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.
national news
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.
NT alcohol ban report to be released next week
A report handed to the federal and Northern Territory governments has recommended alcohol bans while management plans are put in place, media reports suggest.
Ambulance call answer times stretch out in Victoria
More than one in three calls for an ambulance in Victoria last financial year were not answered within 10 seconds, new Australia-wide data shows.
Professional misconduct complaint over Lehrmann trial
Bruce Lehrmann has made a formal complaint about the conduct of the ACT director of public prosecutions over the handling of his sexual assault trial.
Liberals commit to further meetings on Indigenous voice
Australians are being called to support a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament whether or not it is backed by all sides of politics.
Pell ‘most influential churchman in nation’s history’
George Pell has been remembered as the son of a publican who spent 56 years as a priest and rose to become the third most powerful man in the Catholic Church.
Electric car charging gets a jolt but more spark needed
One of Australia's biggest electric vehicle fast-charging networks will expand into another state after signing a deal with a local council.
Dangerous radioactive capsule found in remote WA
Search crews have found a tiny radioactive capsule which fell off the back of a truck while being transported from a mine in remote Western Australia.
Electric and hybrid vehicles win new on-road discounts
Drivers who register electric or hybrid vehicles in the ACT will save hundreds of dollars each year in a scheme experts say should set the example.
Police bid to block Pell protest dropped, route changed
Organisers have agreed to change the route for a protest of George Pell's funeral so they don't enter the street outside the cathedral where he lies in state.
Adversarial neighbour protests innocence at burnt club
A resident who lives near a controversial nightclub admitted he previously threatened to burn it down as the heartbroken owner vowed to rebuild.
Union call to widen scope of probe into Lehrmann case
Former Queensland solicitor-general Walter Sofronoff will lead an inquiry into the handling of rape allegations against former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
Australia calls for peace after China war warning
Australia will try to avoid war with China through diplomacy but will continue to build up an arsenal for deterrence, Defence Minister Richard Marles says.
PM eyes immediate response to Alice Springs crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to act as quickly as possible on the recommendations of a report into alcohol-fuelled crime in Alice Springs.
Rise in ‘dark money’ as 10 dominate political donations
Political parties' and donors' financial returns for 2021/22 have been made public, with Clive Palmer giving his United Australia Party a record $117 million.