News without the noise
Australian news: federal and state politics, the economy, courts, weather and the stories that matter across the country.
2058 articles · page 39 of 43
A man is in police custody following the death of a woman in St James, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, with homicide detectives now leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
· 3 sourcesVictorian Premier Carroll has scrapped a secret $8 billion levy embedded in public transport fares, acting a day after the state's Auditor-General revealed the charge had been quietly introduced on January 1 last year without public knowledge. The levy, which applied to all Myki trips, was collected as part of standard fare increases and funnelled directly into consolidated revenue rather than transport upgrades.
· 3 sourcesResidents of Albany, Western Australia, have expressed fury after a significant illegal dumping event in native bushland, with authorities warning that hazardous waste poses immediate risks to the environment and public health. The mayor has described the incident as the worst he has seen in his time in office.
· 2 sourcesDietician and nutritionist Susie Burrell has warned that takeaway coffee cups pose a significant source of microplastic exposure, urging consumers to adopt simple measures to reduce their risk. The warning, published across major Australian news outlets, highlights the hidden plastic lining in disposable cups and the potential health impacts of ingesting microscopic particles.
· 3 sourcesStavro D’Amore, the self-styled Australian Wolf of Wall Street, agreed to launder $75 million for a Sydney-based drug trafficker, collecting cash in sports bags and claiming the funds came from abalone fishing, according to evidence presented in court today.
· 3 sourcesA new national screening program is providing free lung scans to Australians at high risk, aiming to catch the nation's deadliest cancer earlier and improve survival rates. For 57-year-old Suzi Scott, whose mother died from lung cancer, a free scan detected her own cancer at an early, treatable stage, highlighting the program's potential impact.
Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has wrapped up its public hearings, having heard from 340 witnesses and received more than 20,000 submissions about rising antisemitism, institutional failures, and the December 2025 Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack that killed 15 people.
In a juvenile detention centre, some of Australia’s best chefs are volunteering to teach cooking skills to young male offenders, offering hands-on culinary training and a path to employment after release. The program, built on the principle of seeing participants for who they are rather than their past mistakes, seeks to equip inmates with practical skills that can break cycles of reoffending.
· 3 sourcesFive days ago, the Sydney Roosters looked destined for a deep finals run, but rugby league legend Andrew Johns now warns the team may not even make the top four, let alone reach the grand final, in a startling reversal of opinion that has sent shockwaves through the NRL.
· 3 sourcesReal estate agents across Australia are turning to private online forums to vent their frustrations and share increasingly desperate tactics, including staging false robberies and coaching each other on how to fend off buyers seeking discounts, as a prolonged housing market downturn tightens its grip on the industry.
· 3 sourcesVictorian Minister Ben Carroll has stated he respects taxpayer money, but a prominent columnist argues the Labor government needs a spell in opposition to truly understand fiscal responsibility, referencing the legacy of former premier Daniel Andrews and a government culture that prioritises electoral calculus over sound financial management.
· 3 sourcesThe New South Wales Minns government has unveiled its long-awaited gambling reform package, but prominent anti-pokies advocates and media commentators have decried the measures as a 'victory for political timidity' and a betrayal of true reform. The package stops well short of a mandatory cashless gaming card, mandatory pre-commitment, or a significant reduction in poker machine numbers, prompting accusations that the government has bowed to industry pressure.
· 3 sourcesA luxury high-roller suite in Bossley Park, Sydney, is facing increased scrutiny from government agencies, with the imminent ban on VIP programs threatening its viability. The suite, believed to cater to wealthy gamblers, operates in a regulatory environment tightening around inducements and loyalty schemes seen as harmful.
· 3 sourcesThe Horizontal Falls — a spectacular tidal phenomenon in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region — are set to experience a shift in how visitors engage with them, with authorities and traditional owners moving to reframe the experience from a high-speed thrill ride to a more respectful cultural and environmental encounter.
