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.
national news
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.
Huge stakes in court battle for Hancock mining spoils
Billions of dollars in iron ore riches is being fought over in a Perth courtroom where the descendants of pioneering miners will air their competing claims.
Warning of lingering harm amid rural pediatric squeeze
The children's health charity Royal Far West is warning of worsening complex developmental conditions as families wait years to see specialists.
Abbott warns voice ‘no’ campaigners against complacency
Tony Abbott says waning poll support for an Indigenous voice is encouraging but claims "woke" donors to the 'yes' campaign will try to buy the final result.
Trial over billions of dollars in Hancock mining spoils
Billionaire Gina Rinehart is set to battle it out in court with two of her children and her father's ex-business partners over a massive iron ore project.
Young Indigenous Australians kick off ‘yes’ campaign
The Uluru Youth Dialogue has selected more than 30 young Indigenous Australians from around the nation to lead conversations in support for the voice.
Tasmanian premier reveals health, stadia ministers
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has revealed who'll take on the health and stadia and events portfolios as he dons different ministerial hats in a reshuffle.
Vic premier Andrews flags historic housing shake-up
All options are on the table for an upcoming Victorian housing policy that premier Daniel Andrews says will be the biggest in the state's history.
Soil ban in force to stop fire ant spread into NSW
Fire ant spread will be worse than rabbits, cane toads, foxes and feral cats combined, the Invasive Species Council says as biosecurity controls are triggered.
Inflation results key to Reserve Bank rates decision
The latest inflation data will be crucial to where the Reserve Bank takes interest rates at its board meeting in August.
Hit Japanese anime has Australians digging volleyball
Volleyball participation has spiked across the country, thanks to a Japanese show about a vertically-challenged teenager.
Sustainable farming method undergoes a growth spurt
A sustainable farming method first used for banana crops will now be expanded to apples, as farmers look to reduce use of agricultural chemicals.
Asylum seeker helping athletes reach for sporting stars
An athlete who came to Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games before seeking asylum is helping a new generation of stars prepare for the Brisbane Olympics.
Australia’s consent laws to be put under the microscope
Sexual assault experts, survivor advocates and support services will appear before a senate committee examining reforms to improve consent laws and education.