Nationals sent to back benches after coalition divorce
The dramatic breakup of the coalition has left the Liberals as the official opposition while the Nationals languish on the cross bench.
national news
Rebels benched, jobs swapped in coalition peace offer
The Nationals are weighing a reconciliation deal proposed by the Liberals to restore the coalition after weeks of damaging infighting.
Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
Mortgage holders could face back-to-back rate hikes after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates amid rising inflation pressures.
Australia’s quantum leap: $20m boost for homegrown firm
Quantum technology that promises to outsmart artificial intelligence could be made in Australia after an investment in a Sydney company.
New headgear to be tested in world-first study
A world-first concussion and head impact study will assess the efficacy of a specially designed headgear during elite and community AFL and rugby games.
Major parties spend big but Clive Palmer goes larger
Billionaires bet big on major parties at the federal poll but the standout spender was Clive Palmer, despite failing to get any of his candidates elected.
Steelmaker’s new CEO moves to cut costs on first day
In her first days as BlueScope Steel's new chief executive, Tania Archibald has pledged to streamline "leadership and functional teams" to save $150 million.
Founder of scandal-hit travel firm gone, shares stuck
Corporate Travel Management founder Jamie Pherous is retiring "in the best interests of the company", making room for a new CEO as its shares remain untraded.
‘Pariah’: children’s author jailed for grooming teens
A children's author who admitted grooming teenage girls online used and abused his position as a ruse for his own sexual gratification, a judge has heard.
Rural water supplies struggling to cope after heatwave
Locals in one rural town are lining up in a pub car park to receive free bottled water, as parts of country Australia get a reprieve from an intense heatwave.
Liberal makes pitch for top job as allies defend leader
Liberal MPs are preparing for a leadership spill as early as the coming week as one conservative challenger signals his intent for the top job.
White nationalist held over anti-Jewish ‘heil’ speech
A white nationalist arrested for an anti-Semitic speech at a March for Australia rally is not part of any "active" neo-Nazi group, a court has heard.
‘Cute boy’: teacher guilty of procuring child for sex
A former elite-school teacher's disturbingly graphic messages to a 15-year-old have been revealed as he was found guilty of procuring a child for sex.
‘Throw the book at him’: PM blasts explosives suspect
Fresh details have emerged about an explosive device thrown into a crowd of protesters as the prime minister calls for the accused to face serious consequences.
Singing national anthem to make school students ‘proud’
Public school students will be taught what it means to be proud of Australia by being forced to sing the national anthem, an education minister says.
Towns deserted as locals seek relief from roasting heat
As parts of Australia bake under a relentless heatwave, locals have backup plans to keep cool as temperatures nudge record levels.
Liberals delay ‘worst job’ fight in coalition stand-off
A new shadow cabinet might be the refresh the Liberal Party needs, a key moderate says, as Sussan Ley's rivals angle for her job.
Rate rise pain all but certain after inflation shock
Hotter-than-expected inflation figures have convinced analysts the Reserve Bank will lift rates as soon as next week, heaping pressure on mortgage holders.
Rate hikes, affordability won’t curb house prices
Property professionals are confident that housing prices will continue to grow in 2026, despite worries about higher interest rates and affordability.
No seats, no dramas: $30m boost for self-driving cars
A Melbourne company creating vehicles with no seats, no doors and no steering wheel has secured an investment to boost its manufacturing.
Albanese concedes ‘hard truths’ in Timor relationship
Anthony Albanese has not apologised for Australia's past misdeeds during his first visit to East Timor but has admitted previous governments behaved poorly.
Decades-long wait for land claim decisions called out
More than 40,000 land claims remain unresolved in NSW, but the Aboriginal Land Council will not let them go unnoticed.
Anger as Liberals call for Muslim checks to stem terror
Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison has faced backlash after suggesting accreditation should be required for Muslim preachers after the Bondi attack.
Nationals back leader as MP warns of ‘political cliff’
Nationals MPs are standing behind leader David Littleproud after a renegade backbencher announced his intention to challenge for the leadership.
Bushfire season takes toll with hundreds of homes lost
Out-of-control bushfires continue to ravage one Australian state, as authorities warn the peak fire danger period still has months to run.
‘Not the answer’: Palmer dismisses surging One Nation
After attempting to woo their voters at two elections, Clive Palmer says One Nation does not have solutions to the problems facing everyday Australians.
Cooling greenery overlooked lever to blunt heatwaves
Australia's southern states are facing unprecedented heat that researchers say could be tempered with a focus on revegetation and urban greening.
China threatens trade bans over vow to take back port
China could hit Australia with another round of economic sanctions if the Albanese government goes ahead with a plan to wrest back control of a key port.
Amazon cuts 16,000 jobs in the latest round of layoffs
Amazon has told staff it plans to cut around 16,000 jobs globally as part of efforts to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy across the business.
Locals dive for swim and shade as heatwave keeps grip
Australians are doing their best to stay safe indoors as a heatwave drags on, but for those on the land, work doesn't stop because it's too hot.
Party elder pleads for Nationals to stop the infighting
The Nationals must put aside their grievances and target being an effective opposition, a former deputy prime minister and party leader says.