Sydney news

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 hits 460 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs.

The ABC caught up with a few people in Western Sydney to find out what they thought about the Immigration Minister's comments about innumerate and illiterate refugees "taking Australian jobs" or remaining unemployed.

The Federal Opposition says it still wants to know why an NBN Co employee took 32 photographs of documents during AFP raids on Labor figures in Melbourne.

Former Hawk Lance Franklin kicks three goals as his Sydney side beats Hawthorn 10.9 (69) to 7.13 (55).

Johnathan Thurston leads the Cowboys back from 12 points down to a 19-18 victory as their rivalry with Brisbane continues with another thriller.

Diaries penned by the mother of a missing Brisbane woman are being examined by cold case detectives, 30 years after the 20-year-old vanished from a roadside after running out of petrol.

The officers' association says funding reforms will allow more officers to be allocated to under-resourced outback areas.

Victoria's Bells Beach is famous amongst the global surfing community, but not much is known of its importance to First Australians.

The redevelopment of an old mine pit near Collie into a major watersports destination remains in limbo, eight years after it was first announced.

The Victorian Government announces a $1.5 million assistance package for dairy farmers who are struggling with sudden cuts to farm gate milk prices, including extra resources for counselling services.

A robot that can conduct abdominal ultrasounds on patients and has an inbuilt system that gives the operator the sense of touch is developed by Victorian scientists.

The WA Treasurer says he "hopes and trusts" Colin Barnett will remain Premier for a long time to come, amid speculation about the Liberal leadership.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds are used to setting records, but they face an unwanted one if they fail to win their next two matches after starting the season with six consecutive losses.

A carnival worker who was thought to have been electrocuted on a dodgem cars ride is likely to have died from a medical condition, police say.

The former Labor candidate for the troubled federal seat of Fremantle vows to clear his name and is still considering his legal options.

Kyle Chalmers has burst on to the swimming scene, beating out former world champion James Magnussen for a ticket to Rio, but he still has one eye on his first sporting passion.

A former dairy farmer running as a Nick Xenophon Team candidate is at odds with the party's leader on how to deal with plummeting milk prices.

A Perth man who was arrested during an investigation into a paedophile ring is sentenced to 27 months' jail for using an internet chat room to get young girls to engage in sexual behaviour.

A dolphin and her calf are found dead in Perth's Swan River but early examination indicates it had not come into contact with humans.

Agricultural worker Ryan Jellesma, who is following the same seasonal trail as foreign backpackers, says taxing them more harshly is self-defeating.

SA Health says it will continue to monitor a bean sprout business responsible for salmonella cases until the shoots are determined "safe for consumption".

A senior Gold Coast police officer, who was stood down for leaking CCTV footage to the media, asks a magistrate to dismiss a misconduct charge against him.

The best way to end the working week. Live from the Sydney Writers' Festival, this week's panel were Myf Warhurst, Richard Fidler and Rebecca de Unamono.

The headmaster of Sydney private school King's backs away from his defence of a controversial sheep-tackling exercise involving students, saying he is "appalled" by the incident.

Tethering devices at an Adelaide firing range designed to prevent suicides are yet to be approved by police, despite stern criticism from the South Australian coroner.

In what some are seeing as another blow for the NSW regional city of Orange, the Myer store is to close, but new plans have been unveiled for re-using the iconic 1880s building.

Energy Minister Mike Nahan has dismissed opposition calls for an inquiry into claims Horizon Power is overcharging for electricity.

A report into the drinking culture at Australian colleges was so "disturbing" a national working group is set up to tackle the behaviour of students.

Parramatta prop Junior Paulo admits his recent cameo in third-grade rugby union was a "stupid" idea.

A number of shots are fired from a passing car at Kittens strip club in the latest in a series of drive-by shootings at the adult entertainment venue.

A 72-year-old former New South Wales school teacher is accused of sexually abusing two boys five decades ago.

Scans clear New South Wales back Josh Dugan of structural damage to his elbow ahead of the State Of Origin team announcement.

Childcare affordability, paid parental leave, and making ends meet weigh heavily on the minds of mothers in the marginal seat of Capricornia in central Queensland.

The Liberal Party's candidate for the federal seat of Fremantle, Sherry Sufi, resigns from his position in the wake of controversy over past comments he made about same-sex marriage and constitutional recognition.

About 60 jobs will be created for people with a disability through a new contract between services provider Bedford Group and SA Health.

CCTV is released showing a four-wheel drive smashing through the glass doors of a Melbourne shopping centre in an attempted ram raid on a jewellery store.

The Federal Opposition pledges to provide $4 million, if elected, to prevent the closure of a clinic in inner Sydney that provides refuge to the homeless.

A series of major reports to the ACT Government call for a dramatic overhaul in the management of family violence in the territory.

Anthropologist Tess Lea speaks in defence of mosquitoesthe unsung urban planners of her home town, Darwin.

The Federal Government has changed the funding structure of mental health programs

A decade of helping others lands Aboriginal elder Aunty Lillian Burke with a top volunteering award.

Sunwolves back rower Ed Quirk is not experiencing any "bittersweet" feelings about facing his former Queensland Reds team-mates, declaring the visitors are "here to do the job" at Lang Park on Saturday.

Guests Dr Soren Blau and Dr Lyndall Smythe discuss the role forensic evidence plays in crime investigation. Plus cracking down on chiropractors - how is the industry regulated?

A union fears the loss of 30 respite care co-ordinators in Tasmania will make it harder for families to access services.

What do you harvest from your own garden - and how much do you share with birds and animals?

A man who was acquitted of murdering his boyfriend, Matthew Leveson, in 2007 is ordered to give evidence at an inquest into his disappearance - and anything he says will not result in criminal prosecution.

A researcher cataloguing desirable traits of Brahman cattle says the work could improve productivity and profitability for the beef industry.

What has gone wrongwith our dairy industry - why are farmers facing such big losses and leaving the industry?

Tasmania is hosting the Australian National Bonsai Convention for the first time with a large display of tiny plants at Wrest Point this weekend.

Is it idealism that leads young people to groups like ISIS - do our political parties fall short of their needs?