Owners of dogs responsible for attacks could face jail
Queensland's dangerous dog task force will consider tougher penalties for dog owners after a spate of attacks.
politics
Dutton plummets to new low, PM lift in latest polling
Support for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has fallen to new depths in a recent opinion poll, as electoral officials finalise the Aston by-election result.
Probe finds misconduct but no government heads to roll
The Victorian premier's staff exerted pressure on health bureaucrats to award a lucrative contract to a union but the conduct fell short of corruption.
Australian youth justice system broken, report finds
Australia's current approach to youth justice isn't working and a new report calls for children's rights to be placed at the centre to improve outcomes.
Advocates hopeful of single parent support in budget
The federal government is under pressure to boost funding for disadvantaged people in the May budget, with advocates saying there is a clear case for it.
Indigenous face double NDIS disadvantage, network says
Reform of the National Disability Insurance Scheme must include a focus on helping Indigenous Australians, an advocacy group says.
Liberal Party has a ‘lot of work to do’: retiring MP
Speaking about her retirement from parliament at the next election, Liberal MP Karen Andrews says her party has a lot of lost ground to make up.
Labor backbencher will not contest Queensland election
Queensland Labor MP Jim Madden will not contest the next state election after "careful consideration" of his physical and mental health.
New property reforms to complement limits on rent rises: Palaszczuk
Laws limiting rent increases to once a year will be introduced to the Queensland parliament as the premier flags more rental reforms.
‘Warrior’ Price is right for fight over voice: Dutton
Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been elevated to the shadow cabinet as part of a new-look frontbench unveiled by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Reserve Bank minutes suggest May rate hike on the table
Fresh inflation data will set the scene for the Reserve Bank's next move, with another rate hike a live option for its board meeting in May.
Boosting Solomons ties ‘crucial’ for Pacific prosperity
Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres has used a speech at a business forum to outline the strengths of Australia's economic relationship with the Solomon Islands.
Shorten reboot to put NDIS back ‘on the right track’
Major reforms of the National Disability Insurance Scheme have been outlined by Bill Shorten to address spiralling costs and introduce long-term plans.
Albanese blast for ‘absurd’ scare campaigns on voice
The prime minister says Australians will judge the negativity from the coalition surrounding the Indigenous voice.
US charges two over NYC ‘secret Chinese police station’
The Chinese government has been accused of "establishing a secret police station in the middle of New York City" by a federal US prosecutor.
Lower the heat on regional tensions: Penny Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has argued for Indo-Pacific nations to work towards a strategic balance as competition intensifies between the US and China.
Gillard calls for all three-year-olds to do preschool
Former prime minister Julia Gillard has recommended preschool education be provided to all three-year-olds in SA in her interim royal commission report.
Australia needs to attract $400bn for energy investment
There are concerns the federal government's decarbonisation policies won't deliver enough to be consistent with world ambitions to limit global warming to 1.5C.
Budget black hole prompts line by line review
The NSW treasurer says he will be going through the budget "line by line" after departmental papers revealed a $7 billion black hole in the state's finances.
‘Our path is your path’, voice supporters tell inquiry
A parliamentary committee into the voice referendum has heard from Indigenous communities in rural NSW ahead of the national vote later in the year.
Global uncertainty casting a shadow over federal budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned that the upcoming federal budget is being put together against a backdrop of difficult global economic conditions.
France’s Macron signs contested pension bill into law
A controversial bill to raise the retirement age by two years has been signed into law by French President Emmanuel Macron despite mass protests.
Japan PM evacuated unhurt after man throws ‘smoke bomb’
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been ushered to safety after an object was thrown at him and a loud explosion was heard near where he was speaking.
Newspoll analysis shows falling support for coalition
A Newspoll analysis shows younger voters avoiding the coalition, with 18 to 34-year-olds for the first time backing the Greens over the Liberal-Nationals.
Labor backbencher cleared after artwork investigation
A Queensland Labor MP has been cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation into allegations of misusing taxpayer funds to buy artwork.
Ditch tobacco vending machines in pubs, lawmakers told
Health groups are urging Queensland politicians to take proposed smoking laws further, but the hospitality industry wants tobacco vending machines left alone.
‘Makes no sense’: Aussie musicians dudded on radio fees
Australian music is being broadcast on commercial radio and the ABC for a fraction of what it's worth, according to music industry peak bodies.
Church launches bid for right to sideline gay students
The Presbyterian Church of Australia's call for the right to exclude gay pupils from being school captain sends a message they're not welcome, advocates say.
Human rights advocate says voice ‘lets our mob speak’
The joint select committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice referendum has held a public hearing in Canberra as part of its inquiry.
‘Amazing strength’ in jobs market defies rate hikes
Analysts say the jobless rate holding at 50-year lows is a sign of "amazing strength", with faster population growth helping soak up strong demand for workers.
Don’t use Alice Springs as political football: senator
NT senator Malarndirri McCarthy has pleaded for opponents of the voice to not use issues in Alice Springs as a political football during the referendum debate.