Sydney news

Steel workers in the Illawarra region of New South Wales vote to ratify a new enterprise agreement and forfeit working conditions to keep BlueScope's Port Kembla plant open.

A bill to compel sex offenders in Tasmania to undergo treatment in prison clears its first parliamentary hurdle relatively unchanged.

Chairs were thrown, a councillor was punched and another thrown to the ground when a council meeting about parking meters at Yarraville, in Melbourne's west, turns violent.

Grandstand head cricket commentator Jim Maxwell gives his player ratings following the second Test draw between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA.

An anti-fracking group raises concerns about the connection between the company chosen to build a gas pipeline to Queensland and the head of the NT's hydraulic fracturing inquiry.

A search is continuing for two young brothers last seen on Monday night at a Collingwood Park home, west of Brisbane.

Police confirm four people have died in bushfires near Esperance, with crews unable to stop the blaze from burning out of control.

There is still no sign of a north Queensland man who has been missing in rugged bushland in the Mount Coolon area, west of Mackay, since Monday morning.

South Australia is set for another day of extreme pre-summer heat, with temperatures again expected to exceed 40C in some parts and a top of 39C expected in Adelaide.

The Northern Territory Government fails in its attempt to remove the parliamentary Speaker from the chair, with Kezia Purick winning her renomination for the role by one vote.

A holiday home is lost in a fire at Devon North, near Yarram in South Gippsland, but the CFA says a number of other properties were lucky to escape the blaze.

Mayor John Rosenbaum stepping up pressure to have NSW Government buyback AGL licence

The potential exposure of more than 100 Water Corporation employees to asbestos must be investigated in an independent inquiry, the WA State Opposition says.

The operators of the new Wodonga Saleyards, knew at least one major meat processor was going to boycott its first prime sale, months before the sale occurred.

Australian bulk commodity exporters will continue to enjoy ultra-low shipping rates during this year's harvest.

Would-be thieves pull a booking machine from a shop front on the main street of Gunning in New South Wales, after apparently mistaking it for an ATM.

Greyhound Racing Inquiry told dogs in Kempsey were put down by a council rangers instead of vets.

Goulburn Valley farmers are being warned of possible Anthrax cases with the onset of searing weather conditions.

The future for one of the Northern Territory's longest running carbon farming projects is looking bright, after it secured funding for the next five years.

Newcastle Council has voted to remain a stand alone organisation, opposing a merger with neighbouring Lake Macquarie Council.

A committee is being set up to try to stop a Bathurst district village being selected to store nuclear waste.

Mines in the Mudgee district are among those to provide feedback on plans for another coal mine in the region.

The Lachlan Shire says it hopes a staff agreement to give up $2 million worth of working conditions will bolster its case to remain independent.

Firefighters are on alert in the MIA Zone where a total fire ban has been issued today.

The RSPCA is investigating the dumping of two dead dogs in an Upper Hunter charity clothing bin.

The developer behind a housing project at Fletcher says he's doing his best to minimise negative environmental impacts.

New research shows simple brain training could be the first step in combating memory and concentration problems caused by chemotherapy.

The AMWU has welcomed an announcement that Forgacs is selling its defence engineering division.

A former Lake Macquarie State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer hopes the organisation can rebuild after a turbulent year under the leadership of Hunter region controller, Amanda Williamson.

The inquest into the Sydney siege begins to examine what Australia's intelligence agencies knew about the Lindt Cafe gunman Man Haron Monis, in closed hearings.

An investigation is underway into a house fire at Shortland.

Hydro Aluminium says a planning proposal to rezone land at Kurri Kurri for residential, employment and environmental purposes is an important step forward in returning prosperity to the area.

Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted armed robbery at Thornton.

The Barrington Tops Tasmanian Devil project will achieve a significant milestone this week when its first load of devils are moved back to Tasmania.

The classic Australian song I Was Only 19, about the plight of returned Vietnam soldiers, is added to the Sounds of Australia registry alongside nine other tracks that contributed to Australia's identity.

Easter Sunday is made a public holiday in the ACT, after a bill put forward by the Government receives unanimous support in the Legislative Assembly.

Fire crews in Western Australia will be trying to get into bushfire-affected areas around Esperance today to check on reports up to four people have died. The two most serious bushfires are burning at Grass Patch, north of Esperance, and Stockyard Creek, east of the town.

An operation involving a man on the loose at the Robertson Army Barracks in Darwin has been safely resolved, Northern Territory police say.

Fast-moving, out-of-control bushfires threaten lives and homes in the Esperance region in southern Western Australia.

A man is on the loose near the Robertson Army Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory police say.

Steel workers in the Illawarra have voted to ratify a new enterprise agreement and forfeit working conditions, to keep BlueScope's Port Kembla plant open.

A group of men caught driving motorised picnic tables along the roads of the Scarborough Beach area fail to amuse Western Australia Police.

Mitchell Johnson will look back on his career with pride - especially his comeback from injury which nearly cast him out of the Test team forever - after wrapping up his Test cricket tenure at the WACA.

A Perth local council is under fire for using ratepayers' money to buy two luxury cars, one for the Mayor and the other for the chief executive.

Fast-moving, out-of-control bushfires threaten lives and homes in the Esperance region in southern Western Australia.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles must "come clean" about any deals struck with independent MLA Larisa Lee in exchange for her support in stifling debate in Parliament over controversial Government advertisements, fellow Independent MP Kezia Purick says.

An air and land search is underway for a Townsville man who failed to return after the vehicle he was travelling in broke down in isolated and rugged bushland.

The second Test may have fizzled to a draw on the final day at the WACA, but Mitchell Johnson bowed out of Test cricket in style with two wickets in the final session.

A Queensland man who took selfies with an echidna stolen from a Gold Coast wildlife sanctuary pleads guilty in court.

Mitchell Johnson takes two wickets in his final session of Test cricket, as the second Test ends in a draw. Look back on how the action unfolded in Grandstand's live blog.