Plugged in: watchdogs weigh up laws for uncertain times
Australian consumers are facing 'volatile' conditions, a regulator has warned, and may need stronger protections against harm.
national news
Labor’s rivals revive push for full ban on gambling ads
Minor parties and independents are preparing amendments to Labor's "friendless" proposed gambling reforms before parliament returns to Canberra.
Athlete denies making up sex abuse claims against Jones
A former athlete has hit back at accusations he concocted claims of being indecently assaulted by radio giant Alan Jones, telling a court "it's all true".
All Ords index tops $3.2 trillion as shares beat record
Mining stocks have driven the local exchange into new territory for a second session as Middle East peace hopes buoy investor confidence.
Teen’s charges upgraded over beloved shop owner’s death
A suburban community has been plunged into mourning following the death of a shop owner as police upgrade charges against a teenage boy.
Scholarship win for Indigenous university students
Pursuing higher education is costly but one university wants to change that by assisting all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate students.
Ex-AFL star Winmar pushes for no jail time over assault
Former AFL icon Nicky Winmar has already suffered punishment from the sporting world for assaulting a woman, a sentencing hearing has been told.
National e-bike crackdown to buck off cowboy retailers
Australia's consumer watchdog is drafting new rules to protect riders from unsafe e-bikes, following years of concerns over rising road accidents.
Fears for Australian sea lions as bird flu cases grow
Experts are warning Australia's sea lion population could face major losses after a pup's death as cases continue to mount from a national bird flu outbreak.
Fugitive developer offered $100K to Perrottet brother
Controversial property developer Jean Nassif dangled a $100,000 political donation in front of a former premier's brother, phone taps have revealed.
Property listings giant defies house price slump
Shifting sands mean Australia's biggest property website can't afford to sit on its laurels even as it proclaims a better-than-expected year.
Fifth victim of horror head-on highway crash confirmed
Two cars have collided in a fiery head-on outback highway crash that has left five people dead, sparking an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
‘Kleptomaniacs’: media empire vows to slay AI thieves
A media goliath has doubled down on its stick-and-carrot campaign against AI snatchers, also calling out other companies who '"should know better".
Stranger things: Aussie helps crack cosmic cold case
A team of international scientists have used cutting-edge technology, including a radio telescope in rural Australia, to open a new "cosmic window".
Ocker reboot makes Alexa ‘authentically Australian’
Amazon Australia is upgrading its Alexa chatbot with the same technology that underpins ChatGPT, and says it has been trained to understand Australian culture.
‘Unrealistic’ rules for AI data centres spark warning
Investors could be deterred from investing in new AI data centres in Australia if national guidelines under negotiation are too strict, the coalition warns.
Why old office buildings are vacant despite demand
Businesses seeking office space are gravitating to the most expensive end of the market even if it means paying more up front, fresh data suggests.
Power play: national law could curb data centre demands
Data centres in every state and territory could be required to supply their own renewable energy if changes are introduced at a national level.
Former neo-Nazi labels brotherhood ‘a load of lies’
An ex-neo-Nazi has revealed what saved him from extremism, as experts warn online grievance movements can radicalise young Australians.
Shares soar to record highs as oil dives on peace hopes
Local shares have rallied on reports the US and Iran are nearing a new peace deal, boosting confidence as investors bet on a brighter outlook for global growth.
Sales surge: electric, hybrid cars drive vehicle record
Electric and hybrid vehicles made up almost half of all new cars sold in July as Australian motorists turned away from rising fuel prices.
Mass stabbing attack sparks mental health policy revamp
A clinician-led response model for people experiencing mental health crises will be rolled out after a man experiencing psychosis went on a stabbing rampage.
‘Screwed’: ex-premier’s brother fumes over factionalism
The brother of a former state premier became obsessive about stacking Liberal Party branches but felt slighted for not being paid for his endeavours.
NRL club claims player contributed to training death
A Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles player who died at pre-season training was negligent in his own death by not revealing he was out of shape, the club says.
Dan Andrews, union boss claim vindication on IBAC probe
A major probe has cleared an ex-premier and other leading political and union figures of corrupt dealings but found evidence of serious and concerning conduct.
Database and DNA to help find lost First Nations people
A database is being set up to document cases of missing First Nations people along with a DNA collection program to help families find lost loved ones.
Top footy codes drowning in grog and gambling adverts
Alcohol advertising has a firm grip on Australia's two major football codes, with children exposed to the ads every time they watch a match.
Home sellers still reap huge profits but cracks appear
A sharp decline in property prices has sparked fears of negative equity but less than three per cent of houses sold for a loss in the first half of 2026.
Push for pen and paper tests as literacy results dive
Policymakers are looking for answers, including a return to pen and paper NAPLAN tests, as they grapple with falling national results in literacy and numeracy.
Female politicians facing ‘deadly trajectory’ of abuse
From "nudification" technology to deepfake videos, AI is scaling up the online abuse against female politicians in an attempt to silence women in power.
Gold rush: high yellow metal price lifts job prospects
It's a case of jobs, jobs, jobs in the West Australian goldfields as miners chase high commodity prices, rush to restart operations and build new plants.