Treasurer Wayne Swan has refused to rule a petrol tax in or out of the government's proposed carbon tax.

The number of people waiting `too long' for elective surgery in Queensland's hospitals is at a record low but the average time it takes for treatment in emergency departments has gone backwards.

With Perth expected to swelter in the heat over the next week, the state's Health Department is reminding people to be aware of heat stress.

Jurors have retired to consider their verdict in the trial of a Victorian woman accused of murdering her husband after he allegedly demanded kinky sex.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd says it has made a new discovery of more than one billion tonnes of iron ore in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Spaniard Carlos Checa has continued to rattle his rivals ahead of this weekend's season-opening World Superbike Championship round.

Climate change could rob Melbourne of its beloved comedy festival, one of Australia's best-known stand-up comedians says.

A man has been airlifted to hospital following an explosion at a dry cleaning business in Sydney's inner west.

Toyota and Lexus cars sold in Australia are not affected by a recall of more than two million vehicles by the Japanese-based maker.

Former ABC Learning Centres boss Eddy Groves has been committed to stand trial relating to the collapse of Australia's biggest childcare chain.