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.
politics
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.
Many thousands turn out for Invasion Day protests
Invasion Day protests have been held around Australia with tens of thousands of demonstrators calling for an end to discrimination and deaths in custody.
ACCC to ‘forensically’ probe supermarket prices
The deputy chair of the consumer watchdog says the body will examine information on possible supermarket price gouging as part of a new inquiry.
PM open to crossbench talks on tax cut changes
As the Greens urge further changes to stage three tax cuts, the prime minister says he is open to negotiations to ensure their passage through parliament.
Trump denies sexual assault claims in defamation case
Donald Trump has spoken briefly at his New York defamation trial but still broke the judge's rules by claiming a writer's sexual assault allegations were false.
Unity in focus as Australians mark their national day
Australians have been urged to reflect on the things that unite us as millions of people celebrate, commemorate and protest Australia Day 2024.
List pays tribute to service, dedication and hard work
More than 700 Australians have been named in the Australia Day 2024 Honours List, with women tipping the gender scales.
Melanoma researchers joint Australians of the Year
Pioneering scientists Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long, who revolutionised melanoma treatment, have been named joint Australians of the Year.
Independent MPs ‘conflicted’ by tax cut changes
Changes to tax cuts would help lower income Australians, but some independent MPs are concerned about the impact on their affluent constituents.
Supermarket prices under gaze of consumer watchdog
Supermarket giants are accused of price gouging on fruit, vegetables and meat and the consumer watchdog will use its "full legal powers" to investigate.
Albanese tax plan will give average earner $1500 tax cut – more than double Morrison’s Stage 3
A person on the average annual wage of $73,000 will get a tax cut of more than $1500 a year under Labor’s revamped tax policy – more than double the cut they’d have received under the Coalition’s legislated stage 3 plan.
Captain Cook statue hacked, Queen memorial vandalised
A Captain Cook statue in Melbourne has been hacked off at the ankles ahead of Australia Day, and a memorial to Queen Victoria has been covered in paint.
Sea changers flock to more affordable coastal towns
Home buyers moving to the seaside are looking to buy for well under $1 million, with affordable coastal markets in Western Australia booming.
PM justifies rejigged tax cuts as cost-of-living relief
The prime minister has backed his government's reworked income tax package as the best way forward for struggling workers.
Maori warn New Zealand PM Luxon off Treaty changes
Maori leaders have described the New Zealand government as "the enemy" during annual celebrations at Ratana.
Woolworths CEO defends Australia Day merchandise choice
Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci has backed the supermarket's choice not to stock Australia Day merchandise as staff report more and more abuse.
‘Absolutely independent’: Kim Williams named ABC chair
The prime minister has named former News Limited chief Kim Williams as the new chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, replacing Ita Buttrose.
Inspiring Australians gather as they vie for top honour
Dozens of finalists for the 2024 Australian of the Year have arrived in Canberra ahead of the awards ceremony.