Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged a significant crackdown on hate speech, introducing new federal laws and increased penalties in response to the recent Bondi Beach terror attack that claimed 15 lives. The announcement coincided with the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack.
Waverley Council has announced the cancellation of all New Year's Eve events at Bondi Beach, including the planned 'elrow XXL Bondi' festival and 'Local's Lawn' family zone. The decision comes in the wake of a mass shooting terror attack on December 14, 2025, which resulted in 15 deaths and numerous injuries at the iconic beach.
Australia's federal budget is projected to be $5.4 billion better off for the current financial year, as revealed in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Concurrently, major banks CBA and NAB have shifted their forecasts, now predicting the Reserve Bank of Australia will implement an interest rate increase as early as February 2026, citing persistent inflation and stronger economic growth.
World leaders, including those from Australia, Israel, the UK, and France, have vehemently condemned the antisemitic terror attack that occurred at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on December 14, 2025. The shooting, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration, resulted in 16 deaths and 43 injuries, and has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
A mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach has left 16 people dead and 42 injured. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack, targeting the Jewish community. Two gunmen, a father and son, were involved.
A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to obtain suppression orders and manage criminal cases away from public scrutiny in Victoria, Australia, has been exposed. The revelation has ignited debate over transparency and the integrity of the state's justice system, particularly concerning the increasing use of such orders.
A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to obtain suppression orders and engage with police to keep criminal cases out of public view has been revealed in Victoria, Australia. The exposure, linked to a high-profile rape conviction, has ignited debate over judicial transparency and the increasing use of suppression orders, particularly those based on mental health grounds.
The application of legal mechanisms for suppressing criminal cases in Victoria, primarily suppression orders, has come under increased scrutiny, raising significant concerns about transparency and the integrity of the justice system. Debates continue regarding the balance between open justice and the protection of sensitive information.
A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to suppress criminal cases in Victoria has been exposed, intensifying concerns over judicial transparency and the state's justice system. The guide reportedly details tactics for obtaining suppression orders, including leveraging mental health arguments, amidst a rising number of such orders in the state.
New South Wales Police have rolled out 'Operation Percentile' across the state, a comprehensive strategy targeting retail crime, including theft, assaults, and intimidation. The initiative, which follows a successful pilot, aims to enhance safety for workers and customers while disrupting recidivist offenders.
Australian states and territories have unanimously rejected the federal government's latest hospital funding offer, totaling $21 billion over five years, citing it as insufficient to meet growing healthcare demands. The decision exacerbates concerns over 'bed block,' with over 3,000 aged care patients reportedly stranded in public hospitals.
Four French nationals are facing charges in Australia after an alleged targeted burglary in Canberra resulted in the theft of over 70 luxury items, including high-value watches and jewellery, estimated at $10 million. Police described the sophisticated operation as 'something like a movie,' with some items recovered and others still missing.
New South Wales is implementing significant toll reforms, including a permanent $60 weekly toll cap for private vehicles, effective since January 1, 2024. To fund this, two-way tolling will be reintroduced on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel from late 2028, coinciding with the Western Harbour Tunnel's opening. Additionally, toll road administration fees will be abolished by mid-2026, aiming to provide substantial cost-of-living relief for motorists.
Rajwinder Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 25 years for the brutal 2018 murder of Toyah Cordingley on Wangetti Beach, Queensland. Singh fled to India the day after the crime and was extradited to Australia in 2023 following a $1 million reward.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained the official cash rate at 3.6% following its final monetary policy meeting of 2025. This widely anticipated decision comes as recent inflation figures remain above the RBA's target band, despite signs of economic recovery and a cooling labour market in Australia.
A male motorcyclist has died following a crash on Park Road in Auburn, Sydney's west, late Sunday night. Emergency services responded after the motorcycle collided with a power pole. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Australia has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior Taliban officials, including three ministers and the chief justice. The measures, effective December 6, 2025, target individuals deemed responsible for the severe oppression of Afghan women and girls, particularly concerning their rights to education, employment, and public life, under Australia's new autonomous sanctions framework.
A significant 688-hectare reforestation project has been initiated at Talia Station on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula by Land Life and Carbon2Nature Australia. The initiative aims to restore critically endangered native woodlands, generate approximately 114,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units, and foster cultural reconnection with Traditional Owners.
Australian household spending saw a significant 1.3% increase in October 2025, marking the largest monthly rise since January 2024. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates the surge was primarily fueled by discretionary spending on goods like clothing and electronics, alongside a robust performance in the hospitality sector, including hotels, cafes, and restaurants. This upswing surpassed market expectations and has implications for future economic policy.
The Australian Government has announced an additional investment of $41.7 million over three years to bolster efforts aimed at eliminating HIV transmission in Australia by 2030. This funding will support awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment initiatives, building on the nation's existing strategies.
