Latest National news

Acquire Learning casts 'a very dark shadow' over its clients

Ben Mutch, at home in Warrnambool, is unemployed was pressured into signing up for a training course, with Aquired Learning.

Michael Bachelard 9:19 PM   The desperate and jobless are sold hope, but all they are buying is debt

New ABC head commits to editorial independence but open to advertising

Newly appointed ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie in the ABC studios, Ultimo, Sydney.

Heath Aston, political correspondent 8:48 PM   Incoming ABC boss, Michelle Guthrie, has pledged to protect the tradition of editorial independence at the national broadcaster but has also left the door open to advertising and digital paywalls.

'Cowering and weak': APS Commissioner hits back

Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd.

Noel Towell 7:29 PM   APS commissioner John Lloyd hits back at claim that the public service has become 'weak' and 'lacking self-confidence'.

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More APS pay offers voted down

ABS chief David Kalisch wants to know why his public servants rejected the pay deal they were offered.

Noel Towell 7:07 PM   Thousands more public servants vote no as ABS boss orders investigation.

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Doctors say raising raising legal age for smoking 'won't work'

 Studies showed most smokers began smoking before they turned 25, says Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson.

Jane Lee 6:45 PM   Australia's two biggest states are not following Tasmania's plan to raise the legal smoking age to 21, and doctors warn it will not lower the number of smokers.

Centrelink's IT meltdown hits disability pension

More than 800,000 Australians are being paid disability pensions of about $800 a fortnight.

Noel Towell 11:30 PM   Centrelink's tech woes disrupts Disability Pension medical crackdown.

Stoner Sloth: It's now a joint attack on campaign

 My chat with Stoner Sloth.

Rachel Browne 5:32 PM   The owner of the US medical marijuana website stonersloth.com has slammed the Australian campaign of the same name, describing it as "over dramatic".

The science of overeating at Christmas: What happens when you've eaten too much?

The Christmas gorge-fest can stretch the stomach to its limits.

Bridie Smith 12:18 PM   How much can you eat before that stomach-straining, nausea-inducing feeling strikes?

Car dealer investigated over wombat deaths

Tony Azzi with a dead wombat.

Kate McClymont   Multimillionaire car dealer Tony Azzi is being investigated over allegations that he used a high-powered rifle and semi-automatic pistols to kill wombats and other native fauna.

Royal Flying Doctors soar in Charity Reputation Index

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is Australia's top-ranked charity.

Rachel Browne 12:15 AM   City-dwelling Australians may never need to call on the Royal Flying Doctor Service for help but they have shown their support for the group which provides health care for almost 300,000 people a year.

US bans microbeads

Do Something founder Jon Dee says Australia should have full legislation banning microbeads.

Francesca Wallace   The push for an Australian ban on microbeads in cosmetics has been taken to a new level, as the United States recently introduced laws which outlaw the use of the tiny plastic beads.

Hundreds more jobs face axe at Immigration Department

CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood says the plan to fund a pay rise through the loss of nearly 700 jobs is "ridiculous".

Noel Towell   New wage offer for Border Force and Immigration officials comes with a big catch.

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The real star performers of the HSC

Principal Jane Donovan with students (from left) Courtney Reylin, Carley Bonaccorso, Luke Clinch,  Jasmine Kumar, Isaac Camilleri, Gabriella Raco and Shirley Chaparadza.

Inga Ting   Three years ago, Jasmine Kumar's academic results were among the lowest in the state for reading, writing and numeracy. This week 17-year-old was awarded First in Course for Business Services, finishing her HSC with an ATAR of 91.

Early deaths a 'truly shocking' situation

Anti-psychotic drugs are powerful treatment tools but can lead to life-shortening illnesses.

Catherine Armitage   In an unusual public mea culpa, psychiatrists have accepted that a "tendency to protect our professional turf without a good understanding of the consequences" is partly to blame for the "appalling" lower life expectancy of people with mental illness.

Climate research body fights for survival

The Climate Institute is fighting for its survival.

