‘No jobs in the bush’ myth busted but housing critical
The regional jobs market is booming at three times the metropolitan rate but the lack of housing, health care and education remains a major barrier.
social issue
Grant’s daughter tells of fight against racist ‘filth’
Stan Grant is struggling after being the target of racist attacks and trolling, leading the Q+A host to step away from his role at the ABC, his daughter says.
ANZ closed flood-ravaged rural bank due to $1m rebuild
ANZ executives have been accused of treating regional Australians with "disgust" and paying lip service to government inquiries.
Rural Australians told to look beyond big four banks
Community banking could be an alternative for rural communities, where the big four banks are increasingly shutting their doors.
Banks leaving rural Oz despite billion-dollar future
The inquiry into the closure of bank branches across regional Australia is set to hear from major banks, Queensland farmers and councils.
Labor accused of failing rethink of cashless card
The government has launched an inquiry into draft laws seeking to quarantine parts of welfare payments in a bid to reduce violence in vulnerable communities.
Death in custody a familiar story at Indigenous inquiry
The most recent death of an Indigenous person in Victorian custody has been revealed by the state's corrections minister at the Yoorrook inquiry.
Two arrested at neo-Nazi protest over migration
Police have arrested two men after an anti-immigration rally escalated into violence in Melbourne.
Push to turn COVID facility into homeless shelter
Brisbane's Lord Mayor has pledged $1 million to turn a former COVID-19 quarantine facility into emergency housing.
Emotional plea to pass social, affordable housing fund
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was on the verge of tears as she implored her colleagues to vote for a housing fund to tackle affordability.
High rate of Aboriginal babies taken from mothers
Many pregnant Aboriginal mums fear being reported to authorities before giving birth, with stark figures showing many babies were then removed within months.
State ‘had to know’ bail reform risked more jail deaths
Victoria's justice department boss says the government knew 2018 bail reforms would mean more Aboriginal people were locked up, risking more deaths in custody.
Rental crisis opens door for Greens in inner-city seats
The Greens will use rental increases and housing crisis to target inner city seats after the party's vote went up at the 2022 election, leader Adam Bandt says.
‘Arrogant’ banks leaving bush residents at the bus stop
The Senate inquiry into the closure of regional bank branches has received nearly 300 submissions from country communities around Australia.
Australian children spend more hours on small screens
The amount of screen time Australian children spend watching TV, playing games or using the internet has increased dramatically, figures show.
‘Inhumane’ debt collection of welfare overpayments ends
Welfare recipients owing debts will no longer be pursued by third-party debt collectors, with the process to be handled by the department in charge of payments.
Ditch tobacco vending machines in pubs, lawmakers told
Health groups are urging Queensland politicians to take proposed smoking laws further, but the hospitality industry wants tobacco vending machines left alone.
Qld tobacco and vape amendments ‘too little, too late’
The Queensland government has heard public submissions into the illegal sale of tobacco and rising use of vapes across the state.
‘Easter treat’ as chill brings snow to ski resorts
As Christians gathered to mark the resurrection on Easter Sunday, cooler temperatures swept across the nation with some ski resorts reporting snow.
Trans advocate issues call to action: ‘Don’t be silent’
Actress, writer and transgender rights advocate Georgie Stone has urged all Australians to call out bigotry and stand up for LGBTQI rights.
Labor’s stymied $10b housing fund could be revived soon
Federal Labor minister Ed Husic says a housing fund hasn't been abandoned after the government failed to secure the votes needed to get it passed in the Senate.
Premier slams ‘vile, shameful’ homophobic Latham tweet
NSW Premier Chris Minns has strongly condemned a tweet from One Nation leader Mark Latham, saying it has unmasked him as a bigot.
The long and winding road to banking in rural Australia
The Senate inquiry into regional bank closures has heard from more than 150 rural Australians about the devastating effects of losing essential services.
Suspended MP calls anti-trans rally attendance an error
Victorian MP Moira Deeming says attending an anti-trans rally crashed by neo-Nazis was as an "error of judgment", costing her suspension from the Liberal Party.
Deeming day: Victorian Liberals to decide MP’s fate
Victorian MP Moira Deeming will face the music as Liberal colleagues vote on expelling her from the parliamentary caucus after her part in an anti-trans rally.
Tasmania follows Victoria in push to ban Nazi salute
The Tasmanian government has announced it will pursue laws to ban the Nazi salute after an anti-transgender rally in Melbourne caused outrage.
Neo-Nazi crackdown on the cards after Melbourne clash
A ban on the Nazi salute has been floated after white supremacists performed the gesture during a clash with transgender rights activists.
Vic Liberal MP to fight expulsion, condemns neo-Nazis
Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has condemned neo-Nazis who attended an anti-trans rally and will contest a motion to boot her from the parliamentary party.
Rent caps on the table as Qld confronts housing crisis
Families are at the heart of Queensland's housing crisis as a new report shows the scale of the problem.
Unquenched Aussie thirst for world’s most costly water
Aussies are among the top consumers of bottled water globally and we are paying the most for it, a new UN report shows.
Qld educator to review non-state school accreditation
An educator has been appointed to review Queensland school accreditation rules after controversy over a Christian college's gender and sexuality contracts.