Crackdown looms on e-bikes, scooters after more deaths
As sales surge before Christmas, states are debating how to regulate the sale and specifications of e-bikes and scooters after a series of fatal incidents.
national news
Minister’s public purse spending bonanza under audit
A besieged cabinet minister under fire for slugging taxpayers with the bill to fly her husband to sports events has referred herself for an independent audit.
Cover-up claims as triple zero-linked death revealed
Another death linked to triple-zero failures just days after Optus' major outage was not publicly disclosed at the time, sparking accusations of a cover-up.
NRL sets itself as unity force against China in PNG
With a team set to join the NRL in 2028, Papua New Guinea is walking a delicate tightrope between ties to Australia and economic opportunities abroad.
UN inspectors again frozen out of Australian prisons
United Nations inspectors have been barred from a crime-troubled territory's prisons and watch houses, raising questions about what authorities have to hide.
Shopping for a new car? Life360 will have your back
Family location-sharing app owner Life360 says a recent $181 million acquisition will bring it closer to its goal of targeting users where they are with ads.
More victims identified in childcare sexual abuse probe
Accused former childcare sexual abuser Joshua Brown is facing dozens of additional charges after authorities identified a further four alleged victims.
‘Christmas grinch’: public service cuts as wages soar
Top dogs have not escaped the wrath of more than 1000 public service job cuts, with a state desperate to rein in wages and debt.
Ex-TV star facing ‘restorative justice’ for Nazi salute
A magistrate has asked lawyers for a former Australian soap actor to make inquiries into a unique form of punishment for performing a Nazi salute.
Energy costs force most renters to swelter over summer
Most Australians who rent their home say they avoid using cooling and heating appliances due to high costs.
Author horrified toddler taboo book seen as pedophilic
A Christian charity executive was shocked her book Daddy's Little Toy about an adult role-playing as a toddler was seen as pedophilic, a court has been told.
‘All eyes on us’: triennial spotlights Indigenous art
Ten immersive, large-scale artworks are featured in the fifth iteration of the Indigenous Art Triennial, focused on themes of renewal, resistance and rebirth.
Positive male roles highlighted in push to end violence
Men have important and influential roles in promoting healthy attitudes towards women to help prevent violence against them, AFL captains and male leaders say.
AI will make a list but shoppers should check it twice
More than half of young Australians are willing to hand over their Christmas shopping to an artificial intelligence tool, but others have concerns.
Barriers hinder Indigenous dementia support on Country
Indigenous people are at higher risk of developing dementia, but getting a diagnosis and support can be fraught with barriers, especially in remote regions.
Skydivers to stay grounded with pay deal up in the air
Parachutes will stay furled as skydivers walk off the job over a pay proposal by a major employer, with their union insisting the deal will not fly.
TikTok vows to comply with teen social media ban
Tech giant TikTok will fall into line with Australia's world-leading social media restrictions, admitting age assurance methods can't protect people's privacy.
Deadline warning surfaces as US backs nuclear subs deal
Australia is gearing up for key talks with the US over its nuclear-subs deal after receiving a long-awaited review of the $368 billion pact from the Pentagon.
Economy has huge issues, billionaire retail icon warns
Premier Investments shares have plunged as the owner of Smiggle and Peter Alexander blames lower earnings forecast on the economy.
‘Air-Miles Anika’: minister under fire for flight costs
A senior minister splashed thousands of taxpayer dollars on a trip where she attended a friend's birthday party, prompting accusations of improper spending.
Spotlight on AFL stadium timeline after ‘historic’ vote
A contentious billion-dollar stadium attached to a state's AFL dream has passed parliament but the next focus is whether the project can be built on time.
Homes, shacks damaged as fire emergencies hit states
Houses, shacks and cars have been damaged by an out-of-control fire as emergency warnings are issued in two states.
Rapist from high-profile family remanded into custody
A man from a high-profile family has lost his freedom amid emotional courtroom scenes after being convicted of raping a woman inside his own home.
Rapid tech uptake as diggers aim to bring down drones
Drone technology has transformed the modern battlefield and the Australian Defence Force is moving quickly to protect its soldiers and citizens.
Developer denies reported links to organised crime
A billion dollar property development firm claims Nine news reports alleging links with organised criminals such as the Alameddines were false and damaging.
Uluru’s Ayers Rock Resort to be sold to US company
A unique deal will return large parcels of land to Traditional Owners, with more than $500 million tipped to flow to First Nations communities.
Dozen homes destroyed in town by fast-moving bushfire
A fast-moving bushfire has destroyed at least a dozen homes in one town as more than 1000 firefighters tackled a host of blazes in extreme heatwave conditions.
Age-check fears mount ahead of child social media ban
Tech giants face accuracy flaws in the under-16 social media bans, as age-scan errors risk letting teens slip through or wrongly lock them out of platforms.
Love songs for nature to inspire climate activism
Australian musicians are using their work to raise the profile of climate change and environmental issues, including through an annual competition.
Night in custody for NRL legend over bizarre street act
Australian rugby league and union international Wendell Sailor has been warned he might not be released again after breaching bail during a late-night incident.
Faster Renewables Needed to Curb Future Price Hikes
A new AEMC report warns that delays in renewables and transmission could send household bills soaring by up to 20%. The race is on to build faster.