New virus cases remain in the thousands
While Australia's governments want to relax isolation requirements, COVID-19 infections remain in the thousands and the number of deaths continues to climb.
politics
Mental, health support for flood victims
The Morrison government is providing around $36 million for health services and mental health support for flood victims in NSW and Queensland.
Locals always key to disaster response: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says local civilians will always be a key part of disaster response as he declares national emergency in NSW.
Tasmania premier reveals childhood assault
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has revealed he was sexually assaulted by a teacher when he was 16.
Two dozen drones in $650m army package
The army will receive 24 new unmanned surveillance drones in 2023 and 2024 under a $650 million defence package.
Cases doubling in WA as Omicron peak looms
There are 92 people in hospital with COVID-19 in Western Australia and three in intensive care after the state recorded a further 5005 new infections.
Qld records 8 virus deaths, 4327 new cases
Another eight COVID-19 deaths and 4327 new cases have been recorded in Queensland, with Annastacia Palaszczuk saying the state is "coming off" its Omicron wave.
Nuclear waste shipment bound for Sydney
Australia is about to get back some of its nuclear waste, but conservationists are alarmed by what the federal government plans to do with it.
Work needed to combat encephalitis spread
An infectious disease expert says work is needed to understand the spread of Japanese encephalitis in southern Australia, as the government unveils a $69m plan.
Russian ambassador’s speech cancelled
The National Press Club has pulled the Russian ambassador's planned address as reports of war crimes and killing of Ukrainian civilians continue to emerge.
Stress took toll on late senator: Shorten
Tributes are flowing for Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, who died from a suspected heart attack, aged 52, in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Russia keeps pressure on Ukrainian cities
Hundreds of thousands of people remained trapped in Ukrainian cities after talks between Ukraine and Russia's foreign ministers failed to bring respite.
No quarantine for close contacts flagged
National cabinet has agreed to transition to no longer requiring all COVID-19 close contacts to quarantine.
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching dies
Tributes have begun pouring in for Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, who has died from a suspected heart attack, aged 52.
Foreign minister meets Chinese ambassador
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has spoken to China's new ambassador Xiao Qian, delivering a frank assessment of Australia's concerns with the communist regime.
Liberal MP Andrew Laming in court over Facebook posts
The Australian Electoral Commission has taken MP Andrew Laming to court alleging he failed to authorise Facebook posts leading up to the 2019 federal election.
RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle resigns
Guy Debelle, the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, has resigned to take up a corporate role with Fortescue Future Industries in June.
Albanese to stand by nuclear sub deal
Anthony Albanese says Labor would stick with the AUKUS agreement to acquire nuclear submarines, even if a review finds issues with the program.
Ukraine will never stop fighting: envoy
Ukraine's Charge d'Affaires Volodymyr Shalkivskyi says his country will never stop fighting to protect its freedom and its land.
PM outlines largest peacetime ADF boost
An expansion of Australia's defence workforce will mean an increase of more than 18,000 people over the next two decades.
SA signs up to mental health package
The South Australian government has signed on to a federal government package to improve mental health services across the state.
Prejudice risk in Higgins case: judge
The defence for the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins has told the ACT Supreme Court the case's publicity risks prejudicing the trial.
Petrol bowser pain flows for some time yet
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned petrol prices could remain elevated for some time yet as a result of the war in eastern Europe.
Australia backs Russia sports ban
Australia has joined forces with more than 30 other nations to implore international sporting bodies to ban athletes and teams from Russia and Belarus.
WA premier’s private texts aired in court
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has been questioned in court over his private messages about Clive Palmer as their defamation trial draws to a close.
Rate rise plausible this year: RBA’s Lowe
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has told a business conference that a rise in the cash rate is plausible this year.
Australia backs Russia policing expulsion
Australia and its Five Eyes intelligence partners have called for Russia to be kicked out of the international policing organisation Interpol.
Flood support ‘will never be enough’: PM
The prime minister has expressed his sorrow to flood victims in northern NSW, saying no amount of support will ever be enough to help affected residents.
Albanese pledges Hawke-style government
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says he wants to govern like former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke if he is successful at the May federal election.
RBA’s Lowe warns of inflation, rate risks
RBA governor Philip Lowe says inflation could reach four per cent-plus as a result of the impact on prices of the Australian floods and war in Ukraine.
PM avoids minister pre-selection stoush
Three incumbent Liberal MPs, including two cabinet ministers, have avoiding local pre-selection challenges after a federal intervention.