Procurement system a consultants’ ‘protection racket’
A parliamentary committee has savaged the procurement process for government contracts, saying it is an uncompetitive rort.
national news
Higgins calls out police conduct in rape investigation
Several officers who investigated Brittany Higgins' rape allegations are on leave and could seek compensation for the impact of the case on their mental health.
Funeral home owner agrees to $1.8b revised takeover bid
An ASX200 company that operates nearly 300 funeral homes in three countries has agreed to be taken over by a US-based private equity firm.
Competition heavyweight to head up price-gouging probe
Unions have set up an inquiry led by a former consumer watchdog chair to find out if price gouging is common and what can be done about it.
Farm waste could fuel most domestic flights by 2025
Australia has a unique opportunity to cut pollution from air travel, according to a new report, and could use agricultural waste to replace traditional fuel.
Libs defend call for bureaucrat to probe Fowles claim
Victoria's opposition leader has defended a request for a senior bureaucrat to investigate the serious assault allegation made against state MP Will Fowles.
Push to end native logging ahead of Labor policy parley
Conservation groups are seizing on the upcoming national Labor conference to push for the government to adopt a policy banning native logging and land clearing.
Don’t blame migration for housing mess, business says
The Business Council of Australia says it's disingenuous to brand a temporary rebalancing of Australia's migration inflows as a "big Australia" policy.
‘Perfect storm’: insolvency surge threatens businesses
The Australian Taxation Office and other creditors pose the biggest threat to cash-strapped businesses facing an insolvency "surge", an organisation says.
Teen admits killing five students in high-speed crash
A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving after a high-speed crash that killed five students southwest of Sydney.
Households urged to check power bills for cheaper rates
Residential households could save hundreds of dollars a year off their power bills by taking advantage of regulated cheaper plans as electricity prices spike.
Bikies jailed for decades for grocer’s mistaken murder
Two Mongols bikies who murdered Melbourne grocer Paul Virgona in a case of mistaken identity have been jailed nearly four years after the November 2019 crime.
Nuclear waste dump King hit, Indigenous owners rejoice
Indigenous owners have welcomed the federal government dumping plans for a nuclear waste facility in regional South Australia.
Cheaper medicine policy to start, veto threat remains
Cheaper medicines and 60-day dispensing will go ahead as planned but a second push to veto the policy will come up for a vote just days after it starts.
Coles rolls out Sparky, the electric delivery truck
Supermarket giant Coles has announced the arrival of its first electric delivery truck but stopped short of meeting a pledge by rival Woolworths.
VicForests illegally spied on anti-logging campaigners
The Victorian Information Commissioner has found VicForests unlawfully spied on several anti-logging campaigners in an attempt to discredit them.
Rudd portrait provides open door to the imagination
Kevin Rudd's official portrait captures a former prime minister at home and provides an "I Spy'' of symbolic objects open to the viewer's interpretation.
Aussie winemakers are hoping to raise a glass to China
Australian grape and wine producers are optimistic that hefty tariffs will be scrapped on wine exported to China, after imposts on barley were removed.
Sergeant accused of rape, creating child abuse material
Investigators are seeking to extradite a Victorian police officer from Queensland after he was charged with a further 78 offences.
AGL Energy posts $1.26 billion loss after writedowns
AGL Energy suffered a $1.26 billion loss after writing down the value of its coal-fired power plants and its energy derivatives contracts.
Rinehart’s rift with dad over his lover heard at trial
Gina Rinehart's lawyers have argued Lang Hancock's corporate breaches before he died extinguish a competing mining dynasty's claim for a stake in her riches.
Investors conned by Caddick awarded first payments
More than 50 investors ripped off by Sydney fraudster Melissa Caddick have been paid a share of some of the $3 million recovered through the sale of her assets.
‘G’day Aussies’: Cheng reaches out from Beijing jail
Australian citizen Lei Cheng was working as a journalist in China when she was arrested in 2020 on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.
All shipshape for war games on Australia’s door step
Ships and aircraft from four nations will gather on the east coast for naval drills as Australia hosts Exercise Malabar for the first time.
Regional voices might be louder than Albanese expects
A regional summit designed to hear the voices of rural Australia could see the prime minister face some noisy opposition.
Shop around if bank profits worry you: RBA boss
The head of the Reserve Bank has encouraged customers to make banks work harder for their money by shopping around.
New generation of cheaper electric vehicles rolls in
One of three electric vehicles costing less than $40,000 arrives in Australia this week and its manufacturer promises to accelerate progress in the market.
Homicide probe after man dies in beach car park
Western Australia police have launched a homicide investigation after a man in his fifties died in a car park.
Star casino given break from ‘killer’ pokies tax
Troubled casino The Star Sydney will be granted a reprieve from a NSW tax hike in return for guaranteeing 3000 jobs for the next seven years.
Peaking cash rate likely pushing up home price: RBA
The perception that interest rates are at or close to their peak is likely spurring more home buyers to enter the market, helping to push up property prices.
PM says rural voices must be heard on energy transition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says better engagement with rural communities is needed while the nation transitions to renewable energy.