Sydney news

A common bacteria kills up to 16 critically endangered orange-bellied parrots at a captive breeding centre in Hobart, in what the environment department labels "a heartbreaking start to the new year".

The three-month-old victim of Melbourne's Bourke Street rampage is identified as Zachary Bryant, a "beautiful, loving, happy and perfect little baby" who his family say was the light of their lives.

As the mercury soars past 40 degrees Celsius in Sydney, spare a thought for the people of Moree, who are in the midst of a 27-day heatwave that has smashed records in New South Wales.

A Newcastle woman takes a leading role in fundraising for the community after the death of her son.

Did you know Australian pearl farms, every now and then, produce an elusive golden pearl?

For the third year in a row, the Big Bash finals will not feature the purple team from Hobart, but the team insists it is not time for an overhaul of the playing roster.

Australia's film and television union says it will take a fresh look at safety for the entire industry after a man was shot dead during the filming of a music video for Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso in Brisbane's CBD.

Spain's Rafael Nadal foils a comeback by sixth-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils to book an Australian Open quarter-final berth.

Canada's third seed Milos Raonic's tilt at the Australian Open title remains on track after a fourth-round win over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

The three-month-old victim of Melbourne's Bourke Street rampage is identified as Zachary Bryant, a "beautiful, loving, happy and perfect little baby" who his family say was the light of their lives.

Thousands of people gather in Melbourne's Federation Square to mourn victims of the Bourke Street car rampage, with a witness asking the crowd to now focus on how the community has come together in the wake of the attack.

A foreign policy expert says a top secret CIA document from the end of the Cold War shows just how likely it is that the Northern Territory's Pine Gap joint spy base could be a target.

Australia's big-hitting Test opener David Warner wins his second straight Allan Border Medal, while Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning wins the Belinda Clark award for the third time.

Gold Coast actor Johann Ofner is killed after being shot in the chest during filming of a music video for Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso in Brisbane's CBD.

Australia's last local hope Daria Gavrilova is out at Melbourne Park, losing 6-3, 6-3 to fifth seed Karolina Pliskova.

Sunday night's PJ Harvey show in Melbourne left the crowd in awe, on their feet, charged with the power of a truly transformative show, writes Will Huxley.

North Melbourne Football Club player Trent Dumont faces trial after being accused of pushing over a taxi driver in Adelaide, holding him to the ground and stealing $70.

The Victorian Government has announced a shake-up of the state's bail laws after it was revealed the man who allegedly drove his car at pedestrians last Friday was put back on the streets only six days before.

Classical music's bad boy, Nigel Kennedy, returns to Australia.

Gladys Berejiklian today became Premier of NSW after being elected unopposed by the Liberal partyroom.

Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin advance to quarter-finals, with the Bulgarian ending the Australian Open run of Denis Istomin.

Sunday night's PJ Harvey show in Melbourne left the crowd in awe, on their feet, charged with the power of a truly transformative show, writes Will Huxley.

AFL star Patrick Dangerfield enlists some high profile help for a social media post announcing his impending fatherhood.

A man in his 20s dies after being shot in the chest during filming of a music video for Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso in Brisbane's CBD.

The Queensland Government backs down from one of its signature policies and will not enforce a 1:00am nightclub lockout that was due to start next week, the state's Attorney-General says.

A bushfire warning is downgraded in the Albany suburbs of Orana and Milpara, in Western Australia's Great Southern.

The Queensland Cabinet has dumped the state's controversial lockout laws, despite it being an election promise. Parliament passed the law for 1am lockouts last year, and they were to start next week. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education says politicians have been bought off by alcohol industry donations.

WA's Cat Haven re-homed more than 5,500 cats last yearmore than ever beforebut carers say there are hundreds more still looking for homes.

The Victorian Government has begun what it's calling a major shakeup of the state's bail system. A man on bail killed five people and injured dozens more in the CBD last Friday. Some involved are still fighting for life in hospital.

The head of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau says the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines flight is likely north of the area where the search is now suspended, but the Australian Transport Minister says no one knows for sure.

David Goffin goes through to his second grand slam quarter-final, defeating Dominic Thiem in four sets at the Australian Open.

One of South Australia's biggest wine-producing regions experiences a delayed harvest, but despite the slow start winemakers are predicting a bumper crop this season.

The Queensland Government backs down from one of its signature policies and will not enforce a 1:00am nightclub lockout that was due to start next week, the state's Attorney-General says.

The man accused of killing five people and injuring dozens of pedestrians during a rampage through Melbourne's CBD is charged with five counts of murder.

An emergency warning is issued for a bushfire threatening lives and homes in the Albany suburbs of Orana and Milpara, in Western Australia's Great Southern.

Crime in Townsville is set to become a political football in north Queensland with no sign the problem is going away.

A man in his 20s dies after being shot in the chest during filming of a music video for Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso in Brisbane's CBD.

The condition of 1,500 bridge structures across South Australia will be reviewed following structural problems with a tram overpass forcing the partial closure of South Road last week.

A father and son who both have Tourette Syndrome say it is time to put and end to the stigma surrounding the disorder.

A Queensland citrus grower takes on the extraordinary challenge of helping develop a brand new citrus industry in the South-East Asian nation of Laos.

Soils trampled by thousands of troops that left to fight in World War One from South Australia will feature in a new memorial garden project at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The fish with the most fight could be the first to die as water temperatures rise on the Great Barrier Reef, researchers find.

A far north Queensland man whose passion for adventure landed him in a wheelchair is training for one of the toughest open water swims in Queensland.

West Australians snatch up sought after crustacean in trial designed to drive up access to lobster.

A truck driver who allegedly rammed a hatchback then reversed over it during a road rage incident in Adelaide at the weekend is granted bail.

A man in his 20s dies after being shot in the chest on a film set at Brisbane CBD's Eagle Lane, according to police.

Forty years on from the first sighting in Western Australia, authorities continue to battle the European wasp as nest discoveries double in recent years.

Outraged residents of John Barilaro's seat of Monaro say he will pay the price for supporting the forced amalgamation of the councils in his own electorate.

Country racing enthusiasts roll up to the annual thoroughbred yearling sale at Dubbo to buy a stake in the Australian racing industry.

SafeWork NSW cracks down on the illegal sale of fireworks through social media in the lead up to Australia Day.