The top National headlines from The Sydney Morning Herald. For all the news, visit http://www.smh.com.au.
Boys arrested after fires
Three boys have been arrested after shed and car were set alight on the NSW mid-north coast, causing tens of thousands of dollars damage.
Carney pips Farah to win Dally M Medal
Sydney Roosters five-eighth Todd Carney has won the 2010 Dally M Medal, beating Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah by a single point.
New govt more equitable for all: ACOSS
The Australian Council of Social Service says the new parliament gives real hope for fairness and greater equality for all Australians.
The real Julia is not timid
Prime Minister Julia Gillard promises she will not run a timid government, saying she is optimistic and has big ambitions for the country.
Brian Smith named NRL coach of the year
Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith has been rewarded for taking the club from NRL wooden spooners to finalists by being named Dally M Coach of the Year.
Rice in hot water over Tweet
The fallout over Stephanie Rice's bizarre homophobic slur on Twitter has cost Australian swimming's glamour girl a luxury car deal.
No power for homes four days after storm
About 1500 homes are expected to enter a fourth day without power after a ferocious storm battered the NSW south coast and plunged the region into darkness.
Hasler patches up depleted Manly squad
Manly coach Des Hasler has been forced to search far and wide to cobble together an unfamiliar line-up for Sunday's final against St George Illawarra.
All Blacks not peaking too early: McCaw
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is adamant his rampaging All Blacks aren't repeating their old trick of peaking a year out from the World Cup.
Independents get $10bn boon for bush
Regional Australia had been the big winner out of the independents' negotiations with Labor to form government.
Regions to enjoy affordable internet
Internet users in regional Australia will pay the same price to surf the web as people in big capital cities as part of Labor's deal to stay in power.
AFL announce byes for 2011 draw
Next year's AFL fixture will have 19 rounds of eight games and five rounds of seven games to accommodate the introduction of the Gold Coast.
Wallabies set to feel NZ quake fallout
The devastating earthquake in Christchurch has steeled the All Blacks' resolve ahead of the Bledisloe Test against the Wallabies on Saturday night.