Lockdowns, border closures exempt in pandemic inquiry
Experts will look into Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but decisions taken by the states on lockdowns or border closures will be exempt.
politics
Cooler conditions bring some relief for firefighters
Firefighting crews are hoping conditions will help ease the fire risks across NSW as temperatures drop to the low 20s following a spring heatwave.
PM set to announce COVID-19 inquiry: report
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could be poised to announce the details of a special commission of inquiry into the handling of COVID-19 pandemic.
Ads reveal pathway to success for ‘yes’, ‘no’ campaigns
Facebook ads targeting different states and a variety of age groups have shone a light on how the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns plan on winning the voice referendum.
Senator won’t stop at ‘no’ in bid for ‘X’ vote to count
Votes marked 'X' will remain informal at the upcoming voice referendum after the Federal Court dismissed a bid to have them regarded as 'no'.
Cool change gives small relief to fire crews across NSW
NSW communities near the Queensland border and on Sydney's western fringe have been told to prepare to take action as multiple bushfires burn across the state.
WA electoral reform lifts lid on political donations
Political parties in WA will be forced to disclose donations daily during elections, as the Cook government toughens campaign finance laws.
Labor driving towards secure future with jobs roadmap
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to release the Employment White Paper setting out policies to put secure jobs in reach of more Australians.
Public sector reforms may spell budget blues for NSW
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's budget figures could be in jeopardy, with interest rate rises impacting inflation in the year ahead.
Short-stay levy draws flak as housing vision unveiled
An Australian-first levy on short-term accommodation headlines a generational shake-up to Victoria's housing and planning sectors.
Recipe for change as dry spell may eat into food prices
The declaration of an El Nino event alongside a second driver of dry weather could prove to be another spanner in the works in the fight against inflation.
Millions of Australians receive welfare payment boost
The social services sector is warning small boosts to welfare will not address inequality, with the payments still keeping people well below the poverty line.
Reactions to NSW state budget and its surprise surplus
The NSW Labor government has delivered its first state budget since 2010, revealing a surprise surplus and promising to funnel spending into essential services.
Inflation cooling to plan but fuel on RBA’s watchlist
The Reserve Bank of Australia appears comfortable with the inflation outlook but there are concerns about petrol prices and a weakening Chinese economy.
Man faces court over uni stabbings, frying pan assaults
A man has faced court charged over the stabbing of two university students and assaults on two other people at the Australian National University.
Libyans protest against authorities in flood-hit Derna
Hundreds of people have gathered in Libya's flood-hit city of Derna protesting against the local council and demanding unification of the war-torn country.
NSW budget readies for rainy day with surplus surprise
A surplus will bring little comfort to many people who are not eligible for cost-of-living relief as the NSW government insists on prudent principles.
More homes put up for sale as property rebound sets in
The spring selling season looks to have started early, with national listings surging more than 20 per cent in the last month of winter.
Extra Qatar flights would have cut fares, grown tourism
Qantas is an "exceptionally aggressive competitor", a parliamentary hearing into Qatar Airways' failed bid for extra flights into Australia has been told.
US prisoners freed from Iran make emotional return home
Five Americans who were imprisoned in Iran have been welcomed back onto US soil after a prisoner swap deal.
US prisoners fly out of Iran in swap deal
The US has denied paying a ransom for five Americans who have been released in a prisoner exchange with Iran after Washington unfroze Iranian funds.
Palaszczuk about-face over complaints clearing house
A one-stop shop for government complaints will go ahead in Queensland to tackle corruption concerns.
Petrol price surge further stretches household budgets
Motorists have been hit in the hip pocket by petrol price rises and the latest spike may put a dent in the Reserve Bank's fight against inflation.
Tasered woman’s family slam ‘disturbing’ police actions
NSW Police are under fire after the family of a woman who was tasered and died in hospital described officers' actions as heartbreaking and disturbing.
Dating apps told to take action to protect users
The federal government has told online dating platforms to create a voluntary code to better protect Australians or face the consequences.
Concerns over voice misinformation as voter roll closes
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to cut through misinformation, as the voting roll is set to close ahead of the referendum.
Kim heads home after final stop in Russia’s Vladivostok
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is on his way back home after a six-day trip to Russia.
NSW budget targets pre-school ‘drought’ in funding lift
Spending on public pre-schools, increased sexual assault services and major transport projects will be unveiled in the NSW budget.
Energy debate explodes over nuclear transition costs
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has seized on modelling to attack the coalition's commitment to nuclear energy, saying it'd cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
New cybersecurity standards to keep Aussies safe online
A set of standards for businesses and developers to ensure digital products have built-in cyber protections will be developed by the federal government.
‘Yes’ side rallies with calls to cut through falsehoods
Tens of thousands of people have marched around Australia in support of an Indigenous voice in the constitution as the referendum date looms.