Ex-Liberal leader’s $2.3m bill sparks by-election fears
Former state opposition leader John Pesutto has been ordered to pay Liberal MP Moira Deeming $2.3 million in costs, raising bankruptcy and by-election concerns.
politics (general)
Election contests heat up as seats go down to the wire
After more than a week of federal election vote-counting, winners are yet to be declared in three seats as the next parliament takes shape.
Huge prison boost creates stir for justice advocates
A bail crackdown has prompted moves to increase prison bed numbers but opposition politicians say the numbers don't add up.
A glimmer of hope for nuclear dream after election bomb
Voters rejected a plan to build seven nuclear reactors, but some experts say the technology's role in cutting emissions means it can't be ruled out.
‘This is healthy’: Nationals leader welcomes challenge
Nationals leader David Littleproud is standing behind his record as he stares down a challenge for the party's top position in federal parliament.
Axed minister’s angry response to ‘factional assassin’
A minister dumped from federal cabinet has pinned the blame on Labor factional warlords and suggested his views on Gaza were partly responsible.
Liberals push leadership cases after election thrashing
Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley are courting support for the Liberal Party leadership, as one high-profile senator announces her bid for the deputy role.
Major parties barely fend off independent challengers
Several MPs have clung on to their electorates by a whisker after days of counting following the May federal election, but the fate of others is less clear.
‘Tax on Bluey’: Rudd rips into Trump’s film tariffs
Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has spoken against President Donald Trump's proposal to tax foreign-made movies.
Merz elected German chancellor after initial defeat
MPs have elected conservative leader Friedrich Merz as Germany's next chancellor in a second round of voting.
Election expected to drive confidence in electric cars
Australia's transition to low-emission vehicles could speed up after the election, experts say, fuelled by ongoing tax cuts and emission limits.
US, China to hold ice-breaker trade talks in Geneva
Two top US officials will meet with China's top trade negotiator this weekend in the first major talks since President Donald Trump sparked a trade war.
Greens mired in group-think and gen Z zone: co-founder
The Greens need to confront a lack of free speech within the party, its co-founder says, following a poor performance at the federal election.
Japan, China trade airspace violation accusations
Japan and China have both lodged protests about airspace violations around the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Beijing also claims.
Wary China ‘evaluating’ US offer for talks on tariffs
The US and China are locked in a cat-and-mouse game over tariffs with both sides unwilling to be seen to back down or be first to negotiate.
US wants to start tariff talks with China: state media
A Chinese state media report says the "US has proactively reached out to China" to hold discussions on tariffs.
MP’s tribute to late mum after invite to Pope’s funeral
Pope Francis offered hope and teachings that transcend religion, a federal MP has said as he prepares to represent Australia at the pontiff's funeral.
Aussie authors launch bid to close the book on AI theft
More than 1700 Australian authors have reported their works were stolen to train AI software but experts say lawsuits may be a gamble and new laws are needed.
Tariff turmoil triggers Reserve Bank inflation fears
Uncertainty over US tariffs and a brewing global trade war cast a shadow over the Reserve Bank of Australia as it deliberated on cutting interest rates.
Some hybrid cars thirstier than their petrol peers
On-road vehicle tests show some hybrid vehicles are not saving as much petrol as lab tests promise and a two use more than standard cars on highways.
Planning processes punted to fast-track stadium build
A contentious stadium, needed for a state to be granted its own AFL team, will be fast-tracked after long delays have undermined confidence in the project.
Parties eyes votes in ‘over the top’ spending blitz
Despite promising good economic management, major parties have thrown billions at voters in pre-election sweeteners amid competing pitches for first homebuyers.
PM downplays awkward air kiss as campaign heads south
After an awkward exchange with Tanya Plibersek on the campaign trail, Anthony Albanese has refused to say whether his purported rival will keep her portfolio.
Dutton’s son saving like mad in hopeless housing market
Peter Dutton took his son out on the campaign trail as he assured his government would offer housing hope for young Australians like 20-year-old Harry.
Ex-state Liberal leader ‘used cocaine to escape stress’
A former Liberal leader who has admitted supplying cocaine to friends says his reputation has been destroyed and he does not deserve further punishment.
‘No more bills’: why batteries may change energy market
Helping more households capture solar power in a battery could have a market-wide impact, although some could miss out on the biggest savings.
China vows to ‘fight to the end’ over US tariffs threat
"The US ... threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake ... again exposing the American side's blackmailing nature," China says.
Greens pushing Labor to scrap property tax breaks
Federal Labor has ruled out changes to property tax handouts, but the Greens will try to force the party to act on the issue if there's a hung parliament.
Thirsty nuclear plants ‘could suck water from farmers’
Farmers and businesses may be forced to surrender gigalitres of water to fuel proposed nuclear power stations due to their inland locations, a report claims.
Car sales accelerate, with hybrids leading the charge
More drivers are getting behind the wheel of a new car but preferences are changing, with hybrids speeding up and petrol cars slowing down.
South Korea’s Yoon removed from office over martial law
President Yoon Suk-yeol has apologised to his fellow South Koreans after a top court removed him from office over his ill-fated declaration of martial law.