Adam Morton   A leading think tank and lobby group on climate change is fighting for survival after the multi-million dollar support of its primary benefactor ran out.

Bush tucker trend: Aboriginal people call for greater share of the pie

Charcoal Lane apprentice chef Stephen Thorpe serves bush foods in the heart of Fitzroy.

Nicole Hasham   Advocates are calling for proper recognition and financial rewards for the original custodians of bush foods as the industry expands and its export potential grows.

Einstein's space, time and relativity

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest figures in physics.

One hundred years ago, Albert Einstein set down the equation that now rules the universe.

Sorry, wrong number: Australia's spy bungles revealed

Margaret Stone, former federal court judge who has delivered her first report on Australia's spy agencies as the new Inspector General of Intelligence and Security.

Natalie O'Brien   Australians were spied on without permission.

Church in controversial legal tactic to block lawsuits

The Catholic Church avoided paying up to $62 million in compensation to sexual abuse victims by creating the Melbourne Response.

Chris Vedelago, Cameron Houston   The Catholic Church attempted to conceal incriminating documents about child sex abuse using a legal tactic that has also been employed by tobacco companies to block victim compensation lawsuits.

'If I don't get this new stuff, hep C will end up taking me'

Martin Pearce at home in Little Bay.

Stephanie Wood   Hepatitis C sufferer Martin Pearce is looking forward to making an appointment with his doctor to find out when he can go on to breakthrough drugs.

Tuggeranong DHS offices sell for $75m

The trio of buildings have an estimated net income of $6.05 million annually.

Matthew Raggatt   A trio of buildings leased to the federal government in Tuggeranong have fetched $75 million.

Conman Peter Foster obtains false passport

Peter Foster when he was arrested in Byron Bay.

Chris Vedelago, Cameron Houston   Notorious conman Peter Foster has obtained a false Irish passport as part of an apparent plan to flee the country and collect millions of dollars he has stashed overseas.

Leading autism service to be investigated over restraint policy

Autism spectrum  photo Michele MOssop  Autism - trying to be ordinary generic hand, disociation SPECIALX 49992

Nick Toscano and Beau Donelly   The Andrews government will order an independent review into the use of restraints by one of Australia's leading disability services in the aftermath of a scandal involving a large wooden box built to lock up people with autism.

Santa's big trip - how magic mushrooms explain Christmas

The origins of Christmas.

John Elder   We always accepted that Santa Claus was a house-breaker - but a stoner too?

Australian Aboriginal Lucky Dolls on sale at Brisbane Airport

The controversial 'Australian Aboriginal Lucky Dolls' that were on sale at Brisbane Airport.

Kieran Gair   The sale of 'Australian Aboriginal Lucky Doll' souvenirs at Brisbane International Airport has sparked outrage on social media. 

Ella beats insurance giant over mental illness claim

QBE has been ordered to reimburse Ella Ingram the full cost of a New York trip she was forced to cancel after developing depression.

Melissa Singer   A Melbourne university student has had a landmark win against insurance giant QBE after it initially refused a reimbursement due to mental illness.

Apology over gay sex convictions in Tasmania

Tasmania plans a formal apology to people convicted for consensual gay sex.

Andrew Darby   In a move expected to aid scores of people, Tasmania will be the first state in Australia to formally apologise over past convictions for consenting gay sex, as it expunges criminal records.

Watchdog moves on Henry Kaye-linked scheme

Henry Kaye leaving the Magistrates Court in 2007

Royce Millar, Ben Schneiders, Simon Johanson   A massive land banking scam linked to notorious property spruiker Henry Kaye is in tatters after the corporate regulator moved to wind up housing projects in Melbourne's outer west and Bendigo.

Is a Hong Kong high rise coming to a suburb near you?

Hong Kong's rail operator MTR has exported its rail plus property model to China and is now looking towards Australia.

Melanie Kembrey   The operator of Hong Kong's envied metro system wants to strengthen its grip on Australia's rail network, eyeing opportunities to build and run new lines in Sydney and Melbourne.