Airbnb faces $30m bill over Australian dollar confusion
A judge has fined Airbnb $15 million over its misleading and deceptive conduct towards Australian customers, who may get millions more in compensation.
national news
Firmer footing for Australian economy later in 2024
A surprisingly positive reading for a key leading index points to green shoots for the economy, though one-off factors may be responsible for the upbeat result.
Hydrogen-electric plane to take to Aussie skies in 2024
A Brisbane company has revealed plans to retrofit and fly a hydrogen-powered light aircraft, in a development that could reduce pollution from air travel.
Arcadium set to join ASX200 after Allkem-Livent merger
Arcadium will be the world's third-biggest lithium producer, a combination of Brisbane-headquartered Allkem and Philadelphia-based Livent.
Innocent trio shot in bungled hit before gang crackdown
Four people have been charged over the murder of a man who died in a public shooting police believe was a case of mistaken identity.
Facebook pleads not guilty in Twiggy clickbait battle
Facebook parent company Meta has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by billionaire Andrew Forrest over an alleged cryptocurrency clickbait advertising scam.
Crime boss’ mother, brother jailed over $200k proceeds
The mother and brother of crime boss George Marrogi have been handed prison terms after admitting they received more than $200,000 in alleged criminal proceeds.
Former Liberal candidate guilty over Chinese influence
Di Sanh Duong has been found guilty of planning to engage in foreign influence by handing a $37,000 cheque over to a minister for a Melbourne hospital donation.
Growth, ore prices to swell WA budget surplus to $3.7b
A $3.7 billion operating surplus for 2023/24 has been projected by the WA government, up from May's $3.3 billion amid the highest economic growth in nine years.
Toyota hybrid SUV recalled over fuel consumption rules
Auto manufacturer Toyota will fit new tyres on hundreds of Yaris hybrid vehicles in a recall over claims about fuel consumption.
Buildings destroyed in big blaze as rain brings relief
Thunderstorms and heavy rain have brought a reprieve to firefighters battling a major bushfire in northwest NSW that has destroyed several outbuildings.
NT Treasurer Eva Lawler set for chief minister’s job
The Northern Territory's Labor government has decided on a new leader after Natasha Fyles was forced out of the top job over shares in a manganese mine.
No room: record numbers of Indigenous people seek help
Indigenous people experience homelessness at higher rates than non-Indigenous Australians. Advocates are calling for support of Indigenous-led solutions.
Support for army reserve model in bushfire response
The majority of Australians support better working conditions for volunteer firefighters, as the government reviews the nation's crisis response capability.
New Kiwi PM flags potential for AUKUS tech co-operation
The new prime minister of New Zealand says development of military technology under the AUKUS agreement is an area where it could work together with Australia.
Diplomacy favoured by PM over warship to Red Sea
Australia could contribute better to Middle East stability through diplomacy, says the prime minister as the government mulls a request to send a warship.
‘Reasonable’ for freed terrorist to have strict orders
A terrorism expert has backed a court's decision to release convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika under strict conditions instead of keeping him detained.
A country jackpot: cash incentive to lure GPs out bush
A $10,000 cash incentive is being used to convince doctors of the benefits of a life in the country, as one state tries to plug a regional GP shortage.
Turkish airline lands flight deal in wake of Qatar snub
Turkish Airlines has been granted an expansion of services into Australia in a federal government decision following its rejection of a similar Qatari bid.
Teary NT chief minister resigns over shares scandal
Natasha Fyles has quit as Northern Territory chief minister after failing to declare a parcel of shares, forcing Labor to look for a new leader.
Ministers ‘covering themselves’ after Higgins incident
Two ministers reportedly tried to protect themselves by insisting police be told of Brittany Higgins' alleged rape before she chose to speak up about it.
RBA wary of unemployment jump ahead of rates call
The central bank board mulled over another cash rate increase or staying on hold at the December meeting, and kept its options open for more tightening.
Christmas cheer as Australian shares hit 10-month high
The local bourse has closed up 0.8 per cent to finish at its highest level since early February, in what one analyst called a textbook Santa rally.
Man charged with murder over fatal stabbing at zoo
Police have charged a 29-year-old man with murder over the fatal stabbing of a Bhutanese woman he worked with at a Canberra zoo.
Foiled kidnapping leads to massive onshore drug bust
Five men have been charged after an attempted robbery and kidnapping led police to an apartment unit containing blocks of cocaine worth an estimated $1 billion.
Convicted terrorist Benbrika walks free from prison
Notorious terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika, convicted of a plot to attack Melbourne landmarks, has been released from prison with strict conditions imposed.
Defence chief to join US talks on Red Sea security
Australia will be represented at a virtual meeting hosted by the US to discuss security in the Red Sea and moves to prevent rebels attacking ships.
Rain brings relief to NSW fire grounds but risk remains
A renewed emergency warning was issued for a major blaze in northwest NSW, before heavy rain saw conditions ease once again.
Mobile phone coverage boost for bushfire prone areas
Another tranche of black spot funding will target communities at greater risk of bushfires to boost mobile coverage and reliability.
Festive warning as poll reveals lax COVID-19 attitudes
One in three Australians don't believe keeping up their COVID-19 boosters or measures to curb its spread are important amid an eighth wave, a survey shows.
Higgins ‘quite casual’ on rape claim, boss says
Linda Reynolds' former chief of staff said she couldn't rule it out or in, when asked if she suspected two staffers had sex days before in the senator's office.