December 12, 2015 Quade Cooper back in Wallabies squad Quade Cooper was recalled to the Wallabies squad on Friday as new coach Ewen McKenzie ended the ill-fated James O'Connor fly-half experiment for next month's Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Tests.
December 12, 2015 Black flag held by Sydney siege hostages bears Islamic message of faith The flag held by hostages against the window of a Sydney cafe in television pictures beamed around the world is not directly associated with the Islamic State group, but has been co-opted by other jihadist organizations, Australian media reported Monday.
December 12, 2015 Jockey dies after fall in Australia Australia's horse-racing community was reeling on Tuesday after jockey Simone Montgomerie died after falling during a race at the Darwin Cup meeting.
December 12, 2015 Double-O heaven as Lions celebrate with Bond James Bond actor Daniel Craig brought a little stardust -- and champagne -- to the British and Irish Lions' celebrations as they finally ended a 16-year Test series drought on Saturday.
December 12, 2015 Australian gambling tycoon Packer splits from wife Australian billionaire James Packer and his second wife Erica Baxter have announced their separation after six years of marriage.
December 12, 2015 Rudd's return revives Australia's Labor: poll The dramatic return of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered his flagging Labor party a six-percentage-point bounce, according to polls that also showed him as preferred leader over Tony Abbott.
December 12, 2015 Australian PM launches discrimination inquiry The government of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard asked the Human Rights Commission to launch an inquiry into the treatment of women in the workplace, marking a return to the vexed issue of gender equality.
December 12, 2015 McKenzie under pressure as Wallabies chase win New coach Ewen McKenzie is under mounting pressure as the Wallabies attempt to avoid the ignominy of a fifth straight Test defeat against Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
December 12, 2015 Poll bounce for 'changed' Australia PM Rudd Australia's newly reinstalled Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is a changed man since his first stint in the job, his deputy Anthony Albanese said, as a national poll showed the switch in leadership had revived the government's election hopes.
December 12, 2015 Australia PM names just one woman in cabinet Australia's new prime minister Tony Abbott unveiled his incoming cabinet Monday, attracting immediate criticism for including only one woman.
