Cooking with gas no more as Victoria heads for net zero
Gas cooking and heating will be a thing of the past in Victorian new-builds from 2024, as part of the state's plan to reach net zero by 2045.
politics
Sinking retail trade bolsters case for cash rate pause
A sharp drop off in retail sales and weakening inflation could keep the Reserve Bank on the sidelines at the next board meeting.
Minns ‘concerned’ about rise in Metricon complaints
Premier Chris Minns says he is worried about an increase in complaints about major residential builder Metricon and has backed the watchdog to act.
Gillard’s ex Tim Mathieson to admit to sexual assault
Australia's former 'first bloke' Tim Mathieson will plead guilty to committing a sexual assault before his split with Julia Gillard became public.
‘Critical moment’ for Australia in ore-some energy race
Demand for iron ore and coal may ebb but critical minerals can provide for future generations, unless labour laws and investor uncertainty mess it up, BHP says.
Hospital’s backlog of radiology images ‘unacceptable’
A Gold Coast hospital is working to clear a backlog of 54,000 radiology images that will take months to clear amid concerns the delays may put patients at risk.
Senator clears up position on reporting rapes to police
Former Liberal minister Linda Reynolds has clarified her stance on potential law changes that could impact a rape survivor's decision to make a police report.
Niger coup supporters set fire to ruling party HQ
Police have used tear gas to disperse supporters of a coup in Niger after some protesters ransacked the headquarters of the ruling political party.
US bond watertight as PM hoses down cracks in subs deal
Anthony Albanese has watered down concerns cracks may emerge in the AUKUS partnership as a group of US Republicans criticise the deal in Congress.
PM throws down gauntlet on stalled social housing fund
The federal government's signature housing fund will be reintroduced to parliament, setting up a possible trigger for an early election.
Pacific a major focus at Australian military exercises
More than 30,000 military personnel from several nations are war gaming in Australia, with a focus on co-operation in the Indo-Pacific.
Assange supporters call for release ahead of US talks
Australian ministers have been urged to raise the case of Julian Assange when they meet their US counterparts for annual talks.
Trump ‘asked staffer to delete Mar-a-Lago footage’
Donald Trump is facing accusations that he and aides asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in a bid to block investigators.
Call to combat costs with solar-powered social housing
As homeowners fuel a rooftop solar power surge, states are being urged to improve access for renters, including those in social housing.
Julia Gillard’s ex-partner to admit to sexual assault
Australia's former 'first bloke' Tim Mathieson will plead guilty to a sexual assault charge as he faced a Melbourne court.
Hiking coal tax likely won’t lift power bills, NSW says
NSW is considering lifting the tax it charges on mined coal but has pointed to advice that any increase will have a negligible effect on power prices.
South Korea wins multi-billion-dollar defence contract
South Korean company Hanwha Defence has won a multi-billion dollar contract to build infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army.
Smaller businesses hit hard by waning economy
Smaller businesses are bearing the brunt of the deteriorating economy, with conditions looking less optimistic for firms with fewer employees.
Rooftop solar surge eases wholesale electricity prices
Rooftop solar is reducing wholesale electricity prices but the market operator warns more transmission is needed to keep the lights on in a post-coal system.
Warnings about spying, hacking threat from Chinese AI
Australia needs to properly assess and regulate artificial intelligence to stop authoritarian nations using it to undermine national security, a report says.
Universities grilled on canned sexual consent campaign
Universities Australia has defended a decision to stop the rollout of a consent campaign, saying it would need to do additional focus group testing.
Niger president vows to save democracy after coup
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, toppled in a military coup, has taken to social media to vow to protect "hard-won" democratic gains.
Dodgy developer payments, donations sent to prosecutors
Victoria's corruption watchdog will send evidence from a developer payments scandal to prosecutors as it pushes for planning and political donation reforms.
Minister rejects resignation calls after worker injured
Unions have called on a Queensland minister to resign after a worker was critically injured at a multibillion dollar construction project.
Paramedics being poached but NSW won’t raise pay offer
Paramedics in NSW say a four per cent pay rise offer is not enough and have resumed industrial action to make their point to the state government
Tactical switch in battle to eradicate fire ant menace
A new "horseshoe" configuration will be deployed in the fight to contain and eradicate a destructive invasive insect species marching south.
China replaces foreign minister after one-month absence
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been removed from his post after seven months in the job and been replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi.
Justice system ‘protects the bad guys’ in rape cases
The delicate balance between protecting an accused's right to innocence and a complainant's right to justice in rape cases is being examined by parliament.
Trans-Tasman leaders eye easier movement after NZ talks
Anthony Albanese has landed in New Zealand for a two-day visit to discuss regional security, trade and football with counterpart Chris Hipkins.
‘Business as usual’: Closing the Gap efforts inadequate
Australia is failing to make meaningful progress in implementing key priority reforms to improve the lives of Indigenous people.
Israel’s Netanyahu takes hit in polls as crisis deepens
Israel's long-serving right-wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a hit in the polls as the country's judicial crisis deepens amid mass street protests.