NEWS.com.au | National Breaking News

Gay marriage debate reignites in parly

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:36:17 GMT

EFFORTS to change Australia's marriage laws to recognise gay couples wed overseas has been defeated in parliament, sparking new debate on the issue.

No wrongdoing on legionnaires news: Wesley

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:19:22 GMT

THE Wesley Hospital's manager says it was not wrong to withhold news that a patient died from legionnaires' disease two years ago.

Gillard must apologise to Indonesia: oppn

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:17:18 GMT

THE federal opposition and the Greens have branded the prime minister's upcoming trip to Indonesia as a desperate attempt to stop the boats.

Political uncertainty a drag on business

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:15:24 GMT

POLITICAL uncertainty has been a drag on the economy this year, and there is still almost three months to polling day.

Unions back PM ahead of final sittings

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:15:20 GMT

THE prime minister has the support of the union movement over Kevin Rudd, as Labor heads to a federal election in three months.

Tragic end for WA man who fell into lagoon

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:33:17 GMT

POLICE from divers have found the body of a man who fell into waters at the Fernhook Falls camp grounds, near Walpole in WA's Great Southern region.

ANZ should keep jobs in Australia: union

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:01:56 GMT

THE union and Victoria's opposition leader says the ANZ bank owes it to its workers to reveal the future of 600 call-centre jobs in Melbourne.

SA premier back same sex bill

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:56:16 GMT

SOUTH Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says the time has come for the state to pass same sex marriage laws.

Rabbits 'strung up by their ears to die'

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:50 GMT

RSPCA inspectors have been shocked after they found rabbits had been strung up by their ears to die in Western Australia

Don't rely on sustained dollar fall: ACCI

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:48 GMT

BUSINESSES hoping for a sustained drop in the Australian dollar could be disappointed, the Australian Chamber fo Commerce and Industry says.

Barnett digs in with his Browse gas vision

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:38 GMT

WA Premier Colin Barnett believes setting aside land for a Kimberley gas project will save future approvals costs.

Manufacturing sector sees rare improvement

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:28 GMT

A FALLING Australian dollar has improved sentiment in the manufacturing sector.

Palmer picks academics as WA candidates

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:18 GMT

THE Palmer United Party has endorsed two WA academics to run for seats in the September 14 federal election.

Geothermal company to drill new well in SA

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:15 GMT

A GEOTHERMAL energy company is about to drill a second well in South Australia's north as it draws close to producing commercial power.

Bill to recognise foreign gay pairs fails

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:06 GMT

THE Senate has voted down a bill to recognise under Australian law the status of same-sex marriages entered overseas.

Princess Mary to help cut Opera House cake

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:55:15 GMT

SYDNEY'S Opera House will have help celebrate its 40th birthday from Denmark's royal couple, who fell in love not far from its iconic silhouette.

Visa crack down put off to next week

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:30:31 GMT

A VOTE on the government's legislation to crack down on 457 skilled migrant visas is unlikely to be taken before next week.

Parolee charged over Sydney sex attack

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:44 GMT

A MAN charged with attempting to sexually assault a woman at a Sydney bus stop was reportedly on parole for a 1990 murder.

PM dividing Australia like Hanson: Abbott

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:41 GMT

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard is deliberately dividing Australia in the same manner as Pauline Hanson says Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

NSW hunting paper 'not kept from minister'

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:30 GMT

PREMIER Barry O'Farrell has rejected claims a report into the state's hunting body is being kept from the environment minister.

Vic Black Saturday buy-back complete

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:28 GMT

PROPERTIES bought under the Victorian government's Black Saturday bushfire buy-back will be offered for sale to neighbours, but will never be built on.

PM's Indonesia visit a 'cover-up': Abbott

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:26 GMT

TONY Abbott has labelled Julia Gillard's upcoming visit to Indonesia as an attempt to "cover up" the government's failure on asylum seekers.

Political uncertainty 'weighs on business'

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:19 GMT

A LEADING business group says the early calling of a federal election date has caused greater uncertainty for business.

NSW govt defends rushing port sell-off

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:23:19 GMT

PRIVATISING the Port of Newcastle is expected to net the government $700 million, with about half of that money to go back to the city for light rail.

League betting scandal case thrown out

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:13:19 GMT

A MAGISTRATE has permanently stayed a case against three rugby league identities accused of taking part in an alleged betting scandal.