Energy savers centre stage in Chalmers budget roadshow
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says low-cost loans for clean energy upgrades are at the heart of his government's cost of living support for middle Australia.
national news
Industry maps ‘net-zero’ future for gas supply, exports
Nine industrial zones to "carpool" emissions and give gas a long-term role in the economy have been mapped by the industry with help from CSIRO scientists.
Bruce Lehrmann ‘convicted in the media’, inquiry hears
The defence lawyer for the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins has criticised the increasing references to sexual assault complainants as "victims".
Flood warning network launches in disaster-prone Qld
The federal government will spend $236 million in the next decade to set up a national network of flood gauges to protect at-risk communities.
Text-for-help satellite service to launch in Australia
Injured or lost hikers will be able to contact emergency services and their loved ones even when off the grid using a new satellite service.
PM backs China trade row breakthrough as talks stall
Talks between the trade ministers of Australia and China in Beijing are a significant step for both nations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Death in custody a familiar story at Indigenous inquiry
The most recent death of an Indigenous person in Victorian custody has been revealed by the state's corrections minister at the Yoorrook inquiry.
Dogs ‘dragged, unable to stand’ in NSW country pound
A NSW council denies allegations of animal cruelty at one of its pounds after volunteers lodged a complaint with animal welfare investigators.
Fire returns to the Kimberley on heels of epic flood
Fire has struck Western Australia's Kimberley region a few short months after record floods, but careful management should give nature a leg up.
Two arrested at neo-Nazi protest over migration
Police have arrested two men after an anti-immigration rally escalated into violence in Melbourne.
Thousands rally to denounce $715m Hobart AFL stadium
The under-fire Tasmanian premier has been told to stick plans for a AFL stadium up his rear end as thousands voiced opposition to the controversial project.
Queensland speaker to take mental health break
Queensland speaker of the house Curtis Pitt will take a break from his role to address mental health issues.
Lehrmann inquiry exposes tensions and ‘strange events’
The ACT's top prosecutor has accused police investigators of having a skills deficit while defending his own conduct in Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial.
Australian, China trade ministers hold ‘candid’ talks
Trade Minister Don Farrell has been hosted by his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Beijing as the two seek to pave a path towards ending punitive tariffs.
Federal opposition calls for boost in welfare threshold
The opposition have called for the limit to how on how much welfare recipients can work before their payments are reduced by the government.
Hundreds of nurses join NSW public health system
More than 500 nursing and midwifery graduates are joining the NSW health system as the government works towards its goal of hiring more than 1000 new nurses.
Passengers launch class action over “cruise from hell”
Cruise passengers are suing for damages and a refund after their vessel got caught in cyclonic weather, claiming they had no option to cancel their holiday.
Innocent man shot dead in gang war, trial told
Eight men with bikie links killed an innocent man when they went to a body shop with the intention of killing an employee, a murder trial has been told.
Green hydrogen proponents pumped on vote of confidence
Plans for renewable hydrogen produced with Australian-made electrolysers are closer to commercial reality after the federal budget chipped in $2 billion.
Disability commission finds litany of care failings
Revelations of multiple failings by government agencies have come after two brothers living with disabilities were found malnourished and locked in a bedroom.
WA budget billions to fund cost-of-living measures
The WA government has unveiled a $4.2b budget surplus on the back of solid economic growth, with cost-of-living relief and health key budget priorities.
Lehrmann trial jury ‘inclined to convict’, inquiry told
The ACT's top prosecutor says a juror who would not convict Bruce Lehrmann for rape also derailed the trial by bringing documents into the deliberation room.
Dutton urges betting ad ban in family-focused reply
Peter Dutton has used his budget reply speech to call for a crackdown on sports betting ads, while saying the government is fuelling cost of living pressures.
Fight against breast cancer scores $12m research boost
The National Breast Cancer Foundation has announced it will invest $12 million to 16 research projects around the country.
Labor promises persistence on China trade reopening
Trade Minister Don Farrell has arrived in Beijing in a bid to end a long-running dispute blocking Australian businesses accessing lucrative Chinese markets.
Allkem in $15.7bn lithium merger with US-based Livent
Brisbane-headquartered Allkem, the world's fifth-biggest lithium miner, has agreed to an all-stock merger with US-based Livent to create a global lithium giant.
Emotional plea to pass social, affordable housing fund
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was on the verge of tears as she implored her colleagues to vote for a housing fund to tackle affordability.
Toyota faces revolt in its ranks over electric vehicles
Australia's biggest car brand is being urged to reveal its climate lobbying efforts amid claims the company is missing opportunities with electric cars.
Local shares edge lower after US inflation rates
Better-than-expected US inflation figures are keeping Australian shares basically flat, despite big gains in the information technology and utilities sectors.
New nature watchdog short-changed in budget: Wilkie
A new watchdog for Australia's natural environment has been given just one-third of the cash it needs in the federal budget, an independent MP says.
Experts slam premier over ‘terrorism’ link to detainees
Problems at the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre are not new and WA Premier Mark McGowan's description of youths as "terrorists" is unhelpful, advocates say.