Cross-party nod for probe into ‘rogue’ childcare firms
Shocking claims of rampant child mistreatment in privately operated centres have triggered a government-backed inquiry into the early education sector.
inquiry
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Lehrmann probe head committed ‘serious corrupt conduct’
A former judge engaged in serious corrupt conduct leaking an inquiry report sparked by the prosecution of former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
Billionaire founder retakes control of his $32b company
Richard White has been named executive chairman of WiseTech Global, four months after stepping down as CEO amid an inquiry into his conduct.
breaking_news
central bank
economy, business and finance
inquiry
interest rate
money and monetary policy
politics
politics (general)
Hazy outlook fuels Reserve Bank caution on disinflation
Caution has been urged over future cash rate changes as uncertainty looms large over global policy, the impacts of rate decisions and the labour market.
crime, law and justice
discrimination
freedom of religion
inquiry
judaism
politics
racism
university
unrest, conflicts and war
‘Criminals for hire’ tied to anti-Semitic attack spree
Police are still scrambling to determine who is masterminding an escalating spate of anti-Semitic crimes, despite making a series of arrests.
Starmer vows to lead change after Southport murders
Britain's prime minister says the failure to prevent the Southport murders should be a "line in the sand".
‘Shemozzle’: Olympics plan could lead to venue delays
The venues for the 2032 Olympics venues may not be delivered on time, a construction leader has warned as he took aim at uncertainty surrounding Games planning.
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.
‘Not bringing down a premier’: new turn in track plan
A probe into a controversial proposal to turn a historic racecourse into housing has delivered the latest salvo in a divisive debate over the facility's future.
Corruption call fuels ugly row over historic racecourse
A corruption watchdog will be asked to probe a state premier's involvement in what could become one of Australia's largest-ever real estate deals.
computing and information technology
inquiry
it/computer sciences
online
politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
software
technology (general)
An AI cop could help keep tech in check, inquiry hears
The government should appoint an artificial intelligence commissioner to oversee the technology, an inquiry has heard, amid concerns over unfair uses.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
environmental politics
inquiry
nuclear power
politics
Work on ‘safe’ nuclear reactors from day one of victory
A warning it will take "decades" to make coal sites safe for nuclear reactors has been dismissed as polling shows staunch opposition from women voters.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
business (general)
computing and information technology
economy (general)
inquiry
laws
politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
software
technology (general)
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.
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
politics (general)
shopping
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
regulatory policy and organisation
report
retail
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.