Homelessness is increasing in hotspots where rents are also on the rise, prompting calls for increased funding for support services and more public housing. Half the people seeking help for homelessness in NSW are not receiving it due to underfunded services, the head of a peak agency for homelessness has warned. “NSW’s housing crisis is putting huge pressure on frontline homelessness services, with …

Paramedics say it took “several hours” to recover the bodies of seven aid workers, including Australian Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, killed when an Israeli air strike hit their convoy in Gaza. Ms Frankcom, as well as Palestinians and citizens of the UK, Poland and a dual US-Canadian national, died in the blasts on Monday night, local time. The group was working for …

Tasmanians are going to the polls today in an earlier election that will almost certainly result in a hung parliament and do little to end the instability that has marked previous sessions. Australia’s only Liberal government is chasing a record fourth successive term, while Labor is aiming to return to power after 10 years in opposition. Saturday’s election is being …

Former leader of the free world Donald Trump has lashed out at former prime minister Kevin Rudd, characterising him as “not the brightest bulb”. In an interview with former far right British politician Nigel Farage on London’s GB News channel, the second-time presidential hopeful responded to years-old comments made by Rudd. Prior to his appointment as US ambassador, Australia’s 26th …

Australia and Uzbekistan have been recommended as hosts for the 2026 and 2029 Women’s Asian Cup respectively. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) made the announcement on Friday after a meeting in Tashkent. The Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA), which has hosted AFC youth events in the past, was the sole bidder for 2029 and is set to be the first Central …

Supermarkets that steamroll their customers and suppliers could be stripped of investments and properties under proposed laws. The Greens will push divestiture powers in the Senate this week, allowing the government to step in and break up food retail giants. The Nationals and some independents are also calling for such “big stick” laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled it …

2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show Friday 22 March – Tuesday 2 April The Sydney Royal Easter Show (Show) is back! Rich in fun and family traditions – come along to the 2024 Show to make memories and find your happy place. The Show is the best value day out in Sydney, with 12 hours of free entertainment, competitions, exhibits, activities, …

Optus – or at least a significant share of it – could be offloaded to a private equity firm in a deal worth up to $18 billion. Singtel, the company’s Singapore-based owner, is reportedly discussing a sale of Australia’s second-largest telco with Canadian asset manager Brookfield – a move that, if it goes through, could spark a price war that would …

A Queensland father who sexually abused his own daughter nearly every second day over an 11-year period before handing himself into police has been jailed for 12 years for what a judge described as disgusting and unbelievable behaviour. Warning: This story contains content that some readers may find distressing. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced …

“My boy, being a top spook is not compatible with being a media tart,” former ASIO director-general David Irvine is reported once to have responded jovially to a question from a journalist. And indeed, the “top spook” — one of very few ASIO employees who are allowed to be named in public — is by necessity a behind-the-scenes role most …