Infants ‘ate food scraps off floor of childcare centre’
A childcare centre will remain closed after allegations of infants eating off the floor, staff scrolling on their phones and other serious issues were aired.
national news
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
Suspected arsonist arrested over racecourse stand blaze
A 51-year-old man has been arrested over a series of suspicious fires, including one lit at a heritage-listed racecourse grandstand.
Rivals swept aside as leader reveals fresh Battin order
Key supporters of Brad Battin's move to overthrow John Pesutto as Victorian Liberal leader have been rewarded with shadow cabinet promotions.
Missing hiker search rolls on after his camera is found
An intensive search for a hiker missing in the Australian Alps for almost two weeks is continuing, after more of his personal items and a campfire were found.
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
The federal opposition has slammed government analysis that suggests its nuclear energy calculations are based on a shrinking economy in five states.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Grenade seized after alleged home invaders shot at cops
New details have emerged from the case of an alleged home invader later involved in a police pursuit and alleged escape across state lines.
Supernatural scammers swindle elderly over evil spirits
An elaborate scam where a group of people claim they can rid the elderly of evil spirits has fleeced $200,000 from their victims.
Calls for permanent pill testing after festival success
The first festival pill-testing trial in Victoria has been hailed a success after 40 per cent of patrons indicated they would use smaller doses of their drugs.
Day 10: search for hiker intensifies as more help sent
Another 50 rescue specialists have joined the 10-day search for missing hiker Hadi Nazari in Kosciuszko National Park's "bloody tough" terrain.
Two brothers on run after woman gunned down on street
Police have vowed to hunt down two brothers anywhere in Australia after a woman was chased and fatally shot on a suburban street.
Halt surfing amid shark boom, victim’s friend says
Surfing on South Australia's west coast is now too dangerous because of a surge in the population of great white sharks, a friend of a shark attack victim says.
‘An inch, and we were gone’: bridge disaster remembered
As Hobart marks the 50th anniversary of the Tasman Bridge collapse, its most famous survivor and a historian recount the night the deadly disaster unfolded.
Tiny Tassie town dreams big with SimCity plans
Tasmania's Fingal is proposing a world-first "town twinning" partnership with the digital game SimCity, with hopes it can revitalise the 400-strong community.
‘Taking people with you’: leader agrees change is hard
After the Northern Territory's CLP government completed its first 100 days on December 2, leader Lia Finocchiaro has admitted change is sometimes hard.
‘Sticky’ heatwave has firefighters on high alert
Much of southern Australia is sweltering through a three-day "sticky" heatwave with increasing fire danger risks amid blazes in popular holiday spots.
Man charged with sexual assault of crew member in Fiji
A man has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault after an airline crew member was allegedly attacked on New Year's Eve in Fiji.
Tried and true names most popular for babies in 2024
Australian parents-to-be are sticking with tried and true names, with Oliver, Noah, Isla and Charlotte topping the baby name charts again.
Sex and the city: Indigenous play ready to wow festival
After a successful Melbourne season, the play Jacky - which portrays the reality of city life for Indigenous people - is heading to the Sydney Festival.
‘Bury me in the pines’: harrowing serial killing claims
A judge is considering his verdict after a marathon trial in South Australia's first alleged serial killing case in more than 20 years.
Countdown to election day as aftershocks rattle Vanuatu
Still reeling from aftershocks, campaigning has begun for a very challenging election in Vanuatu after many polling booths were hit in December's deadly quake.
Australian conservator joins Antarctic odyssey
A young Australian conservator is about to head off on an Antarctic expedition, restoring artefacts and retracing the steps of legendary explorers.
Firefighters battle fresh blazes amid total fire bans
Total fire bans are in place amid extreme danger from heatwave conditions as firefighters work to control freshly sparked bushfires.
Arson? Forty Winks mattress store goes up in smoke
An early morning blaze at a mattress store has been brought under control as police and arson detectives begin investigating the suspicious fire.
Nursing support for all, no matter the cancer type
Cancer patients will find it easier to get specialised support after the government committed millions during one of the nation's biggest fundraising events.
Search for man taken by shark ends without finding body
Authorities have concluded the search for a surfer who was seen taken by a shark but have not located his body.
Heavens open, bringing relief from heat and fires
Wet and cooler conditions across much of southeastern Australia have provided relief from the heat and a bushfire burning for three weeks.
Search resumes for missing bushwalker amid heat, fire
The search for a bushwalker missing for 11 days resumes after specialist crews have joined the efforts amid soaring temperatures and nearby fires.
PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz
The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.