Vanuatu criticises Australia for extending gas project while making Cop31 bid

Vanuatu’s climate minister has expressed disappointment over Australia’s decision to extend one of the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas projects and said it raises questions over its bid to co-host the Cop31 summit with Pacific nations. The UN is …

Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending

The US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, may not be the sharpest tool in President Trump’s tool kit. But, in the great American tradition, he is a top hustler. In an arrogant display that would have won Trump’s approval, Hegseth blustered his way around …

Winter brings Australia’s ‘humpback highway’ to life and peak hour is about to begin

Every winter, Australia’s “humpback highway” hums to life. Thousands of humpback whales migrate from Antarctic feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas along Australia’s east and west coasts. Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a Sydney-based whale scientist, says that …

Australia’s lowest paid workers just got a 3.5% wage increase. Their next boost could be even better

A week ago, the Australian Financial Review released this year’s “Rich List”. It reported the number of billionaires in Australia increased from 150 to 166 between 2024 and 2025. A very different story is happening at the other end of the market. On …

'Yuck!' Guardian Australia staff taste test viral 'healthy' TikTok mousse recipes – video

Aurora australis: southern lights dazzle across New Zealand and Australia’s east coast – in pictures

People photograph aurora australis, also known as the southern lights, on the horizon over Lake Ellesmere on the outskirts of Christchurch on 1 June. The displays are produced by a geomagnetic storm, and a product of the sun launching charged particles …

Sightings soar on Australia’s ‘humpback highway’ as 40,000 whales return for winter

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our …

2025 Volkswagen Tayron large SUV range detailed for Australia

The Volkswagen Tayron is arriving in Australia in September as a replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, and it’ll be offered with a choice of three trim levels, three powertrains, and two seating layouts. Volkswagen Australia has released some specification …

Massive solar storm sparks light displays across southern Australia

The Aurora Australis, captured on 2 June near Bredbo, NSW. Photo: Chris Chia. Australia’s night sky was draped with curtains of red and orange light over the weekend in one of the strongest Aurora Australis displays we’ve seen in a long time. The US …

Labor unveils Home Affairs’ multiculturalism mission for Australia

Centralising services, the new Office for Multicultural Affairs will champion equality, unity, and leadership across Australia’s landscape. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. (AAP Image/Dominic Giannini) The federal government will set up a …