Man pleads guilty to cold case death of Scott Johnson
Scott Phillip White has pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the 1988 cliff death of Scott Johnson after successfully reversing an earlier guilty plea to murder.
national news
Super objective Labor’s top priority, not tax breaks
The federal government says it has made no decisions about major superannuation tax changes as the opposition continues its attack on the hinted proposals.
Business investment upbeat in final months of 2022
Easing supply bottlenecks and a robust pipeline of work fed into a strong 2022 final quarter for investment activity, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.
PM’s ‘heart goes out’ to plane crash victims
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australian officials are providing support to the families of two Adelaide men killed in a plane crash in the Philippines.
Nine dials down first-half net profit to $190 million
Nine Entertainment's first-half net profit fell 16 per cent to $190 million compared to a year ago but met its guidance for underlying earnings of $370 million.
Qantas turns profitable again amid travel rebound
Qantas has reported a first-half underlying pre-tax profit of $1.43 billion - turning around last year's loss - as strong demand helped offset high fuel costs.
Yes campaign for voice launches with $5m donation
The "yes" campaign backing the Indigenous voice to parliament has received $5 million in philanthropic funding ahead of the referendum later this year.
‘No mandate’ for changes to superannuation tax breaks
The federal opposition will not support changes to superannuation tax breaks flagged by the treasurer as he looks for opportunities to repair the budget.
Morrison ‘looking for problems’ to justify welfare cuts
An ex-deputy secretary says former prime minister Scott Morrison showed little empathy for people on welfare and looked for problems to justify budget cuts.
Disadvantaged students ‘set up to fail’ without support
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson warns university students from disadvantaged backgrounds will be doomed to fail without more targeted support.
Leader warns of risks in early release of voice model
Co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue says the referendum is a vote on the principle of the voice to parliament, with finer details to be worked out by parliament.
Woolworths registers profit jump but warns of slow down
CEO Brad Banducci attributes improved Woolworths profit gains to strong seasonal trading and lower COVID-related costs.
Warning on espionage interference raises red flags
Australia's national security chief has faced pressure to stop operations to avoid upsetting foreign regimes, which the treasurer says is concerning.
Prescribing trials expand as health pressure bites
Patient safety and pain relief is in the spotlight as more states allow pharmacists to prescribe medication, with doctors and pharmacists bitterly divided.
Labor commits $103m to amp up downbeat NSW music scene
Labor is promising a NSW music office to fix the vibe in the muted music scene, after a decade of venue closures left the industry in the doldrums.
Satisfying relationships are good for women’s health
Women who have quality relationships in their 40s and 50s are less likely to develop multiple chronic conditions in older age, a study suggests.
‘Hot potato’ sparked covert gay-hate police operation
A special inquiry is examining whether NSW police deliberately ruled out suspects in cold cases involving gay men being thrown off Sydney cliffs in the 1980s.
Ex-Labor MP resigns from board after ‘damning’ report
A government board member lobbied for a developer in exchange for donations to his Labor MP daughter's election campaign, Victoria's corruption watchdog says.
Investors query coal leader’s climate change trajectory
Fresh research casts doubt on the climate pledges and expansion plans of Australia's largest coal producer Glencore as global investors seek answers.
Wighton, Mitchell plead not guilty to fight charges
Star rugby league duo Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have entered not guilty pleas to charges stemming from an alleged fight earlier this month.
Modest wage growth may take heat out of rate-rise cycle
Wages have improved again but by less than expected and not nearly enough to keep up with the cripplingly high cost of living.
AUKUS alliance ‘future’ for Australia’s security: PM
Anthony Albanese says Australians can have confidence in the defence force, as he positions the US and UK as key partners in the nation's future security.
Australia a ‘powder keg’ for grassfires after big wet
Every time Australia has had prolonged periods of wet weather, deadly fires have followed. Experts say the death of this La Nina will likely end the same way.
Pocock pushes gambling, alcohol advertising regulation
Independent senator David Pocock is pushing for social media advertising reform on gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food products.
Dozens of gay-hate cliff murder suspects not pursued
Dozens of suspects in a spate of homophobic murders weren't pursued by police or questioned by strike force detectives re-investigating the brutal attacks.
UN torture prevention committee cancels Australia visit
A UN committee for the prevention of torture has cancelled previously delayed plans to visit Australia over concerns about restricted access to facilities.
Document stoush puts jumping castle inquest on hold
The inquest into a deadly primary school jumping castle incident in Tasmania is on hold because the workplace safety regulator won't hand over its reports.
Touching by MP’s aide ‘very uncomfortable’, woman says
Ex-federal MP Craig Kelly's chief of staff indecently touched one female employee and spied on staff through fake social media accounts, a court has heard.
Coles locks in strong profits and first female chief
Supermarket giant Coles made $616 million in first-half profit, up 11.4 per cent from a year ago, and has named Leah Weckert as its next chief executive.
WA mayors call for return of cashless debit card
Community leaders have met with Anthony Albanese after the prime minister held his cabinet in regional WA for the first time ever.
Friend of PNG hostages details heartbreak and anguish
An Australian professor and three university students remain captive in remote Papua New Guinea after being taken hostage at gunpoint.