Westpac halts rural closures amid political pressure
Westpac says it will postpone closures of rural banks during a Senate inquiry, the second major bank to heed calls to act in good faith.
social issue
‘Bloody-minded’ banks under pressure to halt closures
Major banks are being urged to stop regional branch closures as a Senate inquiry prepares to hold its first hearing in Sale, Victoria.
Aussie professor earns global equity post
An Australian has been entrusted by the United Nations to tackle inequalities that affect millions world wide, including being locked out of education.
Towns putting up a fight as banks close
Regional communities are continuing to fight back against bank branch closures which could force some locals to travel hundreds of kilometres for service.
Dating apps told to put safety over swipes
Dating app companies could be subject to a legally enforceable industry code of conduct if they do not take concrete steps to improve the safety of users.
Robodebt inquiry to probe department role
A royal commission into the robodebt will hear from senior public servants after former-PM Scott Morrison shifted blame onto their departments.
Veterans hubs make a home in the regions
Veterans say connection and comfort are key as the first federally-funded hub opens on the NSW south coast to support the 20,000-strong defence community.
Gender fix for Qld birth certificates
New laws will make it easier for people to have their gender accurately shown on Queensland legal documents without undergoing sexual reassignment surgery.
Help NSW DV perpetrators to change: report
The system in NSW should find ways to motivate domestic violence perpetrators to seek help, such as a desire to be a better parent, a report has found.
Regional rental stress worse than ever
The latest Rental Affordability Index shows more regional households are facing stress and key workers cannot find homes, in NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and WA.
WA teen Cassius farewelled by loved ones
The family of Cassius Turvey, who was allegedly murdered while walking home from school in Perth, has mourned his passing at a private funeral.
DV coverage may spur copycats: study
Graphic media coverage of domestic violence cases could contribute to "copycat'' behaviour, a new University of Queensland study suggests.
New maternity care standard aims to reduce tragic risk of stillbirth
A new national stillbirth clinical care standard will be launched in Brisbane, aiming to reduce the risks and break the stigma.
Noongar leaders condemn WA teen’s killing
The man accused of murdering 15-year-old Perth boy Cassius Turvey is facing further charges as Noongar elders accuse police of minimising the killing.
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.
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.