Demand for properties has plummeted to the lowest level in six years in the major cities, as buyers took a break from auctions over the long weekend. Capital city auction activity took a back seat to the AFL and NRL grand finals, with buyer disinterest sending the preliminary combined capitals clearance rate below 50 per cent for the first time …

A man has been charged over a fatal car crash that killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn twins as well as a 17-year-old girl in Sydney’s west. Newlywed Katherine Hoang (nee Gordon) and 17-year-old driver Anh Hoang, who is also known as Belinda, were killed in the collision at Orchard Hills, near Penrith on Friday night. Katherine’s husband Bronko …

Labor is demanding that Prime Minister Scott Morrison extend the banking royal commission, after it handed down a scathing report that slammed the big banks for their greed. The opposition is concerned that only 27 victims had their voices heard, out of more than 9000 submissions. “This is a crucial national issue, and we want the royal commission’s report not just to …

A player has never had as much impact on a grand final with so few touches. In fact, Cooper Cronk, Sydney Roosters star and big-money recruit, rarely touched the ball in his side’s 21-6 grand final win over Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. Instead, Cronk – battling what was later revealed to be a broken scapula (shoulder) – …

There were fist pumps, furious dropshot chases and four match points saved as the Australian claimed a stunning first ATP tournament victory in three years at China’s Chengdu Open. The oft-maligned 25-year-old dug deep to snatch a brave 6-1 3-6 7-6 (9-7) win over world number 13 Fabio Fognini. He hadn’t played someone ranked as high as Fognini in a …

Michelle Guthrie’s interim replacement is unable to say why her “dynamic” leadership style was wrong for the ABC board or why she was sacked as managing director. Acting managing director David Anderson, a 30-year ABC veteran, has given his first interview since Ms Guthrie’s shock ousting on Monday. “Michelle’s leadership style was dynamic. Michelle challenged us in a lot of …

When Ed Robins noticed bruising and skin tears on his 92-year-old mother, he decided to install a small video camera in her room at Perth’s Morrison Lodge nursing home. The footage he captured over three weeks made for distressing viewing. Mrs Robins had recently broken her leg and had worsening dementia. Often, she would wake up and, forgetting she could …

Billionaire Frank Lowy has offered a scathing assessment of Australia’s current political climate, describing the recent spate of leadership challenges as unacceptable and urging democracy to be “treated with care”. “Having five prime ministers in five years is not acceptable,” he said in the speech in front of political and business heavyweights on Thursday night. “Democracy needs to be nurtured …

Two people have died and two more remain in a critical condition in hospital after suspected overdoses at the Defqon.1 music festival in Sydney’s west yesterday. Police said a 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died in Nepean Hospital after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival in Penrith about 9:00pm. Emergency services at the event responded to multiple reports of suspected …

New South Wales Police have confirmed the first case of strawberries contaminated with needles bought from a Sydney supermarket. The needles were discovered in three strawberries in a single punnet, which a customer had bought from Coles in Engadine in Sydney’s south. The customer handed the punnet in to Sutherland Area Police Command, where it will undergo forensic testing. Police …