Bid to use cheap tobacco prices as proof of criminality
Border forces will be able to prosecute the sellers and distributors of illicit tobacco more easily as part of efforts to disrupt the burgeoning black market.
politics
Zelenskiy jet ‘almost hit,’ Trump says Putin wants deal
US President Donald Trump says his Russian counterpart wants to make a Ukrainian peace deal as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Oslo.
Insurers count mounting cost of ‘crime problem’ state
Fresh car and property theft figures are grim reading for residents of an Australian state that has become synonymous for crime.
Gas export project to stop dipping into domestic market
A major gas exporter says it will stop contracting third-party gas for overseas shipments, amid calls for an enforced domestic reservation.
Hanson denies ‘traitor’ claim after ‘lying coward’ barb
Pauline Hanson is refusing to take down the cartoon at the heart of a feud between her party and a prominent Liberal MP who claims he was branded a "traitor".
Voters may ‘forgive’ state One Nation leader’s past
A One Nation leader's admissions of past mistakes have raised character questions but an election analyst believes many anti-establishment voters won't care.
Blanche d’Alpuget: biographer, wife, Bob Hawke’s lover
Remembered as the woman involved in the most scandalous affair in Australian politics, Blanche d'Alpuget was an acclaimed writer and devoted wife to Bob Hawke.
‘Love one another’: Blanche d’Alpuget pens final words
Blanche d'Alpuget, who died aged 82, has been remembered as an acclaimed writer and devoted wife, leaving behind her a final message of love.
‘A good local member’: PM defends campaign grant funds
Labor has dismissed claims of conflicts of interest over a $560 million grant scheme to fulfil election promises as the crossbench pushes for more transparency.
Hit with broad sanctions, Israel to close UK consulate
After the UK, France and Canada announced trade sanctions on Israel, Jerusalem has retaliated by announcing the closure of the British Consulate.
‘Doesn’t pass pub test’: Labor seats awash with grants
Labor is accused of pork barrelling after the lion's share of a half-billion-dollar election fund went to its own seats, including in the PM's backyard.
One Nation state leader admits drug use ‘mistakes’
One Nation's Victorian leader has denied being a drug addict and insists he still has the support of Pauline Hanson despite his previous substance use.
‘Let down Zomi’: slain aid worker’s mates want justice
Friends of an Australian humanitarian worker killed while delivering aid in Gaza are demanding an investigation and the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.
Free education in $1b sweetener for Solomons treaty
Details of treaty negotiations between Australia and Solomon Islands have been revealed in a leaked WhatsApp message.
‘Putting choice back’: algorithm axing in the spotlight
Labor wants to put power back in the hands of social media users by forcing tech companies to introduce minimum standards under a digital duty of care.
One Nation rejects need to model proposed super changes
Barnaby Joyce has denied a plan to allow early access to super would worsen inflation, despite appearing to admit economists had not modelled the policy.
Iran says it plans new Gulf ‘exclusion zone’
Iran has vowed to announce a new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz and is threatening to strike US oil and gas assets in the wake of escalating tensions.
‘Economically disastrous’: Hanson’s super policy panned
Allowing workers to divert a quarter of their super income to rent and mortgage payments won't pump up inflation, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson insists.
Call to embed algorithm opt-in for social ‘cesspit’
The Greens are vowing to hold back laws to strengthen Australia's under-16s social media ban until the government introduces digital duty-of-care measures.
Cold start to nation’s normally hot home sales season
The property market is yet to shake off its winter chill as capital cities reported fewer auctions in the first week of the normally busy spring sales season.
Algorithm opt-out plan faces major political hurdles
People will be empowered to limit algorithms' influence under draft laws, but the changes could struggle to pass the upper house.
‘Come forward’: ADF sexual violence inquiry plea
A former high-profile senator revealed as the head of a military sexual violence inquiry is urging veterans and defence force personnel to share their stories.
Almost 1500 weapons seized under landmark reforms
Landmark reforms have helped police seize almost 1500 weapons in a state that still tops the nation for the number of crime victims, according to latest data.
Nepal survivors’ fresh test as men pulled from tunnel
Infrastructure challenges continue to hamper the search for survivors of the Nepal-Tibet floods as rescuers make a dramatic rescue at an underground facility.
US envoys to visit Russia, Ukraine over weekend: report
US negotiators will visit both Ukraine and Russia in a bid to end the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says.
Pacific pushback but no condemnation over China missile
A statement by Pacific leaders expressing concern over China's missile test is being viewed as a sign of pragmatism as nations walk a diplomatic tightrope.
Black skips Epstein deposition, sues US House committee
Leon Black has sued the US House Oversight Committee over its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, arguing its subpoenas exceed its authority.
Rogue developer boasted then-premier was ‘best friend’
A fugitive developer bragged about his political influence after a former premier's brother encouraged him to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Resource firms hit the gas on controversial project
Gas explorers and pipeline layers have enthusiastically outlined the vast potential of the controversial Beetaloo gas field at a resources conference.
‘No brainer’: tobacco tax-cut idea could crush crime
An economist has joined the call for a drastic cut to the tobacco excise, as the coalition pledges to slash the tax by 80 per cent.
The two sides to Australia’s climate record in Pacific
Pacific nations are enthusiastic partners with Australia on renewable projects in their region but remain frustrated at high-emitting countries.