Retail spending tipped to stay soft as home prices soar
Housing prices are expected to climb ever higher, even as a predicted recovery in dwelling consents shines a ray of hope on Australia's supply ambitions.
national news
Machetes and swords get the chop as new laws begin
South Australia will conduct a three-month period when people holding banned machetes and swords can surrender them to police.
Police review rapper’s Glastonbury anti-Israel comments
UK police are reviewing videos of Glastonbury performances after controversial comments by Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and London punk duo Bob Vylan.
BBC regrets not stopping Glastonbury live stream
The BBC says it should have pulled a live stream of rap group Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury over chants against Israeli troops.
Outcome not timing the main game for Trump talks: PM
Work is still under way for Anthony Albanese to secure a meeting with Donald Trump as the prime minister stares down criticism it's taking too long.
Millions brace for ‘cyclogenesis’ impact on east coast
People already reeling from floods are on high alert as a storm intensifies and is expected to dump up to 200mm of rain on parts of the east coast.
Jury sent out to decide fate of accused mushroom killer
A Supreme Court jury has finally started its deliberations as mushroom cook Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial enters its 10th week.
Jury prepares to decide fate of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Jurors are due to begin deliberating on whether rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs ran a sex trafficking criminal scheme or just indulged in a swingers' lifestyle.
Probe called into violent arrest at pro-Palestine rally
Police have initiated an internal probe into the break-up of a pro-Palestine protest that left a former federal Greens candidate with a serious eye injury.
US Senate extends vote on Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’
US senators are scheduled to start voting on a long list of amendments to Donald Trump's budget bill which will add more than $5 trillion to public debt.
‘Animals treated better’ than Indigenous teen: family
An Indigenous teen who fatally self-harmed in detention was subjected to "barbarous and criminal" neglect, his mother says as an inquest into his death resumes.
Blowtorch on gas market as report pumps for investment
Regulations on how Australia's gas market is run will be placed under review as the federal government looks to shore up the domestic market.
Sparks fly over competition in electric car charging
Australian drivers need more access to electric car chargers, an inquiry has heard, but companies are split over who should be allowed to deliver them.
No verdict on first day of jury deliberations on Diddy
The first day of deliberations in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking trial saw a flurry of notes from the jury but no verdict.
Tech giant’s tips for Australia to catch the AI wave
Industry darling OpenAI has released an economic blueprint for Australia to capitalise on AI as concerns are raised the tech could destroy entry-level jobs.
Lower interest rates, tighter supply lifts home prices
Australia's residential property market is being stoked by strengthening demand fuelled by lower interest rates and a tighter supply of homes for sale.
Major dam to likely spill as ‘bomb cyclone’ hits coast
As millions of residents brace for a fast-moving, severe low-pressure system to hit their region, a massive dam is nearly full and could spill in coming days.
Islamist preacher’s court loss over ‘perverse’ sermons
Sermons delivered by an Islamist preacher drew on fundamentally racist tropes and made "perverse generalisations" about Jewish people, a judge has found.
Mushroom jury finishes first full day of deliberations
The jurors tasked with deciding the fate of mushroom cook Erin Patterson have been sent back to their accommodation after their first full day of deliberations.
Rice not on the table in Japan’s trade talks with US
Donald Trump has criticised Japan for not buying American rice as Tokyo scrambles to convince the US to scrap a 25 per cent tariff on Japanese cars.
Nice work if you can get it: premier pockets plenty
Parliamentarians in one state have been granted a pay rise, propelling the premier to the position of Australia's second highest-paid politician.
Nest eggs on the boil as super guarantee cracks open
Award wages, super contributions and energy bills are rising as a new financial year rings changes for households.
PM urged to hedge bets by boosting defence spending
Australia's plan for defence spending is a "hedge" against an uncertain future as the US intensifies the call for its allies to increase the money they invest.
Victim’s head missing as ex-TV star faces murder charge
Police are still searching for the head of a man who was allegedly murdered and dismembered by his partner, a former reality TV star.
Jury told to be careful assessing mushroom cook’s lies
A judge has offered a word of caution on mushroom cook Erin Patterson's self-confessed lies as he gives final directions to the jury in her triple murder trial.
‘Too much crime’: top cop vows to speak truth to power
In his first day on the job, a newly minted top cop insists he won't shy away from asking "hard questions" of the state government.
Diddy’s lawyer says charges ‘badly exaggerated’
A defence lawyer says in his closing argument that the US government "badly exaggerated" its evidence against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.
‘No other option’: desperate plea from stranded Aussies
As Australians return home from the Middle East, a family stranded in Iran says it has no way to flee after receiving advice to cross international borders.
Australia to feel US squeeze for more defence cash
Australia is being encouraged to engage with the US on military capabilities and access as the nation resists pressure to increase its defence spend.
Red tape and silver bullets: tough task for housing fix
Governments are taking aim at red tape to fix a chronic undersupply of housing in Australia but the industry warns cultural issues will be harder to fix.
Drought and taxes pile on mental pressure for farmers
The ongoing challenges of extreme weather and new emergency services taxes are making the mental pressures experienced by farmers harder to bear.