PM seeks advice on perks as furore builds over claims
Anthony Albanese has asked the parliamentary expenses watchdog for advice on travel entitlements as the opposition ramps up calls for a minister to resign.
national news
Residents brace for high heat and extreme fire threat
Residents in a state capital face total fire bans and extreme conditions after blazes threatened outer suburban homes with scorching temperatures ahead.
Childcare worker used kids to make sex abuse material
A failed police officer who was moonlighting as a childcare worker has admitted taking explicit images of children as young as four while in his care.
Reality TV star jailed over fatal chopper crash probe
Matt Wright tried to take advantage of a badly injured and vulnerable pilot, a court has been told, as the Outback Wrangler star was sentenced to a jail term.
Belt tightening in order as federal payments balloon
More than $12 billion in program cost blowouts demand tighter spending in other parts of the federal budget, the treasurer is warning Australians.
‘So evil’: woman confronts rapist Tom Silvagni in court
Tom Silvagni, the youngest son of AFL great Stephen, barely reacted as his victim laid out her pain in a statement to the court.
Social media ban slugged with second legal challenge
A High Court challenge filed against Australia's social media ban by a leading platform has been dismissed by a government minister as a "complete crock".
Travel expenses saga takes flight as PM defends rules
A senator's taxpayer-funded travel to a netball match is among the latest travel expenses of federal politicians to go under the microscope.
French men charged over theft of items worth millions
Police allege four men specifically travelled to Australia to steal items worth tens of millions of dollars from a home.
‘No value’: bank defends dropped no-deforestation plan
Westpac's agricultural customers were clear. Its stand against deforestation is of no value, so the bank dropped plans for a forest protection policy.
Senator charges public for travel timed with legal case
Thousands of dollars worth of flights and travel allowance have been claimed by a senator during trips that coincided with developments in a private legal case.
Businesses spared rising costs as peace deal struck
Christmas has come early for businesses with a months-long impasse on workers compensation resolved, ensuring insurance premiums do not surge.
Myer hails Black Friday boom as top label nears return
Department store Myer achieved its biggest biggest Black Friday sale performance on record as it prepares to relaunch a fast fashion brand in Australia.
Vote looms as strike closes courts, locks down prisons
A strike that has shut a state's courts and forced prisons into lockdown remains unresolved, with union members expected to vote on possible further action.
Query over second dead camper ahead of murder retrial
Prosecutors are yet to rule out manslaughter over the death of a second missing camper after Greg Lynn was ordered to face retrial for Carol Clay's murder.
Divided US central bank cuts rate, signals pause
The US central bank has reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row but signalled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months.
Tax reform call as data centre boom plugs in investment
A jump in forecast business investment in the midyear budget update will be unveiled by the treasurer, which bodes well for Australia's productivity growth.
Faster coal decline risks catching Australia off-guard
Demand for Australian coal exports might dry up faster than first thought, underscoring the need for rapid action to help mining communities prepare.
Mixed employment report won’t make RBA’s job any easier
Unemployment and jobs growth figures for November tell differing stories about the strength of the labour market, providing little clarity for the Reserve Bank.
Six figures or out: income needed for typical rental
To be able to afford rent for a typical house, Australians need to be earning 51 per cent more than they did before the pandemic.
Weeks wait for social media ban data to come online
Australians will have to wait a little longer to learn how effective a contentious social media ban has been for the nation's children.
Indigenous deaths in custody reach ‘horrific’ high
Australia has recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1979/80, with advocates calling for action on incarceration rates.
Super giants tapped to compensate for self-managed duds
The federal government will force retail and industry super funds to help compensate people who lose their retirement nest eggs to failed private schemes.
Residents come to terms with devastation of bushfire
As a community takes stock after a blazing inferno that destroyed 16 homes, legal advocates say being prepared for the worst case scenario is crucial.
New federal body, ministry proposed to protect kids
An inquiry has heard that greater federal oversight is necessary to stop child predators from exploiting gaps in Australia's childcare sector.
‘Revenge’ alleged motive for double murder of children
A group of teens who allegedly murdered two children are accused of targeting Sudanese males as "revenge" for the killing of another teen nine months earlier.
The smell of native grasses reviving women’s knowledge
Indigenous women are tapping into an ancient knowledge of native grains, harvesting and cooking with them, through their sense of smell.
PM won’t sack minister as travel expenses saga grows
Federal minister Anika Wells will keep her job in Anthony Albanese's government as more incidents of her travel at taxpayers' expense attract scrutiny.
‘Claim back our waterways’: calls for crocodile culls
Claims of an "infestation" of crocodiles is prompting calls for a cull as part of a management plan of the apex predators and to protect regional communities.
Mother confronts son’s killer after decades of pain
The mother of a teenager killed almost three decades ago by a Molotov cocktail has spoken of the guilt and pain she has been forced to endure.
Nvidia chip sales to China sparks US security concerns
Critics fear Donald Trump's decision to upend US policy by allowing Nvidia to sell its advanced AI chips to China will boost Beijing's military capabilities.