Crackdown on alcopop rort
Josh Gordon The Federal Government plans to crack down on alcohol companies making a mockery of its alcopop tax by producing drinks that look and taste exactly like the ready-to-drink products, but are technically beer.
Backyard puppy factories just waiting for the next bitch on heat
Carmel Egan The illegal supply of appealing, often fluffball, crossbreeds by unregistered backyard breeders is booming. Yet the State Government refuses to act against the practice.
NSW moves to restrict sales of dogs and cats
Carmel Egan While animal welfare activists in Victoria want the State Government to restrict puppy sales, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, sets down rules for more radical action.
Time and tide strands whales
Andrew Darby, Hobart Rescuers work to save 13 distressed pilot whales, survivors from a herd of 52 stranded in north-west Tasmania.
Liberal hopefuls swoop on prize seat of Kooyong
Josh Gordon Front-runners for the coveted Melbourne Liberal seat of Kooyong start jockeying for position, hours after Petro Georgiou announces he will retire from federal politics at the next election.
Online pals the ticket for travel
Joanthan Dart Tracey Larson learnt all about long-distance travel when she was 21 and in Times Square, New York. The fight began with yelling, her best friend returned fire, she went one way and the friend another.
Traffic surge to swamp city's busiest road
Reid Sexton Melbourne's busiest stretch of road during the morning peak will have to carry 50 per cent more traffic within the next three years, according to VicRoads documents.
Gippsland residents told to look for high ground
An Antarctic blast of cold air sweeping Victoria brings snow in the mountains, hailstorms to Melbourne and the threat of flash flooding in the east.
Born to be, um, mild - and possibly damp
Kate Benson Suffer in your jocks, bikers. Yes, that means you, you wussy Hell's Angel. And you, Bandido boy. The secret's out.
Boating near-misses on rise in bay: report
Melissa Fyfe A damning review of marine safety in Victoria reveals that Port Phillip Bay has become dangerous for recreational boats and ships, with potentially catastrophic near misses happening regularly.
Williams matriarch ends her life alone
John Elder George Williams complained his heart was a "ticking time bomb" when he went to jail for drug trafficking last year, but it was his wife Barbara's heart that was apparently broken.
Greetings seasonal, sacrilegious and salacious
Peter Munro "Let's talk turkey," declares the buxom blonde in Santa-red lingerie and hat, blushing atop this year's crop of Christmas cards.
Mixed views as Rudd talks up regional forum
Brendan Nicholson, Lima Prime Minister Kevin Rudd concedes that Asian and Pacific governments have differing views on how his planned new regional community should work.
When a fast-talking pollie's a plus
Josh Gordon Hold on to your hats, Senate question time is about to get a whole lot racier.
A re-creation of the lost world of Poland's pre-war Chelm
Liz Porter The tiny works of a tinsmith turned artist provide an insight to Jewish life.
Clues sought on family murders
Melissa Fyfe Deaths caused by family members will be examined in an Australian-first coronial review designed to reduce domestic violence murders.
'CSI Oaks Day' investigations criticised
Reid Sexton The reasons behind the Oaks Day railways meltdown that left tens of thousands of passengers stranded for hours will not be known until next year.
Indonesia 'crucial' in weathering climate storm
Tom Hyland Australia is urged to set up a climate change commission with Indonesia amid warnings global warming could have a devastating effect on hundreds of millions of people in the Asia-Pacific region.
Faraway Downs fantasy resonates close to home
Marcia Langton Baz Luhrmann's Australia offers a frank and fresh take on outback lore.
Googling geologist identifies possible meteorite crater out the back of Bourke
Richard Macey A retired geologist searching on Google Earth for a place to mine opals may have discovered something much bigger: a meteorite crater in outback NSW.
Booze ads 'misleading' youngsters
Jill Stark Alcohol advertisements persuade young people that drinking will boost their confidence, improve their sexual success and make them more attractive - despite the industry's own code banning promotions conveying those messages.
Surge in arrivals from China likely to last
Reid Sexton Chinese people are now the second most frequent users of Melbourne Airport, with tourism experts predicting that it is only a matter of time before China overtakes New Zealand as the city's largest tourist market.
Chinese find cheer in Australia, despite the chilly weather OpenHead
Reid Sexton Standing in a howling wind moments before the rain becomes hail, Mr Woo explains why he is on holiday in Melbourne.
Airport soars above the gloom with a record month
Reid Sexton Melbourne Airport posts its busiest month on record in a result defying recent speculation that the market is on a downward spiral.
Coalition MP fails to declare interest in ABC
Michael Bachelard A coalition backbencher who is owed money by collapsed child-care giant ABC Learning urges the Federal Government to support the business despite the fact he has a financial interest in it.
Car dealers work for love, and $10 profit
Mark Russell Phillip Mance's family has been in the new car business since 1978 and he is determined to stick with it - even if it means selling cars for $10 profit.
For their money, no need to fret over hip pocket
Josh Gordon Australian consumers may be grim about the economy, but they aren't yet panicking about their own finances.
Taskforce tainted, say health groups
Jill Stark Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's taskforce on obesity, binge drinking and smoking is been criticised by leading public health experts who say a senior member represents the junk food industry.
Restoring the bonds: victim meets offender
Liz Porter An innovative justice program brings together young criminals with their victims.
McMullin firms for lord mayor role, but is he a little bit stale?
Melissa Fyfe A serial seat chaser or a passionate servant of the community? Meet the lawyer who may lead Melbourne.
Idol winners might be grinners - but can they sell a song?
Melissa Kent
The result won't dictate the reality sequel: lwill the latest Idol's music career boom or bomb?
