Alleged schoolgirl killer blamed lies to cops on mum
On the same day Charlise Mutten's mother reported her missing, fiance Justin Stein told police it was her who had taken the schoolgirl.
national news
Threatened species out as environmental funding lags
Environmental advocates say they are disappointed with a lack of funding for threatened species and biodiversity in Labor's latest budget.
Colonial premier’s statue toppled, spray-painted
A statue of former Tasmanian premier William Crowther, which a council had voted to taken down, has been spray painted and cut off at the ankles.
‘Massive incentive’ to replace diesel with hydrogen
Hydrogen-powered transport could give diesel-powered cars, utes and trucks a run for their money and reduce Australia's reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Judge bails murder accused over ‘weak’ prosecution case
A woman charged over the murder of a Colombian national has been released on bail after a Supreme Court justice found the case against her was not strong.
Young recruits, overseas cops in sights of hiring blitz
NSW is trying a range of measures to hire experienced officers and attract more recruits as it competes with other jurisdictions to fill the ranks.
Labor MP issues explosive call for PM to back Palestine
Fatima Payman has split with Labor colleagues and issued a scathing rebuke of the prime minister as she called for more action to protect Palestinians.
Loosening jobs market eases pressure on Reserve Bank
The Australian jobless rate has moved higher to 4.1 per cent despite a stronger-than-expected 38,500 employment increase.
Morrison’s meeting with Trump assuages AUKUS fears
Former prime minister Scott Morrison's AUKUS talks with Donald Trump were met with a "warm reception", soothing worries over the defence alliance's future.
Senator’s Palestine remark ignites fiery debate
A Labor senator who accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians has been rebuked by the government and opposition but backed by party members.
Same-sex book ban reversal ‘a rejection of culture war’
Cumberland City Council has scrapped its ban on a kids' book featuring same-sex parenting, a move welcomed by LGBTQI advocates.
Protesters defy new demands to remove university camps
Pro-Palestine protesters at a second university are considering occupying a building as students defy orders to pack up encampments.
breaking_news
crime, law and justice
environmental issue
environmental pollution
global warming
judiciary (system of justice)
Environment group loses appeal over coal, gas projects
The full bench of the Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by campaigners related to how the federal environment minister considers fossil fuel projects.
Dutton pledges to slash migration to fix housing crisis
Peter Dutton has laid out a plan to get Australia "back on track" in his budget response that would crack down on migration and international students.
Prosecutors drop murder charge against 12-year-old girl
A child will no longer face a charge of murder after prosecutors decided her age meant there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.
Graincorp half-year profit falls 75pc to $50 million
Graincrop has had a "resilient" six months given falling grain prices and poor growing conditions in the northern half of eastern Australia.
Cops ‘not touching’ pursuit of officer over fatal crash
A sergeant charged over the death of an Indigenous teen will argue he was just doing his job when the boy hit his unmarked police car and died.
Accused jihadi to stand trial for terrorism offences
An alleged Australian terrorist will go on trial although, the Melbourne Magistrates Court has been told, he does not recognise the criminal justice system.
Moment suspect confronted over schoolgirl’s death
A jury has been shown video of the moment police asked Justin Stein if he had anything to do with the death of nine-year-old schoolgirl Charlise Mutten.
Prescriptions company MediSecure hacked in major breach
Electronic prescriptions provider MediSecure has been the target of a large-scale data hack, with an unknown number of people affected by the breach.
First Nations people face racism surge after voice vote
First Nations people have been experiencing increased racism after Australians voted against enshrining an Indigenous voice into the constitution.
NRL talent arrested on way to training in drug bust
Former Wests Tigers player Brandon Wakeham is facing drug-supply charges after a police strike force froze $10 million of one of his co-accused's assets.
Young LGBTQI people face more discrimination in sport
Young people from the LGBTQI community are more likely to experience discrimination while playing social sport, a study has found.
Tame Impala sells entire music catalogue to Sony
Sony has bought the entire catalogue of Tame Impala in a deal which is said to include the Australian hitmaker's work with some of rock and pop's biggest names.
China trade block drop on cards as premier visits
The remaining trade impediments against Australian lobster and abattoirs could be dropped ahead of a trip by the Chinese premier and commerce minister.
Fuel efficiency standards secured in Labor-Greens deal
A political deal on offshore gas projects has paved the way for new vehicle standards, with cars and utes sold from 2025 to have stricter conditions attached.
Wighton calls out racism after alleged Mitchell abuse
South Sydney star Jack Wighton says he's frustrated at repeated instances of racism in the sport after allegations a fan aimed racial taunts at teammates.
Slain schoolgirl ‘really liked’ her alleged murderer
Charlise Mutten never knew her biological father and once asked if her alleged killer Justin Stein would make a good dad, a murder trial has been told.
Aussie internet cop can’t police the global web: judge
Australian laws would be "ignored or disparaged" if enforced outside its borders, a judge has said while siding with Elon Musk's X against the local watchdog.
Antarctic mission and Great Barrier Reef secure funding
Australia's research in Antarctica has been boosted, with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek saying it will better protect our natural world.
Economists warn budget could ‘poke inflationary bear’
Loosened purse strings cast doubts over the inflation-fighting credentials of the Albanese government's third budget, which also points to a weakening economy.