Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter seems to be a betting man - but he may not be betting on the future of his government.

Adelaide again refused to let an injury-depleted forward line stop their march towards the AFL finals as unheralded Nick Gill booted five goals in a 56-point thrashing of Essendon at Telstra Dome.<

Brisbane's annual show the Ekka has been hailed as one of the best ever.

The 10-day event ends with more than 500,000 people passing through the gates thisyear.

Refugee advocates who have toured Australia's new immigration detention centre on Christmas Island say it is "extremely harsh" and unsuitable.

(AAP) - Many fed-up farmers would be keen to take up the federal government's offer to buy out their land and water, according to the National Farmers Federation.

Brisbane Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw is under an injury cloud heading into his side's must-win match against an out of sorts Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night.

(AAP) - Nearly half of all Australians are covered by some form of private health insurance, figures from the Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) show.

A federal parliamentary committee has given the green light to burying carbon pollution under the ground - and suggested taxpayers pay any clean-up bills.

(AAP) - West Australian MPs will receive a pre-election pay rise - making them the highest paid politicians in the country.

Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has denied the former coalition government bungled a $1.6 billion defence tender for trucks last year.