Thousands of fire ant nests infest Qld properties
Fire ants are having a field day in Queensland, with reports of thousands of nests on some properties. Questions are now being asked about suppression efforts.
national news
Country Liberals hand Labor crushing defeat in NT poll
Labor has been bundled out of office in the NT after a massive election swing, with the incoming leader heralding "a new day and a new chapter".
Consultation on police involvement in Sydney Mardi Gras
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board is consulting on the participation of NSW Police at future events.
Lib’s return to office brings familiar promises for NT
Labor's red sea across the Australian mainland is over after Lia Finnochiaro and the Country Liberals' thumping victory in the Northern Territory.
Ousted MPs in talks for new deal with minority premier
Tasmania's minority Liberal government will hang on to its grip on power, with two newly independent MPs working on another deal with Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Next-level scammers move into the AI realm
Scams are becoming increasingly complex as criminals turn to artificial intelligence to create elaborate scams aimed at catching even the most experienced out.
Australian right-to-disconnect laws come into effect
Australian workers will have the right to disconnect from work outside of paid hours but businesses have concerns while a HR expert fears many aren't ready.
Online ‘satire’ driving division, distrust in society
Fake news loosely dressed as satire is making its creators a pretty penny at the expense of cohesion and trust in society, experts warn.
Australia’s first parliament marks 200th anniversary
August 25 marks exactly 200 years since the inaugural meeting of NSW Parliament's Upper House, making it Australia's first parliament.
Why more Aussies are letting AI organise their divorce
An AI-powered legal service is helping former couples divide marital assets and, while it will not suit everyone, organisers say it is saving users money.
DV link to ‘quite frightening’ Sydney stabbing rampage
Four people including a police officer have been wounded after a man allegedly stabbed his partner while driving, before crashing and attacking the others.
Renegade senator quits LNP to start his own party
Queensland LNP Senator Gerard Rennick says he is creating his own political party to bring "bread and butter" issues into Senate debates.
Renegade senator to ‘stir the pot’ after LNP defection
Former LNP senator Gerard Rennick wants to use his independence to push for tax reform, making super voluntary and scrapping a generous defined benefits scheme.
Punted Lambies critical of ‘disrespectful’ senator
Two former Jacqui Lambie Network MPs kicked out of the party by the senator say she is difficult to work with and disrespectful.
Right to disconnect dials in on wellbeing amid discord
Australians now have a right to disconnect from work after hours but business groups harbour concerns about the new protocols.
Frustrated flyers face long wait for fairer aviation
Passengers could be reimbursed for cancelled or delayed flights under a charter of rights for airline travellers, but the measures are some way in the distance.
Insurance hikes are leaving struggle street unprotected
Natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are resulting in higher home insurance costs with about 1.6 million households now under home insurance stress.
Historic life sentence over schoolgirl’s callous murder
Schoolgirl Charlise Mutten's killer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, with the murder labelled, "gravely reprehensible and extremely wicked".
Green hydrogen developer pumped as partners ink deal
A development partnership for green hydrogen production at the Port of Brisbane could be a blueprint for refuelling facilities in the eastern states.
Sweet side of waste: sugarcane turned into packaging
A team of Australian scientists has developed bio-packaging from agricultural waste that preserves the shelf life of food while reducing plastic pollution.
Aussie lithium leader digs in as price slump deepens
The world's largest hard-rock lithium producer outside China is preparing to ride out the latest price slump and remains positive about long-term prospects.
Accused knifeman identified after stabbing rampage
A 58-year-old man accused of stabbing his partner and then allegedly attacking those who came to her aid has been charged with attempted murder and denied bail.
Labor to examine NT fallout ahead of federal poll: PM
Anthony Albanese says the federal government will examine the implications of NT Labor's loss in the territory election, ahead of next year's national vote.
Reprisal fears after shooting hit on ‘Angel of Death’
Drawing up a shortlist of suspects in the killing of an underworld figure is proving difficult because of the many people who wanted him dead, police say.
Hospital accepts failings after pleas for help ignored
An anguished mother has sobbed in court as she detailed being "ignored" by hospital staff as she pleaded for them to help her sick daughter before she died.
‘Dangerous’ building cladding used despite fire risks
Building owners are seeking millions in damages over combustible cladding that could rain flaming debris on those below, like during the Grenfell Tower blaze.
Construction workers plan protests over takeover move
Unions are set to hold protests as a legal battle looms over the government placing the CFMEU's construction arm and associated branches into administration.
Amazon, Bunnings to face new questions over customers
Executives from major household brands will front an inquiry into competition practices as the nation's leaders aim to make products cheaper for Australians.
Anger over handling of major reef health report
The latest government cash splash for the Great Barrier Reef failed to mention a major report about its "very poor" prospects was about to drop.
Croc culling not the answer for stopping attacks: study
Scientists say education, awareness and removal of problem saltwater crocodiles are a more effective way to reduce the number of attacks than culling programs.
Neighbour heard ‘terrifying’ attack, murder trial told
A neighbour heard a "terrifying" altercation in a woman's backyard hours before her daughter found her body, the trial of an alleged serial killer has heard.