Health system coughs up almost $50b fighting COVID
Close to $50 billion was spent on the COVID-19 response, as Australians are warned they still need to be vaccinated against the virus.
national news
Apology for ‘shameful’ theft of Indigenous worker wages
The West Australian premier has formally apologised to Indigenous workers who received little to no pay for almost 40 years.
Judges unanimous in controversial detainee ruling
A High Court ruling that led to the release of more than 140 detainees was unanimous among judges who found their indefinite detention was unlawful.
Higgins takes stand in Bruce Lehrmann defamation case
Brittany Higgins has stepped into the witness box in a Federal Court defamation case brought by Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten.
Roberts-Smith ordered to pay publishers’ legal costs
Ben Roberts-Smith has been ordered to pay the legal costs of newspapers that published allegations he committed war crimes, following a failed defamation suit.
‘Not respectful’: police officers to strike over pay
Victorian police and protective service officers will take industrial action over protracted pay negotiations, including slowing drivers near speed cameras.
Harmful and costly prisons ‘failing to reduce crime’
South Australia's incarceration rate jumped by almost a third in the past decade, leading advocates to call for a rethink on the role of prisons in society.
Indigenous leader and Labor luminary Pat Dodson retires
Labor senator Pat Dodson is quitting politics after being diagnosed with cancer, with his resignation to take effect on January 26.
Hefty fines for dodgy builders as ‘loophole’ closes
Builders who don't take out insurance on behalf of paid-up customers will face new offences under a legislative crackdown by the Victorian government.
$60m boost needed to stop greenhouse gas ‘guessing’
Former ACCC chairman Rod Sims says Australia is not accurately tracking greenhouse gas emissions and needs new technology to meet international standards.
PwC censured, fined almost $100,000 after tax leak
PwC has been fined nearly $100,000 after a disciplinary tribunal found it brought discredit on the accounting profession.
Nazi salute to be outlawed to stop ‘glorifying hatred’
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says there's no place for glorifying hatred in Australia as he moves to ban the Nazi salute.
Disrupt Burrup activists slam search, seizure of phones
A group of protesters have been searched by police and had their phones seized as they attempted to film a documentary outside Woodside's Burrup Hub.
Retail sales dip as shoppers hold off for Black Friday
Consumers hit the pause button on spending in the lead up to the Black Friday sales period, official retail trade data suggests.
Terrorist slur on young boy amid rising Islamophobia
The use of a terrorist slur against a year six student in Sydney amid a rise in Islamophobia is a major concern, NSW Premier Chris Minns says.
Lehrmann sought cocaine after rape claim broadcast
Bruce Lehrmann says he sought hard drugs after watching a report on The Project where Brittany Higgins outlined her shock allegation of sexual assault.
Teachers face wrath over Palestine action in schools
Education union members have been condemned by the Victorian government for calling on teachers and staff to invite Palestine advocates to speak at schools.
Election probe calls for more politicians in Canberra
The number of senators in the ACT and Northern Territory should be doubled and voting enrolment extended, a review into the 2022 federal election has found.
Murray-Darling Basin plan to remain afloat under deal
The Albanese government and the Greens have announced a deal to ensure a multi-billion dollar plan for the Murray-Darling Basin doesn't sink.
Sharma picked for ex-foreign minister’s Senate seat
Liberal Party members in NSW have selected Dave Sharma to replace former foreign minister Marise Payne in the Senate, pipping favourite Andrew Constance.
Home affairs boss Pezzullo sacked after leaked texts
Powerful public servant Mike Pezzullo has been sacked after the publication of leaked texts containing gossip and criticism of ministers.
Low vaccination rates prompt jab ‘surge’ plea
There's a plea for Australia to roll out vaccine 'surges' as the take up rate for jabs against serious diseases is lagging among high-risk groups.
Labor’s poll slump linked to cost of living pressures
Newspoll suggests support for the Labor government has taken a hit and it is tied with the coalition on a two-party preferred basis.
More than 8000 WA patients to receive elective surgery
The Western Australian government will spend $40 million to slash the elective surgery waitlist that blew out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK central banker nabbed to take over as RBA deputy
Bank of England's Andrew Hauser will be the next deputy governor of Australia's central bank, bringing a "fresh, global perspective" to the key institution.
Minister, 97, off the hook after port blockade arrest
A 97-year-old minister arrested alongside more than 100 activists is resolute in his fight for climate justice after blockading Newcastle Port for 30 hours.
Financial hardship creeping into higher income brackets
More Australians are struggling to meet financial obligations such as paying for food and basic goods, mortgage repayments, or funding an emergency.
‘Scapegoating’ of soldiers motivation for McBride leaks
The reasons David McBride leaked information revealing alleged war crimes have been questioned, but a secret document has shone a light on his decision.
Woman to face trial accused of plot to kill ex-husband
The woman at the centre of an alleged murder plot that left her ex-partner a tetraplegic and her lover with a gunshot wound has been denied bail.
Huge support for Indigenous voice despite lost vote
A majority of Australians think First Nations people should get a say on issues affecting them, raising questions about Labor's model for the voice.
‘This country failed them’: calls for detention inquiry
Refugees, politicians and asylum seeker advocates are urging the Albanese government to establish a royal commission into immigration detention.