Unions ramp up minimum wage rise demands as costs soar
Low-paid workers should not go backwards because of Donald Trump's war, the peak union body says, as it calls for minimum wages to be raised to $26.45 an hour.
national news
Global glut hits grain handler as farmers hold back
A leading Australian agribusiness has made a relatively small net profit in the first-half of its financial year, down 92 per cent from a year ago.
Cops open to dementia training after gran’s Taser death
Working with a government-backed dementia training provider could be a possibility for police after an officer fatally tasered a 95-year-old grandmother.
Critical period to stop new mums slipping through gaps
The greatest risk of major depression for new mothers is two weeks after giving birth, a study has revealed, sparking calls for better screening and support.
Pleas for humanity in justice after teen dies in jail
A death in custody is sparking renewed calls for a government to change the way it deals with incarceration and to shed its "populist law and order agenda".
Senate confirms Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve
The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Pull up a seat for Australia’s biggest design event
From leather mattresses to inflatable chairs, ingenious designs are on display at Melbourne Design Week, which features 400 events.
Watchdog seeks big penalty after Coles goes ‘Down Down’
The consumer watchdog will be seeking a "significant penalty" to act as a deterrent to Coles and others, after a court found the supermarket misled shoppers.
Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a raft of economic policies aimed at winning back voter support and countering the rise of One Nation.
Designer accused of $4m blackmail in love triangle spat
A fashion maven has been accused of blackmailing her business partner and cousin for almost $4 million over a supposedly clandestine love triangle affair.
Bikie cops life behind bars for sniper murder of rival
A bikie who masterminded the public execution of a rival by a hired assassin will spend at least 34 years behind bars for the murder.
budgets and budgeting
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
Budget announcements for green industry and nature protection fall short as climate costs mount and opportunities to extract more fossil fuel income go missed.
Thousands face tests over dentist HIV, hepatitis risks
A retired dentist who treated thousands of patients over decades may have exposed them to serious bloodborne viruses such as HIV through poor infection control.
Hanson refuses to condemn volunteer’s extremist posts
The social media history of a prominent One Nation volunteer has been called into question as the party's victor from Farrer arrives in Canberra.
Aboriginal groups slam proposed child removal powers
Indigenous rights group believe proposed child safety reforms will "deepen an already devastating crisis" and portrays Aboriginal communities as dangerous.
Aussie-made cane toad leather almost ready for market
It won't be long before Australian-made leather goods, produced from one of the country's most notorious invasive species, are available to purchase.
Australians move to regions seeking affordable housing
Australians are leaving the cities for inland areas as growing house prices shift migration patterns, bringing positive and negative flow-on effects.
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
A new $250 a year tax offset gives the government an option to return bracket creep directly to working Australians, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Cop could have been ordered not to taser great grandmum
The supervisor of an officer who tasered a 95-year-old woman could have directed him to re-holster the weapon before he fired, an inquest has been told.
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
politics
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
An extra $114 billion in federal government spending will be directed off-budget as the treasurer claims a "historically responsible" fiscal update.
Labor MP ‘interfered’ with Hillsong fraud allegations
A Hillsong whistleblower is suing the federal government, claiming an MP repeatedly stopped another from airing her claims in parliament.
Senator’s plea to end ‘racism of low expectations’
Condolences have been offered in federal parliament over the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, including a passionate call to action from her aunt.
Family’s heartbreak over dropped manslaughter charge
A decision by prosecutors to withdraw charges against a man who had been accused of killing a young woman and hiding her body has devastated her family.
Traumatised town looks ahead after fugitive found dead
A town has been on edge for months after a local council worker went on a shooting spree, killing a young woman, her unborn baby, her aunt and friend.
Afghanistan veteran dies in parachute training crash
A highly-respected Special Forces sniper who went on multiple overseas deployments has died after colliding with a fellow paratrooper during an exercise.
Doubts tougher penalties will deter crime gangs
A former cop and criminologist warns new laws increasing jail time for criminal syndicates won't deter them or the teens they hire to do their dirty work.
Indigenous group claims landmark win over mining giant
An Aboriginal community has been awarded $150 million in compensation from one of the nation's richest mining companies, although it's far less than it wanted.
Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young
Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.
‘A problem for us’: coalition reveals One Nation fears
The Liberal and National parties aren't seen as parties of conviction, the opposition leader says after One Nation's historic victory in a by-election.
Rail project axing pulls ‘economic rug’ from regions
The Nationals have urged the federal government not to scrap billions of dollars of funding for the inland rail project ahead of the federal budget.
Gas project model pours cold water on emissions goal
Modelling examining a $30 billion-plus offshore gas proposal has drawn conclusions on the likelihood of a major state reaching a 2050 emissions target.