April 19, 2013 The nation's leading welfare body, the Australian Council of Social Service, has called for a curbing of middle-class welfare to help fund an increase in dole payments.

April 19, 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard has failed to reach a breakthrough on school funding reforms in her talks with state and territory leaders.

April 19, 2013 Boston bombing suspect captured after standoff with police.

April 19, 2013 Blanchett, Upton, Griffiths, Taylor, Seidler, Mordant: big names contribute to Australia's 2015 Venice Biennale pavilion

April 19, 2013 On 27 January 2013 Fairfax Media websites published articles that made statements concerning Rocky Tassone, including that he had been sacked by Woolworths. The websites accept that such statements were false and apologise to Rocky Tassone for the hurt and embarrassment caused by the articles.

April 19, 2013 Tim Bale’s dairy farm barely broke even in six years as mergers of processors and competition between supermarkets Coles and Woolworths pushed down milk prices. So 14 months ago, he decided to cut out the middleman.

April 19, 2013 In a landmark case, the Commonwealth government is seeking millions of dollars in compensation from a major drug company accused of delaying cheaper versions of a blockbuster drug from entering the market.

April 19, 2013 Thousands of Australians are expected to flock to New Zealand, which on Wednesday night passed laws approving same-sex marriage.

April 19, 2013 Barry O'Farrell has declared his strong support for legalising same-sex marriage in Australia and challenged the federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, to allow a conscience vote on the issue.

April 19, 2013 It was 3am and pitch dark when the refugees climbed aboard their asylum boat last Wednesday. Only hours later, when dawn broke over a crystal blue ocean, did Abdul Hussain realise the terrible danger he'd put himself in.