Consumers tighten belts amid interest rate rise squeeze
The latest retail figures show Australians are tightening their spending, falling 0.2 per cent in the December quarter.
politics
Australia urges calm over Chinese ‘weather’ balloon
Foreign Minister Penny Wong insists a diplomatic clash between the US and China over a suspected spy balloon won't derail upcoming talks involving Australia.
NSW premier unveils five-year cashless pokies reform
All poker machines in NSW will be cashless within five years under a proposal by Premier Dominic Perrottet, who says the change will protect vulnerable people.
Ex-minister misled public: Barilaro trade job report
Former NSW trade minister Stuart Ayres was not at arm's length in the appointment of John Barilaro to a plum US trade job, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
Voice referendum question to be finalised by June
Government frontbencher Tony Burke says laws finalising the referendum question on the voice to parliament will be set by the second quarter of the year.
PM reveals why he is optimistic for referendum success
Anthony Albanese says Australians will have the opportunity to show the best of their characters in a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament.
RBA decision tipped to deliver more mortgage pain
Another interest rate hike is expected when the Reserve Bank board meets on Tuesday for the first time in two months.
US considers plan to down Chinese balloon over Atlantic
Washington says it plans to "take care of" a Chinese surveillance balloon as soon as it is over the Atlantic.
G7, EU and Australia agree on price cap on Russian fuel
Major industrialised countries in the west, including Australia, will impose a price cap on refined Russian oil products such as diesel and kerosene.
NSW Greens looking for lush result at upcoming election
The NSW Greens are confident they could take new regional seats at the upcoming state election as ageing voters show their loyalty.
US downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
China is accusing the US of an 'obvious overreaction' in its shooting down of a Chinese balloon, suspected of spying on US assets.
Health tops national agenda but reform will take time
Federal, state and territory governments committed to work together to reform Australia's health system with recommendations from a Medicare task force report.
‘Nod and a wink’ to bury damning report into robodebt
The royal commissioner examining the robodebt scheme has suggested the department responsible may have given a "nod and a wink" to bury a damning report.
Gang busted as police float new anti-bikie laws
Victoria Police have floated a ban on outlaw motorcycle gangs wearing club colours after the force's anti-bikie unit claimed a major organised crime scalp.
Police ministers to work on national gun register
National cabinet has agreed on the need for an increase in information sharing about guns across states and territories after a fatal Queensland shootout.
Barilaro assault charge dismissed over mental health
The former NSW deputy premier was under significant stress when he allegedly assaulted a camera operator and "compelling" evidence has led to a dismissal.
Spiky sea urchin impact comparable to crown-of-thorns
Scientists say problems posed by invasive sea urchins on Australia's southern reefs are comparable to the crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef.
Expanding lobbyist capture under consideration in Qld
The Queensland Government is taking a cautious approach to crime and corruption recommendations to expand who is captured by the state's lobbying laws.
Morrison’s offshore drilling veto could be overturned
The Federal Court could overturn a controversial call by former prime minister Scott Morrison to veto a gas drilling project off the NSW coast.
Albanese secures state and territory support on referendum
All state and territory leaders have signed a statement of intent to support the referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Bid to cut rising insurance costs in disaster-hit areas
Insurers have met the federal government to come up with a plan to help households with rising premiums and better prepare communities for natural disasters.
Barilaro’s office denied bushfire funds in Labor seats
The NSW auditor‑general's report on bushfire recovery grants has found John Barilaro's office excluded Labor electorates from urgent funding.
New apartments trigger jump in building approvals
A glut of new apartment projects lifted building approvals in December but new house approvals remain subdued, new data shows.
Energy guarantee as Qld sweats toward record demand
Queenslanders have been reassured the energy system is ready to handle an expected peak in demand amid days of high temperatures and stifling humidity.
NT alcohol ban report to be released next week
A report handed to the federal and Northern Territory governments has recommended alcohol bans while management plans are put in place, media reports suggest.
Ambulance call answer times stretch out in Victoria
More than one in three calls for an ambulance in Victoria last financial year were not answered within 10 seconds, new Australia-wide data shows.
Professional misconduct complaint over Lehrmann trial
Bruce Lehrmann has made a formal complaint about the conduct of the ACT director of public prosecutions over the handling of his sexual assault trial.
Liberals commit to further meetings on Indigenous voice
Australians are being called to support a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament whether or not it is backed by all sides of politics.
Ex-minister says he wasn’t given robodebt legal advice
Former social services minister Christian Porter has told the robodebt royal commission he never received legal advice that raised issues with the scheme.
Union call to widen scope of probe into Lehrmann case
Former Queensland solicitor-general Walter Sofronoff will lead an inquiry into the handling of rape allegations against former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
Record month for car thefts drives youth crime debate
Data showing Queensland had a record number of car thefts over the month of December comes as the state prepares to strengthen its youth crime laws.