Deficits dig deeper holes as cracks appear in budget
Australia is on track for a soft economic landing despite budget deficits set to widen as spending grows and tax receipts fall, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
politics
Indonesian president courts West with Bali Nine release
The release of five Australians serving life sentences in Indonesia for drug smuggling is viewed as an act of political goodwill by President Prabowo Subianto.
Super concessions take biggest bite from the budget
Cost-of-living relief measures are off the table in the mid-year budget update, as a tax expenditure list shows the type of deductions that cost the most.
Changing channels as former Nine chief takes ABC reins
The man who oversaw the merger of two major news companies before leaving Nine under a cloud has been appointed as the next managing director of the ABC.
S Korea court begins review of president’s impeachment
South Korean law enforcement authorities want impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree.
The women who could soon influence your mortgage
Two new faces will serve on the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate-setting board, with the government defying calls from the coalition for continuity.
Scams lawsuit sends a message to Australia’s banks
The corporate cop has put the nation's banks on notice after filing a civil case against HSBC Australia over its alleged failure to stop $23 million in scams.
China benched, PNG takes field in sport-security pact
Australia is putting $600 million towards a team from Papua New Guinea joining the NRL but will pull its support if Port Moresby breaks "strategic trust".
CFMEU crackdown: police may sort out site ‘thuggery’
Allegations of intimidation and bullying within the CFMEU are being investigated but a state government wants the police to be able to step in on work sites.
Tech giants to be charged if they fail to pay for news
In a bid to return revenue to Australian news publishers, the government will charge tech giants if they do not pay for local journalism.
Youth offenders now face ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws
A controversial "adult crime, adult time" election pledge has become law after tough youth justice legislation was passed in Queensland parliament.
Woodside gas project given WA environmental approval
After six years of assessment and hundreds of appeals against it, a massive Woodside gas project has been given WA environmental approval to operate until 2070.
Liberal leader digs in as support slips away
A state opposition leader is under mounting pressure following a defamation ruling, with one of his frontbench team announcing their resignation.
Call to criminalise threats against places of worship
A senator is urging the federal government to bolster its hate crime bill and make threatening places of worship an offence following an attack on a synagogue.
Multi-billion dollar price tag revealed to go nuclear
The federal opposition would make taxpayers fork out the combined equivalent of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's wealth to set up nuclear reactors.
GP payroll tax, first homebuyer stamp duty scrapped
A state government has fulfilled more of its election promises by scrapping a "patient's tax" and stamp duty for first-home buyers.
Majority of children in detention are Indigenous boys
The number of children being held in detention has risen, with shocking data laying bare the trend of Indigenous young people being locked up.
Coalition unveils nuclear energy policy with renewables
Renewable energy will still make up the majority of Australia's energy grid by 2050 but be firmed up by nuclear power under a controversial coalition plan.
‘Treat us like humans’: rise in out-of-home care kids
A report has called for urgent change after finding one state has up to four times as many children in residential care than others.
Indonesia to pardon thousands including Papua activists
About 30 per cent of all prisoners in Indonesia will be pardoned, law minister Supratman Andi Agtas says.
Double fault or ace: Libs turmoil as frontbencher quits
Members of Victoria's Liberal Party are warring over its future leadership as John Pesutto refuses to resign following a court ruling that he defamed an MP.
PM rubbishes Dutton’s nuclear energy plan as ‘farcical’
Anthony Albanese has poured scorn on Peter Dutton's "farcical" nuclear plan and questioned the Liberal leader's claim it would lead to cheaper energy.
Macron’s new PM faces ‘long road’ against French MPs
Politicians in France have given a mixed reaction to the appointment of centrist Francois Bayrou as prime minister.
Conservative ‘warrior’: tributes for Liberal stalwart
Kevin Andrews, a steadfast conservative who advocated for traditional family values, is being remembered as a Liberal "warrior" after he died of cancer.
South Korea impeaches president over martial law order
The president of South Korea has been impeached by the nation's lawmakers over his short-lived declaration of martial law that sparked a constitutional crisis.
South Korea’s president defiant after impeachment
The president of South Korea has vowed to "never give up" despite lawmakers voting to impeach him after his short-lived declaration of martial law.
Syrian schools reopen after upheaval that ousted Assad
Foreign powers and neighbours are weighing their stance on Syria's new rulers as schools reopen for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.
Trump taps more of his trusted allies for key roles
Donald Trump is continuing to pick loyalists for key jobs, with his social media platform CEO the latest tapped to serve in his second administration.
Borrowing blowout tipped in mid-year budget update
The federal government is expected to reveal a downgrade to its budget forecasts in its mid-year fiscal update as Australia's tax sugar-rush fades.
South Korea moves to reassure allies, calm markets
South Korea's acting president has spoken to Joe Biden as the country moves to reassure its allies and calm financial markets after its president was impeached.
‘Sense of urgency’: extra social homes fast-tracked
Funding an extra 5000 social properties through a partnership with the community housing sector will help get more people into homes sooner, advocates say.