Author: Emily Griffiths
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First-home scheme growing fast – but for how long?
Thousands more Australians are buying their first property after just one month of a federal housing scheme, but worries about its long-term success persist. Nearly 2000 more houses were purchased in October compared with the same month in 2024 after the expansion of the federal government’s five per cent deposit guarantee for first-home buyers. There…
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Cummins feeling good for Gabba – but rest may be needed
Pat Cummins remains on tack to return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, but has conceded playing through the rest of the series unchanged could be difficult. Cummins has progressed to bowling off a three-quarter run up as he plots a meticulous return from a back injury that has sidelined the Test captain since…
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Scientists thought the Great Barrier Reef was doomed – but a new study finds hope
The famed corals of the Great Barrier Reef face a bleak future under the current path of global warming – but could have time to adapt if temperatures edge no higher than 2C, new modelling suggests. The “coral-centric” analysis from the University of Queensland builds on existing modelling focused on ocean temperatures high enough to…
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Four people dead in second regional house-fire tragedy
Central Queensland is reeling after a fatal early-morning house fire – the second deadly blaze to kill multiple people in the state in less than a month. The bodies were discovered in the property’s burnt remains in Emerald, police said. The blaze erupted before 7am on Thursday in the regional town about 270km west of…
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Rory McIlroy weighs in on ‘peculiar’ LIV Golf move
Rory McIlroy has described LIV Golf’s decision to expand its events to 72 holes as “peculiar.” The Saudi-funded breakaway circuit will align itself more with golf’s traditional tours by moving from three rounds to four next year. The format switch could boost LIV’s bid to be recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking, which is…
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Microsoft apologises, offers refunds to nearly 3 million Aussies
Almost three million Australians will be offered refunds after a tech giant apologised for the way it charged customers to access its artificial intelligence tools. Microsoft Australia emailed the offer to software subscribers on Thursday and admits the pricing structure and plans lacked clarity and fell short of its standards. The apology comes 10 days…
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Ley ‘confident’ as leadership concerns swirl
The opposition leader has dismissed suggestions she should be worried for her job after senior Liberal rivals who are pushing for net-zero policies to be dumped were seen dining together. Liberal leader Sussan Ley said she had never supported “net-zero at any cost” when asked if she was prepared to ditch the emission-reduction goal for…
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Legend’s verdict over Aussie’s Test transition
Steve Waugh has accused Australia’s chief selector George Bailey of rarely having the appetite to make tough calls, adamant he must do so now to manage the transition of the Test team. Australia could enter the first Ashes Test in Perth with Cameron Green the only player aged under 30, with the regeneration of the…
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LIV Golf to take bigger swing as tournament expands
LIV Golf events will be played over 72 holes starting in 2026, the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit has announced. Since its inception in 2022 LIV Golf tournaments have been 54-hole events, with the majority played Friday through Sunday, an unconventional format that played a role in the Official World Golf Ranking denying ranking points. Moving to…
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Rain no dampener for Melbourne Cup glamour
Cold and drizzly conditions have done nothing to dull the revelry and glamour at Melbourne Cup as punters arrived early to nab the best spots trackside. Racegoers clad in bright dresses, loud hats and sharp suits rushed through the gates of Flemington Racecourse early on Tuesday, more than six hours out from the famous race.…