Albanese RAT call, COVID ship hits Sydney
As a cruise ship with more than 100 COVID-19 cases docks in Sydney, Anthony Albanese has urged concession card holders to get free RATs while they still can.
national news
GPs, pharmacists urge free test extension
Medical experts want the government to extend the free rapid test program for concession card holders, saying scrapping it sends the wrong public message.
COVID ship docks in NSW as crew isolates
A cruise ship experiencing an outbreak of the virus among staff has arrived at Eden on the south coast.
NSW govt sues nurses union over strikes
The NSW government is seeking court-ordered penalties over allegedly unauthorised strikes by health staff in February and March this year.
PM defends end to pandemic leave payments
Anthony Albanese has ruled out reintroducing pandemic leave payments, saying the federal government needs to be fiscally responsible.
Barilaro staffers called to public inquiry
Two staffers of former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro have been asked to give evidence at an inquiry into how he was appointed to a trade role in the US.
Vic govt knocks back mask mandate advice
Official advice to reintroduce COVID-19 mask mandates has been rejected in Victoria, as the state government puts the onus on employers.
ASX down 1.1pct ahead of busy week of data
The local bourse has dropped by 1.1 per cent, as traders take a little off the table before the release of US inflation and Chinese GDP figures.
Pregnant woman may have been killed
An inquest into the disappearance of Bendigo woman Krystal Fraser 13 years ago is investigating whether she was murdered by her unborn child's father.
Ag minister heads to Indonesia over FMD
Australia's agriculture minister will head to Jakarta for high-level government talks about Indonesia's response to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
COVID-19 reinfections rising, experts warn
Infectious diseases experts have warned COVID-19 reinfections are becoming more common across the country due to new sub-variants of the virus.
Migration lift not only jobs fix: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says a boost to migration is not the only solution to fixing skills shortages across the country.
Australia, NZ sign up for ICJ climate case
Campaigners have persuaded Australia and New Zealand to back Vanuatu's bid to have climate change commitments underscored by international law.
Consumer confidence falls as rates rise
Consumer confidence has dropped 19.7 per cent since December, a plunge comparable to what happened at the start of the pandemic and the global financial crisis.
Marles urges greater Indo-Pacific step up
Defence Minister Richard Marles delivered a speech in Washington focused on security in the Asia-Pacific, during his four-day trip to the US.
PIF leaders lament loss of Pacific unity
At least four Pacific Islands Forum members will be absent from this week's leaders' summit; Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands and Nauru.
Disabled Indigenous boy in NDIS ‘stolen’
A teen was forced to leave home once his support funds were slashed, the disability royal commission has heard.
More Australian workers looking west
Western Australia's tough border policies throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic have not deterred workers from heading west in record numbers.
Monthly family petrol bill soars to $300
Petrol prices are closing in on highs seen earlier this year as new figures show a tightening in the jobs market ahead of official jobless data.
Qld virus outbreak spreads to cruise ship
Queensland authorities say a COVID-19 outbreak on a cruise ship "was always going to happen", but the proper protocols to manage it are in place.
Government defends pandemic payment end
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says government payments for those isolating for COVID were never meant to be a permanent measure.
PM sets down jobs summit for September
Anthony Albanese says the summit - a key election commitment - will bring together business, unions and other groups.
More koala deaths at Vic site amid probe
More koalas have been discovered dead at a Victorian blue gum plantation, but investigators have been unable to find any signs of trauma or gun shots.
AOC pays special tribute to Shinzo Abe
The Australian Olympic movement has paid tribute to Shinzo Abe after the former Japanese prime minister was shot dead at a campaign event.
PM urges eligible to get second booster
As evasive new Omicron variants fuel a rise in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is urging those eligible to get their fourth vaccine dose.
NT woman charged with domestic murder
Northern Territory police have charged a woman accused of fatally stabbing a man during a domestic incident in Palmerston.
I’m still in shock over Abe: Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia has lost a true friend in slain former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe.
Aust COVID-19 death toll surpasses 10,200
Australia's COVID-19 death toll has soared beyond 10,200 as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges people to seek a fourth vaccine dose.
Probe into fatal helicopter crash in NSW
Australia's transport safety watchdog has launched an investigation into a fatal helicopter crash on Sydney's outskirts.
Sri Lanka calm as leaders set to quit
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says he will leave office once a new government is in place and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will also step down.
Millions to get access to COVID treatments
Potentially lifesaving COVID-19 antiviral treatments are to be made more widely available from Monday, says Health Minister Mark Butler.