3 h. ago ‘Not a party of protest’: Sloane brokers deal in first policy test

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has been working behind the scenes to personally end the stand-off over workers’ compensation reforms.

Events

4 h. ago LNP opens door to hospital board overhauls, raising spectre of ‘cronyism’

The Crisafulli government made sweeping changes to other boards, but lacked the power to remove health service directors for no reason – until now.

Politics

5 h. ago ASX set to rise, Wall Street steady ahead of Fed rates decision

The US stock market remains largely quiet on Wednesday as Wall Street waits to hear what the Federal Reserve will say in the afternoon about where interest rates may be heading.

Politics

5 h. ago The single number that will determine interest rates in 2026

The Reserve Bank could be lifting interest rates as early as February next year. A single number will determine the RBA’s next move, and we know the day it’s coming.

Politics

5 h. ago There’s a simple calculation about health that should outrage anyone who can do arithmetic

At a time when other states have started emulating Victoria, the government is abolishing its best-known public health institution.

Politics

5 h. ago Honest Gareth: the politician who admits he wasn’t up to the job

Gareth Graham, a retired paramedic team manager from Ambulance Victoria, has quit his job as Alpine Shire mayor 10 days after he was elected.

Politics

13 h. ago Australia social media ban as it happened: PM lauds decision as children under 16 barred from social media in world

Australia’s social media ban is now in effect, with children under 16 barred from some of the most popular social media apps in the world. Look back on our live coverage.

Politics

14 h. ago Abolition of ‘lived experience’ test for mental health leaders alarms industry

The mental health sector says axing a requirement for people who have experienced mental health challenges to be at the forefront of reform is a betrayal.

Politics

14 h. ago ‘Just leave it alone’: Nossal calls for VicHealth to be spared from government cuts

One of Australia’s greatest scientists has called the decision to abolish the health promotion agency “a misguided cost-saving measure”.

Politics

15 h. ago Wells’ Kirribilli comeback mixes social media crusade with crisis management

Hiding under the Doona was not an option for Anika Wells today. So she showed up. Did her job. Powered on. Answered questions. Apologies were not on the agenda.

Events

15 h. ago ‘He’ll do whatever he needs’: Khawaja ups the ante in bid to save career

Usman Khawaja had a solo training session in Brisbane on Wednesday, as he seeks to garner a recall for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Watch the footage here.

Politics

16 h. ago Albanese digs in on MPs entitlements saga as more Wells spending comes to light

The prime minister is backing his minister Anika Wells’ use of parliamentary entitlements, even as fresh information reveals more examples of her using taxpayer funds to attend party fundraisers.

Economics

16 h. ago ASX slips for a third day as tech stocks fall, gold miners advance

Gold miners bolstered the Australian sharemarket on Wednesday, but their gains weren’t enough to offset losses by interest-rate sensitive sectors such as technology.

Politics

17 h. ago Royal Perth Hospital calls in AI as new figures paint grim picture of WA emergency departments

A 12-month $700,000 artificial intelligence pilot was announced on Wednesday morning as new statistics came out showing WA’s emergency departments were the slowest in the nation for patients to be seen.

Politics

17 h. ago Wells’ expenses a costly distraction from admirable social media ban

The Albanese government has needlessly allowed Anika Wells’ expenses to cast a shadow over its big-ticket reform.

Politics

17 h. ago ‘He’ll do whatever he needs to do’: Khawaja trains alone in push for Ashes recall

Usman Khawaja had a solo training session in Brisbane on Wednesday, as he seeks to garner a recall for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Politics

18 h. ago ‘It didn’t work bro I’m still here’: Kids brag as they beat social media ban

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent the morning speaking about Australia’s world-first legislation being a success while teens were flooding his social media comments with a different story.

Politics

20 h. ago Beach, beers and a kick: How England’s Ashes cricketers are spending their Noosa break

Members of the travelling English media posted photos of the squad on social media at the beach on Wednesday, the second day of their Sunshine Coast jaunt.

Economics

22 h. ago Gold miners hold up ASX; Wall Street drifts ahead of Fed’s rate call

Gold miners led the Australian sharemarket slightly higher on Wednesday morning after US stocks were treading water overnight.

Politics

23 h. ago Albanese, Wells decline to back overhaul of family travel perks for MPs

Two Coalition MPs have called for entitlement rules to be scrutinised, while the prime minister and Wells attempted to keep focus on the government’s social media ban.

Politics