Independents up in arms over ‘rigged’ donations reforms
The major political parties have been slammed for "rigging" the system to boost their chances of winning, after agreeing on a political donations reform bills.
national news
Bushfires ease but too early to tally property losses
Fire crews have made ground in battling blazes in Victoria's west and southwest, declaring one contained and slowing another.
‘Not the frailest I’ve seen’: cop who tasered woman, 95
An elderly woman holding a knife was not meant to die after being tasered for being a threat as she approached police officers and paramedics, a jury has heard.
Premier flags tax stability for multinational miners
A mining boss has labelled Queensland's coal royalty scheme a 'sugar hit' as the premier looks to incentivise business with fewer taxes and regulation.
‘I’ll do it again’: Lidia Thorpe defies censure motion
A Senate vote to censure Lidia Thorpe has not deterred the independent Indigenous senator, who says she'll use the rebuff as "kindling".
Half of year 12 exams impacted by blunder, boss resigns
Victoria's year 12 exam blunder has claimed its first scalp, after half of the tests were impacted by an error that allowed students to preview questions.
Solar battery surge expected for plugged-in households
More Aussie households are expected to investigate solar batteries as a way to save on the cost of power rather than the cost to the environment, a bank says.
Cash flows but small business fears paying the price
Small businesses want an exemption to laws protecting the use of cash for essential items as the treasurer finds a fit for banknotes in a digital economy.
Task force to tackle crime in Brisbane’s tent cities
A task force has been established to tackle 'anti-social behaviour' at tent cities in Brisbane's parks, as homelessness services buckle under pressure.
Plug in, get paid: EV drivers to tap into batteries
Electric vehicle drivers could plug their cars into the electricity grid and earn money next year following a partnership between two manufacturers.
Social cohesion holds despite inflation, high migration
Australians are able to disentangle how they feel about higher migration levels from their appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism, research suggests.
Alan Jones hit with more charges as his friends respond
Prominent Australians have responded to the dramatic arrest of Alan Jones as police hit the once-powerful broadcaster with more indecent assault allegations.
‘Guarded references’: Door opening to rate cuts
The Reserve Bank of Australia remains 'vigilant to upside risks to inflation' but has stepped through a number of scenarios allowing it to cut interest rates.
ACTU urges private sector ‘wake-up call’ on gender gap
While the gender pay gap is at a record low, the head of the ACTU says private sector companies need to do more to reduce the disparity in their workplaces.
Cop ‘not the type of person’ to taser 95yo unlawfully
A police officer on trial over the tasering death of an aged-care resident swore an oath to God to be truthful about why he fired his weapon, a jury has heard.
Eyes on Trump’s China hawks as Australia quells tension
Tensions between Australia and China continue to cool, but President Xi Jinping has cautioned the diplomatic thaw must be managed "with great care".
Election money reforms dubbed a ‘major-party stitch-up’
Independent MPs have blasted proposed electoral laws capping expenditure, saying while they agree with reform, the way it's being done favours major parties.
‘Morons’: Multi-faith condemnation over Myer protest
Multi-faith leaders have stood in solidarity against protesters planning to target a Christmas event, as the organiser insisted children were never a target.
Minister defends UN vote for Palestine resource rights
Australia shifted its longstanding position on Israeli responsibility for damage from an oil spill and voted to support Palestinian resource sovereignty.
Anti-corruption boss stays put after robodebt ‘mistake’
Australia's national anti-corruption head has accepted "sole responsibility" for a mistake made in managing a conflict of interest, but won't step down.
Discount class action fresh headache for grocery giants
Australia's two major supermarket chains say they will defend against class action lawsuits brought over allegations of misleading promotional price practices.
Cop who tasered elderly woman should have ‘evaluated’
Police should aim to use the least amount of force necessary when conducting their duties, a trial over the tasering death of an elderly woman has been told.
Property giants see reasons for optimism in real estate
Positive sentiment is returning to the Australian property market, the bosses of Mirvac and Lendlease have told shareholders at their annual general meetings.
Australian finance to spark Indo-Pacific climate action
Cheap finance for climate projects is on offer from Australia for small businesses across the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Govt agencies urged to consider the cost of AI failures
The cost of repaying those harmed by AI decisions should be considered before government departments deploy the technology, an inquiry has heard.
Cops warned driver about speed days before fatal crash
A man who fatally crushed two people on an iconic Sydney bridge while speeding to the casino was warned by police 10 days earlier at the same site.
Mother’s pain as daughter’s killer awaits sentence
The family of murdered woman Maryam Hamka have faced her killer Toby Loughnane in court as fronted a pre-sentence hearing.
Fans say host trampled Dolly Alderton’s Good Material
Fans of Dolly Alderton complain an evening with the bestselling author in Melbourne was dominated by host Hugh van Cuylenburg.
It’s a mouthful but this supercar leaves you speechless
Mercedes-Benz has gone back to the future with a staggeringly fast mid-sized hybrid SUV that will keep its fleet of Formula 1 racers on their toes.
‘I needed to’: cop defends tasering aged-care resident
A police officer told a colleague he had to taser a 95-year-old woman armed with a steak knife to prevent violence in an aged-care home, a jury has heard.
CFMEU members urged to anonymously reveal experiences
Disgruntled construction union members can now anonymously reveal their experiences of unlawful conduct as a corruption investigation continues.