Australia

Historic changeAustralia pulls military out of Middle East after 30 years

A “challenged” strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific prompts the end to Australia’s 30-year commitment to the Middle East, it has been announced.

Charles Miranda

Watch out‘Stood down’ Aus Post boss may still be paid

Australia Post’s chief executive Christine Holgate may still get paid over the next four weeks, despite ‘standing aside’ as an investigation of $3000 watches given as gifts to executives takes place.

Sarah Ison

No wiggle roomWiggle says sorry for ‘culturally insensitive’ song

The wildly popular children’s group have been called out for racism over a 2014 song in which they dressed in Indian clothing and danced holding pappadums.

Kate Emery

Holidays are backAustralian borders ‘open by Christmas’ — except WA

Scott Morrison confirmed all States and Territories had agreed on a ‘reopening framework’ by Christmas, ‘with the exception of Western Australia’.

Sarah Ison

Review beginsASIC chairman stands aside over expenses

The expenses related to James Shipton’s return to Australia from the US in 2018 and deputy chair Dan Crennan’s move from Melbourne to Sydney.

Paul Osborne

New routesQantas’ swipe at WA after revealing $100m border hit

Chairman Richard Goyder took a swipe at the WA and Queensland governments during today’s AGM, saying decisions to keep them closed did not seem based on health risk.

Geoffrey Thomas

Fight for refundsWatchdog works with travel agents as complaints pile up

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned it is not its position that all customers must get full refunds.

Paul Osborne

Bleak expectationsFour in 10 business owners anxious: survey

Four in 10 small business owners are highly anxious about future operating conditions, especially due to COVID-19, a survey has revealed.

Gerard Cockburn

Latest newsAus Post boss faces watch gift grilling wearing $48k watch

Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate has defended the decision to spend $12,000 on luxury watches for executives, saying: “I have not used taxpayers’ money”. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “appalled” by the scandal.

Tom Minear

See the listSmartphone price wars: Best deals for every Aussie

These are the best smartphone releases and deals that have been graded and assessed, to help you choose the best model for you and your family.

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

Opinion‘Melbourne mums, this has been taken from you, it’s bloody hard’

Sunrise co-host Edwina Bartholomew has penned a letter to all mums in Melbourne, who’ve had a completely different year to others across Australia during COVID-19.

Edwina Bartholomew

Children rescuedAFP arrest dozens of sickos in paedophile sting

The West Australian can reveal a 12-month operation has resulted in the arrests of 44 Australian men — including two from WA — who are facing 350 charges for possessing child exploitation material.

Lanai Scarr Federal Political Editor

Under pressureSchool of hard knocks: What worries smart girls most

A global study of teenagers, including 14,000 Australian students, has revealed some remarkable differences between boys and girls.

NATASHA BITA

Good timesAustralia Post’s hilarious tweet amid watch scandal

The boss of Australia Post may be having a day to forget but her social media team is ensuring not all postal service employees are tarred with the same brush.

David Johns

LatestAged care ‘a national shame’, call for total overhaul

The 124 recommendations proposed at the aged care royal commission have revealed the entire system must be overhauled to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Tamsin Rose

CEO DepartureCrown’s Australian resorts boss Barry Felstead to exit

Perth staff at Crown Resorts have been informed this afternoon that Barry Felstead will step down as the company’s chief executive of Australian Resorts.

Danielle Le Messurier

Early superHow to access your super quickly as time runs out

Time is running out for Australians to access their superannuation early but find out who has dipped into their retirement savings prematurely.

Sophie Elsworth

Shipbuilder respondsAustal denies wrongdoing amid ABF corruption claims

The shipbuilder has denied any wrongdoing amid media reports of corruption by Australian Border Force staff stemming from milestone payments for eight Cape Class patrol vessels.

Daniel Newell

COVID compliantKaren, we have done you wrong

Women have taken the pandemic more seriously and complied more readily with restrictions, new research shows. So, maybe should be nicknaming anti-mask COVID conspirators Kevin — not Karen.

Kate EmerySenior Reporter

Time’s upAust Post CEO stands aside amid watch investigation

The chief executive of Australia Post will stand aside from her position for the next month while an investigation into the gifting of $3000 Cartier watches to executives runs its course.

Sarah Ison

Protest voteCrown cops big first strike after inquiry bombshells

Shareholders of the troubled casinos operator have cast a significant protest vote against the re-election of its directors, and served a ‘first strike’ on pay.

Danielle Le Messurier

exclusive
exclusive
Rock solid
exclusive
WA powers nation with mining jobs boom

WA has for the first time accounted for more than half of all resources jobs advertised nationally.

Lanai Scarr

Saving cashHow I saved $540 on my mobile phone bill

Mobile phone customers are being urged to take their time before rushing to sign up a new device because there are ways they can save themselves hundreds of dollars a year.

Sophie Elsworth

ExclusiveMore help for anxious parents

Anxious and depressed parents with newborns have been calling helplines in record numbers during COVID-19, as the Federal Government announces a $13.6 funding boost for support programs.

Sue Dunlevy