Union train upgrades to cost $1b: NSW govt
The NSW government is resisting union pressure for safety upgrades to a new fleet of trains, saying they would cost taxpayers $1 billion.
politics
Kim Jong-un lookalike crashes PM’s event
Scott Morrison's visit to the Melbourne seat of Chisholm took a comical turn when a North Korean leader lookalike inserted himself into the election campaign.
New chief minister to hit ‘ground running’
Natasha Fyles is the Northern Territory's new chief minister following Michael Gunner's surprise resignation, becoming the second woman to lead the NT.
Sri Lanka names new PM amid growing crisis
Five-time former Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ben reappointed in an effort to bring stability to the crisis-hit island nation.
Abbott urges support for embattled Deves
Former prime minister and Warringah MP Tony Abbott has urged Liberals to get behind controversial candidate Katherine Deves.
NSW govt, rail union talks break down
Negotiations between the NSW government and rail unions have broken down as the finance minister warns the unions against engaging in "industrial chaos".
Health, resources key to Labor’s pitch
Anthony Albanese has visited regional Queensland to promote Labor's battery manufacturing plan, before travelling to the northern Brisbane seat of Lilley.
N.Korea confirms 1st COVID-19 outbreak
North Korea has confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak, calling it the country's "biggest emergency incident", with leader Kim Jong-un ordering a lockdown.
Greens’ lawyer new MLC in NSW parliament
The Greens have chosen public interest lawyer Sue Higginson to replace outgoing MLC David Shoebridge in the NSW upper house.
One very large bill: James Ashby’s $4.5m legal cost blows out
The Full Court of the Federal Court has dismissed James Ashby's appeal to recover more than $4 million in legal costs from the Commonwealth.
Former Qld treasurer De Lacy remembered
Queensland politicians have paid tribute to the state's third-longest serving treasurer Keith De Lacy, who died last year at the age of 81.
Coalition commits $1bn for naval facility
A billion-dollar naval centre will be built to maintain Australia's warships, with Scott Morrison campaigning in regional NSW following alarming polling.
HK holds Catholic cardinal on ‘collusion’
Hong Kong authorities have reportedly arrested a Roman Catholic cardinal, a singer and two others for alleged "collusion with foreign forces".
Election war of words rages over wages
The war over wages growth continues as workers struggle to keep up with the cost of living and real wages fall after a two-decade-high spike in inflation.
WA reveals ‘envy of the nation’ budget
Western Australia is forecasting a $5.7 billion budget surplus for 2021/22 with Premier Mark McGowan championing one of the world's strongest economies.
Abortion rights bill fails in US Senate
Senate Republicans have blocked a Democrat-led bill aimed a preserving abortion access in the US, in a vote triggered by the expected overturning of Roe v Wade.
Sign of wage pick-up, but lags inflation
New figures suggest there has been a pick-up in wages growth since the start of the year, but it is still lagging well behind the rate of inflation.
Qld councils broke finance reporting law
Queensland's auditor-general says 60 per cent the state's local councils are at moderate or high risk of not being financially sustainable.
NSW premier commits to extra ICAC funding
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has pledged more funds to the states anti-corruption watchdog, hours after the prime minister launched new attacks on the agency.
Vote for NSW VAD law may not be this week
Advocates for legalised voluntary assisted dying say their long fight to allow the practice in NSW will probably not be realised until next week.
Consumers brace for sharp rise in rates
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute monthly consumer survey showed a sharp drop in confidence as Australians brace for more interest rate increases.
Sri Lanka protesters call for new govt
Demonstrators are demanding a new government take control of Sri Lanka's crisis following deadly clashes and the prime minister's resignation.
Party leaders battle over wage rises
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have traded barbs over wage growth and cost of living pressures in their third leaders' debate.
Manison poised to be new NT chief minister
Michael Gunner, the first territory-born Top End leader, has resigned as the NT chief minister, saying his head and heart are no longer in the job.
Sugar levy a must for next govt: experts
With Australians drinking 2.4 billion litres of sugary drinks a year, health experts are calling for a 20 per cent levy to cut obesity.
WA health system fears amid virus surge
COVID-19 cases in Western Australia have surged, prompting calls for the re-introduction of some restrictions, including masks.
Gunner steps down as NT chief minister
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has resigned, saying he knew it was time to go when he held his new baby son in his arms.
PM continues to back outspoken Deves
Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues to back his controversial pick for Warringah, Katherine Deves, saying more women are needed in parliament.
Stagnant wages are ‘untenable’: Albanese
The opposition leader has backed a rise in the minimum wage of 5.1 per cent, as the Fair Work Commission weighs up the evidence for a hike.
Parties joust over federal integrity body
Anthony Albanese says a federal integrity body would be one of his first priorities, while Scott Morrison defended his rejection of state models.
Violence rocks Sri Lanka as PM quits
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned after clashes broke out between rival political activists in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.