Blitz squashes crazy ants at Qld sites but war rolls on
Yellow crazy ants have been eradicated from two large sites south of Cairns after years of intense effort, but many more battlegrounds remain.
national news
Cooler conditions bring some relief for firefighters
Firefighting crews are hoping conditions will help ease the fire risks across NSW as temperatures drop to the low 20s following a spring heatwave.
Price-setting ‘missing’ in the inflation story: Fels
Former competition watchdog chair Allan Fels is scrutinising the connection between corporate price setting and profits and current high inflation.
Australia signs global treaty to protect the high seas
Conservationists are praising Australia's leadership after it signed a new pact to protect the parts of the global ocean that don't belong to any country.
Cricketer accused of ‘stealthing’ condom in ‘wild’ sex
An allegation a Sri Lankan cricketer secretly removed his condom during sex with a woman in a "vulnerable" position should be believed, a court has heard.
Victorian judge to oversee ex-DPP Drumgold’s legal bid
A Victorian Supreme Court judge has been put forward to oversee a legal challenge by the ACT's former top prosecutor against the territory's government.
Vatican’s sex abuse report on WA bishop to go to police
A Vatican report that found a longstanding bishop of Broome sexually assaulted Aboriginal boys and young men is to be forwarded to West Australian police.
WA electoral reform lifts lid on political donations
Political parties in WA will be forced to disclose donations daily during elections, as the Cook government toughens campaign finance laws.
Cricket star breaks down with cops over rape allegation
Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was in tears during a police interview after being arrested for raping a Tinder date at her Sydney home.
Melanoma expert ‘patient zero’ in brain cancer fight
A leading pathologist fighting incurable brain cancer has trialled a personalised vaccine that could become the new frontier in treating the disease.
Beekeepers shift to suppress spread of deadly parasite
A parasitic mite that preys on bees has spread so far beyond a containment zone that authorities have been forced to switch to a suppression strategy.
Millions of Australians receive welfare payment boost
The social services sector is warning small boosts to welfare will not address inequality, with the payments still keeping people well below the poverty line.
Recipe for change as dry spell may eat into food prices
The declaration of an El Nino event alongside a second driver of dry weather could prove to be another spanner in the works in the fight against inflation.
Qantas CEO to sit down with union leader, lawyers
Recently appointed Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson will need to be in the room when lawyers discuss compensation for workers the airline illegally sacked.
Short-stay levy draws flak as housing vision unveiled
An Australian-first levy on short-term accommodation headlines a generational shake-up to Victoria's housing and planning sectors.
Pharaohs loom large in trove of ancient Egyptian wonder
From intricate jewellery to remnants of giant statues, a trove of ancient treasures from the time of the pharaohs is making its way to Australia.
‘Disgusting’ killed teen’s family cry as boy acquitted
Family and supporters of murdered 16-year-old Declan Cutler have screamed out in a Melbourne court room as one of eight boys was acquitted of his murder.
Public sector reforms may spell budget blues for NSW
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's budget figures could be in jeopardy, with interest rate rises impacting inflation in the year ahead.
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
health
natural disasters
weather
Heatwave, bushfires wreak havoc as threat moves north
Bushfires are burning across a number of states as a heatwave is forecast to move into Queensland and the Northern Territory, sparking a wave of warnings.
Deal to drive discount EV loans for Aussie drivers
Australian Tesla buyers will be offered discounted green loans on the vehicle maker's website as part of a deal with the Commonwealth Bank.
Labor driving towards secure future with jobs roadmap
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to release the Employment White Paper setting out policies to put secure jobs in reach of more Australians.
Banks push back on mandates to stay in rural Australia
Increasing branch closures across rural Australia have raised the possibility of forcing banks to operate a minimum number of country outlets.
School cleaners in limbo after call to wind up contract
A decision to end a major government contract has thrust school cleaners into job uncertainty, with a union saying it shows "everything wrong" with the system.
Search resumes for swimmer seen ‘in distress’
A search is continuing for a man who was swimming at a Byron Bay beach before he disappeared under the water.
NSW swelters as spring heatwave warnings issued
The weather bureau has issued heatwave warnings for parts of southern and coastal NSW, as temperatures reach 33C in Sydney and 34C out west.
Minister faces court over coal mines’ climate harms
A small conservation group is challenging Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in court, arguing she failed to adequately consider fossil fuel harms to nature.
New cybersecurity standards to keep Aussies safe online
A set of standards for businesses and developers to ensure digital products have built-in cyber protections will be developed by the federal government.
Energy debate explodes over nuclear transition costs
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has seized on modelling to attack the coalition's commitment to nuclear energy, saying it'd cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
NSW budget targets pre-school ‘drought’ in funding lift
Spending on public pre-schools, increased sexual assault services and major transport projects will be unveiled in the NSW budget.
No relief for days as eastern heatwave spreads
Firefighters are working to bring blazes under control as several states swelter through heatwave conditions.
Concerns over voice misinformation as voter roll closes
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to cut through misinformation, as the voting roll is set to close ahead of the referendum.