Australia - Top Stories
Investors launch class action on Fincorp collapse
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Investors who lost more than $200-million in the collapse of Fincorp are taking legal action against a company set up to protect their funds.
Govt moves for Indigenous preamble in Qld Constitution
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The Queensland Government wants to insert a preamble into the state's Constitution recognising Indigenous people.
Wood jailed for 17 years
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Gordon Wood has been sentenced to 17 years' jail for murdering Sydney model Caroline Byrne.
Telegraph editor defends MP in photo row
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Daily Telegraph editor Gary Linnell defends MP James Bidgood over his controversial photo of a Parliament House protester.
Gillard slams 'cobbled together' school bill changes
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Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard says the Government will "take every step necessary" to get its $28 billion Schools Assistance bill through the Senate today without further changes.
Babcock and Brown to resume trading
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Troubled investment bank Babcock and Brown says it will resume trading on the Australian share market today after its bankers agreed to loan the company extra money.
Rudd, Turnbull exchange Xmas greetings
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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has temporarily put aside hostilities on the final scheduled parliamentary sitting day to wish the Opposition a Merry Christmas.
Ministers deserve $100k pay rise: report
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A report from the tribunal which sets the pay of federal politicians says MPs and ministers should receive a hefty pay rise.
Minister says wait and see on new transport plan
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The Transport Minister Tim Pallas is refusing to confirm details of the plan but says it will bigger than any investment the state has seen.
Landlords urged to drop 'no pets' policy
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Animal welfare groups say owners are being forced to abandon their pets in increasing numbers because of housing trends.
NT doctor finishes gruelling desert foot race
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A NT doctor has completed a gruelling foot race involving four deserts on four different continents.
No final decision on 'infrastructure bank': Swan
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Wayne Swan keeps options open on "infrastructure bank" for the states and territories.
Macfarlane praises banks for crisis handling
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Former Reserve Bank governor Ian Macfarlane says Australia is coping well with the global credit crisis.
Politicians move to kill off death penalty
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Federal politicians are working towards new laws to prevent the return of the death penalty in Australia.
Small, medium business confidence hits new low
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A survey shows confidence among small and medium businesses has hit a new low.
Water bill sends money flowing into Murray-Darling
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The Victorian Upper house has passed the water bill that refers some of the state's powers to the Commonwealth to manage the Murray-Darling Basin.
US eyes Australia's carbon emissions scheme
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A senior American diplomat says US climate change officials are looking to see what they can learn from the way Australia is tackling carbon emissions.
Australians return home after Bangkok airport ordeal
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Hundreds of Australians have touched down in Sydney on a plane from Bangkok.
AMA urges audit review after cancer bungle
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The AMS is calling for an hospital audit review after yesterday's admission of another cancer bungle in SA.
Fewer visits to GPs as economy slows
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Economists say there is evidence that Australians are cutting back on trips to the doctor as the economy slows.
Toddler drowns in Kingaroy dam
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An 18-month-old boy has drowned in a dam in Queensland's South Burnett region.
Education bill stand-off continues
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There is still no breakthrough over $28 billion of funding for independent schools.
Oppn demands answers on infrastructure funding
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The Opposition is demanding answers about the Federal Government's plans to fund infrastructure projects.
MP faces investigation over protest photo
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An investigation has been launched after a Labor MP sold a photo of a man trying to set himself alight in a protest.
Leaders trade barbs as parliamentary year nears end
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The nation's political leaders have resorted to insults as they approach the end of the parliamentary year.
