China eases trade beef but abattoirs chase bigger stake
Three major Australian abattoirs will be allowed to start exporting beef to China after Beijing lifted suspensions but bans remain on eight other processors.
national news
NRL player spared, father jailed for hammer attack
Suspended Dragons five-eighth Junior Amone has left court with a lashing from a magistrate over his "appalling" conduct as his father is sent to jail.
Russian oligarch using Aussie court to fight sanctions
A Russian billionaire represented in court by former attorney-general Christian Porter is fighting to overturn the sanctions regime banning him from Australia.
Move to suspend judge could be unconstitutional
Lawyers for a Supreme Court judge accused of assault and emotional abuse have argued a parliamentary move to suspend him is not constitutional.
Government abandons push to suspend accused judge
A push to suspend a Supreme Court judge facing charges of assault and emotional abuse has been dropped by the Tasmanian government.
National Parks’ get-out-of-jail-free card in High Court
The High Court has begun hearing a case to decide whether the Commonwealth can avoid criminal penalties for damaging sacred sites in the Northern Territory.
Covert calls and credibility queries amid rape report
A Network Ten producer says Brittany Higgins' allegations of parliamentary interference weakened "very strong" claims she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann.
Savings found to cover billions in new federal spending
The federal government's mid-year review will show it has found budget savings to pay for new spending, such as the response to the robodebt royal commission.
Driver killed after train collides with truck
A driver has died after a train collided with a truck in Victoria's southwest, as investigators say they believe the vehicle became stuck on a level crossing.
Residents warned of Cyclone Jasper’s destructive power
Tropical Cyclone Jasper is heading for far north Queensland and is predicted to unleash widespread destruction with the loss of power, water and the internet.
Drug traffickers risk lives and freedom in pivot to sea
Drug cartels are increasingly using the oceans to import drugs into Australia, leading to more calls for help when smugglers run into trouble on the water.
‘Time for renewal’: Queensland premier Palaszczuk quits
Annastacia Palaszczuk is being hailed as a "Labor hero" after calling it a day as Queensland premier, as her deputy throws his hat in the ring for the top job.
Two nabbed over botched 560kg cocaine import off WA
Two men have been charged over a botched attempt to import 560kg of cocaine which came undone when one of them needed rescuing off the WA coast.
Tax hikes for foreigners investing in Australian homes
Australia will hike taxes and fees for foreign investors who buy existing houses and leave them empty in a bid to address housing stocks.
Migration overhaul targets students and dodgy employers
A plan to fix a faltering migration system will take aim at bogus international students and unscrupulous employers while trying to reduce overall migration.
Student support prioritised as states eye more cash
Pressure is mounting on the federal government to stump up more for public schools as regional results go backwards and training teachers proves challenging.
‘I could not have consented’: Higgins to colleague
A court heard Brittany Higgins was a 'broken soul' after being allegedly raped by Bruce Lehrmann and insisted she cannot have consented to have sex with him.
Researchers uncover trove of species in own backyard
A mosquito, a flatworm and a sandfly were officially discovered in Australia for the first time when scientists went searching in their backyard.
Australia passes parcel record with Black Friday boost
A record 53.5 million parcels were processed in November following the Black Friday Sales, with more than half of households nabbing a bargain online.
Crunch time in paramedic pay stoush as collapse looms
A pay dispute between paramedics and the NSW government has faced an industrial tribunal in the hope of resolving the crisis before the end of the year.
Chemist Warehouse to land on ASX via merger with Sigma
Privately held Chemist Warehouse has agreed to merge with Sigma Healthcare in a deal that will create a retailer worth around $9 billion.
Government debt now fastest-growing spending pressure
The federal government's debt bill is set to balloon as higher interest rates push up the cost of borrowing.
AFL concussion rules need to shift after Tuck’s death
A coroner's findings into the death of former Richmond player Shane Tuck includes multiple recommendations to the AFL over concussion.
Man accused of ignoring medical alerts in fatal crash
A 66-year-old man has been charged over the Royal Daylesford Hotel beer garden crash that killed five people in Victoria.
Seven West boss James Warburton stepping down
Broadcaster Seven Network will have a new boss when James Warburton steps down at the end of the financial year after an eventful period for the company.
AFL concussion report from 1993 central to class action
A major concussion class action against the AFL relies on a medical report from the code in the '90s, as new details of Max Rooke's injuries were revealed.
Outback Wrangler to face trial over fatal chopper crash
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright will face trial accused of perverting the course of justice in a crash that killed his co-star.
Farmers urged to tell a mate about mental health help
Calls from rural Australians have doubled in the past year to a phone counselling service founded to help tradies, truckies and other blue collar workers.
Higgins in ‘tug of war’ between job and rape complaint
Brittany Higgins felt she could not keep her parliamentary job and go to police with an allegation she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann, her counsellor has said.
Domestic violence hotline expands to text services
A domestic violence helpline will expand its services to text messaging in a bid to ensure victim-survivors are better able to access support and counselling.
States swelter in 40C temps as bushfire risk soars
A heatwave across four states has left Australians sweltering and placed firefighters on high alert, as schools closed and thousands of people lost power.