Woodside activists vow to fight on despite jail terms
Two climate activists have been handed suspended prison terms for their "harmful" act of letting off stench gas at Woodside's headquarters.
Economy, Business and Finance
Utes dominate vehicles sales and push BYD past Tesla
Australia's love affair with the ute has dominated new vehicle sales during June, but one hybrid model has had an unusual impact on Australia's auto market.
Australians warned to not jump the gun on tax return
The national tax office has warned Australians to be patient in lodging their tax returns as the financial year comes to an end.
Retail spending tipped to stay soft as home prices soar
Housing prices are expected to climb ever higher, even as a predicted recovery in dwelling consents shines a ray of hope on Australia's supply ambitions.
Blowtorch on gas market as report pumps for investment
Regulations on how Australia's gas market is run will be placed under review as the federal government looks to shore up the domestic market.
Tech giant’s tips for Australia to catch the AI wave
Industry darling OpenAI has released an economic blueprint for Australia to capitalise on AI as concerns are raised the tech could destroy entry-level jobs.
Lower interest rates, tighter supply lifts home prices
Australia's residential property market is being stoked by strengthening demand fuelled by lower interest rates and a tighter supply of homes for sale.
Rice not on the table in Japan’s trade talks with US
Donald Trump has criticised Japan for not buying American rice as Tokyo scrambles to convince the US to scrap a 25 per cent tariff on Japanese cars.
Red tape and silver bullets: tough task for housing fix
Governments are taking aim at red tape to fix a chronic undersupply of housing in Australia but the industry warns cultural issues will be harder to fix.
Drought and taxes pile on mental pressure for farmers
The ongoing challenges of extreme weather and new emergency services taxes are making the mental pressures experienced by farmers harder to bear.
‘Temu version’: opposition lashes visionless budget
A state opposition leader has promised to extend land tax concessions indefinitely after calling the government's budget a cheaper version of his party's ideas.
Greenwashing lawsuit to test ‘overstated’ gas claims
Claims about the future of renewable gas will be tested in Federal Court after the competition regulator launched its biggest greenwashing lawsuit to date.
Virgin soars in ‘luckiest’ Aussie share debut of year
Virgin Australia shares are trading higher as the nation's second-biggest airline returns to the ASX five years after it went bust.
Tech boss fears AI regulations will hamper innovation
The leader of one of Australia's top medical technology companies warns strict regulations on artificial intelligence could hamper local innovation.
Hope for home owners as inflation hits four-year low
Expectations are growing interest rates will be cut again soon as the Reserve Bank's preferred measure of inflation falls to its lowest level in years.
‘Boring’ budget to get finances ready for future shocks
Having sped up home approvals, a building laggard is shifting focus to getting construction going in a bid to reduce the biggest strain on family finances.
Trump may help Australia sail ahead in green shipping
Australia has a unique opportunity to cut emissions from international shipping but it could be boosted by a carbon price and policy changes in the US.
Surplus in sight but few sweeteners in ‘careful’ budget
A nation-first approach to back up housing projects headlines Australia's largest state budget as critics attack surplus projections and support for services.
Spotlight on inflation as state treasurers come clean
Monthly inflation data and state budget updates are set to dominate the economic agenda and shape the Reserve Bank's next cash rate call.
Renters fearful of speaking up about essential repairs
Half of Australia's private housing tenants are living in homes in need of repair but are too scared to ask their landlord about it, according to a study.
What’s the crime, say accused $10m fake merch dealers
Caught with over 500 fake luxury items, three founders of an alleged $10 million counterfeit empire have attacked the investigators who put them in custody.
Doubts after ‘unprecedented’ arrests over luxury fakes
Three men allegedly involved with a business selling knock-off designer watches and jewellery have been bailed as a magistrate questions the case against them.
Robots set to conquer the final frontiers
A camera system designed to work like a human brain could help robots go further, including machines built for space and undersea explorations.
Treasurer throws down gauntlet for ‘crucial’ tax reform
The treasurer has kicked off a journey that he hopes will result in broad agreement on changes that help solve Australia's economic challenges.
‘You worry’: fears in Iranian community after bombing
Iranians in Australia say there is growing community fear over the safety of family members caught up in escalating violence in the Middle East.
Green tick: Australian net-zero projects to be rated
Environmental projects will be analysed and rated in Australia in a move experts say could prevent greenwashing and encourage international investments.
Transparency boost: Reserve Bank homes in on key change
The Reserve Bank is likely to implement a key outstanding recommendation of a review into its operations, bringing it in line with international counterparts.
Trump arrives for G7 amid trade, political tensions
Donald Trump has arrived in Canada for his first G7 summit since returning to office - and after irking his partners with tariffs and threats of annexation.
Australian shares hit record close as bank stocks surge
Banks and energy stocks have helped lift the local bourse to record highs, but continued growth will hinge on the outcome of US-China trade talks.
Tariff turmoil – World Bank cuts global growth forecast
The World Bank has cut its growth forecast as a result of Donald Trump's erratic trade policies, saying the global outlook has "deteriorated substantially".
Australian shares fade after hitting new record
A trade truce between the world's two largest economies helped send Australian shares to new heights, but an afternoon sell-off shows investors remain wary.