Tough new laws to crack down on illegal tobacco ‘thugs’
Businesses caught selling illegal tobacco could have their shops shut down for up to 90 days under planned state laws.
national news
Coles points finger at suppliers for price changes
Australia's consumer watchdog has accused Coles of artificially increasing prices to create discounts, while the supermarket giant blames supplier cost hikes.
Aussies splash cash on tech but prices tipped to rise
Consumers are spending big on smartphones and games consoles despite a tight economy, JB Hi-Fi says, but the cost of some gadgets could rise.
Bondi shooter speaks as ‘onerous conditions’ outlined
The surviving gunman from the Bondi Beach terror attack has faced court for the first time on 15 murder charges, uttering his first public words.
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
The International Monetary Fund report is calling for a hike in the GST and other tax changes, while praising the handling of Australia's economy.
Steelmaker pledges dividend bonanza, but shares drop
Weeks after rejecting a takeover bid, BlueScope Steel is promising to return more of its profit to shareholders after delivering a rise in first half earnings.
‘Shut the door’: Liberal leader mulls migration change
Newly minted Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is mulling over the make-up of his front bench ahead of the likely release of the Liberals' migration policy.
Premier blames ‘ungodly’ driving for pursuit deaths
A recommendation to lift the threshold of severity before police start a chase has been quashed by a state premier after two women died following a pursuit.
RBA offers more rates call insight before jobs data
Critical unemployment figures will give Australia's central bank a clearer picture on whether it will deliver a second interest rate hike in as many months.
Charges over spate of beach sex attacks in late 1990s
An elderly man has been charged with a string of sexual assaults on young girls and women almost 30 years ago.
Liberal leaders hit with gender blow as tax fight looms
Angus Taylor is promising the new-look Liberal leadership will focus on cutting taxes and weeding out those who "reject our way of life".
Work never ends for used car giant after $120m sale
A used car startup has netted its founder a nine-figure payday after selling his business to Toyota but it won't put the handbrake on his drive.
Star Americana duo return with music for hard times
After sell-out performances at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Hamer Hall last year, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are taking their show on the road.
Cafes urged to close on Anzac Day long weekend holiday
There will be a statewide public holiday to compensate for Anzac Day falling on a weekend over the next two years, but not everyone is punching the air.
Fears for tears as lion dancers gird for Lunar New Year
Kicks, leaps and the ability to tear up a lettuce with your bare hands: a Chinese lion dancer reveals what it takes to ring in the Lunar New Year.
Digging it: the dopamine hit hiding beneath our feet
Soil influences what we eat, what we wear and maybe even what we feel, with one Australian scientist on a mission to help us all dig a little deeper.
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
Australia's biggest electric vehicle incentive is under review and both traditional car makers and the EV industry warns change could lead to a crash.
Leaders’ love-in amid differences over police actions
The prime minister has praised NSW Premier Chris Minns as his friend, hours after their differing views over police conduct at a city protest were aired.
Midnight Oil co-founder tours after ‘brutal bisection’
Jim Moginie is on tour with a new band, determined to "let Dr Music have his way" after the death of his close friend and former bandmate Rob Hirst in January.
Liberals pin hopes on housing to turn fortunes around
Angus Taylor has put housing front and centre of his priorities as the newest leader of the federal Liberal Party.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
Battle over Virginia Giuffre’s estate inches forward
A court is yet to decide whether more family members of deceased Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre can join a legal battle over her estate.
‘Predatory’ children’s author used fame to groom kids
A bestselling children's author who preyed on girls as young as 11 after visiting their schools to talk about his books has been jailed.
Bail bid for Labor figure’s alleged killer fails
Details about what happened in a nightclub before a young man allegedly fatally "coward punched" Tim Picton have been revealed to a court during a bail hearing.
Ley ‘won’t dwell on the disappointment’ after ousting
Sussan Ley has been deposed as the Liberal Party's first female leader, declaring she will completely step away from public life after 25 years in politics.
Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
There remains a long way to go for Indigenous reconciliation as racism continues to fester, almost two decades on from the apology to the Stolen Generations.
Cochlear crashes in latest earnings season carnage
Hearing device manufacturer Cochlear has suffered a 19 per cent sell-off after posting weaker-than-expected half-year earnings and trimming its guidance.
Weekend flooding fear as heavy rain sweeps two states
Hundreds of millimetres of rain have been dumped on two states bracing for a wet weekend and the risk of flash flooding.
Liberals’ first female leader knifed as spill succeeds
Angus Taylor has taken over the Liberal Party leadership, toppling Sussan Ley to become the opposition leader. Mr Taylor succeeded in knifing the party's first female leader nine months into the job, winning 34 votes to 17.
Women ‘already disillusioned’ by Liberals before spill
Sussan Ley has been toppled by conservative rival Angus Taylor after she spent nine months as the party's first leader.
Grattan on Friday: How did the Liberals’ first female leader find herself on the mat in under a year?
Sussan Ley always seemed set to be only an interim Liberal leader but could Angus Taylor suffer the same fate?