Outback ice-cream van serves sweet joy amid sorrow
The Gee Whiz ice-cream van is a popular stop for perspiring punters at Birdsville, part of one man's mission to bring happiness after the death of his wife.
national news
Massive koala park plan to give logging the chop
A huge proposed national park to protect koalas has been hailed by conservationists, but the logging industry says jobs will be decimated.
Huge Freeman reward no act of desperation say police
A 12-day manhunt for accused double murderer Dezi Freeman has been bolstered by a million-dollar reward offer for information leading to his arrest.
Shift needed to help young asthmatics breathe easier
A peak body is highlighting National Asthma Awareness Week by driving a cultural shift in how asthma is treated in childhood - from relievers to preventers.
Leader tries to fix Indian ties, but won’t apologise
The opposition leader has visited an Indian community in a bid to undo the damage caused by a senator's controversial comments on Indian migration.
Beloved shark attack victim mourned as net trial paused
Tributes are flowing for a surfer mauled to death in a rare city shark attack as a net-free beach trial is put on hold until the incident in fully investigated.
Premier eyes local solutions to youth gang ‘cancer’
With public concern mounting over youth crime following the deadly stabbing of two boys, a state premier has made a plea for "local solutions".
Climate finance crunch time at Pacific leader talks
The existential threat of climate change and ever-intensifying regional rivalries will loom large over Pacific leader talks in Honiara.
‘Steve Irwin gene’: slain veteran cop’s bravery saluted
A retiring police officer thought of himself as indestructible and remarked he was going to miss the job before being gunned down in cold blood.
Notorious mushroom killer could walk free in her 80s
Convicted killer Erin Patterson has been left with the hope of one day being released after murdering three lunch guests with deadly mushrooms.
Tree-change trend slows but regions remain attractive
The rate of migration from capital cities to regional centres continues to outpace moves in the other direction despite slowing towards pre-pandemic levels.
Libs feud as power broker wants Indian comment apology
A senior Liberal MP has called for a Senate colleague to apologise for controversial comments on Indian migration, which has prompted internal division.
Beaches near fatal attack site closed as shark detected
Two beaches were closed after a tagged shark was detected in the area, while others have yet to reopen following a fatal attack that killed a "hero" surfer.
Literacy is freedom: celebrating the power of stories
An Indigenous-led digital resource has been launched for International Literacy Day, celebrating First Nations culture and the process of storytelling.
Wiggles, ex-chief out of tune over ‘unlawful’ sacking
The Wiggles are fighting an unlawful dismissal lawsuit from their former chief executive, who claims the blue Wiggle undermined him.
Car theft claims skyrocket in one state, fall in others
Car theft claims are soaring to record levels in one Australian state while falling in all others, prompting concern amongst insurers.
Robodebt payout could take years to flow to victims
A years-long legal battle over the unlawful robodebt scheme has ended with a multimillion-dollar settlement, but victims could wait years to get payments.
Daniel Andrews breaks silence on China parade outing
Dan Andrews is unrepentant about attending a military show of might in China, where he was photographed with dictators and alleged war criminals.
Roberts-Smith’s appeal bid reaches end of the road
Ben Roberts-Smith has exhausted his appeal rights against civil findings he killed unarmed civilians in Afghanistan while serving in the Australian Army.
‘Lambo Guy’ outburst as unlawful lottery trial begins
In an outburst outside court, high-profile businessman Adrian Portelli says he "won't let them walk all over me" as he defends illegal lottery charges.
Hot economic growth may place further rate cuts on ice
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has signalled there might not be many more interest rate cuts to come after surprisingly strong economic growth.
‘Shameful’: state takes out crime hotspot title again
A domestic violence prevention advocate hopes reforms will help make an impact as one state retains its unwanted title as Australia's hotbed of crime.
Friend saw men hanging from plane amid skydive ‘chaos’
A young mechanic has become emotional while describing how he saw his friend dangling upside-down from a plane before a fatal skydiving fall.
Kids unknowingly targeted with AI abuse apps, images
A clarion call to urgently protect vulnerable children and teenagers from online sexual abuse has been issued as the use of AI-powered platforms proliferates.
Bob Katter in strife for threatening to punch reporter
The tirade of threats Bob Katter unleashed on a TV reporter has landed him in the parliamentary doghouse, with a standards committee asked to investigate.
Slain teen’s partner vows to ‘never forgive’ killers
The family of a 19-year-old man murdered by a father and son during a high-speed pursuit say his death has been the harshest life sentence possible.
Slow uptake in GPs prescribing ADHD medication
Barely a trickle of GPs have trained to prescribe ADHD medication despite reforms designed to save patients the expense of seeing a specialist psychiatrist.
Deaf, non-verbal man among ‘inexcusable’ Optus targets
Optus is hoping a court will approve a $100 million fine after it engaged in "unacceptable" sales tactics affecting Indigenous and disabled customers.
‘Immature’ superyacht worker avoids jail for kidnapping
A superyacht worker who abducted his ex-girlfriend in an "extremely terrifying" ordeal has been handed a three-year intensive correction order.
Consumer boom drives surprise jump in economic growth
Australia's economy surpassed expectations in the last financial year, taking some urgency out of the Reserve Bank's plans to cut interest rates.
‘Divisive’ coalition blamed for scapegoating migrants
The major political parties are pointing the finger at each other for fuelling anti-immigration sentiment that drove violent rallies in Australia's capitals.