MPs face sanctions under new standards commission
The federal government will introduce laws to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to police the behaviour of MPs and staff.
national news
MPs behaving badly face fines under code of conduct
Federal MPs have been urged to lift behavioural standards, as laws are introduced to enforce a code of conduct for elected officials.
Santos drilling for gas demand well into the future
Oil giant Santos is juggling capital-intensive projects, including the hotly contested Narrabri field in NSW, as rising costs and lower LNG prices hit profits.
Opportunity knocks for winner of women in country award
Indigenous advocate and creator of the Remote OpShop Project, Tanya Egerton, has been named the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National Winner
Check one, two: Google tests if AI can improve hearing
Could hearing aids and cochlear implants benefit from artificial intelligence technology? Google and Australian researchers have teamed to find out.
‘Blood on his hands’: advocates slam NDIS reforms
Access and funding levels are set to change for people on disability support services after the government struck a controversial deal to revamp the NDIS.
Deepfake porn laws to target sharing of sexual images
Federal parliament is cracking down on the sharing of fake or digitally altered pornographic images without consent.
Review gun laws ‘so no one else has to go through it’
An urgent review of correctional officers' use of firearms has been recommended by an inquiry into the death of an Indigenous man shot while fleeing custody.
‘Enraged’ shooter targeted wife and family before death
Investigators are trying to unpick what led a man from Victoria, with scant police history, to target his family in a shooting in suburban Sydney.
Dress pulled up, alleged serial killer’s trial told
The body of a woman allegedly killed by a man accused of three SA cold case murders was discovered by her 11-year-old grandson, a court has been told.
Governments urged to ‘be honest’ on youth justice
Indigenous children's organisations are urging governments to 'be honest' about Australia's youth justice system, and invest in community-led solutions.
Aussie shares in late comeback to extend winning streak
After being down as much as 0.5 per cent in morning trading, the ASX200 gained steadily in the afternoon to finish slightly in the green and above 8,000.
‘I was toxic’, Higgins said about Reynolds relationship
A journalist who broke the story about Brittany Higgins' alleged rape has testified in a defamation trial pitting Senator Linda Reynolds against her ex-staffer.
Body of tech entrepreneur retrieved from sunken yacht
The body of technology tycoon Mike Lynch has been recovered after a luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily, while his daughter remains missing.
Frothy and a polly, final leaders’ debate hits the pub
Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro have faced off in a final debate before the Northern Territory election.
Gen X, older millennials ride housing boom to the bank
Older millennials and generation X are among the biggest winners from Australia's real estate boom as profits from sales hit their highest level in 10 years.
Super on parental leave to reduce ‘motherhood penalty’
Parents will get an extra $3000 in their super balance while on government-funded paid parental leave under laws introduced to federal parliament.
Older and youngest workers vulnerable if hiring stalls
A weaker labour market is felt unevenly by different industries and demographics, with older workers and those new to the workforce most at risk.
‘Kept my child secret’: gay teacher calls for change
A Catholic school teacher who felt forced to quit because of a same-sex relationship is sharing her experience to try and secure stronger legal protections.
Blocked goldminer ‘shattered’ by rising sovereign risk
Regis Resources will fight a federal block on a $1 billion gold project it says has cost almost 1000 jobs and sours Australia's reputation as a place to invest.
Japan’s steel giants dig deep for Australian coal
Production at one of Australia's biggest coal mines could be extended beyond 50 years under joint venture deals, with the buyers warned to brace for backlash.
Women are terrorised but ministers avoid the T word
Youth Minister Anne Aly came the closest among federal ministers to compare treating family violence offenders like terrorism suspects.
Airfare spike fears after Rex’s flight from capitals
With no Australian airline route featuring more than two companies, the competition watchdog says prices could spike with the exit of cash-strapped Rex.
Shares buoyed, $US battered as Fed readies rate cut
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.2 per cent higher on Thursday.
Closure for patients as Monash IVF settles for $56m
Monash IVF has agreed to a $56 million settlement over a landmark class action regarding the destruction of embryos during non-invasive genetic screening.
Regional bank to slash 400 jobs, take over branches
Bank of Queensland says in addition to about 400 job lay-offs, it will convert its 114 owner-managed branches to corporate ones.
Man admits he hit wife with axe after she bit his thumb
A man who killed his wife has given evidence in his own murder trial where he claimed she came at him with a knife.
Crying poor claim as insurers accused of price gouging
A crackdown on how insurers respond to climate change has been declared by the corporate watchdog, as a union accuses some of the biggest firms of crying poor.
Higgins’ police report detailed to defamation trial
A police report detailing Brittany Higgins' night out with friends before she was allegedly raped in Parliament House have been read at a defamation trial.
‘Investment in disabled lives’: NDIS costs curb pledge
Changes aimed at reining in costs of the NDIS are being criticised by advocates but people on the disability scheme are being assured their needs will be met.
Plenty of pots left to stir for this retiring pollie
Labor MP Graham Perrett is retiring from politics but the firebrand Queenslander has not finished stirring the pot in parliament.