Billions spent on consultants amid integrity concerns
Australia is spending billions on consulting services despite transparency issues and conflicts of interests, prompting calls to regulate the industry.
politics
PM weighs in on fresh push for free or cheap childcare
Anthony Albanese has welcomed an expert proposal for free or low-cost childcare but parents hoping for an immediate reprieve are likely to be disappointed.
Hostile group pelt police as Palestine rally turns ugly
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police have clashed at a rally in Melbourne with officers using pepper spray after a group allegedly threw bottles and signs.
Costello quits as Nine boss after clash with journalist
Former federal treasurer Peter Costello has stepped down as chairman of media company Nine Entertainment days after allegedly colliding with a reporter.
King’s Birthday 2024 Military Honours List
Military honours as part of the King's Birthday include 26 Conspicuous Service Cross and 31 Conspicuous Service Medals.
King’s Birthday 2024 Meritorious Honours List
The King's Birthday Honours List includes 162 meritorious awards in the areas of emergency service, public sector, intelligence and corrections.
King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List
Almost 500 people are recognised in the general division of the King's Birthday Honours List, with the youngest aged 29 and the eldest 98.
Labor ex leaders take top honours for King’s Birthday
Two controversial premiers, sporting heroes and the incoming governor-general feature in the King's Birthday 2024 Honours List.
Modi sworn in as Indian prime minister for third term
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a third term in a ceremony attended by thousands of dignitaries.
Coalition gains on Labor as cost-of-living crisis bites
Labor and the coalition are neck and neck on a two-party preferred basis as Australians struggle with the pressure to survive in a cost-of-living crisis.
New chair to take reins as Costello quits Nine board
Nine Entertainment deputy chair Catherine West will take over as chair of the major media company following Peter Costello's exit.
Pandemic hardline premier honours ‘independent of govt’
The prime minister has played a straight bat when asked about the inclusion of a hardline pandemic-era premier in the King's Birthday Honours list.
Far right’s election gains rattle traditional EU powers
While some ballots in the vote for the European Parliament are still being counted, the 27-nation bloc's parliament membership has clearly shifted to the right.
France’s Macron calls snap election after EU vote
French President Emmanuel Macron will go to the country's voters in a snap election, after his party's drubbing in elections for the European Parliament.
Federal minister joins Middle East crisis talks on Gaza
An Egyptian-born federal minister will represent Australia at crisis talks in the Middle East over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
New night life boss ‘crucial’ to live music economy
The Queensland government's decision to appoint a night life economy commissioner has been welcomed as a boost for the future of the live music industry.
PM blasts opposition for shifting goals on climate
An opposition plan to rework interim climate commitments has attracted the ire of the prime minister, who says 2030 goals are achievable.
UK prime minister dismisses resignation rumours
Rishi Sunak has brushed off rumours he may resign ahead of the UK election after he was heavily criticised for leaving D-Day commemorations too soon.
Hunter Biden evidence ‘ugly,’ prosecutors tell jury
Hunter Biden has decided not to testify in his criminal trial regarding his use of illegal drugs on a background check form when he bought a gun.
Dutton’s climate target opposition labelled ‘disaster’
Peter Dutton says he'll not pursue the government's climate target, risking Australia's membership in the Paris Agreement.
Climate groups take aim at Dutton call to scrap target
Peter Dutton's pledge to scrap an emissions target would leave Australia in the dust of the race to stop global warming, climate groups and the government say.
Stamp duty threshold increased for first home buyers
Queensland's first-time home buyers will get a stamp duty discount, in a bid to get more young buyers into the market.
‘Tears of joy’ after four Israel hostages freed in Gaza
An Australian Jewish advocacy body says the freeing of four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is "a beautiful thing", despite mass Palestinian casualties.
Lack of action on Gaza blamed for community tensions
As politicians continue blaming each other for stoking tensions, a Greens MP has urged the government to take meaningful action on the conflict in Palestine.
Direction 110 doesn’t add up for immigration experts
Community safety will be prioritised in changes to a contentious immigration direction, following weeks of political pressure on the minister in charge.
Elderly left waiting months for care as demand surges
Older Australians are being forced to wait longer for home care as demands blows out, with an ageing population set to exacerbate the issue in coming decades.
$14m Murray Darling ads under fire for Turkey image
Senators have attacked a $14 million advertising campaign about water in the Murray Darling basin, suggesting it is alarmist and deceptive.
Australians need assurance on ‘toxic’ inflation: RBA
The RBA's strategy of bringing down inflation gradually to protect the jobs market is a different tactic but it has worked, the central bank's new deputy says.
Sunak apologises for leaving D-Day commemorations early
Criticism mounts on Rishi Sunak for leaving early from D-Day commemorations in France as the British prime minister fights an election campaign.
Prosecution rests in Hunter Biden’s criminal gun trial
As Hunter Biden's prosecution case rested, his lawyers asked for his criminal gun trial judge to acquit him, saying the evidence didn't support a conviction.
Visa cancellation changes risk refugee harm, separation
Rights groups have slammed a federal government change to the way visa cancellations are considered, warning vulnerable refugees could be put in harm's way.