Estia Health agrees to $959m takeover by Bain Capital
ASX300 aged-care operator Estia Health has agreed to be taken private by Bain Capital, the same Boston-based firm that owns Virgin Australia.
national news
Michelle Bright’s murderer jailed for at least 24 years
Craig Rumsby has been jailed at least 24 years for murdering NSW teenager Michelle Bright and a violent attack on another girl, two decades after the crimes.
Rising child deaths spark hospital reports reform
A spike in preventable deaths and harm in Victorian hospitals will lead to the creation of an escalation system to allow parents to report their concerns.
Labor MP plans to stay in parliament after allegation
Victorian MP Will Fowles has resigned from the parliamentary Labor party but plans to remain in parliament after an allegation of "serious assault".
Lehrmann inquiry reveals poor choices and behaviour
It was appropriate to prosecute a former Liberal staffer over Brittany Higgins' rape allegations but there were missteps in the case, a report has found.
PM shrugs off poll pointing to voice vote failure
Anthony Albanese says the coalition has walked away from the process of constitutional recognition, as polling shows voice support has dropped.
‘It is not true’: Labor MP denies assault allegation
Victorian MP Will Fowles has resigned from the parliamentary Labor party after the Premier's office referred him to police over an alleged "serious assault".
Huge fines on table as tax avoidance crackdown ramps up
Tax advisors and firms could face fines of more than $780 million if they help clients avoid paying tax as part of a Commonwealth push to stamp out misconduct.
Hospital shortages threaten local births for Vic women
Maternity services in Victoria's Geelong region are struggling to get enough staff, causing them to turn pregnant women away to other centres.
Australians urged to show courage, strength on voice
The voice referendum will be a choice between Australians retreating into ourselves or having the courage to advance, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Consumer confidence in the spotlight this week
A peak inside the minds of consumers, courtesy of two major surveys due this week, will reveal how households are faring as the economic challenges mount.
Pearson asked to take ‘yes’ message stick to Canberra
The leaders of 13 Arnhem Land clan groups have asked activist Noel Pearson to carry their message of support for an Indigenous voice to parliament, to Canberra.
Dystopian or optimistic? Artist’s unsettling endeavour
Visionary "speculative architect" Liam Young is having his first Australian solo show at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Australia gets wake-up call on materials manufacturing
Australia must ramp up its ability to make the materials and components needed for big renewable energy projects coming down the pipeline, industry heads say.
New ground-breaking technology will aid chicken farming
Scientists have created camera software to help farmers work out the weight and health of their chickens and the technology could be adapted for other animals.
Homeless services in demand for Australians on the edge
As the cost-of-living crisis pushes more and more Australians to the brink, homelessness has never been a more real threat to so many.
Mini to Porsche: more classic cars are turning electric
Australian automotive start-ups are working on ways to turn classic cars into electric vehicles, as demand for conversions spikes.
Voice negativity is ‘political ruin’- ex-Nationals MP
An ex-Nationals MP turned Independent says the federal coalition's strident opposition to an Indigenous voice to parliament is the road to political ruin.
Garma guests urged to set sights on referendum success
The voice referendum is front and centre as the Garma festival celebrates Indigenous culture on Gumatj country in northeast Arnhem Land.
PM urges people not to miss reconciliation opportunity
The prime minister is confident a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice will be successful despite a new poll showing people intend to vote against it.
Majority intend to vote against the voice, poll shows
Most voters across the country intend to vote no in the upcoming referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament in the Constitution, a poll shows.
Greyhound trainer suspended after mistreatment claims
Tasmania's Office of Racing Integrity has suspended prominent greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock pending a probe into allegations of animal mistreatment.
Firefighters’ compo laws expanded to include 20 cancers
Western Australia's government has announced presumptive laws will be expanded to allow firefighters to be compensated if they develop eight additional cancers.
Truckies hit the road to demand transport reforms
Transport workers have taken to major cities to demand the federal government implement better standards following a spate of workers' deaths.
WA Labor ‘still considering’ cultural heritage laws
A senior West Australian minister has refused to be drawn on whether the state government will dump its controversial Aboriginal cultural heritage laws.
Teachers say mounting workload affecting students
A national survey sheds light on the views of teachers, parents and students of the school system which will feed into an education overhaul.
Wine on the menu after China drops barley tariffs
The federal government hopes China will lift tariffs on Australian wine after China confirmed it will drop duties on barley.
Electric cars to power university in world-first trial
Ten cutting-edge electric vehicle chargers on an Australian university campus will help power its buildings when the sun goes down, as part of a new trial.
‘We are the glue’: rural women’s network marks 30 years
Women are the glue that holds rural communities together, something the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network is celebrating in its 30th year.
Contest for Pacific influence shows no sign of slowing
As Australia and the US look to increase their standing with Pacific nations, there are growing concerns Chinese security deals could destabilise the region.
Sole standing Liberal premier notes ‘responsibility’
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has used an address to the party faithful to speak about Liberal values and his government's energy bill relief plan.