Funding block flagged for states failing to build homes
Leveraging Commonwealth payments to states if they fail to tackle housing supply is under consideration.
politics
Economy yet to turn a corner as higher rates bite
Australia is expected to post its slowest annual economic growth rate outside of the pandemic lockdowns since the 1990s as inflation persists.
Wooing the west: Nationals look to hoodwink Bullwinkel
Both sides of politics are working to shore up support in Western Australia after it was seen as a crucial factor in Labor winning a majority government.
Families given a voice to escalate concerns in hospital
A new hospital hotline will be rolled out in Victoria allowing concerned families to escalate care if a patient's health worsens while in hospital.
Albanese’s approval rating slides in Newspoll
Newspoll puts Labor and the coalition neck-and-neck on a two-party-preferred basis while the prime minister's personal approval rating has slipped.
‘Disillusioned’: Muslim group warning ahead of election
A grassroots political movement is aiming to swing votes away from the government at the federal election over its response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Major highway to remain closed after fiery crash
A key Queensland freight artery will remain closed for days after a crash and explosion damaged the road.
Housing approvals bounce back but market still subdued
Housing approvals have risen 10 per cent off the back of a surge in new apartments as opposition parties release policies to tackle the housing crisis
Bereaved US families criticise Harris’ cemetery comment
Families who lost loved ones in the US military say they were the ones to invite Donald Trump to Arlington National Cemetery for a ceremony.
Tonga pulls off Pacific Islands Forum staging
There has been disagreements and plenty of tensions kept under the carpet but for the most part, the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga was a success.
Plague of our time: banks devoting more to scam fight
Australia's big four banks say they're setting aside more resources to prevent customers being scammed out of their money.
Premier talks up Peter Dutton despite non-attendance
Tasmania's Liberal premier has declared a "blue wave" at upcoming state and federal elections following the recent ending of Labor rule in the NT.
Landmark sexuality census question to be trialled
The 2026 census is on track to be the first national count to ask people about their sexuality but there are calls to include more of the LGBTQI community.
Tonga pulls off rift-free Pacific Islands Forum
There have been disagreements and plenty of tensions kept under the carpet but for the most part, the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga was a success.
‘Horrible, horrible’: Indigenous teen dies in detention
An Indigenous teenager was checked 10 times by youth detention staff before he was found dead inside a cell at a centre.
NSW Liberal MP quits seat, denies child-sex charges
NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon will resign from parliament after being charged with 10 separate child-sex offences relating to an alleged assault in 2017.
Workers fearful over ‘rotten culture’ on building sites
Construction workers are reluctant to make complaints about bad behaviour on building sites, fearing reprisals and lacking confidence any action will be taken.
France clears PIF troika mission to New Caledonia
After blocking a fact-finding mission to crisis-hit New Caledonia, France has relented and will allow Pacific observers to Noumea next month.
Land council ‘put on notice’ after independent review
The minister for Indigenous Australians has put a land council's board and management on notice over governance, operations and decision-making issues.
‘Pure insanity’: tobacco tax hike fuelling black market
Increases to federal tobacco tax duties are fuelling Victoria's rampant black market and states and territories should get a cut to police it, an inquiry says.
No cost to taxpayers from bond scandal: ANZ head
There will be consequences across ANZ following the misconduct of employees over bonds, the company's head says.
Germany tightens knife, asylum policies after stabbing
The government in Germany says it will tighten weapons rules and crack down on irregular migration after an attack by a suspect officials had failed to deport.
Kamala Harris sits for first interview since nomination
In her first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris sought to give Americans a sense of her policy positions.
US Army defends cemetery employee in Trump incident
The US Army rarely comments on political matters, but it has issued a statement after Donald Trump's controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
Trans question won’t make census despite Labor’s U-turn
Trans and intersex people should not be left out of the census, LGBTQI groups say after forcing Labor to backtrack on a plan to scrap a question on sexuality.
Challenge to act on ‘tragedy’ of defence suicides
Federal departments can't be trusted to solve military suicides alone and the government must intervene to stop the "crisis", Royal Commissioners warn.
Phone messages contradict Higgins’ claims, court told
A defamation trial pitting a senator against Brittany Higgins has received evidence about the ex-staffer's movements before and after her alleged rape.
More gloom ahead as economy plods along in slow lane
Australia's economy has been barely limping along and more weakness is anticipated in upcoming national accounts data.
Home sweet home: the places people never leave
Waterside suburbs and areas with idyllic lifestyles are unsurprisingly among the tightest-held property markets in the country, new data reveals.
Bank chiefs don’t rate a quick end to costs crunch
Interest rates might have reached their peak but the head of Westpac says many households are still grappling with tight budgets.
‘Take the lane’: Albanese denies US Pacific police plan
A video of what Anthony Albanese calls a "private conversation" with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell shows a chummy relationship on Pacific policing.