Australia

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

2089 articles · page 20 of 44

Australia

Hawthorn lands Zach Merrett, sets sights on Ben King in AFL trade period

Hawthorn have secured Essendon star Zach Merrett on the opening day of the trade period, acquiring the seven-time Crichton Medal winner in exchange for picks 15 and 25 in this year's draft and a future second-round draft pick. The 31-year-old has signed a four-year deal worth $1 million per season, and the club is now confident it can also land Gold Coast restricted free agent Ben King without using additional draft capital beyond a first-round compensation pick.

· 3 sources
Australia

Australia swelters through second hottest September on record as snow depth hits zero in Kosciuszko

Australia has experienced its second hottest September on record, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting average temperatures 2.71C above the long-term average. The extreme heat, driven by a combination of global heating and a strengthening El Niño, also produced the hottest minimum night-time temperatures for any September on records dating back to 1910, and pushed snow depth in the Kosciuszko National Park to zero for the first time since monitoring began in 1954.

· 2 sources
Australia

Tedesco’s grand final brilliance not enough to lock in World Cup No.1 jersey

James Tedesco produced a grand final record 388 run metres and won his second Clive Churchill Medal in the Sydney Roosters’ 19-18 victory over the Knights on Sunday, but remains far from certain to wear the Australian No.1 jersey when the World Cup kicks off next Thursday. Coach Kevin Walters, who named Tedesco in the squad on Monday, has yet to decide between the 33-year-old captain and incumbent fullback Reece Walsh.

· 3 sources
Australia

Perth youth crisis accommodation turning away 15 children a day, data shows

Crisis accommodation services for young people across Perth are rejecting an average of 15 requests for help each day, with children as young as 12 being turned away, according to new data from the Ending Child and Youth Homelessness Coalition. The coalition released its 2027-28 Pre-Budget Submission on Monday, urging the state government to invest in early intervention and new accommodation facilities.

· 3 sources
Australia

WA Greens staffer's Land Forces Expo ban temporarily lifted after legal challenge

A WA Greens staffer and activist who was fined over a planned protest at the home of former Woodside chief executive Meg O'Neill has had a ban on entering the Land Forces Expo security area temporarily overturned after legal action. Matilda Lane-Rose will be allowed into the security zone around the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre between 8am and 6pm on Tuesday, but the ban will take effect again after 8pm that day.

· 3 sources
Australia

Australian taken to Syria as a boy may avoid Iraq trial and return home on passport, sources say

Yusuf Zahab, the Australian taken as a boy to live under Islamic State, could be on the verge of returning home after Iraqi investigators concluded he was not a combatant or supporter of the group, according to sources close to his family. Zahab, now 23, was snatched from a Syrian prison by American soldiers and transferred to Iraq in February as part of a mass prisoner transfer, but two sources say he has been told he will not be prosecuted because he was a minor when taken to Syria.

· 4 sources
Australia

Father-of-six identified as man shot dead by NSW police near Rugby

The man fatally shot by police in southern NSW on Sunday after allegedly pointing a rifle at officers has been identified by his family as Danny Di Biccari, a 45-year-old father-of-six. Police were called to a crash scene near the small town of Rugby about 2.50pm, where Di Biccari appeared unconscious in his crashed Chrysler station wagon before picking up a firearm and aiming it at an officer, prompting police to open fire.

· 4 sources
Australia

ICAC probe into Liberal Party donations ends with key figure Christian Ellis still at large in the UK

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption has concluded its marathon Operation Rosny inquiry into an alleged illegal donations scheme, with one central figure remaining elusive: former Liberal Party powerbroker Christian Ellis. Final exhibits tendered to the inquiry, which wrapped last week, reveal the lengths the commission went to secure Ellis's evidence after he moved to the UK earlier this year, including offers to sit in the evening to accommodate the time difference and to allow him to dial in from home. Ellis did not cooperate.

· 4 sources
Australia

Former foster child's NDIS plan 'completely out of whack' as he struggles with independent living

A 19-year-old former foster child with autism, ADHD and an intellectual disability says his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan was not updated from age 10 to 17, leaving him without the independent living skills he now needs. Coby, who lives in a supported independent living house in Hobart, has been forced to contemplate moving four times this year and fears losing the support network he relies on.

Australia

Future Fund agency minted 11 public-sector millionaires, including $1.5m mid-level manager, figures reveal

The federal government's Future Fund Management Agency paid 11 employees more than $1 million in the 2025 financial year, including a mid-ranking manager who earned $1.5 million, while frontline public servants continue to pursue inflation-matching pay rises. The figures, released in response to a question from Greens senator Barbara Pocock, have sparked criticism of the gap between executive pay and the broader public service.

