‘Show courage’: Labor MP rebels on LGBTQI census topics
Josh Burns is the first Labor MP to publicly call on his government to reconsider its decision not to include LGBTQI questions in the next census.
national news
Shadows of US-China contest over Pacific Islands Forum
Attempts by the Solomon Islands to downgrade the membership of Taiwan at the Pacific Islands Forum appear set to fail.
End of state-level push for Lambie after sackings
Senator Jacqui Lambie says her days of trying to get ordinary people into politics at state level are over after she sacked two Tasmanian MPs from her party.
‘Fanciful’ to tie power bill cap to coal-plant deal
The idea that a deal to keep open Australia's largest coal power station until 2027 could include a power price guarantee to help consumers has been dismissed.
Resources bellwether warns of clean energy constraints
Contracting group Monadelphous, a bellwether for energy and mining activity, says labour shortages continue and warns of barriers to decarbonisation.
Crocodiles given tummy aches to stop cane toad feasts
Rangers and scientists have been training crocodiles in Western Australia not to eat cane toads, by giving them a bout of food poisoning.
‘Rotten to the core’: racism claim over fatal diagnosis
The father of an Indigenous man who was fatally misdiagnosed with a drug-related illness says the doctor responsible shouldn't be treating patients.
Pledge to resuscitate pay row talks as ambo chief quits
Weeks after Victoria's paramedics union condemned the state's ambulance board with a vote of no confidence, the chief executive has resigned.
Vicinity seals largest Aussie retail deal for 2024
Retail property group Vicinity Centres has acquired a 50 per cent stake in one of the biggest shopping centres on the west coast.
Water standards in focus as ‘forever chemicals’ found
Traces of cancer-linked chemicals have been detected in drinking water supplies, prompting an investigation and calls for calm.
‘Rarely seen’ pressure applied to Reynolds: Payne
Former federal minister Marise Payne has told a court about her concerns for Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins after the latter's alleged rape in parliament.
Fortescue slams ‘cynical distraction’ in IP-theft case
Directors sued for allegedly using Fortescue secrets in their own startup filed a "monumental waste of time" to avoid defending the lawsuit, a judge has heard.
Drug user murdered three vulnerable people, court told
A man accused of three cold case murders was a drug user who killed vulnerable people while searching for valuables to fund his habit, a judge has heard.
One in four Aussies in ‘childcare deserts’ missing out
Australians living in the regions and metropolitan outskirts are missing out on child care as providers preference areas where they can charge the highest fees.
Calls for family violence funding to be election issue
A report card on Australia's progress in ending gender-based violence concludes more funding is needed, especially in crisis areas.
‘Ghost colleges’ closed in tertiary sector overhaul
The federal government has moved to close almost 150 tertiary institutions that offered no training but continued to operate.
‘Let me out’: Aussies need help with subscription traps
Most Australians have struggled to cancel a subscription and some have given up entirely, a report has warned amid calls for legal reforms.
Migrant, refugee women harassed regardless of status
From temporary visa holders to citizens, high-paid to insecure jobs, migrant and refugee women are not immune from being sexually harassed at work.
Start date questions heat up over $30b solar mega-farm
Approval of a huge renewable-energy project could establish Australia as a leader in the field, but there's no start date in sight for the solar farm.
‘Save our home’: coal mines could cost koala habitat
More than 20 new coal projects in two states would have a devastating impact on the habitat of endangered koalas, climate and conservation groups warn.
Underfunding public schools ‘entrenches inequality’
Teachers, students and state and territory education ministers are urging the federal government to increase its funding for public schools
MPs face sanctions under new standards commission
The federal government will introduce laws to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to police the behaviour of MPs and staff.
MPs behaving badly face fines under code of conduct
Federal MPs have been urged to lift behavioural standards, as laws are introduced to enforce a code of conduct for elected officials.
Santos drilling for gas demand well into the future
Oil giant Santos is juggling capital-intensive projects, including the hotly contested Narrabri field in NSW, as rising costs and lower LNG prices hit profits.
Opportunity knocks for winner of women in country award
Indigenous advocate and creator of the Remote OpShop Project, Tanya Egerton, has been named the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National Winner
Check one, two: Google tests if AI can improve hearing
Could hearing aids and cochlear implants benefit from artificial intelligence technology? Google and Australian researchers have teamed to find out.
‘Blood on his hands’: advocates slam NDIS reforms
Access and funding levels are set to change for people on disability support services after the government struck a controversial deal to revamp the NDIS.
Deepfake porn laws to target sharing of sexual images
Federal parliament is cracking down on the sharing of fake or digitally altered pornographic images without consent.
Review gun laws ‘so no one else has to go through it’
An urgent review of correctional officers' use of firearms has been recommended by an inquiry into the death of an Indigenous man shot while fleeing custody.
‘Enraged’ shooter targeted wife and family before death
Investigators are trying to unpick what led a man from Victoria, with scant police history, to target his family in a shooting in suburban Sydney.
Dress pulled up, alleged serial killer’s trial told
The body of a woman allegedly killed by a man accused of three SA cold case murders was discovered by her 11-year-old grandson, a court has been told.