Banning kids from social media could cause greater harm
Mental health experts don't support proposals to ban children from accessing social media and are warning it could have unintended consequences.
national news
Speed limit cuts needed to help fix road toll ‘crisis’
Speed limits need to be curbed to help tackle the 'absolute crisis' of the nation's spiralling road toll, road safety experts say.
Nicola Gobbo’s struggles in hiding aired in civil trial
'Lawyer X' Nicola Gobbo's experiences in hiding since she was outed as a police informer have been aired in her civil trial against Victoria Police.
Staying put, some Aussies resist calls to flee Lebanon
Australian Zakie Khoury Daou acknowledges the situation in Lebanon remains precarious as missiles rain down but says she doesn't want to uproot her life.
Melbourne’s Underbelly relived as Nicola Gobbo speaks
'Lawyer X' Nicola Gobbo has detailed early interactions with gangland clients including Tony Mokbel and Carl Williams after taking the stand a civil trial.
Users still frustrated despite falling telco complaints
Telcos still have work to do to improve customer service with delays in fixing problems and service fees among the top complaints, the industry watchdog says.
Generation dread: Aussies unprepared for money shocks
Most Australians are unsatisfied with their finances, with just one quarter equipped to handle unexpected money issues, a survey has found.
Court to hear police protest shutdown application
Police will try to shut down planned protests and vigils on the anniversary of Hamas's Israel terrorist attack, a moved slammed as an attack on human rights.
Liberal deputy says lawsuit prompted party to expel MP
Victorian Liberal deputy leader David Southwick says the party was left with no other option than to expel MP Moira Deeming due to her planned litigation.
Fire ant eradication refuseniks face sting of the law
Tensions are ramping up between authorities and property owners who are resisting the fire ant eradication program with a lock-the-gates style campaign.
Late-night scrap sparks trans-Tasman diplomatic wrangle
New Zealand authorities want the partner of an Australian official to lose his diplomatic immunity after he was involved in a post-Bledisloe Cup altercation.
Expert rejects supermarket land banking concerns
A retail expert says it's "not unreasonable" for supermarkets to spend years developing sites for stores, as the government moves to crack down on land banking.
‘Even US’ doing better on youth justice than Australia
Australia needs to dump its tough on crime approach towards kids and become accountable for its failures in child protection, the children's commissioner says.
Indigenous women are being murdered at an alarming rate
Some 476 Indigenous women have been murdered over 34 years and current or former intimate partners were the main perpetrators, research shows.
Australia may miss billions in green Chinese investment
Chinese investment in Australia has fallen, despite the nation's growing budget for renewable energy projects in the transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
Rolling the dice: kids aged 10 caught in gambling haze
One in three parents are worried about their teens gambling, with children aged under 10 among those treated for related health problems.
Children would lie about their age to evade YouTube ban
A teenage media proprietor says young Australians need to know more about a proposed social media ban as it could impact their education.
Leave Lebanon now, but for some, it’s not that easy
Lebanese Australians are watching on in horror as Israel bombs southern parts of Lebanon and the capital, Beirut, levelling buildings and killing hundreds.
Rural crime fight needs ‘vastly different’ approach
More support is needed to recruit local frontline workers and address the root causes of entrenched crime in regional and rural areas, an inquiry has been told.
No jail for theft from slain woman’s family fundraiser
Lachlan Morganti will serve 400 hours of community service for stealing over $60,000 from a fundraiser he organised for the family of an alleged murder victim.
Police ‘groomed’ lawyer-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo
Victoria Police has been accused of "grooming" Nicola Gobbo into becoming a source and revealing confidential information about dangerous gangland clients.
‘Pitiful’ funding for ‘looming catastrophe’ of bird flu
Pressure is mounting on the federal government to pour more money into bird flu preparations, amid warnings Australia's worst ecological disaster is looming.
Parent groups urge total ban on child social media use
No child should be allowed to access social media networks in Australia, an inquiry has heard, and parents would also benefit from a blanket ban.
Australian shares round out September with fresh record
The ASX has again hit new intraday and closing record highs, with the local currency at its highest level since early 2023.
Cash injection as regulator probes supermarket claims
The consumer watchdog has received a cash injection as it examines allegations of land banking and dubious discounts against the major supermarket chains.
Retail trade springs back after warmer weather
A hotter-than-average August and Father's Day sales has led to a spike in retail sales, with more people taking advantage of the outdoors.
$10 billion Indigenous business milestone celebrated
Indigenous businesses have won more than 71,000 commonwealth contracts, representing $10 billion in government spending over the past nine years.
Dating protection boost as apps swipe right for safety
Online romantics are being promised a safer dating experience as popular apps work to comply with a code of conduct put in place to better protect users.
Travellers to fly for less if Qatar lands Virgin deal
More routes more often and increased use of frequent-flyer miles are predicted if Qatar Airways is allowed to take a large slice of Virgin Australia.
Treated as ‘animals’: Lebanese anger as Israel invades
Politicians focusing on the visa status of a small group of people waving Hezbollah flags instead of hundreds being killed is alienating the Lebanese community.
More borrowers falling behind but better days are ahead
Some households are doing it tougher due to high inflation and interest rates but conditions are about to improve, a Reserve Bank of Australia report says.