COVID-19 hit mental health and hip pockets
Prolonged lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic led many Australians to seek mental health support for the first time.
national news
Wong, Blinken hold Indo-Pacific talks
A two-day official visit to Indonesia by Anthony Albanese has aroused the interest of the US, with Penny Wong speaking to her counterpart Antony Blinken.
Edict for gas storage amid energy crisis
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has instructed the Australian Energy Market Operator to procure and store gas to help avoid future energy crises.
Tamil family touches down in Queensland
A family of Tamil asylum seekers have arrived in Queensland on their way to new hometown Biloela, arriving from Perth after release from immigration detention.
Chalmers does not see risk of recession
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he is not worried about the Australian economy going into recession, but he acknowledges inflation poses a major challenge.
Chris Dawson hitman tale changes in court
The murder trial of Chris Dawson has heard a third version of events where the teacher allegedly sought a hitman to get rid of his wife in the early 1980s.
RBA hike due to ‘significant’ inflation
The Reserve Bank of Australia board has raised the cash rate to 0.85 per cent from 0.35 per cent in the face of higher-than-expected inflation.
Get your tax right after COVID-19: ATO
The Australian Taxation Office anticipates COVID-19 will continue to impact the income and deductions taxpayers will be reporting in their returns this year.
Road toll relief coming in NSW budget
The NSW government has announced cash relief for Sydney toll road users in the upcoming budget, but the opposition says it's a band-aid solution.
Renewables ambition solution to bill shock
Parts of Australia have avoided soaring power prices thanks to high levels of renewable energy as experts call for a faster national grid overhaul.
Rate spike ‘difficult news’ for households
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the 50 basis point increase in the cash rate by the Reserve Bank of Australia will be difficult news for households.
Albanese wraps up two-day Indonesia visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a visit to the Indonesian port city of Makassar, ending a two-day trip to the Asian nation for leader talks.
Older people warned of drowning risks
A Royal Life Saving study has highlighted drowning risks for older people in Australia, with one-fifth of deaths attributable to an unexpected fall into water.
COVID lockdowns arrest Australian crime
Harsh lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions helped curb certain crimes across Australia, as new data shows physical assaults steadily declined in some states.
Brewery says cheers to carbon-neutral beer
Australia's first carbon-neutral certified, alcohol-free beer adds a new element to ales that a brewer hopes customers will savour.
ASX falls 0.45 pct ahead of RBA meeting
The local bourse has mostly fallen ahead of a key decision on interest rates, but oil producers and coalminers gained with some hitting 52-week highs.
NSW wage boost ‘insult to injury’: unions
Nurses, teachers and other public servants will get a three per cent pay rise in the NSW budget, but workers are still planning further industrial action.
Tas premier backs conversion practices ban
Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he will table legislation in parliament to end conversion practices in the state.
In Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic, a star is born
Actor Austin Butler's career-defining performance is the best thing about Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic, a film marked by extravagant styling and glitzy effects.
ATO says COVID tests could be a deduction
Taxpayers who took COVID-19 tests for work will be able to claim the cost on their tax return.
Guy Sebastian recalled to court over texts
Guy Sebastian has been recalled to the NSW trial of his former manager after a witness revealed the pair texted while the pop star was giving evidence.
Airports defend operations during pandemic
Australia's airports say they are proud of how they held up during a brutal two years, after the ACCC accused them of making a "surprising" profit.
China engaged in ‘act of aggression’: PM
Australia has raised concerns with Beijing after a Chinese aircraft flew dangerously close to an RAAF surveillance plane in the South China Sea region.
Coalition open to Indigenous voice talks
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he wants to see the detail for a proposed First Nations voice to parliament before the coalition supports it.
Google ordered to pay $715k to Barilaro
A judge has ordered Google to pay $715,000 defamation damages to former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro and referred Jordan Shanks for possible prosecution.
PM commits to strengthen Indonesian ties
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said working closely with Indonesia was essential amid growing uncertainty in the region.
Women, low-income areas ‘most generous’
Women and low-income earners are among Australia's most generous when it comes to donating to a good cause, new research by the Australian Red Cross shows.
Treasurer contacts ACCC over gas prices
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is reviewing a number of options to counter rising energy prices as inflationary pressures strain household budgets.
Industry warning over possible wage rise
The federal government has called for pay packets to not go backward as inflation rises, but industry groups have warned against a large minimum wage increase.
Carbon-sucking mud lures climate investors
Blue carbon projects could provide a win for Traditional Owners, biodiversity and corporates who need to satisfy climate-savvy customers and offset emissions.
Vic winding down COVID-19 response team
Victoria is winding down its COVID-specific bureaucracy, shifting to more localised pandemic management amid another tough winter for the health system.