Aussie wastewater still flush with illicit drugs
Cocaine, fentanyl and other illicit drug use jumped over summer while cannabis consumption is now officially twice that of methylamphetamine.
national news
Budget repair not leaving households behind: Treasurer
Struggling households should not expect extra cost of living relief soon but the treasurer has not ruled out more help if the economy deteriorates markedly.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Federal backing for Rio Tinto refinery hydrogen pilot
A refinery in Gladstone will get a federal grant for a renewable hydrogen project that is key to the decarbonisation of Queensland's industrial heartland.
Independence key to RBA governor role, says Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers expects to make a decision on the Reserve Bank's leadership soon and says he's picking from a well-qualified pool of individuals.
STI test vending machines for sexual health hotspots
Two custom-built STI test vending machines will be rolled out across regional Victoria to improve communities' sexual health.
Surgeon Charlie Teo guilty of unsatisfactory conduct
Controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct with conditions imposed on his registration.
Sydneysiders are on the move again as rideshares surge
Taxi and rideshare trips are returning to pre-pandemic levels in Australia's biggest city.
EU trade talks stall as Australia holds out for farmers
The Australian government remains hopeful of striking a deal with the European Union on free trade, as the latest talks stall.
More asking for help but borrowers resilient: ANZ
ANZ chief executive officer Shayne Elliott says the major bank's customers are faring pretty well as interest rates rise and economic conditions decline.
Deal triggers global rush as state seeks 500 new cops
Thousands of overseas police have expressed interest in joining Queensland's ranks and hundreds will soon begin training under the state's recruitment drive.
Albanese to shed light on regional security at NATO
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending a NATO summit in Lithuania where he is hoping to meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy.
Aboriginal man frustrated after loss in age pension bid
Aboriginal man Dennis James Fisher has lost a Federal Court case arguing he should have access to age pension sooner because of his shorter life expectancy.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Alumina refinery trial swapping gas power for hydrogen
The federal government is contributing $32 million to a trial project swapping gas for hydrogen to power the emissions-intensive alumina refining process.
Elections body fears low voter turnout in Fadden
The Australian Electoral Commission is taking action to encourage people to vote in the upcoming Fadden by-election.
Indigenous focus in milestone suicide prevention plan
Australia's first legislated plan to prevent suicide includes a focus on reducing risk among Indigenous communities.
Reserve Bank governor pledges ‘significant’ overhaul
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has laid out a major shake-up of the central bank in the wake of a wide-ranging review into the institution.
NATO important for peace in Indo-Pacific: Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has laid out his vision for security co-operation at a NATO summit involving Indo-Pacific leaders.
Interstate deals could guide NSW workers’ next pay rise
NSW has been warned it could add to inflation as experts consider whether the state should look at interstate deals to guide its public sector wage increases.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
industrial production
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How to make net zero happen: ‘Get on with it and adapt’
Nuclear power is too expensive and slow to build, while offshore wind will be crucial to achieving climate and energy targets, a net zero report finds.
Tesla chair urges Australia to spark more tech startups
The Australian chair of an electric vehicle giant says the nation must drive tech startups and renewable energy or risk being left behind.
Rate rises still on cards but RBA chief softens stance
The head of the Reserve Bank says more interest rate rises are possible to get inflation under control, but the July pause was appropriate.
First Nations school students get taste of campus life
Indigenous high school students from around the country are taking part in a week-long university experience based on their future study interests.
Australian shares up as commodities lift energy, miners
The local share market has finished 0.4 per cent higher after a positive lead from the US, with rising commodity prices benefiting energy and materials sectors.
Police unearth largest Australian seizure of ketamine
Three men face life in prison after being arrested and charged over the largest seizure of the illicit drug ketamine in Australia's history.
Resilient home loan borrowers surprise big bank bosses
Top executives from ANZ and NAB say their customers are faring pretty well as interest rates rise and economic conditions decline.
TikTok data gathering behind federal ban: cyber agency
The Australian Signals Directorate says TikTok's ability to gather user information was partly behind the reason for its ban from federal devices.
Australia unable to seal EU trade deal as talks stall
Talks for a free trade deal with the EU have stalled over Australia's demands for greater access for its agricultural products into European markets.
Inquiry called for youth detainee transfers to Don Dale
An inquiry has been launched into the transfer of youth to a detention centre where a past royal commission found evidence Aboriginal children were mistreated.
Warning as girl dies from flu amid rising cases
A Queensland girl has died after catching influenza amid warnings of a rise in cases and following the death of a student from the virus in NSW.
CBA, Westpac chiefs to front banking inquiry hearing
The parliament's economics committee will hear from the chief executives and senior officers of Westpac and Commonwealth Bank.
Caged eggs on menu as industry scrambles over phase-out
Agriculture ministers will meet in Perth, with the phase-out of caged eggs among topics to be discussed, amid warnings of more expensive eggs.