· 3 sourcesEmma McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, has spoken candidly about the challenges of life after competitive swimming, revealing she ‘was a bit lost’ following her retirement. In a recent interview, she also addressed her quiet split from singer Cody Simpson earlier this year and emphasized the need to maintain personal boundaries.
· 3 sourcesThe Cox Plate, Australia’s premier weight-for-age horse race, faces an uncertain future after its relocation from Moonee Valley, initially intended as a temporary measure, has become permanent, sparking a bitter dispute involving the Victoria Racing Club, local stakeholders, and racing fans.
· 3 sourcesThe Albanese government has announced it will cut Australia’s refugee intake by approximately one-third, lowering the annual humanitarian quota from 20,000 places. The decision, reported by the Financial Review, is part of efforts to reduce overall migration levels, with officials stressing the previous increase was never intended to be permanent.
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has defended the historical White Australia policy during a controversial podcast appearance, reigniting debate over the party's migration agenda, while other One Nation MPs have in recent days provided conflicting interpretations of the party's current immigration plan.
· 3 sourcesAn independent report has concluded that Australia's current Goods and Services Tax (GST) distribution deal is a $60 billion mistake, according to sources familiar with the review. The findings, which have not been publicly released in full, are already facing resistance from those who benefit from the existing arrangement, with critics accusing opponents of burying the report in 'pure bulldust' to avoid political fallout.
· 3 sourcesDespite a surge in investment in artificial intelligence and data centres, economist Greg Jericho argues in The Guardian that the boom is unlikely to deliver significant economic growth or better living standards for Australians, warning instead of noisy, energy-hungry infrastructure with limited broad-based benefits.
The George Town council in northern Tasmania has voted 6-1 to approve a controversial 288MW AI datacentre proposed by Australian developer Firmus, despite strong community opposition and the council's own stated reluctance. The decision came the day before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured agreement from states and territories to develop national datacentre standards, highlighting the regulatory vacuum that local councils are currently navigating.
· 2 sourcesThe federal government is set to save up to $940 million annually by removing the higher private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 and over, a change that health economists say is sound policy and unlikely to increase pressure on public hospitals, according to new research.
· 2 sourcesAustralia's royal commission into antisemitism has wrapped up four months of public hearings, with witnesses describing profound safety fears in the wake of the Bondi attack, fraying community bonds, and deep divisions over the state of Israel.
Australian boxing standout Kirra Ruston announced her arrival on the big stage with a sensational first-round knockout of American opponent Saundre Simmons on Wednesday, delivering a statement win that is already drawing attention from fight fans and promoters alike.
· 3 sourcesFederal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has ruled out special treatment for Queensland on data centre power sources, but signalled states may use non-renewable electricity for the facilities if they can demonstrate it would reduce household bills. The clarification comes two days after national cabinet omitted any mention of renewables from a joint statement on data centre regulation, prompting criticism that the government had retreated from an earlier push for a clean-energy mandate.
· 2 sourcesA new landmark study is helping to explain why some young cannabis users develop psychosis, as the father of a man who died after using the drug says his son would have had a better chance of coping if he had developed the condition later in life.
· 2 sourcesThe chair of the Australian royal commission investigating antisemitism says the inquiry has created the most comprehensive record of antisemitic incidents and attitudes in Australia since World War II, establishing an 'extraordinary truth-telling process' that could shape community understanding for generations.
· 2 sourcesAnita Perrottet, the sister-in-law of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, has rejected allegations she lied under oath to shield her husband, Charles Perrottet, from scrutiny over allegedly illegal political donations, telling the state’s corruption watchdog that payments totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars were for genuine strategic and marketing advice.
· 2 sourcesBrisbane’s public schools are increasingly resorting to staggered lunch breaks, cancelled carnivals, and split-campus arrangements as surging student enrolments outstrip the capacity of existing infrastructure, according to reports highlighting the deepening strain on the city’s education system.
· 3 sourcesAn audit has revealed that millions of Victorians have been paying a secret public transport fee for over a year, with the proceeds funneled to help finance the state's $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop megaproject.
