Thirty licences to open a cafe: state red tape ranked
Australian business must work through a patchwork of regulations wherever they operate, but requirements in some states are more onerous than in others.
politics
Police in Georgia move again to disperse protests
Protesters have been hit with tear gas and water cannons for another night in Georgia as police crack down on thousands of anti-government demonstrators.
‘Significant step’ in push to repatriate Bali Nine
Five Australians serving life sentences in Indonesia for their role in attempting to smuggle heroin as part of the Bali Nine are a step closer to coming home.
Cbus-CFMEU bond ‘may not be in members’ best interest’
A review has cleared the board of a major superannuation fund but suggested substantial improvements after intense scrutiny of CFMEU-linked appointments.
Opposition move to oust S.Korea’s Yoon over martial law
South Korean opposition parties will vote on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law that sparked a major political crisis.
Drug decriminalisation push nipped in the bud, for now
A broad consensus for treating drug use and possession outside the justice system in a government-run drug summit butts up against current policies.
Economy yet to shake malaise as growth misses forecasts
The Australian economy is growing slowly with government support, with energy rebates effectively transferring household spending to the public purse.
Hunter Biden case dismissed after president’s pardon
A gun case against US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has been formally dismissed by a federal judge.
Pro-Palestine shift borne from frustration, peace push
Frustration at a lack of progress on a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and the need for momentum toward peace drove an Australian policy shift.
Bali Nine members could continue sentences in Australia
The remaining members of the Bali Nine drug smuggling ring are expected to continuing serving their sentences in Australia, a federal minister has confirmed.
Beyond The Valley to host pill testing in state first
Beyond The Valley will be the first Victorian music festival to trial pill testing in an effort to curb overdoses and save lives.
Australia-wide study ordered into school bullying
Bullying in Australian schools will be put under a microscope as the federal government looks to tackle the behaviour in the real world.
Trump Jr helps pick most controversial cabinet
Donald Trump Jr is said to have the ear of his father and has been instrumental in deciding the most controversial cabinet in modern history.
Labor notches win as time runs out on political year
Labor has chalked up a last-minute legislative victory, with the Greens backing its housing scheme, as several MPs bid Canberra farewell.
Rush to pass social media ban angers experts, MPs
As parliament prepares to stop people younger than 16 using social media, the government has been accused of trying to ram through the laws without scrutiny.
Kat in the hat scores half-century as a politician
A stalwart of federal parliament and one of its most well-known figures, Bob Katter has marked a half-century in public office.
Tense stand-off at synagogue despite cancelled protest
Police have separated pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups after a planned protest outside a synagogue was cancelled at the last minute.
Aged care revamp to shake up Australians’ golden years
Older Australians will be able to live at home for longer and receive better protections in aged care after a sector overhaul passed parliament.
Development halted causing ‘distress, financial strain’
A major development has been paused after a local council raised significant concerns about the distress and financial strain placed on buyers.
Blackout risks downgraded amid heatwave warnings
People in eastern Australia in danger of experiencing electricity outages have been given a small reprieve as the operator scrambles to ensure lights stay on.
Housing policies at lock-up stage with Greens support
Labor has had a breakthrough on its stalled housing agenda after securing Greens support for a federal shared-equity scheme and build-to-rent policies.
Hard-right populist shocks Romanian presidential vote
A little-known, far-right NATO critic has taken a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election and is set to face a centrist opposition leader in a run-off.
‘Whatever it takes’: child removal floated to tackle DV
Child protection practices will be examined by a government in response to a landmark inquiry into the domestic violence deaths of four women.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
‘Knee-jerk reaction’ social media ban set to pass
A proposal to ban children from social media is expected to become law despite experts and politicians arguing it may not make the internet safer for kids.
Historic day as MPs sworn into fresh parliament
It was a bittersweet day for Labor MPs sitting on the opposite side of the chamber as the Liberal National Party takes power for the first time in nine years.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
US judge dismisses federal Trump 2020 election case
The latest legal move represents a remarkable shift from the special prosecutor who obtained indictments against Donald Trump in two separate cases.
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
Request to release premier’s business documents denied
Documents relating to claims a company was trading insolvent while a man who went on to become a state premier was at the helm will not be released.
Trump doesn’t have to hurt Australia-China ties: envoy
A Trump presidency doesn't have to impact how Australia and China co-operate, Beijing's ambassador says, amid a spate of hawkish cabinet picks.