Consumers tighten belts amid interest rate rise squeeze
The latest retail figures show Australians are tightening their spending, falling 0.2 per cent in the December quarter.
national news
Australia urges calm over Chinese ‘weather’ balloon
Foreign Minister Penny Wong insists a diplomatic clash between the US and China over a suspected spy balloon won't derail upcoming talks involving Australia.
NSW premier unveils five-year cashless pokies reform
All poker machines in NSW will be cashless within five years under a proposal by Premier Dominic Perrottet, who says the change will protect vulnerable people.
Ex-minister misled public: Barilaro trade job report
Former NSW trade minister Stuart Ayres was not at arm's length in the appointment of John Barilaro to a plum US trade job, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
Voice referendum question to be finalised by June
Government frontbencher Tony Burke says laws finalising the referendum question on the voice to parliament will be set by the second quarter of the year.
PM reveals why he is optimistic for referendum success
Anthony Albanese says Australians will have the opportunity to show the best of their characters in a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament.
RBA decision tipped to deliver more mortgage pain
Another interest rate hike is expected when the Reserve Bank board meets on Tuesday for the first time in two months.
Electric car tax cuts are fuelling demand and delays
Demand for electric vehicles is speeding up in Australia, fuelled by tax cuts, but one policy is putting the brakes on progress.
Spongiest city no match for deadly ‘atmospheric river’
Extensive flood devastation in Australia and New Zealand is calling into question the design of cities that should keep millions of residents out of harm's way.
Struggle to survive in Torres Strait Island ‘paradise’
Traditional owners in the Torres Strait Islands are being forced to leave their archipelago homes amid the soaring cost of living and lack of housing.
Volvo stablemate takes early pole position in EV race
Offering an admirable range, with spunky Scandinavian style and an online showroom, Polestar makes a strong case in the electric vehicle market.
Australia’s most popular picnic location revealed
NSW and Queensland have been named Australia's most popular picnic locations, with South Australia and Victoria also making the Top 10 list.
Lab leads nanoscopic hunt for plastic in human bodies
Aussie scientists are hard at work trying to determine if the world's plastic pollution crisis extends to the innermost reaches of the human body.
NSW Greens looking for lush result at upcoming election
The NSW Greens are confident they could take new regional seats at the upcoming state election as ageing voters show their loyalty.
The Green Comet is visible again after 50,000 years
A space voyager known as the Green Comet is now visible from Australia, 50,000 years after its last earth encounter in the time of the Neanderthals.
Electric vehicle policy sparks debate over car bans
Questions about how the government should encourage drivers to swap petrol for electric cars has sparked a debate over incentives and bans.
Health tops national agenda but reform will take time
Federal, state and territory governments committed to work together to reform Australia's health system with recommendations from a Medicare task force report.
Teal MP to mediate with chief of staff over dismissal
Teal MP Monique Ryan and the Commonwealth of Australia have agreed to keep political staffer Sally Rugg employed for two weeks while they enter mediation.
Post-pandemic bounce temporary as rate rises threaten
Generous incentives have supported business investment in recent years but further interest rate rises could "unnecessarily" tip Australia into recession.
Gang busted as police float new anti-bikie laws
Victoria Police have floated a ban on outlaw motorcycle gangs wearing club colours after the force's anti-bikie unit claimed a major organised crime scalp.
Police ministers to work on national gun register
National cabinet has agreed on the need for an increase in information sharing about guns across states and territories after a fatal Queensland shootout.
Barilaro assault charge dismissed over mental health
The former NSW deputy premier was under significant stress when he allegedly assaulted a camera operator and "compelling" evidence has led to a dismissal.
Kyrgios ‘deeply regrets’ assaulting former girlfriend
Nick Krygios has apologies after pleading guilty to pushing over his former girlfriend and having the assault charge dismissed.
Regulator backs rapid tests as COVID-19 cases fall
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a statement in defence of rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 caseloads continue to fall across the country.
Spiky sea urchin impact comparable to crown-of-thorns
Scientists say problems posed by invasive sea urchins on Australia's southern reefs are comparable to the crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef.
Morrison’s offshore drilling veto could be overturned
The Federal Court could overturn a controversial call by former prime minister Scott Morrison to veto a gas drilling project off the NSW coast.
Albanese secures state and territory support on referendum
All state and territory leaders have signed a statement of intent to support the referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Building resilient kids could start with a bubble
A new toolkit developed by trauma and pediatric experts will help parents manage emotional harm and build resilience in their children after natural disasters.
Bid to cut rising insurance costs in disaster-hit areas
Insurers have met the federal government to come up with a plan to help households with rising premiums and better prepare communities for natural disasters.
Barilaro’s office denied bushfire funds in Labor seats
The NSW auditor‑general's report on bushfire recovery grants has found John Barilaro's office excluded Labor electorates from urgent funding.
New apartments trigger jump in building approvals
A glut of new apartment projects lifted building approvals in December but new house approvals remain subdued, new data shows.