‘Call or have no shop’: alleged tobacco extortion probe
A shop owner so concerned he was being targeted by a crime syndicate he sold his business and moved house, as the alleged extortions were caught on camera.
national news
Homecoming for Indigenous remains and shell necklace
The remains of a young Aboriginal man and a shell necklace kept at two northern hemisphere universities have been returned to their traditional owners.
Hospital partnership ban a legacy of toddler’s death
Private operators will be banned from getting involved in acute care in one state after a toddler's tragic death at a controversial hospital.
Labor gets tick on tax cut, Liberal fuel plan sputters
Labor's election tax cuts will provide a "meaningful" boost to the economy, while the coalition's fuel excise cuts have been labelled economically "silly".
AFL star Noah Balta sent bashing victim flying
Security footage shows the moment AFL star Noah Balta shoulder-charges and repeatedly punches a man who ended up in hospital with head injuries.
Harm to boys abused by women teachers ‘not foreseeable’
Four child sexual abuse cases had no merit because 1970s society was not aware that female teachers having sex with students caused harm, a court has been told.
Former state Liberal leader admits supplying drugs
Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has admitted supplying drugs to two people, pleading guilty to charges in court.
Indigenous lands to be put on the map in Australia
Aboriginal place names, protected lands and reserves will be shown on mapping, weather and other apps in Australia as the result of a four-year project.
Child removal ‘deepening wounds’ in Indigenous families
First Nations children in one state are 20 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous kids, a report from Human Rights Watch has found.
Prices dropping for all major supermarkets bar Woolies
Woolworths is the only major supermarket chain to flunk a government-funded report on grocery prices across Australia.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy (general)
election
political campaigns
politics
state budget and tax
Cheaper power bills pledge as Dutton spurs gas supply
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's budget reply has outlined an alternative vision to drive down energy costs and ease pressure on household budgets.
Thousands of court files downloaded in major breach
Apprehended violence orders are among the 9000 court files downloaded in a "significant" data leak being investigated by police.
Another retailer goes out of fashion, 600 jobs at risk
Retail chain Jeanswest has collapsed after more than five decades in business, threatening hundreds of jobs with more than 90 stores likely to close.
Ex-MP’s alleged disturbing question to 13-year-old
A former Liberal MP asked a disturbing question before sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy he met on a gay hook-up app, prosecutors have alleged.
Teacher denies duty ‘not to have sex with students’
A female teacher accused of decades-old child abuse has claimed that by 1970s' standards she was under no obligation to refrain from sex with students.
Rapper’s young killer ‘wanted to become a gangster’
A young man who killed a rapper in a home invasion gone wrong wanted to be a gangster and planned to supply a gun for another burglary months later.
Up in smoke: billions wiped off tobacco tax forecast
A booming tobacco black market has created a taxation deficit and forced a belated national crackdown on dodgy retailers and criminal gangs.
Shadow of doubt: cricket appeal for stadium roof review
Cricket's national body is unsure whether the sport can be played at a planned new stadium because of shadows caused by the design of its roof.
Sliding inflation builds hopes of interest rate cut
Another interest rate cut is firmly on the table with analysts expecting the Reserve Bank to seriously consider the move on the back of fresh inflation data.
Space mushrooms: Aussie research will test flying fungi
A world-first experiment led by Australians will put mushrooms in space for the first time and determine if they can be a tasty addition to astronauts' diet.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
Indigenous groups cautiously optimistic about budget
Indigenous peak organisations have welcomed spending on early childhood care, mental health and domestic violence but are disappointed in some budget omissions.
First homebuyers, renters centrepiece of housing pledge
First homebuyers and renters struggling to find a home are being offered some hope in a budget that bakes in $33 billion in measures to improve affordability.
No respite from tax burden on younger workers in budget
Young income earners will be increasingly called upon to fund rising public spending unless structural tax reforms are made in the next term of government.
Battle lines drawn over tax cuts as election looms
Universal $5 a week tax cuts are being raced through parliament as debate around cost of living intensifies ahead of the federal election.
arts, culture and entertainment
cinema
crime, law and justice
entertainment (general)
sexual assault
Depardieu admits boorishness but denies sexual assault
Gerard Depardieu has given evidence at his sexual-assault trial, acknowledging he was "capable of trash talk" around an accuser but denies assaulting her.
Food and fibre get millions to fend off Trump tariffs
The federal government has moved to defend Australia's agricultural exports, as the sector prepares to have one of its biggest production years on record.
Aboriginal man ‘sick several days’ before prison death
An inquest into the prison death of a 38-year-old Aboriginal man has been told he was too sick to get out of bed before his passing.
Ex-top jockey and lawyer accused of $177k theft
Former champion jockey Danny Nikolic and ex-lawyer Patrick Lennon have faced court over attempts to allegedly steal $177,000 worth of jewellery and belongings.
Family tears as man released over fatal neighbour feud
A father accused of murdering a neighbour is expected to claim self-defence after saying he would "put him to sleep" during a driveway brawl.
Tesla Cybertruck named the hero of motor show comeback
It is large, futuristic and not ready to drive on Australian roads but Tesla's Cybertruck will be the centrepiece of the first Melbourne motor show in 15 years.