NZ 90 per cent vaxxed as parliament wraps
On the last day of the parliamentary year, Jacinda Ardern has announced 89.82 per cent of eligible New Zealanders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
politics
Qld’s youth crime crackdown slammed
Queensland's youth crime crackdown has been slammed after a report revealed children were spending more time in custody than the length of their sentences.
Ex-Trump aide Meadows on contempt charge
For the first time since the 1830s, the US House of Representatives has voted to hold a former member in contempt.
St Basil’s top brass face virus inquest
St Basil's operators Kon Kontis and Vicky Kos have formally requested that they be excused from testifying at an inquest into COVID deaths at the nursing home.
Moderna test result for Omicron imminent
Data on the effectiveness of the Moderna booster against Omicron is due within days, as Pfizer announce the results of testing of its new antiviral pill.
New incentive to boost retirement incomes
The federal government is cutting the interest rate pensioners pay should they tap the equity in their home to boost their retirement income.
NSW records 1360 new COVID cases, 1 death
NSW has recorded a huge surge in COVID-19 cases, with 1360 new infections as unvaccinated people in NSW move to the same restrictions as the vaccinated.
WA heritage bill passes upper house
The West Australian government's contentious Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill has passed the upper house and will now go to Government House for royal assent.
Smaller budget deficits in perkier economy
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will reveal smaller budget deficits as a result of a rebounding economy when he hands down the midyear review.
Restrictions ease, virus cases rise in NSW
The same rules now apply to the vaccinated and unvaccinated in NSW for the first time in three months, as COVID-19 case numbers rise significantly.
Delta outbreak hurts NSW ambo wait times
NSW ambulance wait times hit a record high in the three months to September, and there was an unprecedented number of life-threatening call-outs.
Public transport prices due for rethink
A report on public transport pricing has found the system needs a rethink but governments should not use free travel and fare reductions to incentivise use.
Duterte quits Philippines senate race
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his bid to become a senator in the latest twist in a election race full of last-minute changes and surprises.
NSW restrictions ease as COVID cases rise
The unvaccinated will be able to socialise in public and shop freely as restrictions ease in NSW, just as COVID-19 cases surge in the lead up to Christmas.
NT COVID-19 spreads towards WA border
The Northern Territory has four new COVID-19 cases as an outbreak spreads to remote Timber Creek near the West Australian border.
Iran accuses West of nuclear ‘blame game’
Western parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran are "persisting in their blame game" instead of pursuing real diplomacy, Tehran says.
Independents hit back over donor dob-in
Independents are outraged at a push by the special minister of state to report advocacy groups to the Australian Electoral Commission ahead of the election.
South Korean president meets with Albanese
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has held talks with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during a visit to Sydney on Tuesday.
No agreement as NSW train strikes escalate
Negotiations will continue on an agreement for train drivers in NSW after union members refused to drive foreign-built trains for a second week.
Posties to embrace safer delivery mode
Australia Post aims to replace its entire motorbike fleet with electric delivery vehicles to help improve driver safety.
Vaccine cover bodes well for Omicron fight
Political leaders are determined not to let the Omicron variant push the country back into restrictions, as health experts urge people to get booster shots.
Post-lockdown confidence returns to earth
A series of confidence surveys found Australians and businesses are not necessarily as upbeat as they were when the Delta variant lockdowns first ended.
Obeids and Macdonald make bids for bail
Eddie Obeid, Moses Obeid and Ian Macdonald have made a pre-Christmas bail bid pending their conspiracy conviction appeals
Confidence in aged care reform process low
A new report tracking the progress of aged care royal commission reform found there was low confidence in the sector.
Report backs SA economic recovery
A new report has forecast SA's continued economic recovery next year but warns the COVID-19 pandemic will still have an impact.
Morrison urges states to keep borders open
The federal government will continue to urge states and territories to keep borders and business open as Australia heads into holiday mode.
Iran nuclear deal becoming ’empty shell’
Diplomats from Britain, France and Germany have warned time for a deal is running out as Iran "fast forwards" its nuclear program in the wake of stalled talks.