New South Wales' upcoming budget will lower public transport fare caps on Opal and credit card payments to ease cost-of-living pressures. The Minns government aims for fiscal restraint while addressing inflation and housing affordability, balancing relief with economic discipline.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are now mainstream in Australia, with record sales in May driven by falling prices, improved resale values, and the oil crisis. Chinese brands dominate the market, offering models below $30,000, while infrastructure remains the primary barrier to wider adoption.
Electric vehicles are now mainstream in Australia, with record sales in May driven by falling prices, improved resale values, and the oil crisis. Chinese brands dominate the market, offering models under $30,000, while infrastructure remains the key barrier to wider adoption.
An inquest is examining the death of Stacey Warnecke, 30, from a postpartum hemorrhage. She died after choosing a "freebirth" supported by an unqualified "birthkeeper," Emily Lal, who allegedly downplayed symptoms and delayed calling an ambulance. Experts state Warnecke's death was preventable with medical intervention.
Pauline Hanson's National Press Club address revealed a policy platform focused on anti-multiculturalism, stricter abortion access, and a "transgender insurgency" warning. Despite surging interest in One Nation, the speech highlighted fringe policy ideas unlikely to appeal to mainstream voters.
Australia's NDIS faces proposed 50% cuts to social and community participation funding, threatening programs crucial for individuals with Down’s Syndrome, such as Joe Barham, who relies on these for life skills and social interaction.
Tunnelling on Sydney's $3.1bn M6 project will resume after the state government and contractors reached a deal, ending a two-year halt. The private consortium will cover finishing costs, with the motorway now expected to open in 2028.
The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) identifies far-right extremism and the conflation of Jewish identity with Israel as primary drivers of antisemitism in Australia. The group's submission to a royal commission highlights the "often overlooked" threat from the far-right and criticizes the tendency to treat Jews collectively as representatives of Israel.
The CDC is allocating $107 million in emergency funding to combat Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. With nearly 1,000 cases in DRC and 31 in Uganda, officials cite the need for immediate support, though global risk remains low. Efforts are hampered by mistrust and resource shortages.
The Australian Labor government has introduced concessions to its proposed capital gains tax changes, increasing the small business threshold to $10m and exempting testamentary trusts from a new tax rate. While reported as a major retreat, the changes are seen as adjustments to counter "scare campaigns" rather than a fundamental rewrite. The concessions cost $475m over forward estimates and are crucial for the government's housing market reform agenda.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has spoken with new Farrer MP David Farley regarding his apparent divergence from party policy on immigration intake and the flying of Indigenous flags. Farley's past statements on immigration and his intention to fly multiple flags conflicted with One Nation's platform, leading Hanson to address the issues directly.
Australia's net overseas migration fell to 301,000 people last year, the lowest since mid-2022 but still exceeding pre-pandemic rates. The figures emerge amid a heated political debate on immigration, with the government highlighting the downward trend while the opposition deems the numbers "far too high" given housing and infrastructure pressures.
The 2026 Walkley mid-year media prizes celebrated innovative journalism, with Matilda Boseley winning the young journalist award for her Parliament-Tea series. Riley Walter was named Young Australian Journalist of the Year, also winning for short-form and specialist reporting on a $150m NAB fraud investigation. Other winners included ABC teams for reporting on women's leadership, violence against women, and science.
Guardian Australia's Matilda Boseley won for innovative storytelling, while The Sydney Morning Herald's Riley Walter was named Young Australian Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Walkley mid-year media prizes. Other winners included ABC teams for women's leadership and reporting on violence against women.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson attacked Guardian Australia journalist Sarah Martin, calling her "trashy" for reporting on Hanson's daughter's employment. The media union condemned the personal attack and warned against banning journalists, while PM Anthony Albanese urged defense of public broadcasters.
A coroner has found the initial police investigation into the 1988 death of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines in NSW was deeply flawed and hindered by racism. The Gomeroi teen's body was found on train tracks near Tamworth, and police quickly ruled it a suicide, a finding now disputed.
A coroner has found that the initial police investigation into the 1988 death of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines in NSW was deeply flawed and hindered by racism. The Gomeroi teen's body was found on train tracks near Tamworth, and police quickly ruled it a suicide, a finding now disputed.
Over 13,000 seal pups have died on Australia's Heard Island due to H5N1 bird flu, with high mortality rates confirmed among penguins, seals, and petrels. The virus likely spread from French subantarctic islands, marking its eastward movement around the region. Australia is increasing preparedness for potential mainland incursions.
Qantas has again postponed its direct Sydney to London flights, now slated for October 2027. The delay is attributed to extended wait times for new Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, with the first delivery pushed to April 2027, impacting the previously announced 2027 launch.
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has called for a complete ban on abortion, a stance differing from party leader Pauline Hanson's position of restricting abortions after 20 weeks. Roberts' comments emerged at a Brisbane Christian conference where anti-abortion groups discussed legislative changes and replacing politicians not aligned with their agenda.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has climbed to 19th globally in the QS World University Rankings, surpassing the University of Melbourne for the first time. UNSW was praised for employment outcomes and research, while Melbourne fell to 22nd. Australia saw 58% of its ranked universities improve.
A new study from the Ten to Men project reveals men who recently experienced a breakup are seven times more likely to report a suicide attempt compared to those not undergoing relationship breakdown. The research highlights significant mental health risks associated with separation, including impacts on finances, children, and social support networks.
Five years after its announcement, the "Earth's Black Box," a project designed to record humanity's path to climate catastrophe, is nearing installation in Tasmania. Initially met with global attention, the project faced years of silence but is now reportedly under assembly, with creators aiming for a December installation.
Pauline Hanson, once seen as a radical outlier, has evolved into a significant political force with her One Nation party topping polls. Her anti-establishment message, fueled by societal discontent over issues like migration and inequality, resonates strongly, positioning her as a serious contender for prime minister.
