Madam recounts ‘life of terror’ when model vanished
The boss of an escort who disappeared without a trace has blamed an allegedly abusive and controlling husband for inconsistencies in her statements to police.
national news
Laws for nation’s toughest DV murder penalty introduced
A crime-troubled territory is introducing Australia's strongest sentencing laws for domestic violence murders, with a mandatory non-parole period of 25 years.
Debt group sees upside in higher credit card balances
Debt collection business Credit Corp, which also owns lender Wallet Wizard, expects its profit to grow by up to 17 per cent as cost-of-living pressures bite.
Farmers sue mining giant over alleged ‘toxic trifecta’
Neighbours of Australia's biggest gold and copper mine allege dust from its tailings dam has poisoned their land, in a "disaster" for health and agriculture.
Unease over bid to police hate speech outside classroom
A move that will make it easier to fire teachers who use hate speech in and out of the classroom, including on social media, has drawn strong reactions.
Eels flag Storm might be dragged into Lomax court fight
Embattled rugby league star Zac Lomax could be left in legal limbo for the start of the 2026 season as his court case with Parramatta threatens to expand.
‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD
States are continuing to shake up the way a prevalent developmental disorder is treated by allowing more health professionals to diagnose the condition.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
loans
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Discount loans to drive down the price of electric cars
Finance on electric vehicles from two big brands will be subsidised by the government under a plan to cut the cost of low-emission cars.
Protest ban extended to stop anti-Israeli visit ‘riot’
Protest restrictions introduced after the Bondi terror attack have been extended ahead of the Israeli president's visit as activists plan nationwide rallies.
New headgear to be tested in world-first study
A world-first concussion and head impact study will assess the efficacy of a specially designed headgear during elite and community AFL and rugby games.
Australia’s quantum leap: $20m boost for homegrown firm
Quantum technology that promises to outsmart artificial intelligence could be made in Australia after an investment in a Sydney company.
Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
Mortgage holders could face back-to-back rate hikes after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates amid rising inflation pressures.
Rebels benched, jobs swapped in coalition peace offer
The Nationals are weighing a reconciliation deal proposed by the Liberals to restore the coalition after weeks of damaging infighting.
Nationals sent to back benches after coalition divorce
The dramatic breakup of the coalition has left the Liberals as the official opposition while the Nationals languish on the cross bench.
business and finance
central bank
economy
housing and urban planning
interest rate
mortgages
politics
Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments
Two incorrect assumptions have set the Reserve Bank on track for a costly U-turn on interest rates, with borrowers facing steeper repayments on their mortgages.
Global grain glut pushes growers toward self-storage
A global oversupply of grain continues to weigh on the earnings of one of Australia's biggest handlers, as growers opt to keep their product on-farm.
Madam made ‘intriguing’ call after young model vanished
As one of Australia's most notorious disappearances is reinvestigated, there is renewed focus on a brothel madam's call shortly after her employee vanished.
Rural water supplies struggling to cope after heatwave
Locals in one rural town are lining up in a pub car park to receive free bottled water, as parts of country Australia get a reprieve from an intense heatwave.
‘Pariah’: children’s author jailed for grooming teens
A children's author who admitted grooming teenage girls online used and abused his position as a ruse for his own sexual gratification, a judge has heard.
Founder of scandal-hit travel firm gone, shares stuck
Corporate Travel Management founder Jamie Pherous is retiring "in the best interests of the company", making room for a new CEO as its shares remain untraded.
Steelmaker’s new CEO moves to cut costs on first day
In her first days as BlueScope Steel's new chief executive, Tania Archibald has pledged to streamline "leadership and functional teams" to save $150 million.
Major parties spend big but Clive Palmer goes larger
Billionaires bet big on major parties at the federal poll but the standout spender was Clive Palmer, despite failing to get any of his candidates elected.
One Nation soars over estranged coalition bedfellows
A big shift in conservative politics follows the coalition's dramatic split as rivals jostle for leadership and analysts wonder how permanent the move will be.
Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the Grammys
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has won the Grammy for album of the year - the first time a Spanish-language record has taken home the top prize.
Weary locals await closure as cops say Dezi likely dead
A small town's residents hope the long hunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman is near its end after a detective said he believes the fugitive is dead.
Supply shortage underpins shaky growth in home values
Home price growth picked up in January, but results were mixed across the capital cities, with one jurisdiction leading the way on rental affordability.
Door opens to coalition reunion as leader spill flops
Leaders of the former coalition partners are discussing a possible reunion as calls mount for solidarity after a failed leadership spill within the Nationals.
Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to become the first major central bank on Tuesday to U-turn from rate cuts to rate hikes in the post-COVID inflation era.
Top Liberal’s backers talk down imminent leader threat
Key supporters of Sussan Ley don't expect a challenge to her leadership in the near term, but one rival has yet to break cover with his plans.
‘Loved life’: mass paddle-out for young shark victim
A community paddle-out for a boy killed in a shark attack has turned into an emotional tribute for the beloved young surfer.
Fire, floods and fur: keeping pets safe in a disaster
Pet owners are being urged to plan ahead for weather extremes to avoid putting themselves, their furry friends and emergency services in danger.