Researchers say they've found early signs of a positive impact in the NT and health groups want the measure rolled out around the country, but an alcohol lobby group says the research is inconclusive.

Defence says it "proactively tested" members for COVID-19 in the Middle East after it was notified a number of locally engaged contractors had tested positive to COVID-19.

In Central Australia, butterflies have only several weeks in certain months to pollinate flowering plants in the desert region, making their presence there crucial.

Lawyers for a former senior NT police officer facing rape allegations can access the identity of a whistleblower who complained about him, an NT Supreme Court judge rules.

At the moment human vaccine trials are testing whether the vaccine is safe, what dose you need to induce a good antibody response and finally whether that antibody response is enough to prevent infection with this coronavirus. All that takes time.

A grazier in the far west of New South Wales is up to the challenge of the drought, growing his beard till he beats the big dry.

There is a part of Australia where the rivers are high but the crops are dying, where farmers can see plenty of water but have no access to it. And that could mean a change in political fortunes.

The re-election of the Berejiklian Government for a third term has provided a morale boost for the federal Liberals, but any relief being felt will be tempered by a much bigger problem: what to do about voter discontent in the bush.

Opposition Water spokesman Tony Burke has announced Labor would change the way 450 gigalitres of water is recovered, by "restoring the socio-economic definition" for delivering water.

The word, which describes an iconic blend ingredients, is finally set for official recognition along with a special reference to a certain town where the dish is virtually a staple.

As a maintenance man, Peter Crawford knows better than most that one of the hazards of underground living is the question of who might drop in.

Once an outback oasis, Copi Hollow is now almost all that's left of the Menindee lakes system, but its future is uncertain.

Consumer Protection is urging people to look beyond the price tag when shopping online this Christmas.

Police are investigating the second robbery from an Albany volunteer bushfire brigade within weeks.

A new strategy to reduce fatal shark attacks is being implemented with baited drum lines to be set along popular beaches in Perth and the South West. Sharks will also be caught and killed if they enter zones near those beaches because they will be considered an imminent threat. The measures follow six fatal attacks by sharks in WA in two years. Opponents say sharks deserve respect and protection.

The state Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has labelled as "out of control" fee increases for TAFE courses from next year. The Government flagged the increases months ago but the new fees were only published yesterday. Mr McGowan says the cost of a Diploma of Nursing will rise 390 per cent next year. He says the increases will result in fewer people enrolling and lead to skills shortages.

The charity food provider, Foodbank, says there has been a big increase in middle class people seeking help in regional WA this holiday period.

Police in Albany suspect an attack on an automatic teller machine may be linked to a similar incident on the south coast a a few months earlier.

Pledging to quit smoking, lose weight and get fit is pretty popular on New Years' Eve, so why do many people fail?

Authorities are warning the Great Southern and lower Wheatbelt need to be on alert over the next few days, with sweltering conditions expected to create a serious fire danger.

Police in Albany are investigating an aggravated burglary on Saturday afternoon.

A business commentator has warned the relief felt by the local nickel sector, after an Indonesian move to restrict exports, could be extremely short-lived.

The Fair Work Ombudsman will be auditing retailers across Perth and regional Western Australia, in response to a spike in complaints.

Local governments have expressed concern about a decision to kill off merger discussions between four Wheatbelt shires.