Australia

Helped by its massive natural resources, Australia has weathered the global financial crisis better than other Group of 20 economies. In 2012, its economy grew 3.1 per cent, compared with 1.6 per cent in the United States and 1.1 per cent in Canada.

CRIME

Australia bans synthetic drugs that mimic illegal drugs

17 Jun 2013

Australia imposed an interim ban on 19 synthetic drugs yesterday as part of a crackdown on psychoactive substances that mimic their illegal counterparts, such as cannabis and cocaine.

6:26AM

Australian PM subject of ‘grossly sexist’ menu

12 Jun 2013

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday accused the opposition of a pattern of misogynist behaviour, branding a menu for a party fundraiser “grossly sexist and offensive” after it...

7:21PM

World Cup crunch matches for South Korea and Australia

11 Jun 2013

With Japan becoming the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup last week, the focus in Asian qualifying turns to the progress of South Korea and Australia.

4:27AM

13 dead, dozens missing as boat sinks en route to Australia

9 Jun 2013

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said aerial surveillance of a debris field of wood and life-jackets had spotted 13 bodies and a full-scale hunt was under way for survivors.

11:18AM

Running out of cash, Australian miners get creative to survive

31 May 2013

From pooling office space to paying bills with company stock, small and mid-sized Australian miners are finding new ways to stay afloat during one of the sector’s worst downturns.

2:12PM

Australia rapped over ‘grave lapse’ in border security

28 May 2013

Australia’s border security came under fire on Tuesday after reports an Egyptian asylum-seeker wanted by Interpol was held in minimum security and a Sri Lankan accused of murder was released into...

5:25PM

Opinion

Alex Lo

Chen Guangcheng misled by his new right-wing 'friends'

1:26AM

Tom Holland

The yuan hasn't overtaken the HK$ quite yet, Mr Chan

4:40AM

Australian troops warned of copy-cat British attack

Australia’s defence chief on Tuesday warned military personnel to avoid known trouble spots and be extra vigilant to the possibility of copy-cat attacks after the grisly murder of a soldier in...

12:47PM

The Guardian launches free online edition in Australia

British newspaper The Guardian yesterday launched a new online edition in Australia where print media is struggling, pledging an independent perspective and a multimedia approach.

3:33AM

Green energy projects in limbo awaiting Australian poll outcome

On a line of low hills beside a dry lake bed near Australia's capital, giant turbines turning slowly in a winter breeze give no hint of a multibillion-dollar storm building around renewable energy...

3:19AM

Robots to drones, Australia eyes high-tech farm help to grow food

Moving carefully along a row of apple trees, two of Australia’s newest agricultural workers check if the fruit is ripe or the soil needs water or fertiliser.

1:56PM

ECONOMY

Australia's central bank cut rates as currency stayed strong, minutes show

The Reserve Bank of Australia cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low this month to boost businesses weakened by the currency's sustained strength, even as households reacted to earlier...

4:34AM

AUSTRALIA

Australian gets 45 years for Indian student’s murder

An Australian man who raped and strangled his Indian student neighbour and threw her body into a canal in a suitcase was jailed on Friday for 45 years for the “horrifying” murder.

2:24PM