Task force to bring aged care back from the brink
The future of aged care will focus on helping more Australians live in their own homes for longer and a new task force will examine how this can be paid for.
national news
Seaweed trial to suck out Barrier Reef nitrogen nasties
Seaweed filters have been installed off Queensland in a bid to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef and thwart the spread of a destructive starfish.
Clearing halted amid fears for highly endangered bird
A conservation group fears important habitat for one of Australia's most endangered birds may have been lost after clearing was carried out at a NSW property.
A quarter of homes are bought mortgage-free
The value of homes bought with cash is trending up, with the bulk of purchases made by older Australians moving to the regions to retire.
Jewish groups welcome federal ban on Nazi symbols
Nazi symbols will be banned from being publicly displayed under tough new federal laws, with those found guilty facing jail time.
One Australian state junks $3000 electric car discount
Victoria is scrapping its electric vehicle subsidy almost one year earlier than planned in a move experts say could impact efforts to cut transport pollution.
Renewables relief deal to help curb power price surges
The promise of cheaper energy bills in the future could be too late for many Australian households concerned about powering their homes this winter.
Australia willing to walk away from EU deal: minister
Australia was prepared to pull the pin on trade talks with the European Union if negotiations broke down further on the naming of cheeses and wine.
Third arrest over murder of Northern Territory man
Northern Territory police have arrested a third person in connection to the murder of a man who went missing more than a year ago.
Political brawls erupts over Higgins’ compensation
The prime minister and opposition leader have weighed in on compensation Brittany Higgins received after her alleged sexual assault.
Race to renewables as households face power bill hikes
Plans are under way to cut emissions and reduce prices but some energy company heads say a lack of renewable supply and investment threatens to increase costs.
Sea cucumbers may help prevent diabetes
Cucumbers may be used as a functional food product to help prevent diabetes, according to new research.
Cook insists other states need to get finances in order
Incoming West Australian premier Roger Cook is looking to continue in the footsteps of predecessor Mark McGowan in defending the state's GST take.
‘Terrifying’ Merri Creek rapist jailed for 20 years
Violent serial rapist Joel Russo will be locked up for at least 17 years for his horrendous sex attack on a woman he tried to drown at Melbourne's Merri Creek.
Victim’s brother has ‘no sympathy’ for cold case killer
The brother of Scott Johnson who was killed at a Sydney gay beat wants the maximum possible sentence for the man whose cliff-top punch led to the death.
Reason for bikies’ cold-blooded murder remains mystery
The family of fruiterer Paul Virgona, who was shot in cold blood by one of two bikies on a freeway in 2019, has shared the pain and anguish of losing him.
Minister taken to court over ‘mega’ coalmine approvals
Activists are taking federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to court for not accepting the climate risk of three proposed coalmine expansions.
Kathleen Folbigg: ‘I always miss my children’
In her first public comments since being released from jail, Kathleen Folbigg has said she loves her four children and will always grieve for them.
New blow for home owners as interest rates rise again
The battle against inflation is not over yet as the Reserve Bank board hikes again and takes the cash rate to its highest level since April 2012.
Independent body needed to stop Folbigg repeat: lawyers
The current appeals system makes it too hard for people like Kathleen Folbigg who are wrongly convicted to have their cases investigated, advocates say.
ABC ‘actuated by malice’ in publishing Higgins speech
Ex-Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann claims the ABC maliciously broadcast a speech by Brittany Higgins about her alleged rape that prejudiced his criminal trial.
Off-grid hydrogen box could replace diesel generators
A shipping container-sized energy system has been developed by hydrogen startup Endua for remote sites, potentially eliminating millions of diesel generators.
Billion-dollar health and hospital grants ‘ineffective’
The federal auditor-general has released a scathing review of health and hospital grants worth $2 billion announced by the former Morrison government.
Ben Roberts-Smith had ‘motives to lie’ about murders
Ben Roberts-Smith was "not an honest and reliable witness" who had reason to lie in his failed defamation cases over war crimes reports, a judge has found.
Ex-Cricket Australia executive asks to be spared prison
The former head of communications for Cricket Australia was found guilty of sexually touching two men without their consent.
Gill net fishing to be banned on Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef will be gill net-free by mid-2027 under a $160 million licence buyout plan unveiled by the federal and Queensland governments.
New workers’ bargaining scheme gets first big test
Workplace laws allowing employees from rival businesses to team up during negotiations have come into effect and one group of workers is wasting no time.
Opera Australia launches Sydney season of Enlightenment
Opera Australia's interim creative director has programmed 18th century classics for its summer season at the Sydney Opera House.
Council rates shake up, as NSW lags behind other states
IPART has released a draft report proposing changes to council rate capping, saying it is timely for the NSW government to hold an independent inquiry.
Treasurer maintains growth view despite fresh rate hike
A recession is still unlikely, the treasurer asserts despite fears the Reserve Bank's aggressive interest rate hikes could tip the economy over the edge.
T-bone steak and binge TV on Kathleen Folbigg’s menu
Kathleen Folbigg is coming to grips with how the world has changed over the past 20 years as she settles in to life after her release from prison.