Latest National news
What were they smoking? The five worst anti-drug campaigns of all time
Liam Mannix 6:58 PM Drugs are bad, m'kay?
Acquire Learning casts 'a very dark shadow' over its clients
Michael Bachelard 6:19 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
Heath Aston, political correspondent 5:48 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
Noel Towell 4:29 PM APS commissioner John Lloyd hits back at claim that the public service has become 'weak' and 'lacking self-confidence'.
More APS pay offers voted down
Noel Towell 4:07 PM Thousands more public servants vote no as ABS boss orders investigation.
Doctors say raising raising legal age for smoking 'won't work'
Jane Lee 3:45 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.
Stoner Sloth: It's now a joint attack on campaign
Rachel Browne 2:32 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?
Bridie Smith 9:18 AM How much can you eat before that stomach-straining, nausea-inducing feeling strikes?
Car dealer investigated over wombat deaths
Kate McClymont 8:29 PM 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
Rachel Browne 9:15 PM 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
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
Noel Towell 8:30 PM New wage offer for Border Force and Immigration officials comes with a big catch.
The real star performers of the HSC
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
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
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
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
One hundred years ago, Albert Einstein set down the equation that now rules the universe.
Sorry, wrong number: Australia's spy bungles revealed
Natalie O'Brien Australians were spied on without permission.
Church in controversial legal tactic to block lawsuits
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'
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
Matthew Raggatt A trio of buildings leased to the federal government in Tuggeranong have fetched $75 million.
Conman Peter Foster obtains false passport
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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.
Can we truly forgive?
Barney Zwartz No gift so enriches the giver as forgiveness. Yet, especially among Christians, the expectation, even demand, that one must forgive can also be crippling.
