A quip from Don Farrell convinced crossbenchers they'd been 'stitched-up'
Don Farrell insisted he wanted to win the crossbench over to his electoral reform bill. They didn't believe him.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-15/how-electoral-reform-negotiations-played-out/104934306
Major parties rush through scandalously self-serving legislation on election funding
For once, in this parliament, it seemed the government was not just sitting like a hapless duck in the crosshairs of a question time attack.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-15/legislation-on-election-funding-rushed-before-poll/104938806
Staff failures contributed to woman's death in Darwin hospital, coroner finds
The Northern Territory coroner has handed down her findings into the death of a Tiwi Islands woman at Royal Darwin Hospital in 2021, finding staff failures and miscommunications were among the contributing factors.
Sydney's Family Court bomber dies while serving life in jail
Leonard John Warwick, sentenced over three murders and a series of bombings in the 1980s, has died aged 78 at Long Bay Hospital on Friday morning.
Forget The Notebook, try these unconventional Valentine's Day films
A children's action romp, a violent revenge flick, an erotic thriller: these are our favourite films to watch on Valentine's Day that aren't rom-coms.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-14/valentines-day-unconventionally-romantic-films/104932698
In the face of tragedy, this moment may have been the Selwood's most courageous of all
Known for their courage on the field, the Selwood brothers faced up to the Kardinia Park grandstands on Friday and put in their most courageous performance of all.
Police respond as protesters create blockade at Brisbane community garden
A group of "guerilla gardeners" have barricaded themselves in a community garden in response to the Queensland government's attempt to close the site due to contamination concerns.
Independent records most donations in a single day after spending caps pass
Members of the crossbench have recorded a surge in donations as the two major parties rammed through changes to limit the amount politicians and candidates can spend.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-14/independents-donation-spike-electoral-reform/104937430
Major NSW highway closed after motorcyclist dies in crash with school bus
Emergency services are at the scene where a motorcycle and bus collided on the New England Highway about 40 kilometres from Tamworth.
Traffic congestion prompts authorities to take action on illegal driving
Road authorities are urging Canberra drivers to avoid taking illegal and potentially dangerous shortcuts to avoid increased peak hour traffic due to the closure of the western side of London Circuit for light rail construction.
Tourists and security clash in violent brawl outside popular Bali club
Bali police are searching for a group of foreigners, who attacked security guards with wooden planks during a violent brawl outside Finns Beach Club.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/brawl-erupts-at-finns-beach-club-in-bali/104931994
Confectionary is being marketed to parents as nutritious toddler food, report finds
A new report has found that parents are being duped by food manufacturers into buying unhealthy foods for their kids.
Victorian farmers plead for pause on caged egg phase out
Victoria's peak farming body says the conventional caged egg system has been in place since the 1960s and shoppers have come to rely on it.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-02-13/caged-egg-farmers-please-pause-phase-out/104931692
Pantry or fridge? Where to store tomato sauce and other condiments
Keeping tomato sauce in the fridge after opening is the best approach, experts say, even though the food safety risk is relatively low.
Bill Shorten's $300k speechwriter follows him to UC
A speechwriter hired on a $600,000, two-year contract to write speeches for Services Australia and its minister Bill Shorten, has joined him at his new job at the University of Canberra.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/bill-shorten-300k-speechwriter-university-canberra/104931774
PFAS blood results spark NSW residents' demand for widespread testing
Three Blue Mountains residents have received their results from PFAS blood testing, prompting demands for a community-wide study.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/pfas-blue-mountains-blood-testing/104917304
Israel calls up reservists amid Gaza ceasefire uncertainty
The move comes in preparation for a possible resumption of fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not release more Israeli hostages on Saturday.
Could a high-rise apartment replace the classic family home?
Apartment living is a key pillar of government plans to ease the housing crisis by densifying well-connected parts of Australia's largest cities. But some have questioned the viability of the plans, saying the current stock of apartments was poorly suited for families.
Inquiry recommends increase in inspections of foreign Antarctic bases
A parliamentary inquiry into the importance of Antarctica to Australia's national interests has made 13 recommendations, including increased inspections to ensure other countries are complying with non-militarisation and environmental obligations.
Live: White House press sec says 'God bless the people of Russia'
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have agreed to start negotiations to end the war in Ukraine "immediately" during a rare phone call between the leaders of the US and Russia. Follow live
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-phone-call-live-pdates/104930150