Man booked Japan flight after stabbing mother: police
Investigators have alleged a 40-year-old man booked an airline ticket to Tokyo in the two hours after his elderly mother was murdered via multiple stab wounds.
national news
Rental reforms to help keep young staff in pricey homes
The difficulty of businesses finding young labour has been highlighted as tenant-empowering reforms are due to hit Australia's least-affordable housing market.
Move to enshrine eco approval smells fishy, critics say
The federal government has been accused of selling out the environment and undermining democratic rights after pushing controversial laws through parliament.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Climate advocates label Australia a ‘petro-state’
In the shadow of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, climate advocates have gathered in the NSW capital for Climate Action Week Sydney to consider a policy response.
Are you ready to make friends with an AI-powered robot?
He is shaped like a bin and has the curiosity of a six-year-old but Koobo's creator says the robot has the potential to cure loneliness in young and old alike.
Driver fined for refusing test after journalist’s death
A driver who refused to give police a blood test after sports journalist Sam Landsberger walked into his truck and died has been fined $1500 and convicted.
Feds accept GST recommendation despite state pressure
A controversial GST carve-up will go ahead as a federal minister says his government will not overrule an independent body's recommended funding for states.
Future US tariffs could target Australian drug makers
A think tank has warned Australia's pharmaceutical sector could be one of the industries impacted if Donald Trump's administration imposes more tariffs.