Treasurer rules out Medicare levy hike
Lifting the Medicare levy to funnel more funds into the strained public healthcare system is not on the Albanese government's agenda.
politics
Future tax cuts stalk pre-budget debate
Tax cuts due in mid-2024 have become a flashpoint for the upcoming budget as Australia faces economic headwinds.
Warragamba Dam wall rise now ‘critical’
The NSW government's commitment to raising Sydney's Warragamba Dam wall has attracted criticism from political opponents and environmental advocates.
Economy woes cloud tax cut ahead of budget
Pressure is mounting to change or scrap costly tax cuts baked in by the former government as Labor prepares to hand down its budget in less than three weeks.
Call to Queensland businesses to make renewable energy parts during coming boom
The Queensland government is planning to set up a new manufacturing sector to make parts and components needed for its renewable energy transition.
‘Disgusting’ Qld police conduct condemned
Queensland's police commissioner admits there's a "deep fear" in the force about speaking out about sexual assault, harassment and bullying by senior officers.
Lehrmann ‘made a pass’ before alleged rape
Former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins has described the moment she was allegedly raped by a colleague inside a minister's office at Parliament House.
Petrol prices already tracking upwards
Petrol prices have already started inching upwards following the reintroduction of the fuel excise tax last week.
Melbourne COVID-19 quarantine hub to close
A purpose-built quarantine facility in Melbourne is closing nine months after opening to international travellers as a COVID-19 precaution.
Syria plan heads to national security body
The Australian government is weighting up whether to move ahead with plans to repatriate 16 women and 42 children from a Syrian refugee camp.
Nationals angle for regional voter support
The Nationals are embarking on a regional listening tour to understand how to win back voter support after the dismal coalition federal election result.
UK abandons plan to cut taxes for wealthy
British chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has made an astonishing U-turn, reversing plans to scrap the top rate of income tax for the highest earners after a backlash.
RBA lifts cash rate by 25 basis points
The Reserve Bank of Australia has finally taken its foot off the accelerator and slowed the pace of tightening after a series of jumbo rate hikes.
Open minds urged in Bruce Lehrmann’s trial
Brittany Higgins said "no" half a dozen times after waking up to find accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann having sex with her, his sexual assault trial has been told.
Noah’s arks plan too narrow for ecologists
Conservationists and ecologists have welcomed a government plan to prevent the loss of any more species but say it's too narrow and won't be enough on its own.
Monash hospital to undergo $560m expansion
The Victorian government will spend up to $560 million to upgrade Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne's southeast as the healthcare system struggles with demand.
Optus hack response ‘not going to cut it’
The federal government is waiting for a response from Optus after calling on the telco to work with it in protecting Australians caught up in the data breach.
Citizen scientists spot elusive platypuses
From the Australian tropics down to Kangaroo Island, citizen scientists are looking for platypuses in suburban creeks, farm dams, and bush waterways.
Optus reveals extent of data hack breach
Optus has started advising affected customers what ID documents have been exposed following a significant cyber attack, and the number of people impacted.
Biden vows to address Pacific island needs
President Joe Biden promises the Pacific leaders the US is working to strengthen ties, as Washington unveils plans to counter China's influence in the region.
Optus ‘deeply sorry’ for data breach
Telecommunications giant Optus has taken out full-page ads to apologise to millions of customers affected by a massive data breach.
Health warnings after isolation scrapped
The decision by federal, state and territory leaders to scrap mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods for most Australians has been criticised by health experts.
Qld cabinet to consider Star Casino report
Queensland's Attorney-General has been handed the final report on Star Entertainment Group's casino operations in the state, now set for cabinet consideration.
‘We reject charges’: Wong on jailed Aussie
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Myanmar "disappointingly and regrettably" barred Australian authorities from supporting jailed economist Sean Turnell in court.
SA lets the fruit fly dogs out
South Australia has deployed the nation's first fruit fly detector dogs in a bid to quickly contain outbreaks.
Poor Queensland hospital care “life-altering”
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has handed down a report into alleged malpractice at Mackay Hospital and broader capacity problems in the health system.
Palaszczuk Government in U-turn on changes to land tax regime
A Queensland plan to calculate land tax based on holdings across the country has been shelved after pushback from other states.
Fourth leak detected on Russian pipelines
The Swedish coast guard has confirmed a fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines off southern Sweden.
Mandatory COVID isolation rules scrapped
National cabinet has agreed to end mandatory five-day isolation periods for people with COVID-19 - unless they work in hospitals or aged care.
Iran protests over woman’s death continue
Protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini have reportedly continued across several parts of Iran.
Agreement reached on domestic gas supply
The federal government and gas exporters have struck a new heads of agreement to ensure domestic supply of gas to the market for 2023.