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.
national news
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.
Dating apps told to take action to protect users
The federal government has told online dating platforms to create a voluntary code to better protect Australians or face the consequences.
Tasered woman’s family slam ‘disturbing’ police actions
NSW Police are under fire after the family of a woman who was tasered and died in hospital described officers' actions as heartbreaking and disturbing.
Petrol price surge further stretches household budgets
Motorists have been hit in the hip pocket by petrol price rises and the latest spike may put a dent in the Reserve Bank's fight against inflation.
Cricket star denies ‘stealthing’ woman during sex
A Sydney woman was in complete shock when Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka allegedly removed his condom during sex.
Former premier’s cop son anxious about his treatment
Ex-premier Kristina Keneally's police officer son says statements that led to a man's arrest were an error rather than an attempt to mislead the justice system.
Electric cars face speed bump on road to price parity
Electric cars are forecast to become cheaper to buy than petrol cars in some countries within one to three years but subsidies can speed up progress.
Aust shares fall at start of big week for central banks
The local share market finished down 0.7 per cent at the start of a week that will feature meetings by six central banks and minutes from the RBA.
Student in critical condition after campus stabbing
A 24-year-old is in custody after two students were stabbed and another man was assaulted at the Australian National University campus in Canberra.
Extra Qatar flights would have cut fares, grown tourism
Qantas is an "exceptionally aggressive competitor", a parliamentary hearing into Qatar Airways' failed bid for extra flights into Australia has been told.
Record-breaking heatwave sparks catastrophic fire risk
Unseasonably warm weather and strong winds have left the much of the country sweltering in a heatwave with fire warnings closing dozens of schools.
First Nations group wants youngsters to ‘ring a rello’
The Uluru Youth Dialogue has launched a campaign to "ring a rello", asking young people to start a conversation with relatives about the voice referendum.