Fears mount over any China virus variants
Australian health authorities are being urged to keep a close eye on possible new COVID-19 variants coming out of China as cases spike.
national news
Qld urged to bring in New Year’s legally
The government has told Queenslanders to enjoy the more than 130 licensed fireworks displays planned for New Year's Eve rather than risk injuries or fines.
Aust stocks finish 2022 down 5.45 per cent
The ASX200 index lost 5.45 per cent this year, although Australian investors can perhaps take heart that overseas losses were far worse.
Cities abuzz as NYE returns to normal
Free of mask mandates and other COVID rules, locals and visitors in most parts of Australia are letting their hair down to farewell 2022 and welcome 2023.
Flood evacuees return, others await peak
Residents in an outback town will spend New Year's Eve worried about flooding as Top End communities return home a week after a rare inundation.
Average incomes not enough to buy a home
Unless you live in Perth, middle income earners fall well short of the borrowing power needed to buy a standard house.
Disturbance at WA youth detention centre
Detainees at the troubled Banksia Hill youth detention centre in Western Australia have lit a fire and climbed onto roof tops on New Year's Eve.
Australia welcomes 2023 with a bang
Australians partied well into the night during the first New Year's Eve celebrations without COVID-19 restrictions in three years.
Warm Christmas for much of the country
Most Australians have enjoyed a sunny Christmas Day as a minor heat wave sets in but Northern Territorians are feeling the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.
Call to roll out ‘e-bikes for clunkers’
Electric bicycles should be heavily discounted to help Australia meet its 2030 climate target, experts say.
Australians feel the heat on Boxing Day
Most Australians are experiencing a minor heatwave, but intense rain from ex-tropical cyclone Ellie has parts of the NT and Queensland on flood watch.
Holiday-makers drive electric car uptake
More road trips are set to be taken in electric and hybrid vehicles this holiday season as rental firms roll out eco-friendly cars.
Busking’s bright future as acts ramp up
Melbourne's buskers are gearing up for a busy summer with international acts due to arrive and a new place to call their own.
Teenager drowns in Christmas Day tragedy
A teenager has been killed and two other men hospitalised after all three ran into difficulty in rough waters this Christmas.
Man, woman dead in remote NT plane crash
A pilot and passenger who were travelling in a light plane have been confirmed dead after the aircraft's wreckage was found in the Northern Territory.
Aussies seek bargains in post-Xmas sales
Shoppers are predicted to spend record amounts in the summer sales with clothing, hospitality and household goods expected to be the most popular categories.
Aussie satellites to plug air traffic gaps
Five Australian made satellites are about to launch in a project designed to close gaps in air traffic management systems and reduce bumpy flights.
Doomed Sydney plane from experimental kit
Crash investigators are sifting through the wreckage of a kit-built light plane that crashed on Sydney's southern outskirts, killing two men.
Brawny Jaguar getting hearts racing
Jaguar's formidable F-Pace SVR won't win any environmental awards, but commands plenty of attention from high-end SUV buyers.
Drowning tragedies mar Christmas weekend
It's been a tragic Christmas weekend across Australian beaches, lakes and home pools with four people drowning and others pulled from the water.
Millions of hot cross buns hit shelves
The Christmas leftovers might still be in the fridge but the hot cross buns have just made a return to Coles supermarkets, months before Easter.
Billions spent on unwanted Christmas gifts
It's not easy to choose the right gift, with up to $3 billion worth of Christmas presents likely to be returned to the seller this year.
National cultural policy revamp ahead
Labor will launch its national cultural policy in the new year with the aim to revitalise Australia's art and, entertainment sectors.
Customer warning over illegal e-bikes
Australian e-bike buyers have been warned to watch out for models that are too fast for public roads as the industry calls for changes to the speed limit rules.
Albo’s new year vision harks back to Hawke
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken about his government's priorities for the new year, including enshrining a voice to parliament in the constitution.
Time has come for action on voice: Burney
Australians are ready to write a new, inclusive chapter of history with a senior government minister confident people will vote Yes in next year's referendum.
‘Right thing’ not reporting abuse: Houston
Hillsong founder Brian Houston told churchgoers of "a serious moral accusation" against his father without revealing he molested a child, a court has heard.
Sydney teacher’s alleged murderer remanded
A man's murder charge has been mentioned in court as his alleged victim - 31-year-old teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones - is remembered as a "beautiful person".
Final funds to election winners and losers
The elections watchdog has paid back nearly $76 million to eligible political parties and candidates at the 2022 federal election.
Fed-NSW deal firms up future renewables
The Albanese government has committed almost $8 billion in a deal to unlock renewable energy zones and connect Snowy hydro-electricity to the east coast grid.
Australia and China agree to further talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for official talks in Beijing marking 50 years of Sino-Australian diplomatic relations.