Trump says Musk will find billions in Pentagon waste
US President Donald Trump has flagged that billionaire Elon Musk will soon begin combing the Pentagon for wasted taxpayer dollars.
politics
Egypt calls Arab summit over Trump’s Gaza plan
Egypt will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss President Donald Trump's "dangerous" idea to resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump to announce 25 per cent steel, aluminium tariffs
Donald Trump is poised to announce 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imported to the US but It's not yet clear how and if Australia will be affected.
Time for ‘rubber to hit the road’ in Closing the Gap
A plan to reduce disadvantage among Indigenous people is at risk of not meeting targets, as Indigenous leaders call for funding to back programs.
Draft electoral donations cap to be raised after talks
Draft caps and thresholds for federal election spending will increase as Labor negotiates with the Liberals to pass electoral reform before parliament rises.
‘Exciting’ price caps could close health and budget gap
A government plan to cap the cost of essential groceries could help to improve the health of First Nations people living in remote communities.
Kimberley matriarchs urge investment in women
The federal government must invest in Aboriginal women's leadership to make a difference in communities, one Western Australian organisation says.
Clean energy incentives clear last major hurdle
Australia is one step closer to transitioning away from fossil fuels after major tax incentives for clean energy passed the Senate.
Australia must be a ‘model ally’ in US tariff talks
Australia must prove its relationship with the US is mutually beneficial to earn another exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs, experts say.
Trump raises steel tariffs, weighs Australia exemption
US President Donald Trump has announced 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports but is "considering" a carve-out for Australia.
Bank moratorium ‘too late’ for rural towns left behind
The federal government has announced a moratorium on regional bank closures, but it's cold comfort for those who have already lost their local branches.
Inquiry into caravan briefings a waste of resources: PM
The prime minister has rejected calls from the opposition to hold an inquiry into when he was briefed on the discovery of a caravan laden with explosives.
Flooding puts focus on failing major highway
Promises of a better Bruce Highway costing billions of dollars have followed another flooding of the major road which isolated towns and sparked rescues.
Coalition senator takes aim at $840 million pledge
An $840 million pledge will not amount to self-determination, the coalition says, as peak organisations welcome the 'genuine, meaningful' funding agreement.
‘Not for sale’: Aussies rally against Trump’s Gaza plan
The prime minister has come under fire from Australian protesters for not denouncing a plan by US President Donald Trump for America to take over Gaza.
Accused criminals left to own devices in ‘bail fail’
A state will stop using private firms to track accused criminals on bail after dozens were left unmonitored when a provider suddenly collapsed.
Mandatory jail for terror risks ‘serious injustice’
Australians from vulnerable communities could be disproportionately harmed by laws that introduce mandatory jail time for some terror offences, experts warn.
Dutton supporting ‘erasure’ of Palestinians: advocates
Palestinians have lashed Peter Dutton for "legitimising" Donald Trump's plan for a US take over of Gaza which would erase them as a people, advocates say.
‘Golden age of gas’: households, manufacturers miss out
Households and manufacturers have been left worse off by the east coast gas bonanza, and exporters face new competition from cheaper sources, a report warns.
Australia tops index as virtual power plants take shape
Australia is poised for virtual power plants that connect households and slash bills but an expert warns nuclear reactors could force users off rooftop solar.
Middle East stance unchanged after Trump Gaza call: PM
While Donald Trump has called for the United States to take over Gaza, Anthony Albanese says Australia still backs a two-state solution.
Stretched hospitals get $1 billion in ‘landmark’ deal
In a bid to bolster an under-pressure health system, the federal government has committed $1.7 billion in extra funding for public hospitals and services.
Disastrous dumped bail offences back ‘on the table’
All reforms are on the table as part of a so-called bail law review, including re-establishing offences found to disproportionately target Aboriginal people.
University heads grilled over anti-Semitism inaction
Vice-chancellors have defended action taken against anti-Semitism on university campuses amid concerns that Jewish students feel unsafe.
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
Australia must cut red tape and reform its tax system to boost productivity and safeguard against a looming trade war, the Business Council says.
Under-pressure government slammed for bail laws review
Another overhaul of bail laws is on the cards, as a state government is accused of buckling to scare-mongering amid rising youth crime.
States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow
States' "lax financial discipline" has earned a rebuke from a credit ratings giant, which says they are at risk of paying higher interest bills to service debt.
Hate speech laws go to vote as anti-Semitism denounced
Hate will be stopped at its source if tougher amendments are made to proposed laws to crackdown on the rise of anti-Semitism, an advocate says.
Senator pushes for gambling industry influence inquiry
David Pocock is critical of the government for not acting on a landmark report recommending banning gambling ads, linking it to industry lobbying efforts.
Clean up starts for some but flood threat remains
The clean up has begun for some residents in rain-hit northern Australia but the flood threat is not over for others, with more showers and storms forecast.
Call for ‘data diplomacy’ with China after DeepSeek ban
Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has been banned from government use over security concerns, but experts say more must be done to protect Australians' information.