‘John’s cooked’: writing on the wall for Liberal leader
A state Liberal Party could opt for its fourth leader in four years as a backflip by incumbent John Pesutto fails to cool tensions.
politics
Pesutto facing chop as MPs call second Deeming meeting
Senior Liberals have turned on Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, calling a meeting after he backflipped on readmitting expelled MP Moira Deeming.
Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal
Donald Trump has threatened the US could retake control of the Panama Canal if it continues to be charged 'ridiculous' fees to use the vital shipping route.
Bali Nine return reshines light on ending death penalty
The execution of two Australians for drug smuggling in Indonesia has refocused a spotlight on how the nation co-operates with countries using the death penalty.
US Congress approves bill to avert government shutdown
Facing a government shutdown, US Congress has passed a funding package while defying Donald Trump's demand to also greenlight trillions of dollars in new debt.
Canadian PM loses key ally, looks set to be booted
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership is in trouble after a key ally vowed to present a no-confidence motion.
Macron swears in angry exchange in cyclone-hit Mayotte
French President Emmanuel Macron swore during a heated exchange with angry residents in cyclone-hit Mayotte.
Train pain ahead of New Year’s Eve fireworks threat
Cancelling Australia's biggest New Year's Eve fireworks display could send businesses to the wall, but the impacts of rail network chaos are already in play.
Live lobsters back on Chinese menus as relations thaw
China has notified Australia the live rock lobster trade can resume, following an earlier agreement and the lifting of final trade barriers on some abattoirs.
Retiring backbencher gifts a lump of coal for Christmas
A retiring backbencher known for his staunch opposition of a net-zero carbon emissions target has taken a swipe at his party leader on his way out the door.
Australia boosts Solomons support as China pact stopgap
A security pact between Australia and Solomon Islands will strengthen the Pacific nation's domestic police force and reduce the need for any Chinese assistance.
World famous NYE fireworks show veers off the rails
The threat of cancelling Sydney's famed New Year's Eve fireworks display due to union-led train disruptions has been dismissed as a scare campaign.
Release of Bali bombers ‘reopens old wounds and scars’
Paul Vanni lost six of his best mates in the devastating Bali bombing attacks and the repatriation of two people involved to Malaysia has reopened old wounds.
‘Massive divide’: Liberals split on MP’s bid to rejoin
Ousted Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has declared it's "only a matter of time" before she returns to the party room after a vote split her ex-colleagues.
‘Unwanted milestone’: family violence sparks crime high
Police are telling families to be alert in the lead-up to Christmas for signs of domestic violence in the wake of a shocking new report.
National first as women dominate state cabinet top jobs
Three women will headline Victoria's new cabinet in a first for Australia after Jaclyn Symes and Sonya Kilkenny were elevated to treasurer and attorney-general.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy urges EU-US unity to stop Putin
President Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading for the joint help of the EU and the US to fight Russia amid fears Donald Trump could withdraw support for Ukraine.
Racism rife at universities as many fear speaking out
Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, racism against foreign students and Indigenous people feeling diminished are under the Human Rights Commission's spotlight.
Unis split on visa go-slow to curb foreign students
International student visas for tertiary education will be prioritised for a limited number of applicants before being hit with a go-slow to tame migration.
Productivity slump worsens Australia’s deficit dilemma
Australia needs to get productivity growth back on track to pay for structural spending increases and avoid endless deficits, economists warn.
‘Drugs are illegal’: premier’s warning over test trial
Drug takers are being warned they could still be arrested despite a state government waving through a pill-testing trial at music festivals over the summer.
Southern hemisphere’s biggest rodeo set to ride again
One of Australia's most famous rodeos has received a lifeline after entering voluntary administration, with a state government confident it will ride again.
Budget blues in the most populous state as rates weigh
Government finances are wobbling in Australia's most populous state as stubbornly high interest rates weigh on home building and consumer spending.
‘Whitewash’: doubt cast over fixes for ‘rotten’ CFMEU
Measures may not be strong enough to weed out construction sector criminality after revelations of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the CFMEU.
Latham fights for right to repeat ‘disgusting’ MP claim
A court has been asked to permanently restrain Mark Latham from again uttering a defamatory and sexually explicit remark about a political rival.
Deficits dig deeper holes as cracks appear in budget
Australia is on track for a soft economic landing despite budget deficits set to widen as spending grows and tax receipts fall, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Homeowners making hundreds a week even without tenants
People who own property might be able to make more than $30,000 a year, if the market is good, simply by holding onto their asset for about nine years.
‘Shemozzle’: Olympics plan could lead to venue delays
The venues for the 2032 Olympics venues may not be delivered on time, a construction leader has warned as he took aim at uncertainty surrounding Games planning.
Australian destroyers to join UK show of force
Two Australian navy destroyers will take part in exercises with a British carrier strike group that will be deployed to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
Halfway there: Australia on track for renewable goal
If current momentum gained in the six months is sustained then Australia can reach its 2030 renewable energy target, think tank research suggests.
Changing channels as former Nine chief takes ABC reins
The man who oversaw the merger of two major news companies before leaving Nine under a cloud has been appointed as the next managing director of the ABC.