Hundreds of current and prospective independent candidates and organisers have gathered for a conference that may be a signpost on the road to a federal election in the next year.

Nearly a third of the 35,000 international travellers who arrived in Australia in December were visitors rather than returning residents, including thousands of Australian citizens who live overseas returning to spend Christmas with their families.

But researchers monitoring online platforms for the federal government say they are hopeful that in the future social media can help normalise the vaccinations as more Australians receive the jab.

Owners and developers are investing hundreds of millions of dollars on big plans to install boutique hotels, gentrified pubs and creative spaces.

Victoria’s Education Minister has called for a country-wide rollout of ‘Respectful Relationship’ education in all schools in light of a public petition which has detailed hundreds of allegations of sexual assaults of school students across the ...

Forensic police have set up a crime scene at Mollymook following unidentified human remains being found. It comes days after campers found Melissa Caddick’s foot on a beach 160km further south.

Anti-vaccination protesters have gathered outside federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s Somerville electorate office.

The Auburn man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday after Strike Force Raptor officers pulled over his car in Panania.

Operation Topography, run by WA Police’s rural crime squad, is targeting the theft and sale of cattle in the Mid West, Gascoyne and Pilbara.

As restrictions were eased across the state on Saturday, health authorities announced the discovery of viral fragments in a wastewater catchment affecting 11 suburbs in Melbourne’s west.

The NSW Health Minister said the federal government should be given “time to improve” but made it clear NSW stood ready to assist.

Single-use plastic items including straws, cutlery and plates will be phased out in Victoria in a bid to reduce the amount of plastic waste going into landfill.

The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by our picture editors.

The chief of the Cherokee Nation in the United States has called on American carmaker, Jeep, to retire the Cherokee nameplate from its range of popular SUVs.

The family has released a statement supporting Max Beever, who has been charged with killing wife Robyn at their Gold Coast home.

The essential lesson for the ALP if we want to win the election is to radically lift our negative game.

The Surfers Paradise man has been charged with money laundering and will appear in court on March 11.

He isn’t exactly the leader from central casting, but this ABC lifer, whose first role was collecting dirty tea towels, could be just the kind of down-to-earth bloke the public broadcaster needs right now.

She was part of London’s “Australian mafia” and founded feminist publishing powerhouse Virago in 1973. Now in her 80s, and British damehood notwithstanding, this “Libertarian anarchist’s” zeal appears undimmed.

The falsehood we must urgently eradicate is that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines aren’t safe or effective despite their approval for use in Australia, Europe and elsewhere.

Gathering limits have eased and mask-wearing rules have loosened under new restrictions that could be the first steps back towards regular life.

After eight years of casual work, academic and single mother Jennie Jeppesen was in a tenuous position. Now, in the wake of COVID, her future is bleaker still.

Thomas Fleck’s 1973 Kombi holds a special place in his heart.

Sex and education experts say porn is one factor to tackle in more open and honest conversations with teenagers about sexual relationships and consent.

The NSW government’s attempt to break an impasse between the two children’s hospitals has failed, after an expert panel appointed to mend the dispute was unable to reach an agreement.

A shipwreck averted. In our search for heroes, we might look beyond millionaires who smash tennis racquets for sport, and consider quieter achievers.

The native bush on either side of roads provides the principal means for fauna to connect with larger areas of suitable habitat.

Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today's interactive superquiz and target.

The NSW government has halted the demolition of Ryde’s ageing 1960s Civic Centre after a last-ditch bid from a lobby group of developers to save the building.

Ms Flint emailed voters on Friday night after informing the Prime Minister and Liberal Party that she won’t be renominating for the seat of Boothby at the forthcoming election.

Experts have warned about the potential exposure of passwords used by Queensland’s Premier and Transport Minister amid renewed scrutiny of personal email account use.

The discovery of remains belonging to the missing Sydney fraudster answers some questions but leaves many in the dark.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched an investigation into claims by the welders on skilled worker visas.

Keri Frecklington had already overcome the odds after being hit by a car. A decade later, a complication meant she had to fight all over again from the other side of the world.

Scammers are increasingly targeting online shoppers and using classified ads as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a five-fold increase in people being ripped off over the internet.

Victoria’s environment department has felt the wrath of grape growers, already reeling from the pandemic and Chinese trade measures, over the timing of controlled burns in the Macedon Ranges.

The backing from the International Olympic Committee of Brisbane as the likely city to host the 2032 Olympics is a heartening sign.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro has conceded public outcry and scrutiny of a bushfire relief fund will force his agency to prioritise grants to areas like the Blue Mountains.

John Setka takes aim at his opponents within the CFMMEU, the federal government, federal Labor’s leadership and the ACTU ahead of a crucial vote for his union.

A new bar will open its doors in Brunswick East in April, specialising in serving craft beer, local wine and fancy cocktails – minus the hooch. 

Taking the stand moments after Mr McKee’s fiancee told the court she would never read Davis’ apology letter he said he “never ever intended to take Jett’s life”.

The inside man who played the role of victim in a $3.2 million hold-up from a Melbourne gold dealer has been jailed for five years and nine months.

Police have charged a man with attempted murder and firearms offences after he was found in bushland following an alleged Sydney hotel assault.

As a result of the investigation into Case 903’s infection, WA authorities will install air filters in the rooms of infected returning travellers and require hotel staff to wear masks and eye wear.

The funeral of a music loving 42-year-old was held in a Collingwood pub, with a heavy metal band, as part of a trend towards more bespoke, less formal send-offs.

Corporate regulator ASIC says its priority is to seek the return of funds to investors in the most efficient way possible. 

Sydney businesswoman and fraudster Melissa Caddick is dead.

A woman is dead after a train and car crash at Wynnum, east of Brisbane.

Losses on Victoria’s poker machines have shot past pre-pandemic levels following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, with gamblers blowing $239 million in January.

A week in photos from the award winning Sydney Morning Herald and Financial Review photographers