Coalition senator takes aim at $840 million pledge
An $840 million pledge will not amount to self-determination, the coalition says, as peak organisations welcome the 'genuine, meaningful' funding agreement.
politics
Flooding puts focus on failing major highway
Promises of a better Bruce Highway costing billions of dollars have followed another flooding of the major road which isolated towns and sparked rescues.
Inquiry into caravan briefings a waste of resources: PM
The prime minister has rejected calls from the opposition to hold an inquiry into when he was briefed on the discovery of a caravan laden with explosives.
Accused criminals left to own devices in ‘bail fail’
A state will stop using private firms to track accused criminals on bail after dozens were left unmonitored when a provider suddenly collapsed.
Mandatory jail for terror risks ‘serious injustice’
Australians from vulnerable communities could be disproportionately harmed by laws that introduce mandatory jail time for some terror offences, experts warn.
Dutton supporting ‘erasure’ of Palestinians: advocates
Palestinians have lashed Peter Dutton for "legitimising" Donald Trump's plan for a US take over of Gaza which would erase them as a people, advocates say.
Australia tops index as virtual power plants take shape
Australia is poised for virtual power plants that connect households and slash bills but an expert warns nuclear reactors could force users off rooftop solar.
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
international (foreign) trade
natural gas
politics
‘Golden age of gas’: households, manufacturers miss out
Households and manufacturers have been left worse off by the east coast gas bonanza, and exporters face new competition from cheaper sources, a report warns.
University heads grilled over anti-Semitism inaction
Vice-chancellors have defended action taken against anti-Semitism on university campuses amid concerns that Jewish students feel unsafe.
Disastrous dumped bail offences back ‘on the table’
All reforms are on the table as part of a so-called bail law review, including re-establishing offences found to disproportionately target Aboriginal people.
Stretched hospitals get $1 billion in ‘landmark’ deal
In a bid to bolster an under-pressure health system, the federal government has committed $1.7 billion in extra funding for public hospitals and services.
Middle East stance unchanged after Trump Gaza call: PM
While Donald Trump has called for the United States to take over Gaza, Anthony Albanese says Australia still backs a two-state solution.
Ukraine vows to negotiate exchange for captured Aussie
Ukraine has promised to help secure the release of Australian Oscar Jenkins, reiterating its gratitude to Australia for aiding its fight against Russia.
House prices expected to rise amid supply challenge
Housing will remain a key policy battlefield at the election with prices expected to continue increasing and efforts to boost supply lagging behind targets.
Teals bet on hung parliament to force gambling ad ban
Independent crossbenchers will leverage their votes in a minority government to force action on banning betting advertising after Labor failed to act.
Call for ‘data diplomacy’ with China after DeepSeek ban
Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has been banned from government use over security concerns, but experts say more must be done to protect Australians' information.
Clean up starts for some but flood threat remains
The clean up has begun for some residents in rain-hit northern Australia but the flood threat is not over for others, with more showers and storms forecast.
Senator pushes for gambling industry influence inquiry
David Pocock is critical of the government for not acting on a landmark report recommending banning gambling ads, linking it to industry lobbying efforts.
Hate speech laws go to vote as anti-Semitism denounced
Hate will be stopped at its source if tougher amendments are made to proposed laws to crackdown on the rise of anti-Semitism, an advocate says.
States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow
States' "lax financial discipline" has earned a rebuke from a credit ratings giant, which says they are at risk of paying higher interest bills to service debt.
Under-pressure government slammed for bail laws review
Another overhaul of bail laws is on the cards, as a state government is accused of buckling to scare-mongering amid rising youth crime.
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
Australia must cut red tape and reform its tax system to boost productivity and safeguard against a looming trade war, the Business Council says.
Trump says new US sovereign wealth fund may buy TikTok
An executive order signed by US President Donald Trump is set to create a sovereign wealth fund for the United States.
Probe sparks fears for trans patient’s mental health
A Queensland mum says she would have lost her daughter if she couldn't have accessed gender-affirming care as the state government hits pause on the service.
Poll still a blind date as no love lost between leaders
MPs are sharpening their pitches to the public in the lead-up to a federal election as politicians gather for the first sitting week of the year.
China’s new tariffs seen as ‘measured response’ to US
China has retaliated swiftly with tariffs on US goods after President Donald Trump reignited the trade war between the two superpowers.
diplomacy
international (foreign) trade
international relations
politics
restraint of trade
trade dispute
trade policy
Aussie households forecast to weather Trump tariffs
Australia might see some fallout from Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, but local households are expected to be spared too much pain.
Major parties rake in over $140m in political donations
Almost half of all donations to Labor, the coalition and the Greens don't have associated donors due to electoral rules, leading to calls for reform.
Mystery money for MPs shines light on ‘dark’ donations
Independents want greater transparency into who is bankrolling political parties, with the origins of almost half of donations a mystery.
Jobs on a string in major energy grid expansion project
A transmission project in one of the most rugged parts of the world is a "litmus test" for whether a state government can stop jobs going offshore, an MP says.
US could feel ‘pain’ in China, Mexico trade war: Trump
US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to impose sweeping tariffs on products from Mexico, China and Canada as financial markets react.