Unsubstantiated or higher-than-expected tax deductions relating to cars, travel, clothing, mobile phone and internet use, and rental properties are among the top claims the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be eyeing this tax time. Each year, almost 14 million Australians lodge income tax returns and claim tens of billions of dollars in tax deductions, the highest being for work-related expense …

Strathfield MP Jodi McKay has been elected as the New South Wales Labor leader with a clear majority. Ms McKay defeated Kogarah MP Chris Minns in a caucus vote 29 to 21, and sealed the deal by also winning 63 per cent of the votes of 10,800 rank-and-file members. It means that for the first time in NSW, two women …

More than half a million homeowners across the eastern seaboard could build a granny flat if they wanted to, a recent CoreLogic report revealed. And there are plenty of reasons to consider it. Your adult children could use it as a pit-stop on the road to independence, enabling them to save a deposit. Your elderly parents could use it as …

The catfish stalker convicted of using a soap star’s profile to harass and stalk women online will remain free on bail until her appeal is heard in October 2020. Lydia Abdelmalek, who was sentenced to two years and eight months’ jail earlier this month, reappeared in court this morning before her family clashed with media outside. Her father used an …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used his first foreign policy speech to call for calm between China and the US. Now his real challenge lies ahead: Talking Donald Trump out of a trade war that could devastate the Australian economy. But don’t expect Mr Morrison to make a show of calling out the US president. Speaking in Sydney on Wednesday …

Firefighters say they were beaten back by flames as they tried to save a young family from an “intense” house fire in Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley which has left three children dead. Two five-year-old twin girls, Matilda and Scarlett Rinkin, were taken to Singleton Hospital but could not be saved and the body of their 11-year-old brother was later …

One wanted a hug. Another thirsted for a beer. A third wept tears of joy. A triumphant trio of Australian women reacted with a common theme after delivering an unheralded burst of brilliance to Australia’s sporting landscape. Within a dozen hours; Australia found three fresh sporting heroines. Around 11pm Australian time on Sunday night, Ashleigh Barty became women’s tennis world …

A ban on mobile phone use in Victorian public schools aimed at curbing distraction and cyberbullying has divided opinion among teachers and students. Education Minister James Merlino said the ban, which would be in place during school hours in state primary and secondary schools, would start in the first term of 2020. Phones must be kept in school lockers from …

Ash Barty is one win away from joining Australian tennis royalty after booking her spot in the Birmingham Classic final. Barty, after beating Czech veteran Barbora Strycova in Saturday’s semi-final, will become only the fifth Aussie world number one if she wins Sunday’s decider against Julia Goerges. If she succeeds, the French Open champion will emulate the feats of Evonne …

The Matildas have crashed out of the Women’s World Cup, losing to Norway in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time. In a tense, dramatic and controversial affair, Australia looked to be mounting another trademark comeback, before Alanna Kennedy was sent off in the 104th minute to turn the tide in favour of the Norwegians. …