‘Scaremongering’ concerns despite uptick in voice vote
The 'yes' camp is optimistic Australians will vote for an Indigenous voice but the latest polls show the 'no' vote remains dominant.
national news
SUVs drive Australia to record month for vehicle sales
Australian motorists have set a record for car sales in September, with SUVs making the greatest impact, representing more than half of all new vehicles.
Australian share market, dollar hit new low for 2023
Both the local share market and the local currency have dropped to their lowest levels since November as bond yields soar to fresh 16-year highs.
Migration system enabled worst crimes known to humanity
Human trafficking, organised crime and modern slavery have flourished thanks to weaknesses in Australia's immigration system.
Companies surprisingly busy despite slowing economy
The Australian services sector continues to bring in a lot of new business even as interest rates remain high and consumers start to pull back.
Marvellous mammals shine bright in the right light
Australian researchers have shown that for the air-breathing, milk-producing, live-birthing mammals of the world, glowing under ultraviolet light is common.
Australia still lags other nations in electric car race
Global electric car sales rose by almost 50 per cent this year and while Australian sales are increasing they are still well below the world average.
Mourners gather to remember mushroom poisoning victim
Heather Wilkinson has been remembered at a public memorial service, almost two months after she died from suspected mushroom poisoning.
Bushfire risk turns to flooding, as residents evacuate
Heavy rain is inundating parts of Victoria just hours after residents were facing bushfire threats.
Snap election stand-off ends as sacked minister quits
Tasmania's former attorney-general will quit parliament, ending a stand-off with Premier Jeremy Rockliff that could have triggered an early election.
Police no-show at inquiry a ‘slap in the face’: senator
WA Police are a no-show at a Senate inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children, leaving many questions unanswered.
Carbon ‘bottom line’: Don’t trade integrity for offsets
Carbon offsets should be used as a last resort and limited to Australia's heaviest polluters, conservationists warn the federal government.
Federal police want pay rise as officers cop job strain
The federal police association is calling on the government for a 20 per cent pay increase to help recruit and retain new members.
Lynch looking to put his best foot forward for Tigers
Richmond star Tom Lynch will have a delayed start to pre-season as he recovers from a lingering foot injury, but is confident he will be ready for round one.
Premier’s snap election pledge hinges on dumped MP
Australia's lone Liberal premier has guaranteed calling an election if the state's axed attorney-general fails to commit her votes of confidence and supply.
‘Nothing ruled out’ in deadly NT crash
Detectives are still on the scene of a Northern Territory crash which is understood to have killed four children and two adults.
NSW not ruling out pill testing after festival deaths
Premier Chris Minns says NSW will 'learn from other states' on pill-testing, after two men died from drugs allegedly taken at a music festival.
Mum behind lover’s plot to kill ex gets 26 years’ jail
Biannca Edmunds will spend at least 20 years in prison after a plot to murder her ex-partner ended in his death as well as the death of her husband.
Australian share market plunges to six-month low
The ASX200 has slumped to its lowest in six months and the dollar to its weakest since November, despite interest rates staying on hold.
Tax on empty homes and vacant land to free up housing
A little-known tax will be broadened to push Victorian landowners to build on or sell empty blocks as the government seeks to boost housing supply.
Nervous night for NSW coastal towns amid looming fire
A forecast cool change should weaken a dangerous fire front looming over NSW coastal towns but could turn towards tourists in Bermagui, authorities warn.
Victoria’s fire threat focus shifts to flash flood risk
The threat from two blazes burning in eastern Victoria is expected to ease, with a severe weather warning issued over damaging winds and heavy rain.
New workplace laws are ‘life and death legislation’
Businesses across Australia have spent millions of dollars on a campaign against workplace reforms that unions say stop gig economy worker deaths.
New bank chief holds rates but a rise is still in play
Borrowers have been spared further mortgage pain but one more interest rate hike or a longer stretch on hold may be needed to wrangle inflation under control.
Voice certainly winnable, says PM as pre-polling opens
Despite pessimistic polling for the voice to parliament referendum, Anthony Albanese is maintaining his optimism ahead of the vote on October 14.
Australian shares down slightly on eve of rates verdict
The local share market has closed 0.2 per cent lower in quiet Monday trading with a long weekend holiday observed much of the country.
Cost of living spokesman defends real estate portfolio
A state opposition's newly appointed spokesman on the cost of living has defended stepping into the role despite holding many real estate interests.
Shorten urges united approach to commission findings
Bill Shorten has urged jurisdictions to work together to determine the best way to implement findings from the disability royal commission.
Total fire bans in force as heat and winds combine
Fire season is under way as blazes burn across the country driven by volatile conditions with total fire bans in parts of WA, South Australia, Victoria and NSW.
Housing recovery entrenched but pace of growth eases
Home values continue to rise but growth has slowed amid more advertisements for stock and the toll of higher interest rates and cost of living pressures.
Early election risk as only Liberal government on brink
An early election is in the hands of Tasmania's former attorney-general Elise Archer, with Australia's only Liberal administration on the brink of collapse.