Funding boost charges up Australian battery innovation
Australia could compete with China for lithium battery production after a local company announced plans to establish a $60 million factory.
national news
‘Blow for women’ as hospitals shut maternity wards
Staffing challenges and declining birth rates have been blamed for maternity wards closing at private hospitals in two jurisdictions.
Bail granted to woman accused of attacking Muslim women
A woman accused of assaulting two Muslim women at a shopping centre has been bailed, as details of a previous assault on a woman in a hijab was aired in court.
Clean industry pitch to save town from job losses
Gravity energy storage in disused mine shafts and critical mineral development are part of a pitch to save a mining town set to lose a big source of employment.
Hazy outlook fuels Reserve Bank caution on disinflation
Caution has been urged over future cash rate changes as uncertainty looms large over global policy, the impacts of rate decisions and the labour market.
Nation grinds to a halt without steel, industry warns
Rescuing Whyalla's steelworks is essential to maintain sovereign steel capability - vital to the economy and national security, the industry peak body says.
Struggle Street residents last to benefit from rate cut
Rate relief has been delivered to Australian mortgage holders, yet the Reserve Bank governor says renters may have to wait a while longer to gain any benefit.
Powering up: Indigenous company supplying energy to NBN
Australia's first Indigenous-owned energy retailer is expanding into two more states just eight months after launching.
ASIO’s threat to life priority a ‘hierarchy of hate’
Anti-Semitic attacks are ASIO's top priority when dealing with threats to life, but the Palestinian community has concerns other forms of hatred are diminished.
Top cop warned of huge job as leadership crisis deepens
A former police chief has spoken of a "herculean task" to turn the force around as internal battles and a state's fight against rising crime continues.
Preserving cultural knowledge and language using AI
A new app is helping Indigenous language speakers and knowledge-holders to preserve cultural information, creating a "holistic learning experience" for users.
Alleged drug trio nabbed after thinking outside the box
Three men face life sentences after attempting to import hundreds of boxes made of methamphetamine worth more than $100 million, federal police say.
No more myki: passengers set for ticketless travel
Victorians are set to get ticketless public transport travel, with train passengers soon able to tap on and off with bank cards and their phones.
Defence pact to build PNG links without the brain drain
Defence forces must guard against brain drain between national militaries, an analyst says as Australia and Papua New Guinea hammer out a new treaty.
Wong to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister on warships
Foreign minister Penny Wong will meet with her Chinese counterpart to make Canberra's case on the presence of Chinese warships near Australia.
China conducts second live-fire drill near New Zealand
A Chinese warship has conducted a second live-fire drill in as many days, according to New Zealand navy personnel.
PM puts Australian steel in frame of renewables rollout
The federal government will foster jobs in clean energy manufacturing driven by locally made steel and aluminium under a plan unveiled by the prime minister.
Why the next big AI advance will not just talk but walk
Humanoid robots that can help at home or work are becoming tech firms' next big investment following breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.
Public service jobs face axe in fresh bid to fix budget
Up to 3000 public service jobs are set to be slashed as a state seeks to burst its ballooning wage bill ahead of the budget.
Fortescue profit slumps on weak iron ore prices
China's struggling property sector continues to weigh on big miners, with Fortescue profits down more than 50 per cent.
State euthanasia changes to hinge on conscience vote
Victoria is moving to change its voluntary euthanasia laws after falling behind other states and erecting too many barriers for terminally ill patients.
Rio Tinto profit falls on drop in iron ore price
Weaker iron ore prices have shrunk profit to a five-year low at Rio Tinto, which is also grappling with a shareholder push to scrap its listing in London.
Duo tied to more attacks amid ‘festering’ anti-Semitism
A man accused of targeting a synagogue has also been charged over a graffiti and arson attack at the former home of a Jewish community leader.
‘Strengthened’ bail laws a first call for police chief
The new head of one of Australia's largest police forces says changes to bail laws will be a priority as he steps into the top job.
Man in cuffs for ‘savage’ murder a day after $500k lure
A reward of $500,000 for information about a year-old killing has triggered nearly immediate results, leading to new evidence and a murder charge.
‘Best prospect’ for caught Australian fighter revealed
Despite the good news that Russia is treating captured Australian fighter Oscar Jenkins as a prisoner of war, his release is unlikely to be immediate.
Injustice for priest’s victim-survivors despite death
The death of one of Australia's worst sexual predators will provide cold comfort for the dozens of victims and families he preyed upon, legal experts say.
Police close in on arsonists after innocent life lost
The death of an innocent beloved burlesque performer after a home she was in was set alight in a case of mistaken identity has been linked to tobacco gang wars.
More flights on horizon as airline deal set to take off
Passengers could benefit from more choice and improved convenience as the consumer watchdog provides a green light for a Virgin-Qatar Airways alliance.
Robodebt: corruption watchdog to investigate six people
Six public servants involved in the robodebt disaster will be investigated for possible corrupt conduct, offering hope to victims of the illegal welfare scheme.
Disgraced MP ‘never asked for a dollar’ from $48m deal
Former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire says he never expected payment for his part in a multimillion-dollar property deal he helped broker.