Australia urged to bump up cyber defences
Government and industry have been warned to invest in stronger cyber defences as part of a national push to fight crippling ransomware and other online attacks.
spotlight
Energy change needs thousands of sparkies
Australia must train tens of thousands of new sparkies if it wants to be a renewable energy superpower, according to the Electrical Trades Union.
Ampol backs EVs, wary on efficiency rules
Ampol is betting on more electric vehicle drivers fast-charging at service station forecourts as the petroleum company navigates the energy transition, but is less upbeat about prospects for hydrogen.
Repeat waves prompt long COVID fears
COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise as a leading infectious diseases expert warns Australia is losing its battle with the virus.
Housing downturn endures, outlook unclear
The two biggest housing markets in Australia are leading the property downturn but may have already seen their sharpest declines, some analysts say.
Insurance gap widens for most vulnerable
Australia's most vulnerable households are spending an average of more than seven weeks of their annual income on home insurance premiums due to the impact of extreme weather events.
Jobless rate hits 3.4 per cent: ABS
Australia's unemployment rate has dropped to 3.4 per cent, with 20,000 jobs added. It's the lowest unemployment rate since August 1974,
Emissions safeguard has failed: minister
The federal government is beginning consultations about lowering the safeguard mechanism, which was put in place to ensure large companies reduce their emissions.
Wages, migration on jobs summit agenda
Boosting real wages to ensure worker pay keeps up with inflation will feature in the upcoming jobs and skills summit next month.
Doctors ‘need a carrot’ to stay rural
Rural medical clinics say doctors are leaving to work in urban areas or asking for more money to stay in the bush since the Labor government increased the number of workforce priority areas.
Morrison defends secret ministry roles
Former prime minister Scott Morrison is resisting calls to quit parliament following revelations he secretly appointed himself to five ministerial portfolios.
Wuhan lab leak theory is dead says COVID academic
The Huanan market was the pandemic epicentre. From its origin there, the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly spread to other locations in Wuhan in early 2020 and then to the rest of the world.
Do all teachers deserve a pay rise?
Ministers are talking about “rewarding” high-performing teachers. International studies show unexpected things can happen when teachers strive for “excellence” to receive monetary bonuses.
Race to save Antarctica’s sleeping giant
The world's largest ice sheet is called a 'sleeping giant' for good reason and Australian scientists say the race is on to prevent a horrible awakening.
The many phases of Olivia Newton-John
She was the rare performer whose career flourished through different phases, and who found success exploring many facets of her talent.
“Sugar slavery” – How 62,000 South Sea Islanders were transported to Australia
Between 1863 and 1904, 62,000 South Sea Islanders were transported to Australia, landing in Brisbane, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen, Townsville, Innisfail and Cairns. Most indentured labourers arrived from the New Hebrides, with a substantial proportion taken from the Solomons, as well as smaller islands.
Fears croc plan changes will lead to culling and reduce public safety
A leading Queensland eco-tour operator says he fears proposed changes to saltwater crocodile management will lead to increased culling.
Died of thirst. Scientists unravel Queensland mangrove catastrophe
Researchers at James Cook University say they’ve solved the mysterious death of tens of millions of mangrove trees along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast in 2016.
Microplastics major problem for Great Barrier Reef
A three year study of plastic waste in the central Great Barrier Reef area has found there is a risk to marine organisms from plastic exposure.
Police and families appeal for information as National Missing Persons Week gets underway
People go missing under the most ordinary of circumstances. Efforts to find them give rise to stories of extraordinary effort, determination, and courage.
It’s sweltering in the land of the Queen – but what could this mean for Queensland?
Traditionally, temperatures above 30℃ in the UK are considered hot. But to see temperatures already exceeding 40℃ is shocking.
It’s happening now. Long overdue Federal report shows climate change a big challenge for Queensland
Great Barrier Reef experts urge Albanese Government to accept Reef is in danger
The Australian government should be supporting not fighting an in-danger status for the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, experts say.
Absolutely nuts! 4000 punters at Birsdsville do the Nutbush dance to set record
More than 4000 punters at the Birdsville Big Red Bash music festival in outback Queensland have set a world record for the biggest Nutbush City Limits dance.
Close encounter with world’s second deadliest snake all in a day’s work
Most of us would do whatever it takes to avoid an encounter with the world’s second-deadliest snake, the Australian Eastern Brown. But Ryan Fuller was calm and composed when he climbed in to a confined space with one angry Brown under a Sunshine Coast home in June.
Queensland Police recruits can sign up before they can vote or buy a beer
The Queensland Police Service has lowered its recruitment age to 17 as part of a bid to boost the number of new officers hitting the beat over the next three years.
The great pretenders helping medical students become future north Queensland doctors
Meet the pretenders, the volunteers helping students become the future doctors of north Queensland
The stranglers: Parasitic vines pose a risk to state’s rainforests
Mature rainforest trees may be facing a greater threat from strangling vines as warmer temperatures fuel the parasite's growth.
Historic outback train service farewells driver after 14 years on the journey from nowhere to nowhere
After 14 years driving the historic Gulflander, the train from "nowhere to nowhere", Ken Fairbairn is moving on to another great rail adventure
A super profits tax on Australian gas? We already have one, it just doesn’t deliver
Australian oil and gas producers have had to shell out 40% of their profits in tax, in addition to 30% company tax on profits, for years. And yet the amount collected is tiny: $2.4 billion.
Queensland scientists find ‘Superworms’ can dine on polystyrene
University of Queensland scientists are studying a worm species fed a diet of polystyrene in the hope of discovering enzymes that could break down plastic.