Peter Costello's father-in-law and memoirs co-author has added to speculation the former treasurer hasn't slammed the door shut on the possibility of one day leading the Liberal Party.

Endurance race rulers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup are poised to continue their stranglehold on the key V8 Supercar distance events after dominating qualifying for Sunday's Phillip Island 500.

Labor is preparing to lose control of councils throughout NSW with local government election results expected to begin trickling in after polls closed at 6pm (AEST).

The son of a Sydney man charged with 151 sex offences against a woman who was allegedly drugged and assaulted during fake prayer sessions says he doesn't believe his father has done anything wrong.

The driver who "thinks on his feet" will emerge the winner in this weekend'scomplicated and radical new V8 Supercar enduro.

Adelaide's first pick at this year's AFL national draft will be sacrosanct as the Crows enter the exchange period intent on adding further youth to their list.

Two defenders were welcomed back to the A-League fold by the Queensland Roar - but one of them will turn out against the Brisbane-based team on Sunday.

Paul Ramadge has been appointed editor-in-chief of Melbourne's The Age and The Sunday Age newspapers, Fairfax Media Ltd says.

A developer has denied responsibility for exposing families to potentially explosive levels of methane gas as residents of the affected Melbourne housing estate consider legal action.

A group representing Australia's supermarket giants says Queensland runs the risk of driving up grocery prices by introducing unit pricing ahead of a national scheme.