National Breaking News
Tuesday, 4 February
SPC says allowances not 'over generous'
5:32PM STRUGGLING fruit processor SPC Ardmona says claims its problems are down to "over-generous" staff allowances are mistaken.
Vic anti-taxi reform protesters batter cab
5:31PM TAXI drivers and owners upset at reforms to the taxi industry have battered a taxi as part of their protest against the changes.
Rates to hold steady for a while: Stevens
5:24PM THE Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent at its first board meeting on Tuesday as was widely expected.
Govt seeks penalty rates review
5:24PM AS the Fair Work Commission starts its review of the modern award system, the government says it must look at penalty rates and high labour costs.
Tanker drivers want govt to act
5:18PM THE fuel tanker drivers' union says government inaction and contract pressure from companies mean road safety standards are being compromised.
Govt accused of misleading over SPC grant
5:14PM THE Abbott government based its decision not to grant $25 million to SPC Ardmona on wrong information, the company and a Liberal MP says.
Sailors rescued from rough Bass Strait
5:08PM THREE sailors have been rescued by emergency services in a dramatic air and sea operation in Bass Strait.
Victorian Speaker lashes out on exit
5:04PM VICTORIA'S parliamentary Speaker Ken Smith has taken a swipe at balance-of-power MP Geoff Shaw and Labor as he quit the post.
Victorian fire crews contain grassfire
5:00PM A FAST-MOVING grassfire that had threatened a town in central Victoria has been contained.
Afghan ambassador critical of asylum case
4:55PM THE Afghanistan Ambassador to Australia has criticised the Abbott government's handling of a Hazara asylum seeker's case.
Aussies world's biggest punters: report
4:40PM AUSTRALIANS are the world's biggest punters with gambling losses at $1114 per resident last year, a new report says.
Turnbull denies gagging NBN contractor
4:38PM THE answers to crucial questions about the troubled NBN rollout in Tasmania could remain a mystery.
Mosquito-borne virus plagues north Qld
4:38PM HEALTH authorities are trying to contain two dengue virus outbreaks in far north Queensland where more than 70 people have been infected.
Knife found at scene of alleged murder
4:38PM POLICE believe they have found the knife that was used in the stabbing death of a man in western Sydney.
Name suppressed for alleged Bell killer
4:36PM A MAN accused of murdering Adelaide schoolgirl Louise Bell has had his name suppressed.
Salvos in disbelief over abuse: inquiry
4:19PM THE Salvation Army was naive about the handling of sex abuse claims because they couldn't believe it was happening in their homes.
New fight to protect Aussie beach culture
4:17PM A PUSH is on to ensure Australia's beaches don't go the way of so many overseas - into private hands.
Budget must restore confidence: builders
4:05PM THE building industry wants the federal budget to provide adequate funding for a restored industry watchdog.
Rampant cancer is top Aust killer: study
4:03PM PREVENTION is the best way to deal with Australia's cancer death rate, says a co-editor of a WHO study.
Aussie mums will stop working: survey
3:51PM WOMEN and children will miss out if the government cuts childcare subsidies, a Mission Australia survey says.
Tuesday, 4 February
NSW's top judge slams mandatory sentences
3:50PM NSW'S top judge has called for an informed debate about crime and sentencing, rather than mandatory jail terms for alcohol and drug fuelled-violence.
Skaf gang rapist to be released
3:49PM ONE of the Skaf gang rapists will be released later this month on strict parole conditions including electronic monitoring.
200 homes saved during Perth bushfire
3:33PM EMERGENCY services remain on red alert despite bringing a bushfire south of Perth under control.
Costello was only choice for Fund: Cormann
3:28PM PETER Costello, the former Liberal treasurer, has been confirmed in the role of Future Fund chairman.
Salvos in disbelief over abuse: inquiry
3:26PM THE Salvation Army was naive about the handling of sex abuse claims because they couldn't believe it was happening in their homes.
SA premier apology for fogotten candidate
3:23PM PREMIER Jay Weatherill has apologised to Marcus Connelly for forgetting the name of the Labor rural candidate for the seat of Frome at the SA election.
Car crashes on Bondi Beach
3:16PM AUTHORITIES say it's lucky no one was killed when a car crashed through a barrier onto Bondi Beach.
NSW and Qld police seek mother and boy
3:01PM NSW Police are concerned for the welfare of a six-year-old boy they say was abducted and taken to Queensland by his mother.
Fly-in, fly-out policing plan draws flak
2:58PM A PROPOSAL to fly police in and out of Qld communities that have had trouble attracting officers has been criticised by indigenous communities.
Very tough time for Thorpe: Bertrand
2:37PM SWIMMING Australia president John Bertrand says he suffered depression too when he retired from yachting as he offers support to Ian Thorpe.
Batts inquiry seeks documents from ex-PMs
2:32PM KEVIN Rudd and Julia Gillard have been asked to provide evidence by the royal commission into the home insulation scheme.
Family hopes Vic schoolgirl Bung's alive
2:28PM THE father of missing Melbourne schoolgirl Siriyakorn "Bung" Siriboon hopes a $1 million reward will help solve the case as he believes she's still alive.
Vic pedophile's prison term lengthened
2:28PM A MAN'S three-month sentence for sexually abusing teenage boys was manifestly inadequate, Victoria's Court of Appeal says.
Why was WA pedophile was given bail?
2:06PM WA'S police minister wants to know why a pedophile facing jail was granted bail, allowing him to abuse three more children in a pre-prison "binge".
Man dies after truck explosion in NSW
2:00PM POLICE and Workcover are investigating what caused a truck explosion that killed a man in southern NSW.
Vic man 'beaten to death, dumped in ditch'
1:51PM A VICTORIAN court has been told a man beat his friend to death after they had been drinking together and dumped his body near a busy road.
4WD rams police car, puts two in hospital
1:34PM TWO police officers have been taken to hospital after their car was deliberately rammed by a 4WD in central Victoria.
Boy, 12, charged over WA bushfire
1:23PM A 12 year-old youth has been charged after a bushfire that threatened a Perth sports complex last week.
WA taxi driver charged over sex assault
12:56PM A 58-YEAR-OLD taxi driver in Perth has been charged with sexually assaulting a disabled woman in his cab.
Man dies in caravan fire in NSW's north
12:49PM FIREFIGHTERS who put out a caravan fire in NSW's north found the body of a man in the charred wreckage.
Daily Deals
Get 0% on balance transfers & pay no annual fee with Virgin Money
Compare deals on hottest Android phones
Find the best prices online
Up to 50%* off hotels
Lock in a low home loan rate with CUA and save! No monthly fees.