Treasurer lays out tougher bank checks

Australia's financial services sector will be overhauled by the end of next year in the hope of rebuilding consumer confidence in the industry, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has declared.

Australia ‘worst of two evils’ over China

A former Pacific leader has declared China the "lesser of two evils" compared to Australia, as some small island nations turn to Beijing over Canberra for support in combating climate change.

SA hit-run driver has shown ‘no remorse’

The mother of a two-year-old boy run down and killed by a convicted pedophile says her son's killer has shown no remorse and should "rot in jail".

NZ critical of Australia’s deportation law

New Zealand's high commissioner has urged Australia to consider giving Kiwis exemptions from tougher deportation laws, which continue to damage relations between the close neighbours.

NT chief minister parts with office boss

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has parted ways with his chief of staff Alf Leonardi in a shake-up of his office a year out from the next Territory election.

PM’s six guideposts for the public service

SCOTT MORRISON'S SIX PUBLIC SERVICE GUIDEPOSTS

South Australia to lift ban on GM crops

A long-standing moratorium on genetically-modified crops in South Australia is to be lifted.

Bureaucrats told to focus on quiet Aussies

Australia's federal bureaucrats have been told to focus on everyday people and not the Canberra "bubble" or lobbyists after the prime minister laid out his hopes for a new era in the public service.

Victoria cops sorry for gay discrimination

Victoria Police has caused unnecessary and unacceptable harm to the LGBTI community and for that, the state's top police officer says he is sorry.

Australia urged to boost northern defences

Australia is being urged to stockpile munitions and redirect military resources from the Middle East to guard against rising Chinese strength.