US downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
China is accusing the US of an 'obvious overreaction' in its shooting down of a Chinese balloon, suspected of spying on US assets.
politics
NSW Greens looking for lush result at upcoming election
The NSW Greens are confident they could take new regional seats at the upcoming state election as ageing voters show their loyalty.
G7, EU and Australia agree on price cap on Russian fuel
Major industrialised countries in the west, including Australia, will impose a price cap on refined Russian oil products such as diesel and kerosene.
US considers plan to down Chinese balloon over Atlantic
Washington says it plans to "take care of" a Chinese surveillance balloon as soon as it is over the Atlantic.
RBA decision tipped to deliver more mortgage pain
Another interest rate hike is expected when the Reserve Bank board meets on Tuesday for the first time in two months.
PM reveals why he is optimistic for referendum success
Anthony Albanese says Australians will have the opportunity to show the best of their characters in a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Voice referendum question to be finalised by June
Government frontbencher Tony Burke says laws finalising the referendum question on the voice to parliament will be set by the second quarter of the year.
Ex-minister misled public: Barilaro trade job report
Former NSW trade minister Stuart Ayres was not at arm's length in the appointment of John Barilaro to a plum US trade job, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
NSW premier unveils five-year cashless pokies reform
All poker machines in NSW will be cashless within five years under a proposal by Premier Dominic Perrottet, who says the change will protect vulnerable people.
Australia urges calm over Chinese ‘weather’ balloon
Foreign Minister Penny Wong insists a diplomatic clash between the US and China over a suspected spy balloon won't derail upcoming talks involving Australia.
Consumers tighten belts amid interest rate rise squeeze
The latest retail figures show Australians are tightening their spending, falling 0.2 per cent in the December quarter.
PM ups the ante on voice support as parliament returns
As federal parliament returns for the year, Prime Minister Albanese is focused on building support for an Indigenous voice.
Minister denies responsibility for robodebt legal check
Former human services minister Alan Tudge has denied responsibility for his department's failure to check the legality of the robodebt scheme.
Price pressures may ease but mortgage cliff looms
Inflation is likely to start easing but many mortgage holders face higher repayments once their fixed-rate terms expire, a living costs committee has been told.
Home values slide further but regions prove resilient
The property downturn is hitting capital cities harder than regions, suggesting higher demand has become permanent for regional markets.
Rise in ‘dark money’ as 10 dominate political donations
Political parties' and donors' financial returns for 2021/22 have been made public, with Clive Palmer giving his United Australia Party a record $117 million.
Boost promised for ‘chronically underfunded’ NSW sports
NSW Labor is promising more money for community sport if elected, saying the sector's funding has been effectively frozen since the Sydney Olympics.
PM eyes immediate response to Alice Springs crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to act as quickly as possible on the recommendations of a report into alcohol-fuelled crime in Alice Springs.
Australia calls for peace after China war warning
Australia will try to avoid war with China through diplomacy but will continue to build up an arsenal for deterrence, Defence Minister Richard Marles says.
Record month for car thefts drives youth crime debate
Data showing Queensland had a record number of car thefts over the month of December comes as the state prepares to strengthen its youth crime laws.
Union call to widen scope of probe into Lehrmann case
Former Queensland solicitor-general Walter Sofronoff will lead an inquiry into the handling of rape allegations against former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
Ex-minister says he wasn’t given robodebt legal advice
Former social services minister Christian Porter has told the robodebt royal commission he never received legal advice that raised issues with the scheme.
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.
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.