Robert Allenby will fulfil the wishes of his gravely ill mother by committing to Australian golf's two remaining showpiece events.

V8 Supercar star Mark Skaife has agreed to relinquish ownership of the Holden Racing Team under a confidential deal which will clear him of what is understood to be a multi-million dollar debt.

Malcolm Turnbull has come to the defence of his deputy Julie Bishop, saying she is doing a "great job" as the opposition's treasury spokeswoman.

Two men have been killed in an explosion while loading a truck with pressurised material, police say.

AAP - The family of a toddler who drowned in a NSW Hunter Valley backyard pool is trying to come to terms with their loss.

AAP - Authorities now say 150 whales perished in the mass stranding off Tasmania's west coast over the weekend - almost double the original tally.

AAP - Authorities now say 150 whales perished in the mass stranding off Tasmania's west coast over the weekend - almost double the original tally.

AAP - The health of most Australian-listed companies is declining as they are hurt by the rapid decline in global economic conditions, with consumer industries the hardest hit, a new survey has fou

AAP - A goal to Adelaide defender Sasa Ognenovski in the dying seconds salvaged a 1-1 A-League draw against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.

Queenslander Rod Pampling finally won the Australian Masters on the third playoff
hole against Victorian Marcus Fraser at Huntingdale on Sunday.