Private tax collectors. The billion-dollar secret of the coal industry
A company tied to mining lobbyists and unions collected billions in levies on behalf of the government Stephanie Tran investigates. Between 1993 and 2017, an obscure private company run by…
Kids to lose social media access but others will be OK
Forcing all Australians to verify their age under the federal government’s world-leading social media ban would be “unreasonable”, the online safety watchdog says. As Australia prepares to ban children under…
PNG defence treaty to take ties ‘to the next level’: PM
A defence treaty with Papua New Guinea would bring the relationship with Australia’s closest neighbour even closer, the prime minister says, despite delays in putting pen to paper. Anthony Albanese…
Tech giants issued rules for social media ban for kids
Social media companies will have to detect and deactivate underage accounts and prevent children re-registering under Australia’s world-first ban for kids. Guidelines for social media platforms to comply with the…
Australia comes bearing a big gift for PNG anniversary
Australia will help Papua New Guinea build a new ministerial wing onto its parliament, as a gift to mark 50 years of the nation’s independence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced…
‘Confronting’ climate risk report goes under microscope
Australia’s “confronting” climate future will be explored in parliament as a bombshell report lays bare the risks ahead. The National Climate Risk Assessment, which canvasses a concerning uptick in expected…
TikTok framework deal reached between US, China
The United States and China have reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to US-controlled ownership, top US officials say. President Donald Trump set to speak with Chinese…
Defence pact elevates PNG to treaty level of US and NZ
A new Australian defence pact elevates Papua New Guinea to the treaty level of the United States and New Zealand, Anthony Albanese says. The prime minister is visiting Port Moresby…
Deadly and costly: the climate threats Australians face
Climate advocates are using alarming predictions of heatwave deaths, degraded ecosystems and coastal properties lost to rising seas as ammunition for bold emission cuts through to 2035. NGOs and federal…
A ‘bank in crisis’: ANZ cops record fine for misconduct
Grubby and unconscionable isn’t a slogan a bank will ever use, but it’s the verdict on ANZ’s conduct from the financial regulator as it imposes record penalties. The bank on…