Nationals council ditches net zero from policy platform
The Nationals federal council has voted to abandon achieving net zero emissions from the party platform as MPs are poised to finalise their position on climate.
national news
Deaths in custody remembered as protesters urge change
Calls for justice and accountability have echoed through the streets as the loved ones of those who have died in custody share their stories.
Retailers ponder quitting ciggies as illegal sales soar
Supermarkets and smaller retailers are feeling the pain of the illegal tobacco trade, posting super-sized drops in revenue in recent reporting.
No sound, no fury: a startup is backing electric trucks
A record-breaking electric truck journey has been staged to prove Australian businesses can and should swap diesel for battery-powered transport.
Historic aged care reforms spark concern
A landmark overhaul of the nation's aged care rules is in effect, enshrining older Australians' rights into law but also pushing up some prices.
Severe storms, Cup track risk as rain sweeps east
A rain band stretching from southern Australia to the top end is set to wash over eastern states, bringing severe storms and a soggy Melbourne Cup.
Nationals ditch net zero as Liberals ponder policy
The Nationals say Australia's climate targets are driving up power prices and shutting down industry but their coalition partner isn't yet on board.
The ecological disaster threatening Australian seabirds
Thousands of dead seabirds washed up on Australia's coastline two years ago following a marine heatwave and scientists warn history could repeat.
RBA to reveal interest rate call, economic forecasts
The Reserve Bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold after a spike in inflation, with the bank's updated economic forecasts set to be closely scrutinised.
Optus backs outage acts after keeping officials in dark
Optus leaders took nearly 18 hours to tell authorities deaths had been linked to a triple-zero outage, but they say the company followed the law.
Coalition support plunges further amid climate fighting
A dire poll is putting Opposition Leader Sussan Ley under pressure as the coalition thrashes out its approach to energy and climate change.
Solutions in short supply as housing market heats up
Slashing the amount needed for a first home deposit might be doing more harm than good for young Australians hoping to get a foothold on the property ladder.
Prepaid electricity leaving vulnerable people powerless
Families forced to prepay for power are experiencing a high number of electricity disconnections, exposing them to dangerous temperatures, a report has found.
Westpac admits dropping ball on state bank customers
Overpriced mortgage products at its state-specific subsidiaries have contributed to Westpac losing market share, despite solid growth in customer deposits.
Dad’s ‘sadness and heartache’ over delay in murder case
It's been more than 500 days since Molly Ticehurst's former boyfriend was charged with her domestic violence-related murder, but he is yet to enter pleas.
Collect ’em all: call for widespread battery recycling
Australia's voluntary battery recycling scheme will be allowed to continue but with limited uptake, the public could benefit if more devices were collected.
Warning for Liberals on net zero as axing calls grow
A push to dump a major climate policy threatens to consign the coalition to even more years in the political wilderness as the Liberals close in on a decision.
Australian share market pares losses to sneak higher
The local bourse has edged higher on the eve of the Reserve Bank's Melbourne Cup Day meeting, settling after reduced rate-cut hopes weighed on sentiment.
Liberals caution Ley against ‘Nationals-lite’ backdown
Leading moderate Liberals are urging Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to retain a net-zero pledge as she canvasses dumping the target to keep the coalition united.
Science awards put Aussie pioneers in rarefied air
Collecting Australia's most prestigious science awards is gratifying, but seeing their pioneering work in action is the real reward for our top researchers.
Unique fishery recognised in ‘unbelievable’ first
For the first time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems have been included in national science awards for research, innovation and teaching.
Sticky inflation cruels chances of interest rate relief
Borrowers face the possibility of interest rates going up rather than down again after the Reserve Bank held steady following a spike in inflation.
Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs
Some households will get free access to electricity for three hours a day but questions have been raised about unintended consequences from the plan.
Million-dollar reward could crack ‘solvable’ cold case
Detectives hope a large reward will help uncover crucial information leading to an arrest for the murder of a woman two decades ago.
Protester crashes cop briefing after weapons expo clash
Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police outside a defence forum leading to arrests and injuries, with the group's leader crashing a press conference.
Lehrmann’s cost woes in anti-corruption submarine probe
Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann is being denied financial assistance after an investigation into him for allegedly stealing French submarine secrets.
Ship set to return after elderly woman dies on cruise
A full investigation is set to be launched as a cruise ship returns to port after an 80-year-old passenger died alone while hiking on a remote tropical island.
Shares drop to six-week low as RBA leaves rates on hold
The local bourse fell 0.9 per cent to close at its lowest level since September 26 after the Reserve Bank suggested it might not adjust rates for some time.
Mother facing jail for deadly neglect ‘atrocity’
A woman charged with criminal neglect over the death of her six-year-old daughter has sobbed and rocked as victim impact statements were read out in court.
Australia warned of assassination attempts by regimes
There is a 'realistic possibility' foreign regimes could try to carry out an assassination in Australia, the nation's top spy boss has warned.
Three nations on notice after assassination revelations
The nation's spy boss has vowed to take action after revealing foreign nations were "willing and capable" of ordering killings on dissidents in Australia.