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.
national news
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.
Australian shares edging lower at midday
The local share market was down 0.1 per cent at midday, in quiet trading with the long weekend holiday affecting much of the country.
Don’t limit gas supply during green move: energy boss
Delays in approving about 40 new gas projects could risk supply and flow onto power bills, an energy chief says.
New-look Victorian cabinet sworn in as Allan era begins
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's first cabinet has been sworn in, a week on from Daniel Andrews' shock resignation and a day before parliament returns.
Party over for shonky international education providers
The party is over for dodgy education providers targeting international students with a crackdown on the rorts plaguing the immigration and visa system.
Voice volunteers hit the hustings as pre-polling opens
Crunch time has arrived for 'yes' and 'no' campaigners as early referendum voting opens and battlelines are drawn across key states ahead of polling day.
Early polling opens as referendum hits home stretch
Referendum campaigners are on the home stretch with pre-polling opening, remote voting underway and less than two weeks before Australians cast their ballots.
Premier Allan unveils new cabinet after Andrews’ exit
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's first cabinet has been sworn in, a week on from Daniel Andrews' shock resignation and a day before parliament returns.
Early voting gets under way for voice referendum
Early voting has opened to determine whether an Indigenous voice will be enshrined in the constitution to advise federal parliament.
More than 10,000 take up regional first home scheme
More than 10,000 home buyers have taken advantage of a federal scheme to buy their first property in regional areas in the first year of the program.
Defiant Tasmanian premier rules out going to polls
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has ruled out going to the polls in the wake of the controversial departure of attorney-general Elise Archer.
Crackdown looms for international education providers
A review into Australia's immigration and visa system has prompted a government crackdown on unscrupulous education providers targetting international students.
Premier Allan to unveil new cabinet after Andrews’ exit
Victorian Labor MPs will learn how they'll slot into new Premier Jacinta Allan's first cabinet, ahead of the return of state parliament on Tuesday.
Early voting to get under way for voice referendum
Early voting will open for the voice referendum to determine whether an Indigenous voice will be enshrined in the constitution to advise parliament.
NSW Police looking into brawl at Koori Knockout event
NSW Police are looking into a brawl at the Koori Knockout competition between two rival teams, which allegedly involved NRL star Josh Addo-Carr.
Voice success without bipartisanship ‘unprecedented’
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie says it would be unprecedented if the 'yes' vote got up at the voice referendum due to the lack of bipartisanship.
Qatar Airways challenged to maximise Australian routes
Federal Labor minister Jason Clare says Qatar Airways should make the most of its existing Australian slots after the airline applied for more inbound flights.