Home battery subsidies wound back, scheme cost tripled
Discounts for larger systems will be wound back under a popular home battery scheme as the program’s budget is tripled. The federal subsidy, which has been in place for five…
Urban sprawl fuels deadly fire risks on city outskirts
Over time, bushfire-prone Australia has got better at building homes capable of surviving a fiery blaze. But mistakes are still being made at planning levels that place properties on urban…
Forget “the rules”, pollies should get their snouts out of the travel trough
The media maelstrom over travel expenses proves again how politicians hide behind “independently determined rules” while rorting the system. Former senator Rex Patrick explains. In my 4.5 years as a…
‘Holding the tide back’: doctor’s plea for health deal
Health ministers are being urged to jointly shoulder the burden for funding public hospitals as a leading emergency doctor warns of ambulance queues and overflowing waiting rooms. State and territory…
UK economy contracts unexpectedly
Britain’s economy has shrunk unexpectedly during the three months to October, according to official figures that are likely to boost expectations for Bank of England interest rate cuts. The Office…
‘Not ready’: investors chop down deforestation action
A major bank has struck a conciliatory tone with shareholder activists after they failed to get the business-focused group to commit to more action on deforestation. Two resolutions put up…
Brittany Higgins bankrupted by former Liberal senator
Former political staffer Brittany Higgins has been bankrupted by her former boss, bringing the former politician one step closer to discovering where the former staffer’s $2.4 million compensation payout went.…
Nothing to see here, says Penny Wong about Israel brief she hasn’t read
The official DFAT country brief on Israel omits any mention of regional conflict, while Penny Wong defends Australia’s cybersecurity cooperation with Israel. Stephanie Tran with the story. In Senate Estimates…
Major smelter’s future secured after taxpayer bailout
More than 1000 jobs at a troubled aluminium smelter have been secured after the federal government stepped in to keep it running with taxpayer support. Rio Tinto, majority owner of…
Ley urges talks with PM over travel entitlement changes
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has offered bipartisan support to reform travel perks for politicians, while calling for Anika Wells to resign as minister. Ms Ley said she had written to…