Far beneath a national park in one of the coldest parts of Australia is where the government wants to build a hugely ambitious project: a power station capable of generating 10% of the nation’s energy. It is part of a bold – and expensive – hydro electricity scheme in the Kosciuszko National Park in south-east […]

Reverend John Stanley says he will always remember the baptisms in his church, and the weddings and funerals that took place under its steeple. Now, however, the church in Tasmania, Australia, is one of dozens of Anglican properties in the island state that are scheduled to be sold. Religious organisations have grappled with how they […]

Australian authorities have expelled a Vietnamese woman after officials found 10kg of undeclared food in her luggage. The 45-year-old arrived at Sydney airport on Saturday with raw pork, quail, pate, squid and other food items, officials said. It is the first time Australia has cancelled a visa over food under strict new bio-security laws aimed […]

“My story is the most powerful tool that I have,” says Fadak Alfayadh. As a child, Fadak fled conflict-torn Iraq in the middle of the night with her mother and two sisters – a tense journey that would lead them to a new life in Australia. In Melbourne they built a strong connection to the […]

Up to 30 houses have been destroyed or seriously damaged in a bushfire in the Australian state of New South Wales. Scores of blazes burned across the state and neighbouring Queensland on Tuesday as temperatures climbed as high as 40C (104F) in some areas. Authorities said one man had suffered serious burns. Conditions were forecast […]

As Australia increasingly debates China’s influence on its society, a new MP is facing damaging questions over her past links to Beijing-associated groups. Others, however, dismiss the controversy as “xenophobic paranoia”. The BBC’s Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. Gladys Liu would have known her new job in Canberra would at times be brutal and expose […]

Western Australia police are investigating footage of two kangaroos being “tortured and killed”. The animals were reportedly stabbed and punched with knuckledusters in two attacks filmed in May and June. Local media say police refuse to release the footage, deeming it too graphic. Authorities released images of three men on Wednesday wanted in connection with […]

After a traumatic childhood, Uncle Jack Charles fell into crime and addiction on his way to becoming one of Australia’s most venerated actors. Yet his next mission is destined to be his most poignant, he tells Gary Nunn in Sydney. Six stark words epitomised Charles on the tagline of a 2009 documentary about him: Addict. […]

Aboriginal Australian actor “Uncle” Jack Charles says he has been refused taxi rides two times in three days. Mr Charles’ manager, Patrice Capogreco, said the actor may take legal action against the drivers and taxi company. The first incident occurred on Wednesday night after a Melbourne event where Mr Charles was declared Victorian Senior Australian […]

On Monday, Australia was transfixed by fresh sexual misconduct allegations against Geoffrey Rush – one of the nation’s most celebrated actors. Australian actress Yael Stone alleged that Mr Rush behaved inappropriately towards her during a theatre production in Sydney in 2010-11. Mr Rush, 67, has denied her accusations. Ms Stone, 33, said that she had […]