Sydney news

Perth's public ferry services are due to face their first peak-hour test since moving to the new Elizabeth Quay precinct.

Melbourne police say they have smashed a drug ring after arresting 10 people, including the alleged head of the syndicate.

Storm wreaks havoc in the Lower Clarence River village of Palmers Island.

More than 650 beds are announced by the New South Wales Government for two of the state's jails as it deals with a record number of inmates.

Damage to dryland cotton crops is expected to be extensive after a super cell storm tore through a small area of north west NSW.

A truck rollover on the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets causes traffic chaos in Melbourne this morning.

There are delays across parts of the Regional Express network, as pilots at the airline take industrial action.

The group representing independent retailers says big business is running a scare campaign to scuttle competition law reform.

The South Australian Government will consider a call by Greens leader Mark Parnell to reintroduce free public transport for school children.

Forty-five young regional Australians converge on Canberra for the annual ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit with high aims to start change.

A 69-year-old man is arrested after another man is shot in the chest at a public park in Moe in Victoria's south-east.

The Mayor of the Blayney Shire Council, Scott Ferguson, remains optimistic about the long-term future of mining in the Cadia Valley.

The father of a seriously ill NSW teenager who had an unsuccessful operation for a congenital heart defect says he is overwhelmed at the outpouring of support to help fly his daughter back to Australia.

Shane Watson's stunning SCG century and his familiarity with India make him a chance to open for Australia at the World T20, writes Geoff Lemon.

A local government expert says the Council Boundary Review into proposed council mergers in New South Wales is a "pretend consultation period".

Candidates from both sides of politics in the federal electorate of Eden-Monaro are opposed to the proposed merger of the Tumut and Tumbarumba shires in southern New South Wales.

A new patrol boat to tackle illegal fishing inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is taking to the waters off Gladstone in Central Queensland.

There are calls for more funding for security at two of the Hunter's biggest hospitals, at a time when union officials have grave fears about nurses being prone to increased attacks.

There are renewed warnings over the use of synthetic drugs after the death of a teenager in the New South Wales Hunter Valley who had consumed synthetic cannabis.

The Hunter Valley's peak business lobby group is backing a local mine continuation project at a time when scores of jobs are being cut, amid a global downturn.

A fine furniture exhibition in Hobart sets out to prove that tree farms can produce good wood for the high-end craft industry.

Researchers are investigating environmental damage caused by deep sea anchors on the ocean floor near the Port of Newcastle.

A $100 million hydroponic cucumber farm is set to create 350 ongoing jobs in the gold mining town of Stawell, in western Victoria.

A man is arrested after another man is shot in the chest at a public park in Moe in Victoria's south-east.

Four teenagers lost in the ACT bush are rescued after downloading an emergency app that allowed authorities to pinpoint their location.

Conservationists accuse the Tasmanian Government of being deceptive about Freycinet National Park changes, saying they will allow more building developments than the current proposed cabin expansions.

Cy Walsh is expected to face court again today over the killing of his father, former Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh.

Novak Djokovic is still keen to stay clear of the chasing pack after sealing a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a win over Andy Murray.

One of Asia's biggest unregulated bookmakersan alleged organised crime figure with links to Australia and Melbourne's Crown Casinois identified by law enforcement as a potential threat to the integrity of sport across the country.

Police say they have smashed a drug ring after arresting 10 people in Melbourne, including the alleged head of the syndicate.

If the walls of the Press Gallery could talk, they would tell almost as many yarns as have been written within them.

The Big Fish is the most comprehensive fishing program in NSW with tips and yarns from the moutains to the sea. Featuring the best fishermen and fisherwomen in the state.

A gripping story that turns everything you think you know about the design of the Sydney Opera House on its head.

Floodwaters are now the main concern for residents across Western Australia's Pilbara, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Stan continues to move east through the region.

India completes a clean sweet of the three-match T20 series against Australia with a last-ball win at the SCG.

For asylum seekers, the sea can be something to fear. But on Sydney's lower North Shore on Sunday, scores of refugees discovered it can be a lot of fun.

A dominant Novak Djokovic is too good for Andy Murray in another major final, winning his sixth Australian Open crown in straight sets.

More Volkswagen drivers say they were left angry and scared after their cars suddenly lost power while they were driving them.

India completes a clean sweet of the three-match T20 series against Australia with a last-ball win at the SCG.

Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open title for a sixth time, beating Andy Murray in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.

A dominant Novak Djokovic is too good for Andy Murray in another major final, winning his sixth Australian Open crown in straight sets.

In the search for hidden tunnels under Canberra, the ABC discovers hidden doors, spy-proof bunkers and tunnels with strong ties to the urban legends that have been around for decades.

Newly unearthed recordings lay bare the anguish of Peter Hall - the Australian architect who completed the Opera House after Jorn Utzon's controversial resignation, only to die destitute and alcoholic.

Hundreds of sausage dogs in fancy dress have delighted crowds at this year's Bungendore Show, as part of the inaugural Werriwa Wiener Dash.

More Volkswagen drivers come forward, producing information that calls into question what the carmaker told a coronial investigation into the death of Melbourne woman Melissa Ryan.

Adelaide United edges the Newcastle Jets 1-0 to consolidate its spot in the A-League top six.

Floodwaters and damaging wind gusts are now the main concern for residents across Western Australia's Pilbara, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Stan continues to move east through the region.

Follow our live blog as Novak Djokovic faces off against Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open for the fourth time.

Peter Kennaugh hopes his barnstorming win at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Rd race earns him a bigger role in the powerful Sky cycling team.

BlazeAid volunteers, who are helping farmers clean up and fence kilometres of land after the Pinery bushfire in South Australia, raise $120,000 to rebuild fire-damaged fences.