Millions of hot cross buns hit shelves
The Christmas leftovers might still be in the fridge but the hot cross buns have just made a return to Coles supermarkets, months before Easter.
national news
Billions spent on unwanted Christmas gifts
It's not easy to choose the right gift, with up to $3 billion worth of Christmas presents likely to be returned to the seller this year.
National cultural policy revamp ahead
Labor will launch its national cultural policy in the new year with the aim to revitalise Australia's art and, entertainment sectors.
Customer warning over illegal e-bikes
Australian e-bike buyers have been warned to watch out for models that are too fast for public roads as the industry calls for changes to the speed limit rules.
Albo’s new year vision harks back to Hawke
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken about his government's priorities for the new year, including enshrining a voice to parliament in the constitution.
Time has come for action on voice: Burney
Australians are ready to write a new, inclusive chapter of history with a senior government minister confident people will vote Yes in next year's referendum.
‘Right thing’ not reporting abuse: Houston
Hillsong founder Brian Houston told churchgoers of "a serious moral accusation" against his father without revealing he molested a child, a court has heard.
Sydney teacher’s alleged murderer remanded
A man's murder charge has been mentioned in court as his alleged victim - 31-year-old teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones - is remembered as a "beautiful person".
Final funds to election winners and losers
The elections watchdog has paid back nearly $76 million to eligible political parties and candidates at the 2022 federal election.
Fed-NSW deal firms up future renewables
The Albanese government has committed almost $8 billion in a deal to unlock renewable energy zones and connect Snowy hydro-electricity to the east coast grid.
Australia and China agree to further talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for official talks in Beijing marking 50 years of Sino-Australian diplomatic relations.
Dark clouds forecast for economic growth
A forward-looking indicator has recorded another month of negative growth, casting a shadow over Australia's economic prospects in 2023.
China meeting signals steps to stability
Experts say the meeting between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart signals the return of ongoing stability to the diplomatic relationship.
Probe identifies spinach contaminant
A weed believed to be responsible for causing almost 200 Australians to become sick has been identified as thornapple.
Global drug kingpin accused brought to Vic
An alleged global drug kingpin accused of conspiring to traffic up to $4.4 million worth of methamphetamine has been extradited to Melbourne.
Palmer offloads Qld nickel refinery
Clive Palmer has called on the Queensland government to support a new phase for Yabulu refinery, which he is selling to a carbon-savvy investment syndicate.
Industry outcry at ‘heavy-handed’ gas cap
Australia's oil and gas industry group has labelled Labor's energy relief measures "heavy-handed" after a $1 billion gas project expansion was paused.
Accused global drug kingpin faces court
A man alleged to have run one of the world's biggest drug cartels has been taken to jail after appearing in a Melbourne court charged with drug trafficking.
Libs blame Morrison, female vote for loss
A review of the Liberals' federal election campaign defeat reveals concerns about the party's loss of standing in metropolitan areas and among female voters.
Car-donnay: Electric vehicle powers winery
A Barossa Valley winery is being powered by an electric car as part of an Australian-first trial that will open up to other participants within weeks.
WA to pay $2m in premier’s defamation case
Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will have to pay $2 million in legal costs over the defamation fight with Clive Palmer.
Anti-China rhetoric damaging to Liberals
A review of the Liberal Party's election loss has urged an urgent repair to the party's standing among Chinese-Australians.
NRL great Burgess denies driving on drugs
NRL premiership winner Sam Burgess has been arrested for returning a positive drug test while driving unlicensed, but denies having had cocaine in his system.
Sydney woman and her children found safe
A pregnant Sydney woman and her three young sons missing since last weekend have been found safe in Queensland, police say.
Nationals MP quits to sit as independent
Federal Nationals MP Andrew Gee will quit the party to serve as an independent after the junior coalition partner opposed the Indigenous voice to parliament.
NSW targets 70pct emissions cut by 2035
Climate groups have welcomed the decision by the NSW government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2035 on 2005 levels.
Virus cases dip in lead-up to Christmas
The latest peaks of COVID-19 cases are falling around the country, but one state is battling a surge in infections.
Rural people more likely to die on roads
A review of 2.5 million head trauma patients shows rural people are more likely to suffer severe injuries in road crashes than their urban counterparts.
Higgins welcomes inquiry into rape trial
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has welcomed an inquiry into the abandoned rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann, saying "sunlight is the best disinfectant".
Manslaughter charges over NSW flood deaths
A Sydney man has been bailed on a $300,000 surety after being charged over the deaths of two people swept from a ute during flooding in central NSW in October.
Telstra, TPG to appeal ACCC knock-back
TPG and Telstra will appeal after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission declined to approve their proposed $1.8 billion network-sharing deal.