Cessnock residents fear 40% rates rise impact
Cessnock City Council applies for a 39.9% permanent rate increase to fund infrastructure, sparking fears of delayed retirement and financial strain amid cost-of-living pressures. IPART to decide.
Category : Search result: federal funding crisis
Federal inquiry into local councils' financial crisis
A federal inquiry examines the worsening financial state of Australian local governments, with Hunter councils highlighting unsustainable costs from climate change, tourism, and state mandates. Will it lead to real change?
$2m spent on failed national police museum plan
An exclusive report reveals over $2 million in proceeds of crime funds was spent on planning a national police museum in Canberra before the project was axed due to a cost blowout to $50 million.
Labor's tobacco tax claims labelled a 'puff piece'
The Albanese government faces criticism over claims its tobacco tax will fund health measures. Experts call it a misleading 'puff piece' that ignores the true cost of smoking. Read the full analysis.
AFP surveillance team axed before Bondi attack
Revelations that a key AFP surveillance team was disbanded before the Bondi Junction attack have triggered urgent calls for more federal police funding. Read the full report.
Federal policies blamed for ACT's deepening financial crisis
Canberra's financial pressures are a direct result of federal funding models and planning restrictions, not local mismanagement. Experts argue the system is broken. Read the full analysis.
Saudi Embassy loses immunity in Canberra unfair dismissal case
A Federal Court ruling paves the way for 13 former staff to sue the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Canberra for unfair dismissal, rejecting claims of sovereign immunity. Read the full legal analysis.
Ex-director sues 3 Property Group for $670k unpaid wages
A former director of the troubled 3 Property Group is taking legal action in the Federal Court, alleging he was coerced into a directorship and is owed over $669,000. Read the full details of the case.
Chalmers reveals smaller $36.8bn deficit in budget update
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will unveil a slightly improved deficit of $36.8bn in the mid-year budget update, crediting savings and spending restraint. Read the full details.
Howard unloads on PM over gun laws, anti-semitism
Former PM John Howard condemns the current government's handling of gun law debates and its failure to tackle rising anti-semitism. Read his full critique.
Hateful graffiti targets MP Richard Marles in Geelong
Offensive messages targeting Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles were found scrawled across Geelong's city centre. Police are investigating the incident as a targeted attack.
Barnaby Joyce joins One Nation after quitting Nationals
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has defected to One Nation, becoming its sole lower house MP. He calls it a 'considered decision' after election campaign restrictions. Read the full story.
Council seeks special disaster funding for landslip victims
Newcastle Council urges state government to provide special disaster funding for 16 households displaced by the New Lambton landslip, facing financial ruin and trauma as insurance support runs out. Read the full story.
Albanese riding high, but political hits loom for Labor
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ends 2025 on a high after a crushing election win and Coalition chaos. But political analyst Mark Kenny warns of looming dangers from hubris and secrecy that could undo Labor's success. Read the full analysis.
Labor's spending blamed for WA cost of living pain
Paul Murray argues the WA and Federal Labor governments must curb spending to ease the cost of living crisis. Read his analysis on fiscal policy impacts.
Trainer Confident of Newcastle Racing Double
Trainer Nacim Dilmi is confident How Much Better can break through for a win at Newcastle, with perfect conditions to suit. Get the full preview and expert analysis here.
Trainer Confident of Newcastle Racing Double
Trainer Nacim Dilmi is confident How Much Better can win at Newcastle with ideal conditions. He also fancies Federal Reserve's chances in a maiden. Full preview inside.
Police Commissioner vents over 6-year extradition delay
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch expresses frustration as alleged drug trafficker Arash Ebrahimi-Far remains in Iran, delaying justice for six years. Read the latest on the stalled extradition case.
Record $2.5m fine for disability provider over abuse
Hunter-based Lifestyle Solutions hit with a landmark $2.5 million penalty for failing NDIS participants in a Central Coast group home. Read the shocking details of abuse and neglect uncovered by the court.
Millions in funding for Townsville pest control
Townsville and Burdekin landholders secure $2.5 million in federal funding to combat invasive weeds and pests, protecting vital agricultural land and the Great Barrier Reef.
Higgins Wins $2.4M in Lehrmann Defamation Case
Brittany Higgins awarded $2.4 million in damages after Justice Lee finds Bruce Lehrmann raped her. Full analysis of the landmark Federal Court defamation verdict and its implications.
QLD warns new federal gas laws threaten $1 trillion in projects
Queensland's Premier and Resources Minister warn new federal environmental laws will sacrifice the state's crucial gas projects and cost thousands of jobs. Read the full story.
Govt to tackle hospital staff shortages, soaring locum fees
The Minns government announces a new internal locum agency and central workforce unit to address roster chaos and skyrocketing staffing costs in NSW hospitals, following a special inquiry.
Lehrmann loses appeal, court finds he knew Higgins didn't consent
Bruce Lehrmann's appeal against a civil rape finding has been dismissed. The Full Federal Court not only upheld the original verdict but strengthened it, finding he was aware Brittany Higgins did not consent. Read the full analysis.
Bruce Lehrmann loses appeal against Parliament House rape finding
Bruce Lehrmann has failed to overturn a civil finding he raped Brittany Higgins. The Full Federal Court dismissed his appeal, upholding the damning judgment. Read the full details.
Woman charged after $312k found in suitcase at Perth Airport
A 24-year-old NSW woman faces charges after airport security x-rays uncovered $312,000 in cash in her hand luggage. AFP investigates the source of the funds.
Wollongong Hospital ED hits breaking point with bed crisis
Wollongong Hospital declares 'critical compromise' as 80 patients need urgent discharge and 50 wait for beds. Insiders warn of unsafe workloads and systemic underfunding. Read the full report.
QLD farmers in limbo over new federal environment law
Queensland farmers face uncertainty and fear massive costs as the new federal Environment Protection Australia law creates confusion over land clearing and development approvals. Read more.
Call for a political 'fixer' to tackle looming challenges
A former top bureaucrat warns Australia needs a political 'fixer' to navigate looming economic and social challenges. Discover why and what it means for the nation's future.
Weapons Charges Dropped Against Condon in Townsville
Christopher Gerard Condon has federal weapons charges dropped in Townsville Magistrates Court. Read the full details of this surprising legal outcome.
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