Country health boost promised by ALP
More equipment, elective surgery and chemotherapy for country areas of SA have been pledged by Labor.

Government to proceed with long-awaited locks
The State Government will go ahead with ignition locks for repeat drink drivers - three years after announcing the plan.

Redmond chases health policy detail
South Australian Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond has gone to Canberra with health policy on her mind.

Nurse named Monaro Woman of the Year
A palliative care nurse from the Bombala Shire in the New South Wales South East has been named Monaro Woman of the Year.

Bottle shop wins right to continue 24 hour trading
Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson is disappointed at a VCAT decision that allows a city bottle shop to continue trading around the clock.

Sydney eateries trial 'scores on doors' rating scheme
Food outlets in Canada Bay area will be part of a trial of a new system of rating food safety and hygiene standards.

Push on for more Indigenous health funds
The coordinator of a children's health program in the Torres Strait, off far north Queensland, says she will call for more funding for the region during meetings in Canberra today.

Modbury to get upgrade, whoever wins
Modbury Hospital will be upgraded, whether the ALP or Liberals form the next SA Government.

Scientology 'putting lives at risk'
Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry joins growing calls for a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology.

Senate rejects health rebate changes
Senate hands Government another double-dissolution election trigger after blocking changes to private health insurance.

'Commonsense' fix urged to dialysis dilemma
Aboriginal groups say the Northern Territory and South Australian governments are refusing to take responsibility for the critical shortage of dialysis places in Alice Springs.

No asbestos exposure says Woodside
Woodside has denied any of its workers were exposed to asbestos on the Pluto LNG project in the Pilbara.

Court grants sterilisation order for disabled girl
The Family Court has granted a Queensland couple permission to have a hysterectomy performed on their 11-year-old disabled daughter.

Vet association backs Hendra audit
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says it supports an audit of Queensland vet practices to reduce the risk of future outbreaks of Hendra virus.

Oldest woman in America dies age 114
Mary Josephine Ray, the oldest woman in the United States and the second oldest woman in the world, has died at age 114 at a nursing home in the state of New Hampshire.

Human error blamed for infection scare
Queensland Health has confirmed a dental sterilisation bungle at Bundaberg Hospital was caused by human error.

Illegal tattooists face $2K fine
The Broken Hill City Council is warning people there are a number of illegal tattooists operating across the city.

Murray blue-green algae alert spreads
The red alert for blue-green algae in the Murray River has been extended downstream to Swan Hill.

Homeowners threatened with jail over tradies' safety
Homeowners will soon be facing a possible six-year jail sentence if a worker is injured or killed on their property.

Kempsey considers joining health alliance
Health advocates in Kempsey are considering joining a state-wide alliance that represents regional hospitals and health services.

More money pledged to tackle hospital waits
The ALP pledges $109 million to ease waiting in hospital emergency departments.

Bartlett health splurge relies on federal overhaul
Tasmania's Premier is banking on a $600 million health splurge to secure his re-election, but the package relies on the Federal Government's hospitals overhaul going ahead.

Tasty fat find could help beat the bulge
Researchers find a new taste sense - fat - and say the discovery could lead to foods that fool the body.

Mine workers exposed to asbestos: union
Mining operator Woodside has been accused of exposing workers to dangerous levels of asbestos on its Pluto liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia's Pilbara region.