‘Horrified’: childcare giant’s abuse scandal response
Australia's largest for-profit childcare operator began overhauling hiring even before a former worker was charged with sexual abuse, an inquiry has been told.
social issue
Bipartisan offer to block ISIS-linked families’ return
As the Australian government ponders what to do with 34 ISIS-linked women and children trying to return, the opposition has offered a bipartisan solution.
Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
There remains a long way to go for Indigenous reconciliation as racism continues to fester, almost two decades on from the apology to the Stolen Generations.
Ticket to rideshare: disability groups call for change
Transport subsidy schemes around Australia need urgent reform to give people with disabilities greater choice and lower costs, a report has found.
‘Time to deliver’: blame shifted on hospital bed block
While thousands of older Australians lie stranded in hospitals, the federal government has put responsibility for aged care squarely on states and territories.
Harbour Bridge joyriders sparks calls for e-bike action
Footage of young men dangerously riding e-bikes and motorcycles on the Sydney Harbour Bridge has fuelled calls for more accountability.
Leading disability employer sold, saving jobs
The nation's second-largest disability employer has been sold, saving 1250 jobs, after a government rescue package prevented its collapse.
From inconvenience to crisis, islands battle king tides
Low-lying islands in the Torres Strait have been inundated after another frightening king tide season as locals continue the legal fight for climate justice.
Online creators working to disrupt the police narrative
Standing outside police recruitment events, armed with 'you shouldn't be a cop' flyers, Tom Raue hopes to change Australians' minds.
Australian social media ban both a success and failure
Australian laws banning children from social media have the world talking but two months in, experts say they are far from foolproof.
Rural water supplies struggling to cope after heatwave
Locals in one rural town are lining up in a pub car park to receive free bottled water, as parts of country Australia get a reprieve from an intense heatwave.
Plea for unity as Australia Day highlights divisions
Emotions have run high at competing Australia Day rallies as the prime minister highlighted the role immigrants have played in helping to shape the nation.
Dad says teen wouldn’t want to see dingoes culled
The father of the woman killed by dingoes on K'gari said the teenager loved animals and would have been against a government cull.
‘A grieving nation’: PM’s apology as Bondi dead mourned
A national day of mourning for those killed in the Bondi attack has culminated in an emotional memorial service and a personal apology from the prime minister.
Jewish groups push to scrap hate speech law exemptions
Coalition members and Jewish groups have come out against proposed hate speech laws drawn up in response to the Bondi massacre.
Hate speech laws in peril as Libs, Greens spurn reforms
Major changes will be needed to the government's hate speech laws overhaul for any hope of rushing the legislation through parliament.
Religious leaders unite in call for hate speech rethink
Religious leaders have united across faiths to urge the prime minister to go back to the drawing board on contentious hate speech reforms.
Social media app investigated over child abuse material
Australian officials are looking into the creation of child abuse material on Elon Musk's social media platform amid global outcry over the issue.
Hate speech and gun reform to be tackled separately: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the government will split a controversial bill to reform hate speech and gun laws.
Hate speech laws could be ‘salvaged’ after backdown
Despite criticising Labor's proposed hate speech laws as unsalvageable, the coalition is looking to get elements passed in an emergency session.
Labor issues ultimatum on hate speech laws
Changes to hate speech laws remain up in the air as Anthony Albanese issues a take it or leave it offer to the coalition on the contentious laws.
Aussie ex-detainee’s dire warning for ‘vulnerable’ Iran
Tehran's decades-old dictatorship could be about to topple, says an Australian expert who was jailed for 804 days by the Iranian regime.
PM softens stance as pleas mount for royal commission
The prime minister has opened the door to a royal commission into a deadly terror attack as calls for an inquiry rise from within his party.
‘Absolutely essential’: premier backs swift protest ban
Rushed laws that allow police to ban protest marches following terror attacks could prove to be divisive rather than calming, a senior legal figure warns.
Vow to quash terrorism after Sydney ‘changed forever’
After pushing through emergency legislation to curb gun ownership and protests, a state premier is vowing not to let a terrorist attack divide Australians.
Premier denies ‘overreach’ as states mull Bondi changes
States are mulling NSW's crackdown on hateful symbols and slogans as anti-immigration rallies draw criticism on Australia's national day of reflection.
Early warnings not heeded in deadly triple-zero outage
A host of mistakes were made during an Optus triple-zero outage linked to two deaths, including a failure to escalate initial concerns up the chain.
‘Obscene’ rates of Indigenous child removals persist
Indigenous children continue to be removed from family at 'obscene' rates, as advocates urge an overhaul of how child protection is approached.
‘Classic glass cliff’: women leaders mark Liberal first
The majority of Liberal leaders across Australia are now women - but are they political saviours or placeholders until a male colleague takes over?
Swastika sword seized as men charged over Nazi symbols
Three men will face court charged with the public display of Nazi symbols and possessing extremist material after a federal police investigation.
Positive male roles highlighted in push to end violence
Men have important and influential roles in promoting healthy attitudes towards women to help prevent violence against them, AFL captains and male leaders say.