Solomon Islands has confirmed it is drafting a security deal with China – a move that’s triggered alarm in neighbouring Australia and other Western allies in the Indo-Pacific. Leaked papers indicate a Chinese military base could potentially be set up on the island to Australia’s north. That’s sparked concern from Australia, long the chief defence partner and biggest aid donor …

Millions of taxpayers are among the major winners in this year’s budget as the Morrison government hands out $16.4 billion in tax breaks and one-off payments in a bid to woo voters before the election. Temporary cuts to fuel taxes and an increase in the low-and-middle-income tax offset (LMITO) are major parts of the budget package, which Treasurer Josh Frydenberg …

The New South Wales coroner has confirmed that COVID-19 was responsible for the death of a two-month-old baby at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital in December. It is understood to be Australia’s youngest COVID-19 victim. The death was first reported publicly in January, at which time authorities said the cause of death was uncertain. The case was referred to the coroner who has determined the infant …

The Socceroos’ hopes of automatic qualification for November’s World Cup in Qatar have been flattened after an uninspiring 2-0 loss to Japan in Sydney on Thursday night. While a win against a nation it had not defeated since 2009 seemed unlikely in the first instance, the disastrous build-up to Australia’s penultimate Asian qualifier made a win almost out of the realms …

Ash Barty has told media to be patient in revealing whether she will take up another sport, after fronting a press conference to explain her shock retirement. The 25-year-old shocked the tennis world on Wednesday when she revealed she was stepping away from the sport, prompting an outpouring of tributes from tennis players and fans alike. Barty said there was “no …

A federal government frontbencher says a new security agreement being negotiated by China and Solomon Islands is “deeply concerning” as fears grow in Australia that Beijing could establish a military presence in the Pacific Island country. A draft official document – which emerged on social media on Thursday – lays down a framework which could permit Beijing to deploy forces …

The nation’s top vaccine advisory group is set to recommend a “winter” COVID-19 jab for some of the most vulnerable Australians on Friday. Ahead of a feared surge in cases during the coming colder months, people over the age of 65 and those who are immunocompromised will be eligible for an extra dose. Indigenous Australians aged 50 and over, as well as …

This might be a familiar scene. You pop into your local pharmacy to fill a script and you’re told your regular medicine is out of stock. When will it be in? Sorry, we don’t have a date. But I’ll ring up your GP to see if she can authorise an alternative. This is a common conversation more than two years …

Labor has maintained its 10-point lead over the Coalition in the latest Newspoll, a matter of weeks before the federal election is expected to be called. The exclusive poll, which was conducted for The Australian newspaper by YouGov between March 9 and March 12, surveyed 1520 voters nationally. Support for the ALP and Coalition did not change since the previous Newspoll a fortnight earlier …

South Australia’s 47th Premier Peter Malinauskas has been sworn-in after Labor’s decisive state election victory. Mr Malinauskas took the oath of office at Government House on Monday. Susan Close was sworn in as deputy premier and Stephen Mullighan as treasurer. Mr Malinauskas is yet to reveal other members of his cabinet, though most who served on his frontbench during opposition …