Trans-Tasman leaders eye easier movement after NZ talks
Anthony Albanese has landed in New Zealand for a two-day visit to discuss regional security, trade and football with counterpart Chris Hipkins.
national news
Homebirths to be introduced at Royal Women’s Hospital
Victoria's publicly funded homebirth program will be expanded to three extra hospitals, including the Royal Women's Hospital, the state government says.
Healthy outlook for global economy but risks linger
Stronger growth and lower inflation suggest the global economy is heading in the right direction, but the International Monetary Fund warns challenges remain.
Justice system ‘protects the bad guys’ in rape cases
The delicate balance between protecting an accused's right to innocence and a complainant's right to justice in rape cases is being examined by parliament.
Rinehart knew tenements jointly owned: Wrights
Gina Rinehart knew in the 1980s some iron ore-rich mining tenements were co-owned by another company, lawyers for her father's former business partner say.
Tactical switch in battle to eradicate fire ant menace
A new "horseshoe" configuration will be deployed in the fight to contain and eradicate a destructive invasive insect species marching south.
First languages court between a dock and a hard place
Aboriginal people are massively over-represented in the criminal justice system, and a scarcity of interpreters is only adding to the problem.
Imprisoned former US navy pilot’s fate remains in limbo
Former US Marines pilot Daniel Duggan will remain in an Australian prison for at least a few more months ahead of findings that could prevent his extradition.
On tractor for world record as mighty machine turns 100
The Farmall tractor, loved by generations of farmers and collectors, will celebrate its centenary in country NSW this weekend.
Premier ducks questions over call up to Games inquiry
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has shrugged off whether he would accept an invitation to face a federal inquiry into the Commonwealth Games.
Cop who leaked Dani Laidley pics fired over new scandal
A Victorian police officer who avoided losing his job after leaking photos of former AFL coach Dani Laidley has been sacked, reportedly over images of corpses.
Judge rejects ex-teacher’s ‘bizarre’ teen text claims
A former deputy principal's claims he posted an online ad seeking teens to make his ex-partner jealous has been criticised as "bizarre" and "preposterous".
Businessman linked to contract saga ‘disappears’ abroad
A businessman under scrutiny over several government contracts has left the country after being ordered to produce evidence to parliament and answer questions.
Murray-Darling vision treads water as deadline sinks
The federal government acknowledges it will need to get its "skates on" to deliver the $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin plan after extending the deadline.
Worker influx could aid ‘softest of economic landings’
A surge in new workers since Australia's borders reopened in 2021 could help deliver a gentle economic landing by taking heat out of the economy's supply side.
‘Democratic miracle’ as enrolments reach record highs
Australia has the best base for democratic participation in its history ahead of the upcoming referendum on the Indigenous voice, after record enrolments.
Data of some Victorians put at risk during pandemic
An investigation by the Victorian Information Commissioner has found there were multiple breaches of personal information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attitude overhaul the key to improving women’s safety
Women's safety champions want improvements to sexual consent education, regulated pornography and guidelines for schools to respond to student perpetrators.
construction and property
health and safety at work
housing and urban planning
politics
unions
work relations
Union wants super profits tax to pay for social housing
A union boss is challenging the federal government to think big and slap a super profits tax on big businesses to pay for social housing.
Ex-teacher texted teen for sex to make partner jealous
A former deputy principal says he drunk-texted an undercover police officer he thought was a 14-year-old girl in a plan to make his ex-partner jealous.
Senior robodebt public servant resigns from defence job
Public servant Kathryn Campbell has resigned from a high-paying role at the defence department following a royal commission into the illegal robodebt scheme.
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Petrol pumps to be popular into the 2030s, report finds
Service stations will remain busy into the 2030s in Australia, according to a new report, even though some countries will have stopped selling petrol cars.
Top bureaucrat lands job of helping the nation prosper
A top-level recruit has been handed the task of boosting Australia's flagging productivity growth, but the opposition has already questioned his links to Labor.
commonwealth games
housing and urban planning
local authority
politics (general)
sports event
tourism
Weeks of wrangling to settle Commonwealth Games bill
The Victorian government has not reached a compensation deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation after pulling out of hosting the 2026 Games.
Budget’s $20b sugar hit won’t be shared with households
Households dealing with cost-of-living pressures are unlikely to get any extra relief despite a budget surplus shaping up to be much larger than forecast.
Phones go dark in all South Australian high schools
All South Australian public high schools have now banned the use of mobile phones by students.
Charges over Brittany Higgins death threats adjourned
Charges against a man accused of making death threats against Brittany Higgins and an openly gay NSW politician have been mentioned briefly in court.
Casual workers offered path to permanent job security
Thousands of casual employees will have the right to become permanent workers under legal changes to close an employment loophole.
Australia’s road deaths rise despite safety targets
More people lost their lives in road accidents over the past 12 months despite a push to halve fatalities on Australian roads, a report shows.
Pearson issues call to arms as support for voice falls
Supporters of a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice have been told to get out and have conversations with the public as polls track towards defeat.
Apple Isle pips other states for economic strength
CommSec's latest State of the States report has Tasmania once again at the top of the economic rankings, but its competitors are closing in.