Sydney news

A new frontier of potential rorting is emerging in the troubled private vocational training sector, with unions and employers raising concerns about trainers' so-called "ticking and flicking" of qualifications.

The West Coast Eagles heap more misery on struggling Richmond, handing out a 68-point Friday night thumping at Subiaco Oval.

A driver dies in a traffic crash after their vehicle crossed to the wrong side of the road and hit an oncoming car on the Great Southern Highway near Wagin.

Thomas Broich's stoppage-time header sends Brisbane Roar through to an A-League semi-final in a tight and tense 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at Lang Park.

New Zealand fly half Beauden Barrett scores two tries as the Hurricanes humble the Melbourne Rebels 38-13 at AAMI Park.

North Queensland runs rings around South Sydney in Townsville, winning their clash 44-18 in another dominant display on home turf.

Badgerys Creek residents continue to wait for an answer after their appeal to stay on their land concluded without a final decision in a Sydney court today.

An elderly man who attempted to rape a teenager more than 30 years ago pleads not guilty in a Darwin court to setting up a deadly mantrap at the time police were investigating him.

Police launch an internal investigation into why an eight-year-old Aboriginal boy was allegedly left unattended in a police paddy wagon for two hours in northern NSW.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi defends her long-running disaster relief fund, after criticism it is taking too long to help those affected by the Yarloop bushfire.

Oil and gas company Linc Energy is placed into voluntary administration.

The prospect of a taxpayer-funded package to try to keep the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia operating is discussed at talks between the State Government and the Arrium administrator.

At-risk Aboriginal youth are heading to a suicide prevention conference following a spate of deaths in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Australia Post's delivery drone drops off its first package in a closed-field trial in Melbourne, and a real-life trial may be held with dozens of regional households later this year.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is expected to deliver his first budget just days before the election is called. But that same week, the High Court will be hearing a challenge to the voting laws that will be used for that poll.

Protesters march through the Perth CBD to mark 25 years on from a royal commission they say has not done enough to prevent Aboriginal deaths in custody.

Embattled Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones loses an application to include new evidence in his court fight to keep his job.

Meet the young people who have called the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service Youth Shelter (TAIHS) home and are now turning their lives around.

The wife of a Rockhampton snake catcher who died after a venomous bite says she is supportive of her two children working in the profession.

The Federal Government has announced it is extending its financial assistance to those affected by the chemical contamination crisis at Williamtown's Air Force base.

The country has thrown up some of the greatest names in the AFL game.

The best way to end the working week. This week's panel were Dan Ilic, Jennifer Wong and Subby Valentine.

Science cannot prove Dr David Rendell's lifelong exposure to farm chemicals caused his Parkinson's disease, nor can it provide any reason to dampen his life ambitions.

A plant producing a major component of the product used in mining explosives has begun testing its systems with an eye to begin full production later this year.

"I had no time to duck, no time to dodge, no time to escape."

Gary Brabham, the son of motor racing champion Sir Jack, is sentenced to more than two yearsin jail for the rape and indecent assault of a eight-year-old girl.

A teenage boy who punched a police officer at Whyalla to escape from custody should be sentenced as an adult, a prosecutor tells an Adelaide magistrate.

Outback Queensland is full of colourful characters and Ilfracombe's oldest resident, 89-year-old collector Hilton Jackson, is no exception.

A plant producing a major component of the product used in mining explosives has begun testing its systems with an eye to begin full production later this year.

Twenty-eight-year-old Sarah Hocking, who became blind after surgery to remove tumours from her eyes, shares her experience with others through a blog.

Sydney maths tutor Quy Huy Hoang is sentenced to 24 yearsin prison for molesting young children between the ages of three and seven, from three separate families.

Embattled Canberra Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones loses an application to include new evidence in his court fight to keep his job.

The Gold Coast considers introducing wheelchair-accessible products on one of the city's most famous beaches.

Paul Durston is proud to be part of what he calls one of the fastest growing sports in Australiacompetitive barbecuing.

The partner of a woman found with life-threatening head injuries in her inner-Brisbane unit chooses not to cooperate with police.

A man has been sentenced to more than 40 years in jail for murdering a man found bound and gagged in a Newcastle park.

Police launch an internal investigation into why an eight-year-old boy was left unattended in a police paddy wagon for two hours in northern NSW.

The company planning to build one of the world's biggest prawn farms in the Northern Territory says it is looking at ways to accelerate the development.

Australian scientists develop a barley variety that meets World Health Organisation standards of gluten-free.

NSW South Coast train commuters can expect disruptions on Saturday as emergency services undertake a joint training exercise at Kiama.

A man accused of ramming two police cars before speeding away and being pursued by officers through Melbourne's CBD last month is arrested after being on the run for three weeks.

After years of public feuding with the Premier, outspoken Hillarys MP Rob Johnson resigns from the Liberal Party, declaring he is not prepared to be one of the crew onboard "Barnett's Titanic".

Local soccer identities say the cost of playing in the Northern Territory's top-flight soccer league is leading to player shortages and forfeits.

The owner of Tasmania's two casinos, Federal Group, confirms it will go ahead with a luxury hotel at Port Arthur regardless of the future of its gaming monopoly.

A Presbyterian church in Geelong is knocked down after a suspicious fire gutted the building and a nearby hall on Friday morning.

After 70 years of marriage, Eunice and Charlie Slater say they can read each other's minds.

When Scott moved to Sydney he was ready to try all the joys of the big city, but over the next 12 years he was to hit the lowest points he would think possible, and then get lower again.

Clive Palmer says "at no time" did he take money out of Queensland Nickel and he is "not at all" worried about the Federal Government seeking to appoint a special purpose liquidator to pursue him and his companies to recover almost $74 million.

A Perth man is sentenced to 12 years' jail over sexual abuse cases spanning 20 years involving his children and their friends, which a judge says includes the "tragic" and "abject failure" of community institutions.

A program that uses a farm to give young people new skills is changing lives.