Cattle farmers are rejoicing after the heavens opened over Longreach, the "capital"
of Queensland's outback, giving new life to the Thompson River.

A boat carrying 76 suspected asylum seekers and four crew has been intercepted in
Australian waters near Christmas Island - the first arrival of 2010.

Flood waters have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes in northern
inland NSW, as severe thunderstorms hit parts of the Northern Tablelands and North
West Slopes.

Air passengers across Australia have endured delays because a computerised check-in
system malfunctioned on Sunday morning, a Qantas spokesman says.

It's been revealed that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on track to pick up
Liberal-held seats in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland if he chooses to go

Police are investigating whether a body found in Sydney's north is linked to a
suspicious car fire on the same street hours earlier.

The Victorian government will continue to allow the sale of marijuana-smoking
implements, despite an opposition pledge to ban bongs should they win the next
election.

The federal government has pushed NSW to speed up the construction of 6000 public
housing units, Premier Kristina Keneally says in response to community backlash.

Plastic shopping bags would be banned in Western Australia under a plan to be tabled
when parliament resumes in Perth in February.

Maxi yacht Etihad Stadium is set to renew her rivalry with Wild Oats XI in the
Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race starting on Saturday following her luckless Sydney
to Hobart campaign.