Warm Christmas for much of the country
Most Australians have enjoyed a sunny Christmas Day as a minor heat wave sets in but Northern Territorians are feeling the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.
national news
Rural people more likely to die on roads
A review of 2.5 million head trauma patients shows rural people are more likely to suffer severe injuries in road crashes than their urban counterparts.
Virus cases dip in lead-up to Christmas
The latest peaks of COVID-19 cases are falling around the country, but one state is battling a surge in infections.
NSW targets 70pct emissions cut by 2035
Climate groups have welcomed the decision by the NSW government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2035 on 2005 levels.
Nationals MP quits to sit as independent
Federal Nationals MP Andrew Gee will quit the party to serve as an independent after the junior coalition partner opposed the Indigenous voice to parliament.
Sydney woman and her children found safe
A pregnant Sydney woman and her three young sons missing since last weekend have been found safe in Queensland, police say.
NRL great Burgess denies driving on drugs
NRL premiership winner Sam Burgess has been arrested for returning a positive drug test while driving unlicensed, but denies having had cocaine in his system.
Anti-China rhetoric damaging to Liberals
A review of the Liberal Party's election loss has urged an urgent repair to the party's standing among Chinese-Australians.
WA to pay $2m in premier’s defamation case
Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will have to pay $2 million in legal costs over the defamation fight with Clive Palmer.
Car-donnay: Electric vehicle powers winery
A Barossa Valley winery is being powered by an electric car as part of an Australian-first trial that will open up to other participants within weeks.
Libs blame Morrison, female vote for loss
A review of the Liberals' federal election campaign defeat reveals concerns about the party's loss of standing in metropolitan areas and among female voters.
Accused global drug kingpin faces court
A man alleged to have run one of the world's biggest drug cartels has been taken to jail after appearing in a Melbourne court charged with drug trafficking.
Industry outcry at ‘heavy-handed’ gas cap
Australia's oil and gas industry group has labelled Labor's energy relief measures "heavy-handed" after a $1 billion gas project expansion was paused.
Palmer offloads Qld nickel refinery
Clive Palmer has called on the Queensland government to support a new phase for Yabulu refinery, which he is selling to a carbon-savvy investment syndicate.
Global drug kingpin accused brought to Vic
An alleged global drug kingpin accused of conspiring to traffic up to $4.4 million worth of methamphetamine has been extradited to Melbourne.
Probe identifies spinach contaminant
A weed believed to be responsible for causing almost 200 Australians to become sick has been identified as thornapple.
China meeting signals steps to stability
Experts say the meeting between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart signals the return of ongoing stability to the diplomatic relationship.
Dark clouds forecast for economic growth
A forward-looking indicator has recorded another month of negative growth, casting a shadow over Australia's economic prospects in 2023.
Australia and China agree to further talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for official talks in Beijing marking 50 years of Sino-Australian diplomatic relations.
Fed-NSW deal firms up future renewables
The Albanese government has committed almost $8 billion in a deal to unlock renewable energy zones and connect Snowy hydro-electricity to the east coast grid.
Final funds to election winners and losers
The elections watchdog has paid back nearly $76 million to eligible political parties and candidates at the 2022 federal election.
Sydney teacher’s alleged murderer remanded
A man's murder charge has been mentioned in court as his alleged victim - 31-year-old teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones - is remembered as a "beautiful person".
‘Right thing’ not reporting abuse: Houston
Hillsong founder Brian Houston told churchgoers of "a serious moral accusation" against his father without revealing he molested a child, a court has heard.
Telstra, TPG to appeal ACCC knock-back
TPG and Telstra will appeal after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission declined to approve their proposed $1.8 billion network-sharing deal.
Manslaughter charges over NSW flood deaths
A Sydney man has been bailed on a $300,000 surety after being charged over the deaths of two people swept from a ute during flooding in central NSW in October.
Higgins welcomes inquiry into rape trial
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has welcomed an inquiry into the abandoned rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann, saying "sunlight is the best disinfectant".
Wong arrives in China ahead of talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will meet with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of Australia-China relations.
Rudd role takes US ties to ‘next level’
Former US ambassador Joe Hockey has welcomed Kevin Rudd's appointment to the position, saying it will elevate American and Australian ties.
Mix of drugs to blame for man’s death
A mixture of prescription medication has been identified as suppressing the central nervous system of a man who died after a troubled life.
Famous sporting moment bugged humble Landy
Former Governor of Victoria, legendary runner and famed insect collector John Landy, who died in February, has been remembered at a State Memorial Service.
Push for national protest protection laws
As state laws crack down on environmental protesters, the Greens will push for federal protections to override "unfair" laws.