Hybrid sales accelerate but diesel utes claim top spots
Hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol and diesel equivalents in Australia but the race remains slow and steady.
national news
Australia’s deportation deal with Nauru to cost $2.5b
Australia's deal with Nauru to deport ex-immigration detainees will cost taxpayers up to $2.5 billion over three decades, a parliamentary committee was told.
Thin blue line as police force struggles with vacancies
A wage increase and other initiatives to attract more officers are yet to shift the dial at the nation's biggest police force, where 2470 positions are vacant.
Home care help kicks in sooner after political backflip
The rollout of thousands of extra home care spots has been brought forward by the federal government after intense pressure from political rivals.
Disused bowlo in Aboriginal hands after High Court win
An abandoned lawn bowls club will be passed to an Aboriginal land council, with a High Court decision set to ripple across numerous crown land leases.
Police fight to keep neo-Nazi leader locked up
A neo-Nazi leader has faced a bail hearing, where police raised fears of escalating violence after an alleged attack on an Indigenous camp.
Fugitive contact possible as surrender plea reissued
A former hostage negotiator has revealed how surrender plans work as police continue to urge a man accused of shooting dead two officers to hand himself in.
Fight goes on as defence suicide reforms slowly kick in
Advocates for an inquiry into defence and veteran suicide are cautiously optimistic about the direction of reforms almost a year after findings were made.
AI business ‘wake-up call’: teach workers or miss out
Workers need greater training in artificial intelligence technology to tap into future innovations, a study has found, but many are resistant to change.
Tributes flow for ‘vibrant, bright’ school crash victim
A talented student about to hit her teens has been identified as the girl who died in a bus rollover and is being remembered for her infectious personality.
G’day AI: ChatGPT company reveals its Australian move
Australian companies rank among its top subscribers and OpenAI has announced plans to move an arm of its operations to Australia.
Show us your ‘cojones’: cricket star tests PM on Israel
The prime minister has been urged to sanction Israel during a meeting with cricketer Usman Khawaja who says Anthony Albanese has the "cojones" to take action.
Innocence ‘irrelevant’ in calculating Folbigg payment
The man who authorised a widely-criticised grace payment to a woman wrongly jailed for 20 years says there's no point meeting with her.
Collusion allegations aired in reality TV star’s trial
Reality TV star Matt Wright visited an injured pilot in hospital out of concern for his welfare not to ask him to doctor flight records, a jury has heard.
Social housing not just a ‘nice thing to do’
A housing minister says it was a mistake not to promote a major social housing initiative as a significant economic stimulus package.
Two cities lead Australia’s ageing population
Two cities continue to battle it out for the title of Australia's oldest capital, swapping places at the top of the table.
No time to stow the brollies with soggy spring forecast
Spring has not yet sprung but forecasters say a soggy season awaits much of Australia, with parts tipped to receive heavy rainfall and flooding.
Back to the pub for community at centre of manhunt
A small town has been told to stay vigilant as it slowly re-opens after days of lockdown sparked by a search for a fugitive accused of shooting dead two police.
Social cohesion fears with weekend rallies set to clash
Groups and communities will hold their own protests in response to planned anti-immigration rallies whose premise has been flatly rejected by political leaders.
Waves and winds slow determined transpacific rowers
It has been a choppy ride for three Scottish rowing brothers closing in on Australia's east coast after raising $1.5 million for clean water projects.
‘No winners’: reality TV star guilty of crash cover-up
Reality TV star Matt Wright says there are "no winners" after he was found guilty of trying to cover up evidence following a chopper crash that killed his mate.
Aussie firms want clear AI laws to meet tech challenge
Australian businesses are adopting artificial intelligence technology but a lack of skilled workers and clear guidelines is holding others back.
Young LGBTQI Aussies celebrate pride with bold colour
Wear It Purple Day celebrates bold voices and bright futures in the LGBTQI community in the face of pressures on their rights, health and inclusion.
First Nations runners chasing major marathon goal
Three First Nations runners are chasing a huge milestone, completing their seventh world marathon major on Sunday.
‘Deeply personal’: Katter triggered by family question
Maverick MP Bob Katter has sparked outrage after threatening to punch a journalist but his son says the veteran had been triggered by a "deeply personal" issue.
Crunch time for Star despite narrowing full-year loss
Uncertainty continues to swirl around Star Entertainment Group's future after the struggling casino operator posted another significant full-year loss.
Dead letter day: post boss says the end is nearing
Australians are posting letters at dwindling rates not seen in almost a century, as Australia Post's boss says the days of snail mail are numbered.
Wind farm fans ‘death row’ fears for endangered species
Strict conditions imposed by the federal government will do little to protect the environment surrounding a controversial wind farm project, green groups warn.
Sex slave’s ‘extreme pain’ revealed as woman faces jail
A woman found guilty of owning and using two slaves, who were forced into sex work to repay sizeable debts, is poised to be sentenced on six charges.
Court rules Murray-Darling groundwater plan is invalid
A plan to manage groundwater in the Murray-Darling Basin is invalid, a federal court has ruled following a challenge by Traditional Owners.
TV star Matt Wright’s chopper crash saga not over yet
Reality TV star Matt Wright faces further legal hurdles after he was found guilty of trying to pervert the course of justice over a fatal helicopter crash.