Bail laws crack down halts court as arrests explode
Police have made 31 arrests in 24 hours after major changes to bail laws, causing courts to grind to a stop, leaving authorities scrambling for solutions.
national news
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Seaplane owners: we’re devastated by fatal crash
A seaplane company has expressed its "heartbreak" after one of its aircraft crashed off a popular island, killing three people and injuring three others.
Man in court over $1m heritage racecourse stand fire
An alleged firebug has faced court after being charged with nine offences following a blaze that damaged a $1 million heritage-listed racecourse stand.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
PM rounds up pre-election tour in cattle country
An early start to the political year has landed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in cattle country, where he has been spruiking the importance of the industry.
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
The Brutalist, Emilia Perez triumph at Golden Globes
The Brutalist and Emilia Perez have won top honours at the Golden Globes, while Australia stars missed out in Hollywood's star-studded start to awards season.
Man accused of raping airline crew member denied bail
A Fijian man accused of sexually assaulting a Virgin Australia crew member on New Year's Day could make a bid for freedom when he next faces court.
Tech fears overpower hiring woes as top business worry
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technology issues are keeping business leaders up at night, with labour shortages now a lower-priority concern.
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
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.
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.