Snap election call dumps ‘unworkable’ Tas parliament
The premier of Australia's only Liberal government says he called an early election to avoid being "held to ransom" for the next 12 months.
politics
Inquiry chair denies special treatment for journalist
The chair of an inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial denies he gave preferential treatment to a particular journalist, despite prolonged contact.
Fossil fuel carbon levy would fund climate ‘solutions’
A levy on fossil fuel carbon would help greener products to compete and fund initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change, a think tank says.
Tasmanian Liberal premier announces early election
Tasmania is set to head to the polls more than a year early after the state's minority Liberal premier failed to resolve an impasse with two independents.
Security chiefs eye global conflicts and meddling spies
Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza and Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine are keeping Australia's intelligence agencies under the pump.
Battery failure led to power plant mass outage: report
A battery failure triggered a chain of events leading to an explosion at Callide Power Station, leaving nearly half a million Queenslanders without power.
Laws proposed to improve Children’s Court media access
The Queensland premier has moved to improve media access to Children's Court cases through legislative reforms.
Treasury eyes ‘rare’ full employment opportunity
No evidence of a wage price spiral suggests the jobless rate can stay lower than previously thought sustainable, says the top Treasury official.
Defence chief unaware of commander’s torture allegation
A Fijian colonel facing torture allegations was appointed to oversee 3000 Australian troops, without the knowledge of the defence force chief.
Property investors in focus as tax debate shifts gears
As home ownership becomes increasingly difficult for many, pressure is growing on the major political parties to revisit tax reform.
Trump wins Nevada, Virgin Islands: Rep nomination close
Donald Trump is closing in on the Republican presidential nomination, easily winning caucuses in Nevada and the Virgin Islands.
Coalition wants more protections for airline passengers
The federal opposition is set to introduce laws that would boost consumer protections for airline passengers, following a surge in cancellations.
Tas minority premier to mull independent ‘crisis’ talks
Tasmania's Liberal minority premier says he will take time to consider discussions with two powerful independents amid his threat of an early election.
Pakistan ex-PMs Sharif and Khan both claim poll win
Nawaz Sharif has declared victory in Pakistan's elections and is seeking to form a government despite his party trailing supporters of jailed rival Imran Khan.
Indian Ocean security threats on par with Pacific: Wong
Vast waters to Australia's west present security, climate and conflict threats as serious as those facing the Pacific, the foreign minister told a conference.
Pakistan’s Khan-backed independents lead in final count
The final tally has been released in Pakistan's national election and shows independents, mostly backed by former leader Imran Khan, winning 101 of 264 seats.
Right to disconnect laws pass federal parliament
Employees will be able to legally disconnect from work out of hours, after industrial relations changes cleared the House of Representatives.
Criminal charges unlikely over dodgy offshore contracts
Companies suspected of bribery, money laundering and drug smuggling were given lucrative contracts tied to Australia's offshore immigration detention regime.
NSW planning laws ‘intolerable’ for lifting home builds
Reforms to increase housing density in NSW urban centres face council opposition as the premier insists they will still have a say in dual-occupancy changes.
Ship docks to unload livestock after weeks long voyage
A live export ship turned back from the Middle East has returned to port to offload thousands of sheep and cattle on board for five-and-a-half weeks.
Joyce returns to parliament after viral video emerges
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has returned to federal parliament after video came to light of him lying on the pavement in a busy Canberra street.
PM ‘very concerned’ about Israeli offensive on Rafah
Australia's prime minister has expressed serious concerns about the threat to civilian lives as Israel prepares a full-blown attack on Rafah in southern Gaza.
Immigration detainees not charged under emergency laws
Seven murderers and 37 sex offenders have been released from immigration detention, with the immigration minister under fire over how they've been managed.
Ship docks to unload livestock after weeks-long voyage
A live-export ship turned back from the Middle East has returned to port to offload thousands of sheep and cattle on board for five-and-a-half weeks.
Hamas, Aussie’s terror links no risk at home: spy chief
The risk of terrorism to Australians domestically has not spiked despite Hamas' attack on Israel and a citizen's links to a terrorist group, the spy chief says.
Prosecutor’s legal fight over Lehrmann trial findings
The man who prosecuted Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins will return to court for his own legal challenge over a subsequent review.
Remote jobs program to help close the gap in employment
The federal government will table its Closing the Gap reports in Parliament on Tuesday, measuring 2023's progress and outlining their plan for 2024.
Knife sales ban to minors priority for Queensland Labor
Tackling youth crime will be a focus for the Queensland parliament as it returns for the first sitting week of 2024.
Queensland MP in serious condition after car crash
The Queensland Greens leader says he's hopeful MP Amy MacMahon will make a full recovery after suffering serious injuries in a car crash.
Intelligence chiefs warn of power shifts on world stage
Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza and Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine are keeping Australia's intelligence agencies under the pump.
Sydney faces future as ‘city with no grandchildren’
Fewer people live in inner Sydney than inner Brisbane and Melbourne, pushing up housing costs and driving young families interstate, a report shows.