The Senate has called on the federal government to immediately increase the single aged pension by $30 per week.

Green groups are cautiously celebrating the elevation of Malcolm Turnbull to the Liberal leadership, saying he could "green up" the party's climate change policy.

Australia's big five banks could have a combined exposure to Wall Street's bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Ltd of around $145 million.

The collapse of Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Ltd could affect 130 jobs at its Australian arm but National Australia Bank Ltd and Macquarie Bank Ltd say their exposure to the

Triple Paralympian Heath Francis has secured his third gold medal of the Beijing Games with a 100m victory he says was helped by "a little bit of luck".

Manly coach Des Hasler says he's paying no heed to the "fickle" nature of NRL premiership favouritism.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson is focused on creating a dynasty at the AFL club, but says it's premature to bestow greatness on it yet.

Radical Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika has become Australia's first convicted terrorist leader after a marathon trial was told of his plans to cause mass casualties at landmark Melbourne sites.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon says he will not support the federal government's proposed increase to the Medicare surcharge levy income threshold.

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said he would be calling a spill of the leadership of the Liberal party on Tuesday morning.