‘Keep up or languish’: two paths for Australia’s future
Future Australians can expect longer lives and higher living standards, but only if the nation makes the most of rapid technology shifts, the treasurer says.
Economy, Business and Finance
How Australia will sell its bid for a UN security seat
Social media reform and climate efforts in the Pacific will be cited as part of Australia's push for a two-year stint on the United Nations Security Council.
Geologist deep dive reveals rich copper, gold deposits
A landmark study into mineral prospects in Australia's southeast has revealed potential new sites of copper, gold and critical mineral deposits.
Data centres power up debate on environmental red tape
Concerns about how to power data centres are at the fore as the clock ticks for hold-out jurisdictions to agree to take on environmental assessments.
State sets agenda on medicinal cannabis drivers
Motorists using medicinal cannabis will be allowed to drive in one state, while another takes a zero-tolerance approach.
Aussie mining giant to hit the track in Formula E debut
An Australian team could join the world's biggest electric racing series, with the company behind its rapid-charging technology preparing to step onto the grid.
Aussie wagyu producer raises the ‘steaks’ a third time
An Aussie wagyu beef producer has won a global award for the third time in a row, in a show of confidence for the sector, which is the world's largest exporter.
Electric check-out: Coles opens greener grocery store
It is not just the bags that are green: a Melbourne supermarket will use renewable energy and customised technology to reduce its environmental footprint.
Aussie plumbing products giant to be acquired for $3.9b
Plumbing and heating solutions company Reliance Worldwide has agreed to be bought out by private equity giant Brookfield, giving its investors a windfall.
‘Arrogance’: town faces uncertain future under new bill
A remote township looks set to face an uncertain future after the introduction of a controversial bill which also curtails rights to object to mining proposals.
‘Doing what we want’: Labor stands by housing tax moves
Tax changes will help boost housing supply in the long run, even though a downturn is impacting new home sales, the housing minister says.
Murderer’s gag order lifted after ‘troubling’ AI error
Susan Neill-Fraser has spoken publicly for the first time in more than a decade after a court ruled a gag order based on inaccurate AI information was invalid.
Middle East war increasing demand for Australian coal
In the aftermath of the war in the Middle East, coal from Australia seems a safer bet than gas from other sources, a major producer of the fossil fuel says.
Surprise downfall for rich state atop economic rankings
Queensland has emerged at the top of CommBank's revamped State of the States report, despite the state's government copping a downgrade to its credit rating.
Travellers facing higher airfares going into Christmas
The competition watchdog's latest quarterly report on the domestic aviation industry has some bad news for travellers.
‘No value’: smelter blast furnace snuffed out for good
Hundreds of workers will lose their jobs at a major Australian steelworks after a decision to pull the plug on a blast furnace built in the 1960s.
GST revolt continues with treasurer’s ‘privilege’ claim
A state treasurer has appeared before the Productivity Commission, outlining his concerns about the current GST system privileging one state over others.
Electric switch could save households $5000 a year
More than 30 organisations will urge the federal government to do more in backing electric appliances, equipment and vehicles to cut costs and emissions.
Coalition slams ‘Big Brother’ social media reform bill
The opposition is declaring the government's digital duty-of-care laws the "Big Brother bill", doubling down on its stance to block the reforms in parliament.
Motorists warned to buckle up for higher fuel prices
One of Australia's peak motoring bodies has stopped short of calling for a fuel excise cut but believes all options should be on the table as oil prices spike.
‘Truth established’ over ex-Carlton chief’s lewd photo
The former wife of an ex-PwC chief executive and AFL club boss says she's glad the truth is out after settling her defamation case against him.
Sea of red for miners, metals as Aussie market slumps
Mining stocks are getting hammered as surging oil prices and inflation worries weigh on commodity values and hopes for earnings and global economic growth.
‘Profound’ increased death rate for welfare recipients
People on disability, unemployment or carers payments had an average mortality rate nine times higher than those outside the welfare system, a study has found.
China hopes to soon agree on tariff reductions with US
A Chinese government official says a deal with the United States to lower import taxes could soon be agreed.
Australian shares dive as market risks converge
The ASX faces a triple-front of market headwinds as the Iran war, surging bond yields and a strong Aussie dollar prompt investors to batten down the hatches.
Apple unveils passport-shaped foldable phone called Duo
Apple has unveiled its latest generation of iPhones including a version that folds over that it calls Duo.
Sellers flee auctions as housing downturn deepens
More than three in five homes listed for auction converted to private treaty in July, the highest rate since the 2022 downturn, property site Domain has found.
Rising sea levels threaten more than 267,000 properties
Rising seas and storm surges could cost Australia more than $855 billion, endangering homes, businesses, infrastructure and land.
Shipping containers of stolen cars turning up overseas
Cars stolen from Australian drivers are being moved overseas via shipping containers en masse, with the global black market fuelling the crime spree.
Gas export project to stop dipping into domestic market
A major gas exporter says it will stop contracting third-party gas for overseas shipments, amid calls for an enforced domestic reservation.
Retail environment not that bad: industry veteran
Consumer sentiment is gloomy, the chair of IGA operator Metcash says, but shoppers are still spending because there hasn't been a jobs market shakeout.