Hillsong abuse response ‘mischaracterised as cover-up’
Hillsong founder Brian Houston's actions after learning his father was a pedophile have been speculatively mischaracterised as a cover-up, his barrister says.
national news
Fight to repatriate Aust women, kids from Syrian camp
A fight has begun for the repatriation of eight Australian women and their 18 children from a Syrian refugee camp where they've been held for up to four years.
Football legend Barry Cable abused girl, judge finds
A judge has awarded $818,700 to a woman who was repeatedly sexually abused as a child by legendary footballer Barry Cable in the 1960s and 70s.
Casino tax claims and cover-up land Crown $20m fine
Crown Melbourne has been fined $20 million for wrongly claiming tax deductions and trying to conceal their nature in another blow for the casino giant.
Councils to plug into $100m energy efficiency fund
A $100 million fund will be set aside for the nation's local councils in a bid to make key community facilities more energy efficient.
Profit upgrade electrifies AGL Energy, power bills soar
AGL Energy says it will spend more than $10 billion over the next decade to exit coal but high wholesale power prices mean profits will more than double.
Aussie gambling rates rebound to pre-pandemic levels
Gambling levels in Australia that dropped during the height of COVID-19 restrictions have returned to pre-pandemic levels, a study has revealed.
Dutton urges Van to quit parliament over allegations
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has confirmed further allegations have been brought against Liberal senator David Van, calling on him to quit parliament.
Overfishing takes big bite out of reef sharks globally
Overfishing is driving the world's reef sharks towards extinction but Australia is doing relatively well at managing populations, a new study shows.
Indigenous senators speak out as referendum takes shape
Parliament has all but passed laws setting up the Indigenous voice referendum, as senators debate the final form the public vote will take.
Australians leaving NSW in droves for WA and Queensland
More Australians are leaving NSW to live interstate than any other state or territory with 121,071 mostly young people leaving last year alone.
AGL Energy accused of manipulating electricity prices
A class action alleges AGL Energy intentionally increased the price of wholesale electricity by "gaming" the market, hitting consumers with higher power bills.
Retail Food Group says rate hikes slowing sales growth
Retail Food Group says sales growth has moderated to just 2.2 per cent over the past 21 weeks.
Father’s Port Arthur grief shaped Australian history
Letters between a grieving father and the prime minister that proved pivotal in Australia's modern history will go on display at the national museum.
Six charged after meth worth $1.7 billion seized
Methamphetamine worth $1.7 billion has been seized as part of a probe into a global smuggling syndicate bringing the drug from Canada to Australia.
Houston’s Hillsong cover-up theory ‘flimsy’: barrister
Prosecutors say Brian Houston took advantage of a culture of silence in the church that revered his father to ensure child abuse was not reported to police.
Steep rate rises cleared for NSW councils
Some NSW councils will be able to increase rates this year by more than a third as many local governments struggle with financial pressures.
Truck drivers protest at Aldi over safety standards
Transport workers are protesting at Aldi stores as the union says the German supermarket giant is putting drivers under pressure.
Watchdog cracks down on dodgy sleep products for kids
Rockers and bassinets, toys with button batteries and toppling furniture are in the ACCC's sights as it cracks down on unsafe products for young children.
Former senator accuses Van of inappropriate touching
Former senator Amanda Stoker has accused Senator David Van of inappropriately touching her during a parliamentary gathering.
Devastated Beale faces trial on sexual assault charges
Rugby union star Kurtley Beale will now face trial as he fights allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in a Sydney licensed premises.
New builders found as Porter Davis collapse laid bare
Liquidators for collapsed company Porter Davis say the builder may have been trading while insolvent, as new builders are found to quote for unfinished homes.
Security fears leave Russian embassy plans in ruins
Russia will not be allowed to build an embassy near Canberra's Parliament House over security concerns, with parliament quickly approving the ban.
New tech to help electric vehicles soak up the sunshine
Next-generation technology could help electric car owners work out the best times to refuel their vehicles using energy from wind, sun and water sources.
Strong labour market puts more heat on interest rates
The jobless rate has fallen back and employment has jumped by much more than expected, bolstering the case for more interest rate hikes.
Housing and health at the heart of SA budget
The SA government is pouring nearly half a billion dollars into new affordable homes, public housing and to assist first home buyers.
Voice would be nothing but window dressing: Thorpe
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has hit out against the voice referendum, saying the body would be a powerless advisory group.
Flood-devastated homes miss out on buyback: advocates
A Lismore community group has criticised the time government has taken to release the maps that effectively ruled homes in or out of help for flood assistance.
Review looks to simplify Sydney toll road patchwork
Mean-testing, toll zones and night-time discounts are being considered in a revamp of Sydney's patchwork of toll roads that slug drivers $2 billion a year.
Consumer confidence plunges to another three-year low
The latest interest rate rise has knocked consumers around and caused sentiment to sink closer to levels last seen at the start of the pandemic.
Former Coles executive admits $1.9 million fraud
Former Coles executive Aaron Baslangic stole more than $1.9 million in what a judge said was such a stupid scheme even a high school student could detect it.