Electric car charging gets a jolt but more spark needed
One of Australia's biggest electric vehicle fast-charging networks will expand into another state after signing a deal with a local council.
national news
Pell ‘most influential churchman in nation’s history’
George Pell has been remembered as the son of a publican who spent 56 years as a priest and rose to become the third most powerful man in the Catholic Church.
Liberals commit to further meetings on Indigenous voice
Australians are being called to support a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament whether or not it is backed by all sides of politics.
Professional misconduct complaint over Lehrmann trial
Bruce Lehrmann has made a formal complaint about the conduct of the ACT director of public prosecutions over the handling of his sexual assault trial.
Ambulance call answer times stretch out in Victoria
More than one in three calls for an ambulance in Victoria last financial year were not answered within 10 seconds, new Australia-wide data shows.
NT alcohol ban report to be released next week
A report handed to the federal and Northern Territory governments has recommended alcohol bans while management plans are put in place, media reports suggest.
Barilaro’s office denied bushfire funds in Labor seats
The NSW auditor‑general's report on bushfire recovery grants has found John Barilaro's office excluded Labor electorates from urgent funding.
New apartments trigger jump in building approvals
A glut of new apartment projects lifted building approvals in December but new house approvals remain subdued, new data shows.
Bid to cut rising insurance costs in disaster-hit areas
Insurers have met the federal government to come up with a plan to help households with rising premiums and better prepare communities for natural disasters.
Building resilient kids could start with a bubble
A new toolkit developed by trauma and pediatric experts will help parents manage emotional harm and build resilience in their children after natural disasters.
Paid domestic violence leave set to start
Full-time, part-time and casual workers will be entitled to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave at their full-pay rate under new laws to start within days.
Nuclear submarine plan motors on as US repairs docks
Australia is charging ahead with plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines despite concerns about repair docks being taken offline in the United States.
ClubsNSW boss sacked over ‘offensive’ Catholic jibe
The head of the powerful NSW clubs industry body has been sacked after linking Premier Dominic Perrottet's Catholic faith to gaming policy.
Indigenous voice has migrant community backing: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected claims that ethnic groups are gearing up to campaign against a narrowly focused Indigenous voice.
MacGill denies intimidating, swearing at mate’s ex
Former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has told a Sydney court he was worried for his friend's mental health on the day he's accused of abusing their ex-fiance.
Fireworks deliver long-term hit for wildlife: study
Fireworks can cause breeding and other long-term problems for wildlife and it's time to move to lower-impact spectacles, a new study says.
Shoppers urged to swoop on glut of premature pineapples
Pineapple farmers are struggling to keep up with a prematurely ripened crop and fear millions of tonnes of Australian fruit will be left to rot in fields.
Dutton to meet with Indigenous voice group
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accepted an invitation to meet with the working group behind the push to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution.
Culture policy overhauls Australia Council
The government has unveiled its new cultural policy to revive the arts sector after the pandemic and spotlight Indigenous artists and artwork.
Prosecution referral over death in custody
A coroner has declared Veronica Nelson's death preventable, called for bail law reform and found corrections had failed to provide her with adequate healthcare.
MacGill not told to leave pub: bartender
Former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has been accused of intimidation at a Sydney pub, threatening to call the police on a woman before she was told to leave.
Australia’s AAA rating affirmed
Strong demand for Australia's energy exports and the strong labour market have kept upwards pressure on the country's sovereign credit rating.
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Radioactive capsule hunt a tough gig
A high-stakes hunt for a capsule of radioactive material won't be easy or quick, experts say.
Cancer research funds rise but more needed
Investment in cancer research has tripled over the past two decades but more is needed to tackle Australia's leading cause of death, Cancer Australia says.
Premier flags sweeping justice reforms for Victoria
There will be a greater distinction between violent and non-violent offenders in bail reforms to be introduced in Victoria in the first half of 2023.
Retail trade sinks 3.9 per cent over festive season
Budget-conscious shoppers made the most of Black Friday sales, with retail sales then falling sharply weeks out from Christmas.
Grants to turbo charge electric car fleets
Funding for more than 1000 new electric vehicles has been announced in NSW, with ride-share and rental services set to upgrade their fleets.
Towns putting up a fight as banks close
Regional communities are continuing to fight back against bank branch closures which could force some locals to travel hundreds of kilometres for service.
‘Historic’ plans to combat child abuse and neglect
Two 10-year national action plans aim to reduce the number of children needing child protection services, improve responses to abuse and help close the gap.
NT senator warns against ADF intervention
NT senator Malarndirri McCarthy says a federal intervention in the region by the ADF would reignite trauma for those in Aboriginal communities.
Specialised DV court system on way for NSW
NSW won't yet replicate the specialised family violence courts in Queensland or Victoria, saying it needs a study to see how it would fit into its system.