Footy fans help consumer spending roar into growth
A British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the State of Origin league decider helped push household spending up in July, the latest CommBank data shows.
national news
PM defends Palestine recognition after US ‘disgust’
Australia's decision to recognise Palestine was made in the interest of its citizens, the prime minister has said, after a US official decried the move.
Tougher national working with kids scheme by year’s end
Australia will fast-track the rollout of reforms for working with children checks after the existing system was slammed by the prime minister as "hopeless".
Aussie shares in record close, break $2.9 trillion mark
Australia's top 500 publicly traded companies are now worth more than $2.9 trillion, as major benchmark indexes closed at their highest ever levels.
Matt Wright blew up at pilots who went to the pub
After learning his pilots had called off an egg-collecting mission to go to the pub, Matt Wright sent angry texts, before apologising the next day.
Man’s ‘bizarre’ comments after airport gunshot fracas
A man at the centre of an airport arrest boasted he would be bailed again when re-arrested for several assaults in a major train station, a court has been told.
Accused killer walks from court in successful bail bid
Accused murderer Steven Johnson has been released on bail after a Supreme Court judge ruled he had exceptional circumstances.
Portrait of hidden faces declared a hands-down winner
The First Nations girls in an award-winning photo hid their faces as a statement of resistance, with the shot taking out a prestigious national portrait prize.
Trial lays bare cowboy chopper ops in croc country
Crocodile eggs, choppers, cover-up claims and cocaine use have been canvassed in evidence during the opening weeks of Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright's trial.
A handful of soil: 50 years since iconic land hand-back
It has been 50 years since the iconic passing of soil from the hands of the prime minister to a Gurindji Elder - a moment that paved the way for land rights.
Reforms begin to close working-with-children loopholes
An urgent plan to close loopholes in working with children checks will not "reinvent the wheel" but the government is confident it will help protect children.
Responsibility, not legacy driving Chalmers to reform
Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable will likely present some low-hanging fruit around regulation but hefty tax reform will be more challenging for him to grasp.
Wild Honey: the sweetest sound of remote Australia
From one of Australia's most remote regions, members of rock band Sweet Honey say its special to play to local crowds and give back to their community.
Answers to ailing productivity to steer economic future
Australia's economic future will be guided by ideas to reinvigorate its currently languishing productivity, the treasurer has said.
Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
Productivity to dominate agenda as symposium begins
After weeks of build up, arguably the biggest event of Australia's economic calendar is set to begin as the government seeks answers to withered productivity.
Renewable transmission plan expands, cost to double
One of Australia's largest renewable energy transmission projects faces a cost blowout with expanded areas of land for solar, battery and wind.
‘It’s crunch time’: productivity puzzle must be solved
Australia must cut unnecessary red tape and boost business investment if young people are to be better off than their parents, the productivity chief says.
‘Ruthless’ sacking of staff lands Qantas with $90m fine
Qantas has vowed to rebuild trust after the embattled airline was fined $90 million for illegally sacking more than 1800 ground staff during the pandemic.
Google cops $55m fine for search engine deals on phones
Google engaged in anti-competitive behaviour when it asked telcos to install only its search engine on phones, Australia's competition watchdog says.
PM lauds Ukraine support as eyes turn to Trump meeting
Australia has reaffirmed support for peace on Ukraine's terms as European Union leaders prepare to flank the Ukrainian president during his trip to Washington.
Reality TV star ‘wanted pilot’s phone’ after crash
A helicopter crash pilot's mobile phone was wanted by reality TV star Matt Wright, who asked an associate to collect it at a hospital, a jury has heard.
Piggery video charges against animal activist dismissed
Charges have been dismissed against an animal rights activist accused of installing a secret camera that allegedly caught a man committing bestiality.
Liberals cling to power as Greens thumb nose at Labor
A state's minority Liberal government will live on, with a Labor bid to get support from the cross bench falling flat.
‘People see injustice’: fight goes on for Vietnam vets
Vietnam War veterans are being honoured around the nation but for thousands of Australians, the battle for recognition of their service and suffering continues.
Australian shares higher as central bank cuts rates
Discretionary, banking and utilities stocks have given the local share market a boost as the central bank resumes its easing cycle.
Huge payout tipped after Apple and Google’s Epic loss
Apple and Google could face a hefty bill after they were sued by the developer of online game Fortnite and found to have engaged in anti-competitive conduct.
Real wages boost for workers, but costs might worry RBA
Strong annual growth in wages will be noted by the Reserve Bank as it collates data leading up to its next decision on whether to cut interest rates.
‘Bloody Latham’: court battle wraps after sex act tweet
Former federal Labor leader turned right-wing outsider Mark Latham has gone on a tirade as he defends vilification claims from a rival MP.
Global momentum behind Australia recognising Palestine
Australia has joined a global push to "end the cycle of violence" in the Middle East with its decision to recognise Palestine, the prime minister says.
‘Tragic’ childcare abuse shouldn’t drive kneejerk shift
Parents are questioning whether to send their children to preschool in the wake of horror abuse reports and trust in the sector is at a new low, advocates say.