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Australia signs deal worth almost $1b with PsiQuantum to build world’s first ‘useful’ quantum computer

Australia will invest almost a billion dollars in a bid to build the world’s first commercially useful quantum computer in Brisbane.

The Queensland and Australian governments have set aside $470 million each in grants, loans and share purchases…[Read more]

We’re investing millions in ‘Australia’s moon landing’. Will it launch?

Superlatives were everywhere on Tuesday at a press conference to unveil a joint $940 million investment by the federal and Queensland governments in quantum computing company PsiQuantum.

From Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “This will have a greater multiplier impact on job…[Read more]

Sydney teenager accused of planning a terrorist attack allegedly wanted to target Jewish community members, court hears

One of the four Sydney teenagers accused of planning a terrorist attack allegedly wanted to target Jewish community members, a court has heard.

The 15-year-old appeared over audio-video link at the Parramatta Children’s Court…[Read more]

Homes under threat as Perth bushfire sparked by caravan blaze

Homes are under threat after a caravan burst into flames and the fire spread to bushland Perth’s south.
A watch and act is in place for parts of Oakford.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advised people to leave now if the way is clear.

There are two blazes burning, which…[Read more]

Smoke chokes Melbourne as grass fire burns close to homes

A grassfire emergency in Melbourne is adding to the smoke haze which is choking the city.
The flames came close to homes in Altona in the city’s south west.
The fire is burning out of control in swampland near Purnell Street.

It’s heading towards a train line, with services replaced by…[Read more]

Australian soldier on peacekeeping mission injured in blast near Lebanon-Israel border

An Australian solider is among three injured in an explosion near Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, as the warring Middle Eastern countries both deny responsibility. 
The trio were acting as military observers for the United Nations and were unarmed and o…[Read more]

The New Boy: Cate Blanchett film tackles faith and colonialism in Australia

It would take a remarkable acting performance to rival Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett on screen.

But that’s exactly what untried child prodigy Aswan Reid has done in her latest movie, critics say.

Barely 11 years old when The New Boy was shot in the dusty South…[Read more]

Australia Football League denies it has a cocaine problem after whistleblower claims

The Australian Football League (AFL) has denied it has a cocaine problem, after whistleblowers claimed abuse of the drug is widespread in the sport.

In a speech to parliament on Tuesday, an MP accused the Melbourne Demons club – and the AFL broadly – of covering…[Read more]

Australian freed from drain after 30 hours hiding from police

An Australian man has been freed after spending more than 30 hours in an underground drain network.

The 38-year-old originally told authorities he had entered the drain in Brisbane to “retrieve his phone”.

But Queensland police said he had “fled” there, after his car crashed into one…[Read more]

Molly the magpie: Australia debates seizure of Insta-famous bird

An Australian state premier has backed a campaign to return an Instagram-famous magpie to its human carers after it was seized by wildlife authorities.

The bird, dubbed Molly, was rescued as a chick by a Queensland couple and formed an unlikely bond with their bull terrier,…[Read more]

Bankwest staff pressured to send customers online ahead of widespread closures, union says

Bank staff are under pressure to direct customers away from branches, the union representing financial services workers says.

Last week Bankwest announced it would close 60 branches in Western Australia by the end of the year, leaving some regional…[Read more]

Complaint filed to Human Rights Commission against WA child protection department

A law firm has lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) against Western Australia’s Department of Communities over the allegedly discriminatory removal of First Nations children from their families.

It is the second of four complaints…[Read more]

Drizzle breaks Adelaide’s 46-day dry spell

Adelaide went 46 days without a single drop of rain until a light shower this morning broke the streak.
The city’s official weather station on West Terrace recorded 0.4mm about 8.30am, which broke the dry spell according to Weatherzone.
By midday about 1.2mm had fallen in the city and the Adelaide H…[Read more]

Australia marks national day that stokes patriotism and anger

“Australia Day is Dead!” Indigenous activist Gwenda Stanley chants into the loudspeaker, as a crowd of thousands breaks into applause.

It’s Australia’s national day, but the crowd in central Sydney seethes in anger and cheers in solidarity with Indigenous Australians, many of whom vi…[Read more]

Australia unveils plan for largest navy buildup since World War II

Australia on Tuesday announced plans to build its largest navy since World War II, allocating more than $35 billion for the defense project over the next 10 years, in a move analysts said pointed to heightened tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific.

According to a government…[Read more]

Former Australian bishop charged with historical sex offenses

A senior Australian Catholic clergyman has been charged with historical sex offenses allegedly committed while he was serving as the bishop of Broome, a remote diocese in Western Australia.

Emeritus Bishop Christopher Saunders was arrested on Wednesday at his home in Broome, where…[Read more]

Sydney asbestos scare: How a mulch discovery has sent a city scrambling

In January, an Australian child innocently brought home a couple of handfuls of garden mulch from near a playground in Sydney’s inner west.

Looking at the mulch, the child’s parent was horrified to spot what looked like chunks of bonded asbestos.

Their call to authorities…[Read more]

Police banned from Sydney Mardi Gras after gay couple murder case

A decision to uninvite police from Sydney’s iconic Mardi Gras parade this weekend has divided Australians.

Organisers said the call was made to give the LGBT community “space to grieve”, after a New South Wales Police officer was charged with murdering a gay couple last…[Read more]

Former politician became foreign agent, nation’s spy boss says

A former Australian politician “sold out” the country to a foreign spy network, the nation’s intelligence chief has alleged in a speech.

Outlining the activities of the group dubbed the “A-Team”, Mike Burgess claimed the MP had offered it access to the then-prime minister’s…[Read more]

Australia jails first student for a school shooting

A teenager has become the first student to be jailed for carrying out a school shooting in Australia.

The 15-year-old from Perth fired three shots with two rifles at the Atlantis Beach Baptist College last May.

Staff and students were left cowering in cupboards and under desks before police…[Read more]