Fewer doctors offer bulk billing as consult costs rise
Fewer GPs offer bulk billing and people are paying more out of their own pocket despite government incentives targeting child patients and pensioners.
national news
Government quiet on dead Aussie’s Hezbollah ‘links’
Whether an Australian had illegally joined a designated terrorist group overseas could not be confirmed due to privacy reasons, the Australian government says.
Attacks over Joyce meeting an ‘absurdity’: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has hit back at criticism over a meeting with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce at Parliament House.
Lehrmann lawyers accept judge may make adverse findings
A 136-page final written submission from Bruce Lehrmann's legal team to the judge overseeing his defamation case has been filed in the Federal Court.
Gender pay gaps to be exposed at Australian companies
Employers with 100 or more staff will be forced to publish their gender pay gaps as part of a government push for improved transparency and workplace equality.
School meals on the menu to boost children’s health
A parliamentary committee wants the government to put school meals on the menu across Australia in a bid to improve the health of the nation's school children.
Great Aussie toad bust takes aim at deadly invader
The nation's biggest cane toad bust is about to begin and Aussies are being urged to do their bit for native species and get onboard.
Victorians warned to bunker down for more summer storms
Thunderstorms influenced by tropical humidity could dump as much as 200mm of rain on parts of Victoria as the state braces for widespread flooding.
Victoria, SA and southern NSW prepare for flooding rain
People in Victoria, South Australia and NSW are being urged to prepare for storms, with rainfall totals of up to 200mm and flooding forecast for some areas.
Weather bureau doing its best amid ‘chaos’, expert says
The Bureau of Meteorology has been a punching bag for frustrated Aussies during recent wild weather events but an expert has come to its defence.
‘Taking them for a ride’: calls for supermarket probe
Nationals leader David Littleproud has called for the consumer watchdog to inquire into the cost of fruit and vegetables at major supermarkets.
Black Friday splurge shifting numbers in retail readout
Retail data is likely to reveal shopper enthusiasm for Black Friday discounts ahead of fresh stats on Australian consumer prices, housing and jobs.
Man found with bag of knives after ‘cowardly’ stabbings
A man will face court on more than a dozen assault charges after allegedly going on a stabbing spree, seriously injuring a woman and hospitalising four others.
Climate warriors inspire choreographer’s new work
Sea level rises forced a group of Torres Strait Islanders to mount a legal challenge to Australia and their story has sparked a new dance work.
Foreign soldiers ‘an option’ to boost defence numbers
Soldiers from overseas could join Australia's defence forces under an option being considered to grow the military amid issues with recruitment and retention.
Nursing home resident fights off violent sex attacker
A 76-year-old woman has allegedly been sexually assaulted by an intruder, the second such attack in a NSW nursing home in recent months.
Cost of wild weather hits $2 billion and counting
The disaster bill has already reached $2 billion in Queensland but the deputy premier expects that figure to rise after weeks of damaging weather.
Independent puts Tas Liberal government on notice
Tasmania's minority Liberal government is on thin ice after an independent MP who quit the party threatened to pull his support.
Cast your votes, close elections on the cards in 2024
Voters in Qld, the ACT and the NT will head to the polls in 2024, with a tight by-election contest in a federal Victorian seat also taking place.
Cost of living no roadblock as car sales smash record
Australians bought a record number of new cars in 2023 as the COVID comeback continued but cost-of-living pressures have auto makers preparing for a slowdown.
Australia, US, UK issue warning over Red Sea attacks
In a multi-national statement, Australia has condemned Yemeni rebels' attacks on ships in the Red Sea as violence in Gaza stretches toward its fourth month.
Storms continue after sparking power outages, rescues
Thousands of Queensland and Victorian homes remain without power as thunderstorms and flooding continue to wreak havoc in parts of eastern Australia.
Australian shares plunge after weeks of strong gains
After its near-record start to 2024, the local share market has finished down 1.4 per cent, its worst one-day drop since July, with losses across every sector.
Australia urged to support genocide case against Israel
Palestininian Australians want the federal government to support a genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Two more homes lost as WA bushfire threat continues
Multiple blazes across Western Australia are testing firefighters, with authorities warning there are more "difficult" days ahead.
Shoppers to spend almost $24b on Boxing Day sales
Australians are expected to spend big in the Boxing Day sales, the "Grand Final" of shopping around the nation which starts on Tuesday.
Far north open to tourists as flood clean up continues
Queensland's deputy premier has encouraged tourists to return to the far north as volunteers help Cairns residents clean up their homes after flooding.
Leaders wish Australians a safe and Merry Christmas
The prime minister and opposition leader have wished Australians a Merry Christmas and expressed their gratitude to those giving up their day to help others.
Lithium-ion batteries fires warning for Christmas
The fire risk from lithium-ion batteries is rising as Christmas shoppers continue stocking up on gadgets and devices that run on the rechargeable power source.
Tiddas: Heiss takes novel from the page to centre stage
Indigenous author Anita Heiss' novel Tiddas, which celebrates the strength of sistahood, has been adapted for the stage and will feature at the Sydney Festival.
Flood victims face another Christmas of uncertainty
NSW Northern Rivers communities devastated by flooding in 2022 say it could take a decade to recover after progress was hampered by a mismanaged buyback scheme.