‘Not in vain’: families demand poisoning deaths answers
The families of Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones are demanding the Laos government fully investigate a mass poisoning event that claimed their lives.
national news
Beyond The Valley to host pill testing in state first
Beyond The Valley will be the first Victorian music festival to trial pill testing in an effort to curb overdoses and save lives.
Protesters stop coal boats as more than 100 arrested
Ships have paused journeys in the Port of Newcastle after protesters gathered on the water to demand the government end new fossil fuel mines.
Australia-wide study ordered into school bullying
Bullying in Australian schools will be put under a microscope as the federal government looks to tackle the behaviour in the real world.
Labor notches win as time runs out on political year
Labor has chalked up a last-minute legislative victory, with the Greens backing its housing scheme, as several MPs bid Canberra farewell.
Rush to pass social media ban angers experts, MPs
As parliament prepares to stop people younger than 16 using social media, the government has been accused of trying to ram through the laws without scrutiny.
Bali Nine have served ‘more than enough time’: advocate
A supporter of one of the Bali Nine drug smugglers says returning the group to Australia to be with loved ones will make a difference in their rehabilitation.
Coal mine approvals defended after major port blockade
A senior minister has pointed to her record of approving renewable energy projects as her government comes under attack by climate protesters.
Aussie shares hit third record high in past six days
The ASX200 was up 0.7 per cent to a new intraday all-time high at midday, and was also poised to close above 8,400 for the first time.
Australian offer to help Laos tainted alcohol probe
As friends and family mourn the loss of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, the prime minister has offered federal police to help the investigation in Laos.
Kat in the hat scores half-century as a politician
A stalwart of federal parliament and one of its most well-known figures, Bob Katter has marked a half-century in public office.
Tense stand-off at synagogue despite cancelled protest
Police have separated pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups after a planned protest outside a synagogue was cancelled at the last minute.
‘National shame’: Landmark inquest shines light on DV
Findings on the deaths of four Aboriginal women at the hands of their partners have been handed down by a coroner.
Police in ‘joint criminal enterprise’ to get Mokbel
A judge has accused police of operating a "joint criminal enterprise" to take down drug kingpin Tony Mokbel by using his lawyer Nicola Gobbo as an informer.
Youth detainees abused in care to share $75m settlement
More than 100 former detainees at a notoriously troubled youth detention centre have had a $75 million payout approved for alleged abuses over 63 years.
Blackout risks downgraded amid heatwave warnings
People in eastern Australia in danger of experiencing electricity outages have been given a small reprieve as the operator scrambles to ensure lights stay on.
Aussie shares notch another record with more on cards
The ASX200 rose 0.3 per cent to close above 8,400 for the first time while setting an intraday record of 8,462.1.
‘Greedy’ smuggler reveals why coke import turned deadly
A superyacht tour operator who described himself as the "linchpin" of a fatal 84kg cocaine importation explained to police how the operation went so wrong.
‘Emergency measures’ needed to suppress fire ant sting
A race is on to stop the potential nationwide spread of devastating fire ants as fears increase ahead of summer.
‘Whatever it takes’: child removal floated to tackle DV
Child protection practices will be examined by a government in response to a landmark inquiry into the domestic violence deaths of four women.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
‘Knee-jerk reaction’ social media ban set to pass
A proposal to ban children from social media is expected to become law despite experts and politicians arguing it may not make the internet safer for kids.
Drive with care: Uber launches service for extra help
A rideshare service trialled in the United States will be launched in Australia, letting caregivers book rides for the people they help.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
Sky’s the limit: Australia urged to boost green fuel
Australia has the potential to lead the world in sustainable aviation fuel but a report warns that other countries are making progress faster.
New routes to secure internet for Australia, Pacific
New cables will entrench Australia's role as a state-of-the-art connection point for large volumes of data in a global digital ecosystem, project partners say.
East coast swelters through hottest day in years
Australians are sweating through a major heatwave, while the energy regulator scrambles to keep the lights on.
Baby dies amid unprecedented whooping cough outbreak
A newborn baby is dead and infections are surging as health authorities scramble to contain a worsening national whooping cough epidemic.
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
Workers are using AI but worry it makes them look lazy
More Australian white collar workers are using artificial intelligence tools to do their jobs but research shows many feel guilty about telling the boss.
Chronic conditions on the rise among Indigenous people
The number of Indigenous people smoking daily has dropped, while mental health conditions have risen, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.