Nicole Hegarty
Canberra, ACT
Nicole Hegarty is an ABC News political reporter and producer based at Parliament House Canberra. She was previously a news reporter at ABC Wide Bay and ABC Sunshine Coast. Nicole started with the ABC as an intern in 2016 and has never left! Nicole has a keen interest in politics and current affairs, international relations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, history and cricket.
Latest by Nicole Hegarty
Four public servants found to have breached APS Code of Conduct over Robodebt
Four current or former public servants have breached the Australian Public Service code of conduct in relation to the Robodebt scheme, according to the preliminary findings of an independent investigation.
Gig workers to benefit from minimum standards as government secures support for IR reforms
The Fair Work Commission will have new powers to set minimum standards for rideshare and food delivery drivers under new legislation that will be voted on today.
Dodgy training providers to face fivefold increase to penalties
Registered providers who fail to show genuine commitment to vocational education and training and don't offer any courses over 12 months would be automatically stripped of their registration.
Why are people saying the Stage 3 tax cut changes will worsen bracket creep?
The opposition is adamant the government's changes to stage 3 tax cuts expose Australians to bracket creep, now and into the future. So how much of an issue is bracket creep and will these changes set back the cause for addressing it?
Bulk billing decline reverses in first months of tripled GP incentive
Disadvantaged areas have recorded among the highest increase in bulk-billed GP appointments since the government tripled the Medicare incentive in November, but for those who don’t qualify the cost remains a significant barrier.
Reshaped tax cuts still overwhelmingly benefit highest earners, PBO analysis shows
The lowest 40 per cent of income earners will receive less than 10 per cent of the benefits afforded under the reshaped stage three tax cuts, according to analysis from the independent Parliamentary Budget Office.
No political interference over missing Iraq War cabinet documents
A review of the transfer of cabinet records from 2003 has found no evidence of political interference after some documents related to the Iraq War were kept secret.
Will Labor's tax cuts be dragged into a looming brawl over minimum wages?
Ai Group and other business groups are calling for the Fair Work Commission to factor in the stage 3 tax cut changes when determining the minimum wage.
NDIS reform and GST arrangements on national cabinet agenda
Imminent reform to rein in the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and mounting calls for the GST "no-worse-off guarantee" to be made permanent will dominate today's national cabinet meeting in Canberra.
Sex offender released under High Court decision becomes third former detainee arrested
The Coalition says the government was "asleep at the wheel" when the High Court ruled indefinite immigration detention unlawful, and that two ministers should resign or be sacked after one man released from immigration detention weeks ago was charged with two counts of indecent assault.
'Just one dose was enough to inflict a lifetime of damage': Thalidomide survivors reflect on their national apology
Karen Wheildon was a few days old when her mother removed her mittens to find she had an extra thumb. A survivor of thalidomide, she was among the Australians to receive an apology from the federal parliament.
'High-risk' infrastructure project funding axed as federal government contains spending
Dozens of infrastructure projects across the country have been scrapped by the federal government in an effort to contain spending.
High Court ruling paves way to end indefinite detention for asylum seekers with nowhere to go
The High Court rules a Rohingya man has been unlawfully detained in immigration detention, paving the way to end indefinite detention for other asylum seekers.
Taxpayer funds invested in dozens of high risk Chinese companies through federal government fund, new audit reveals
An audit of the Australian Government Future Fund identifies investments in at least 50 high risk Chinese companies linked to the Communist Party and oppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Family of Australian writer Yang Hengjun plead for PM to raise case during Beijing visit
Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been detained in China for almost five years. Now his family fear there is a narrowing window of opportunity to secure his release.
Junior women reportedly ranked in 'Hotties List' circulated by Infrastructure Department staff
A "Hotties List" of graduate women in the Infrastructure Department was reportedly circulated by male graduates, according to a complaint by one employee.
Government launches crackdown on 'criminals' exploiting visa system
The federal government says criminals have been allowed to exploit Australia's visa system for human trafficking and other organised crime, as it announces a boost in compliance officers and new rules for migration agents.
You Ask We Answer: Why has the government opted for a referendum on the Voice to Parliament rather than legislation?
Despite being on the cusp of early voting for the Voice to Parliament referendum, many still have questions about the proposal, one of them being; why can't it just be legislated?
Tasmania, South Australia focus of Voice advocates on first full day of formal campaign
Yes and No advocates will spend the first full day of the formal Voice to Parliament referendum campaign targeting the swing states of South Australia and Tasmania.
Prime minister to name date for Voice referendum
The prime minister will today announce when Australians will head to the polls to vote on whether to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the constitution.
Voice to Parliament conspiracy theory an attempt to create 'misinformation and division'
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies, Voice to Parliament advocates and the prime minister have described a conspiracy theory on the length of the Uluru Statement from the Heart as a misinformation campaign to avoid debating the facts.
AFP admits Peter Dutton was not specifically briefed on concerns over Nauru businessman
The Australian Federal Police is forced to correct the record and clarify that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was not briefed on the identity of a man later jailed for bribing Nauru government officials.
Scott Morrison accuses the government of 'rank hypocrisy' over Robodebt criticism
The former prime minister addresses federal parliament for the first time since the royal commission handed down its damning findings earlier this month, doubling down on his rejection of any wrongdoing.
Paying ransoms to hackers is a mistake, Australia's new cybersecurity coordinator says
Australia's newly minted cybersecurity coordinator pleads with companies not to pay ransoms, saying doing so risks making the nation a rich target for cybercrime.
Robodebt report provides avenue for further civil action and compensation for victims
Australians targeted by the illegal robodebt income averaging scheme are considering their legal options after the damning royal commission report suggested there was evidence to support a further civil case.