Bali Nine return reshines light on ending death penalty
The execution of two Australians for drug smuggling in Indonesia has refocused a spotlight on how the nation co-operates with countries using the death penalty.
national news
State’s last One Nation member quits over party funding
State MP Tania Mihailuk has quit One Nation over irreconcilable issues with the party's funding arrangements.
Evacuations as fires rage in nation’s east
Evacuation orders are in place for an out-of-control fire in Victoria as blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season.
Pharmaceutical giant sued over ‘ineffective’ cold drugs
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is facing a class action concerning cold and flu medication known to be "ineffective".
Activists want banks’ actions to match words on climate
Activists are heartened that Australia's big banks took steps to limit lending to fossil fuel companies this year, but also have questions.
Shaken Vanuatu hit by new quake as Aussies return home
Vanuatu has been hit by another earthquake as Canberra announced more financial assistance and hundreds of Aussies returned home.
Cost of giving diminishes Christmas joy
As families make cutbacks and sacrifices to save the spirit of Christmas, charities warn that many will face a bleak festive season devoid of celebrations.
Extreme weather scaring off tourists
Threats of floods, storms, bushfires and heatwaves are making summer holidays difficult to plan and navigate for tourists.
Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal
Donald Trump has threatened the US could retake control of the Panama Canal if it continues to be charged 'ridiculous' fees to use the vital shipping route.
Blazes force evacuations amid rising risk of Xmas fires
Firefighters are working around the clock to prepare for sweltering Boxing Day conditions as warnings for several major blazes are downgraded.
Watching for doves in Reserve Bank’s Christmas reveal
A dovish tilt was detected in the Reserve Bank's last post-meeting comments, so traders will hope for more traces of an upcoming rate cut in its board minutes.
Pesutto facing chop as MPs call second Deeming meeting
Senior Liberals have turned on Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, calling a meeting after he backflipped on readmitting expelled MP Moira Deeming.
Four-year-old boy dies in WA house fire
A heartbroken Western Australian family is mourning the death of a four-year-old boy who died in a house fire just days before Christmas.
‘John’s cooked’: writing on the wall for Liberal leader
A state Liberal Party could opt for its fourth leader in four years as a backflip by incumbent John Pesutto fails to cool tensions.
Disaster team back home after marathon Vanuatu mission
A Queensland-based team of 66 including paramedics, engineers and firefighters has spent almost a week helping locals following Vanuatu's deadly earthquake.
Ready to burn: travellers urged to reconsider travel
Millions of residents and travellers across the country are being warned to be on high alert as the risk of Christmas-week infernos intensifies.
Work bans dropped after premier knocks back free fares
A long-running stand-off between a transport union and state Labor government over pay appears a long way from resolution as a peace deal is rejected.
Fears for Australian soldier captured in Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it is concerning news that an Australian citizen is reportedly being held hostage by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine.
Foxtel sale a game changer for sports fans, industry
The $3.4 billion sale of Foxtel Group to British streaming behemoth DAZN is being called a landmark for Australian sports broadcasting.
‘A gentleman’: tributes flow for longtime federal MP
Liberal Party stalwart Kevin Andrews has been remembered as "a man of honour in the bear pit of public life" at a state funeral.
Australia to send ex-fighter pilot to Trump-led system
A former fighter pilot's Australian family is considering its options after condemning the "inhumane" approval of his extradition to the US.
Festive frenzy is full swing ahead of Santa’s arrival
The countdown to Christmas is more frantic than festive for most Australians, with many tipped to complete their preparations with a last-minute rush.
Christmas inferno fears spark total fire bans
Total fire bans have been declared in two states over the Christmas break as emergency services prepare for the worst conditions since Black Summer.
New Year’s show goes on but fireworks loom in train row
Millions of people can enjoy Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks after a union and government paused a pay fight during the holidays.
Leaders praise Aussie resilience and Christmas spirit
The resilience of Australians has been celebrated by political leaders as communities battle natural disasters over Christmas.
RBA says rate cuts coming soon, IMF warns on inflation
The Reserve Bank's interest rate settings are appropriate but the battle against inflation is not yet won, a check-up of Australia's economic health has found.
Aussie Cossack’s ‘attractive’ offer to seal prison swap
A perennial thorn in the Australian government's side has vowed to make it worth their while if he's sent to Russia in a swap for prisoner of war Oscar Jenkins.
Alec Baldwin’s movie manslaughter case dropped
Alec Baldwin's lawyers say he's been vindicated after prosecutors dropped an appeal so he won't be tried for manslaughter over a fatal shooting on a movie set.
Shoppers to splash the cash in $1.3b Boxing Day spree
Cost of living pressures are not high enough for Australians to miss out on bumper billion-dollar Boxing Day sales after a season of early shopping tactics.
Australian story: PM remembers 50 years of Tracy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reflected on how Cyclone Tracy impacted the nation on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Darwin being flattened.
Measles, polio detected as authorities urge caution
Health authorities are urging people to monitor for measles symptoms after an infectious case was detected while polio was also found in wastewater.