News

Balancing the books: The Australian government announced it will return the budget to a “modest” surplus by 2016 with the help of new taxes and cuts to foreign aid.

Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has claimed “the law is winning” after being granted a year’s asylum by Russia, accompanied by WikiLeaks legal adviser Sarah Harrison.

A Singapore-based mining company will be forced to pay $150,000 after being convicted of the damage and desecration of an Aboriginal sacred site. It is the first such conviction in Australian history.

The third solider to die following a SAS selection test in mid-Wales region of Brecon Beacons has been named as Corporal James Dunsby, a reservist who served with the Australian Army.

A new federal tobacco excise is set to hit Australian smokers’ hip-pockets to the tune of $1 per cigarette by 2016.

DIANA MOUSINA, CommBank Economist, reveals the findings of a Commonwealth Bank study into the spending habits of Australians on health and fitness.

Less than a week since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced his PNG solution the first asylum seekers have arrived on Manus Island for processing.

The Australian government is expected to announce a levy on the banks on Friday to insure them against a financial crisis, but there are fears that the cost will be passed on to consumers.

A prominent former US diplomat has criticised Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's plan to relocate asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea, and has referred to the Australian defence budget as "paltry".

Corruption findings by the ICAC against two former NSW Labor ministers, Eddie Obeid and Ian MacDonald, have been a gift to the pre-election campaign of Tony Abbott.

WA Coroner Alastair Hope says all 102 lives lost in the Siev 358 asylum seeker boat tragedy could have been saved if authorities had responded sooner.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has called in a team of election campaign heavyweights from the US to lead a social media onslaught against the Coalition. The team includes British social media expert Matthew McGregor, labelled Obama's 'digital attack dog' during the 2012 US campaign.

Vodafone Australia has announced plans to cap their global roaming fees for customers travelling to the US, UK and New Zealand to $5 per day.

Former Labor MP Eddie Obeid, his son Moses, and former mines minister Ian Macdonald could face criminal charges after the ICAC found they acted corruptly.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has described Bradley Manning as “the most important journalistic source that the world has ever seen”.

The Nauru “tent city” solution proposed by the Coalition has been blighted by claims that the visit to the island by Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and a News Corp journalist were sponsored by a private company who may profit from the policy.

OPINION | Following calls in Australia by the Royal Australasia College of Physicians for smacking of kids to be made illegal, POPPY DAMON argues in defence of anti-physical punishment laws.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has rejected calls from Australian medical experts to make the smacking of children illegal.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's recently revealed reforms to asylum seeker policy would send gay refugees to Papua New Guinea despite the country's strict laws against homosexuality.

NSW’s chief scientist has handed down her initial report into CSG, saying the industry faces “significant challenges” going forward.

Australians can no longer blame the Heathrow Injection after they pack on the pounds, as a new study from the United Nations says we are some of the fattest people in the developed world, with higher rates of obesity than the UK.

View the digital edition of this week’s FREE Australian Times newspaper, available every Tuesday across London.

It may not be the crown jewels just yet, but the future King George has been bestowed another honour, with Australia Post announcing a commemorative stamp in his honour.

The Australian-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee have released guidelines designed to lessen the risk of shootings in places of "mass gatherings".

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared via video link in Melbourne’s Fitzroy library to announce the Australian WikiLeaks Party’s plan to run for the Senate.

An Australian scientist has pioneered a new vaccine for cancer, created from a patient's own tumor. Tests of the treatment on dogs has so far yielded positive results, paving the way for human trials.

Australian election strategist Lynton Crosby has faced renewed calls to prove there is no conflict of interest between his role as advisor to the Conservative Party, and the lobbying role of his company CTF Partners for Philip Morris International.

The economy and tackling corruption in the NSW ALP are on Kevin Rudd’s plate this week, as he gears up for the election.

The recently announced ‘PNG solution’ has led many Australian expats to consider the question of how we want our country to be viewed by the rest of the world. Here, TIMOTHY MAJOR asks Kevin Rudd: What do we stand for as a nation?

WikiLeaks Senate candidate Dr Alison Broinowski says that if Julian Assange is found guilty of rape it would be "his own business" and has nothing to do with the party.

Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer has announced his support for on-shore processing of asylum seekers, claiming that reforms to the system would save $5 billion from the Australian budget.

The father of missing British-Australian man Gary Tweddle has said that the search effort will change focus towards a recovery mission rather than a search and rescue operation.

Treasurer Chris Bowen has lashed out at the opposition for trashing the reputation of public servants.

Kym Valentine who played Libby Kennedy, the daughter of Dr Karl and Susan Kennedy, on popular Australian soap Neighbours wants back in on the show following extended illness

The Australian High Commission celebrates a centenary since the laying of its foundation stone in central London

Russell Crowe has once again voiced his political opinions on Twitter, asking Malcolm Turnbull in a tweet to consider his destiny as the 'most trusted politician in our country'.

The Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr speaks out against the UK departing the EU in a letter to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. The letter formed part of evidence submitted to a UK government review of EU member powers.

Famous explorer Matthew Flinders, the first to circumnavigate Australia, will be commemorated with a bronze statue at London’s Euston Station.

It could be 70 years hence but when William and Kate's baby eventually becomes monarch he could be known as King George VII.

Sexy beast: Male kangaroos attract mates by striking poses to show off their muscularity and size.

Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has ranked in the top twenty most followed political leaders on Twitter. We've gathered together the top 5 Aussie tweet-happy politicians to honour Rudd's achievement.

Labor and the coalition have continued the blame-game over asylum seeker boat arrivals, after another boat sank and claims of rape on Manus Island.

A new study has raised concerns about the spread of disease in Australia by a mosquito commonly known as the London Underground mosquito.

David Cameron’s chief election strategist, Australian Lynton Crosby, has denied he spoke to the British Prime Minister about plain packaging on cigarettes.

The feel good factor is kicking-in as Australia and the UK to commemorate the arrival of the new royal baby, including specially minted royal silver pennies for all babies born in the UK on 22 July.

What are the most likely royal baby names and when might it be revealed? The wait for the birth of the royal baby is over, but the wait for the announcement of the Prince of Cambridge's name has just begun.

Following great success in Australia and New Zealand, Local Appliance Rentals Ltd is now inviting new franchisees to join them in growing the business in Britain.

As tributes pour in to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the arrival of their first child, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has revealed what Australia will be sending the royal baby that has it all - a bilby.

Kevin Rudd’s tough new stance on asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat has boosted the ALP’s standings on the issue, the latest Newspoll shows.

The former star of the TV sitcom Hey Dad! has appeared in a Sydney court, with his lawyer saying he’ll fight charges of sexually assaulting girls.