Helping or haunting, past PMs pop up on campaign trail
Some former prime ministers are helping their parties on the campaign trail, others are keeping a lower profile and one is not holding back on criticism.
national news
Not enough: sister’s grief at killer’s 11-year sentence
A man who admitted killing a defenceless and unarmed stranger in an elevator could walk free from jail in just over six years.
Cosplayers and chaos for disrupted Dutton campaign
The opposition leader's electorate office has been vandalised and protesters in hazmat suits interrupted his media event on a bumpy day on the campaign trail.
Pooches and pollsters point to popular prime minister
The prime minister has basked in the attention of curious locals and friendly pooches in a safe Labor seat but not everyone was happy to see him.
Fans love Aussie acts but spend on gigs by global stars
Aussie music fans express strong support for local musicians but spend their cash seeing "once-in-a-lifetime" global tours instead, according to new research.
Little reaction to nuclear policy on MPs’ social media
Liberals and Nationals candidates running in seats where nuclear plants could be set up under a coalition government so far haven't been playing up the plan.
Woman ‘in constant fear’ before being stabbed 78 times
Mackenzie Anderson's murder by her recently paroled abusive ex-partner was like "death in slow motion" as the system failed her, her mother has told a court.
Students and hire staff pay for Labor election pledges
Labor reveals how it would balance the federal budget with its election promises as a global agency warns government spending could trigger a credit downgrade.
NRL star claims cops hit him with ‘barrage of punches’
A rugby league player says he was king hit before being knocked unconscious by a flurry of punches to the face during a wild brawl with police.
Dignitaries join everyday Australians to farewell Pope
Catholics and political leaders have gathered across Australia to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the late Pope Francis.
Bursting flexi-hoses lead to eye-watering damage bills
A simple check under the sink could save households tens of thousands of dollars in water damage bills by ensuring worn and corroded flexi-hoses are replaced.
Dutton hopeful suburbs can deliver special victory
The "quiet Australians" who delivered a Liberal predecessor an unlikely election victory could hand the party another unexpected poll win, Peter Dutton insists.
Cop felt she was ‘going to die’ pursuing mass killer
A senior police officer defeated her fears and kept cool as she faced down a knife-wielding man during a shopping mall stabbing rampage.
Gambling reform advocates up pressure in marginal seats
Gambling harm advocates will focus on marginal seats in the final days of the election campaign, urging politicians across the spectrum to find their voice.
PM hails papacy to poor as world farewells Pope Francis
Pope Francis leaves a legacy of compassion for the powerless and poor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says, as the Catholic faithful gather to his funeral.
‘In shock’: Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre takes life
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, says the toll of abuse inevitably became too heavy to handle.
‘Magnet’ weather system puts coast on flood watch
A stay alert warning has been issued by a state emergency service as a "magnet" weather system brings widespread rainfall and potential flash flooding.
Dutton promises to get tough on Top End crime
Peter Dutton has talked tough on crime in a visit to the Top End, after making housing- and healthcare-related election promises in Queensland.
Party faithful hear leaders’ gospel in final poll push
Better health care under Labor and an end to soaring living costs under the coalition are the key messages being pushed in the election campaign's dying days.
Libs channel Labor’s unfriendly ghost, Jim Scullin
A first-term government has not been kicked out of office for almost a century but Peter Dutton is hoping comparisons with the 1931 election will resonate.
Coroner’s impossible job to make sense of mass stabbing
A year on from one of Australia's worst mass killings, families of the victims are looking to an inquest to uncover what went wrong.
Healthy inflation data should help ease mortgage pain
Quarterly numbers are expected to show inflation has drifted into the Reserve Bank's target range to set up a further interest rate cut.
‘Voice of compassion’: Aussie churchgoers farewell Pope
Australian Catholics have used Sunday mass to farewell Pope Francis at the first services since his funeral, celebrating him as a "voice for the voiceless".
Record anti-salmon rally calls for major party sinking
More than 6000 people have rallied in opposition to salmon farming, with speakers including Bob Brown urging voters to ditch Labor and the Liberals.
Don’t listen to ‘hate media’ on election result: Dutton
Peter Dutton has urged party backers to ignore certain media outlets - which he branded "hate media" - in the final push to election day.
PM wins over undecided voters in final campaign debate
Less than a week from polling day, Anthony Albanese might have had the last laugh as undecided voters declare him winner of the campaign's final debate.
Dutton tries to unscramble campaign after egg cost slip
The opposition leader has dodged questions on whether he's across voters' cost-of-living pressures as the election campaign enters its final days.
Problem child no more: surprise rise in state rankings
Western Australia has cemented its spot at the top of the latest CommSec State of the States rankings, but another state's climb comes as more of a surprise.
Women ‘not target’ of shopping centre stabbing rampage
An unmedicated, mentally ill man was not targeting people but stabbing anyone in his way in a mass stabbing at a busy shopping mall, a lead investigator says.
Dance industry stepping into new era of safety for kids
Child safety has long been a major issue for the dance industry but an innovative program could help studios keep kids safe and comply with tougher laws.
Drivers could pay more tax after electric car U-turn
Australian drivers and employers could miss out on thousands of dollars in tax savings if the coalition puts the brakes on an electric vehicle policy.