Australia

NT Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley faces scrutiny over undisclosed family link to $40b data centre deal

Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley has been criticised for failing to publicly disclose that his sister-in-law is an employee of Beetaloo Digital, the gas company subsidiary that was granted exclusive rights to 185 hectares of government land for a proposed $40 billion hyperscale data centre. Maley jointly announced the deal at a July 22 press conference, saying it showed the Territory was open for business, but did not mention the family connection.

Labor grassroots group urges Australia to break from 'American war machine'

A grassroots Labor Party group, Labor Against War, has called on the Albanese government to pursue an independent foreign policy and distance Australia from what it describes as 'the American war machine,' arguing the United States has 'led Australia into wars of aggression' for 50 years. The call follows revelations that US military and weapons manufacturers control or have access to more than 100 bases across the Australian continent, despite government assurances that the sites remain under Australian control.

Stolen Generations survivors face greater health challenges, report finds

A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found that Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants experience significantly greater physical and health challenges than the wider Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, including higher rates of severe or profound disability.

Record-strength El Niño expected to drive up Australian food prices, experts warn

The most severe El Niño weather event on record threatens to push food prices higher this year, experts say, piling pressure on households already struggling with post-pandemic grocery bills and complicating the Reserve Bank's efforts to bring inflation back under control.

Cricket Australia approves BBL privatisation, defies state associations

Cricket Australia has given the green light to privatise the Big Bash League, a move that defies opposition from powerful state cricket associations and could reshape the financial and operational future of Australia's premier domestic T20 competition.

Federal Court clears way for 124-home Wallum development in Byron Shire, opponents consider appeal

The Federal Court has rejected a permanent injunction application against a controversial 124-home housing development near Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales, clearing the way for construction to begin within a week unless opponents file a successful appeal.

Top bureaucrats seek ban on edited parliamentary clips to stop 'ridicule'

Australia's most senior public servants have asked the Albanese government to ban the editing and sharing of video footage from parliamentary hearings on social media, arguing the practice exposes officials to online ridicule and strips material of necessary context. The Greens have pushed back, warning the proposal would undermine a key tool of government transparency.

Bogie cattle station killer sentenced to life with 40-year non-parole period

A 63-year-old Queensland man who gunned down three neighbours at a remote cattle station near Bowen, accusing them of cattle theft, has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 40 years.

Five Plead Not Guilty in Attempted Smuggling of 850kg of Cocaine in WA Court

Five people, including the captain of a bulk carrier, have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the attempted importation of 850 kilograms of cocaine from South America, in a case detailed before a Western Australian court.

7 Sept 2026· 3 sources

Icac hears Liberal operatives discussed buying Porsche or Ferrari with fugitive developer's payments

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) heard on Monday that two Liberal operatives exchanged messages about purchasing luxury cars with payments they received for securing fast-track approvals for projects linked to fugitive developer Jean Nassif's collapsed company Toplace.

Jean Nassif's daughter tells court father 'pressured' her to falsify documents for $150m loan

The daughter of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has told a Sydney court she succumbed to pressure from her father when she falsified documents to obtain a $150 million construction loan from Westpac in 2021.

Albanese confirms Australians will be able to choose 'following feed' over algorithms under new laws

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Australians will be able to choose between existing algorithm-driven feeds and a chronological 'following feed' under tough new legislation. The announcement follows Communications Minister Anika Wells' draft digital duty of care laws, which would require social media platforms such as Meta, Google and TikTok to offer the option or face substantial penalties.

7 Sept 2026· 5 sources

Over 200 workers stood down as embattled developer Bathla enters administration with $3.4bn debt

More than 200 workers at Sydney-headquartered Bathla Group have been stood down as administrators scramble to secure emergency funding for the property developer, which owes $3.4 billion. The insolvency firm Teneo said Monday that a short-term funding arrangement will allow construction to continue at only some of Bathla's 45 sites, though it did not specify which projects are being prioritised.

7 Sept 2026· 5 sources

Labor to ban non-compete clauses for workers earning under $190,100

The Albanese government will release draft legislation on Monday banning non-compete clauses for workers earning less than $190,100 a year, arguing the restrictions unfairly constrain employees in fields such as construction, hairdressing and childcare.

NSW government targets organised crime with new laws, adult penalties for young offenders

The NSW government has announced a legislative crackdown on organised crime violence, including new aggravated offences carrying life imprisonment and the expansion of serious children's offences to cover gang-related acts such as public shootings and firebombings, potentially exposing young offenders to adult penalties.

Joyce says he is 'not Jesus Christ' as he struggles to explain One Nation super-for-rent policy

One Nation Treasury spokesperson Barnaby Joyce has struggled to detail the economic impact of the party’s proposed early superannuation access scheme, telling an interviewer he is “not Jesus Christ” when pressed on the policy’s financial consequences and loss of retirement savings.

7 Sept 2026· 14 sources

South Australia launches first bird flu vaccination program as cases rise

South Australia has announced its first bird flu vaccination program, set to begin amid rising case numbers and recently confirmed infections in mammals, marking a significant step in the state's response to the ongoing outbreak.

