Tobacco licensing laws smoulder as parties fire up
The Victorian government has denied dragging its feet on legislation to tackle tit-for-tat tobacco firebombings despite blocking a licensing scheme bill.
national news
Why packing waste could be the secret to a cool summer
Packing material and static electricity could take the edge off future electricity bills, according to Australian researchers.
Trauma of victims and witnesses focus of court overhaul
Victims and witnesses to certain crimes won't have to testify in court multiple times under reforms aimed at reducing the chance of increasing their trauma.
Seven news boss wants tax break to fight X, Facebook
A tax on commercial broadcasters should be scrapped, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie says, as media companies deal with the "evil forces" of social media.
‘Tragic accident’: boy dies as car crashes into school
A boy has been killed and four other children seriously injured after a woman collecting a child crashed through a fence and into a Melbourne school.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
National road toll a tragedy as states miss targets
Australian roads are more dangerous than ever, as the national road toll continues to climb.
Black Hawks swoop in show of new aerial capability
A dozen of Australia's new Black Hawk helicopters will be ready for use by the end of the year in what's being hailed as a major defence force upgrade.
‘Radical transparency’ to restore trust lost post-COVID
Victoria's former health chief says organisations like a future Centre for Disease Control would go a long way to rebuilding trust in pandemic responses.
Roll out the solar: $6.8m facility to print solar cells
Thousands of flexible solar cells are expected to be printed by the ream in a $6.8 million facility established by Australia's leading science organisation.
Renewed push for ‘cruel, wasteful’ dying law shakeup
Terminally ill Australians face 'cruel' restrictions on peacefully ending their lives according to Andrew Denton, as 'gag laws' come under scrutiny.
Warning Israel’s aid agency ban could be ‘catastrophic’
Israel has violated international law by moving against a key UN aid group, which could result in sanctions from Australia and other nations, an expert says.
Community funding to help break disadvantage cycle
Australia has a long way to go to eliminate disadvantage but partnerships with local groups can help to bridge the divide, the federal treasurer says.
Australia’s inflation down, but not out
There were few surprises in the inflation read-out, with economists broadly of the view underlying price pressures should keep the cash rate on hold until 2025.
Olympic cyclist’s court case over wife’s death delayed
Former champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has appeared in court on charges over the death of his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Ancient variant clue to Indigenous respiratory illness
A previously unknown gene variant unique to the Oceanic region could help improve disease prevention for Indigenous people, researchers say.
Jack Davey, 11, named as boy killed in schoolyard crash
The family of Jack Davey who died a school crash tragedy has released photos of their son, as the principal vowed the community will get through the tragedy.
Corruption watchdog under scrutiny over robodebt call
The national anti-corruption commissioner has been found to have engaged in officer misconduct by failing to recuse himself from a conflict of interest.
Ban on landlords evicting tenants for no good reason
Tenants would no longer be evicted without a valid reason and face softer penalties for breaking leases in reforms aimed at making life easier for renters.
Australia moves missile build onshore as supply dries
The proliferation of long-range strike missiles and firepower is forcing Australia to respond by bolstering its own stockpiles as concerns persist about supply.
Labor ‘losing touch’ with blue-collar base: party elder
The Albanese government has copped more friendly fire, this time from a former Labor minister claiming the party has lost touch with its working-class base.
Body found, murder charge in search for horse breeder
Police scoured a semi-rural property for the body of 82-year-old Edwin Dobbin after charging a man over his murder and allegedly covering up the crime.
Climate tops agenda at Australia, UK PMs’ first meeting
The prime ministers of Australian and the UK have pledged greater investment in green hydrogen and offshore wind during their first meeting in Samoa.
Gang rape quartet showed extreme violence: prosecutor
Four men involved in a gang rape have heard their victim recall the devastating impact their sexual assault has had on her.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
Family mourns couple killed by truck crash into home
A farming couple killed when a truck crashed into a home would want their community to keep working to make the world a better place, their family says.
Dire warning on Australia’s disaster response readiness
Australia's emergency response system is in need of widespread reform if the nation is to keep up with the growing threat of natural disasters.
Warnings of deadly consequences over rural black spots
Rural residents have revealed difficulties in reaching triple-zero in moments of crisis, as the federal government reviews regional telecommunications.
Brazil seals compensation deal with BHP over dam
Brazil has reached a compensation settlement with BHP and others over a 2015 dam collapse which caused a giant mudslide killing 19 people.
PM: ‘Security of any one of us, matters to all of us’
The prime minister has celebrated a collaboration between Australian and Pacific Islands police, emphasising the initiative is led by and for Pacific nations.
Telcos to block phones that don’t link to triple zero
The 3G network switch-off will begin on Monday, with a new law enforcing the telcos to disconnect phones that cannot call the emergency line on 4G.