Australia

Australian news: federal and state politics, the economy, courts, weather and the stories that matter across the country.

2062 articles · page 10 of 43

Australia

Media owner Antony Catalano appears in court over assault charges, barrister cites 'unusual and delicate' situation

Media executive and ACM co-owner Antony Catalano has made his first in-person court appearance since being charged with assaulting his wife in March, including alleged strangulation and threats to kill. His barrister told Melbourne Magistrates Court that negotiations with prosecutors were continuing and that the alleged victim did not support the charges proceeding.

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Australia

Brethren leaders admit meeting far-right figures and Trump at fiery election inquiry

The son of the Exclusive Brethren’s world leader has admitted meeting far-right agitators and belonging to secret chats where neo-Nazi associates and church elders plotted an election influence campaign, but told a parliamentary inquiry the encounters were “just business”. In a fiery three-hour hearing on Friday, Gareth Hales also acknowledged a “brief” meeting with then opposition leader Peter Dutton in 2025, while his father Bruce Hales revealed that church members have met with US President Donald Trump in New York.

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Australia

ACT commits to illegal tobacco shop crackdown after federal minister warns of 'national joke' risk

The ACT government has committed to introducing laws targeting illegal tobacco retailers, including rapid closure powers, after the federal minister leading the black market crackdown warned the territory risked becoming a "national joke". Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Health Minister Marisa Paterson issued a joint statement confirming legislation was being drafted and planned for introduction before the end of the year.

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Australia

Two-thirds of Queenslanders doubt Brisbane 2032 Games will stay on budget, poll finds

Nearly two-thirds of Queensland voters doubt the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games can be delivered within the agreed $7.1 billion budget, exclusive polling for Brisbane Times has found. The Resolve Political Monitor survey of 434 voters conducted between October 6 and 10 reveals just 24% are confident the Games will stay on budget, while 63% are not. Only 4% of respondents said they were 'very confident', while 36% were 'not at all confident'. The state LNP government under Premier David Crisafulli has long insisted its jointly funded delivery plan with the Commonwealth will stay within the funding envelope.

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Australia

Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales fronts inquiry over neo-Nazi election interference claims

The world leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, Bruce Hales, appeared before a parliamentary inquiry in Canberra on Friday to answer allegations that members of his church paid neo-Nazi associates to harass the prime minister and intimidate candidates during the 2025 federal election. It is the first time the church's supreme leader has been called to answer to parliamentary authorities, after the committee warned Mr Hales would be subpoenaed if he refused to appear.

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Australia

Spirit of Tasmania V crew hit by shigella outbreak on delivery voyage, Fair Work application reveals

A severe shigella outbreak swept through the newly built Spirit of Tasmania V during its delivery voyage from Scotland to Australia, leaving most of the crew bedridden and forcing the ship to operate with severely reduced engineering staff for nine days, according to a Fair Work Commission dispute application filed by the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE).

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Australia

Liberal candidate Charles Aponso unaware of state treaty at forum, draws party rebuke

Liberal candidate for Richmond, Charles Aponso, 19, has sparked internal party anger after appearing at a candidates forum unaware of Victoria's treaty with the First Peoples' Assembly, asking 'which treaty?' when questioned about the party's opposition to the agreement. The gaffe prompted state director Alyson Hannam to issue a stern message on Thursday reminding all candidates that debate appearances require her approval.

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Australia

Kiss confident Nawaqanitawase will choose Wallabies over Fiji for World Cup

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has expressed confidence that dual international Mark Nawaqanitawase will commit to Australia for next year's Rugby World Cup, even as the 26-year-old star becomes eligible to represent Fiji or Italy in August. Kiss confirmed Nawaqanitawase will miss Australia's three-Test Nations Championship tour in November but insisted the want-away winger wants to remain with the Wallabies.

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Australia

WA councillor pushes for defamation reform, citing chilling effect on local government

A Perth councillor has called on the Western Australian government to adopt the Model Defamation Amendment Provisions 2020, arguing the state's outdated laws are silencing elected officials afraid of being sued. City of Melville councillor Scott Green, who has faced defamation proceedings himself, has put forward a motion seeking support from the WA Local Government Association to amend the Defamation Act 2005 (WA). Attorney General Tony Buti confirmed that work on the first two stages of reforms is underway.

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Australia

CFMEU delegate charged with drug trafficking, weapons offences as broader bribery probe widens

Victorian police have charged CFMEU delegate James Hluschko with allegedly trafficking drugs, possessing prohibited weapons and dealing with proceeds of crime, with police alleging the union's state headquarters was used in an attempt to trade drugs for weapons. The charges come as investigators widen a bribery inquiry targeting a senior serving Victorian CFMEU organiser and former union boss John Perkovic.

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Australia

Bipartisan support for free abortion care in Victoria as Coalition matches Labor pledge

Victoria will become the first state in Australia to make abortion care free, after the state opposition matched Labor's election promise within hours, ensuring bipartisan support for the policy. Liberal Nationals leader Jess Wilson confirmed on Thursday that a Coalition government would cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to 16 weeks' gestation, including GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests and medication.

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Australia

LNP introduces sweeping IR overhaul giving minister strike-termination powers

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has introduced a sweeping overhaul of Queensland's industrial relations laws, including a provision granting the minister the power to terminate protected industrial action. The bill, introduced on Wednesday night, drew immediate fire from the opposition and unions, with Opposition Leader Steven Miles accusing the Crisafulli LNP of misleading voters by not taking the changes to the 2024 election.

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Australia

Yass Valley residents face 76 per cent rate rise as council opens consultation

Residents in Yass, Murrumbateman and Sutton could face a 76 per cent increase in council rates, after Yass Valley Council voted 5-4 at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday to take the proposal to public consultation. Independent consultants found the council would need to generate an extra $8.3 million from operations each year by 2027-28 to maintain its financial and infrastructure position.

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Australia

Online safety bill to penalise platforms promoting gender-based violence

The federal government has revised its flagship online safety bill to penalise platforms that allow users to advocate gender-based violence, adding three new categories of harmful content while stripping ministerial discretion over what constitutes online harm. Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced the changes in the House of Representatives on Thursday, with the Greens emerging as the sole gatekeeper for the legislation's passage by the end of the year.

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