Economy stalls as private sector fails to pick up slack
More rate cuts might be needed to boost Australia's fragile economy with soft household consumption figures contributing to stalled growth.
national news
Wage rise not enough for lowest-paid workers: union
Australia's lowest-paid workers still won't have a liveable income despite an upcoming annualised 3.5 per cent boost in the minimum wage, trade unions say.
Diddy paid hotel security officer for video, jury told
Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly told a hotel security officer he would ruin his career if a video was made public, a jury has been told.
Murder, cover-up charges for alleged drug deal stabbing
Two men have been charged in relation to the alleged murder of a Malaysian national, with one accused of trying to cover up a crime.
Banks help Australian shares climb to three-month high
The Australian share market is at three-month highs after a positive session, shrugging off global trade tensions and ongoing geopolitical risks.
Australia risks missing AI boost if it gets rules wrong
Australia could miss productivity gains and health breakthroughs if it does not consider artificial intelligence rules carefully, a Google executive says.
Second man arrested in drug-linked stabbing death
A second man who police have been looking for after a stabbing death has been arrested following an alleged "drug deal gone horribly wrong".
Bombshell defection boosts Labor’s majority in Senate
Greens senator Dorinda Cox has defected to Labor, saying her values better aligned with the government despite having heavily criticised its policies.
Food system’s billions of ‘hidden costs’ a sick outlook
The hidden costs to health and the environment from Australia's food system could exceed $250 billion, the nation's science agency says.
RBA hints at more interest rate cuts if tariffs worsen
Uncertainty in global markets from Donald Trump's tariffs could lead to the Reserve Bank being more aggressive with interest rate cuts.
Strip clubs to education hubs hacked in password grab
Online criminals have compromised thousands of websites, including those of Australian businesses, in an attempt to steal users' passwords.
Mushroom cook accepts death caps were inside lunch
Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has accepted death cap mushrooms were inside beef Wellingtons she cooked for her estranged husband's family.
Unions hail pay boost for millions of low-paid workers
Workers on minimum award rates will be given one of the highest above-inflation pay increases in history to help redress falling living standards.
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
Telstra has begun rolling-out the nation's first satellite to mobile texting service, a move the telco hopes will keep rural Australians better connected.
‘Serious test’ for Greens as senator defects to Labor
The Greens will need to decide what they stand for, as the minor party is accused of having lost its way after a second Indigenous senator quits its ranks.
Tobacco tax queried as high prices drive black market
Experts are backing a premier's call to rethink a tobacco tax that has driven Australia's cigarette prices to world-leading levels and created a black market.
Construction company building purpose for youth
Providing youth with valuable work and skills while repairing homes that may otherwise have been neglected is a double virtue of one Indigenous venture.
Telco partnership opens AI-powered search to the masses
Artificial intelligence technology use could rise in Australia after a major telecommunications provider teamed with an AI-powered search engine.
‘Massive’ increase driving smokers to the black market
Progressive increases in cigarette taxes have dented smoking rates and boosted government coffers, but a surging black market is prompting calls for a rethink.
Lake flood spectacle a magnet for wildlife, tourists
Floodwaters filling the nation's biggest lake are creating a rare event that is expected to bring an explosion of life and vegetation to the usually dry area.
Supermarket giant acts on ‘appalling’ worker conditions
Migrant workers fear deportation if they speak up about their poor workplace, with Woolworths uncovering 'unliveable' housing conditions in its supply chain.
‘Strong campaign’: One Nation doubles in size in Senate
Pauline Hanson's One Nation has picked up a surprise fourth seat in the Senate, equalling the party's best result in parliament.
‘Sugar daddy’ plastic surgeon jailed for abusing girls
A plastic surgeon will spend at least four years behind bars for sexually abusing girls he met through sugar daddy websites and social media.
Tennis star Liberal MP denies taxpayer-funded car rort
Deputy state Liberal leader Sam Groth has come under internal fire over accusations of improperly using a colleague's taxpayer-funded chauffeured car.
Insurers accused of ‘playing people for mugs’
Private hospitals say health insurers are not putting enough money into patients as figures show the extent of out-of-pocket costs for Aussies.
Actor Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape charges
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault and indecent assault relating to four women more than two decades ago.
Fears for heritage site as gas plant expansion approved
The fallout from a decision to extend the life of a massive gas project continues with accusations of a political cover-up over a scientific report.
‘Grim possibility’: warning over China’s nuclear desire
Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned of the need for stronger rules around arms control as China pursues nuclear expansion.
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort plunged a state Liberal Party into further turmoil as it deals with the fallout of a high-profile court case.
Indigenous rights ‘under attack’ in youth crime reforms
The human rights of Aboriginal children have been breached as part of an "invisible war" against Indigenous people around the world, a senior advocate says.
Flood victims wait in hope for future-proof solutions
Flood victims are crying out for solutions to help prevent the further decimation of their communities by future extreme weather events.