Calls grow to back safety over access in childcare
After shocking allegations of abuse, parents have grown hesitant to send their kids to childcare, prompting calls to prioritise child safety rather than access.
national news
Back-to-back rate cuts tipped when Reserve Bank meets
The Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate meeting is set to take top billing as markets expect the board to hand down another cut.
‘Utterly disrespectful’: grieving family slam top cop
A coroner has found a police force has the hallmarks of institutional racism, as a grieving family expressed their disappointment in its commissioner.
‘Get on with it’: next move key with rate cut baked in
With markets all but assured the Reserve Bank board will cut interest rates at its upcoming meeting, the bigger question for traders is what they say next.
Fears for next anti-Semitic firebombing on home soil
A "terrifying" synagogue firebombing has left Jewish Australians fearing more attacks as authorities establish a task force to examine police powers.
Ex-NRL flyer ‘relieved’ after cops drop drug, cash case
A former NRL star is looking forward to getting on with his life after drug and stolen property accusations against him were tossed out of court.
Duo jailed after brewing up coffee grinder meth plot
Two men have been jailed over the importation of almost 300 blocks of meth concealed in two coffee grinders from Central America.
China wants AI in expanded trade deal with Australia
Ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China, Beijing's ambassador to Australia has called for greater co-operation between the two nations on AI.
Photos of deadly meal revealed as killer learns fate
After a triple-murder trial that attracted global attention, mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found to be one of Australia's worst female killers.
Buried alive: miracle escape after man shot through eye
Police believe three violent incidents in a matter of days are linked to a drugs syndicate, including a man being shot through the eye and buried alive.
Shock jock sues radio network over doomed ‘royal prank’
A radio host whose royal family-impersonating prank call led to the suicide of a nurse has alleged he was the "fall guy" for his employer's risky behaviour.
Double standards claim over synagogue attack response
Palestinian Australians have accused political leaders of ignoring their plight and criminalising their protests against conflict in the Middle East.
Mushroom cook murder convictions ‘appeal-proof’: expert
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson is unlikely to succeed in having her triple-murder convictions overturned should she choose to appeal, a legal expert says.
Top cop admits racism ‘truth’ after fatal teen shooting
Racism within a police force will no longer be tolerated by its top cop after a coroner handed down her findings into the fatal shooting of an Indigenous teen.
Rates hold call cuts deep but bank governor offers hope
The central bank has defied expectations of an interest rate cut as it keeps its sights on inflation and jobs figures, but relief might not be far away.
‘Not all bad news’: the Aussie upside of Trump tariffs
While Donald Trump's harsh tariffs on imports from Australia's key trading partners will whip up uncertainty, there could be an upside for consumers.
Bright spots in agriculture amid market volatility
Demand for Aussie beef looks set to remain strong, with reason for "cautious optimism" across agriculture after months of extreme weather and trade uncertainty.
Australia’s US tariff fixation ‘missing bigger picture’
Engaging with the US on issues such as critical minerals and supply chains rather than President Donald Trump's tariffs is the way to go, one expert reckons.
First small group of Australians escape Iran by plane
The first group of Australians have been able to leave Iran amid threats of further Israeli missile strikes, but thousands more are still awaiting assistance.
Telco misdeeds sharpen case for Indigenous leadership
Repeated misconduct by major telcos in selling to remote communities highlights the need to embed Indigenous leaders, a corporate adviser says.
US Senate struggling to pass Trump’s $5 trillion bill
Voting continues into a second day as senators try to pass President Donald Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, which will add $5 trillion to the US's debt.
Avo production smashed, but still 20 for every Aussie
Millennials don't have to mourn the loss of their beloved smashed avo toast, with lower production of the fruit expected to be short-lived.
Captured prison escapee asks court for freedom
A bank robber dubbed the "Postcard Bandit" has asked a court to declare his prison sentence invalid and order his release.
Major search for man’s head paused as police trawl CCTV
Investigators are poring over video footage in attempt to find the head of a man allegedly murdered by his partner, a former reality TV star.
A long haul: electric trucks still face speed bumps
Questions about the price of low-emission trucks, how they can be charged and where they can be driven are slowing down pollution cuts, an inquiry has heard.
Youth justice in crisis before teen’s death: coroner
A coroner hearing an inquest for an Indigenous teen who fatally self-harmed in a youth detention says he might recommend another inquiry into the facility.
‘Cyclonic’ winds and sideways rain batter east coast
Coastal communities have copped the brunt of a complex storm that has brought buckets of rain, gale-force winds and damage to the power network.
Fiji PM wants his citizens to fill Aussie defence ranks
Pacific leaders need to "hold hands" and weather external interference in the region, Fiji's prime minister says during a visit to Australia.
Childcare changes just a ‘bandaid’ after abuse case
Expedited childcare reforms will only be a stop-gap response and won't address the root causes of abuse in the sector, an early childhood advocate says.
Submarine deal left treading water after key US talks
The foreign minister's talks with her US counterpart have not clarified whether America will continue to play its part in the AUKUS agreement.
Big bank shifts rate cut tip as retail sales disappoint
A slow start to the year for consumers continues, with weaker-than-expected retail sales a sign of "scarring" from a spike in inflation.