Peaking cash rate likely pushing up home price: RBA
The perception that interest rates are at or close to their peak is likely spurring more home buyers to enter the market, helping to push up property prices.
Economy, Business and Finance
Shop around if bank profits worry you: RBA boss
The head of the Reserve Bank has encouraged customers to make banks work harder for their money by shopping around.
Spending worries leave interest rate hikes on the table
The task of returning inflation to target is going according to plan, but the head of the Reserve Bank says it could still be thrown off course.
Rinehart’s rift with dad over his lover heard at trial
Gina Rinehart's lawyers have argued Lang Hancock's corporate breaches before he died extinguish a competing mining dynasty's claim for a stake in her riches.
AGL Energy posts $1.26 billion loss after writedowns
AGL Energy suffered a $1.26 billion loss after writing down the value of its coal-fired power plants and its energy derivatives contracts.
Aussie winemakers are hoping to raise a glass to China
Australian grape and wine producers are optimistic that hefty tariffs will be scrapped on wine exported to China, after imposts on barley were removed.
Coles rolls out Sparky, the electric delivery truck
Supermarket giant Coles has announced the arrival of its first electric delivery truck but stopped short of meeting a pledge by rival Woolworths.
‘Perfect storm’: insolvency surge threatens businesses
The Australian Taxation Office and other creditors pose the biggest threat to cash-strapped businesses facing an insolvency "surge", an organisation says.
Competition heavyweight to head up price-gouging probe
Unions have set up an inquiry led by a former consumer watchdog chair to find out if price gouging is common and what can be done about it.
Funeral home owner agrees to $1.8b revised takeover bid
An ASX200 company that operates nearly 300 funeral homes in three countries has agreed to be taken over by a US-based private equity firm.
Procurement system a consultants’ ‘protection racket’
A parliamentary committee has savaged the procurement process for government contracts, saying it is an uncompetitive rort.
Suncorp Group posts bumper jump in full-year profit
Suncorp Group says it still hopes to sell its banking division to ANZ but regulatory delays will cost it between $75 million and $100 million.
CBA posts record profit as mortgage borrowers cling on
As rising interest rates boost Commonwealth Bank profits, consumers appear relatively resilient with mortgage arrears remaining low.
Up to 250,000 workers could get electric car discount
A change to small business software could help thousands more Australian workers access tax cuts on electric vehicles.
Consultancy giants load up on $3.7b Defence contracts
Australia's biggest four consultancy firms raked in billions of dollars from Defence contracts, new analysis shows, sparking calls for greater transparency.
Latham says tweet enhanced, not harmed MP’s reputation
Mark Latham has claimed an allegedly defamatory tweet describing graphic acts by Alex Greenwich enhanced rather than hurt the independent MP's reputation.
Lingering price pressures plaguing businesses
Cost pressures continue to haunt businesses and are still flowing through to a higher cost of living for households.
Motorists paying more for fuel as oil supplies tighten
Motorists are being urged to shop around to find the best deals with fuel prices rising as oil supply constraints collide with strong demand.
Rhodes’ mining riches claim has fatal flaw, court told
Billionaire Gina Rinehart's lawyers have started their defence against claims by two prospectors for billion-dollar stakes in a lucrative iron ore project.
Yindjibarndi tell of mine’s ‘devastation’ to country
The native title owners of the site of a large iron ore mine in the WA Pilbara have outlined their case for compensation for spiritual and economic loss.
Barney over barley continues despite China tariffs axe
The trade minister is calling for all barley producers to have Chinese market access with the largest exporters remaining blocked despite tariff removal.
Huge fines on table as tax avoidance crackdown ramps up
Tax advisors and firms could face fines of more than $780 million if they help clients avoid paying tax as part of a Commonwealth push to stamp out misconduct.
Mini to Porsche: more classic cars are turning electric
Australian automotive start-ups are working on ways to turn classic cars into electric vehicles, as demand for conversions spikes.
WA Labor ‘still considering’ cultural heritage laws
A senior West Australian minister has refused to be drawn on whether the state government will dump its controversial Aboriginal cultural heritage laws.
‘We are the glue’: rural women’s network marks 30 years
Women are the glue that holds rural communities together, something the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network is celebrating in its 30th year.
Aussie barley ready for China brewers with tariffs axed
Growers have welcomed the Chinese government's decision to lift tariffs on Australian barley imports, which were effectively shut out of the key export market.
Protections urged for threatened forestry workers
NSW MPs have been told of several violent attacks and threats against workers as tensions rise about the logging of culturally significant forests.
ANZ won’t let sun set on stalled $4.9b bank takeover
ANZ plans to appeal to a competition tribunal after the ACCC blocked its proposed $4.9 billion purchase of Suncorp's banking arm.
Home prices to keep rising despite higher rates: REA
Property prices across Australia are predicted to increase by up to five per cent in 2023, with some capital cities forecast for an even higher growth rate.
Wrong trains figure a stuff up, not cover up: minister
A Queensland minister has sought to clear the air over a train contact announcement that led to claims the government was hiding a $2.4 billion cost blowout.
Minister pledges to take the sting out of fire ants
Out of the pan and into the fire ants, Queensland's agriculture minister is adamant a battle to contain the invasive pests is being won.