Lobbying ‘essential’ to democracy: anti-corruption boss
Lobbying has long been viewed with distrust but the NSW anti-corruption commissioner says it is necessary and can serve the public interest when done well.
national news
Clean up and damage under review as flooding recedes
Residents have returned to flood-affected homes as emergency crews assess the damage inflicted by record rainfall in parts of NSW.
Hefty fines, tougher code could cut grocery prices: PM
Shoppers could pay less for groceries under plans to impose heavy financial penalties on supermarkets that fail to comply with a code of conduct.
Israel special adviser named to probe aid worker death
Tel Aviv's response to Israeli Defence Force strikes which killed Zomi Frankcom will fall under the microscope after the government appointed a special adviser.
Illegal dumpers blamed as parks asbestos confirmed
Victoria's environmental regulator says it has confirmed asbestos fragments in six Melbourne parks and think illegal dumpers are to blame.
Israel special adviser to watch aid worker deaths probe
Tel Aviv's response to the Israeli Defence Force strikes that killed Zomi Frankcom will be under the spotlight after Australia appointed a special adviser.
Street drugs to be tested for purity, harmful additives
Illicit drugs will be tested for their purity and mix of substances in an inner-city program that will provide detailed analysis to users.
Whistleblower speaks out about defence housing project
A whistleblower has accused Defence Housing Australia of breaching the conditions of a planning permit in an environmentally sensitive area, which it denies.
No plan to eradicate pest that can muscle in on natives
Australia's newest exotic pest has invaded the Brisbane River and yet the authorities have decided to not eradicate it. Experts reveal what that could lead to.
Court to probe Nazi links to soccer ‘Hitler salute’
Lawyers for three men not known to each other have denied alleged salutes made at the 2022 Australia Cup final have links to Nazi Germany.
Mulch producers ‘unlikely’ source of Vic parks asbestos
Victoria's environmental regulator has confirmed asbestos fragments in six Melbourne parks but doesn't believe mulch producers are to blame.
Ex-ADF chief to oversee Israel aid worker deaths probe
Tel Aviv's response to the Israeli Defence Force strikes that killed Zomi Frankcom will be under the spotlight with Australia appointing a special adviser.
Hackers dial up data extortion, email attacks
Hackers are stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses in email attacks, a cybersecurity report shows, but ransomware is becoming less common.
Family seek answers as inquest into teen’s death begins
A new inquest has begun into the death of an Indigenous teenager whose body was found on train tracks in regional NSW.
Court probes Nazi links to soccer ‘Hitler salute’
Lawyers for three men have denied that alleged salutes made at the 2022 Australia Cup soccer final had links to Nazi Germany.
Police ‘swooped quickly’ on Ballarat murder accused
A 21-year-old man accused of killing Hannah McGuire, whose body was found in a burnt out car in bushland, has faced court in a regional Victorian city.
Sick boy was ‘so much worse’ when let go from hospital
A coroner is investigating the circumstances that led to a 19-month-old boy's death from meningitis after he was seen by multiple health professionals.
Landmark trans rights case prompts intimidation warning
Supporters on both sides of a major trans rights case have shown an unwillingness to tolerate views other than their own, a Federal Court justice has said.
Dumping and dirty sites could be asbestos mulch cause
Victoria's environmental regulator confirms asbestos fragments have been found at six Melbourne parks, but does not believe mulch producers are to blame.
Camo-clad soccer fan doesn’t remember doing Nazi salute
A man who wore full army camouflage to the 2022 Australia Cup soccer final says he had 10 beers on the day and cannot remember whether he made the Nazi salute.
Petrol car ban, greener taxis could halve emissions
Australians could halve transport pollution by the end of the decade and improve people's health with a new study showing the hard changes needed to get there.
NSW govt faces fresh assault over native forest logging
The NSW government is under renewed pressure to get out of the business of logging native forests, as politicians, academics and environmentalists join forces.
Calls for Amazon, Costco to fall under code of conduct
Grocery giant Woolworths is supporting recommendations to make the supermarket code of conduct mandatory but says it must apply to other retailers as well.
Tradie shortage spells doom for bid to build 1.2m homes
The most significant measure to solve Australia's housing crisis won't be achieved, builders predict amid workforce shortages.
David Johnston named as new chief of defence force
Vice Admiral David Johnston has been appointed the new Chief of the Australian Defence Force, replacing General Angus Campbell.
Albanese urges transparency on Gaza aid worker deaths
The prime minister has welcomed more transparency and accountability on probes into the deaths of several aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom.
Woman’s family cry as her accused murderer faces court
A 21-year-old man accused of killing Hannah McGuire, whose body was found in a burnt out car in bushland, has faced court in a regional Victorian city.
Ex-Navy chief takes the helm in defence force shake-up
The first navy boss in 22 years to lead the Australian Defence Force will play a key role in laying the foundation for the multi billion-dollar AUKUS alliance.
App that banned trans woman created as a ‘safe space’
Lawyers for trans woman Roxanne Tickle have argued she is a woman and was discriminated against when she was banned from using a female-only app.
Rare flock seeks sewage plant tree change
Victoria has recorded its largest group sighting of a grassland bird usually found in northern NSW and parts of Queensland and WA.
Japan partnership an ‘evolution’ of AUKUS: PM
As AUKUS partners plan to work with Japan on technology sharing, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the security pact will not grow to four countries.