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.
politics
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.
Ukraine’s Odesa douses fires after strikes
Russian forces have hit targets in the east and south of Ukraine and are pushing to defeat the last Ukrainian troops holding out in a steelworks in Mariupol.
Putin says West was preparing to invade
Russia's intervention in Ukraine was necessary because the West was "preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea", President Vladimir Putin says.
Labor vows protection for LGBTQIA students
As debate returns on religious discrimination laws, Labor has promised to protect LGBTQIA school students if elected.
Heritage listing for Lake Burley Griffin
Environment Minister Sussan Ley has approved the Commonwealth heritage listing of Lake Burley Griffin and adjacent areas in the ACT.
Petrol prices up again despite tax support
Petrol prices are continuing to climb across Australia, with some cities paying more than 180 cents a litre as global factors undermine the cut in fuel excise.
Qld hospital capacity crisis impacts cops
Queensland police are being kept off the front line due to ongoing capacity issues in emergency departments at the state's hospitals, a union says.
Police probe 23 election-related cases
A special federal police team has so far received 47 complaints relating to the election campaign, with 23 investigations launched.
PM welcomes Payne Solomon Islands talks
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says talks between Foreign Minister Marise Payne and her Solomon Islands counterpart were a positive step forward.
Religious laws still a priority: Morrison
Scott Morrison has pledged religious discrimination laws would still be a priority for the government in the next term, should the coalition get re-elected.
Olympics president returns to Brisbane
IOC president Thomas Bach returned to Brisbane from a Pacific tour and says the Olympic spirit is alive and well across the region.
Morrison, Albanese in fierce TV debate
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have clashed in Sunday's election debate with the leaders grilled on national security, the pandemic and living costs.
Lib MP ‘unchanged’ on LGBT student stance
Victorian Liberal MP Katie Allen has indicated she will always protect gay and transgender students, as debate on religious discrimination laws resurfaced.
‘Busy’ LNP candidate faces police probe
The Australian Electoral Commission has referred a federal election candidate to police after concerns were raised over his enrolment and nomination.
Pronged dog collars to be banned in Qld
The first review of the state's animal cruelty laws in two decades has led to proposed changes including banning certain types of dog collars and pig poisons.
WA boosts COVID-19 funding in budget
The West Australian government will allocate more cash to its COVID-19 response in this week's state budget as SA launches a vaccine advertising blitz.
Greens to call for young voter ‘uprising’
Greens Leader Adam Bandt says young people have to fight for their future as the party turns to first-time voters to strengthen their foothold in Canberra.