Liberals commit to further meetings on Indigenous voice
Australians are being called to support a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament whether or not it is backed by all sides of politics.
politics
Professional misconduct complaint over Lehrmann trial
Bruce Lehrmann has made a formal complaint about the conduct of the ACT director of public prosecutions over the handling of his sexual assault trial.
Ambulance call answer times stretch out in Victoria
More than one in three calls for an ambulance in Victoria last financial year were not answered within 10 seconds, new Australia-wide data shows.
NT alcohol ban report to be released next week
A report handed to the federal and Northern Territory governments has recommended alcohol bans while management plans are put in place, media reports suggest.
Energy guarantee as Qld sweats toward record demand
Queenslanders have been reassured the energy system is ready to handle an expected peak in demand amid days of high temperatures and stifling humidity.
Barilaro’s office denied bushfire funds in Labor seats
The NSW auditor‑general's report on bushfire recovery grants has found John Barilaro's office excluded Labor electorates from urgent funding.
New apartments trigger jump in building approvals
A glut of new apartment projects lifted building approvals in December but new house approvals remain subdued, new data shows.
Bid to cut rising insurance costs in disaster-hit areas
Insurers have met the federal government to come up with a plan to help households with rising premiums and better prepare communities for natural disasters.
Paid domestic violence leave set to start
Full-time, part-time and casual workers will be entitled to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave at their full-pay rate under new laws to start within days.
Nuclear submarine plan motors on as US repairs docks
Australia is charging ahead with plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines despite concerns about repair docks being taken offline in the United States.
ClubsNSW boss sacked over ‘offensive’ Catholic jibe
The head of the powerful NSW clubs industry body has been sacked after linking Premier Dominic Perrottet's Catholic faith to gaming policy.
Indigenous voice has migrant community backing: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected claims that ethnic groups are gearing up to campaign against a narrowly focused Indigenous voice.
Global growth outlook slightly healthier, says IMF
The outlook for the global economy has improved marginally, with inflation likely past its peak and trending down over 2023 and 2024.
Dutton to meet with Indigenous voice group
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accepted an invitation to meet with the working group behind the push to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution.
Culture policy overhauls Australia Council
The government has unveiled its new cultural policy to revive the arts sector after the pandemic and spotlight Indigenous artists and artwork.
Australia’s AAA rating affirmed
Strong demand for Australia's energy exports and the strong labour market have kept upwards pressure on the country's sovereign credit rating.
Cancer research funds rise but more needed
Investment in cancer research has tripled over the past two decades but more is needed to tackle Australia's leading cause of death, Cancer Australia says.
Minister asked for files on robodebt whistleblowers
A media adviser to former minister Alan Tudge has told a royal commission he requested the Centrelink files of those who spoke out in the media on robodebt.
Retail trade sinks 3.9 per cent over festive season
Budget-conscious shoppers made the most of Black Friday sales, with retail sales then falling sharply weeks out from Christmas.
Debate on jets for Ukraine as Russia claims gains
New differences have emerged among Kyiv's allies over aid, with the US's Joe Biden ruling out F-16s but France's Emmanuel Macron saying "nothing is excluded".
‘Historic’ plans to combat child abuse and neglect
Two 10-year national action plans aim to reduce the number of children needing child protection services, improve responses to abuse and help close the gap.
NT senator warns against ADF intervention
NT senator Malarndirri McCarthy says a federal intervention in the region by the ADF would reignite trauma for those in Aboriginal communities.
Specialised DV court system on way for NSW
NSW won't yet replicate the specialised family violence courts in Queensland or Victoria, saying it needs a study to see how it would fit into its system.
‘Stretched resources’ behind no advice
The royal commission into robodebt has heard a decision not to obtain external legal advice on the scheme was due to stretched resources in the department.
Greens threaten to derail emissions clamp
Labor's plan to reduce the ceiling on carbon emissions for some big companies doesn't go far enough, the Greens say.
Qld to deploy hundreds of junior doctors
More than 800 junior doctors will be deployed in health facilities across Queensland as part of an increase in frontline health workers.
Leadership challenge on for WA Liberals
The decision by Mia Davies to step down as WA's opposition leader has prompted a challenge for the leadership of the state's Liberals.
Hipkins takes office as NZ prime minister
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has told journalists it "feels pretty real now" after taking his office in a ceremony at Wellington's Government House.
NSW rail body at risk: Auditor-General
The NSW Auditor-General says a beleaguered body set up to manage the state's rail assets is "at risk" and imposes a financial burden on future governments.
Molan remembered as ‘one of the greatest’
Family, friends and colleagues of the late senator and retired soldier Jim Molan gathered at the Royal Military College in Canberra to pay their final respects.
Qld bottom of per-capita housing spend
The Queensland government has been accused of failing to plan for a growing population as its social housing spend per person is the lowest in the country.