Families with school aged children could be eligible for free internet under new government scheme

The Federal Government has announced plans to provide eligible families with school age children free internet in an attempt to “boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide”. The government said it had invested $8.8 million to provide up to 30,000 eligible families, who do not have access to the internet, with a free National … Read more

Beer prices likely to rise at Australian pubs as alcohol excise increase looms

Australians could soon be paying more for their pint at the pub, as the hospitality industry feels the pressure of soaring alcohol taxes. Business owners are pleading with the federal government to take action before its twice-yearly tax hike on alcohol kicks in on August 5. Some owners say they have to charge as much … Read more

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor announce retirements, prompting reshuffle

Two senior ministers have announced their retirement from politics at the upcoming federal election, giving the prime minister clean air to announce a cabinet reshuffle. Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor will step down at the next federal election, due by May 2025. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked the ministers for … Read more

Centrelink warning over possible payment changes for recipients travelling overseas

Centrelink recipients heading overseas have been reminded to loop the government in on their plans. “There are rules covering how travelling outside Australia may affect your payment or concession card,” Centrelink said. “These depend on the payment or concession card you get. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “When you leave Australia, … Read more

Kira Korolev: Coalition demands urgent investigation into accused Russian spy’s role in army recruitment video

The Coalition is demanding an urgent investigation into the Australian Defence Force after “embarrassing” footage emerged of an alleged Russian spy starring as the face of a recruitment campaign. The call comes after The Nightly uncovered two videos promoting Army private Kira Korolev as a model soldier. The now-deleted clips document her journey from growing … Read more

Australian Labor MP condemns Israel’s bombing of Gaza schools

A cabinet minister has condemned the killing of civilians and the bombing of schools in Gaza following warnings from an ex-Labor senator that Muslim and Arab voters are feeling disenfranchised by the federal government’s rhetoric. Education Minister Jason Clare said the war in Gaza had affected his community in Western Sydney more than most, due … Read more

Usman Khawaja slams Peter Dutton over Muslim candidate comments

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has accused Peter Dutton of “fueling Islamophobia” over comments the opposition leader made about potential Muslim candidates in Western Sydney electorates. Following WA senator Fatima Payman’s defection from Labor on Thursday, Dutton suggested that if the government is returned to power at the next election it would be as a … Read more

Pro-Palestine protesters scale Parliament House as climate activists occupy foyer

Two groups of protesters are staging action at Parliament House in Canberra, with one group currently sitting atop the building and another glued to pillars in the foyer. At least four pro-Palestine activists from the group Renegade Activists have scaled the marble pillars out the front of the building, unfurling three banners over the side … Read more

Anthony Albanese hints at expected crossbench move by ousted Labor senator Fatima Payman

Fatima Payman is poised to quit Labor and move to the crossbench within days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hinted the WA senator has been plotting her exit for weeks. Mr Albanese suspended the WA senator from the Labor caucus at the weekend amid the fallout from her crossing the floor to back a Greens … Read more

Our teens are dying because of social media. Cyber intelligence expert Paul Raffile says a ban isn’t enough to save them

Paul Raffile is passionate about making the internet a safer place for our youth, but believes tech giants need to lead the charge. The cyber intelligence analyst worries that government actions — such as lifting the age of access to social media, as is currently proposed — may absolve organisations of responsibility for ensuring their … Read more