The government of Poland wants to go ahead with a presidential election conducted entirely by postal vote, on May 10, despite widespread opposition and public health concerns.

For the first time in history, the mayor of WA's biggest council will be chosen directly by residents, but the campaign has been marred by allegations of criminal damage, sabotage and online abuse.

Drug experts and welfare groups speak out against the Government's push to drug test welfare recipients, questioning why the bill has been revived despite "comprehensive" opposition from the medical profession.

The WA Government finds a way to hit Opposition Leader Liza Harvey where it hurts most, and deliver generous cuts to TAFE fees for students in the process, writes Jacob Kagi.

The WA Government will ban students from using mobile phones, smart watches and tablets in all public schools from 2020 in a major push to reduce distraction and focus on learning.

The Keith and District Hospital will receive $140,000 lifeline to keep operating until July under a new deal struck by the South Australian Government and Tatiara District Council.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the cottage where Bob Hawke was born is a "significant part" of Australia's democratic history, and commits $750,000 to purchase and renovate the Bordertown property.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visits drought-ravaged Granite Belt, where dam levels are so low water could run out by December. She vows she will not allow that to happen but needs a written request for help from council.

Drought-stricken Queensland farmers are worried about where their underground water is going as a new report questions the impact of a controversial coal mine.

Thousands of hectares of native forest north of Noosa, which was due to become national park, will now remain open to the timber industry in order to save hundreds of jobs.

Wilcannia locals worry their weir won't ever be built, despite State and Federal Government pre-election promises.

Nationals MP Wendy Duncan says the State Government is paying the price for the shortage of doctors in regional Western Australia. She says the Commonwealth should fund efforts to attract doctors to regional areas.

The State Government says it has sent a serious warning to the owners of one of Albany's prime vacant lots, by signing off on a plan that would allow it to forcibly reclaim the site.

The State Government says it's sent a serious threat to the owners of one of Albany's prime vacant lots, by signing off on a plan that would allow it to reclaim the site. But the Opposition maintains it's a hollow threat.

The WA Local Government Association (WALGA) says it is hopeful regional councils which lost a combined $20 million in previously allocated funds will be given a State Government reprieve.

The Federal Government has handed Norfolk Island a lifeline to save its tourism industry, but locals have railed against their offering saying it could turn tourists away.

Technology is driving immense social and economic change and it's time for governments to step up and actively shape the future. If we simply leave it to the market we risk social dislocation and economic disruption. Former US Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich says the five trends demanding urgent attention from governments are automation, education, climate change, cyber security and self-governance. And Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz on the price of inequality

A magistrate who found a Nimbin Mardi Grass festival worker not guilty of drug driving has blasted the NSW Government's advice to motorists, saying it "lulls them into a false sense of security".

Victoria has recorded two new coronavirus cases overnight as of April 28, 2020, as Premier Daniel Andrews says the state is aiming to conduct 100,000 tests over the next two weeks.

MORNING BRIEFING: The multi-arts venue hosts Vivid, Sydney Writers' Festival and Fashion Week, but a new proposal would see the Sydney Opera House take control.

With towns across New South Wales at risk of running out of water within months, there are renewed calls for an urgent upgrade of water storage infrastructure.

Tasmania's coronavirus tally reaches 133, with the director of Public Health confirming 11 new cases have been diagnosed in the state's north-west today.

An elderly woman becomes the 13th Tasmanian to succumb to coronavirus as the Government rules out an easing of state restrictions.

The NSW Government has announced a $10 million initiative to combat what the Agriculture Minister has described as a looming "fish Armageddon".

The economic impact of the pandemic on Australia's regional towns and cities is varied, but with a smaller population base, the path back to recovery is likely to be longer and harder for many.

National Cabinet will meet on Friday to start lifting restrictions in a three stage process to lock in what the Prime Minister is calling "a sustainable COVID safe economy".

With the focus now firmly on rebooting Australia's economy, the Morrison Government intends to cut green tape and speed up nation building projects such as major roads, dams and mines.

The Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council in central Queensland gives its government-owned supermarket contractor the flick after years of battling inflated prices.

The Federal Government says it has set a record for the fastest app to reach 5 million downloads in Australia with COVIDSafe, but acknowledges it might never work for 10 per cent of smartphone users.

Two of the state's most powerful unions, which represent professions at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic in Queensland, are fighting the Labor State Government's plans to freeze all public servant pay rises in the coming financial year.

Israel's Supreme Court rules that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may form a new government while under indictment for corruption charges clearing the way for a controversial power-sharing deal.

A defamation lawsuit launched by one of Australia's most decorated soldiers could be delayed until next year because of coronavirus and a decision by the Attorney-General to invoke special secrecy laws to protect sensitive military information.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly says it is too far in the future to speculate on when life will get close to normal in Australia as the country looks to lift restrictions in stages.

Christmas Island tourists and locals can no longer call for a cab with its sole taxi operator, Chris Carr, saying he was forced to shut shop at the end of June because of a "logistical nightmare".

In a shock announcement, former minister Philip Dalidakis resigns from the Victorian Parliament, effective immediately, to take a senior position at Australia Post.

Uyghurs living in Australia are urging the Federal Government to offer them protection after more than 30 countries, including the USA, condemned China over its "horrific campaign of repression" against its Uyghur minority.

Letters released by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption show he was refused $2 million to fund an evaluation of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network.

A crime spree allegedly committed by a high-risk fugitive has prompted the SA Government to "clean up" the laws that govern the supervision of former prisoners.

Public transport policies are discouraging patronage in Adelaide, lobbyists say, after Freedom of Information figures uncover a significant decline in bus patronage in the first six months of the year.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas says his Government believes the 2019-20 State Budget is $2.6 billion worse off as a result of the election of a Coalition Federal Government, but plans to work constructively with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Premier Daniel Andrews says more than 100 doctors have already undertaken intensive specialist training ahead of Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws taking effect on June 19.

Anthony Albanese says the Government must explain how the contract for Paladin to operate Manus Island was awarded.

Remote WA Aboriginal communities are suing the Federal Government in a landmark action over its controversial work-for-the-dole scheme which they argue is unlawful.

Meredith Thompson and Adrian Brown fight to see their beloved relative, after his nursing home denied visits even though he only has weeks to live.

Victorian Jobs Minister Martin Pakula and Education Minister James Merlino provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak on April 29, 2020. There has been one death, taking the state's death toll to 18.

Meadowglen Primary School in Epping was closed after a teacher tested positive to coronavirus.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas says casual public sector workers who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus will receive fortnightly payments if $1500, May 6, 2020.