‘Like the Opera House’: the tiny halls that loom large
Country halls remain at the heart of small towns in times of both celebration and disaster, but their longevity largely depends on the kindness of locals.
national news
Disunity is death but Liberals remain in pole position
State and territory Liberals have endured a week of unrest and agitation but things are still looking up for the party on several electoral fronts.
Healing call as centenary marked at notorious boys home
Stolen Generations survivors are calling for Kinchela Boys Home to become a place of truth-telling and healing on the institution's 100th anniversary.
Police probe deaths of mother and two children in river
A mother and her two children have died after they were seen in distress in a waterway in Sydney with police trying to determine exactly what happened.
Dutton sets up housing showdown with big build pledge
With housing affordability expected to dominate the federal election campaign, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a $5 billion plan to boost supply.
Man charged over ‘horrific’ 1988 rape of teenager
A man extradited to Victoria from Queensland has been charged over the "horrific" kidnap and rape of a teenager more than 35 years ago.
Independents’ day continues as voters leave the majors
An unprecedented election of independents at the last federal election is proving more of a trend than an anomaly with results replicated in ACT and NSW polls.
King cracks jokes as Aussies get close look at royals
After being greeted by royalists and protesters outside a church service, King Charles has drawn laughs while presenting a gift to parliamentarians.
Want to quit work an hour earlier? Deploy a robot or AI
Research shows more Australian workers are willing to ask for help from AI and robots at work, and experts say the trend could elevate human jobs.
Reserve Bank’s views on hot jobs market to be canvassed
A speech by the Reserve Bank of Australia's deputy governor will draw careful scrutiny amid hopes a long-awaited rates cut could be brought forward.
Freeze on home efficiency standard cops political heat
A coalition plan that would stop changes to energy efficiency standards for buildings over a decade has been criticised for stopping climate change action.
Pomp and pyrotechnics, Aussies set ablaze by royal tour
King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued their Australian tour across the nation's capital, duly trailed by adulating crowds.
Officers ‘breached right to silence’ in botched arrest
Three police officers face possible demotion after their arrest and questioning of a man with intellectual limitations was criticised by a NSW judge.
Big business blueprint to nail down housing crisis fix
Quicker approvals and slashing red tape are some of the key measures the business lobby has put forward to improve housing affordability and accessibility.
Qantas says sorry as sacked staff seek $200m justice
Qantas has apologised for its unlawful pandemic retrenching of 1700 workers as the transport union pursues the airline for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Grey area: questions over Sunshine State’s green future
Queensland could revert to coal central as calls grow for a power plan from the energised LNP, days out from voters heading to the polls in the Sunshine State.
Drinking water chemical limits hard to swallow for some
Guidelines for potential cancer-causing chemicals allowed in Australian drinking water have been released, with at least one region failing to meet them.
PM focused on affordable housing despite home furore
Anthony Albanese says he's committed to increasing affordable housing, despite copping flak for buying a $4.3 million beach house with sweeping ocean views.
Billions poured into defence precinct, creating jobs
Billions of dollars will be poured into a new defence precinct in WA, which is being touted as a rival to the mining industry for jobs and economic growth.
CBA chair says ethical principles will govern AI use
Commonwealth Bank has the "best, most capable people" working on the use of artificial intelligence in its business, chairman Paul O'Malley says.
Beach closed, swimmers warned over mystery ‘tar balls’
The appearance of unexplained ball-shaped debris on a popular Sydney beach has prompted authorities to close it down and launch an investigation.
‘Coercive’ judge found guilty of assaulting ex-partner
A Supreme Court judge has been found guilty of assaulting and intimidating his ex-partner, with a magistrate describing his version of events as "contrived".
MP breaks party ranks on transgender birth certificates
A NSW Liberal MP has broken with ranks and accused her leaders of fearmongering over laws that make it easier for transgender people modify birth certificates.
Autonomous flying taxis prepare for launch in Australia
Would you ride in a plane with no pilot? One aerospace company is betting on it, signing a deal with Australian air safety regulator to establish rules.
Millions of Australians stalked, women often targeted
Women are more likely to have been stalked than men, with one in seven Australians revealing they have been subjected to the behaviour since they were a teen.
‘Invisible, sidelined’: landmark count for fatal cancer
People with metastatic breast cancer often feel invisible but world-leading research to understand its prevalence could mean better support.
Major loophole might have helped hundreds access guns
Police have dismantled a scheme allegedly involving fraudulent documents being used for gun licences, but it might have put weapons in the hands of crime gangs.
Qantas braces against carbon neutral greenwash claim
Australia's biggest airline has been referred to the consumer watchdog amid accusations it is misleading passengers about its green credentials.
Bulk of CFMEU probe evidence relates to coercion
Dozens of incidents within the embattled CFMEU are being investigated after it was placed into administration following criminal allegations.
Australian shares march back from all-time high
The ASX200 has dropped 0.4 per cent, with every sector except financials losing ground.
Australia admonishes Israeli, backs US Gaza aid call
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned the number of civilian deaths in Gaza and backed an American ultimatum to Israel to force an rise in the flow of aid.