More cash but schools don’t make the grade
Governments should commit to targets to improve student literacy and numeracy standards in Australia's schools, the Productivity Commission says.
politics
NZ Labour confronts life without Ardern
Education and Police Minister Chris Hipkins has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's Prime Minister.
Poor student outcomes despite more funding
The Productivity Commission says Australian governments should commit to targets in order to improve student literacy and numeracy standards in schools.
Gas cap rules ‘sound and workable’: ACCC
The gas industry continues to voice concerns about the design of the government's big stick interventions designed to keep energy prices contained.
Student debt cut for teachers who go rural
Student debts will be wiped for teachers who spend four years in "very remote communities" in a bid to help address crippling shortages across the country.
Unemployment rate steady in mixed result
Australia's unemployment rate remains stuck at 3.5 per cent, with 14,600 jobs disappearing from the economy in the latest official statistics.
Ardern standing down as New Zealand PM
Jacinda Ardern has announced her shock resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister, while also calling an election on October 14.
Qld boosts pregnancy services in Gladstone
A major Queensland hospital's maternity unit will operate 24 hours a day from January 30, but the state government says full birthing services are months away.
Unemployment rate stays at 3.5 per cent
Australia's unemployment rate remains stuck at 3.5 per cent, with 14,600 jobs disappearing from the economy in the latest official statistics.
Trade, investment key to peaceful Pacific
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has told an international forum Japan would have greater credibility as a regional leader if it reformed its own economy.
Australia to make electric buses go round
More electric buses could be made in Australia after one state announced plans to seek feedback into manufacturing more vehicles.
French helicopters cut for US Black Hawks
Australia is getting 40 US-built Black Hawks helicopters, replacing French-made Taipan choppers in another tense moment between the countries.
Qld lowers COVID-19 pandemic alert level
Queensland, which has emerged from a fourth wave of COVID-19, will cut its community alert level to green from amber.
PM defends voice referendum process
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected talk the government could legislate an Indigenous voice to parliament "'anyway" if this year's referendum fails.
Aussie troops en route to train Ukrainians
Up to 70 Australian military personnel are being deployed to Britain to help train Ukrainian troops in an effort to strengthen Kyiv's defence against Russia.
Australian killed in Nepal a family ‘rock’
Myron William Love from Sydney is confirmed to have died in a plane crash in Nepal, with 70 bodies out of 72 passengers recovered.
Australia looks for PNG health partnership
Australian MPs are in Papua New Guinea for a first-hand look at the health situation in the hopes of forming stronger partnerships with the northern neighbour.
Russian flag displayed at AO despite ban
Fans at the Australian Open have been banned from displaying Russian and Belarusian flags.
Tributes flow for ‘warrior’ Jim Molan
Liberal senator and former major-general Jim Molan has died aged 72 after a sudden decline in his health, his family confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Alarm grows over Aussie’s death sentence
Sydney man Majid Kazemi has been sentenced to death after the Iranian regime accused him of being involved in the deaths of government militia members.
Gas companies needed ‘rules of the game’
The gas industry has defended decisions to pause new gas contract negotiations amid uncertainty about the federal government's energy price relief plan.
Treasurer optimistic on real wage growth
The federal government expects wages will keep growing strongly as inflation moderates, ultimately leading to real wage growth by 2024.
China a ‘big story’ for Australia’s growth
Treasurer Jim Chalmers remains upbeat about Australia's resilience in the face of economic headwinds and some domestic challenges.
Thousands of incidents in disability homes
More than 7000 incidents, including serious injury, abuse and neglect, have been reported in disability group homes in the past four years.
Gas price cap places pressure on retailers
Retailers have been struggling to access affordable long-term gas for their industrial and commercial customers, raising questions about energy policy.
Crossbench MP to refer Perrottet to police
The NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party will refer the premier to police to test whether he breached a seldom enforced law on declarations.
PNG aid is in the national interest: PM
Anthony Albanese says providing aid to Papua New Guinea is in the national interest as the opposition says it's disappointing a security deal wasn't signed.
PNG offers Albanese climate change lesson
A senior Papua New Guinea politician has welcomed attention on climate change as Anthony Albanese wrapped up a two-day tour of Australia's northern neighbour.
MP calls for Perrottet’s head over costume
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet's admission he wore a Nazi costume at his 21st birthday party has prompted a leading cross-bencher to call for his resignation.
AMA urges action on elective surgery
The Australian Medical Association is urging governments to provide extra funding to address a huge backlog of patients waiting for elective surgery.
Next mining boom to lift up disadvantaged
Australia's rich critical mineral and clean energy resources could be harnessed to drive economic prosperity as seen in the mid-2010s mining boom.