Pacific envoys gather to tackle visa exploitation risks
Employment Minister Murray Watt is convening a roundtable with Pacific envoys to shore up worker protections in a regional labour mobility scheme.
national news
Where home prices are expected to grow fastest in 2025
Australian property values are set to keep rising over the next 12 months but controversial tax changes are helping keep one state's home price growth in check.
Are you better off: question at heart of next election
The opposition says excessive government spending is trashing the economy, but Labor says coalition cuts would just make it harder for households.
Killer Dawson fights ‘unreasonable’ teen sex verdict
Wife-killer Chris Dawson has claimed his conviction over sex with an underage student was not sound after his appeal against his murder conviction failed.
Agency collapse leaves performers in the junkyard
Comedians say they haven't been paid for weeks of gigs following the collapse of Junkyard Artist Management, which represents more than two dozen performers.
High rates of hearing loss among Indigenous people
Indigenous children, especially in remote areas are being impacted by high rates of severe middle ear infections, which can cause hearing loss a report says.
Smartphones still driving professionals to distraction
Calls, messages and apps are even getting the best of paid drivers, a study has found, amid a call to introduce surveillance and safety alerts behind the wheel.
‘Climate whiplash’: threat rises of cascading disasters
Australians are being put on alert: our summers are becoming more erratic, with experts forecasting a season of heavy rain and warm weather - and bushfires.
Corruption call fuels ugly row over historic racecourse
A corruption watchdog will be asked to probe a state premier's involvement in what could become one of Australia's largest-ever real estate deals.
Reform thwarted at jail with ‘racist’ culture: inquest
A senior public servant faced barriers "way beyond what I imagined" when he tried to turn around a trouble-plagued youth detention centre.
‘Stranger danger’ warning as children enticed into vans
It's believed four incidents of men enticing children into white vans are not linked, with security beefed up around schools.
‘Crypto summer is back with a bang’: Bitcoin hits $100k
There's a sense of euphoria among Aussie crypto enthusiasts after bitcoin broke through the $US100,000 level, and many believe the rally is just beginning.
Lose the force: call to ban cops from Mardi Gras
A proposal to stop police from marching at Mardi Gras would be a "slap in the face" to LGBTQI officers, a state premier says.
Calls for leniency over ‘inept’ attempts to fleece bank
A group's attempts to defraud a major bank out of more than $20 million have been described as rudimentary and doomed to fail.
National body to head clean-up of ‘forever chemicals’
Eighteen recommendations from a review of contamination from "forever chemicals" near three defence bases have been agreed to by the federal government.
Aussie shares higher amid hopes for third US rate cut
The ASX200 finished up as bitcoin smashed through the $US100,000 mark for the first time and markets took a lead on possible rate cuts in the US.
Sum 41 cancel Australia leg of farewell tour
A "gutted" Sum 41 have cancelled their Australian tour dates amid Deryck Whibley's battle with pneumonia.
‘Not bringing down a premier’: new turn in track plan
A probe into a controversial proposal to turn a historic racecourse into housing has delivered the latest salvo in a divisive debate over the facility's future.
Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread
The NSW authority responsible for water pollution has been grilled about the spread of cancer-linked chemicals throughout water supplies in a fiery exchange.
Woolies wins battle in warehouse worker stoush
Supermarket giant Woolworths will start restocking shelves after the workplace umpire backed its fight against workers blocking crucial distribution centres.
PM’s wicked blitz of the west as Libs enjoy good spell
Anthony Albanese has tried to fight the tide of public opinion by spruiking funding in marginal west coast seats as his opponent takes to the east.
Tide turns for retailers with shop tills tipped to ring
Australians have been saving what they can as living costs soar but experts expect more spending in the next 12 months, especially when interest rates are cut.
‘Profound day’: family mourn Laos poisoning victim
A teenager who died after consuming a methanol-laced drink in Laos has been farewelled at her former school with a community guard of honour.
Police, spy agencies could access encrypted messages
Right-wing extremism is threatening Australia and tackling the issue could require authorities to gain access to Australians' encrypted messages.
Synagogue arson attack sparks manhunt, security plea
Australia's Jewish community has called for better security around its places of worship after two masked arsonists set fire to a major synagogue.
Alleged architect of shooting near PM’s office arrested
The alleged mastermind behind a daylight shooting on a busy suburban strip has been arrested as police continue to hunt for the person who pulled the trigger.
Israel raps Australia on knuckles for flip on UN vote
Israel's top diplomat in Australia has downplayed criticism by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office over Australia's support for a UN vote.
Worst housing affordability in almost three decades
Homeowners and renters face some of the most challenging conditions in years, with both groups spending a growing proportion of income on a place to live.
Aussie shares dip, on track to finish the week flat
The ASX200 was down half a per cent at midday ahead of a key US jobs report that could determine whether the Fed cuts interest rates one more time this year.
Construction boss jailed over ‘rape and pillage’ fraud
Five people have been jailed after a marathon fraud trial probing the dealings of a crooked labour-hire operator and a scheme to rip off the tax office.
Ex-Liberal leader’s son gets home detention for dealing
The son of a former NSW Liberal Party leader has avoided extra prison time despite admitting running a drug-dealing operation on the dark web.