Mining giant Rio Tinto has delivered shareholders its biggest-ever dividend after a stunning rally in prices for iron ore.

The decision by The Age to publish early articles about George Pell’s sex abuse conviction was, lawyers for the media argue, made to inform readers why the case could not be reported.

Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup says a Liberal wipeout could be bad for democracy and concedes he might not be re-elected but hoped his election efforts would be for the greater good of his party.

Player advocate Peter Jess has proposed that the $25 million a year contribution would be funded “at the retail level of the game” and so the cost would be passed on to football fans.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority and Forestry Corporation traded barbs after discussions over setting site-specific rules for timber harvesting collapsed.