Have COVID plan before positive test: CMO
Australia's chief medical officer has urged Australians at risk of severe disease from COVID-19 to have a treatment plan in case they test positive.
national news
Apology and pardons in WA baby death case
The West Australian government has apologised to a woman who was arrested by police after being attacked by her former partner who later killed her baby boy.
Push for Aust-Pacific ‘web of friendship’
The head of the Lowy Institute has called for Australia to meaningfully re-engage with the Pacific, saying the country's focus on the region has dropped.
Albanese visit would ‘delight’ Ukraine
Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko says a visit from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to his country would send a strong message of solidarity.
Barilaro temporarily blocked from NYC job
NSW parliament has blocked former deputy premier John Barilaro from taking up a $500,000 a year taxpayer-funded job in New York City until an inquiry is held.
Plastics purge tops shoppers’ wishlist
Shoppers rate reducing the use of plastics as the top action businesses can take on sustainability and climate change to win trust, loyalty and dollars.
New campaign to target booster uptake
The federal government will roll out a fresh $11 million advertising blitz in an effort to increase Australia's COVID-19 booster rate.
Hobart solstice swimmers take nippy dip
More than 2000 people have stripped naked for a sunrise dip in Hobart, marking the winter solstice and end of the Dark Mofo festival.
Scientists call for end to dam projects
Scientists warn expanding Wyangala Dam in central western NSW will have detrimental impacts on farmers and the environment, and want dam projects abandoned.
Energy market suspension to be lifted
The Australian Energy Market Operator has outlined a staged approach to restoring the national energy market following its intervention last week.
Australia joins pandemic preparedness fund
The Albanese government will provide money for a new global fund designed to help prevent future pandemics.
Veterans ‘failed’ by govt, commission told
Ex-veteran affairs minister Darren Chester has faced a royal commission and been questioned about outstanding reforms during his tenure.
Trial for alleged Higgins rapist delayed
Lawyers for Bruce Lehrmann, accused of raping former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, have succeeded in a second bid to temporarily delay his trial.
Severe weather fears on the rise: NRMA
Australians are more concerned about the severity and frequency of disasters, and a majority want greater investment in disaster mitigation, the NRMA says.
Murder probe halted by Lyn Dawson sighting
A possible sighting of Lynette Dawson after her 1982 disappearance led to police suspending their homicide investigation over a decade later.
Opposition calls for flight mask scrapping
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia should end the requirement for all passengers on inbound international flights to wear a mask.
NSW pours $2.8 billion into housing boost
The housing package in the NSW budget is the biggest investment made in decades to help more people buy their first home sooner, the premier says.
‘Diabolical’ energy situation closes Enova
Enova Community Energy and its retail energy arm Enova Energy have been placed into voluntary administration, a victim of what they say is a "broken market".
Australia role in Sri Lankan aid ‘crucial’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia has an important role to play in assisting Sri Lanka during the country's worst economic crisis in 70 years.
‘R-word’ not on RBA governor’s horizon
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe says a recession in Australia is not on his horizon, but after the past two years nothing can ever be ruled out.
AEMO looks to end energy market suspension
The suspension of the national electricity market could end as soon as this week, under a path forward by the market operator.
‘Zero’ budget funds to fix compo delays
Former minister Andrew Gee says he was disappointed the Morrison government had failed to recognise veterans' welfare as a national priority.
Minister urges aged care booster rate rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says he wants to see the fourth dose rate for COVID vaccines in aged care facilities increase.
‘Reform’ budget for NSW ahead of election
After more than a decade in power, the NSW coalition government has delivered a "transformational" budget as it prepares for an election in nine months.
Pronged collar ban among Tasmanian reforms
A ban on pronged collars is among several proposed changes to Tasmanian animal welfare laws.
NSW poised to unveil big spending budget
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean will unveil his first budget on Tuesday after taking over the portfolio from Dominic Perrottet when he became premier.
Seven climate activists charged after raid
Seven people face charges after police raided a rural property northwest of Sydney where they allege illegal climate change protests were being planned.
Childhood cancer survival rates improve
The number of deaths from cancer among children under 15 years old has decreased substantially over the last two decades, new research shows.
Accused cop killer concedes he told lies
Accused killer Jason Roberts has told his trial over the 1998 murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller that he lied a lot as a teenager.
‘Creepy’ Dawson said wife alive in commune
A murder trial witness has described the Dawson twins as "creepy" when saying Lynette was living in a Blue Mountains commune 25 years after her disappearance.
Final Senate count delivers seat to Palmer
The Greens alongside One Nation, Jacqui Lambie, the United Australia Party and independent David Pocock hold key bargaining positions in the new-look Senate.