Sydney news

Western Australia's Children's Commissioner Colin Petit has interviewed 92 children inside Perth's Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre. He heard overwhelmingly they come from dysfunctional families and many have witnessed violence and drug use at home.

Victoria's Education Minister James Merlino apologises to students and orders an inquiry after a technical glitch caused VCE results to be released five days early.

As WA's alpaca shearing season gathers steam, a family of three hit the road to oblige a growing number of owners before heading of to the United States to do it all again.

A document released through Freedom of Information suggesting Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital be closed is an old document that was rejected early, the State Government says.

Beloved ABC sports commentator and anti-domestic violence campaigner Charlie King wins a Northern Territory human rights award, using the moment to call for an end to family violence over Christmas this year.

A thief tasers a pregnant woman inside her home before stealing two mobile phones and a purse during a break-in at Morphett Vale, south of Adelaide.

A woman who fell from the second floor of an apartment building sparks another emergency at a hospital in western Sydney, after having to be cut from a car.

Australian scientists are mapping grass pollen levels across the country from space, in a bid to develop an early warning system for asthma sufferers on high-danger days.

Australian selector Mark Waugh indicates he will resist the temptation to rush star quick Pat Cummins back for the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba.

Adani might be planning to start construction of its mega coal mine in central Queensland but one energy commentator says big questions remain about whether the project is financially viable or "strategically required".

The policing of a dozen pro and anti-Islam rallies in Victoria this year is estimated to have cost taxpayers $2.3 million, but the actual figure could be higher, Victoria police say.

The recipient of the inaugural Australian Mental Health Prize, nurse and advocate Kim Ryan, says more needs to be done to address the links between physical and mental healthcare.

There is "only a small window of opportunity left" to wipe out the insect that has the potential to be the worst invasive species to ever cross Australia's borders, according to a report obtained by the ABC.

A series of environmental protection orders are issued against a rogue recycling operator whose sites were exposed as a dumping ground for hundreds of thousands of old tyres.

An emergency warning is downgraded for travellers crossing the Nullarbor and Eyre Highway is reopened after a bushfire near Cocklebiddy in Western Australia forced its closure earlier.

A number of Victorian Year 12 students have been able to get their ATAR, subject and study scores five days early because of what appears to be a technical glitch involving the Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre.

The waters of Cockburn Sound south of Perth are being tested for potential contamination by toxic firefighting chemicals used at the HMAS Stirling navy base last decade.

A grassroots group of people affected by disabilities calls for assurances they will not be worse off under a state model of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Indigenous staff at Darwin's Don Dale youth detention centre say their reputations had been unfairly tarnished by the actions of some colleagues but they remain determined to work with the young inmates.

Mel Gibson is awarded the best direction gong at the AACTA Awards for his World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, which picks up the best film prize.

A psychiatric patient's warnings that she tried to kill herselfdays before she actually did sowere treated as "not major" by staff at an Adelaide hospital, an inquest hears.

Liberal candidates are urged by Premier Colin Barnett to use his "rock star" deputy Liza Harvey to boost their election chances as his personal approval rating remains at a record low.

Guests on a day-long cruise, linked to the mysterious death of a 35-year-old man, were "inebriated" and "staggering around" the boat, a Perth court hears.

A former facilitator of the remote work-for-the-dole scheme broke his contract and quit after seeing the daily hardship it brought people.

Bills granting same-sex couples the right to adopt a child and access to surrogacy pass South Australia's Legislative Council, with amendments to be sent to the Lower House.

The mysterious death of a cruise passenger was not related to allegations the owner and skipper illegally sold alcohol on board the charter boat, a court has heard.

There is anecdotal evidence professionals are taking tiny doses of illegal, psychedelic drugs before heading to the office, a WA researcher says.

Protesters storm the AACTA Awards red carpet dressed as sausages, chanting "end the sausage party", appearing to be protesting gender inequality in the film and television industry.

A man who claims he blacked out during a coughing fit before a fatal head-on collision near Murray Bridge was given a perfect bill of health two months prior, the Adelaide court hears.

Kununurra's Kalyn Fletcher is recognised as a woman "on the rise", by Business Women Australia.

Cyclists will no longer have to dismount and pull their bikes up dozens of stairs to get across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

An Aboriginal employment service in the Kimberley says the best Indigenous employment program in years will be lost if the Green Army initiative is axed as reported.

WA Police launch a pre-emptive strike against the traditional summer surge in crime, with a series of integrated operations targeting crime hotspots across Perth.

A psychiatric patient's warnings that she tried to kill herselfdays before she actually did sowere treated as "not major" by staff at an Adelaide hospital, an inquest hears.

Australia's takeover of Norfolk Island's government is sparking deep divisions in the community. The island lost self-rule on July the first, but already there are big questions about the new administration. An internal audit suggested possible conflicts of interest involving some of the senior staff engaging consultants they had connections with, and there have been allegations of censorship of the local radio station.

A former Launceston pathology practice manager who sexually assaulted a child under the pretence he was carrying out medical examinations has been described as "predatory" and sentenced to four years' jail.

The Australian Rugby Union backs Michael Cheika through to the 2019 World Cup, saying the Wallabies coach is not under pressure following the team's worst losing year on record.

Despite being one of the world's most celebrated holidays, there is great difference in how we all celebrate Christmasso how do Maltese people celebrate Christmas?

A man who loves cinemas so much he bought a drive-in theatre at the age of 19 has a business still going strong 16 years later.

The City of Perth is debating how to help CBD retailers attract business over the Christmas and New Year period, amid claims parking in the city is too costly to entice shoppers.

An X-ray for a child, who was suspected of potential non-accidental injuries, was not examined for more than a month at Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centre, a whistleblower claims.

A bone and bone fragments fragments are unearthed at a riverbank near Dubbo where a femur bone has already been found.

Cerdon College in western Sydney is experiencing greater demand for STEM subjects among female students.

A Moonah man is facing attempted murder and arson charges after a $2 million fire destroyed the Peacock mental health facility in North Hobart.

A teenager convicted of planning a terrorist attack in Melbourne's CBD, on a train or at a police station in 2015 is sentenced to seven years in jail.

Canberra-based former journalist Don Abey appeals for return of stolen USB sticks containing the life story he has been working on for four years.

Canberra-based former journalist Don Abey appeals for the return of stolen USB sticks containing the life story he has been working on for four years.

Police in Victoria will get new powers to collect DNA samples and new equipment including body cameras as part of the State Government's law and order blitz to tackle rising crime.

Geelong's Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield says a player strike during the AFL preseason competition next year is a possibility if the league cannot reach a collective bargaining agreement by February.

An emergency warning is issued for travellers crossing the Nullarbor as a bushfire burns 20km south of Cocklebiddy in Western Australia, closing the Eyre Highway.