Missing teen’s final hours caught on CCTV: police
CCTV footage showing inside the apartment of missing Melbourne teen Isla Bell's alleged killer has captured her final hours, according to police.
national news
Social media age ban coming ‘as soon as possible’: PM
A push to ban children younger than 16 from using social media platforms is likely to secure cross-party support and pass parliament as soon as next week.
Coles denies supplier gouge through own-brand products
Supermarket heavyweight Coles has developed a wide range of subtly-branded products it owns, denying there is any transparency issue for customers.
Jury still considering verdict for cop who tasered 95yo
After its first full day of deliberations, a jury has not decided if a police officer who tasered a 95-year-old will be convicted or acquitted of manslaughter.
Leaps and bounds: program helps Indigenous graduates
Charities will go head to head at a philanthropic pitching event, including one with a program helping Indigenous kids transition from school to university.
Campus-style hubs to aid uni students in city outskirts
University campus-style facilities are set to make life easier for students living on the outskirts of Australia's biggest cities.
China trade not comprising Australia’s interests: PM
Australia must balance its relationship with China and the US despite the countries' "very different" political systems and values, the prime minister says.
Dark side of dating with some app users more vulnerable
Dating apps are being told to do more to prevent sexual violence enabled by their platforms but there's a warning broader societal attitudes can't be ignored.
Australia’s diversity a mark of pride, says Penny Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has revealed the hardship she experienced as an immigrant child after being honoured at the Asian Australian Leadership Awards.
‘Flippant’: Greens’ housing scheme demands draw ire
The housing crisis is too serious for the Greens' "flippant ideas" about help-to-buy and build-to-rent scheme reforms, the Property Council of Australia says.
Labor claims big swing against Libs in by-election
South Australian Labor has pulled off a historic win in former Liberal leader David Speirs' seat of Black after a double-digit swing.
Australia to continue the push on trade, climate action
Anthony Albanese will push for free trade and climate action at an economic forum, as a second Trump administration creates uncertainty for world leaders.
Why Aussie school students are being given an AI grade
An artificial intelligence tool developed in Australia is being tested in classrooms and early results suggest it is helping students improve their answers.
Japanese forces to join US Marines in the NT
The Japanese military will join US Marines on annual deployments for joint amphibious training to the Top End, Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced.
Economists look to RBA minutes for clue on future rates
Public appearances by Reserve Bank officials will be scoured for clues to where interest rates might be heading next and how they view the economy.
Home lost, people told to flee Great Ocean Road towns
Tourists have been evacuated and people in Great Ocean Road towns have been told to leave immediately as Victoria's bushfire emergency claims at least one home.
‘I never took my time for granted’: retiring Labor MP
A number of politicians are farewelling the parliament ahead of their retirement next year, as Labor and the coalition look to end the year on a high note.
Developer malaise means Woolies is behind more malls
Woolworths has cast itself as being in competition with cake shops and newsagents, while also showing the might of its construction arm.
Cruel twist as ankle bracelet strapped back on refugee
An ankle monitor removed from an Afghan refugee has been reattached by officials despite the High Court ruling such visa measures to be punitive.
Silent Alan Jones to fight indecent assault charges
Broadcaster Alan Jones has been granted bail after being, charged with 24 offences against eight victims between 2001 and 2019, when he dominated the airwaves.
Independents up in arms over ‘rigged’ donations reforms
The major political parties have been slammed for "rigging" the system to boost their chances of winning, after agreeing on a political donations reform bills.
Bushfires ease but too early to tally property losses
Fire crews have made ground in battling blazes in Victoria's west and southwest, declaring one contained and slowing another.
‘Not the frailest I’ve seen’: cop who tasered woman, 95
An elderly woman holding a knife was not meant to die after being tasered for being a threat as she approached police officers and paramedics, a jury has heard.
Premier flags tax stability for multinational miners
A mining boss has labelled Queensland's coal royalty scheme a 'sugar hit' as the premier looks to incentivise business with fewer taxes and regulation.
‘I’ll do it again’: Lidia Thorpe defies censure motion
A Senate vote to censure Lidia Thorpe has not deterred the independent Indigenous senator, who says she'll use the rebuff as "kindling".
Half of year 12 exams impacted by blunder, boss resigns
Victoria's year 12 exam blunder has claimed its first scalp, after half of the tests were impacted by an error that allowed students to preview questions.
Solar battery surge expected for plugged-in households
More Aussie households are expected to investigate solar batteries as a way to save on the cost of power rather than the cost to the environment, a bank says.
Cash flows but small business fears paying the price
Small businesses want an exemption to laws protecting the use of cash for essential items as the treasurer finds a fit for banknotes in a digital economy.
Task force to tackle crime in Brisbane’s tent cities
A task force has been established to tackle 'anti-social behaviour' at tent cities in Brisbane's parks, as homelessness services buckle under pressure.
Plug in, get paid: EV drivers to tap into batteries
Electric vehicle drivers could plug their cars into the electricity grid and earn money next year following a partnership between two manufacturers.
Social cohesion holds despite inflation, high migration
Australians are able to disentangle how they feel about higher migration levels from their appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism, research suggests.