An epidemic of petrol-sniffing among Aborigines in Australia’s central desert has been cured by the introduction of a special “fume free” fuel.

Australia today apologised to its indigenous people for past treatment that "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss," in a historic parliamentary vote.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has introduced a motion to Parliament apologising to Aborigines for past mistreatment.

Australia’s Parliament would apologise to Aborigines for “profound grief” and “the indignity and degradation” caused by the policies of past governments, under a motion proposed today by the prime minister.

Signing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change topped the agenda for the new Australian leader Kevin Rudd as he began work today after sweeping to power at weekend elections.

AUSTRALIA’S Aborigines renewed calls for official recognition of past injustices yesterday after a court awarded an Aboriginal man A$525,000 (€329,500) for being taken from his family 50 years ago.

AUSTRALIA'S government yesterday rejected accusations it had humiliated an outback Aboriginal community with a demand that indigenous children wash their faces twice a day to promote public health if the town is to be given a petrol pump.

Australia’s government is ready to unite with its impoverished Aborigines to tackle the chronic health and social problems that afflict their communities, a prominent indigenous sportsman says, after a meeting with the prime minister.

A British tourist who went missing this week in the Australian Outback after visiting Ayers Rock was found dead by Aborigines today.

TOUGH new laws targeting alcoholism among Aborigines in north-eastern Australia took effect yesterday.

Mourners in cowboy hats mingled today with Australia’s prime minister and music stars at the state funeral of Slim Dusty, a country singer hailed as one of the nation’s greatest storytellers and a promoter of reconciliation between Aborigines and other Australians.

Rival indigenous groups clashed today as local tribe members tried to evict residents of a so-called “Aboriginal tent embassy” set up 30 years ago in the Australian capital.

Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard said today he was sorry for the historical mistreatment of Aborigines, but was against a formal national apology because it could trigger compensation claims.

Two British backpackers have been attacked by a wild dingo in Australia.

A 63-year-old Austrian man has died of a heart attack while climbing Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback.