Australians should brace for big budget deficits lasting several years, federal
Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned.

A little known Kiwi youngster who only started playing rugby league five years ago
is on standby for some of the NRL's biggest names after being named on an extended

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left official rates unchanged, citing "signs
of stabilisation" in the global economy and a pick-up of activity in China.

About 50 asylum seekers have been picked up by an Australian navy boat off the
northwest coast after their vessel started taking on water, Home Affairs Minister
Bob Debus says.

Optus says a new five-year contract with ANZ Banking Group Ltd is a landmark in its
battle against Telstra Corp for the corporate dollar.

Stephen Smith has become the first Australian foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia
since 2003.
Mr Smith met with King Abdullah, Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Naif and his

Tuesday's Northern Territory budget will sink into the red for the first time in
seven years.
A deficit of about $50 million is expected to be recorded this financial year on the

The federal government will delay the start of its carbon pollution reduction scheme
by a year and could seek deeper cuts to emissions than originally planned.

(AAP) - A dangerous tackle charge against halfback Josh Valentine and an extensive list of injuries is clouding selection for Western Force coach John Mitchell ahead of Saturday's Super 14 rugby ma

(AAP) - The finalists in The Best Job in The World promotion spent Monday morning snorkelling with huge fish on the Great Barrier Reef.