· 3 sourcesHuman remains have been discovered north-west of Melbourne in the search for Khaled Malas, the alleged victim of a shooting, Victoria Police confirmed. The discovery marks a significant development in the investigation, which has been ongoing since Malas was reported missing following a shooting incident.
· 5 sourcesDemand for elective egg freezing—known as social egg freezing—among young Australians has never been higher, but the procedures remain expensive, physically demanding and emotionally taxing, and private equity firms are increasingly investing in the sector, raising questions about costs, access and long-term outcomes.
· 3 sourcesState premiers emerged frustrated from a national cabinet meeting in Sydney on Wednesday after being told by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) distribution deal, particularly the special arrangement with Western Australia, will not be discussed until next year, prompting a unified push for increased federal cash transfers to address fiscal shortfalls.
· 3 sourcesA set of handwritten notes have allegedly been discovered in the vehicle of Raelene Polymiadis, who stands accused of murder, according to reports from multiple news outlets. The discovery adds a new element to the ongoing case, though details about the content of the notes remain undisclosed at this time.
· 3 sourcesA Queensland man has been arrested in Bali following an alleged daylight rendezvous with a mystery woman in a driveway, prompting a consular response from Australian officials. The incident, which occurred on the resort island, has drawn attention from local authorities and Australian media, though specific charges remain unconfirmed.
· 3 sourcesThe prestigious Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne is under investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman after allegedly underpaying its kitchen staff for a period of five years. The investigation follows complaints about wage discrepancies at the exclusive venue, known for hosting major tennis events.
· 3 sourcesA person of interest in the disappearance of Jessica Zrinski has told a coronial inquest he has no memory of the 10 hours he spent with her or what happened during that period, leaving investigators and the family searching for answers in the long-running missing persons case.
· 3 sourcesAustralia is poised to reinstate a requirement for British backpackers on working holiday visas to undertake regional work, reversing a pandemic-era suspension that allowed free movement. The move is expected to boost labour in agriculture and tourism but has drawn concern from travellers and critics who say it reduces flexibility.
· 3 sourcesA 10-year-old boy who was allegedly punched in the head in a random attack outside police headquarters has been diagnosed with brain cancer, adding a tragic new layer to a case that has drawn widespread concern.
· 3 sourcesPolice are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl from Sydney's Northern Beaches who was found unresponsive on Sunday, with the incident suspected to involve a choking act during sex, authorities say.
· 3 sourcesThe company responsible for the bus involved in the Hunter Valley crash, which claimed 10 lives and injured 25 others, has been sentenced more than three years after the tragedy. The decision marks the conclusion of a long legal process for the deadliest road accident in the area in decades.
· 3 sourcesQueensland Police have launched an investigation into allegations that a 16-year-old girl was raped by her carer, according to official statements. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of children in out-of-home care and the importance of safeguarding measures.
· 3 sourcesPrime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a muted address to the Business Council of Australia's annual dinner in Sydney, leaving the country's most powerful chief executives underwhelmed, according to the Australian Financial Review's Mark Di Stefano.
Former CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC has told an inquiry that the union engaged with companies linked to organised crime as a measure to protect its members, describing the dealings as unavoidable in the construction industry.
Queensland police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in residential care, an incident the state's child safety minister has described as 'heinous', shedding light again on systemic vulnerabilities in the out-of-home care system.
A teenage girl has allegedly been raped by a staff member at a state-funded residential care home west of Brisbane, in an attack Queensland's child safety minister, Amanda Camm, has called 'heinous'.
· 2 sourcesThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched investigations into two more safety incidents involving air traffic control at Sydney Airport, bringing the total number of probes to six since July 27. The latest inquiries underscore growing scrutiny of the airport's operational safety procedures amid a cluster of reported close calls.
A heated debate erupted in the Northern Territory parliament on Wednesday over the government's voluntary assisted dying (VAD) bill, with backbencher Tanzil Rahman accusing his colleagues of inauthenticity and deliberately mischaracterising the debate. The clash highlights deepening divisions within the Territory government as it navigates one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in recent memory.