Human rights commissioner slams new youth crime laws
The Queensland government has been accused of "plumbing the depths" by pushing through laws that will ensure children face harsher penalties for serious crimes.
politics (general)
Hold the phone calls: digital services may save time
Australians could spend less time on the phone and the government could save money with a greater investment in digital services, a report says.
Australia urged to follow Middle East on nuclear power
Australia could have nuclear power reactors operating within 12 years, an inquiry has heard, if the nation follows the Middle East rather than Europe.
Veteran Liberal senator retires to seek ‘new direction’
Simon Birmingham has made a heartfelt speech to colleagues as the Liberal called time on his 17-year Senate career to pursue a "commercially oriented" future.
‘Cruel, inhuman’: justice laws to violate human rights
New youth justice laws will likely increase the number of children in detention and put pressure on packed facilities, a state government admits.
Taiwan backs expansion of AUKUS, strait ship transits
Australia should send more warships to the Taiwan Strait, Taipei says, after its vessels and others from Japan an New Zealand conducted patrols in September.
Joe Biden pardons son Hunter despite saying he wouldn’t
President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing him a possible prison sentence and reversing his promises not to use the power to benefit his family.
Mayor asked to be stood down with full pay
Embattled Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson asked the state government to be stood down while still receiving his $225,000 salary.
Plug in, get paid: EV drivers to tap into batteries
Electric vehicle drivers could plug their cars into the electricity grid and earn money next year following a partnership between two manufacturers.
‘Guarded references’: Door opening to rate cuts
The Reserve Bank of Australia remains 'vigilant to upside risks to inflation' but has stepped through a number of scenarios allowing it to cut interest rates.
Reports Trump, Putin spoke are ‘pure fiction’: Kremlin
A Kremlin spokesman has dismissed as "completely untrue" reports Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke in a recent call.
Thousands rally as nurses reject one-or-the-other deal
Angry nurses will not accept delaying their demand for improved staffing ratios as a condition of securing a major pay rise.
Regions speak out over carrying ‘forced’ energy burden
Australians in regional towns worry they will be forced to accept nuclear power plants even if they object to them, an inquiry has heard.
Israel sends rescue planes after attacks on soccer fans
Leaders of Israel and the Netherlands have condemned what they call antisemitic attacks on fans of soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Electric cars could keep lights on in Australian homes
The batteries inside electric cars could be used to power households in Australia before the end of the year after the release of technological standards.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
‘We have your back’: push to ban kids from social media
A push to ban Australian children under the age of 16 from social media has the support of families who have experienced the dark side of online content.
Nuclear waste could add billions to energy supply costs
The time needed to build nuclear reactors and the cost of safely storing radioactive waste remain big questions for Australia, an inquiry has been told.
Light rail to slow to a crawl as union ramps up demands
Sydney Commuters face frustratingly slow light-rail trips as industrial action linked to a wages dispute between drivers and a major private operator heats up.
Albanese sees sun breaking through dark economic clouds
The prime minister strikes an optimistic tone in a speech to the business crowd, saying the worst economic storms are over and the future may be much brighter.
Lehrmann’s barrister hides identity to avoid ‘trolling’
Bruce Lehrmann will need to wait the better part of a year to appeal his defamation suit loss but the barrister due to represent him won't be revealed.
Pill testing to go ahead at Schoolies after backflip
The Queensland government remains staunchly against pill testing, but the free and confidential service will go ahead at Schoolies in a matter of weeks.
Australia needs to ‘step up’ critical minerals supply
Australian firms need to sharpen their focus on critical minerals to power the world's green energy transition, an international relations conference has heard.
Trauma surgeons sound grim warning on e-scooter dangers
Medical officials worry the increasing use of electric bikes and scooters could further pressure already stretched hospital emergency departments.
Youth advocates poke holes in teen social media curbs
A lack of detail about proposed social media curbs is causing teens anxiety, young online safety and mental health representatives have told an inquiry.
PM: I never called ex-Qantas boss for flight perks
The prime minister has emphatically denied calling Qantas's former chief executive for flight upgrades, pouring cold water on an incendiary political dogfight.
Flight upgrades still clear for take-off despite outcry
Aviation experts say flight upgrades for business leaders and politicians are likely here to stay after concern about the prime minister's travel arrangements.
Rising Labor star keeps Gold Coast seat amid LNP sweep
Meaghan Scanlon will be the only Labor representative on the Gold Coast after a Liberal National Party election sweep of Queensland's tourist strip.
Hanson tweet to Muslim senator ‘ultimate racist slur’
A judge has rebuked Pauline Hanson for being loose with the truth, making racist remarks for decades and telling a Greens senator to return to Pakistan.
Housing groups shore up support for build-to-rent bill
Australians want "action, not politics" when it comes to the build-to-rent bill, a federal MP says, as new data shows public support for the legislation.
Labor banking on education plan to give it a clean run
As federal MPs return to Canberra, the Labor government is hoping its education reforms will allow it to end the political year on a high ahead of the election.