Melbourne Victoria

Bulldozing part of a Frankston wildlife reserve to make way for a $750 million freeway may increase the likelihood that Victoria’s endangered southern brown bandicoot will become extinct.

Peter Costello has thrown a new bombshell at the Liberals and their leader, saying they lack a ‘‘narrative’’ and accusing the party organisation of doing nothing since the election defeat.

Researchers defend the patenting of human genes while those who could most benefit from their work have asked if a grab for intellectual property might slow down potentially lifesaving medical research.

Canberra has begun preparing the way for higher interest rates, declaring that the present low rates can't stay forever.

Mourners at two open-coffin viewings found they were grieving for strangers after a funeral company mix-up.

FORMER Australian beauty queen and controversial London socialite Michele Renouf has caused a stir at historian David Irving's holocaust-denial trial in Vienna, protesting on his behalf.

A PRIEST used boys under his care for his own comfort and sexual gratification, a Hobart court was told yesterday.

TWO teenage victims of the Mildura hit-run accident have been remembered as a "loving daughter" and a "great mate".

THE woman killed, along with her partner and child when their Brisbane house was gutted by fire, has been named as disgraced lawyer-turned-drug-addict Theresa Marchetti.

THE spiritual leader of Australia's 300,000 Muslims yesterday accused John Howard of inflaming public hatred towards the Islamic community.

PART of a Sydney plastics warehouse has been extensively damaged by a blaze that broke out late last night.

HEALTH and education are by far the most important issues for voters, ahead of the economy, according to a new poll.

A REGISTERED club where women can work split shifts to fit in with caring responsibilities is among organisations officially dubbed "female friendly".

FEDERAL Labor leader Kim Beazley's refusal to intervene in Simon Crean's battle for preselection is creating division in the party, Labor frontbencher Martin Ferguson says.

A 98-year-old woman was raped on several occasions in a Victorian nursing home and other elderly residents were also sexually assaulted by the same male staff member, ABC TV reported tonight.

THE Cole inquiry into the AWB kickbacks scandal enters another turbulent week today with the Federal Opposition now demanding the Defence Department reveal what it knew about the matter.

PRIME Minister John Howard's handling of the war on terrorism and the hip-pocket nerve has helped him maintain strong approval ratings after 10 years at the top, a poll has found.

A GROUP of liberal Catholics has lodged a complaint with the Vatican about Cardinal George Pell's doctrinal teachings, saying they are inaccurate and misleading.

OPENLY gay independent MP Andrew Olexander has hit out at his former party, the Liberals, for questioning him over his sex life.

AUSTRALIA rugby union player Wendell Sailor has reportedly been involved in an incident at a South Africa nightclub while touring with the NSW Waratahs.