More details emerge about what will be in tomorrow's federal budget, with billions of dollars earmarked for roads and rail over the next decade and a small tax cut hinted from July this year.

In south east Queensland, the cost of accessing mains water is more than double the amount paid by people connected to Sydney Water.

In south east Queensland, the cost of accessing mains water is more than double the amount paid by people connected to Sydney Water.

Westpac has lifted its half year after-tax profit to $4.2 billion, as it increased its number of home loans and defended the quality of its mortgages.

Westpac has lifted its half year after-tax profit to $4.2 billion, as it increased its number of home loans and defended the quality of its mortgages.

The peak body for Australia's cattle industry considers calling for reforms to prevent lab-grown meat from being labelled "meat".

The peak body for Australia's cattle industry considers calling for reforms to prevent lab-grown meat from being labelled "meat".

China strikes back after the White House criticises Beijing's push to control how international airlines refer to its territories as "Orwellian nonsense".

On the eve of the federal budget, the former treasurer says most Australians won't be around to see the country's national debt paid off.

One sheep has had to be euthanased and three others have been injured before being loaded onto a live export ship at Port Adelaide, the RSPCA says.

One sheep has had to be euthanased and three others have been injured before being loaded onto a live export ship at Port Adelaide, the RSPCA says.

One sheep has had to be euthanased and three others have been injured before being loaded onto a live export ship at Port Adelaide, the RSPCA says.

One of Australia's best-known highway stops is reconsidering its future following the announcement of a bypass that will put it 1km away from the Pacific Highway.

One of Australia's best-known highway stops is reconsidering its future following the announcement of a bypass that will put it 1km away from the Pacific Highway.

One of Australia's best-known highway stops is reconsidering its future following the announcement of a bypass that will put it 1km away from the Pacific Highway.

A helicopter pilot escapes with his life following a serious crash in remote central Australia.

A helicopter pilot escapes with his life following a serious crash in remote central Australia.

A helicopter pilot escapes with his life following a serious crash in remote central Australia.

Retailers, particularly in discretionary sectors, are feeling the pain of a slowing jobs market, weak wages growth and a cooling property market.

Retailers, particularly in discretionary sectors, are feeling the pain of a slowing jobs market, weak wages growth and a cooling property market.

Retailers, particularly in discretionary sectors, are feeling the pain of a slowing jobs market, weak wages growth and a cooling property market.

The Federal Government is asked to publicly explain its decision to award a multi-million dollar contract to a company that donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.

The Federal Government is asked to publicly explain its decision to award a multi-million dollar contract to a company that donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.

The Federal Government is asked to publicly explain its decision to award a multi-million dollar contract to a company that donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.

A former carpenter with terminal cancer who argues he can no longer act as a long-term carer for his sick wife is suing asbestos manufacturer James Hardie for almost $6 million.