Australia

Morning national news: gaming predators, Sam Wood arrest, tobacco crackdown and rent surcharge fallout

Australia's Monday news cycle opened with warnings that online predators are using popular gaming platforms to coerce children into self-harm and violence, the arrest of reality TV star Sam Wood on domestic violence charges in Queensland, a federal challenge to states over illicit tobacco, and concerns that a ban on card surcharges could push some tenants into arrears.

· 3 sources
Australia

NSW government rejects police watchdog’s push for stronger document access powers

The Minns government has refused to amend legislation that would give the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) clearer authority to access NSW Police documents, despite the watchdog warning it faces obstruction that delays investigations into serious misconduct. The standoff comes as the commission has paused or cancelled high-profile probes, including into alleged improper promotion practices among senior officers and police actions during protests in Sydney.

Australia

Australia's fossil fuel expansion draws criticism as Pacific climate talks begin

As world leaders gather in Fiji for pre-COP climate talks ahead of next month's COP31 summit, Pacific islanders displaced by extreme weather are calling out Australia's expanding fossil fuel industry as a contradiction to its climate diplomacy. Marica Malumuca, 66, has lived in a tent for five years after cyclones damaged her village of Nabavatu, and her son Sami Veloko urged industrialised nations to recognise their contribution to the crisis.

· 2 sources
Australia

Child exploitation networks targeting Australian children through gaming platforms, experts warn

Sadistic online networks are using popular gaming platforms including Steam, Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite to coerce Australian children into self-harm and violence against siblings and pets, experts have warned. A scathing report by Australia's e-safety commissioner has found that failures at gaming giants Valve and Epic Games risk exposing children to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Australia

Australia's migration debate: slashing intake could reset living standards or 'trash' economy, as Canada offers clues

Australia is debating whether sharply cutting net overseas migration would deliver a population 'reset' and restore stagnant living standards or 'trash the economy', with both sides pointing to Canada as a test case. One Nation has proposed cutting temporary migrants by more than 750,000 over three years, while Labor maintains a longer-term target of 225,000 net arrivals per year.

· 2 sources
Australia

Liberals pledge $99m 'transit lounges' to free up hospital beds

Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged $99 million to establish patient transit lounges at hospitals, a plan she says will free up beds faster, reduce emergency department overcrowding and ease ambulance ramping. The promise, part of the opposition's election platform, would deliver up to 10 new or expanded lounges where patients who are ready to leave hospital can wait for medication or transport. Premier Ben Carroll immediately criticised the plan, accusing the Liberals of funnelling public money into private healthcare and seeking to 'Americanise' the public health system.

· 3 sources
Australia

Australia achieves global HIV target as diagnoses fall, but First Nations gap persists

Australia has recorded its first achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets — a global benchmark for HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression — as new data shows annual diagnoses have fallen by a quarter over the past decade. However, researchers from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney warn the gains are not shared equally, with First Nations Australians, overseas-born communities and people diagnosed late continuing to face heightened risks.

Australia

Ponga Escapes Sin Bin for High Shot, Roosters Furious in Grand Final Defeat

Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga remained on the field during Sunday's NRL grand final despite a high shoulder shot on Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley, a decision that left Roosters skipper James Tedesco questioning the consistency of on-field officiating. The incident in the 25th minute at Accor Stadium drew only a penalty and a report, with bunker official Chris Butler declining to instruct referee Adam Gee to send Ponga off. Tedesco was overheard telling Gee, 'If we're consistent with the rules, that's a shoulder to the head. It's been a sin bin all year.' Ponga, who had been sin-binned for a similar act during State of Origin earlier this season, went on to run 95 metres for a try that extended Newcastle's lead to 10-0.

· 3 sources
Australia

NRL grand final pre-match show restored as tribute to Jai Arrow after chaotic week

The NRL reversed its decision to have no grand final pre-match entertainment, pivoting to a tribute to former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow, whose forced retirement due to motor neurone disease has been one of the season's most emotional stories. The late change caps a chaotic week in which several high-profile acts fell through and league supremo Peter V'landys initially said he would rather spend the budget on junior development.

· 3 sources
Australia

Victorian private schools received $95m in extra Commonwealth funding as public schools remain underfunded

New federal data reveals that 58 Victorian non-government schools and education authorities received a combined $95 million above the nationally agreed funding benchmark in 2025, while public schools continue to battle for their share. Melbourne Grammar School, where median family income is $375,000 – the highest in the state – received $1.18 million more than its entitlement under the School Resource Standard (SRS).

· 3 sources