Saxon Bird died because officials who upheld a risk-taking culture failed to gauge the danger of the surf at last year's national surf life saving championships, a coroner has found.

The federal government has finally got the states and territories to sign up to its $20 billion health reform agreement but critics say the plan is now so watered down it won't end the blame game.<

A man stabbed his girlfriend to death before burning her body in a house fire to hide his crime, a jury has heard.

The head of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has quit, with the opposition accusing the government of trashing some of her key achievements.

A Royal Australian Navy sailor accused of raping a female member of the defence force filmed the alleged assaults in an act of sheer stupidity, a court has heard.

A cashed-up Rio Tinto is expected to post a first half net profit of more than $US8 billion ($A7.3 billion), driven by bumper iron ore, aluminium and copper prices.

Newcastle are on Josh Dugan alert despite the Canberra ace struggling to overcome an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's vital NRL clash at Ausgrid Stadium.

Tour de France winner Cadel Evans could make a whirlwind trip back to Australia soon to thank his home country for its support.

His mum might not be delighted to hear re-signed Swan Ted Richards wants to stay in Sydney, but at least it's not as far as Sweden, where he contemplated moving during a lull in his AFL career.

SYDNEY, aug 01 (AAP) - The Nine Network is understood to be prepared to lose the ratings war to win the hearts of country Queenslanders by allowing Darren Lockyer a Sunday send-off in front of his