Youth offenders now face ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws
A controversial "adult crime, adult time" election pledge has become law after tough youth justice legislation was passed in Queensland parliament.
politics
Tech giants to be charged if they fail to pay for news
In a bid to return revenue to Australian news publishers, the government will charge tech giants if they do not pay for local journalism.
CFMEU crackdown: police may sort out site ‘thuggery’
Allegations of intimidation and bullying within the CFMEU are being investigated but a state government wants the police to be able to step in on work sites.
China benched, PNG takes field in sport-security pact
Australia is putting $600 million towards a team from Papua New Guinea joining the NRL but will pull its support if Port Moresby breaks "strategic trust".
breaking_news
diplomacy
human rights
international law
international organisation
international relations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
Australia’s Gaza ceasefire support splits community
Humanitarian organisations and Palestinian Australians have welcomed Australia's support for a ceasefire in Gaza but the Jewish community has raised concerns.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
government
politics
Growing backlog as green tape chokes energy investment
A group of developers has warned of significant delays to the renewable energy needed to power Australian homes and businesses as green tape chokes investment.
Early rates cut all but dashed as unemployment dips
Australia's unemployment rate has unexpectedly fallen to 3.9 per cent, bolstering the argument for the Reserve Bank of Australia to keep rates on hold.
Liberal leader to ‘keep fighting’ after defamation loss
State Liberal leader John Pesutto is vowing to remain in his role, even after a Federal Court judge found he defamed expelled state MP Moira Deeming.
Push to strengthen hate crime laws and tackle threats
The government should make it an offence to threaten marginalised Australians and set up a national database to help combat hate crimes, a committee recommends.
Rail project blowout sparks a ‘cooking the books’ claim
Queensland's Liberal National government has been accused of "cooking the books" after claiming a major rail project has blown out to triple the original price.
Retiree to rookie MP: advocate’s stunning rise at 69
Former builder Russell Field is set for a second apprenticeship as the most unlikely rookie MP after a meteoric rise as a crime-victim advocate.
Rex directors face grounding for silence over $35m hole
Four Rex directors failed to disclose the troubled airline's financial position after expressing optimism for future profits, the corporate regulator alleges.
Jewish community reels after ‘cowardly’ graffiti attack
Australia has been diminished as a nation by graffiti and a car fire the prime minister says was aimed at delivering fear to the Jewish community.
Women in immigration detention put beside sex offenders
Male sex offenders in Australian immigration detention centres are being housed next to vulnerable women, human rights inspectors have found.
Interest rate relief edges closer as RBA changes tune
Australia's central bank is sounding more confident it can beat inflation in welcome signs for mortgage-holders, home-buyers and the federal government.
PM lashes anti-Semitic attacks as evil and disgraceful
Anthony Albanese has delivered an impassioned call for Australians to unite around common values and respect after two attacks on Jewish communities.
Thousands of families could benefit from free childcare
More than 60,000 families would access three days of free childcare while an access test branded punitive will be scrapped under a Labor policy.
Anti-Semitism denied following travel warning for Jews
A rise in anti-Semitism in Australia has sparked a travel warning from a Jewish human rights group as the prime minister vows any such acts won't be tolerated.
Premier gags any bills or changes to abortion laws
No bill or amendments to abortion legislation will be allowed under a surprise motion put forward by a premier that blindsided MPs on all sides of the chamber.
Workers protest CFMEU takeover as court battle starts
Blue-collar unionists are rallying against a forced takeover of the construction union, saying the laws strip them of their rights, as a legal challenge begins.
Road blocked as Israeli adviser’s charges withdrawn
Dozens of protesters have blocked a busy city thoroughfare as a private prosecution against a former Israeli advisor was struck out in court.
New homes lead the way in energy efficiency
Canberra boasts the most energy efficient homes in Australia but cities with older stock like Sydney and Hobart are lagging.
Aussie hub to keep Pacific police ready, China at bay
The opening of a Pacific policing base and training centre in Australia comes a day after China donated boats, 4WDs and motorcycles to Vanuatu police.
Free public wi-fi ‘gamechanger’ for remote communities
More than 20 communities will have free wi-fi in public spaces through a $20 million government program to address the digital divide in remote areas.
Family violence order ‘stopped ex-MP from filing tax’
Personal turmoil and an inability to access documents from an ex-partner's house have been blamed for a former politician's failure to submit tax returns.
Insurers ‘price gouging’ with secret premium hikes
Millions of Australians are being overcharged by health insurers using a loophole to dodge the rules against raising premiums.
China locked out of Nauru security in Australian pact
Australia needs to agree to Nauru entering a security or banking agreement with a third country after signing a treaty to prop up the Pacific nation's budget.
Travel ban imposed on South Korea’s embattled president
South Korea's defence ministry says President Yoon Suk-yeol is still commander in chief despite the justice ministry banning him from travelling overseas.
Tongan PM Sovaleni resigns ahead of no-confidence vote
Tonga's parliament must elect a new prime minister following the resignation of Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni after three years in the job.
PNG to turn pipeline NRL dream into bona fide reality
Papua New Guinea NRL officials will be able to begin plans for a club name and colours once NRL expansion is confirmed, along with a location for their village.
Trump taps his defence lawyer to serve as counsellor
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced he is appointing one of his defence lawyers in the New York hush money case as counsellor to the president