Prosecutors drop breast-grab charge against actor
A TV actor fined after protesting in a state parliament has maintained she never grabbed and twisted the breast of a worker, who said it broke the "girl code".
parliament
Scrapped Commonwealth Games becomes an online mockery
It should have been a moment for Australia's athletes on home soil but the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been reduced to cost blowouts and social media mockery.
State finally launches ticketless travel – with a catch
Train passengers in one state will finally be able to pay fares with bank cards or iPhones, but the system will only be available to some commuters.
‘Buggered’: emotional Nationals leader makes shock exit
David Littleproud says he hasn't got the drive to continue as leader of the Nationals as the first contender to replace him throws his hat in the ring.
Anti-Semitism laws banning chants draws mixed reaction
Critics have slammed new laws designed to combat anti-Semitism as overreach, but a last-minute change reduces a minister's extraordinary powers.
Canada’s call for Australia to exploit ‘rare power’
The Canadian prime minister has made a direct pitch to Australian leaders to help his nation and other "middle powers" counter superpowers' coercive influence.
‘This is a stunt’: Hanson rebuked after Muslim remark
Firebrand senator Pauline Hanson has dismissed a censure against her by the Senate as an attack on One Nation following her rise in the polls.
Ley delivers parting shot as hotly contested seat opens
Ousted Liberal leader Sussan Ley has fired a shot at her successor, welcoming the "immediate re-adoption" of her policies as the battle for her old seat begins.
Legal doubts emerge over travel home ban for ISIS bride
Policies designed to deal with families linked to Islamic terrorists could breach the constitution, as politicians clash over how to deal with the issue.
‘Simple’ tax solution dismissed as illegal tobacco cure
Australia's surging illegal tobacco trade has sparked calls for changes to the cigarette excise but a leading bureaucrat says it's not the solution.
War of words heats up amid union scandal
A political spat has erupted over calls for a royal commission after a damning report exposed alleged corruption in the construction union.
No quick fix for overhauled Liberal immigration plan
The coalition's plan to curb Australia's migrant intake will be formally costed before its public release, delaying the exact details of its immigration policy.
Benched MP flew with Palmer during coalition split
Billionaire Clive Palmer flew a senior Nationals senator on his private jet to discuss electoral support when the regional party had split from the Liberals.
Liberal leader’s unity call as allies rule front bench
Prominent conservatives will return to the front bench as Opposition Leader Angus Taylor unveils his first shadow cabinet.
Challenger in hot seat as leadership showdown looms
Sussan Ley is rapidly approaching what could be her last day as opposition leader, with Angus Taylor poised to take over the Liberal Party's top job.
Liberal quits front bench for expected leadership tilt
Leadership aspirant Angus Taylor has resigned from Sussan Ley's front bench, paving the way for a likely showdown to head up the Liberal Party.
Key Wieambilla finding rejected in ‘tough’ gun reforms
A state government has come under fire for rejecting a key Wieambilla inquest finding and for reforms that "fortified the weakest gun laws in Australia".
Liberal leadership challenge looms after key meeting
Would-be Liberal leader Angus Taylor is being urged to make his ambitions public before a likely challenge.
Rival leaders dig in as clock ticks on coalition deal
Neither Liberal leader Sussan Ley nor Nationals counterpart David Littleproud are willing to cede ground as prospects of an imminent coalition reunion diminish.
‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD
States are continuing to shake up the way a prevalent developmental disorder is treated by allowing more health professionals to diagnose the condition.
Nationals sent to back benches after coalition divorce
The dramatic breakup of the coalition has left the Liberals as the official opposition while the Nationals languish on the cross bench.
Victim relief as key sentencing test to be abolished
People convicted of a crime will no longer receive lesser sentences because they are of "good character" in a seismic change to deliver more justice to victims.
Probe calling for ban of controversial chant panned
Slogans shouted at pro-Palestine protests are under scrutiny as a state moves to outlaw them after the Bondi massacre but critics say it curbs freedoms.
Trigger pulled on gun buyback as laws pass parliament
Gun reforms that Labor says would have banned the two Bondi shooters from owning firearms have passed parliament with support from the Greens.
Hate speech laws in peril as Libs, Greens spurn reforms
Major changes will be needed to the government's hate speech laws overhaul for any hope of rushing the legislation through parliament.
Jewish groups push to scrap hate speech law exemptions
Coalition members and Jewish groups have come out against proposed hate speech laws drawn up in response to the Bondi massacre.
Alarm sounded over religious text carve-out in hate law
A carve-out in hate speech legislation has been opposed by Jewish groups, with warnings it could undermine the intended protections against hate preachers.
Divide over hate speech reforms as parliament recalled
Parliament will return early to debate tougher hate speech laws after the Bondi terror attack, but concerns over gun reform might halt efforts.
PM softens stance as pleas mount for royal commission
The prime minister has opened the door to a royal commission into a deadly terror attack as calls for an inquiry rise from within his party.
No fault: Liberals deny tensions as tennis ace departs
An ex-tennis ace and rising Liberal star has blamed infighting for his decision to quit politics, but the party leader insists those issues are in the past.
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travel and commuting
Expense scandal critics back MP travel perks crackdown
Restrictions on family travel entitlements sparked by MPs flying partners to major events has strong support but there are calls for even stricter limits.