Unknown risk in plastic rubbish lining Australian coast
Three-quarters of the waste littering Australia's coastline is now plastic with authorities yet to fully assess the risk posed by the pollution.
national news
Australians bracing for health insurance price hikes
More than a million Australians are set to face increased health insurance premiums, with HBF among the providers upping prices.
PM comfortable with 2032 Olympic checks and balances
With the legacy value of Olympic infrastructure to be examined by a Senate committee, the Prime Minister is comfortable with planning for the Brisbane Games.
Renowned human rights judge to lead Federal Court
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced Justice Debra Mortimer will be the first woman to become chief justice of the Federal Court of Australia.
Housing hammered as big building companies down tools
Building works will stop immediately on more than 1700 properties in Victoria and Queensland as a result of the collapse of Porter Davis.
Premier slams ‘vile, shameful’ homophobic Latham tweet
NSW Premier Chris Minns has strongly condemned a tweet from One Nation leader Mark Latham, saying it has unmasked him as a bigot.
Liberals expected to retain Aston seat at by-election
Labor and coalition camps expect the Liberal Party to retain the Melbourne seat of Aston after Alan Tudge's retirement triggered a by-election.
Expert warns of growing tax burden ahead of budget
Former Treasury boss Ken Henry warns inadequate tax settings are worsening intergenerational inequality as the treasurer prepares for his second budget.
Labor tells umpire to get low-paid ‘back on the bus’
The Albanese government is calling for a wage lift that stops low-paid workers going backwards as business groups worry about higher wage bills.
Fewer kids in detention but more support needed
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare youth justice report shows the number of kids in contact with the criminal justice system is falling.
Bosses can’t force staff to work on public holidays
Workers cannot be forced to work on public holidays even if they're rostered on, a court has found, potentially paving the way for more rights for employees.
Government appoints union figures to industrial umpire
Union-linked appointments have been made to the Fair Work Commission in a bid to restore balance, the Albanese government says.
Refinery to make greener aviation fuel from farm waste
A refinery turning agricultural by-products such as sugarcane into eco-friendly aviation fuel could open in Queensland next year with a new funding deal struck.
Fresh waves of COVID on the way, top doctor warns
As the government ramps up booster rate efforts, the chief medical officer has warned new COVID waves are coming ahead of winter.
Lenders cut fixed rates as Reserve Bank decision looms
Lenders are cutting their fixed rates but borrowers are being urged to take caution as the Reserve Bank gets closer to the end of its rate hiking cycle.
‘Monster’ jailed for killing, wounding girls in hotel
A sentencing judge did not accept Kristian Kovaleff showed any remorse after stabbing two girls, killing one, then pretending to be mentally ill.
Hundreds more electric vehicles to join rental fleets
Your next hire car could be an electric model after one of Australia's leading rental firms revealed plans to add 500 BYD cars to its fleet this year.
Peak union wants wage boost for lowest-paid workers
More than two million workers on minimum and award wages should get a seven per cent pay rise to keep up with the rising cost of living, the ACTU argues.
Call to unplug electricity networks’ super profits
With households facing soaring bills, state and federal governments have been urged to crack down on power networks accused of making "supernormal profits".
History made as voice referendum proposal presented
Australians will vote on enshrining an Indigenous voice by the end of the year as federal parliament sets the formal wheels in motion for a referendum.
Deep ocean in deep trouble as Antarctic ice melts
A life-sustaining circulatory system for the deep ocean will quickly slow and may collapse entirely without emissions cuts this decade, Australian experts say.
Pollution crackdown hits biggest emitters as laws pass
Changes to the safeguard mechanism putting a hard cap on pollution from big emitters have passed the parliament.
Global shares rise as bank support emboldens investors
Safe havens have taken a battering as investors relax about the stability of the financial sector, with banks helping to lift global share markets.
Measles alert on Sunshine Coast
Health authorities in NSW and Queensland have issued measles alerts after the emergence of three cases of the highly contagious infection.
Hotel and apartment giant Meriton hit by cyber attack
A cyber attack on property giant Meriton has potentially exposed the personal details of up to 2000 people, including guests and staff.
Warning of ‘hindsight bias’ as Teo hearing wraps up
As a disciplinary hearing wraps up for star neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, his lawyers have warned against applying "hindsight bias" to two catastrophic surgeries.
Gold Coast pair charged after cocaine discovered in stone benchtop
A man and a woman are accused of being part of criminal syndicate that attempted to import $12 million of drugs hidden inside machinery and a stone benchtop.
Australia’s love for utes and SUVs driving emissions
Australia is one of the world's biggest petrol consumers but could save $13 billion in petrol costs each year by adopting moderate changes, a new report says.
Former Hillsong leader Houston’s drink-driving charge
The controversial former leader of global Pentecostal mega-church Hillsong has admitted he was charged with driving under the influence in the US.
Coalition senators fight Labor climate bill to the end
Debate on the safeguard mechanism is heating up with the government forcing a vote on the climate legislation, angering the opposition.
Loss of key evidence in gay man’s murder ‘unacceptable’
Police should not have lost evidence that could have helped identify the killer of a gay Sydney man in 1981, an inquiry into LGBTQI hate crimes has heard.