Dutton ‘scratching around’ for ideas with welfare plan
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Labor is already looking at ways to get people into jobs as the opposition calls for people on welfare to be able to do more work.
national news
Fire returns to the Kimberley on heels of epic flood
Fire has struck Western Australia's Kimberley region a few short months after record floods, but careful management should give nature a leg up.
Dogs ‘dragged, unable to stand’ in NSW country pound
A NSW council denies allegations of animal cruelty at one of its pounds after volunteers lodged a complaint with animal welfare investigators.
Queensland speaker to take mental health break
Queensland speaker of the house Curtis Pitt will take a break from his role to address mental health issues.
Thousands rally to denounce $715m Hobart AFL stadium
The under-fire Tasmanian premier has been told to stick plans for a AFL stadium up his rear end as thousands voiced opposition to the controversial project.
Two arrested at neo-Nazi protest over migration
Police have arrested two men after an anti-immigration rally escalated into violence in Melbourne.
Hundreds of nurses join NSW public health system
More than 500 nursing and midwifery graduates are joining the NSW health system as the government works towards its goal of hiring more than 1000 new nurses.
Federal opposition calls for boost in welfare threshold
The opposition have called for the limit to how on how much welfare recipients can work before their payments are reduced by the government.
Australian, China trade ministers hold ‘candid’ talks
Trade Minister Don Farrell has been hosted by his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Beijing as the two seek to pave a path towards ending punitive tariffs.
Lehrmann inquiry exposes tensions and ‘strange events’
The ACT's top prosecutor has accused police investigators of having a skills deficit while defending his own conduct in Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial.
Country set to ‘change course’: minister spruiks budget
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the country is set for a "change of course" as he defends the Albanese government's cost of living package.
Watches froze in time when torpedo hit hospital ship
Items from an Australian hospital ship sunk by a Japanese submarine in World War II are the subject of a new exhibition at Canberra's war memorial.
New-look hybrid X-Trail fuels the electric car market
Nissan has joined the list of hybrid-powered with its classy new X-Trail, but the unique drive system is not best practice in this competitive market.
Peter Hollingworth to no longer officiate as a priest
Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth says he will no longer officiate as an Anglican priest despite a church board deeming him fit for ministry.
High Court appeal in Brisbane socialite murder case
The High Court has heard arguments calling for a twice-convicted murderer to have his life sentence for the death of a Brisbane socialite overturned.
Inquiry backs unamended laws on Indigenous voice
A parliamentary committee has recommended laws to set up a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution be passed without amendment.
Libs in minority government as MPs quit over stadium
The Tasmanian Liberal government has been thrown into minority as two MPs quit the party over plans to build an AFL stadium in Hobart.
Nats accuse Labor of choosing foreigners over farmers
David Littleproud says the government does not understand regional Australia as he calls for a levy on importers to pay for biosecurity measures.
Description of frog poison death ‘galling’ for family
The brother of a man who died at a wellness retreat after ingesting frog poison says a description of his brother's death as "beautiful" was terrible to hear.
Leading bank says budget won’t add to inflation
The federal government's latest budget is not expected to drive up inflation with the biggest bank saying the direction for rates is likely to be downward.
Grocery prices are set to rise again, truck groups warn
Farmers and trucking companies will face rising fees after this week's federal budget and may be forced to pass them on to consumers, groups warn.
AustralianSuper to repay $70m to double-billed members
AustralianSuper is apologising after it failed to detect about 100,000 members with multiple accounts who were inadvertently double billed for fees.
Government chose foreigners over farmers: Nationals
David Littleproud has accused the government of not understanding regional Australia as he calls for a levy on importers to pay for biosecurity measures.
Liberals on brink of minority government in Tasmania
The Tasmanian Liberal government will be thrown into a minority as two MPs plan to quit the party over issues including plans to build an AFL stadium.
Hayne’s plummet the ‘consequence of his own offending’
Disgraced former NRL star Jarryd Hayne will spend at least the next two years in jail after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman.
Liberal leader lawyers up for stoush with expelled MP
The leader of the Victorian Liberals John Pesutto is preparing for a legal fight with Moira Deeming after the party room voted to expel the controversial MP.
Lehrmann prosecutor grilled on advice to Lisa Wilkinson
The ACT's top prosecutor believes he warned Lisa Wilkinson against giving a Logies speech about Brittany Higgins, but conceded he should have been clearer.
‘Litany of failings’ in Indigenous death in custody
The South Australian deputy coroner has ruled that multiple factors were involved in the death of Indigenous man Wayne Fella Morrison in custody in 2016.
Dutton urges migration rethink to ease cost pressures
In the wake of his budget reply speech, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is stepping up criticism of Labor over the pressures of higher migration levels.
Secret report on terrorist assessment reveals problems
Methods of assessing a terrorist's risk to the community if released from prison have been found lacking in a secret report for the home affairs department.
Youngest brother accused of pulling trigger in gang war
A 19-year-old Hells Angels associate was the gunman who shot an innocent spraypainter at point-blank range in a gang war, a murder trial has been told.