Local shares close lower on back of US inflation rates
Better-than-expected US inflation figures has kept Australian shares basically flat, with growing concerns about the debt ceiling.
national news
Tears of relief as deadly aged care case heads to trial
A magistrate has ruled a case against a Melbourne aged care home, where a COVID-19 outbreak led to 34 residents' deaths, should go to trial.
High rate of Aboriginal babies taken from mothers
Many pregnant Aboriginal mums fear being reported to authorities before giving birth, with stark figures showing many babies were then removed within months.
Experts slam premier over ‘terrorism’ link to detainees
Problems at the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre are not new and WA Premier Mark McGowan's description of youths as "terrorists" is unhelpful, advocates say.
New nature watchdog short-changed in budget: Wilkie
A new watchdog for Australia's natural environment has been given just one-third of the cash it needs in the federal budget, an independent MP says.
Local shares edge lower after US inflation rates
Better-than-expected US inflation figures are keeping Australian shares basically flat, despite big gains in the information technology and utilities sectors.
Toyota faces revolt in its ranks over electric vehicles
Australia's biggest car brand is being urged to reveal its climate lobbying efforts amid claims the company is missing opportunities with electric cars.
Emotional plea to pass social, affordable housing fund
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was on the verge of tears as she implored her colleagues to vote for a housing fund to tackle affordability.
Allkem in $15.7bn lithium merger with US-based Livent
Brisbane-headquartered Allkem, the world's fifth-biggest lithium miner, has agreed to an all-stock merger with US-based Livent to create a global lithium giant.
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.
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.