More schools close, others reopen amid asbestos scare
Some schools will reopen and others close over the detection of trace amounts of asbestos in a play sand product, while experts say the risk remains very low.
national news
Moderate MPs rally around Ley amid leadership turmoil
Sussan Ley's allies insist they are not preparing to turn on their leader to support right-wing challengers after a damaging stoush over climate policy.
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
exports
iron and steel
metal and mineral
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
politics (general)
research
Embattled steelworks should become a green iron beacon
Australia should take advantage of its natural resources to lead the world in the green metals race, a report has found, with one facility an obvious choice.
Cyclone shelter and flood levee boost in disaster plan
Projects including a cyclone shelter and flood levees are part of a $1 billion funding plan to build Australia's disaster readiness and resilience.
One million pushed to brink amid child poverty crisis
Advocates are renewing calls for Australia to adopt a nationally-agreed definition of child poverty, as concerning data shows almost one million are struggling.
Miners mixed on coalition’s controversial climate plan
Big mining companies are backing in some aspects of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's plan to wind back key climate policies but are still committed to net zero.
Almost 70 schools to close as asbestos concerns spread
An asbestos scare linked to coloured sand products has prompted dozens of school closures as decontamination work continues.
Coalition outlines climate plan after ditching net zero
Unlocking gas supply and opening the door to new coal-fired power stations are among the key pillars of the federal opposition's climate and energy policies.
central bank
economic indicator
economic policy
economy, business and finance
employment
inflation and deflation
unemployment
Wages data could force RBA to turn page on rates cut
Unlikely to receive another rate cut in the next six months, borrowers will at least see the big four banks face parliamentary scrutiny in Canberra this week.
Your next serve of lentils could be the product of AI
Australian inventors are using artificial intelligence to help farmers grade their crops but the technology almost proved too efficient.
The rural mum helping flip the school postcode lottery
Families in remote Australia have little choice but to send their kids to boarding school, a sometimes daunting path one advocate wants rural towns to embrace.
crime, law and justice
diplomacy
environmental issue
environmental politics
global warming
international relations
politics
PM disputes price tag attached to major climate meeting
Suggestions hosting a global climate summit could cost Australian taxpayers more than $2 billion have been rejected by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Storm barrage to continue lashing eastern Australia
More heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts, and large hail are possible, as powerful storms continue to lash parts of eastern Australia.
Giant hail batters communities in two states
Golf ball-sized hail has pummelled towns as severe thunderstorms packing heavy rain and powerful winds lash two states.
crime, law and justice
diplomacy
environmental issue
environmental politics
international relations
politics
Australia to make eleventh-hour bid to seal COP31 deal
With just days before the next host of the world's biggest climate conference must be decided, Australia is doing all it can to secure its bid.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
The vast and the curious: electric car expo shows range
Battery-powered sports cars, vans, SUVs and motorbikes will go on show in Melbourne but organisers say some attendees may need test drives to win them over.
AC/DC gig so loud it shook the earth … literally
AC/DC managed to literally shake the earth, with their Melbourne concert detected by earthquake monitoring equipment three kilometres away.
Rob Hirst: feeling good, for a hundred years or more
Midnight Oil's drummer, who has stage four pancreatic cancer, still has songs pinging around his brain at night, while he rages against the dying of the light.
corrupt practices
democracy
executive (government)
government
government departments
ministers (government)
political development
political systems
politics
Secret report on cronyism comes back to bite Labor
The key finding of a major investigation into "jobs for the boys" across federal politics can be revealed after being kept secret for more than two years.
Conservatives zero in on migration after climate coup
The opposition's fight over Australia's climate targets might have been run and won, but MPs are now gearing up for a fresh battle on migration policy.
Greater police presence to crack down on violent crime
Police will be deployed across more of a major state train network and shopping centres in a bid to reduce the likelihood of violent crime.
BHP liable for 2015 Brazil dam collapse, UK court rules
BHP can be held liable over the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil, London's High Court has ruled.
Major cause of death reaches lowest level in 47 years
The number of Australians dying from a prevalent disease has hit an almost 50-year low while mortality rates for dementia have been steadily rising.
Lendlease has secured $3b in new construction work
Lendlease's business momentum continues to build, chief executive has told shareholders, with $3 billion in new construction projects for the slimmed-down firm.
Asbestos scare puts Australian schools on high alert
Safety warnings have prompted the temporary closure of dozens of schools over fears coloured craft sand could be contaminated with asbestos.
Australian shares plunge to lowest level since July
The ASX200 has lost 1.4 per cent to finish the week down 1.5 per cent, its worst week in since early April.
‘Risk-taking, drug-affected’ bus driver loses appeal
A bus crash that killed 10 wedding guests and injured dozens more did not occur by chance, appeal judges said as they stood by the driver's mammoth jail term.
‘If I end up dead’: Molly knew brutal ex would kill her
Molly Ticehurst told police her former boyfriend had threatened to break into her house and kill her just weeks before he carried out that exact plan.
Jail time for threatening staff as retail attacks surge
Years in jail and store bans are among tougher penalties flagged by a state government tackling a troubling surge in attacks and threats on retail shop staff.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
New entry about to make electric cars a lot cheaper
Australian motorists can expect to see more price competition in electric vehicles after one auto maker announced the cheapest model to date.
Australian economy ‘island of security’ in risky seas
A shock fall in unemployment has wrong-footed analysts and dashed hopes of further interest rate cuts as the treasurer talks up Australia's economic strength.