Joyce apologises to MPs over PM texts
As federal parliament starts a new year, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has apologised to his party room over text messages critical of Scott Morrison.
politics
Ukraine diplomacy still an option, US says
"Apocalyptic predictions" about a Russian invasion should be ignored, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says, as the US hopes for a diplomatic solution.
Overseas tourists to return on February 21
Australia's ban on international tourists will end on February 21 after a decision by the federal government, with double vaccination required for entry.
Qld has 19 virus deaths, ditches check-ins
Queensland has recorded another 19 COVID-19 deaths and 4701 new cases as the state edges closer to 90 per cent double dose vaccination for those over 16.
PM keen to get international borders open
Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to get international borders open as soon as possible but without impacting Australia's hospital system.
First guests arrive at Qld quarantine camp
The first guests have settled in to the Queensland government's regional COVID-19 quarantine facility.
Qld reports a record 21 COVID-19 deaths
Another 21 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland, the most in a 24-hour period for the state which has recorded 8508 new cases.
Bipartisan backing for faith protections
LGBTIQ+ advocates have hit out at bipartisan conditional support for the federal government's religious discrimination laws.
China backs Russia’s demands to the West
China has expressed its support for Russia amid heightened tensions with the west, over its massing of troops on the Ukraine border.
Carnival exit hits Aussie cruise industry
International cruise ship line Carnival has cancelled its operations in Australia in another blow to the country's stalled industry.
WA hospital doctor positive for COVID-19
A doctor at a Perth metropolitan hospital is among Western Australia's latest COVID-19 cases, as isolation rules hit mines and schools.
Task force for parliament culture changes
A specialist task force overseeing the implementation of recommendations for improving workplace culture at Parliament House has met for the first time.
First guests set for Qld quarantine centre
Queensland's regional Wellcamp quarantine facility will welcome its first guests on Saturday.
Labor backs faith protections with caveats
Labor politicians have backed the coalition's religious discrimination bill, albeit with caveats, in two parliamentary inquiries into the contentious laws.
Vic lifts non-urgent elective surgery ban
Victoria's falling COVID-19 hospital figures will allow non-urgent elective surgery to resume, as an extra $1.4 billion is pumped into the health system.
Qld DP slams PM over aged care handling
The federal government's handling of aged care sector COVID-19 outbreaks is a "national disgrace", Queensland's Deputy Premier Steven Miles says.
One Nation official in Qld court for fraud
An administrator from Pauline Hanson's One Nation party who is charged with fraud has had his case mentioned in a Brisbane court.
PM talks up protections for gay students
Two parliamentary committees are due to hand down reports into the Morrison government's bid to boost discrimination protections for religious Australians.
New emails cast doubt on AUKUS timeline
New emails have revealed Australia told French officials a submarine deal between the two countries was progressing well, just weeks before it was scrapped.
Australia amps up lobbying on reef status
Australia has submitted its report about the state of the Great Barrier Reef to UNESCO in a bid to keep the World Heritage site from being listed as in danger.
Aussie manufacturers join ‘smiley curve’
A COVID-19 breath test, smart food box and rocket fuel are among the advanced manufacturing projects winning federal funding to speed up commercial success.
Qld reports 8643 virus cases, nine deaths
Queensland has recorded 8643 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, including four fatalities in aged care.
NSW worker mandate call amid slow boosters
NSW has recorded 12,632 new COVID-19 cases and 38 deaths as Labor pushes for booster mandates.
Forget coal and gas for prosperity: poll
Months out from a federal election, a poll shows voters in the resource-rich political hunting grounds of NSW and Queensland back renewables over coal and gas.
Thousands of teens eligible for boosters
More people will now be able to receive COVID-19 boosters, with 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for the third dose ahead of a predicted winter surge in cases.
Three in four COVID deaths had health risk
A Senate hearing into COVID-19 has been told nearly three-quarters of people who died from the virus had an underlying health condition.
Qld records 16 deaths, including child
Queensland has recorded another 16 COVID-19 deaths, including a child aged under 10, along with 9630 new cases amid calls for more children to be vaccinated.
Strong wage growth still key to rate rise
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has again put stronger wages growth as a key element before raising the cash rate.
Bid to recall Qld parliament rejected
The Qld premier has rejected calls for an early return to parliament as moves to keep a probe into the alleged altering of reports in-house is questioned.
Rate rise plausible later this year: Lowe
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said a cash rate rise is "plausible" later this year but he is surprised by the multiple moves priced in financial markets.
West trying to lure Russia into war: Putin
A defiant Vladimir Putin shows no sign of backing down from security demands over the ongoing unrest in Ukraine, and says the West is trying to provoke war.