The New South Wales Government has put off tackling the thorny issue of forcing priests to reveal abuse they learn about in the confessional, despite the Commonwealth saying it is largely a state responsibility. The NSW Government has unveiled its formal response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, accepting 336 of the recommendations. The Government …

The 20-year-old accused of attacking and killing his 69-year-old grandmother in Bega appeared briefly in the Batemans Bay courthouse today, charged with one count of murder and two counts of wounding with intent to murder. With cuts on his face and wearing a hospital robe and shorts, Murray Deakin was led into the courtroom for the brief appearance following Friday …

Barnaby Joyce has admitted he knew when his partner became pregnant in mid-2017 that he would lose his job as deputy prime minister. But he went on to fight a by-election without revealing his personal situation. Mr Joyce and his former media adviser, Vikki Campion, revealed the timeline in a paid interview with Channel Seven. Ms Campion told the program …

Financial institutions ANZ, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup will be prosecuted on criminal cartel charges, Australia’s consumer watchdog says. The allegations concern arrangements for the sale of A$2.5bn (£1.4bn; $1.9bn) worth of ANZ shares in 2015. The three banks said they would fight the charges. ANZ said it would also defend allegations against an employee. Australia’s scandal-plagued financial sector is at …

China’s Foreign Minister has told Julie Bishop that Australia needs to remove its “tinted glasses” and “translate its words into concrete actions” to improve ties after tensions over Beijing’s anger with recent political moves by Canberra. The terse remarks followed a meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Ms Bishop on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ conference in …

Adelaide’s Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson, who is facing up to two years in jail for covering up child sexual abuse, says he will stand aside from his duties, but will not resign unless it becomes “necessary or appropriate”. Wilson was under mounting pressure to quit the role and today released a statement saying he would step down from his duties …

Julie Bishop has hit back at former Australian ambassador to China Geoff Raby, who penned a damning opinion piece overnight claiming that relations with Beijing can only improve with the Foreign Minister’s sacking. In the piece, Mr Raby slams Ms Bishop for not having visited China in more than two years while angering Beijing with “strident public comments on the …

WestConnex contractors have demanded another $700 million to finish the second stage of the controversial project, leaked letters show. The NSW opposition released the confidential letters on Thursday to reveal the new M5 could also be one year behind schedule. The letters, seen by The New Daily, reveal CPB Dragados Samsung Joint Venture demanded an extra $625 million in “contractor delay …

Malcolm Turnbull has savaged Labor’s pledge to end live sheep exports, declaring it a reckless and emotional decision with no scientific basis. The prime minister said the policy was a repeat of the Gillard government’s 2011 suspension on live exports which caused diplomatic tensions with Indonesia and economic damage to farmers. “We are not going to be making emotional and …

While tongues have been wagging the world over following the French President’s description of Lucy Turnbull as “delicious”, the comment has not caused offence. Emmanuel Macron raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he thanked Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his “delicious wife” for their hospitality and warm welcome in Sydney. “Lucy was very flattered,” Mr Turnbull told reporters in Nowra. “She …