Parents urged to go to police with childcare concerns
Childcare educators are working for years after being banned and police want parents to report suspicions immediately to protect kids, an inquiry has been told.
national news
Jobless fall gives RBA room before next rate cut
The unemployment rate slid to 4.2 per cent in July, partly because of an unwinding from an earlier, outsized jump, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.
Further rate cuts at risk as rent pushes up inflation
Future rate cuts may be less likely if renting and construction costs contributing to housing inflation continue to grow.
Ending greyhound racing could save taxpayers $450m
A state will fork out almost half a billion dollars in subsidies for the greyhound racing industry over the next decade, budget office analysis shows.
Liquid gas investment inflates Origin Energy’s profit
Profits are up for Australia's largest energy company despite challenges from the price of coal, energy tariffs and power plant uncertainty.
NBN users gorge on fibre for healthier download speeds
Technology upgrades are transforming how Australian's connect to the internet, as the NBN Co's full-year results show many premises are using fibre.
Australian shares edge higher ahead of rates call
Discretionary and bank stocks have helped buoyed the local share market ahead of an expected interest rate cut from Australia's central bank.
‘Abusive obsession’: Latham targeted over sex act tweet
Isolated MP Mark Latham has complained about a "whinge-athon" and been rebuked for repeated interjections as he battles a homosexual vilification claim.
Court apology over error finding in MP blackmail case
The judiciary is apologising for an error in a case involving senior members of South Australia's parliament.
Wheelchair user walked naked before stabbing woman
A man accused of stabbing a woman to death was covered in blood and had some of his organs hanging out of his torso, a witness has told a murder trial.
Young pilots idolised reality TV star, court told
Despite breaching aviation rules, TV reality star Matt Wright was looked up to by young pilots who readily obeyed his orders, a court has been told.
‘We’re open’, but tourists scared off by algal bloom
Tourism operators are seeing visitor numbers plummet as reports of a devastating algal bloom spread, with misconceptions it is affecting the entire coastline.
Cover-up claims over ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water
More types of so-called "forever chemicals" have been detected in drinking water as scientists grapple with finding and removing them from the environment.
Tourist pleads guilty over fatal e-scooter crash
An English tourist has pleaded guilty over the death of a man after she collided with him while riding an e-scooter drunk.
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Consumers could face higher prices for goods wrapped in soft plastic as plans for a much-anticipated recycling scheme are revealed.
Premier doubles down as Folbigg slams ‘unfair’ $2m deal
The NSW premier is not budging on a $2 million compensation offer to wrongfully jailed mother Kathleen Folbigg after she described it as "a slap in the face".
Pet guinea pigs kill and cook claim sparks prison probe
Guinea pigs taken from an animal shelter have allegedly been eaten by inmates at a prison, with a premier saying he is appalled by the allegations.
‘Don’t slam brakes on EVs’: sparks fly over fee push
The federal treasurer is being urged to adopt user charges for electric cars to help pay for road maintenance and the roll out of charging infrastructure .
Premier open to compromises to maintain minority power
The state Liberal and Labor parties have ramped up efforts to try to form minority government, as the clock counts down on parliament's return.
Accused murderer claims drug altered his state of mind
An accused murderer claims he was not in control of his actions when he stabbed a woman to death after taking an illicit drug to manage pain.
Judge ruled to split Patterson trial to avoid prejudice
A Supreme Court judge has released his pre-trial rulings more than a month after mushroom cook Erin Patterson was convicted of triple murder.
Israel’s Gaza occupation plan spurred Australia to act
Concerns over Israel's plans to seize Gaza City helped push Australia to recognise Palestine, but the government has been urged to go further.
Rates cut but borrowers told not to bank on more relief
The cash rate has been cut to its lowest level in more than two years, as the Reserve Bank resisted the temptation to wrong-foot analysts twice in two months.
Bright idea for businesses to power household bill cuts
Solar panels installed on commercial and industrial buildings could deliver savings to nearby residents in a trial proposed by a major energy firm.
Untouched reefs cop record bleaching in intense heat
It could take up to 15 years for coral reefs off Australia's western coastline to fully recover from the worst bleaching event on record for the region.
Unions push back on productivity plan for schools, jobs
Fresh fault lines have formed in the lead up to the government's reform roundtable as unions reject productivity proposals welcomed by businesses.
Plug-in hybrids speed up, EVs slow down in record month
Australian drivers have broken car sales records but some vehicle types are proving significantly more popular than others.
Sea of green as Aussie shares notch highest-ever close
Investors have shrugged off the previous week's gloom to send Australian equities to their best-ever close as rate-sensitive stocks led the bourse higher.
Price floor sends rare earths shares through the roof
Shares in rare earths miners are soaring as the federal government indicates its support for a taxpayer-funded minimum price for the electronics ingredients.
Harsh penalties won’t fix youth crime problem: experts
Crime experts have convened to discuss trends in youth offending, suggesting blunt approaches taken by some states and territories aren't it.
Aussie brings grain silo art to small North Dakota town
A huge grain elevator and silo in North Dakota is the site of a massive mural being created by Brisbane artist Guido van Helten.