Sydney news

Brisbane man Steve Humphreys devotes his year to seeking out the city's best meat pie, following his 2015 search for the best parmigiana.

Christmas for one South Australian high school student was ruined after Centrelink cut her payments without notice. But after her local MP stepped in, her allowances were reinstated.

A beautiful and bearded mistress leads six other members from The Briefs Factory in a cabaret of incredible group and individual performances.

Why do countries including Russia, Ukraine, Serbia and Ethiopia celebrate Christmas on January 7?

There are fears a shortage of doctors in small rural communities could put their survivability in question, with residents travelling away for basic services.

The Strikers keep their Big Bash League finals hopes alive, inflicting swift redemption on the Hobart Hurricanes with a five-wicket win at Adelaide Oval.

Ivan Franjic's wonder goal gives Melbourne City a much-needed 1-0 A-League win over 10-man Western Sydney in sweltering conditions.

Organisers pledge to ensure the security of patrons as the popular Falls Festival arrives in Fremantle following a crowd stampede in Victoria and sexual assault incidents at the Tasmanian event.

A major intersection in Melbourne's CBD, closed after the discovery of a "suspicious" bag, is reopened after police find nothing of concern.

Physical culture, also known as 'physie', is celebrating its 125th year and thanks to social media it's attracting new fans.

Max Mason wakes to a now familiar "cold, slithering feeling" as a carpet python, which visited earlier this week, crawls across his neck as he lays in bed at home in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot.

The mother of executed Bali Nine drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran wants her son's artwork to travel the world as a powerful anti-death penalty message.

A dangerous animals warning is issued for swimmers along Victoria's coast after sightings of six great white sharks, forcing the closure of Fairhaven beach.

Pakistan veteran Younis Khan may have belted Australia's bowlers to all corners of the SCG in the third Test, but he has some kind words for pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood.

A suspicious bag prompts the closure of a major intersection in Melbourne's CBD, with authorities cordoning off an area and conducting safety checks.

Two men face a string of charges after police find drugs, jewellery, cash and a gun which posed "a great threat to the community" in a car.

The mother of executed Bali Nine drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran wants her son's artwork to travel the world as a powerful anti-death penalty message.

Australia defies the rain and the temptation to enforce the follow-on to make a quickfire innings and put itself in contention for a whitewash series win over Pakistan.

There is deepening confusion over claims a Labor decision to axe Roe 8 would cost more than 3,000 jobs, with Liza Harvey directly contradicting Mike Nahan.

New South Wales Police and the state's Attorney-General welcome plans to appeal against a reduced prison sentence for a man convicted of the murder of a police officer.

A 30-year-old man dies in hospital the day after falling off the back of a ute at the Summernats car festival in Canberra.

Pakistan reaches 1-55 at stumps on day four, with 410 more runs needed for victory. Look back at how all the action unfolded in our live blog.

Queensland Health confirms a sixth case of meningococcal disease detected in the space of a week, this time in Toowoomba.

A proposal to convert potentially toxic ash dust at Port Augusta into building blocks and pavers could create hundreds of jobs, senator Nick Xenophon says.

WA Labor pledges to toughen sentencing conditions for violent offenders, outlaw revenge porn, and to introduce "no body, no parole" laws for convicted murders if it wins the state election.

Woollahra Council, in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs, steps up its fight against forced amalgamations by lodging a High Court appeal.

A fourth suspect is charged with the murder of a man in Adelaide's south, after three others appeared in court this week.

The Australian Oilseeds Federation is looking at options to market canola oil as a fit-for-purpose product in the hope it will boost sales.

Five Gympie residents facing dozens of charges appear in court in the wake of a senior police officer being hit by a car fleeing a robbery in Cooroy.

The family of a cyclist killed in a hit-and-run in Darwin describe the man as a loyal, selfless friend and brother who would give someone his last $10 if asked.

The organisers of Sydney Festival's "The Beach at the Cutaway" hope the cricket ball-sized spheres will provide the public with just as much fun as a swim in the city's most iconic beacheswithout the rips, sharks or blue bottle jellyfish.

Get ABC Radio Darwin's e-newsletter

Thomas Dover wakes from a coma and is taken off life support after being hit from behind and critically injured in Surfers Paradise in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Just over a year ago a fierce blaze tore through the Victorian coastal hamlets of Wye River and Separation Creek, destroying 116 houses. Residents have begun rebuilding, but one planning expert thinks they should be stopped.

An accountant who served as the president of a central Queensland sporting club has been charged with defrauding the club of almost $500,000.

Emergency services are bracing for dangerous fire conditions across South Australia tomorrow as the state continues to sizzle through a heatwave.

Residents in the remote north-west Queensland community of Gregory have been without landline phone access for the past couple of days.

A man is helping police with their inquiries after three snakes were sent through the post in New South Wales.

A warning is issued for swimmers along Victoria's coast after sightings of a 3.5-metre-long Great White shark, forcing the closure of Fairhaven beach.

The parents of teenager Wesley Ballentine pay tribute to their son after he died in a workplace accident in Perth's central business district, with his father saying he was "taken too soon".

The Essendon Football Club offers its support to former coach and player James Hird, after he was hospitalised following a suspected overdose.

Former 612 ABC Brisbane presenter Spencer Howson announces he is leaving the public broadcaster, almost two months after he stepped down from his popular Breakfast program after more than a decade.

The RSPCA says it is still receiving daily calls about dogs being left in cars on hot days despite warnings they can die within six minutes from the heat.

For the second time in the SCG Test, David Warner has demolished Pakistan's bowlers to record-breaking effect.

From living rough on the streets to daily swims with local dolphins, a former stray dog is now enjoying life on land and in the water.

Channel Ten's David Barham says Brisbane Heat star Chris Lynn's smashing performances are driving huge audiences for this year's Big Bash.

Canberrans donate more than $34,000 to help keep a long-running soup kitchen open after its 91-year-old founder is hurt in an accident that totalled her car.

North Queensland police charge two men with possessing a semi-automatic rifle fitted with a silencer after being spotted in a parked car on the Bruce Highway.

The Barton Highway, which has been voted one of the worst stretches of road in NSW, will receive a raft of upgrades after the federal and NSW governments agreed on a strategy, however residents pushing for a duplication will likely be disappointed.

A pioneer of the Tasmanian Pacific oyster industry forges links with Japan to grow the industries of both countries.