National News
Audit finds Cambodian NGO used a donation from Gina Rinehart for operational expenses
STEPHANIE WOOD A $440,000 donation from Gina Rinehart to fund a women's crisis centre in Cambodia was swallowed up by a charity's operational expenses, an investigation has found.
Cannon found on NT beach said to pre-date Cook
A cannon found on a Northern Territory beach in 2010 had been lying on the seabed for as long as 250 years, new dating tests show.
We'll keep getting married until it sticks: High Court strikes down ACT gay marriage law
DAN HARRISON The marriage of Canberra couple Narell Majic and Ash Watson was so fresh they had not even received their wedding rings, which were not ready in time for the ceremony on Tuesday. But after less than 48 hours, their legal union was annulled on Thursday, when the High Court struck down the ACT's same-sex marriage laws.
Late Christmas buying spree: men to lead the charge
SARAH WHYTE Christmas shopping is expected to be the busiest this weekend - and it's likely to be men buying the presents.
Just married and High Court calls it off
DAN HARRISON After less than 48 hours of marriage, Narell Majic and Ash Watson's legal union was annulled.
Cash beckons Toyota to stay
Mark Hawthorne and Benjamin Preiss Toyota may become one of the most heavily subsidised car manufacturers since the birth of Holden in 1948 as the Victorian and federal governments enter desperate negotiations to keep the Japanese company operating in Melbourne.
New crisis looms: 20,000 more jobless
Matt Wade, Anna Patty The NSW government has pared back its expectations for economic growth and forecast the state's unemployment rate will climb to its highest level since the global financial crisis.
Tribunal upholds sacking of bureaucrat for false bullying claim
NOEL TOWELL The APS has the right to sack bureaucrats who make false bullying claims, the Fair Work Commission has found.
Australia 'stumbling block' on tobacco law
PETER MARTIN Australia has been accused of failing to defend its historic plain packaging tobacco legislation, with one report from Singapore talks describing Australia as a ‘‘constant stumbling block’’ to other nations attempting to secure the right to follow suit.
Batts inquiry start date announced
11:35am A grieving father hopes the royal commission into Labor’s bungled home insulation program will spare other families the pain he has endured.
Protecting teens still parents' job, say educators
Anne Davies, Amanda Hoh 11:27pm Schools need to introduce education programs on sexual behaviour earlier, and parents need to take more responsibility to protect their teens, experts have warned.
Victim wants Hadley to pay $330,000
Paul Bibby 7:39pm A Carlingford fish-and-chip shop owner is seeking more than $330,000 in damages from radio broadcaster Ray Hadley over two on-air tirades in which he described her as "vile" and a "grub", claiming the commentator had pursued a "vendetta" against her.
Royal Commission: 'I shouldn't be alive', says victim
CATHERINE ARMITAGE Jennifer Ingham says she should not be alive. She was abused by a predatory priest Father Paul Brown of the Catholic church's Lismore diocese from age 16. Within a year could not complete her HSC because she was hospitalised for bulimia.
Bill Vlahos' laptop with details of missing $194m in firebombed car, court hears
LOUISE HALL A laptop computer belonging to racing identity Bill Vlahos, which could reveal the whereabouts of $194 million linked to a stricken punters' club, was destroyed when his car was firebombed, a court has heard.
Friend confirms Paul Arber's body found: 'It's 100 per cent'
Jonathan Carson The body pulled from the Waikato River this morning is that of missing Australian tennis coach Paul Arber, a friend has confirmed.
Gaza 'cattle torture' prompts calls to ban live animal exports
Footage has emerged of Australian cattle being mistreated in Gaza, prompting calls from Labor for exporters to be suspended until the inquiry is over.
Paul Arber disappearance: body found in Waikato River
Jenna Lynch New Zealand police searching for missing Australian tennis coach Paul Arber say a body has been found in the Waikato River.
Death rate determined by where you live
Dan Harrison A baby born on Wednesday in Hunters Hill can expect to live two years longer than one born in Bankstown, according to data to be released on Thursday.
University prerequisites: Students urged to avoid easy option
AMY MCNEILAGE The decision by universities not to mandate required knowledge for studying particular degrees is contributing to HSC students picking ''easier'' subjects and arriving at university ill-prepared, education leaders acknowledge.
Amnesty International report accuses Manus Island detention centre of humiliating asylum seekers
MICHAEL GORDON Asylum seekers are being subjected to humiliating treatment and appalling conditions on the Manus Island detention centre in a deliberate effort to pressure them to go back to where they came from, Amnesty International has alleged.
For Holden's workers, closure is a shock - but not a surprise
JAMES ROBERTSON It was overcast in Elizabeth on Wednesday but it had been gloomy for months.
Taunts in Parliament and text brought about General Motors Holden's exit from Australia
MARK HAWTHORNE It was the text message that sounded the death knell for Holden as a manufacturer in Australia.
Parts firm CEO calls Holden decision a terrible day for manufacturing
JARED LYNCH Jim Griffin had spent all of Wednesday morning in Canberra, trying to convince politicians that Australia's automotive industry still had a future.
Choice and Obesity Policy Coalition accuse Australian Food and Grocery Council of doing back-room deals over star rating system for food
SARAH WHYTE Health and consumer groups say the Australian Food and Grocery Council has been doing back-room deals with the government to thwart a labelling system that would show how healthy a type of food is using a star rating system.
Archbishop admits 'spectacular bungling' of child abuse case
CATHERINE ARMITAGE A 'tsunami' of child sexual abuse allegations caught bishops 'like rabbits in a headlight', says senior church official in damning testimony.
Holden to end local manufacturing, 2900 jobs to go
Richard WIllingham and Clay Lucas Holden staff are bracing for an announcement at 2pm at the company's Port Melbourne plant.
