LAW

Parliament resumed Wednesday with lawmakers locked in heated debates over climate resilience funding and economic recovery measures, as the nation confronts the twin challenges of devastating bushfires and slowing growth.

"We estimate that the average Australian consumer could be eligible for a refund ranging between $200 and $1300-plus, depending on their shopping habits and purchases at these retailers," the law firm's chairman, Gerard Malouf, said.

Under the new Tobacco Amendment (Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme) Bill, which the government plans to pass by the end of the year, individuals found selling tobacco without a license could face fines of up to AU$355,000 or 15 years in prison, while businesses could be fined up to AU$1.7 million.

The police investigation, known as Operation Alesia, was looking into whether former PwC Australia employees disclosed official secrets, with the search expecting to last several days.

Optus indulged in improper sales practices, including pressuring consumers to buy many expensive products without checking if they had coverage in their area.

Australia's largest airline had reached an agreement with the ACCC in May to implement a remediation program, agreeing to compensate nearly 86,000 customers who were affected by the airline's misleading conduct.

Between August 2018 and February 2021, the securities firm claimed to conduct ESG screens for its $1.1 billion Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index Fund. However, the federal court found: "Approximately 74% of the securities in the Fund by market value were not researched or screened against applicable ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria."

In July 2022, the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) lodged a lawsuit against X after the social media platform refused to remove hateful comments from a far-right conspiracy blog.

Madonna has turned down all allegations that ex-husband Sean Penn struck her, tied her up or physically assaulted her during her marriage from 1985 to 1989.

Poland is thinking of allowing US missiles in its territory, but the move will likely draw rebuke from Moscow.

Australia passed new laws to strip convicted terrorists and militants off of their citizenship.

Judge Eric Leach has replaced the original verdict of culpable homicide and replaced it with murder in Oscar Pistorius - Reeva Steenkamp case.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urges better intel-sharing among countries as fighting against ISIS is hard to do unilaterally.

Although the NRL says Auva’a will be banned permanently if he reoffended, Eden Puriri asks: is that already one too many chances?

Johnny Depp’s wife, Amber Heard, failed to show up in court again where she faces trial for smuggling two of her dogs in Australia in early 2015.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned consumers that they may get scam calls asking for personal details.

The CCTV footage captures moments before the girl was raped.

Apple is adding another solar investment in China on top its two new completed solar farms.

Donald Trump wants to go against Hillary Clinton and dishes on his race and competitors.

Fiona Barnett, an alleged victim of child abuse, has said Australia's VIP child sex trafficking ring is still operating.

Data retention laws tells that your private data can be accessed to check an individual’s involvement in criminal activities.

UNSW has forwarded a warning to its staff and students after threatening online messages appeared on 4Chan.

Pentagon condemns the Kremlin’s decision to launch airstrikes in Syria, saying it will fail if its operations will continue unimpeded.

NT is planning to introduce a bill to keep track of sex offenders online.

Pat Allen, who had played an important role in arresting Martin Bryant 19 years ago, feels steps should be taken to protect prison workers from his violent attacks.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at Lalor Park on the charges of murdering his mother and nephew with a knife.

The search for NSW kid William Tyrell has led police to release a recording of his mother’s phone call to triple 0.

According to Amnesty International, six major Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE have offered zero resettlement places to Syrian refugees.

Thousands of school teachers will not work for two consecutive days to protest against the unequal pay across states.