Small firms’ mood sours amid price rises
Confidence and conditions dropped among small and medium-sized businesses during the March quarter, a National Australia Bank survey shows.
Economy, Business and Finance
Treasury, Finance say economy is resilient
The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook produced independently by Treasury and Finance has proved little different from last month's budget.
Labor rejects anti-coal pledge: Albanese
A Labor government will not sign an agreement to phase out coal use but the opposition leader says Australia could still be chosen to host climate conferences.
Rio Tinto backs Russian, Ukrainian workers
Rio Tinto says it is offering support to workers of Ukrainian and Russian heritage and has committed $US5 million ($A6.8 million) to humanitarian agencies.
Australia gets IMF vote of confidence: PM
The International Monetary Fund's upgrade of Australia's economic outlook is a vote of confidence, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
Certainty welcomed for new gas, minerals
Australia will take its place in the new energy economy with taxpayer support to reinvent fossil fuels and mine new minerals, under plans backed by industry.
Coalition pledges loan scheme for farmers
Budding farmers will be helped to buy their first property under a federal coalition promise to guarantee up to 40 per cent of their commercial loan.
New mines key to health, welfare: Joyce
As the coalition seeks to turn the election debate to economic issues, Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says sources must be found to fund spending promises.
Exoskeleton find leads to super cement
A new Australian discovery in relation to invertebrate exoskeletons may lead to advances in the design of more damage-resistant construction materials.
Corporate staff called to help at airports
More than 300 corporate staff from Qantas and Sydney Airport worked at terminals on Good Friday to help ease pressures caused by worker shortages.
Easter flights depart without baggage
The Good Friday rush at the country's busiest airports has passed after fears of Easter chaos but staff shortages meant some planes flew without bags loaded.
Retailers to enjoy Easter sales boost
New research predicts retailers will enjoy a $7.1 billion sales boost this Easter holiday weekend, with Saturday one of the top 10 trading days of the year.
Travel, miners help ASX post solid gains
Australian shares gained 0.6 per cent before the Easter long weekend despite financial stocks coming under pressure.
Broad gains push ASX higher at noon
Australian shares have traded 0.6 per cent higher midway through the session, despite weaker sentiment in financial stocks.
Invasive mango pest detected in Top End
An industry-threatening pest known as the mango shoot looper has been detected for the first time in the Northern Territory.
Bank of Queensland lifts first-half profit
Bank of Queensland increased its profit in the first half of fiscal 2022, as it continues to bed down its acquisition of ME Bank.
Star junket risk discussed, not documented
A senior risk manager has told an inquiry risk assessments were completed into a controversial junket operator, but can't say where or if they were documented.
Queensland leads nation in carbon farming
An industry scorecard finds Australia is leading the world on carbon farming, but uncertainty hangs over the sector with Labor pledging a review if elected.
Airport travellers facing Easter chaos
The nation's airports are bracing for the busiest day in two years as people plan to get away for the Easter long weekend with travellers facing major delays.
Rate rise risk unnerves mortgage holders
Households with a mortgage have posted a steep drop in confidence due to concerns a cash rate rise by the RBA is just months away.
Consumers, business upbeat ahead of poll
Consumers and business have entered a long six-week federal election campaign in a relatively upbeat mood.
‘Telephone’ voting for COVID-19 iso cases
A telephone voting system is set to be rolled out for the 2022 federal election, allowing those in COVID-19 isolation on polling day to cast their ballot.
Auction rates bubble on despite price cool
Despite cooling Australian house prices, auction rates are sky high as buyers get in and sellers go to market before interest rates rise.
Construction starts on new Qld coal mine
The deputy prime minister has hailed a new coal mine as helping to underpin Australia's security by generating more money for the economy.
RBA warns of quicker, steeper rate rises
The Reserve Bank warns borrowers to be prepared for interest rates to rise more quickly than anticipated, as politicians gear up for a cost-of-living election.
Biggest ASX loss in more than three weeks
Investors have watched the ASX close lower after signs the US Federal Reserve wants larger rate increases to head off inflation.
Toyota class action bill could reach $2b
A class action lawsuit against Toyota has been upheld, with the auto giant facing the prospect of paying out thousands of customers to the tune of $2 billion.
ASX weighed down by US rate hike concerns
Shares have slipped on the ASX after worries in the US about the central bank taking more aggressive action to curb inflation.
More Australian kids dying on driveways
More Australian children are dying on household driveways than ever before, figures reveal.
More economists expect June rate rise
More economists have brought forward to June their expected date for a first rise in the RBA cash rate in a decade.
Major cities see impact of fuel excise cut
Motorists are enjoying lower petrol prices in major cities as a result of the cut to fuel excise and everyone should be enjoying the benefit in coming weeks.