Laws for nation’s toughest DV murder penalty introduced
A crime-troubled territory is introducing Australia's strongest sentencing laws for domestic violence murders, with a mandatory non-parole period of 25 years.
national news
Madam recounts ‘life of terror’ when model vanished
The boss of an escort who disappeared without a trace has blamed an allegedly abusive and controlling husband for inconsistencies in her statements to police.
Tech companies campaign to bring SXSW back to Australia
Brisbane might have secured the Olympic Games but a grassroots campaign is asking the state government to consider adopting another big event.
Forecasters dial up rate bets as banks prepare to hike
With the RBA showing stronger resolve to rein in inflation, banks will more likely than not be lifting home loan rates again in a few months, economists say.
No rush to kiss and make up as leaders stick at talks
Nationals MP say they owe it to their voters to make sure any resumption of the coalition isn't beset by the threat of further divorces.
Racism watchdog warns of coded message in cohesion call
'Social cohesion' has become a common catchcry after the Bondi terror attack, but the race discrimination commissioner warns the phrase can worsen divisions.
Carbon credits seeding next chapter of Tiwi forestry
Tiwi Islanders are confident they've landed on the right forestry formula, one that's community-led and financially and environmentally sustainable.
Cost of locking up prisoners reaches eye-watering high
The cost of managing the nation's prison populations has exploded in the past decade as cells become fuller and more people reoffend.
Unions demand new health and safety laws after heatwave
A record-breaking heatwave has prompted calls for stronger laws protecting workers to reflect the dangers of a warming climate.
Defence property sell-off in bid to shore up budget
Almost 70 historic defence sites across Australia will go under the hammer, saving $100 million in annual costs to be reinvested back into the armed forces.
Petrol, diesel cars slow while hybrids, EVs speed up
Australians are buying fewer cars that use fossil fuels alone as they shift allegiance to low-emission hybrid and electric models.
Harbour Bridge joyriders sparks calls for e-bike action
Footage of young men dangerously riding e-bikes and motorcycles on the Sydney Harbour Bridge has fuelled calls for more accountability.
Leading disability employer sold, saving jobs
The nation's second-largest disability employer has been sold, saving 1250 jobs, after a government rescue package prevented its collapse.
Adored trailblazer with kindness at her core farewelled
Marie Bashir's compassion and love for an early morning singalong have been remembered as political luminaries farewelled NSW's first woman governor.
Australia tarnished by persistent racism, refugee abuse
Australia has again failed to curb refugee abuses and rampant discrimination, including against Indigenous people, in its human rights report card.
Cops slammed as sister seeks truth about model’s death
The sister of an escort who vanished more than 30 years ago has criticised an "indifferent" police force's failures to do a proper initial investigation.
China to buy more US soybeans, Trump says after Xi call
Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a phone call with US President Donald Trump, officials from both countries say.
Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms
Support from the Greens could hold the key to opening the door to capital gains tax changes as the government ponders reforms the opposition says it won't back.
Security deal to strengthen ties on PM’s Indonesia trip
Australia and Indonesia's already positive relationship is set to be further boosted when a high-level security deal is formally signed.
Hope out of tragedy as mass stabbing lessons laid bare
The husband of a woman killed in a shopping mall stabbing spree says lives will be saved by improvements suggested after an inquest into the mass killing.
Veterans call to hold fire on Defence property sell-off
The RSL is pushing back against the sale of almost 70 Defence properties, saying veterans have "deep connections" to many of the historic locations.
Wong defends Israeli president visit amid death threats
Community tensions are running high ahead of the Israeli president's visit to Australia, with one man accused of threatening to kill the leader.
Nationals confident Coalition will unite by election
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley continues attempts to reunite the coalition, while the Nationals declare they won't be held to random deadlines.
Invasion Day terror accused sought ‘pro-white’ material
A man accused of trying to bomb an Invasion Day rally was motivated by racial hatred, police allege, as they defend belatedly declaring it a terrorist act.
‘Chaotic’: exotic zoo found by police in drug raid
A makeshift zoo filled with exotic animals, including a saltwater crocodile and a deadly cobra, has been discovered by police during a "chaotic" drug raid.
Medical workers ‘robbed’ child of chance at survival
Parents of a 15-year-old who died in hospital after an allergic reaction have called for an apology after a coroner found missed opportunities for his survival.
Domestic producer worried about gas reservation policy
Australian oil and gas exploration and production company Beach Energy is concerned about the impact of a looming east coast gas reservation policy.
Tech behemoths lashed over child abuse protections
Technology giants are not doing enough to tackle the worst examples of child sexual abuse material online, according to Australia's online safety boss.
Sex offender ‘vigilante’ spared jail for Facebook posts
A man posted the identity of a child sex offender on multiple community Facebook groups soon after a public registry site was launched, a magistrate has heard.
Glencore, Rio abandon merger talks for the third time
British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto says it has abandoned talks over a potential merger deal with rival Glencore.
Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter
Opposition MPs have grilled Reserve Bank officials over whether government spending and monetary policy errors contributed to the first rate hike in two years.