Voice shouldn’t be treated as political issue: senator
Moderate Liberal Andrew Bragg has hit out at opponents of the voice for saying it would bring race into the constitution.
national news
MPs accused of harming women over Higgins discourse
Peter Dutton has been asked to explain why his party is attacking Labor over the Brittany Higgins rape allegations despite the hurt it may be causing.
Australian cave researchers dig up quite a big skink
A newly confirmed giant prehistoric skink dubbed Mega Chonk could "break the internet" with its bulky bod and seriously spiky armour, researchers say.
GP shortage facing Australia after ‘decades of neglect’
Australia is being warned it may face a GP shortage of 10,000 doctors after years of neglect by successive governments, the nation's peak medical body says.
Judge weighs timing of Dawson’s sex with teen student
Convicted wife-killer Chris Dawson's trial for alleged sexual activity with one of his students has closed as a judge considers when the activity first began.
Seatbelt laws back in spotlight after deadly bus crash
The deadly NSW bus crash has rekindled debate about seatbelt laws and a national approach to compliance.
Nationals call for a pause in power lines project
The Nationals and Victorian farmers have called for a pause in the construction of transmission lines through farms, citing a lack of consultation.
PM’s vision for a renewable energy superpower nation
Australia must break new ground and grab opportunities with both hands, the prime minister has declared in a major speech, stressing renewable energy uptake.
Greens hammer demands as Labor pitches housing shift
The government is proposing changes to its $10 billion housing fund but the Greens say Labor is still not moving on its two key needs.
‘Praying helps’ make a phone call in regional Australia
Regional and rural Australians continue to endure unreliable mobile and internet reception, but satellites and AI could help address the problem.
AFP to investigate leaked Higgins messages, recordings
The attorney-general has confirmed text messages and recordings of Brittany Higgins leaked to the media have been referred to the Australian Federal Police.
Bus driver out of custody as community mourns dead
A bus driver blamed for one of Australia's deadliest crashes has been released on bail as the country wraps its arms around a grieving local community.
Call for justice after damning Vic mental health report
The Victorian government has refused to say whether it will accept recommendations from a damning report into the state's flawed mental health system.
Tiny trackers give up gliders’ secrets after bushfires
Ecologists have made death-defying tree climbs to catch greater gliders and fit them with trackers to understand how bushfires affect the endangered species.
Minister Gallagher rejects claims she misled parliament
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says she did not reveal private information about Brittany Higgins' rape allegations as she denies misleading parliament.
‘Dark day’ as families grieve victims lost in bus crash
Communities in the Hunter Valley of NSW are reeling as the identities of the 10 wedding guests killed in one of Australia's worst bus crashes are revealed.
How climate change became local councils’ core business
The federal minister for local government says councils are being helped to build climate resilience and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
Fatal bus crash driver stays silent as he walks on bail
A bus driver told passengers to fasten their seatbelts moments before the fast-moving vehicle crashed on a bend, killing 10 people, a magistrate has heard.
Eco group wants shareholders to prod Toyota on electric
Shareholders could force Australia's most popular car brand to reveal details about its lobbying and speed up electric car development under new proposals.
Opposition attacks ‘flimsy’ Labor defence over Higgins
The opposition insists Labor weaponised Brittany Higgins' rape allegation but government ministers continue to push back on the claims.
WA officer dies after being hit by car during an arrest
Constable Anthony Woods, 28, has died from his injuries three days after he was run over and dragged beneath a car while carrying out an arrest in Perth.
AFL player Marlion Pickett in custody over burglaries
The Richmond Football Club says it will continue to support Marlion Pickett, who was remanded in Perth over a series of burglaries.
Macklin puts her ‘big heart’ into helping disadvantaged
Former federal minister Jenny Macklin has been named in King's Birthday honours for her work in reforming the welfare and disability systems.
Soccer star and musical pioneer help women make history
Australian women in the arts, science and politicians are among more than 1000 people recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.
Housing affordability, access, top concerns amid crisis
Gaining access to adequate housing has become harder in most states and territories, with the exception of Victoria.
Driver charged over 10 deaths in wedding bus tragedy
A 58-year-old bus driver has been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over a bus crash after a wedding.
Murder charge looms after young constable dies on duty
Police expect to lay a murder charge against the Perth driver accused of running over Constable Anthony Woods, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Greens refine demands on $10 billion housing fund
Negotiations continue over the federal housing fund with the Greens urging Labor to meet them halfway to secure the party's support.
AFL player Marlion Pickett bailed on burglary charges
Richmond Football Club player Marlion Pickett has been granted bail after facing a Perth court on allegations he was involved in several commercial burglaries.
Insurance issue flagged before Porter Davis collapse
A Victorian working group identified a number of short-term measures to fix the construction industry months before Porter Davis went into liquidation.
Support for Indigenous voice slips to losing position
People in favour of enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution are in the minority for the first time, according to one survey.