Newcastle, Australia News

DAVID MARK: A failed $10 million program to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence in Queensland has prompted renewed calls for more effective action.

An inquiry into child sexual abuse in the New South Wales Hunter Valley Catholic Church has heard an investigator did not want to examine allegations of abuse because he was waiting for more information.

Featuring John Mueller, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute, Senior Research Scientist, Mershon Center, Ohio State University; and Mark G. Stewart, Visiting Fellow, Cato Institute, Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Newcastle, Australia; moderated by Laura Odato, Director of Government Affairs, Cato Institute.

Commemorate IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobi, this Friday at a range of events being held throughout Sydney and regional New South Wales.

A businessman who paid $1,800 for a dinner to celebrate a coal deal has told the ICAC the dinner was not lavish.

The former head of the police force in the New South Wales Hunter Valley has told an inquiry that investigations into child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy could have been "better managed". An inquiry has heard claims that important police documents regarding allegations of child sexual abuse in the Hunter Valley's Catholic Church sat on the desk ... (more)

SYNTHETIC drugs should be renamed "social tonics" to differentiate them from illicit substances, an Australian adult industry group has said.

Graduating senior Jared D. Smith of Bay Shore received the Levinus Clarkson Award during Clarkson University's 120th commencement ceremony.

Pop Up Launceston founders Karen Revie and Kitty Taylor outside one of the city's vacant shops.

Scientific Officer Elton Potgieter of the Forensic Ballistic Investigation Section, New South Wales Police Force takes us through the process of identifying firearms.

In an interview with The Fiji Times yesterday, Australian Department of Immigration spokesperson Lancia Jordana said the Fijians, who were among 27 illegal workers and visa over-stayers, were nabbed following a raid in New South Wales last week.

Australian officials on Friday called off a massive air and sea search for a couple who fell overboard during a cruise, as the cruise ship company involved said safety was its first priority.

A Hunter Valley Catholic priest suspected of sexually abusing children over four decades boasted he would beat any charges against him, a special commission of inquiry has heard.

Sixteen athletes from Tonga will participate in this year's Asia-Pacific Special Olympics in Newcastle, Australia, from November 28 to December 7. of the Digicel Tonga in 2011.

A massive air and sea search has been launched off the coast of New South Wales for a man and a woman believed to have fallen overboard from a luxury cruise liner.

Whistleblower cop Peter Fox was axed from investigating alleged child sex abuse by priests in the New South Wales Hunter region, despite his protests that the victims had been through hell and he had promised them he'd follow through.

ELEANOR HALL: The special commission of inquiry investigating child sexual abuse in the Newcastle area has begun its hearings this morning.

Some of the most senior police officers in New South Wales will give evidence at a public inquiry starting today into child sex abuse and the Catholic Church.

New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen suffered a knee injury playing for Cronulla Sharks on Sunday, putting him in doubt for next month's State of Origin opener against Queensland.

This week we travel to Australia's most remote weather station, a tiny speck on the map in the West Australian desert; and join Cinderella and her pumpkin coach at the inaugural Stroud farmers' market.