Construction union takeover to be cemented after deal
All construction divisions of the CFMEU will face a minimum three-year administration period and up to five with serious penalties for non-compliance.
national news
Call for 90-day detention cap to end asylum ‘cruelty’
Asylum-seeker advocates say a proposal to cap immigration detention at 90 days would be the first step to addressing Australia's 'crisis of detention'.
Higgins won’t appear at Reynolds defamation battle
Brittany Higgins will not give evidence to defend herself in her defamation battle with Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds.
Hitting the wrong note: musicians say AI will take jobs
Thousands of musicians say they will no longer be able to support themselves due to the impact of Artificial Intelligence, according to a major survey.
Disaster insurance claims driven by Queensland events
Insurers paid out $2.2 billion in claims related to extreme weather events in 2023/24, in line with the previous year, new figures show.
Servo chain Ampol slashes dividend, fuel volumes fall
Energy company Ampol has slashed its interim dividend on lower fuel volumes, tanking its share price, but signalled a return to normal at its refinery.
Lendlease’s losses deepen after tough year in property
Lendlease has extended its bottom line losses to more than $1 billion after taking a hit in a tough market as charges related to its new strategy took a toll.
BlueScope backs Port Kembla steelworkers amid downturn
A major steelmaker warns of tough conditions as it braces for rising electricity, gas and labour costs amid a stubbornly soft home building market.
White knight rescues Booktopia, opens door to new life
Collapsed book e-retailer Booktopia has been rescued by a white knight digital business that will reopen the company.
Status quo ‘unacceptable’ on gambling adverts, PM says
Anthony Albanese is vowing to reform gambling ads but one disgruntled Labor backbencher says anything short of a complete gambling ad ban is 'disgusting'.
PM launches Gaza visa attack on ‘hypocritical’ Dutton
Anthony Albanese has defended the government's approach to issuing visas to Palestinians, accusing the opposition of confecting outrage on the issue.
Execs raided in Fortescue’s ‘industrial-scale debacle’
Fortescue is accused of falsely painting two scientists as "nefarious" to get court approval to raid their homes after allegedly stealing confidential secrets.
Mixing science and culture snags win in seagrass rescue
Cultural and scientific knowledge combine as important ingredients in protecting and restoring seagrass but now the effort is in expanding the process.
Aussies want AI restrictions, though most don’t use it
Generative AI tools are a concern for a growing number of Australians, a report has found, even though only two in five have tried the technology.
Crack down on construction union clears final hurdle
The CFMEU has signalled it could challenge new laws forcing it into administration for at least three years, as parliament agreed to pass the reforms.
Rate-cut hopes hit brick wall as RBA cements stance
Borrowers are being warned to not bank on any short-term relief on their mortgages as the RBA talks down hopes of an interest rate cut in 2024.
New climate projections drill down to suburban level
NSW and ACT residents can now zoom in on sophisticated new projections that show how climate change will affect their own backyards.
Blood, sweat and fears: laws may not protect workers
Changes to Australian privacy laws may not stop employers from requesting invasive medical tests with little explanation, a report has found.
NSW did nothing in a year to help most at-risk species
A government audit has delivered a scathing assessment of the NSW environment department's efforts to save more than 1000 species from extinction.
Unlikely allies gather to call full-time on betting ads
A Labor minister and a Liberal backbencher have called for a complete ban on gambling advertising as the government remains tight-lipped on its policy.
Scaffold crumbles on construction union crackdown law
Hopes new laws would put the construction union into administration quickly following allegations of organised crime links have been dashed as talks stall.
Push to stop Lawyer X compensation claims hits skids
A bill stopping compensation claims over the use of lawyers as police informants at the height of Melbourne's gangland war could be doomed to fail.
Husband charged over alleged 1998 fake robbery murder
More than a quarter-century after the death of a 53-year-old woman, police have charged her husband with murder and say he faked a break-in to cover his tracks.
Flights guaranteed for regional Rex Airlines customers
The federal government has guaranteed bookings on Rex Airlines as it goes through the administration process, as sacked workers call for their entitlements.
Advocate’s alleged abuser to fight charges at trial
The alleged abuser of victim advocate Manny Waks has been committed to stand trial after pleading not guilty to historical child sexual offences.
Mixed jobs data gives RBA more food for thought
Record jobs participation will keep the Reserve Bank wary of cutting rates, despite unemployment rising in July to the highest level since November 2021.
Murdered Indigenous women, kids ‘got little justice’
An inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and children wants a review into policing practices across the nation, after handing down a final report.
Immunity ‘dilemma’ for High Court over judge’s error
The High Court is facing the "exquisite dilemma" of deciding whether the benefits of wide judicial immunity outweigh the potential harm to wronged individuals.
‘Mind-boggling’ nomination failure sparks Liberal upset
The NSW Liberal Party director is defying calls to resign after "incompetence" left more than 130 candidates off upcoming election ballots.
Mutual defence pledge as ‘warfare’ moves to cyberspace
The changing nature of war has led to a revamp of an Australia-New Zealand security pact as the trans-Tasman partners work to bolster each other's defences.
Murdered Indigenous women, kids report ‘demands action’
Parliament is being urged to "put some teeth" into action recommended by an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and children.