Wong to embark on second Pacific visit
Penny Wong will travel to Samoa and Tonga in the new foreign minister's second visit to Pacific nations in as many weeks.
national news
Wong backs Samoa stance on China agreement
Samoa's prime minister has welcomed the Australian government's stronger stance on climate action, saying it will lead to more positive regional action.
Last SAS witness leaves allegation open
A senior SAS soldier has told the Federal Court he was not present when two Afghan men were shot and won't speculate if Ben Roberts-Smith murdered one.
Depp wins defamation case against Heard
Johnny Depp says he is at peace after winning more than $14 million in damages in his US defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard.
Minister fuels up for gas price action
Energy Minister Chris Bowen is consulting with his state and territory counterparts about what levers can be pulled to ease burgeoning gas prices.
Hospitalisations up as virus lockdowns end
The end of restrictions brought in to protect health systems from COVID-19 has led to an increase in hospitalisations, according to government data.
‘Nazi salutes, swastikas’ at Melb school
Five former Brighton Secondary College students are suing the school, alleging a culture of anti-Semitic discrimination including Nazi salutes and swastikas.
NSW disaster agency ‘tried their best’: MP
Resilience NSW has faced further criticism at an inquiry into the state's flood response, as community groups claim they have been left to lead the recovery.
NSW sexual consent laws come into effect
Reforms passed by the NSW parliament to clarify, modernise and simplify consent laws have now come into force.
Cabinet meets hours after swearing in
A record number of women and Australia's first Muslim ministers have been officially sworn in, with Labor's first cabinet meeting focusing on rising costs.
Economy grows, navigates virus and floods
The Australian economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the March quarter, propped up by household spending and resulting in an annual growth rate of 3.3 per cent.
Pacific ‘front and centre’ of priorities
China's position paper on areas of co-operation with Pacific island nations has raised concerns for Australia and its allies, as well as regional leaders.
Vast plant as old as pyramids found in WA
The world's largest plant has been found in Western Australia's Shark Bay, covering hundreds of square kilometres with scientists ageing it at 4500 years old.
House prices to fall as rate hikes bite
The CoreLogic home value index declined 0.1 per cent in May, its first drop since September 2020 and led by falls in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
ASX finishes May down 2.8pct on the month
The Australian share market finished May on a sour note, dropping 1.0 per cent with every sector losing ground and snapping a two-day winning streak.
Teen cyclone survivor confronts bank boss
A school boy cyclone survivor has challenged a bank boss to do more on climate change, interrupting an elite business summit to call out "ridiculous" lending.
Another bumper winter crop: Rabobank
Grain farmers are expected to plant a record winter crop, with increases in wheat and canola as markets look to Australia for supplies amid global shortages.
ASX edges lower, down 0.3 pct at noon
Most sectors of the Australian share market were modestly lower at midday, with tech stocks the worst laggards.
‘Enough’ vaccines for free Vic flu program
Victoria will roll out a month-long free flu vaccine program in GPs and pharmacies this winter, with authorities confident there is enough stock to go around.
Morrison won’t be on frontbench: Dutton
Peter Dutton is putting the final touches to his frontbench lineup but it will not include Scott Morrison who is expected to retire before 2025.
More COVID-19 deaths across Australia
The latest figures across the nation show more than 50 people have died with COVID-19 in the most recent 24-hour reporting period.
COVID-19 delays Chris Dawson murder trial
The crown prosecutor in the murder trial of former teacher Chris Dawson has tested positive to COVID-19, delaying proceedings for seven days.
Labor to claim Gilmore, win 77 seats
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government will take the NSW electorate of Gilmore, meaning it will govern with 77 of 151 House of Representatives seats.
Labor sets record for women in cabinet
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled the make up of his first frontbench, with a record 13 of the 30 members being women.
Joyce planned ‘transition’ from leadership
David Littleproud says taking the Nationals' top job was no reflection on his predecessor, as Barnaby Joyce revealed he had a leadership 'transition' plan.
Flu prompts urgent appeal for blood donors
A flourishing flu season has led to a plummet in blood supplies across the country, with Australians being urged to roll up their sleeves and make a donation.
China shelves Pacific regional agreement
China is shelving a Pacific regional agreement, despite saying the proposal had general support from island nations.
Floods left NSW towns ‘exposed’: inquiry
A failure to plan was behind "devastation" caused by severe flooding to towns across northern NSW, an inquiry has been told.
AGL cans split plan, leadership to quit
AGL's leadership team will quit after billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes succeeded in foiling the energy giant's planned demerger.
Lyn Dawson’s disappearance ‘not unusual’
Christopher Dawson's brother has said a wife vanishing from her home without contacting her husband and children afterward was not unusual.
Labor just one seat shy of a majority
Labor is eyeing three seats that remain a toss-up as the party needs to gain just one more electorate to secure a majority in Canberra.