More rural towns lose their last bank
The Finance Sector Union says Westpac has announced the closure of 23 of its group's branches across Australia, with the loss of 92 jobs.
social issue
PM hails parental leave to Labor faithful
Australian families will get an extra six weeks of paid parental leave under a policy designed to improve gender equity and help with the rising cost of living.
YouTube full of conspiracies, study says
Research conducted by the University of Sydney and QUT has found YouTube may have played a role in spreading conspiracy theories.
Qld govt backs Indigenous women’s report
The Palaszczuk Government has announced its support for the Australian Human Rights Commission's Wiyi Yani U Thangani report and project.
Cashless welfare cards bound for scrapheap
Thousands of welfare recipients living in remote communities will soon be freed from cashless debit cards after laws to abandon the program cleared the Senate.
Qld forensic flaws ‘tip of the iceberg’
The mother of slain Mackay woman Shandee Blackburn hopes the probe into Queensland's troubled forensic laboratory is another step on the path toward justice.
Labor to ‘refresh’ referendum laws
Labor is continuing to review how to best put the referendum question to enshrine an Indigenous voice to Parliament to the Australian public.
Iran unrest over woman’s death kills three
The governor of Iran's Kurdistan province says three people have been killed amid protests in several cities following the death of a woman in custody.
WA rental law fears ‘grossly exaggerated’
West Australian housing advocates say there is little evidence to support claims rental tenancy changes would lead to a flood of investors selling properties.
Door open to use Qld’s Wellcamp for homes
The empty 1000-bed quarantine facility could house vulnerable people from the surrounding area, the state's housing minister says.
More First Nation kids placed in Qld care
The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland's child protection system continues to grow, new data shows.
Rent surges amid cost of living crisis
House and unit rents have set records in the country's capitals, according to Domain, as cost of living pressures prompt calls for more affordable housing.
Melbourne bounces back after COVID exodus
Australians are moving to Melbourne in droves two years after a mass exodus, which was sparked by lockdowns and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WA urged to ban all gay conversion therapy
Western Australia's government is being urged to ban the practice of gay conversion therapy in religious and non-healthcare settings.
Union condemns more regional bank closures
Westpac is defending a decision to close 24 bank branches across Australia, including many in regional areas.
Regional homes vacant amid housing crisis
The Census has revealed more than 25 per cent of homes were unoccupied in some holiday hotspots.
Birth certificate program eyes expansion
A program issuing birth certificates to Indigenous Australians to help everyone access essential services is raising funds to expand nationally.
US top court overturns Roe v Wade ruling
The US Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that recognised a woman's right to an abortion, allowing individual US states to ban abortion.
Biden condemns US court abortion ruling
A US Supreme Court decision to overturn landmark abortion legislation has sparked condemnation from President Joe Biden and protests across the United States.
Booze now, pay later apps prompt concern
Experts are worried people using buy now, pay later services for alcohol will lead to "financial hangovers".
Veterans ‘failed’ by govt, commission told
Ex-veteran affairs minister Darren Chester has faced a royal commission and been questioned about outstanding reforms during his tenure.
‘Zero’ budget funds to fix compo delays
Former minister Andrew Gee says he was disappointed the Morrison government had failed to recognise veterans' welfare as a national priority.
Anger at targeting of unwell soldiers
An army commander says action should be taken against soldiers who target mentally or physically unwell colleagues, adding you "can't mitigate stupidity".
More men sought mental help during COVID
Research has shed light on GPs' crucial role in providing mental health support, as COVID-19 restrictions coincided with many men seeking help.
Biloela homecoming sweet for Nadesalingams
The Nadesalingams have spoken of their loss during years in detention, with the Tamil family celebrating their daughter's birthday after returning to Biloela.
Qld govt mulls new community group funding
Community centres in Queensland will have their funding model reviewed as the state government develops a 10-year plan to address social isolation.
Disability service sorry over abuse
A disability service being investigated by a royal commission has offered an apology for the abuse of young men at one of its programs.
Concerns raised over disability service
The Royal Commission into the abuse and neglect of people with a disability has heard about concerns over the rapid growth of a Sydney disability service.
Young men abused by disability worker
The royal commission into the abuse and neglect of people with a disability has been told of the abuse of young men at a day care service in western Sydney.
Now and then: celebrating our main streets
The history and culture of main streets around the country is being celebrated this week as part of a new national campaign.
Labor vows protection for LGBTQIA students
As debate returns on religious discrimination laws, Labor has promised to protect LGBTQIA school students if elected.