Banks on notice as Westpac fined for failing clients
Banking giant Westpac has been slugged with a $26 million penalty for failing to support customers in need, a decision an expert says sends a clear message.
national news
Data centre power concerns spark moratorium call
A report by Greenpeace has challenged claims Australia's AI-fuelled data centre boom can support rather than undermine the clean energy transition.
Global capital eyes $50b water market, raising stakes
International investors are wading into Australia's water market, and while scarcity ensures decent returns, droughts could leave some producers high and dry.
breaking_news
business (general)
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
finance (general)
inflation and deflation
interest rate
personal finance
politics
prices
statistic
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
Corruption watchdog chief concedes he’s a distraction
Australia's top corruption fighter has likened questions over his defence force ties to asking what church he attends, during a fiery parliamentary hearing.
business (general)
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computing and information technology
education
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More young Aussies understand AI but they still fear it
Artificial intelligence is helping young people complete their homework but they are concerned it may also fill in their future jobs.
Fatality confirmed, disease rate dropping amid outbreak
The rate of diphtheria cases is dropping in a territory caught in the middle of a national outbreak after health authorities confirmed its first fatality.
‘Surprisingly dehumanising’: AI pioneer has boundaries
The head of one of the world's biggest pure-play AI developers says even he's had times when using the groundbreaking technology just wasn't going to happen.
‘Different environment’ for police since Bondi attack
The deadly Bondi terror attack has changed the face of policing, with the NSW force now carrying long arm rifles in public in response to terrorism threats.
Second ‘ISIS bride’ group touches down in Australia
A second group of women and children linked to Islamic State has returned to Australia after years spent in a Syrian refugee camp.
Renewables pushing out rivals to give power bill relief
Solar and batteries are helping to deliver households relief on their electricity bills, but elevated network costs are thought to be tempering price falls.
Renewable projects set records but still face headwinds
Wind farms and solar panels are producing more of Australia's electricity than ever, but slow approvals and investment commitments could stall progress.
Stolen Generations still paying price of forced removal
The many thousands of Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families from 1910 to 1970 are being remembered as part of National Sorry Day.
Two arrested as police probe Dezi Freeman’s time on run
Arrests have been made as part of an investigation into Dezi Freeman as police face scrutiny over the lack of body-worn cameras at the killer's last shootout.
Pros and cons to creating formal party, ex-teal says
While a formal teal party could erode support among some voters, it would also help independent MPs share resources and collaborate on policies.
Reported diphtheria death denied by health authority
A territory health authority says the death of a man in an outback hospital is in no way linked to diphtheria despite media reports to that effect.
Early resignation of chief rocks corruption watchdog
After a turbulent three years leading the National Anti-Corruption Commission, former war crimes investigator Paul Brereton is resigning.
‘Flying blind’: why Labor ditched the inland rail route
The $45.6 billion price tag for inland rail was only a modest estimate, prompting the federal government to scrap part of the project amid planning delays.
Labor happy with softer housing market since budget
Tax changes in the federal budget are already helping to level the playing field, according to the housing minister.
‘Very special to us’: stockman’s final journey home
An Aboriginal stockman whose remains have been stranded in a museum for decades is going home, as his family began a solemn journey to return him to Country.
More independents hose down push to toe the party line
A number of independent MPs have closed the door on a push to establish a teal political party in response to voters turning their backs on the establishment.
Power bill relief as energy caps slashed in one state
Cheaper electricity bills are in store for hundreds of thousands of households and small businesses in one state under a lowered benchmark power price.
‘Absolute hell’: emotional return for flotilla group
A group of Australians who were detained by Israel after trying to deliver aid to Gaza have described harrowing experiences in custody as they arrived home.
‘Come have a beer’: how Dezi Freeman engaged with cops
Details surrounding the negotiations between police and fugitive double killer Dezi Freeman before he was gunned down have been revealed for the first time.
act of terror
breaking_news
government departments
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judaism
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national security
police
politics
terrorism
unrest, conflicts and war
‘Likely’ Hanukkah terror did not prompt extra policing
A Jewish security group viewed terrorist attacks as likely in the lead-up to the Bondi massacre, but police did not carry out a threat assessment.
Investor tax cut call as opponents fight Labor plan
A Labor plan to reduce investor incentives has been branded a "productivity tax" as opponents call for lower taxes for those with money to put aside.
Temporary fall in inflation won’t ease RBA fears
A short-lived reduction in the fuel excise has provided some momentary price relief but inflation will only worsen without a resolution to supply blockages.
Pauline Hanson won’t tie One Nation to coalition ‘dog’
Pauline Hanson's party could become the official opposition, but she has poured cold water on any policy compromise in a coalition deal.
Shower of sparks as singer serenades to the stars
The stars have aligned at an opera festival in the outback, where a star tenor has performed under a meteor shower.
Aust republicans eye opportunity in One Nation rise
On the sidelines of Victoria's Labor conference, grassroots members hope to garner support for a fresh republic referendum: against the prime minister's pledge.
Three dead after ‘horrific’ head-on midnight crash
Police were called to conduct a welfare check at a home moments before a head-on car crash that killed three people.