The state budget landed on the same day the Reserve Bank once again jacked up interest rates, and ABC listeners say the cost of living is keeping them awake at night, Raf Epstein writes.
An award-winning Queensland Fire Department camp encouraging girls into firefighting has been cancelled despite its success and demand for its return. The program aimed to boost female recruitment, which remains low at 5% of permanent firefighters.
A new report suggests Sydney taxpayers could save $1 billion annually in health costs if residents had better access to tree canopy and nature. The Committee for Sydney advocates for greenways and tree plantings to combat urban heat and support housing density plans, citing a University of Sydney study linking tree access to reduced hospital visits for cardiovascular disease.
A cafe in Melbourne's north, previously targeted in a drive-by shooting, has caught fire. Authorities are treating the blaze, which caused significant damage to the cafe and a neighboring post office, as suspicious. A dark-coloured SUV was reportedly seen fleeing the scene.
Critically endangered swift parrots face habitat loss in Tasmania due to ongoing native forest logging. Despite government advice and ecological concerns, logging continues, impacting crucial breeding areas and raising questions about the effectiveness of current conservation strategies and future environmental standards.
The Victorian Coalition has pledged a $5 billion investment over four years to repair and rebuild the state's roads, aiming to fix one million potholes and improve maintenance systems if elected in November. The plan also includes boosting roadside maintenance and reviewing construction standards.
As Australian parliament takes a winter break, Prime Minister Albanese reviews his standing after a bold budget and security pacts, while Opposition Leader Taylor targets One Nation, framing them as an economic liability. Both leaders face internal party challenges and external economic pressures.
