Derailed: Metro Tunnel cost to blow out beyond $12.8b
A nine-month delay and contingency money running out has been blamed for the total cost of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel blowing out beyond $12.8 billion.
national news
Aldi stores help keep prices down at Coles, Woolworths
Research from consumer group Choice has revealed customers are paying $17 less for groceries on average at Aldi compared to major supermarkets.
Nuclear policy a ‘death sentence’ for Indigenous land
Plans to build nuclear power plants will sever the connection of Indigenous people to sacred sites, elders have warned as the coalition policy faces backlash.
Plea over postie pooch attacks, small doggos the worst
Posties are being attacked by cantankerous canines at a rate of 11 incidents a day, with smaller dog breeds named and shamed as worst in show for aggression.
Renters could be hit in $1.5b ‘sneaky’ budget tax hike
Landlords, holiday-home owners and businesses could be hit with higher taxes in the NSW budget, while $200m has been set aside for homes for regional workers.
Why Australia is hosting an electric vehicle price war
Thousands of dollars are being cut from the price of some electric cars as brands battle to lead the market and Chinese automakers face global taxes.
‘Deep bonds’: Australia, China talk up renewed rapport
Australia's relationship with China is steadily improving, Beijing's second-most powerful leader says, following talks between leaders of both countries.
Stubborn economic challenges hang over RBA rates call
A June interest rate meeting comes as the federal government defends its budget management in an economy facing slow growth and persistent inflation.
Jury begins to consider verdicts in camper murder trial
A Supreme Court jury will start poring over evidence to decide whether airline pilot Greg Lynn is innocent or guilty of two counts of murder.
Reject mines to protect koalas: environmental groups
More than 50 environmental groups have called for the federal government to reject new mining developments which would encroach on koala habitat.
Funding plea as health system faces ‘national crisis’
Patients are copping the brunt of a deteriorating health system as state and territory health ministers call on the federal government to help fix the "crisis".
Axed seat doesn’t sit well with MP as she mulls future
An independent federal MP could be left in the lurch if a proposed electoral redistribution goes ahead, but a neighbouring seat has become more enticing.
Jury sent away to deliberate on campers murder trial
A Supreme Court jury have been sent out to decide whether airline pilot Greg Lynn is innocent or guilty of two counts of murder over the deaths of two campers.
Olympic medallist, drug dealer Miller granted parole
Scott Miller won two Olympic medals but was devastated neither was gold, before a descent into substance abuse led him to a prison he will soon leave.
Sons make $1m plea to solve mother’s bookshop murder
Maria James was brutally murdered four decades ago and her sons believe the killer's identity is being covered up by people keen to protect the Catholic Church.
Church rioters ‘underestimated’ detectives, police say
A teenage boy is the latest to be charged over a riot outside a Sydney church where a bishop was stabbed as police vow to hunt down all remaining suspects.
Tigers still weighing up Leichhardt after funding boost
The West Tigers NRL club will decide how many games to play at Leichhardt Oval after threatening to leave the ground that is now to get a $40 million upgrade.
Ex-Socceroo seeks trial over sexual assault allegation
A former Socceroo may have to wait until next year to fight allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in the company of another man.
Banning sheep exports will kill towns, inquiry told
Farmers have gathered to protest a ban on live sheep exports, with witnesses at a fiery public hearing saying towns will die when the ban comes into effect.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in Australia
Li Qiang, second only to President Xi Jinping in the Chinese pecking order, has arrived in Adelaide on the first trip to Australia by a premier in seven years.
Win for dudded savers as banks forced to alert changes
A suite of changes to banking regulations should make it easier for customers to move to more competitive home loan and saving account offers.
MONA queen’s forest foray has aura of ambiguity
It's been six months since Kirsha Kaechele held a bizarre congress to get loggers and forest defenders talking. In typical MONA fashion it's been polarising.
New health service helps bereaved mums like Cassidy
A new psychological telehealth service will help rural, Indigenous and young mums and their families recover from stillbirth and miscarriage.
Conservationists welcome downsized NSW wind farm zone
The federal government has given the green light to a downsized offshore wind farm zone stretching along the NSW Illawarra coast, south of Sydney.
Development red tape cut in NSW budget housing plan
Homes will be built quicker and more efficiently under a NSW budget plan that will cut red tape, drawing praise from developer groups and housing advocates.
Drugs, weapons, cash seized in major trafficking busts
Lengthy drug-trafficking investigations across three states have resulted in the seizure of dozens of weapons and almost a million dollars of drugs and cash.
China pledges new pandas, Wong vows firm stance on ties
China's premier has announced new pair of pandas will replace the much loved but childless couple at Adelaide Zoo, as Penny Wong pushes back on diplomacy.
Refugee Week marked as 120 million displaced globally
Refugee Week in Australia is shining a light on the contributions of refugees as the UN says 120 million people are displaced worldwide due to conflicts.
How bra fittings are helping save rural women’s lives
A charity that offers free bra fittings to rural women has partnered with health organisations to raise rates of breast screening in Indigenous communities.
Push for all-in response after deepfake porn shock
The traumatising consequences of non-consensual AI porn used against school girls have come to the front of the national conscience - so what's being done?
Aspiring doctor wants more ‘familiar faces’ in health
After the birth of her second son Kahlie Lockyer knew she wanted to be a paediatrician, following a lifelong passion of helping others.