7 Sept 2026· 3 sources

Government Moves to Impose $100m Fines on Social Media Giants; Opposition Raises Free Speech Concerns

The Australian government is closing in on legislation that would impose fines of up to $100 million on social media platforms under a Digital Duty of Care bill, but the proposal faces resistance from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who has warned of "enormous ministerial discretion around censorship on the internet" and risks to freedom of speech.

6 Sept 2026· 6 sources

‘This is nuts’: Frantic emails reveal SA Electoral Commission’s election day chaos

Internal emails and Teams chats from the South Australian Electoral Commission, obtained by the ABC via Freedom of Information, reveal that senior staff were still desperately trying to find polling booth managers just hours before the March 21 state election, with one returning officer writing “I am now literally begging you for a response to this request.”

Bathla Group's $3.4b Collapse Exposes Deep Flaws in Housing Regulation and Supply

The collapse of developer Bathla Group, with $3.4 billion in projects, has stalled 14,000 apartments — about 18.5% of NSW's annual housing target — and highlighted critical issues in construction costs, quality controls, and a fragmented regulatory system that critics say is failing to deliver affordable housing.

Edmund Rice Education Australia considers severing ties with Christian Brothers amid abuse compensation tensions

The national organisation that governs 61 Catholic schools across Australia, Edmund Rice Education Australia (TEREA), is considering breaking its formal ties with the Christian Brothers order, citing strained relations over compensation for child sexual abuse victims and a lack of transparency about the order's finances.

Greens accuse Labor of weakness after IDF officer says he would repeat strike that killed Zomi Frankcom

The Greens have criticised the Albanese government's response to inflammatory comments from the former Israeli commander who ordered the 2024 airstrike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, accusing the government of weakness for failing to halt military exports or impose new sanctions.

Telstra's July outage reveals missed warnings as network vulnerability questioned

An analysis of the July Telstra outage suggests the company had received ample warnings about network vulnerabilities but failed to act, with chief executive Vicki Brady's absence during the incident described as a sideshow to the more fundamental problem of systemic fragility.

Crested-tailed mulgara extinction highlights conservation policy failures, says opinion writer

The extinction of the crested-tailed mulgara serves as a stark example of how failures in environmental policy and inadequate resources for comprehensive conservation management can allow species to slip through the cracks, according to an opinion piece published across multiple Australian outlets.

Police Hunt for Peter O’Ryan After Axe Attack in Gippsland Town

Police are searching for Peter O’Ryan after he allegedly attacked three family members with an axe in the small Gippsland town of Tyers on Saturday, seriously injuring them. Authorities have warned the public not to approach the suspect, describing the incident as “very, very extreme.”

Australian regulator alleges medtech giant hid data on device's effectiveness

Australia's medical regulator has accused one of the world's largest medical device manufacturers of deliberately concealing data that showed one of its devices was far less effective than advertised, in an action that raises serious questions about patient safety and informed consent.

AFL's first wildcard round kicks off as NRL Round 25 reorders the finals race

The AFL will stage its first wildcard round this weekend, ending a finals format that had been unchanged for 25 years, while NRL Round 25 results have reshaped the top-eight picture — most notably leaving the Warriors in position to stay in New Zealand until grand final week.

6 Sept 2026· 8 sources

Secret Harbour's median house price hits million-dollar mark amid byelection spotlight

Perth's coastal suburb of Secret Harbour has reached a property milestone, with its median house price hitting the million-dollar mark. The suburb became the centre of statewide attention after the resignation of former WA government cabinet member Paul Papalia triggered a hotly contested byelection to choose a new MP.

Brisbane Braces for Hottest September Day in Years as Fire Bans Issued

Brisbane is forecast to reach 34°C on what is expected to be the city's hottest September day in years, as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of unseasonably warm conditions across south-east Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. Local fire bans have been issued for Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.

Father of Australian brothers killed in Mexico to testify as trial enters second day

The father of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson is expected to testify today at the trial of two men accused of murdering them and their American friend Carter Rhoad in Baja California, Mexico, in April 2024.

6 Sept 2026· 10 sources

Manhunt Underway in Gippsland After Alleged Axe Attack on Family

Victoria Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Peter O'Ryan, 48, after he allegedly attacked his elderly parents and brother with an axe at a property in Tyers, Gippsland, on Saturday, leaving three people with critical injuries.

Labor to unveil social media algorithm crackdown; Coalition warns of censorship

The Albanese government is set to release draft legislation this week introducing a digital duty of care for social media users in Australia, a move that Communications Minister Anika Wells says is aimed at reining in algorithmic amplification. The Coalition has immediately labelled the proposal an “attempt to censor the internet”.

Coalition defends tobacco tax cut plan, rejects claims it will boost smoking rates

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has defended the Coalition's proposal to cut the tobacco excise by 80 per cent – reducing the tax on a pack of cigarettes by more than $20 – insisting it will not create more smokers, as the cost of illegal cigarettes already matches the lower price point.

