Australia
Authorities blame Kiwis' Medicare woes on automatic letters
Automatic letters were responsible for New Zealanders in Australia erroneously being told their public healthcare access was being revoked, Australian authorities say.
Woman loses bid to become Australia's first deaf juror
A Queensland woman has lost a High Court battle to become the first deaf juror in Australia.
'Aussie blokey behaviour' no excuse for Malaysia 'budgie smuggler' incident - Bishop
Bad behaviour by Australians overseas cannot be excused by the 'blokey culture' at home, says Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Australia Correspondent Bernard Keane
In Australia a parliamentary committee is quizzing the CEOs of the four major banks amid concerns of the dominance of major lenders. Audio
NZers getting cut from Medicare in Australia
Some New Zealanders are being cut off from free public healthcare in Australia despite being eligible for it.
Australians arrested over Malaysian 'budgie smugglers'
Nine Australian tourists arrested in Malaysia for stripping to swimwear featuring the Malaysian flag could face charges, police say.
Aust banks under political spotlight
Across the Tasman, Australia's big four banks will be under the political spotlight this week as they face tough questions about their business practices and profits. Audio
Power still out for 13,000 homes in Western Australia
About 13,000 properties remain without power in Perth and Western Australia's south-west after high winds brought down trees, with a severe weather warning still in place for a large part of the…
Jim Parker from Sydney
Across the Tasman, and the long-running dominance by trade unions of Australia's superannuation system is under threat. Audio
Jailed would-be IS fighter could be deported to NZ
A would-be foreign fighter jailed in Australia for trying to leave for Syria is likely to be deported back to New Zealand, but his lawyer says he's no security threat.
Kerry-Anne Walsh with news from Australia
It's Friday so we cross the Ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio
NZ man sentenced to 5 and a half years for planning to fight in Syria
New Zealand man Amin Mohamed has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years jail in Australia for planning to travel to Syria and fight in the conflict. ABC reporter Emma Younger joins Checkpoint. Audio
Widespread blackout plunges South Australia into darkness
Adelaide is bracing itself for more bad weather following yesterday's lightning strikes which plunged the state into darkness. Audio
Power 'gradually' returning after massive Australian blackout
Power is gradually being turned back on across parts of South Australia, but much of the state remains in darkness after a widespread blackout.
Power knocked out to entire state of South Australia
South Australian State Emergency Services says power is gradually being restored after thousands of lightning strikes plunged the entire state into darkness. Audio
Storms cut power to all of South Australia
Severe storms have knocked out power to the entire state of South Australia, home to 1.7 million people, energy authorities say.
Vanuatu push for visa free access to NZ/Aust
The Vanuatu opposition is calling on Australia and New Zealand to offer Vanuatu passport holders visa free access.
Cyclone expected to smash South Australia
Wild weather is expected to hit South Australia from midday, with flood watches in place across the state.
Australian banks under the spotlight again
To Australia, where the country's major retail banks are in the spotlight again; this time at a parliamentary inquiry. Audio
Court to mediate Timor-Leste dispute with Australia
A dispute over the revenue from a huge gas field between Australia and Timor-Leste is to be settled by an internationally appointed mediator.
