Suspect returns 27 years after alleged cold-case murder
A man who allegedly evaded police across eastern Australia for 18 months has been extradited to face a murder charge over his partner's death in 1997.
national news
Cost of living in mind as Labor clutches purse strings
Voters are crying out for more measures to combat the rising cost of living with a federal election looming as Labor preaches responsible economic management.
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.
Bank of mum and dad could run dry for retirement
Affordability constraints have many turning to the bank of mum and dad but parents have been urged to consider their finances carefully before lending.
‘You guys are angels’: lost hiker’s tears with rescuers
Relatives of rescued hiker Hadi Nazari say they never lost hope he would return to them after he spent almost two weeks missing in rugged bushland.
Lengthy probe begins into triple fatal seaplane crash
Investigators suspect it will take months to comb through and analyse all evidence surrounding the fatal crash of a seaplane near a popular holiday island.
‘A hitting man’: ex-cop punched and stomped on woman
A former senior constable has admitted assaulting a woman multiple times over two years, causing her bruising, bleeding and on one occasion knocking her out.
Australian shares rally after news of easing inflation
The ASX200 hit a four-week high after a report of cooling inflation raised hopes for Australia's first interest rate cut in four years.
‘Hero’ hiker’s incredible survival after 13-days lost
A missing hiker survived on two muesli bars and wild berries for almost two weeks before he was found in a search involving hundreds of rescuers and volunteers.
Support grows to ditch shark nets along popular beaches
Shark nets are being likened to a "hanky floating in the ocean" and more coastal communities want to ditch the barriers, which can kill other marine life.
computing and information technology
internet
mass media
media
news media
online
science and technology
social issues (general)
technology (general)
X Corp welcomes Meta’s thumbs-down for fact-checking
Rival social network X has applauded Meta's decision to follow its lead on ditching fact-checking, with its CEO calling the move an endorsement.
Australians warned: Meta to stop muzzling false claims
Australians are likely to see more false content and abuse on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds when Meta ditches fact-checking problematic posts.
PM rounds up pre-election tour in cattle country
An early start to the political year has landed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in cattle country, where he has been spruiking the importance of the industry.
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
Seaplane owners: we’re devastated by fatal crash
A seaplane company has expressed its "heartbreak" after one of its aircraft crashed off a popular island, killing three people and injuring three others.
Man in court over $1m heritage racecourse stand fire
An alleged firebug has faced court after being charged with nine offences following a blaze that damaged a $1 million heritage-listed racecourse stand.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
court administration
crime, law and justice
criminal
indigenous people
law enforcement
laws
lawyer
prison
prisoners and detainees
Bail laws crack down halts court as arrests explode
Police have made 31 arrests in 24 hours after major changes to bail laws, causing courts to grind to a stop, leaving authorities scrambling for solutions.
Supernatural scammers swindle elderly over evil spirits
An elaborate scam where a group of people claim they can rid the elderly of evil spirits has fleeced $200,000 from their victims.
Grenade seized after alleged home invaders shot at cops
New details have emerged from the case of an alleged home invader later involved in a police pursuit and alleged escape across state lines.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Missing hiker search rolls on after his camera is found
An intensive search for a hiker missing in the Australian Alps for almost two weeks is continuing, after more of his personal items and a campfire were found.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
government
natural gas
nuclear power
politics
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
The federal opposition has slammed government analysis that suggests its nuclear energy calculations are based on a shrinking economy in five states.
Rivals swept aside as leader reveals fresh Battin order
Key supporters of Brad Battin's move to overthrow John Pesutto as Victorian Liberal leader have been rewarded with shadow cabinet promotions.
Suspected arsonist arrested over racecourse stand blaze
A 51-year-old man has been arrested over a series of suspicious fires, including one lit at a heritage-listed racecourse grandstand.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
Infants ‘ate food scraps off floor of childcare centre’
A childcare centre will remain closed after allegations of infants eating off the floor, staff scrolling on their phones and other serious issues were aired.
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.