Law change for ‘horror’ car thefts with kids inside
Stealing a car with a young child inside will be classified as a carjacking under state "adult time for violent crime" laws set to be rammed through parliament.
national news
Duplexes could be key to solving housing crisis
Developing just a fraction of single-occupancy homes in Australian cities into duplexes would be enough to eliminate the nation's housing shortfall.
KFC chain upsizes sales but consumers wait in the wings
The company running nearly 300 KFC restaurants across Australia says it is focused on providing value to consumers who are still concerned about living costs.
Family’s ‘life term’ but killer could walk in 12 years
A teen looked straight ahead and ignored the cries of his victim's family after being jailed for a brutal stabbing murder.
E-bike rider killed in crash as safety warning sounds
Cyclists are being urged to wear helmets and stay off the footpath after an e-bike rider was hit and killed by a garbage truck.
Australian Federal Police to lead global summit
Australia will chair the 2026 UNCOPS summit, the global gathering of police under the United Nations umbrella.
Drought continues but farmers find ‘paydirt’ at last
Australia's combined agriculture, fisheries and forestry production is on track to reach a record-breaking $106.4 billion in 2025–26.
AI could improve Indigenous lives, but comes with risks
In community hands, AI has the power to improve lives and move the dial on some closing the gap targets, but there are some dangers to the technology.
‘Disgraceful’ bid to remove defence class action claims
The defence force faces backlash as it seeks to exclude complaints of sexual violence and harassment experienced by female members overseas from a class action.
Nowhere left to hide for troops with sex convictions
Sexual violence in the Australian Defence Force is under the microscope, with a fresh batch of measures announced in a government crackdown.
Skates on to ensure secure exit of major coal plant
The risk of power blackouts remain if necessary security infrastructure can't be sped up to come online in time for a major coal generator to shutter.
Fibre to the rescue: Aussies urged to take net upgrades
More than one million households have been disconnected by weather events this year and the NBN warns more will disproportionately affect copper connections.
‘It was horrible’: elderly woman describes alleged rape
A 76-year-old aged-care resident seen distressed and half-naked after being allegedly raped told her son she feared her assailant was going to kill her.
Jumping castle tragedy operator chases legal money
Rosemary Gamble, who was found not guilty of criminal breaches over the death of six children in a jumping castle tragedy, is chasing the state for legal costs.
Teens waiting for guidance on imminent social media ban
YouTube, Reddit, Kick and X are yet to reveal compliance measures with Australia's social media ban, with kids expected to experience withdrawal symptoms.
‘Ridiculous’ drone flying lashed as fire destroys home
Firefighters battling a series of out-of-control bushfires have also had to contend with unauthorised drones as detectives investigate possible arson links.
Arrests top 150 as three-day climate action makes waves
A long weekend climate "protestival" has disrupted coal shipping and landed scores of activists under arrest but smaller protests continue.
European stocks fall, Japan rate hike bets boost yen
A drop in defence stocks have led European markets lower, while comments from the Bank of Japan governor have lifted the yen and bond yields.
Woman, 76, was ‘screaming’ after alleged aged care rape
A 76-year-old aged-care resident was seen distressed and half-naked in a hallway after being allegedly raped by a masked drug user who broke into her room.
Closure for bus-crash students as truck driver jailed
A truck driver's mouth dropped open and his eyes bulged when sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for crashing his faulty vehicle into a school bus.
‘Deplorable’: cops smash alleged satanic pedophile ring
Police have arrested four men who were allegedly part of an international satanic child sex abuse material ring operating out of suburban homes.
IGA supplier losing tobacco sales to black market
IGA supplier Metcash has delivered a $142.2 million first-half net profit, up 0.3 per cent from a year ago, and reported tobacco sales dropped by 35 per cent.
Immigration ‘division’ as parties jump on bandwagon
An ex-Howard government minister has urged the Liberals to stand by Australia's non-discriminatory approach to immigration as support bleeds to One Nation.
Sweeping shake-up of Defence to deliver ‘bang for buck’
The nation's defence department will be revamped in the biggest reforms in half a century to tackle project delays and cost blowouts worth billions of dollars.
Homebuyers at square one as price hikes eat rate cuts
A slowdown in the bellwether housing markets of Sydney and Melbourne suggests that sentiment is starting to sour as hopes of more interest rate cuts dissipate.
Pro-stadium rally outpoints opposition ahead of vote
Fans and opponents of a new AFL stadium have held rallies on the same piece of turf ahead of a vote in parliament that will determine whether it goes ahead.
Hanson flies south to fire up anti-immigration mob
Fresh from a parliamentary sitting ban for donning a burqa, Queensland senator Pauline Hanson has flown to Melbourne to ramp up her anti-immigration rhetoric.
Ships turned, arrests made at annual climate protest
Rising Tide's attempts to blockade the world's largest coal port are continuing, with activists scaling a ship and more arrest made at the Newcastle Harbour.
‘Inconvenient’ childcare close times to keep kids safe
Childcare centres will close early every couple of months for staff to undergo mandatory training in a bid to provide a safer environment for kids.
Slight rise tipped for September GDP figures
Economic growth and household spending data will be released to form the final picture for the Reserve Bank before its last meeting for 2025.
Anger over deadly HK blaze as Beijing issues warning
Anger is growing over the fire that tore through seven high-rise blocks in Hong Kong, amid calls for accountability as China warns against disrupting the city.