Taking the wheel: drivers may soon supervise their cars
Self-driving cars are being tested on Australian roads but motorists and experts are divided about whether they will drive greater safety or greater problems.
national news
The wonder of exotica at Australia’s biggest art show
Artist Alexia Sinclair has released her fantastical series The Age of Wonder, as part of the inaugural photography showcase at Australia's biggest art fair.
Senior drivers targeted in flood of fake online reports
Rumours the federal government is introducing new laws targeting mature drivers including a night time curfew have been exposed as AI-generated nonsense.
Check your modem: millions to get free broadband boost
Almost one in every three NBN users will see their internet speed rise in the coming days but experts are warning consumers to check their hardware.
Aussie duo nabbed over weapons supply to foreign rebels
A two-year investigation has resulted in two Australian men facing allegations of trafficking firearms and ammunition to a violent paramilitary group overseas.
Liberals’ federal woes blamed for by-election thrashing
The NSW government picks up an extra seat following a by-election victory as the state's opposition leader deflects blame for the outcome and vows to fight on.
‘Always pulled our weight’: PM defends defence spending
Australia is spruiking its defence budget and a planned facility to support nuclear submarines deal as a major security pact remains under US review.
Behind the lens of the Sydney Olympics, 25 years on
Watched by 3.7 billion people, the Sydney Olympics holds iconic status in the Games' history and AAP chief photographer Dean Lewins was there to capture it.
Jam and scones and rock ‘n’ roll are all the bush needs
A music festival that began in a dusty function room at a country motel has grown into a celebration of life outside the cities, mixing scones, snags and songs.
Indigenous communities lead remote clean energy charge
As Australia finds itself transitioning to renewables, those in remote communities are finding ways to lead the charge toward clean energy on Country.
Jobs data in focus as economic outlook brightens
Workers are taking home a larger slice of the economic pie as a result of Australia's historically tight labour market.
Behind the scenes: major hunt for accused police killer
The search for alleged gunman and fugitive Dezi Freeman has developed into the largest tactical policing operation in Australian history.
Australia and PNG prepare to sign landmark defence deal
Australia and Papua New Guinea will sign a major security deal that will allow citizens of the Pacific nation to serve in Australia's military.
Minister torpedoes talk defence billions to appease US
Australia insists a $12 billion spend on a defence precinct is about boosting the nation's capabilities, but experts say the increase is not significant.
Keep electric car tax cut, remove pollution instead
A tax exemption for electric vehicles could put another 1.5 million on Australian roads if it is extended to 2035, modelling shows, and cut carbon emissions.
NZ offers blueprint for home-building productivity fix
Australia should follow New Zealand in reforming zoning rules to boost limp construction productivity and expand housing supply, leading economists say.
The Pitt wins top Emmy, The Studio breaks comedy record
Emergency room saga The Pitt has been toasted as the year's best television drama while showbusiness satire The Studio was crowned best comedy at the Emmys.
A ‘bank in crisis’: ANZ cops record fine for misconduct
From charging dead customers to overstating trades, a big four bank has been slugged with a record penalty for widespread misconduct.
Deadly and costly: the climate threats Australians face
As many as 1.5 million Australians will be at high risk from the damaging affects of climate change, a confronting government outlook shows.
‘Lot of work to do’: coalition slump to polling low
The coalition's primary vote has plummeted to its lowest level in Newspoll history, after a controversial week for the opposition on migration.
Locals plead for visitors to return to area of manhunt
Business owners in a region central to the search for an accused killer can breath a sigh of relief with travel restrictions scrapped and cash help on its way.
Kids to lose social media access but others will be OK
Social media companies will have to detect and eject under-16s from their platforms, but this does not mean all users will have their ages checked.
‘Confronting’ climate risk report goes under microscope
The prime minister describes a climate risk report as a wake-up call, as one coalition frontbencher threatens to quit or be dumped over greenhouse gas targets.
Study identifies three tipping points for women in tech
Women fill one in five highly technical roles in Australia but interventions at three crucial moments in their education and careers could triple that number.
Father and son jailed over ‘pitiless’ car chase murder
A remorseful father says he hates himself for participating alongside his son in the murder of a teenager, whose death haunts him everyday.
Plan to protect threatened species in energy transition
Most at-risk native species live close together, making their habitats easy to identify and avoid when building clean energy infrastructure, researchers say.
Papua New Guinea swells with pride for golden jubilee
Papua New Guineans are draping themselves in the national colours to celebrate 50 years since the country's flag was first raised to mark its independence.
Pressure mounts to end the bloodshed after boys killed
A state government is under growing pressure to address youth crime after the deaths of two boys, with some parents taking drastic measures to protect kids.
Plans afoot to resuscitate ailing nightlife
Well-intentioned, since-repealed laws have had a lasting impact on the nightlife in Australia's most populous state but work is underway to liven things up.
‘Woman’s nightmare’: man jailed for decades-old rape
A court has heard how a victim's life was ruined by a violent rape nearly 40 years ago as her attacker was sentenced to more than nine years behind bars.
‘Terrified for my life’: Aussies in Gaza aid boat scare
An Australian media entrepreneur sleeping on the top deck of an aid vessel bound for Gaza felt "a massive ball of flames" as a drone hit the ship off Tunisia.