Last Top Stories: diver swept away by currents tells of relief when washed onto island

diver swept away by currents tells of relief when washed onto island

A Launceston scuba diver swept away by currents has told how he cried with relief when he finally reached land. Lee Quarrell spent about five hours drifting at sea after being swept away from his dive boat and deckhand near Waterhouse Island, ... >> view original

China's 'egregious claims' Australia's worst threat since Cold War: ASPI

Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. HANDOUT. by John Kerin. Australia is facing the greatest threat to peace and security since the Cold War amid China's egregious claim over ... >> view original

Gina Rinehart's eldest daughter Bianca handed control of family's $4 billion trust

The NSW Supreme Court in Sydney appointed Ms Rinehart as trustee following the family's long-running legal battle. Justice Paul Brereton said Ms Rinehart had demonstrated the ability to robustly assert the rights of the trust over her mother and her ... >> view original

Greenies using reef to kill coal industry, Greg Hunt says

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt is confident Australia won't be put on UNESCO's international shame list. Chris Hopkins. Share on twitter. by Mark Ludlow. Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has accused environmental groups of hijacking the ... >> view original

Former attorney-general Robert McClelland made a Family Court judge

Former Labor attorney-general Robert McClelland has been appointed a Family Court judge. Mr McClelland held the southern Sydney electorate of Barton between 1996 and 2013, serving as federal attorney-general between 2007 and 2011. In a statement ... >> view original

Tasmania plans surplus in two years

Growing GST revenue has put Tasmania on track for an economic surplus within two years, according to the state government's latest budget. Treasurer Peter Gutwein on Thursday unveiled the Liberal administration's $5.4 billion 2015-16 budget, which ... >> view original

Investigators swoop on businesses in illegal work visa crackdown

Investigators have swooped on 11 businesses allegedly implicated in illegal labour practices, visa fraud and worker exploitation across the six states. In a joint operation code-named Cloudburst, 120 Immigration Department officials joined state and federal ... >> view original

Lottery syndicate want winnings frozen

A TATTSLOTTO syndicate that suspects a colleague pocketed a $16.7 million Powerball win may seek to freeze the funds as they await proof of whether the ticket was purchased with their money. THE group of 14 Geelong transport workers have taken their ... >> view original

Welfare is 'not a career choice'

Young people have been warned not to expect a life on welfare as the federal government pushes ahead with a one-month waiting period for benefits. Legislation ending an unpopular 2014 budget measure, which quarantined welfare from job seekers under ... >> view original

Adrian Bayley, Jill Meagher's killer to serve at least 43 years in jail after 18-year ...

ADRIAN Bayley will likely die in prison after being told he must now spend 43 years in jail before becoming eligible for parole. Bayley was already serving a 35-year minimum “life” prison sentence he received over the murder of Jill Meagher in 2013. >> view original