Journalists withhold information over defamation fears
A survey of Australian journalists shows that just under half have withheld information because of concerns over possible legal action.
national news
Long wait for insurance compounds disaster trauma
A new report into the mental health burden of disasters across Australia shows adequate insurance coverage is central to recovery.
Exotic invaders could be rebadged as neo-natives
Australian botanists face a sticky question as invasive species become more entrenched and adapt to the point where they could be considered "new natives".
Kumanjayi arrest unsound and unsafe, senior cop says
A senior police officer has told the Kumanjayi Walker inquest that a special unit deviated from a plan to arrest him and it should have used different tactics.
States back plan for report on deadly silica dust ban
States and territories have unanimously backed the commissioning of a report to look at a ban on products containing silica dust.
Low-profile electric vehicle chargers tested in Sydney
The first of 30,000 electric vehicle chargers mounted on power poles has launched in Sydney as part of a plan to help apartment dwellers power up their cars.
‘Spiralling’ demand for help as living costs increase
Welfare support organisations are facing huge demand for services as cost of living increases hit low-income households, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.
New national commissioner to oversee cyber security
A new commissioner will be appointed to help oversee cyber security protection as part of an overhaul of the sector in Australia, the government has announced.
Concussed AFL players launch class action
Thousands of AFL players could be eligible for up to $2 million each in concussion compensation as part of a landmark class action to be filed in Victoria.
Business profits rebound but outstrip wages bill
Australian company profits have bounced back after dropping off steeply last quarter, with business inventories returning a softer-than-expected result.
Calls for national body to protect whistleblowers
Australia risks being left behind the rest of the world if it doesn't set up a national body to protect whistleblowers, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.
Aust shares down sharply after US inflation readout
The local share market has fallen 1.1 per cent as the odds increase that the Federal Reserve will return to supersized rate hikes to combat stubborn inflation.
Perrottet ‘impeded’ committee’s work in Barilaro report
A parliamentary committee has accused NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet of refusing to help a probe into lucrative overseas trade appointments.
Energy crisis, merger fuels higher Woodside profit
Oil and gas giant Woodside has announced an underlying full-year net profit of $US5.2 billion ($A7.7 billion), up 223 per cent from the previous year.
Man jailed for life for savage murder of estranged wife
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of his estranged wife Samantha Fraser, who was due to give evidence against him in a rape case a week later.
Australia risks losing race for carbon competitiveness
Some want emissions safeguards expanded to cover more industrial plants as a step towards an economy-wide carbon limit and price, but others warn of job losses.
Australian professor freed from PNG hostage situation
A professor based in Australia and several other hostages taken captive in the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea have been freed.
Olivia Newton-John remembered as ‘one of a kind’
Internationally acclaimed singer, actor and philanthropist Olivia Newton-John has been honoured at a state memorial service in Melbourne.
Passengers stranded for hours as flight diverted to NT
A flight from Bangkok to Melbourne was diverted to Alice Springs after a medical emergency, with passengers stuck on the plane for more than six hours.
Ex-teacher Leifer allegedly claimed accuser was needy
A woman allegedly sexually abused by former ultra-Orthodox teacher Malka Leifer told a counsellor she was told the abuse was to help get her over her neediness.
Rolfe trying to pervert course of justice, lawyers say
Lawyers for the NT Police have told an inquest into the death of Indigenous teen Kumanjayi Walker the officer who shot him is trying to intimidate witnesses.
REDcycle’s parent company to be wound up
The company behind Australia's failed REDcycle recycling scheme will be wound up after it left stockpiles of soft plastics across the country.
Labor’s lead narrows a month out from NSW election
With less than a month to go until the NSW election, a new poll shows the gap between Labor and the 12-year-old coalition government is tightening.
NSW flood buyback could have happened quicker: minister
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt says a flood buyback scheme for damaged homes in NSW hasn't happened as quickly as hoped.
NSW flood buyback could have happened quicker: senator
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt says a flood buyback scheme for damaged homes in NSW hasn't happened as quickly as hoped.
Treasurer says super caps a ‘tweak’, not major reform
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the fundamentals of super will remain untouched and his floated changes to tax breaks on large balances are not controversial.
Teen charged with hindering Sydney park stabbing case
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with affray and hindering an investigation as NSW police probe the stabbing death of a man in southwest Sydney.
Perrottet pledges to overhaul ‘terrible’ stamp duty
The Perrottet government will expand its stamp duty reform if successful at the upcoming election while the opposition labels the changes a "forever tax".
From internet cafes to the world stage for Aussie gamer
Victor Huang started out skipping school to play video games at a Sydney internet cafe. Now he competes for million-dollar prize pools on the e-sports circuit.
When Aussies can expert EV prices to finally drop
A record number of electric cars are hitting Australia's second-hand market, forcing down prices. But experts say more drops are needed to increase adoption.
Torres Strait alarm over foreign fishing ‘invasion’
Fishermen in the Torres Strait Islands say their traditional livelihoods are being threatened by foreign vessels and commercial mainland boats.