Sydney news

Aboriginal artist Arkeria Rose Armstrong spent four years travelling with her family in a caravan around remote outback Australia, which has inspired her work about country.

Four men who allegedly used taxis to run a cocaine delivery service all over Sydney are arrested.

Sydney Harbour is the inspiration behind the latest creation by Ryan McNaught, Australia's only certified Lego professional, who has recreated some of the city's most iconic structures as part of a new exhibition.

Residents affected by a toxic leak from Newcastle's Williamtown Air Force base are preparing a class action, likely to be against the Department of Defence.

NT Police release comfit images of a man wanted for questioning over a hit-and-run that left a young motorcyclist critically injured.

Jessica Mauboy says pulled out of singing the national anthem at the Melbourne Cup at the last minute because of an anxiety attack after people around her "bickered" about whether her outfit was acceptable.

A tip off from the member of the public has led to nine stolen reptiles being returned to Hunter Valley Zoo.

A species of threatened bird that lives on iconic islands off Western Australia's coast and weighs just 100 grams has become the lightest seabird in the world to ever be tracked, an ecologist says.

Police say a man who was killed by lightning in north-west Queensland on Thursday was a 48-year-old cattle station worker.

Sam Burgess has switched codes again after signing a three-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL following his brief stint in rugby union.

Student representatives condemn legislation allowing WA universities to appoint student and staff members to their governing councils, rather than holding elections.

Hunter Water is offering $300 credit to those affected financially by the chemical contamination at Williamtown's Air Force base.

Victoria Police have serious concerns for a one-day-old baby and her 17-year-old mother who went missing from a hospital in Melbourne's north yesterday.

A minimum-security prisoner from Ivanhoe Correctional Centre in western New South Wales remains on the run this morning, after escaping from a transport van at West Wyalong.

There are hopes a study into future freight demands in central west New South Wales is a catalyst for more investment in roads and rail.

Plans for a helipad at Condobolin's hospital to speed up patient transfers have received the green light.

Tens of thousands of dollars in State Government funding will be spent upgrading Bob Liddiard Park in South Grafton, in the hope of preventing further vandalism.

The developers of Victoria's first prototype wave power unit prepare for its installation off Port Fairy in the state's south-west next month.

Officials from northern Japan are in the Hunter Valley to re-affirm their commitment to a long-standing agreement with Newcastle and Port Stephens over wetlands conservation.

Australians increasing interest in gourmet food is driving a boom in the Hunter's snail industry.

The worst of the latest Victorian storms has passed, the Bureau of Meteorology says, with a storm that moved through Melbourne on Thursday bringing heavy rain to the state's north overnight.

Residents affected by a toxic leak from Newcastle's Williamtown Air Force base are preparing a class action, likely to be against the Defence Department.

An extensive hydroponic cannabis growing set-up is found and two men charged after NSW Police raid a building in Mascot, in the city's south.

A Sydney man who claimed he was shot in the finger during a road rage attack is charged, with NSW Police saying he made the story up.

A second clean up notice has been issued to a state-owned mining company for the disposal of waste containing asbestos near Dunedoo.

The exploits of David Warner and Usman Khawaja brought back memories of past Australian batting glories at the Gabba, writes Geoff Lemon.

A Wiradjuri elder is set to meet the Aboriginal Affairs Minister Leslie Williams today, unhappy at what she says is government neglect of southern New South Wales.

An elderly woman escapes a house fire in Canberra early this morning after she is woken by a smoke alarm.

More than 100 historic cars - some worth up to $100,000 - tour the countryside around Canberra, as part of the annual National Veteran Vehicle Tour.

An elderly woman dies in a fire at a caravan park in the Barossa Valley, north-east of Adelaide.

Almost 200 years ago a group of free men and convicts drove hundreds of sheep across the wild and impenetrable forests of north west Tasmania to carve out an agricultural property, which exists to this day.

Up to 300 jobs are in doubt after EnergyAustralia announces plans to close its call centre in Melbourne's north-east.

Surfers and fishermen along Newcastle's coast are being asked to look out for a navigation buoy that has come adrift off Stockton.

The Property Council says asking the private sector to manage Newcastle's integrated public transport system will boost infrastructure investment and operational expertise.

Queensland detectives will today return to the scene of a possible murder after a body was found near the Pimpama River Bridge on the Gold Coast yesterday.

A report looking at lessons to be learnt from the disastrous April flood in Dungog says there were not enough resources within the State Emergency Service.

The Newcastle Jets are crediting the great form of two Serbian imports with boosting their attacking front line.

The International Transport Workers Federation is calling for Border Force authorities to investigate a ship currently docked in Newcastle, labelling it a rogue operator.

The latest economic snapshot for the Hunter has found household and business confidence across the region has dropped.

Economic growth and innovation must be the Federal Government's top priority in any changes to the tax system, the Business Council of Australia president Catherine Livingstone says.

Heavy downpours damage homes and properties in Canberra, with at least 62 calls for help made to emergency services.

The SES says it has not seen any significant damage from storms that prompted a tornado warning in Melbourne.

Melbourne City produces its best performance of the season to demolish Adelaide United 4-2 away from home.

West Australian shipbuilder Austal uses the construction timeline of its latest navy vessel bound for Oman to argue ships can be built in Australia on time and on budget.

Joe Burns admits the nerves he felt opening the batting against New Zealand were the greatest of his career, but the local showed his class at the top of the Australian order.

A group of ex-criminals star in a new Brisbane play aimed at sparking conversations about when and how offenders should be forgiven for their crimes.

Three West Australians are awarded a total of $70,000 in compensation after they were duped by a rent-to-buy property scheme.

Martial arts master, Glenn Coxon, is about to attempt to break his own record for smashing through wooden boards with his bare hands - something that seemed impossible just last year, when he was diagnosed with potentially deadly neck cancer.

Artist Judy Cassab is remembered as someone who witnessed horrendous suffering yet rejoiced in creativity, during a funeral service in Sydney today.

Tasmania's biggest film festival has a more local flavour this year, with a record number of state-made features being screened.