Voters turn out in droves as pre-polling proves popular
Pre-polling has proven increasingly popular with more than half a million voters casting ballots on the first day as parties scramble for preference deals.
politics
Undeliverable: hospital expansion plan on life support
A damning review into a state's hospital expansion plan has found that projects are "undeliverable" in their current form after a rushed procurement process.
Nuclear power could take the shine off Aussie aluminium
Three out of Australia's four aluminium smelters could risk closure if Australia adopts nuclear power, reducing energy supplied to industry.
Gloves off for leaders in combative third debate
The prime minister and opposition leader have not held back, trading barbs and personal digs after a subdued day on the campaign trail.
Coalition unpacks tax hike plan to fund defence splurge
Peter Dutton has promised a coalition government would raise defence spending and rely on higher income taxes to partially fund the pledge.
Trump approval rating tanks as policies prove unpopular
A new poll shows poll that Americans who disapprove of US President Donald Trump's performance outnumber those who approve, on every issue in the poll.
Church leaders speak glowingly of ‘Aussie-like’ Pope
Australian Catholics are mourning and remembering Pope Francis as a man of simple piety who gave them hope for the church's future, after his death aged 88.
Election campaign at half-mast as leaders remember Pope
Election campaign events by Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been cancelled because of the Pope's death, as early voting opens.
Campaign gets saucy as Dutton dons tongs to snag votes
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has served up sausages and bacon at a barbecue in Queensland, visiting a Labor-held seat on Easter.
‘Election up for grabs’: PM on alert despite polling
Although the coalition has assumed underdog status, Peter Dutton says he could still snag a win - while Anthony Albanese isn't letting his guard down.
From ‘border to the backyard’: Dutton’s crime crackdown
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is promising a suite of tough new measures to address crime, in addition to extra funding worth hundreds of millions.
Defence secretary ‘shared another chat on Yemen strike’
A report claiming the US defence secretary shared sensitive military details on another Signal chat has renewed criticism of the Trump administration.
US deportees offered in swap for ‘political prisoners’
Venezuela's top prosecutor has criticised a proposal by El Salvador to swap hundreds of "political prisoners" for deportees from the US being held in a prison.
Iran, US agree on third round of talks after ‘progress’
Iranian officials say indirect talks with the United States have been held in a "constructive atmosphere" and that further expert-level discussions are planned.
Easter break not all peace as Labor lob eggs over wages
Australians hopeful of a cordial Easter break have been denied a reprieve in the final stretch of an election as the clock ticks to flip undecided voters.
US senator meets wrongly deported man in El Salvador
US senator Chris Van Hollen has met Kilmar Abrego Garcia, coming face-to-face with the wrongly deported man after visiting El Salvador to push for his release.
Palmer makes pitch to Patriots at campaign launch
Billionaire Clive Palmer has made his pitch to party faithful's after launching the Trumpet of Patriots campaign at his own resort.
Dutton ‘dressed up as lamb’ on working from home: Labor
Labor has promised to legislate penalty rate protections and is warning that the coalition will revive its dropped proposal to ban working from home.
Aussie authors launch bid to close the book on AI theft
More than 1700 Australian authors have reported their works were stolen to train AI software but experts say lawsuits may be a gamble and new laws are needed.
Europe and Ukraine make case as Rubio visits Paris
The US's Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff are meeting Ukrainian and European officials worried about America's overtures towards Russia in talks to end the war.
Campaign goes to the dogs as leaders pause for Easter
As leaders adopt a more relaxed pace on the campaign trail for the Easter holidays, polling shows the coalition's primary vote has fallen to a historic low.
Trump signals tit-for-tat China tariffs may be near end
"I don't want them to go higher because at a certain point you make it where people don't buy," Donald Trump says of the tariffs he has imposed on China.
Doin’ it for the kids: PM’s pride in childcare legacy
The prime minister touted the government's childcare reforms as he targeted a marginal Liberal-held seat in Brisbane's east.
Serious flaws at hospital where kids died after waiting
A scathing report accuses the operator of a controversial hospital where two children died of inaction and failing to meet healthcare standards.
Dutton ‘believes in climate change’ despite debate call
After initially suggesting questions on the impact of climate change were best left to scientists, Peter Dutton has sought to clarify his position.
Crossbench calls for aid lift in face of meagre pledges
As Australia's foreign aid drops as a proportion of the country's wealth, most crossbenchers have signalled they want an increase to meet UN benchmarks.
Eat the rich: Greens to tax billionaires to feed kids
Every Australian public school student would get a free meal under a Greens plan that would be funded by taxing billionaires and corporations.
Bullish health promises under microscope before debate
The prime minister insists there's ample evidence urgent care clinics have led to shorter hospital wait times, despite a report saying it's too soon to tell.
Households make room as renters share living costs pain
More struggling, noodle-eating students are moving in together as rents soar in cities and pledges to fix the housing crisis dominate the federal election.
Trump plays critical minerals card in tariff trade war
A national security review of critical minerals imports has been ordered by President Donald Trump in an escalation of his dispute with global trading partners.
Frugal Kiwi government takes axe to central bank budget
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is "redesigning" its operations after the government announced funding cuts of 25 per cent from July.