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.
national news
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.
‘Minsky moment’: watchdog boss warns of market collapse
The corporate watchdog has flagged easing reporting requirements for smaller firms while warning private credit to shape up or face tougher regulation.
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
The rising cost of new homes and services such as takeaway meals were key to the Reserve Bank's inflation miss in September and could rule out future rate cuts.
Give Ley clear air, former Nats leader tells colleagues
Coalition MPs are being urged to let their leader do her job amid fevered leadership speculation and an ongoing spat over climate and energy policy.
Generation AI: young Aussies likely to use chatbots
More Australians are using artificial intelligence tools but your reliance on them could depend on your age, your occupation and even your language.
Roblox escapes under-16s social media ban for now
The list of sites captured under Australia's social media ban for under-16s has been expanded, but a popular gaming platform remains exempt.
Power deal inked to secure smelter’s short-term future
A 12-month power deal has guaranteed the short-term future of a 70-year-old aluminium smelter than employs more than 500 people.
Coalition voters flirt with ‘anti-woke’ One Nation
Many older coalition voters are fleeing Sussan Ley's iteration of the Liberal Party, leading to record polling highs for a resurgent One Nation.
COVID jabs cut the risk of heart complications in kids
Vaccination has been associated with a smaller risk of rare heart conditions compared to COVID-19 infection in children, the largest study of its kind suggests.
‘Cloud’ lingers in DNA contest over notorious murder
An ongoing challenge to DNA evidence in one of Australia's most infamous murders needs to be resolved for the sake of the victim's family, a judge says.