Government put on notice over nursing home bed block
State health ministers have put their federal counterpart on blast over a major shortage of aged care beds, which is clogging up the nation's hospital system.
national news
‘Disgust, anger, grief’: mother’s rage at abuse charges
A mother is begging for answers after a childcare worker was charged with producing child abuse material but police say their cautious approach is necessary.
Religious protections push to combat Islamophobia rise
A red line is being drawn to tackle a rise in hatred and attacks towards Muslims in Australia as the prime minister pledges to stamp out discrimination.
Dapto gone to the dogs as greyhound venue runs its race
Thousands of people packed the iconic Dapto Dogs racetrack for the final meeting after almost 90 years of racing.
‘Climate fail’: huge gas project approval ignites fury
Australia's biggest gas project will be allowed to operate until 2070, with the approval lighting the fuse for an angry backlash from climate activists.
World’s oldest continuous police horse unit honoured
Two centuries after the NSW police mounted unit first assembled, horses continue to play a role in crowd control and search operations.
Lehrmann calls for the head of corruption watchdog boss
Bruce Lehrmann says the national anti-corruption body's boss lacks the confidence of the Australian people and has called for him to resign or be sacked.
‘Pass the torch’: writers protest over journal’s demise
Supporters of one of Australia's oldest literary journals have staged a protest against a "purely financial" decision to close it down.
Competing rallies cripple capitals as crowds pour in
Another busy weekend of thousands taking to the streets across capitals in rival demonstrations is testing the limits of freedom of speech and police resources.
‘Monster’ jailed for killing partner in violent attack
A woman with a disability who was killed by her "pure evil" partner in a brutal bashing was barely recognisable afterwards, her daughter says.
‘Fearful’ Muslim Australians demand action, not words
More than 50 recommendations to tackle prejudice against Muslims have been outlined in a landmark report by Australia's special envoy to combat Islamophobia.
Double murder ramps up calls for tougher knife laws
Drums are beating louder for broader search powers to curb knife crime after two fatal stabbings as a government insists state laws are effective.
Embattled party sharpens poll focus on ‘crime crisis’
A state Liberal party is honing its focus on crime, announcing a beefing-up of knife search powers ahead of an election, while denying members are disunited.
Beloved fairywrens take slow flight towards extinction
Scientists say a common garden bird species is vulnerable to sudden drops in temperature during more frequent extreme weather events and may become extinct.
Premier hails Labor victory hours after polls close
A seat up for grabs after an MP was forced out of parliament has gone to a Labor government in a remarkable feat not witnessed in three decades.
Climate, China concern bookend Pacific leaders meeting
A major Pacific leaders conference has wrapped up, with Australia warned about its stance on major coal and gas projects and "silencing" of Pacific voices.
Taking the wheel: drivers may soon supervise their cars
Self-driving cars are being tested on Australian roads but motorists and experts are divided about whether they will drive greater safety or greater problems.
Senior Liberals back Ley after ‘cauterising the wound’
Senior Liberals believe the party has moved on from the recent furore around Indian migrants, although leader Sussan Ley is likely to remain under pressure.
The wonder of exotica at Australia’s biggest art show
Artist Alexia Sinclair has released her fantastical series The Age of Wonder, as part of the inaugural photography showcase at Australia's biggest art fair.
Australian vigil for assassinated right-wing activist
Political leaders are condemning the killing of Charlie Kirk as "horrific" as the Australian wing of his organisation prepares to honour his legacy
Senior drivers targeted in flood of fake online reports
Rumours the federal government is introducing new laws targeting mature drivers including a night time curfew have been exposed as AI-generated nonsense.
Two cops face court accused of unlawful killing
The names of two officers accused of unlawfully killing a man who died following an arrest last year can be revealed as they faced court for the first time.
Check your modem: millions to get free broadband boost
Almost one in every three NBN users will see their internet speed rise in the coming days but experts are warning consumers to check their hardware.
Trump calls Albanese ‘a good man’ after latest call
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now had four "really warm" conversations with Donald Trump as the US president praised him for being a "good man".
Aussie duo nabbed over weapons supply to foreign rebels
A two-year investigation has resulted in two Australian men facing allegations of trafficking firearms and ammunition to a violent paramilitary group overseas.
Pressure mounts to end the bloodshed after boys killed
A state government is under growing pressure to address youth crime after the deaths of two boys, with some parents taking drastic measures to protect kids.
Plans afoot to resuscitate ailing nightlife
Well-intentioned, since-repealed laws have had a lasting impact on the nightlife in Australia's most populous state but work is underway to liven things up.
‘Woman’s nightmare’: man jailed for decades-old rape
A court has heard how a victim's life was ruined by a violent rape nearly 40 years ago as her attacker was sentenced to more than nine years behind bars.
‘Terrified for my life’: Aussies in Gaza aid boat scare
An Australian media entrepreneur sleeping on the top deck of an aid vessel bound for Gaza felt "a massive ball of flames" as a drone hit the ship off Tunisia.
Elder fails to defend trespass using sovereignty claim
An Indigenous elder who tried to defend trespass and property damage charges using sovereignty rights has been told laws must be applied to everyone equally.
Marine heatwave disaster warnings ignored for two years
The federal government ignored warnings of a marine heatwave and failed to commit funding to fight SA's devastating algal bloom, a senate inquiry has heard.