Bulk billing bump welcomed but calls echo for reforms
An increase in bulk billing rates has been welcomed by patients and medical groups but those with chronic illnesses are warning more needs to be done.
politics
Home prices climb and rate cuts could fuel more growth
The Australian market is stuck between the competing forces of poor affordability and a supply demand mismatch.
No ‘magic number’ to reduce hung juries, inquiry told
The merits of shortening mandatory jury deliberation times are being examined in a bid to reduce instances of hung juries and retrials.
NSW looks to poach from SA with regional-living push
Ads to convince essential workers to move to NSW will be shown interstate, but South Australian officials have questioned why people would want to move.
WA, federal governments sign $1.6 billion schools deal
Western Australia will be the first state where public schools are fully funded after the Cook and Albanese governments signed a deal to boost funding by 2026.
Journos’ secret calls to former judge under spotlight
Lawyers for the ACT's former top prosecutor are seeking to expose communications between a high-profile journalist and the man investigating his conduct.
Fury over Anzac Day rock concert prompts event shift
Plans to hold a rock concert in Sydney's Domain have been dashed after veterans criticised the decision as inappropriate and organisers look for an alternative.
Rooftop solar pays its own way as more homes switch on
The Australian solar industry contracted for the first time in 10 years in 2023 as fewer large-scale arrays went online, but rooftop systems continued to shine.
Bill shock to ease as cost of power falls, solar shines
Consumers are set to benefit as the national electricity grid uses less coal and gas-fired electricity and the share of renewable energy hits a record.
Tax changes spark calls for complete system redesign
Half of the nation's high-income earners back Labor's proposed tax changes as analysis shows most of the benefits will still flow to the rich.
Reynolds and Higgins defamation case returns to court
Lawyers for Senator Linda Reynolds, Brittany Higgins and her partner have appeared in court to sort out key dates in preparation for a joint defamation trial.
Admin error to blame for missing cabinet papers: review
A failure to hand over cabinet papers to the national archives has been blamed on administrative error and COVID restrictions, a review has found.
Premier denies duck shooting links killed Vic ban
Victoria's premier is standing by her government's refusal to ban recreational duck hunting, insisting she has not been influenced by personal circumstances.
No return to Labor for banished MP cleared of assault
Victoria's sexual crimes squad has closed its case into Victorian MP Will Fowles, with police saying he won't face charges over a serious assault allegation.
Pressure mounts on Australia to unfreeze Palestine aid
International aid groups have called on Australia to reinstate funding to a UN organisation assisting Palestinian refugees after accusations of terror links.
Competition and rivalry found to force lower airfares
A little competition goes a long way in bringing down airfares, based on fresh research from a federal task force.
Alarm sounded over long-term effects of tax cuts
Concerns are being raised new tax cuts will put a dent in the pocket of Australians in the long-term as the issue of bracket creep remains.
Shoppers in retreat after Black Friday boost
Australian retail sales plummeted in the final weeks of 2023 with shoppers doing their Christmas shopping a month early when goods go on sale.
Cost of living soaring across Queensland: Report
Queenslanders are battling to meet a basic standard of living, with Brisbane leading Australia when it comes to rent, energy, insurance and health price hikes.
NSW lagging other states on contaminated soil oversight
Calls to better empower NSW's environment regulator are growing after concerns were raised about its ability to monitor contaminated soil.
Gaza aid pause slammed as ‘collective punishment’
Palestine's envoy has expressed concern about Australia freezing funding to a United Nations organisation after allegations some staff were linked to Hamas.
Changing of the guard at Future Fund puts Combet at top
Former ACTU leader and Labor minister Greg Combet is the new chair of Australia's sovereign wealth fund, replacing Liberal stalwart Peter Costello.
Albanese ‘hopeful’ for Senate support in tax cut change
The prime minister is standing by his changes to stage three tax cuts, remaining confident parliament will support the amended plans.
Stance toughens on extremism as police thwart neo-Nazis
A group of neo-Nazis has again gathered in Sydney, drawing condemnation from leaders and a call to crack down on extremists by testing hate laws in court.
Victorian duck hunting season gets the green light
The Victorian government has disregarded a call by a Labor-led inquiry to ban recreational duck hunting, instead forcing hunters to undergo training from 2025.
South Australia nabs top spot in state economic ranking
Australian states are all facing economic headwinds but some are more resilient than others, with South Australia performing better than the rest.
Treasurer ‘not considering’ changes to negative gearing
The treasurer has poured cold water on suggestions Labor will go further with tax reform and target negative gearing after rejigging stage three tax cuts.
PM to take stage three tax change pitch to regions
Anthony Albanese has challenged the crossbench to back in changes to stage three tax cuts, ahead of a regional sales pitch of the proposed reforms.
PM stands by tax cut changes for ‘every Australian’
The prime minister has brushed off criticism of proposed changes to promised tax cuts, saying he has a responsibility to help Australians in financial stress.
Gaza ruling sparks calls to reconsider Israel support
A ruling by the top UN court ordering Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza has sparked calls for Australia to reconsider its support for the Israeli government.
Trump ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll $83m in damages
Former US president Donald Trump must pay $US83.3 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for calling her sexual assault allegation a lie, a jury has found.