Polluter pays: Greens’ enter fray on insurance costs
Forcing gas and coal firms to contribute to disaster resilience and the reinsurance pool is the latest suggestion from a political party to bring down premiums.
national news
Brave neighbour tried to save residents in deadly blaze
Scenes of shock and panic have been recalled by neighbours near a fire that killed a mother and her young daughter as investigators work to determine its cause.
One rate dip won’t cut it with voters who want action
Most Australians blame big corporations and not government for the rising cost of living so a lone interest rate cut won't sway their vote, polling indicates.
Santos cuts dividend, says Barossa project nearly done
Santos says its $5.7 billion offshore gas project north of Darwin that was disrupted by a court challenge from three Tiwi Islanders, is nearing completion.
Grim end to ‘horrific’ stranding of false killer whales
Rescue efforts have failed for a pod of 157 false killer whales beached on a remote coastline, with authorities forced to begin euthanasia.
Steelworks forced into administration to ‘save’ future
South Australia has ended months of uncertainty over a critical steelworks by placing the plant into administration.
State at war with watchdog over $11.7b budget blowout
The Victorian government is questioning the integrity of the financial watchdog in a bid to dismiss billions of dollars in updated major project cost figures.
Islamophobia accused sobs in court, victim traumatised
A woman charged with attacking two Muslim women in separate assaults at a suburban shopping centre has appeared in court sobbing as she was remanded in custody.
‘Brave’ drug takers cop police presence at test trial
The first music festival to take part in a state's pill-testing trial has been named but doubts remain about how effective the scheme will be.
‘Awful human being’ jailed for Brittany Higgins threats
A man who made death threats towards Brittany Higgins, her husband and their dog was "more than just another idiot online", a judge has said.
Community, Country ‘ruptured’ over iron ore mine damage
Traditional Owners are seeking $1.8 billion from an iron ore miner over economic loss and cultural damage at a Pilbara mine site.
Espionage and terror threats grow in dangerous era
From hostile foreign nations targeting diaspora communities to youth radicalised online, the top spy agency's annual threat assessment warns risks have grown.
Twin cyclone threat looms off flood-hit regions
More rain may be dumped on a flood-hit region with two cyclones a chance of forming off northern Australia in coming days just as many had begun their clean-up.
Regional house prices rise as capital city values fall
Australia's historically affordable regional housing markets have continued to demonstrate resilience, compared to a price decline in capital cities.
Robust job data unlikely to spook Reserve Bank on rates
Ongoing tightness in the labour market won't overly concern the Reserve Bank in its fight against inflation, says one economist after surprising jobs figures.
‘More gaps, more drop-outs’: rise in complaints post-3G
Telcos have been urged to do better in rural Australia, with continued reports of poor mobile service and new black spots after the 3G mobile network closed.
Taxpayers to the rescue of Aussie steel
Safeguarding sovereign steel production is a key factor in a $2.4 billion government package to keep a major steelworks running while a new owner is found.
PNG talks embrace ties, keep China at arm’s length
Australia and Papua New Guinea have begun defence treaty talks with a warm embrace, ensuring they are "tied to the hip" in a rebuke to China's influence.
Remapping stories of shared connection through dance
Listening and feeling the sounds of mother earth is at the heart of a dance piece co-choreographers say has the power to heal.
Parents kept in the dark on teacher’s child sex abuse
Trauma created by a teacher's sexual abuse of children was exacerbated by the way an education department mishandled the case, with parents kept in the dark.
Big changes needed to connect cars to the power grid
Most Australians want to turn their electric vehicle into a battery on wheels in future but there are still speed bumps to making the technology work.
Australian shares push further into record territory
The ASX200 has finished marginally higher at its best-ever level and set an intraday record amid a spate of corporate earnings reports.
Origin bets on gas and batteries to keep the lights on
Leading energy retailer Origin Energy says it is "well-placed" to benefit from the energy transition as it bets on big batteries to help keep the lights on.
Veterans to get easier, quicker support in major reform
Australia's veterans will get simpler and faster access to compensation and rehabilitation in an overhaul of the system after laws cleared the parliament.
‘Intrusion’ before Chinese flares near RAAF plane
An Australian military aircraft has been targeted by a Chinese fighter jet after what Beijing described as "deliberate intrusion" into its airspace.
Witness ‘lied to protect’ teen’s alleged killers
A witness has told Cassius Turvey's murder trial the alleged killers were drunk and armed themselves with metal poles and knuckle dusters before the incident.
Ita Buttrose tried to expedite ABC host’s dismissal
Ita Buttrose asked if a casual ABC radio host who shared a post on the Israel-Gaza war could be kicked off air despite a decision to keep her for all shifts.
Labor’s childcare subsidy reforms pass parliament
Parents will have access to three days of subsidised childcare after laws were rushed through the parliament ahead of a looming federal election.
Resignations puts private mental health care in play
Dozens of public health specialist resignations remain in play as data outlines how few have rescinded their threat to quit the system.
‘Super black’: warning for coast as cyclone approaches
A destructive cyclone with winds of more than 300km/h is expected to impact Australia's coast, with a "super black" sky warning of the potential danger ahead.
Deadly warning over Chinese military ‘intimidation’
Security experts fear repeated and dangerous near-misses involving the Chinese military could lead to serious injury or a potential loss of life.