Election money reforms dubbed a ‘major-party stitch-up’
Independent MPs have blasted proposed electoral laws capping expenditure, saying while they agree with reform, the way it's being done favours major parties.
politics
Minister defends UN vote for Palestine resource rights
Australia shifted its longstanding position on Israeli responsibility for damage from an oil spill and voted to support Palestinian resource sovereignty.
Police budget blowout referred to corruption watchdog
Queensland's police commissioner has referred a controversial lease for a new station in Brisbane to the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Anti-corruption boss stays put after robodebt ‘mistake’
Australia's national anti-corruption head has accepted "sole responsibility" for a mistake made in managing a conflict of interest, but won't step down.
Australian finance to spark Indo-Pacific climate action
Cheap finance for climate projects is on offer from Australia for small businesses across the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Sri Lankan president’s coalition wins thumping majority
The coalition of Sri Lanka's new leftist president has won a big lead in parliamentary elections in an apparent solid mandate for his economic revival plans.
Govt ditching ‘sweetheart deal’ will cost lives: union
The Queensland government's decision to suspend a "sweetheart deal" with the CFMEU has copped a backlash, with one union claiming it will cost workers' lives.
APEC leaders to open summit amid Trump uncertainty
Major leaders are gathering in Peru for APEC, including outgoing US President Joe Biden as the return of his successor Donald Trump hangs over the forum.
CFMEU members urged to anonymously reveal experiences
Disgruntled construction union members can now anonymously reveal their experiences of unlawful conduct as a corruption investigation continues.
Labor still ‘in box seat’ despite latest poll results
The latest opinion polling shows the coalition leads the government, but experts say Labor is still on track to be re-elected at the next federal poll.
Trump returns ‘border tsar’; Musk weighs in on Senate
Elon Musk has put forward his preference for a key US Senate role as president-elect Donald Trump said he was bringing back his former "border tsar".
‘Most important in years’: key climate summit kicks off
Australia's climate change minister is urging his counterparts to adopt ambitious emissions targets as world leaders discuss the future for a warming globe.
Trump, trade worries cloud COP29 climate summit
Nations are preparing for tough talks on finance and trade as the annual UN climate summit kicked off in Azerbaijan.
Trump taps Marco Rubio as secretary of state: report
Donald Trump has reportedly selected US senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state and Mike Waltz as his national security adviser.
Competition at Sydney Airport ‘less than we like’
There is less competition at Australia's busiest airport than what the nation's consumer watchdog would like, as it supports reform of flight slots.
Indigenous groups want more from truth-telling inquiry
A minor party's proposed truth-telling commission needs major changes to succeed in addressing historical and contemporary injustice, Indigenous groups say.
Biden, Harris together for first time since election
US Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have appeared together for the first time since the election.
Tough penalties under laws to tame tobacco turf war
Victoria will become the last Australian state to make businesses have a licence to sell tobacco, but the police boss says laws won't end a turf war overnight.
‘It’s a lifeline’: relief as government hands Rex $80m
The federal government will provide up to $80 million to keep Rex regional routes operating, a relief for rural communities fearing for their future prosperity.
PM jets for trade talks in Peru as Trump tariffs loom
Australia will join leaders and officials from 20 global economies at a major trade summit as it works to diversify its economic relationships into Asia.
New Queensland govt given short shrift on Games blowout
The Queensland government has been urged to scrap a 100-day Olympic infrastructure review and "get on with it" amid complaints over 2032 project cost blowouts.
Dozens of ‘forever chemicals’ yet to be assessed
A parliamentary inquiry into PFAS substances has heard almost 20 per cent of the chemicals in the regulator's inventory have not been fully assessed.
Social media ban passes the test for school principals
Banning under 16s from social media would be critical for the wellbeing of young people, a peak body for school principals says.
Pay growth running faster than price rises
Workers have logged another quarter of real wage growth that, thankfully, is not strong enough to push back interest rate cuts.
Old tactics to be used in trade negotiations with Trump
Australia will use a tried tactic to stop the US under a second Trump presidency from imposing tariffs on imports, as it looks to expand its role in disputes.
Trump rewards Elon Musk with top job slashing spending
Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have been hand-picked by Donald Trump to head a new US government 'efficiency' department.
Qld regions remain in the dark about nuclear power plan
A federal inquiry has heard strong support for a nuclear industry in regional Queensland even though local councillors say they were not consulted.
Trump, Biden pledge orderly transition of power
US President Joe Biden has welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House for an Oval Office visit.
Social media duty of care to users ‘a game changer’
Social media giants will need to take proactive steps to protect users and improve safety features under a digital duty of care introduced by the government.
Jobless rate holds at 4.1 per cent for the third month
Roughly 15,900 jobs were added to the economy last month, falling short of expectations, as the jobless rate remained steady at 4.1 per cent.
Climate change fuelling insurance cost-of-living crunch
More than two-thirds of parents are worried about rising insurance costs pushed higher by climate change.