The Federal Government is coming under pressure to make changes to the age pension, as a growing number of baby boomers are expected to leave the workforce over the next decade. Analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) predicts an ageing population will require an increase in government spending of $16 billion by 2029. More than $9 billion of that …

In the wee small hours, long after those most likely to have their tennis-loving senses offended had finished their Bovril and shortbreads and turned in, Nick Kyrgios again produced the kind of performance that inspires open-mouthed awe from some, undisguised disdain from many others and gives TV programmers grey hairs. Kyrgios didn’t beat Rafael Nadal. Not this time. Nor did …

A man charged with terror offences planned to create an Islamic State (IS) base in the Blue Mountains and encourage fighters to launch “guerilla-stye” attacks in Sydney, court documents allege. Isaak el Matari, 20, had his matter heard in Parramatta Local Court this Thursday charged with three offences including being a member of IS and preparing a terrorist act. He …

Central bank interest rate cuts, such as the Reserve Bank’s plumbing of a new historic low of 1 per cent, generally inspire one of two emotions. Option 1: Mild celebration among homebuyers. The 0.25 percentage point cut should deliver a $700 a year saving on a $400,000 loan, depending on the largesse of the lender. Option 2: Mild irritation for …

One of the three men arrested during counterterrorism raids in Sydney’s west this morning was planning an attack on prominent Harbour City buildings, police allege. Isaak el Matari, 20, was taken into custody this morning as part of the operation, which targeted suburbs including Canada Bay, Chester Hill, Greenacre, Green Valley, Ingleburn and Toongabbie. Police allege he had a range …

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 …