Australia facing an ‘avo-lanche’
A bumper avocado crop has meant an oversupply of avocados and record low prices, while production will soar for the next five years according to a new report.
national news
Salad on menu for whale sharks off WA
Whale sharks have displaced the Kodiak bear as the world's biggest omnivore after Aussie researchers discovered they like a bit of salad with their krill.
ADF virus help for aged care extended
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says ADF support for the aged care sector has been extended until the end of September amid the winter COVID-19 wave.
Roberts-Smith alleged kick due to ‘laugh’
The motivation for Ben Roberts-Smith allegedly kicking an unarmed Afghan prisoner off a cliff was because he laughed at him, the Federal Court has been told.
Virus response disadvantages young Aussies
Young Australians have been disproportionately disadvantaged from the COVID-19 pandemic response, according to a report.
Help on way after funeral insurer collapse
The Albanese government has announced around $4 million in relief for families impacted by the collapse of insurer ACBF-Youpla.
Anglicare scrutinised in COVID-19 inquest
Where Anglicare chose to treat COVID-positive residents will be a key focus of an inquest into 19 deaths during an outbreak at Newmarch House in early 2020.
Vic COVID-19 rules were misunderstood
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry has found confusing language in the state's pandemic orders made the restrictions difficult to understand.
NSW premier resists fronting inquiry
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is standing firm on not fronting an inquiry into John Barilaro's appointment saying he would be questioned at budget estimates.
New measures to stop foot and mouth spread
Biosecurity officers could be given extra powers to screen air passengers, with the federal government working to keep foot and mouth disease out of Australia.
‘Growing pains’ a medical misnomer
Researchers are calling for the term to be shelved after a study found there was no real consistency in what constitutes the pains.
Roberts-Smith’s lawyer says witnesses lied
Ben Roberts-Smith's lawyer says evidence given against him had not established any of the grave allegations made by the newspapers he is suing for defamation.
Jail for ‘horrific’ rape, imprisonment
Robert Wilson has been jailed for more than 22 years for holding a woman he was dating captive in his home, and violently raping and beating her over five days.
Porsche’s piece of practicality
Not satisfied with producing one of the fastest electric vehicles on the planet, Porsche has extended its Taycan range to include a dose of practicality.
Wild weather cruels Byron music festival
A wild weather system battering Australia's east coast is moving south after one man died when a car was washed away in floodwaters on Friday morning.
Lee Kernaghan on the road for concert doco
Country singer Lee Kernaghan is celebrating his 30-year career with a part concert, part road trip documentary, Boy from the Bush.
Gumboots galore at Byron music festival
A weather system hitting the Queensland and northern NSW coast has eased as it moves south, while Byron Bay festival organisers call for patience.
Govt foot and mouth response ‘flat-footed’
The federal opposition has again criticised the government's response to the threat of foot and mouth disease entering Australia after an outbreak in Indonesia.
Spike in racism compels national strategy
A spike in attacks on Asian, Jewish, Muslim and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has highlighted the need for a national plan to fight racism.
House prices slump to be offset by rates
As house prices across Australia drop, first home buyers are being urged to act fast before interest rate hikes make borrowing more expensive.
Japan bullet train a ‘dream’: NSW Premier
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet boarded the bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima during his Asia trade mission, as travel troubles continue to bubble at home.
Aust COVID death toll surpasses 11,100
The country's daily death toll rose by more than 100 people on Saturday, bringing Australia's total loss from COVID-19 to more than 11,100 people.
Blacksmiths forging ahead in ancient trade
Blacksmithing is one of the oldest known trades and it's being kept alive by creators and collectors in regional Australia.
Young Australians urged to be organ donors
Young people across the nation are being encouraged to sign up for the Australian Organ Donor Register as part of DonateLife Week.
Climate, budget high on parliament agenda
Australia's 47th parliament will meet for the first time, with the new Labor government set to tackle climate change, cost-of-living and aged care crises.
Environment shock also warning for humans
Australians must understand this week's grim report about the state of the environment is also a report about them, a leading environmental health expert says.
Third of aged care facilities hit by COVID
More than one third of Australia's aged care facilities are battling COVID-19 outbreaks with 6000 residents and 3400 staff infected.
Labor demolishing building watchdog powers
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke will decrease the powers of the building industry watchdog before the federal government moves to scrap it completely.
‘Disgraceful’: PM lashes coalition on boat
The former coalition government "trashed" caretaker conventions and sought to "abuse" the public service on election day, the prime minister says.
Border to remain open over foot and mouth
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the government's decision to keep borders to Indonesia open as a devastating virus continues to spread.
Victoria is best-performing state: CommSec
Victoria has earned top spot on CommSec's quarterly State of the States report for the first time since its COVID lockdowns but Queensland is coming on strong.