Rail link cut, shelves stripped as floods swamp outback
Flooding has cut a major rail line, inundated roads and triggered rescues but parts of the country are welcoming potentially drought-breaking rain.
national news
More tradies on the tools a key election promise
A state premier on track for a thumping election victory is determined to focus on housing policies, promising incentives for building apprentices.
Canada’s PM to travel to Australia to boost trade ties
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the federal parliament during an upcoming visit to Canberra.
Bondi attack inquiry to map plan to curb religious hate
Focusing on anti-Semitism is a necessary first step to improving social cohesion, says the head of the royal commission launched after the Bondi terror attack.
Legal doubts emerge over travel home ban for ISIS bride
Policies designed to deal with families linked to Islamic terrorists could breach the constitution, as politicians clash over how to deal with the issue.
‘Horrified’: childcare giant’s abuse scandal response
Australia's largest for-profit childcare operator began overhauling hiring even before a former worker was charged with sexual abuse, an inquiry has been told.
Funding all aboard ensuring fast rail leaves station
A two-year development phase will lay the groundwork for a final decision on federal funding for high-speed rail from Newcastle to Sydney.
Coffee cups, truck laws leave shoppers with hefty bill
Different laws across Australian states are putting pressure on the retail sector, which wants legislative harmony between jurisdictions.
Dumpster fire: Aussie households fail the battery test
Millions of households are risking fires by getting rid of batteries in dangerous ways and the popularity of lithium batteries is raising the stakes.
Trump warns against ‘playing games’ with US trade deals
Donald Trump is threatening to hit any countries prevaricating over recently-negotiated US trade deals with much higher duties under different trade laws.
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
The International Monetary Fund report is calling for a hike in the GST and other tax changes, while praising the handling of Australia's economy.
Bondi shooter speaks as ‘onerous conditions’ outlined
The surviving gunman from the Bondi Beach terror attack has faced court for the first time on 15 murder charges, uttering his first public words.
Aussies splash cash on tech but prices tipped to rise
Consumers are spending big on smartphones and games consoles despite a tight economy, JB Hi-Fi says, but the cost of some gadgets could rise.
Coles points finger at suppliers for price changes
Australia's consumer watchdog has accused Coles of artificially increasing prices to create discounts, while the supermarket giant blames supplier cost hikes.
Tough new laws to crack down on illegal tobacco ‘thugs’
Businesses caught selling illegal tobacco could have their shops shut down for up to 90 days under planned state laws.
Kidnappers of elderly widower told they have wrong man
An 85-year-old grandfather taken captive several days ago needs urgent medical attention, police say as they issue a rare plea to his mistaken kidnappers.
‘I had to’: killer’s curse claim before nurse stabbed
A man who raved about witchcraft during a heated dispute about designer bags is claiming he killed his childhood friend's partner during a psychotic episode.
‘Goliath won’: Santos fends off greenwashing lawsuit
The defeat of a climate suit against Santos has disappointed activists but opened the public's eyes to how the resources giant developed its net-zero targets.
Liberal leader’s unity call as allies rule front bench
Prominent conservatives will return to the front bench as Opposition Leader Angus Taylor unveils his first shadow cabinet.
‘Too high’: risk to economy forces RBA’s hand on rates
Minutes from the Reserve Bank's latest meeting reveal the thinking behind its call to lift interest rates for the first in more than two years.
Australia ‘failing’ on childcare quality issues
Industry, parents and policy experts will front a Senate inquiry probing Australia's scandal-plagued early childhood education sector.
Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life
Almost half of Australians aged 18 to 29 are considering leaving cities for the regions, driven by the cost of living, work opportunities and lifestyle factors.
Earth’s doppelganger: scientists make $15m digital twin
From stress-testing crops to simulating disease outbreaks, researchers plan to create a virtual copy of Australia's agricultural landscape to test scenarios.
‘Beloved’ NRL premiership star shot in brazen ambush
A premiership-winning NRL player is in a serious condition after being shot as police examine a car found on fire near the crime scene.
BHP copper pivot steps up but iron ore headwinds remain
The world's biggest miner has broken operating records across multiple resources in the recent half as it continues to expand its exposure to a key base metal.
Baby store refits delivers ‘halo effect’ for retailer
Baby Bunting's nine revamped "stores of the future" are delivering the goods, helping the baby goods retailer grow overall same-store sales by 4.7 per cent.
Students, staff live in fear as racism rampant at unis
Universities are being criticised for failing to tackle rampant racism, with a landmark report revealing how pervasive discrimination is on campus.
Illegal ciggies tipped to soon stub out retail sales
One of Australia's biggest retailers has warned nine in 10 cigarettes will be bought illegally by the end of the decade unless the tobacco excise is cut.
One dead in ‘random’ triple stabbing on high street
A man is dead and two others are fighting for their lives after a stabbing outside a suburban train station.
How an empty nursing home became a housing solution
The hundreds of thousands of disused buildings across rural Australia could be transformed into worker accommodation as renewable energy projects roll out.
Shoppers care about ‘fair dinkum’ discounts, says Coles
A supermarket giant accused of manipulating prices has told a court the regulator is wrongly attributing "sophisticated thought processes" to grocery shoppers.