Infrastructure props up Nats campaign hope
The Nationals are throwing resources into flipping the seats of the Hunter and Lingiari from Labor but will need to defend territory in Queensland and NSW.
national news
Retailers to enjoy Easter sales boost
New research predicts retailers will enjoy a $7.1 billion sales boost this Easter holiday weekend, with Saturday one of the top 10 trading days of the year.
Leaders contradicted in campaign ‘pause’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony have both been contradicted by members of their own sides during the Good Friday "pause" in campaigning.
Remote song-writing duo ready to tour
Music duo Mick Turner and Helen Franzmann - billed as Mess Esque - have forged on through COVID challenges to realise a series of shows, including overseas.
Travel, miners help ASX post solid gains
Australian shares gained 0.6 per cent before the Easter long weekend despite financial stocks coming under pressure.
Mum who dragged daughter could avoid jail
A Sydney mother who drunkenly drove into her daughter before dragging her along the ground could be spared jail time when she is sentenced in May.
Latest snapshot of coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1600 AEST on Thursday, April 14.
PM’s security detail in Tassie car crash
A security car in the prime minister's detail has rolled and crashed on a Tasmanian road, with officers taken to hospital for treatment.
Tudge staffer wants payout details freed
The former staffer of federal MP Alan Tudge wants to release the government from confidentiality over the settlement she received.
DVA failing veterans, secretary admits
The head of Veterans' Affairs has been frank about the department's failings, telling an inquiry it's not delivering for past and present defence members.
Broad gains push ASX higher at noon
Australian shares have traded 0.6 per cent higher midway through the session, despite weaker sentiment in financial stocks.
Invasive mango pest detected in Top End
An industry-threatening pest known as the mango shoot looper has been detected for the first time in the Northern Territory.
Bank of Queensland lifts first-half profit
Bank of Queensland increased its profit in the first half of fiscal 2022, as it continues to bed down its acquisition of ME Bank.
Star junket risk discussed, not documented
A senior risk manager has told an inquiry risk assessments were completed into a controversial junket operator, but can't say where or if they were documented.
WA past Omicron peak, national cases rise
COVID-19 restrictions are easing in Western Australia as other states and territories grapple with rising case numbers.
Queensland leads nation in carbon farming
An industry scorecard finds Australia is leading the world on carbon farming, but uncertainty hangs over the sector with Labor pledging a review if elected.
Australian airports swamped over Easter
Airports around the country are dealing with their busiest day in two years as tens of thousands of travellers take to the skies for the Easter long weekend.
PM defends delay on integrity commission
Scott Morrison has denied he broke a campaign promise by not setting up a national integrity commission during the government's recent term in office.
PM announces Tas timber industry support
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a support package for the forest products industry including a national innovation institute based in Tasmania.
Low jobless rate not by luck: Frydenberg
The unemployment rate was unchanged at four per cent in March, as 17,900 joined the workforce, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.
Tasmania in no rush to allow cruise ships
The Tasmanian government has indicated it is in no hurry to welcome back international cruise ships, despite the imminent end of a federal ban on the vessels.
Endangered native Gouldian Finches rebound
Birdwatchers have spotted rare Gouldian Finches in Darwin, prompting hopes the endangered species, which once numbered in the millions, may be recovering.
Cop chase that killed toddler ‘appalling’
A coroner has slammed police decisions during a pursuit that led to a toddler being crushed to death in her own Sydney backyard as appalling.
Jail term for violent, arrogant Tas rapist
A man jailed for 10 years after abducting and raping a woman in 2015 has been sentenced for an "arrogant and violent" rape he committed 22 years earlier.
Bleaching minor at Ningaloo reef
Scientists believe Ningaloo reef will escape a mass coral bleaching event like the one still unfolding on the Great Barrier Reef, a month after summer ended.
Federal minister positive for COVID-19
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews is in isolation after contracting COVID-19, a day after her Labor counterpart Kristina Keneally also tested positive.
NSW keen to drop close contact isolations
NSW hopes other states and territories will get onboard with changes to close contact isolation rules, but convincing Victoria alone could be enough.
Airport travellers facing Easter chaos
The nation's airports are bracing for the busiest day in two years as people plan to get away for the Easter long weekend with travellers facing major delays.
Leifer wants jury to decide abuse charges
Former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer has elected to have 90 charges of child sexual abuse heard by a jury in a trial now expected to begin in August.
‘No doubt’ of Russian war crimes: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says claims of Russian war crimes in Ukraine are beyond doubt, as investigations continue into possible chemical weapon use.
Christensen joins One Nation Senate push
Former LNP MP George Christensen says Pauline Hanson's One Nation approached him last year about running for the party at the 2022 federal election.