Troops head north as army braces for regional conflict
Specialised combat brigades will be positioned in Australia's north in a major restructure to better prepare the army for conflict in the region.
national news
‘Can’t wait to play’: Sri Lankan batter cleared of rape
International Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of raping a Tinder date by allegedly removing his condom without her consent.
Lockdowns, border closures exempt in pandemic inquiry
Experts will look into Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but decisions taken by the states on lockdowns or border closures will be exempt.
Watchdog puts a roadblock on Transurban bid for rival
The competition watchdog has put the brakes on a move by private toll operator Transurban to take a majority share in the company that operates EastLink.
Indigenous voting roll hits record ahead of referendum
Ahead of the start of remote voting in the Indigenous voice referendum, the electoral umpire says enrolments and other plans are well in train.
Frydenberg puts political return on hold for boardroom
A parliamentary comeback at the next election is off the table for Josh Frydenberg as he takes on the role of Goldman Sachs Australia and New Zealand chairman.
Premier dismisses public housing towers plan criticism
A plan to demolish and redevelop all of Melbourne's 44 public housing towers has been condemned for only providing homes for an extra 1000-odd public tenants.
Rights chief pans delay in releasing UN report on jails
A confidential UN report on conditions inside Australian jails and detention centres must be released by the government, the human rights commissioner says.
Electric cars drive the motor show back to Australia
Some of the world's biggest car brands, from Audi to McLaren, will show off electric and hybrid vehicles at an event organisers say will bring back auto shows.
Calls to cut flight caps to lower prices, boost tourism
Removing a cap on the number of international flights coming into major airports would lower ticket prices and increase quality, an inquiry has heard.
Cooler weather brings relief as firies battle blazes
Firefighters are looking to take advantage of cooler conditions as they battle to control several blazes and carry out vital hazard-reduction burns.
Owners halt commercial barra fishing over eco concerns
Traditional owners have banned commercial fishing from an area of East Arnhem Land, citing concerns about gill-netting of dolphins, turtles, crocs and dugongs.
Accused ACT murderer admits burglary but not killing
A Melbourne man will be extradited to the ACT in policy custody to face justice over the murder of Irma Palasics almost 24 years ago.
Aust stocks hit 10-week low after Fed’s ‘hawkish pause’
The local share market has fallen 1.4 per cent to close at its lowest level since early July after the Federal Reserve sounded hawkish on interest rates.
Climate activist disobeyed cops amid fears for her job
A climate activist fighting data access charges disobeyed a WA police order over fears she would be sacked by her employer, the Australian Greens.
Cyclists and pedestrian deaths rise on Australian roads
Australia has recorded its highest August road toll in the past five years, with fatal accidents for cyclists and pedestrians rising sharply.
Qantas CEO apologises as inquiry hears damning evidence
The new chief of Qantas has apologised to Australians for poor service as a Senate inquiry was told the airline had acted like it was "above the law".
Jump in women diagnosed with under-recognised condition
It's estimated one in seven Australian women aged 44–49 live with a painful inflammatory condition and patients are being diagnosed at an earlier age.
COVID royal commission backer says things have changed
The Albanese government has been forced to defend its decision not to set up a royal commission but rather a three-expert inquiry into the pandemic.
Man arrested for allegedly lighting 80 fires across NT
A man has been arrested for allegedly lighting fires across the Northern Territory, which is bracing for one of its worst fire seasons in recent years.
Bushfire forces people to sleep in cars as threat eases
A bushfire near a tourist hotspot on Tasmania's east coast sparked the evacuation of campers and forced some people to sleep in their cars overnight.
Gunman shot dead by police after three-day manhunt
A wanted man was armed with a weapon when he confronted police officers at a house in country Victoria before being shot and dying at the scene.
Cool change gives small relief to fire crews across NSW
NSW communities near the Queensland border and on Sydney's western fringe have been told to prepare to take action as multiple bushfires burn across the state.
Senator won’t stop at ‘no’ in bid for ‘X’ vote to count
Votes marked 'X' will remain informal at the upcoming voice referendum after the Federal Court dismissed a bid to have them regarded as 'no'.
Ads reveal pathway to success for ‘yes’, ‘no’ campaigns
Facebook ads targeting different states and a variety of age groups have shone a light on how the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns plan on winning the voice referendum.
Blitz squashes crazy ants at Qld sites but war rolls on
Yellow crazy ants have been eradicated from two large sites south of Cairns after years of intense effort, but many more battlegrounds remain.
Cooler conditions bring some relief for firefighters
Firefighting crews are hoping conditions will help ease the fire risks across NSW as temperatures drop to the low 20s following a spring heatwave.
Price-setting ‘missing’ in the inflation story: Fels
Former competition watchdog chair Allan Fels is scrutinising the connection between corporate price setting and profits and current high inflation.
Australia signs global treaty to protect the high seas
Conservationists are praising Australia's leadership after it signed a new pact to protect the parts of the global ocean that don't belong to any country.
Cricketer accused of ‘stealthing’ condom in ‘wild’ sex
An allegation a Sri Lankan cricketer secretly removed his condom during sex with a woman in a "vulnerable" position should be believed, a court has heard.
Victorian judge to oversee ex-DPP Drumgold’s legal bid
A Victorian Supreme Court judge has been put forward to oversee a legal challenge by the ACT's former top prosecutor against the territory's government.