Scramble to play down fears of aged care worker crisis
Department officials have defended not telling the aged care minister about potentially massive worker shortages because their model couldn't be verified.
national news
Remote communities still lagging in digital world
While digital participation is increasing in remote communities, significant barriers remain for Indigenous people to get online, a study has found.
Action urged as ‘bad systems’ violate children’s rights
'Tough on crime' measures are pushing problems down the road, advocates say as a report into youth justice reveals children's rights are being violated.
Extent of illegal cigarette sales in Australia revealed
Australia's illicit tobacco black market is in rude health, with estimates for the market share of illegally sold cigarettes ranging from 25 to 65 per cent.
‘Double catastrophe’: builder collapse pain compounded
A probe into a taxpayer-funded housing insurance scheme has found owners with complex claims suffered serious personal and financial hardship.
Chinese economic slowdown at top of RBA’s mind
Slowing Chinese economic growth and persistently high inflation are "top of mind" for the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Motorists pooh pooh petrol for low-emission options
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol rivals with sales figures showing a change in consumer sentiment.
Teacher accused of stabbing school principal ‘snapped’
A teacher who allegedly stabbed his school principal after his contract was not renewed has been refused bail due to his "extreme" risk to the community.
Bruce Lehrmann dodges conviction over drunken joyride
After failing to overturn a damaging defamation judgment, Bruce Lehrmann has dodged serious consequences on a car charge in a magistrates court.
‘More than rhetoric’: $95m boost to support Ukraine
Australia's "unwavering" support of Ukraine has been reinforced with a $95 million support package to help the nation defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Divisive AFL stadium gets the official parliament tick
Tasmania's parliament has voted to approve a new waterfront stadium, which paves the way for the Devils to join the AFL and AFLW competitions in 2028.
Splurging shoppers push economy over speed limit
The sharpest rise in household spending in 21 months suggests the economy is continuing to grow in strength, heightening Reserve Bank fears about inflation.
Court challenge delay clears path for social media ban
Australia's social media age restrictions will kick in as planned, with a High Court challenge to the ban pushed into the new year.
Road tests show electric vehicles keep pulling up short
Battery-powered cars have been found using more energy than promised in independent tests, just like their petrol and diesel peers.
Cyclone-hit coastal town blows away house value gains
The housing market strongly rebounded in 2025 as interest rate cuts, easing inflation and limited supply fired up competition, the latest property data shows.
Push to ramp-up fire ant battle as new nest found
Fire ants are hampering agriculture, tourism and even kids' sport, with calls for more federal funding to control the spread of one of the world's worst pests.
Battling casino group hopeful chips will fall its way
Star Entertainment Group has made progress toward resolving its myriad of issues but executives acknowledge the gaming behemoth isn't out of the woods yet.
‘World-first’ deal to give delivery drivers better pay
The nation's biggest food delivery companies have struck a deal with a union to improve the pay and working conditions of the "silent heroes" of the economy.
Australia needs a ‘wind farm every month’ to meet goals
Australia needs to build the equivalent of one large wind farm every month to meet its 2030 climate target, an expert warns.
Four more arrested in Louvre heist probe: prosecutor
The Paris prosecutor has announced four more arrests in connection with a heist at the Louvre Museum in October.
The ‘obvious and easy way’ to help boost housing supply
More than 80,000 sorely needed homes are unable to be built due to a lack of investment in power, roads and sewers, councils say.
Inflation surges as energy rebates run out of gas
Lower energy rebates and higher housing costs than a year ago have propelled the headline inflation rate to its highest level in 16 months.
Study reveals why Peter Dutton lost the last election
A study has revealed Labor had inched ahead of the coalition on a key measure which handed Anthony Albanese a historic majority in federal parliament.
Strong lift off for seaweed firm with unique business
A local climate technology company tackling a potent greenhouse gas with seaweed has soared in value after listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Worst bushfire risk in years prompts calls for caution
Thousands of people are facing the most severe bushfire danger conditions since 2023 as high temperatures and howling winds spark fears of major blazes.
Optus resolves fresh outage after vandals cut cables
Another Optus service outage that affected thousands of customers has been resolved after vandals cut cables while attempting to steal copper.
Minister stares down challenge to social media ban
The minister tasked with spearheading Australia's social media lockout for under-16s says she is not intimidated by a legal challenge against the ban.
Overpowered: battery rebate could be drained in a year
Australian households are installing more than 1000 solar batteries every day, but their popularity could accelerate the end of the government's rebate scheme.
Mystery deepens after no trace found of missing boy
A new search has failed to find a missing boy on his family's remote outback farmhouse, almost two months after the four-year-old disappeared.
Easey Street accused to face double murder trial
A magistrate has tossed out a rape charge as he committed a man to stand trial over the cold case double murder of two women nearly half a century ago.
Retail supremo dangles ‘game-changing’ mystery tech
Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey has hinted he might be selling robots in the next 18 months alongside a 'secret' technology, after dissing his rivals.