Albanese government introduces draft digital duty of care laws, including algorithm opt-out

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday introduced draft laws that would require social media platforms to give Australian users the choice to opt out of algorithmic feeds, as part of a broader digital duty of care regime aimed at tackling online harm.

Coalition 'very close' to full migration package, Duniam pledges

Opposition frontbencher Jonathon Duniam has declared the Coalition is 'very close' to unveiling a comprehensive migration package, vowing to crack down on what he termed 'frivolous' asylum seeker claims and insisting illegal overstayers must be deported, while urging his party to stop 'acting like a government in exile.'

Police Name Suspect, 48, in Gippsland Axe Attack on Parents and Brother

Victoria Police are searching for a 48-year-old man who allegedly attacked his parents and brother with an axe in the Gippsland town of Tyers on Saturday, leaving all three with life-threatening injuries.

6 Sept 2026· 5 sources

Sydney Water proposes 70-million-litre daily wastewater discharge into Parramatta River

Just months after the NSW government spent $1.26 million reopening two swimming sites along Parramatta River, Sydney Water has proposed pumping 70 million litres of treated wastewater into the river daily — a volume equivalent to about 35 Olympic-sized swimming pools — from a new treatment plant to be built at Camellia-Rosehill by 2032.

Big tobacco renews push for excise cuts as illicit cigarette trade surges

The tobacco industry has intensified its decades-long campaign for cuts to Australia's cigarette excise, seizing on a surge in illegal cigarette sales to press its case, with anti-smoking campaigners reporting heightened lobbyist activity in Canberra during recent parliamentary hearings on the illicit trade.

Yorke Peninsula housing development stalled as SA Water says network lacks capacity

A planned 340-home development on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula has stalled after SA Water informed the developer it cannot confirm whether the existing network has sufficient capacity, with correspondence seen by the ABC showing the agency missed its own deadline to provide a response and has not offered a new timeline.

Political showdown looms over proposed digital duty of care laws

The Labor government is seeking to pass tougher laws to assist the eSafety Commissioner, including a new digital 'duty of care' framework, but the move has sparked opposition concerns, setting the stage for a political showdown.

5 Sept 2026· 3 sources

Conflicting Postpartum Advice Leaves New Mothers at Risk, Review Warns

A first-time mother has described being left 'frightened that I was doing something wrong' after receiving conflicting advice from nurses, lactation consultants and midwives in the first 24 hours after giving birth, as a new review finds Australian antenatal care guidelines contain inconsistent recommendations.

5 Sept 2026

Study reveals Australian wildlife increasingly seeking shelter in homes as habitat loss worsens

A new study analysing a decade of wildlife rescue reports has found that native Australian animals including brushtail and ringtail possums, microbats and bare-nosed wombats are increasingly taking refuge in houses, with possums accounting for half of all cases of animals found in buildings.

Penrith Panthers on cusp of NRL minor premiership after Warriors survive scare against Manly

The New Zealand Warriors moved to outright first on the NRL ladder with a narrow 31-30 victory over Manly in Auckland on Saturday, but the Penrith Panthers can snatch the minor premiership with a win over Wests Tigers on Sunday — as long as the margin is two points or more.

5 Sept 2026· 4 sources

Swans Stun Lions in Qualifying Final Upset Despite Five Suspensions

In a stunning upset, the Sydney Swans defeated the Brisbane Lions in a qualifying final on September 5, 2026, despite being written off by pundits and missing five first-choice players due to a club-imposed suspension.

5 Sept 2026· 3 sources

Qantas flight diverted to Christchurch after engine flames captured on video; passenger recounts 'loud bang' and 'a lot of screaming'

A Sydney-bound Qantas flight from Queenstown was forced to divert to Christchurch on Saturday after passengers reported a loud bang and flames were seen shooting from one of the aircraft's engines shortly after take-off, with new passenger accounts describing a terrifying ordeal involving flickering cabin lights and widespread panic.

5 Sept 2026· 6 sources

Qantas flight diverted to Christchurch after suspected engine issue

A Qantas plane travelling from Queenstown, New Zealand, to Sydney was diverted to Christchurch on Saturday after flames appeared to sputter from the engine.

5 Sept 2026· 6 sources

Police seize secret recording in Sydney Swans sexual assault probe; Riley Bice cleared

Victoria Police have obtained an audio recording detailing an alleged incident at a Melbourne hotel involving Sydney Swans players, as the investigation into a sexual assault centred on five club stars continues. Meanwhile, player Riley Bice has been ruled out as a suspect.

5 Sept 2026· 8 sources

Sydney faces warmest spring start in 168 years as temperatures forecast to hit 33C

Sydney is expected to reach 33°C in what would be the warmest start to spring since records began at the city's Observatory Hill station in 1858, with a total fire ban in place across Greater Sydney as extreme fire danger is exacerbated by hot and windy conditions. Meanwhile, snow has been forecast for parts of southern New South Wales.