Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
national news
‘Knee-jerk reaction’ social media ban set to pass
A proposal to ban children from social media is expected to become law despite experts and politicians arguing it may not make the internet safer for kids.
Drive with care: Uber launches service for extra help
A rideshare service trialled in the United States will be launched in Australia, letting caregivers book rides for the people they help.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
Sky’s the limit: Australia urged to boost green fuel
Australia has the potential to lead the world in sustainable aviation fuel but a report warns that other countries are making progress faster.
New routes to secure internet for Australia, Pacific
New cables will entrench Australia's role as a state-of-the-art connection point for large volumes of data in a global digital ecosystem, project partners say.
East coast swelters through hottest day in years
Australians are sweating through a major heatwave, while the energy regulator scrambles to keep the lights on.
Baby dies amid unprecedented whooping cough outbreak
A newborn baby is dead and infections are surging as health authorities scramble to contain a worsening national whooping cough epidemic.
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
Workers are using AI but worry it makes them look lazy
More Australian white collar workers are using artificial intelligence tools to do their jobs but research shows many feel guilty about telling the boss.
Chronic conditions on the rise among Indigenous people
The number of Indigenous people smoking daily has dropped, while mental health conditions have risen, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Trump doesn’t have to hurt Australia-China ties: envoy
A Trump presidency doesn't have to impact how Australia and China co-operate, Beijing's ambassador says, amid a spate of hawkish cabinet picks.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Failed cocaine and people smuggler cops hefty sentence
A superyacht operator has been jailed for more than 11 years for his role in a failed drug-smuggling operation that led to the death of a Brazilian diver.
Expansive migration laws to deport, ban entry imminent
A trio of migration bills with sweeping government powers is set to be passed after the coalition backed the amendments amid mounting criticisms of overreach.
Teen social media ban a step closer despite concerns
A social media ban is looming for Australians aged under 16 after the measure to force restrictions on many platforms cleared its first hurdle in parliament.
‘Tell the truth’: Indigenous family’s plea for justice
Kumanjayi Walker's family members have called for truth as the long-running inquest into his death draws to a close.
‘Better deal’ for suppliers as supermarkets face fines
Supermarkets face fines of up to $10 million if caught breaching a grocery code of conduct that will become mandatory.
Christmas rate cut hopes slayed as inflation holds firm
Energy rebates have lowered Australia's headline inflation rate, but the Reserve Bank remains focused on underlying price pressures.
MPs on notice as key review targets ‘entrenched’ racism
Australian leaders are being urged to set an example to eliminate racism through a national plan involving sweeping legal and behavioural changes.
Fresh hope for those wanting to buy own home sweet home
Australians locked out of the housing market will soon have a viable option to buy their own piece of paradise with a significantly smaller deposit.
Fur flies over billion-dollar koala park cost claims
A billion-dollar purported price tag for a new national park has dropped jaws and raised eyebrows as loggers and environmentalists resume hostilities.
All eyes on Biden as timeline ticks for Assange pardon
Campaigners for Julian Assange hope the prime minister can help push Joe Biden to formally pardon the Wikileaks founder before the end of his term.
Mining hubs lead regional property price rise
Affordability and lifestyle choices continue to drive up property prices in regional Australia, but there are signs the heat is coming out of the market.
‘Incredible’ return of carved tree inspires community
The return of a carved tree to Gamilaraay people will reconnect them to their ancestors, cultural practices, lores and inspire future generations, elders say.
Sad homecoming as teenage backpackers’ bodies returned
The heartbroken parents of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles have brought their bodies back to Australia after their deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos.
Gaza aid demand echoes as ceasefire in Lebanon welcomed
Australians with families in the Middle East have cautiously welcomed a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based listed terror group Hezbollah.
Rising rate of jailed Indigenous women rings alarm bell
Domestic and family violence, and insecure housing are among the issues driving up the numbers of Indigenous women in Australia's prison system, advocates say.
Fatima Payman decries racism, eligibility bid shot down
Former Labor senator Fatima Payman has faced down an attempt by Pauline Hanson to have questions raised about her eligibility to sit in the senate.
‘Don’t blame you for hating me’: speeding driver jailed
A speeding driver who killed two people in a collision while on his way to a casino says he doesn't blame the families of the victims for hating him.
Power plants warning as mass blackout scare loses heat
Public servants, big businesses and everyday folk have saved the day by turning off non-essential electricity during a major heatwave.