The EPBC Act has emerged as a key test, with the government hoping to score a political milestone while the Liberal leader needs to prove her authority * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The final sitting week of federal parliament before the summer break is not usually the most edifying example of democracy in action. Politicians and the media are spent and the sausage-making process can get a little rough. So it was at the end of 2024, as Labor moved to clear the decks with an election looming and rumours of a summer campaign spreading. On the last sitting day alone, more than 30 bills went through the Senate, including reforms to the Reserve Bank – and Labor’s landmark social media ban for under-16s, now just weeks away. Continue reading...

Build your very own origami pigeon with these step-by-step instructions * See more Australian bird of the year content * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australian bird of the year is almost here. Australia is host to hundreds of different species. There are so many ways to celebrate and enjoy this abundance of wildlife – become a birder and go looking in your neighbourhood, colour in one of these lovely colouring sheets, or make yourself an origami bird. All you need is a bit of paper. You can easily turn an A4 sheet into square paper suitable for origami with a couple of folds and some scissors. If you have access to a printer, Bush Heritage Australia also has some wonderful templates of swift parrots and Carnaby’s cockatoos that you can print and follow the guides. Continue reading...

Visitors can shop native ingredients and watch cooking demonstrations. Curator Sharon Winsor says the Sydney event has been a labour of love, years in the making * Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email Sharon Winsor has spent 30 years sharing her knowledge of native Australian food. Her business Indigiearth sells lemon myrtle, salted dukkah and bush tomatoes, and she regularly hosts native dining events in Mudgee and Sydney. This month, she’s presenting a first of its kind Australian Native Food festival at Sydney’s Carriageworks. The festival has been a labour of love for the Ngemba Weilwan woman, who first presented the idea to Carriageworks five years ago. Continue reading...

Coalition’s decades-long brawl over climate change and energy policy laid bare as former deputy prime minister sends out clarion call on Facebook

A smart government would take the opportunity to actually put Australia first. But history tells us that is not the Australian way.

Australia Institute analysis reveals Woodside’s North West Shelf gas export project is driving up WA energy prices, threatening the state's domestic gas reserves, paying even fewer royalties, corrodin...

Yesterday, the Nationals announced that they would not be renewing the coalition with the Liberal Party following the 2025 federal election. This is unlikely to be a permanent break, but rather the…

Majority of staff who leave public sector each year have essential jobs, meaning the Coalition will have to replace them or break election promise

The opposition leader has also escalated his criticism of China and taken aim at the prime minister's willingness to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in a major foreign policy speech at the Lowy In...

Climate Change Authority chair says his job is to provide ‘frank and fearless advice’ after he criticised opposition’s nuclear energy proposal

Environmental consultant Ellie Smith knows she has a tough job ahead of her to unseat the federal opposition leader, but she’s up for the challenge * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Ellie Smith says the reason she decided…

Billionaire Elon Musk has held private discussions with allies about removing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer from his position before the next general election, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Canada PM says he will resign as Liberal party leader after losing support following growing leadership crisis