.
Truth-telling in limbo after minister cancels meeting
The Queensland government has postponed plans to discuss the Path to Treaty process, ensuring a truth-telling and healing inquiry's future is in limbo.
Nuclear waste could add billions to energy supply costs
The time needed to build nuclear reactors and the cost of safely storing radioactive waste remain big questions for Australia, an inquiry has been told.
Green light for scooters a red flag for local councils
NSW has trailed other states in regulating e-scooters but recent council trials show the need for statewide consistency, an inquiry has been told.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
Childcare sector ‘sleepwalking’ into market domination
A pay increase will help bolster the childcare sector but there are warnings more must be done to address market concentration and keep costs low for families.
No nukes till late 2030s: energy switch may take years
Establishing nuclear power plants in Australia may take more than a decade, an inquiry has heard, and dealing with radioactive waste might be longer.
Chips down, shares up as Star fined, suspension remains
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has hit The Star with a $15 million fine after a second probe revealed a series of breaches at its Sydney operation.
Quit stage diving at concerts, insurers tell musicians
Insurance companies want performers to stop stage diving and throwing things at Australian live music events, an inquiry has been told.
Supermarkets tight-lipped on Tim Tam price discrepancy
Australia's major supermarkets say their suppliers are being hit by inflation which is trickling through to prices at the checkout.
Software that could close fire stations leaked to union
The potential use of software by Melbourne Fire Brigade to close stations and "jeopardise" public safety was leaked to a union boss and government minister.
Queensland’s history in focus at truth-telling inquiry
Queenslanders are being urged to come together, listen, acknowledge the truth of the state's history and start to heal as an inquiry begins in Brisbane.
‘No delay’ for response on veterans suicide report
Veterans and their families won't have to wait for a lengthy response following a royal commission, the prime minister has promised.
Privacy law calls as Meta admits farming Aussie photos
Experts are calling for changes to privacy laws after Meta revealed Australian photos from Facebook and Instagram were being used to train AI tools.
Claims greyhound ‘boiled to death’ on tarmac rejected
Allegations that a greyhound sent to the US for a better life "boiled to death" on an airport tarmac in the height of summer have been strongly rejected.