TikTok banned on all federal government devices
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says TikTok will be banned on all Commonwealth government devices following advice from national security agencies.
national news
Mortgage holder confidence cools ahead of RBA decision
Confidence among those paying off a home loan has taken another hit in the lead-up to another cash rate call that could add more to their monthly repayments.
Malka Leifer awaits sentence on sex abuse charges
Ex-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer is waiting to hear how long she will spend in prison after a jury found her guilty of sexually abusing two sisters.
Closer to national gun register after ministers meet
The federal attorney-general and state and territory police ministers have agreed on the next steps to rolling out a national gun register.
Liberal soul-searching begins after by-election loss
A historic defeat to Labor at the Aston by-election has left moderate Liberals questioning how they can make their party more appealing in modern Australia.
Tributes flow for statesman, artist, treasure Yunupingu
Indigenous leader Yunupingu is being remembered as a great Australian, a statesman, a remarkable artist and a national treasure.
Utes and large SUVs are speeding past emission targets
A report into pollution from Australia's vehicle fleet has found heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, are missing emission targets.
Leifer sexual abuse verdicts bittersweet for sisters
A jury has found former ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer guilty of 18 sexual abuse charges against two former students at the Adass Israel School.
‘Why risk racial harmony?’: Key Lib queries voice vote
Opposition Indigenous Australians spokesman Julian Leeser has suggested the government should reconsider the timing of a referendum on a voice to parliament.
Frog, turtle meat seized in 38 tonne biosecurity haul
Boxes of turtle and frog meat are among 38 tonnes of high-risk goods seized by federal authorities at a western Sydney warehouse.
Population, rate rises magnify housing supply crunch
Housing demand is expected to keep outstripping supply as migration levels pick up and high interest rates weigh on new construction.
NSW winery accused of stealing water during drought
NSW authorities have charged a border-region winery after it allegedly stole 161 Olympic pools worth of irrigation water via an illegal pipeline.
Australia to get an electric vehicle drive-in theatre
Australia's first electric vehicle-only drive-in movie theatre is set to launch in Sydney, weeks after the country set a record for battery-powered car sales.
Albanese makes budget promise ahead of rates decision
Australian borrowers are bracing for another possible interest rate hike, as the government seeks to ensure the upcoming budget does not push up inflation.
Star Sydney boss quits less than a year into role
The boss of Sydney's Star casino, Scott Wharton, will depart at the end of April for a lucrative new position as CEO of Smartgroup Corporation.
Disturbing scale of child abuse delivers ‘wake-up call’
One in three Australian children suffer physical abuse while one in four suffer sexual abuse, according to a new nationwide study.
Judge asks indecisive Jarryd Hayne jury to persevere
With jurors in Jarryd Hayne's sexual assault trial unable to reach a unanimous verdict after 17 hours, a judge has urged perseverance in the deliberations.
New houses drive uptick in dwelling approvals
Sign-off on private sector dwellings has lifted modestly and home prices appear to have found a floor - at least for the moment.
Safety probe after truck driver dies in train crash
V/Line services were replaced by coaches for several hours after a truck driver died in a crash involving a train in Geelong.
Liberal Party facing ‘electoral catastrophe’: Turnbull
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the Liberal Party must change course from its increasingly right-wing agenda driving voters away.
Giant of the nation, Indigenous leader Yunupingu dies
Indigenous leader Yunupingu has died, having met with every prime minister since Gough Whitlam, in his work as a land rights pioneer.
Police heads look down sights for national gun register
The federal attorney-general and state and territory police ministers will meet to discuss how to create and roll out a national gun register.
Migration, high rents put brakes on sliding home prices
Home prices nationally have ticked up in March after tracking lower for 10 straight months, with high rents and migration both helping to arrest the slide.
Liberals look for answers after Labor by-election win
Peter Dutton's Liberal leadership doesn't appear under threat after a historic by-election loss, with one backbencher saying he needs to be better promoted.
Hope builds for possible end to interest rate hikes
The Reserve Bank will be hogging the limelight this week with a nail-biter cash rate call and a public appearance from the governor Philip Lowe.
Labor’s stymied $10b housing fund could be revived soon
Federal Labor minister Ed Husic says a housing fund hasn't been abandoned after the government failed to secure the votes needed to get it passed in the Senate.
Scientist in awe of Antarctica’s beautiful frailty
Queensland Scientist Olaf Meynecke says a recent trip to study chubby whales in Antarctica has left him with a odd mix of trepidation and determination.
Electric car road trips could face delays this Easter
The number of electric vehicles in Australia is soaring but their popularity could see a repeat of Christmas charging queues this Easter, experts warn.
Palm Sunday rallies demand permanent visas for refugees
Human rights activists are marching in Palm Sunday rallies to demand the federal government grant permanent visas for refugees stuck in limbo.
Liberals warned against a further shift to the right
The federal Liberal Party is being warned not to move further to the right after unexpectedly losing the by-election for the seat of Aston in Melbourne's east.
Labor win Aston by-election in historic upset
The Liberals' Peter Dutton has vowed the party will rebuild after a big swing to Labor in the Aston by-election handed the Albanese government a historic win.