Sydney news

Queensland star Johnathan Thurston believes it would be unfair for NSW rookie Wade Graham to be robbed of a State of Origin debut for his high tackle on him - but says it was still a bad shot.

Landmarks across Canberra shine in rainbow colours in a show of solidarity after a deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.

Donna Stephan has the weight of her wombats' world on her shoulders at the Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary.

Some flood-affected Tasmanian farmers want to hear federal climate change policy being debated during the election campaign.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon accuses the major parties in South Australia of colluding to deny his candidates victories in local seats.

The retired Hunter Valley policeman who raised concerns about missing boys' home documents is relieved records have been found, but alarmed he was not told about them.

Having a mosque at the local university is helping international students to feel at home in a new country.

Today's Queensland budget will reveal what the Palaszczuk Government plans to do with money it is taking from the public servants' superannuation fund.

Cronulla back rower Wade Graham is named in New South Wales's team for State Of Origin II shortly after a high shot on Johnathan Thurston as the Sharks beat the Cowboys.

A hunt for one of the state's most significant paddle steamers and more than two dozen other historic wrecks will begin today along the River Murray.

A Vote Compass analysis has found Australia's most left-leaning electorate is the Melbourne seat of Batman, while Queensland is home to the most right-leaning voters in the seat of Maranoa. We found out what drives the political inclination of these two seats, and the issues that matter most on polling day.

Cronulla back rower Wade Graham is named in New South Wales's team for State Of Origin II shortly after being placed on report for a high shot as the Sharks beat the Cowboys.

The Federal Government says it will match the amount of money donated for the Big Freeze 2 campaign to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, bringing the amount raised to well over $4 million.

NT Opposition Leader Michael Gunner struggles to explain how he knew Labor had no involvement in a sex video scandal that is engulfing the former Northern Territory Sports Minister Nathan Barrett, as acknowledges he has not asked any of his members about it outright.

A man who held two others hostage and made threats with what he claimed to be a homemade gun at a house in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, is in custody after surrendering to police.

Indigenous children from across the country take centre stage in Melbourne to perform songs in their native language alongside acclaimed Indigenous singer-songwriter, Archie Roach.

The head of Citic Pacific Mining dismisses suggestions the company's Sino Iron project in the Pilbara is a financial disaster and is confident the project will deliver a premium product.

An injured abseiler and his fellow climber are rescued after spending the night on a mountain ledge in the Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran in central northern New South Wales.

Transgender musician Anohni describes the proponents of a uranium mine in Western Australia's Pilbara as "desolate souls" after taking part in a protest march to the site of the proposed project.

Fans have waited more than 30 years for Culture Club to return to Australia. Was it worth the wait?

North Queensland farmers are concerned the concessional loans scheme will hurt them, while some conservation experts say the clean energy program needs to be better targeted. The announcement has also sparked criticism from Queensland politicians, who say the fund is not adequate enough to fix the reef.

The future of the Liberal candidate for the Western Australian seat of Midland is up in the air, with the party stopping short of throwing its support behind him after a pair of social media controversies.

Electricity workers should have the power to enter private properties in South Australia to inspect potentially hazardous trees in bushfire risk zones without the permission of landowners, the State Government says.

Western Australia's internationally renowned Margaret River wine region is commonly chalked up as a place of wealth, opulence and culinary excellence. But there's an underbelly of poor and homeless locals who go unnoticed. A group of residents have banded together to see what they can do to create change.

Max Gawn stars as Melbourne kicks clear of Collingwood in the last quarter for a big Queen's Birthday win.

The West Coast Eagles' top-four hopes are dealt a massive setback with ruckman Nic Naitanui to undergo Achilles surgery and miss the next six to eight weeks.

A Russian hot air balloon support crew says it could miss a vital window to break a world record because equipment has yet to clear customs in Perth.

A $17 million centre with the largest living green wall in the southern hemisphere opens at the Royal Botanic Garden as part of celebrations of its bicentenary.

Young rodeo champion Ella Mitchell will this month travel from Esperance to the United States to compete on the international stage with the world's best young rodeo talent.

The NRL bunker produces one of the most vexing decisions in recent memory as Canterbury runs away from the Dragons.

Forestry workers in Western Australia are still using the herbicide glyphosate despite the chemical's safety being under review by the national regulator.

Brother John May is made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his dedication to producing Clare Valley wine.

The best June rain in more than 10 years has fallen on parched ground around Longreach and Barcaldine in central-west Queensland.

Volunteer firefighters in Victoria are being urged not to leave the Country Fire Authority and start up their own brigades over a controversial workplace agreement as former Supreme Court judge Jack Rush QC says the deal is "highly unsatisfactory"

A $1 billion plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef, announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, is light on detail, Canegrowers says.

Over 100 years after the Kimberley's popular Geikie Gorge tourist destination was named after a Scottish geologist, plans are underway to change the name back to its Indigenous name of Darngku.

The West Australian Government faces questions over its inability to secure federal funding for the new Perth Stadium, after both sides of politics promised major support for a Townsville venue.

Sammy J meets Malaysian political cartoonist Zunar, and Tony Atkinson who served as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II.

Northern Territory Police urge people not to take the law into their own hands after a Facebook post bragging about an apparent abduction of a would-be thief in Palmerston went viral.

Christopher Carkeek denies causing the death of his neighbour who died after an angry and physical confrontation with him over loud music.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters embraces the "favourites" tag despite being forced to recall Jacob Lillyman after losing Nate Myles to injury for State Of Origin II.

Pressure mounts on the Liberal Party's candidate for the marginal state seat of Midland, after he attracted more controversy over his comments on social media.

The WA Nationals say the latest preference deal between the Liberals and the ALP is a deliberate attempt to marginalise regional seats.

A man armed with what he claims is a homemade gun releases two hostages from a property in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane.

A 46-year-old man appears in court accused of killing another man during a fight in Tasmania's Central Highlands.

Broken Hill residents and businesses are briefed about plans for a new magnetite iron ore mine.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is making his pitch to voters in North Queensland today, promising to invest $1 billion over 10 years to protect one of Australia's most treasured landmarksthe Great Barrier Reef.

A Warrnambool Cheese and Butter supplier says he will focus on reducing costs as he faces a new season milk price below the cost of production.

Perth educational psychologist Mandy Nayton is recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours for her work in children's literacy, in particular helping kids overcome dyslexia.

One of Australia's largest private companies employing Indigenous workers says its continuing to grow despite the mining downturn.