‘You guys are angels’: lost hiker’s tears with rescuers
Relatives of rescued hiker Hadi Nazari say they never lost hope he would return to them after he spent almost two weeks missing in rugged bushland.
national news
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.
Bank of mum and dad could run dry for retirement
Affordability constraints have many turning to the bank of mum and dad but parents have been urged to consider their finances carefully before lending.
Cost of living in mind as Labor clutches purse strings
Voters are crying out for more measures to combat the rising cost of living with a federal election looming as Labor preaches responsible economic management.
Suspect returns 27 years after alleged cold-case murder
A man who allegedly evaded police across eastern Australia for 18 months has been extradited to face a murder charge over his partner's death in 1997.
‘Alarming’ move by Meta raises misinformation fears
Meta's decision to end its third-party fact checks could put Australian democracy at risk amid an explosion of misinformation and disinformation, leaders warn.
Kiwi King and Scottish swooner dazzle on Elvis Express
A wide variety of Elvis impersonators from Australia and overseas are descending on a bush town to celebrate the King of Rock'n'Roll's 90th birthday.
Casino operator Star’s shares plunge amid grim finances
Star Entertainment says it had just $79 million in cash left at December 31, after burning through $107 million over the previous three months.
Doubt cast over ‘crude’ plan to ban CFMEU from project
Members of the troubled CFMEU could be banned from working on a multi-billion-dollar project under a coalition plan to fix one of Australia's longest roads.
Rescued hiker leaves hospital after 13-day alps ordeal
Bushwalker Hadi Nazari has been discharged from hospital after his rescue and is keen for more hikes but an expert has advice for anyone going to remote places.
Call for states to fire up new gas to avoid shortfall
Federal Labor has been urged to reverse "anti-gas policies" with structural shortfalls forecast from 2027 and Australians still under the pump on energy bills.
Property dominates wealth but stocks safer than houses
Investors might start looking outside of the property market where most of Australia's wealth is held, as returns for another sector outstrip housing.
Charge ahead faster: energy group proposes EV changes
Installing electric car chargers on power poles could be a solution to Australia's growing transport issues, one group says, and could roll out fast.
Bail laws crack down halts court as arrests explode
Police have made 31 arrests in 24 hours after major changes to bail laws, causing courts to grind to a stop, leaving authorities scrambling for solutions.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Seaplane owners: we’re devastated by fatal crash
A seaplane company has expressed its "heartbreak" after one of its aircraft crashed off a popular island, killing three people and injuring three others.
Man in court over $1m heritage racecourse stand fire
An alleged firebug has faced court after being charged with nine offences following a blaze that damaged a $1 million heritage-listed racecourse stand.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
PM rounds up pre-election tour in cattle country
An early start to the political year has landed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in cattle country, where he has been spruiking the importance of the industry.
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
The Brutalist, Emilia Perez triumph at Golden Globes
The Brutalist and Emilia Perez have won top honours at the Golden Globes, while Australia stars missed out in Hollywood's star-studded start to awards season.
Man accused of raping airline crew member denied bail
A Fijian man accused of sexually assaulting a Virgin Australia crew member on New Year's Day could make a bid for freedom when he next faces court.
Tech fears overpower hiring woes as top business worry
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technology issues are keeping business leaders up at night, with labour shortages now a lower-priority concern.
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
Infants ‘ate food scraps off floor of childcare centre’
A childcare centre will remain closed after allegations of infants eating off the floor, staff scrolling on their phones and other serious issues were aired.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
Suspected arsonist arrested over racecourse stand blaze
A 51-year-old man has been arrested over a series of suspicious fires, including one lit at a heritage-listed racecourse grandstand.
Rivals swept aside as leader reveals fresh Battin order
Key supporters of Brad Battin's move to overthrow John Pesutto as Victorian Liberal leader have been rewarded with shadow cabinet promotions.
Missing hiker search rolls on after his camera is found
An intensive search for a hiker missing in the Australian Alps for almost two weeks is continuing, after more of his personal items and a campfire were found.