Labor promises persistence on China trade reopening
Trade Minister Don Farrell has arrived in Beijing in a bid to end a long-running dispute blocking Australian businesses accessing lucrative Chinese markets.
national news
Fight against breast cancer scores $12m research boost
The National Breast Cancer Foundation has announced it will invest $12 million to 16 research projects around the country.
Lehrmann trial jury ‘inclined to convict’, inquiry told
The ACT's top prosecutor says a juror who would not convict Bruce Lehrmann for rape also derailed the trial by bringing documents into the deliberation room.
Dutton urges betting ad ban in family-focused reply
Peter Dutton has used his budget reply speech to call for a crackdown on sports betting ads, while saying the government is fuelling cost of living pressures.
WA budget billions to fund cost-of-living measures
The WA government has unveiled a $4.2b budget surplus on the back of solid economic growth, with cost-of-living relief and health key budget priorities.
Disability commission finds litany of care failings
Revelations of multiple failings by government agencies have come after two brothers living with disabilities were found malnourished and locked in a bedroom.
Green hydrogen proponents pumped on vote of confidence
Plans for renewable hydrogen produced with Australian-made electrolysers are closer to commercial reality after the federal budget chipped in $2 billion.
Innocent man shot dead in gang war, trial told
Eight men with bikie links killed an innocent man when they went to a body shop with the intention of killing an employee, a murder trial has been told.
Passengers launch class action over “cruise from hell”
Cruise passengers are suing for damages and a refund after their vessel got caught in cyclonic weather, claiming they had no option to cancel their holiday.
Why time is running out for hybrid vehicle tax discount
Hybrid car buyers have less than two years to secure a tax discount, according to the federal budget which revealed further investments in electric vehicles.
Environment groups blast ‘timid’ biodiversity funding
Australia's shocking loss of nature will not be fixed under a federal budget like the one delivered on Tuesday, conservation groups say.
Money will come, Vic premier says after Games snub
The federal budget contained no money for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews insists his state will get financial help.
Man extradited from Queensland over alleged $24m fraud
A businessman has appeared in a NSW court, accused of being involved in a $24 million fraud that targeted "mum and dad-type" investors as well as businesses.
Calls for petrol ban to speed up electric swap
One in four new vehicles sold in Australia could be electric by 2025 but a group of energy experts says a ban on petrol cars would speed up the move.
Coles to discard soft-plastic bags by the end of June
Coles says its decision to phase out soft-plastic shopping bags nationwide will remove 230 million of them from circulation within a year.
Jenny Craig’s Australian customers, staff await answers
Jenny Craig has gone into voluntary administration after earlier saying a decision to close US offices would not affect Australian and New Zealand services.
‘Political conspiracy’ to derail Lehrmann case: inquiry
The ACT's top prosecutor feared a political conspiracy added to police pressure not to proceed with the trial of the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins.
Chalmers defends budget criticism of not enough support
Jim Chalmers says his budget provided targeted cost of living relief to the most vulnerable, fending off attacks that not enough was done for middle Australia.
Treasurer seeks to soothe budget relief inflation worry
Jim Chalmers says his budget will not fan inflation or lead to more interest rate rises but some leading economic experts are not convinced.
Big bulk billing boost the centrepiece of health budget
Changes to bulk billing incentives will give more than 11 million Australians access to general practitioner services with no out-of-pocket costs.
Clean energy budget stakes $2b on renewable hydrogen
Australia's energy future will include green hydrogen as the federal budget bets $2 billion on the hero fuel and helps homes and businesses save on power bills.
Search under way for woman missing on Eyre Peninsula
Emergency service volunteers are helping police search an area of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula for a woman who has been missing since Sunday.
Contracts out to tender for 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Victorian government expects a $3 billion injection into the economy from the major sporting event but questions remain as to who's footing the $2.6b bill.
New trade office aims to open doors for SA in Germany
A new trade office for South Australia will be set up in Germany, the state's eighth largest trading partner.
Child protection body ‘missing opportunities’ on abuse
The Queensland Family and Child Commission wants to address abuse but often cannot help individual children until it is too late, an inquiry has heard.
Nixon accused of kneeing cop while in court for assault
Police are investigating after ex-AFL player agent Ricky Nixon allegedly kneed a cop in court while appearing over claims he threw a mail package at a man.
Renegade MP and Minns’ mate wins vote in new NSW parly
NSW Labor has improved its chances of passing government legislation, with Nationals MP Ben Franklin and an independent elected to oversee parliament's houses.
NT budget locks in roads and ports for mining future
The Northern Territory is on track to return to surplus by 2026-27 as mining royalties and a greater share of GST boosts the coffers, Treasurer Eva Lawler says.
NCA bomber, police killer Domenic Perre dies in custody
The man jailed for the bombing of the National Crime Authority office in Adelaide in 1994 that killed a police officer has died while serving a life sentence.
Family demands action after teen’s death in custody
The family of an Indigenous teenager who died in hospital after trying to take his own life in prison say mental health care in WA prisons is culturally unsafe.
NSW coalition front bench resolved at eleventh hour
Former premier Dominic Perrottet has declined an invitation to join the NSW opposition leader's front bench, which was settled hours before the new parliament.