Tardy approvals leaving clean energy dollars in limbo
Australia's most populous state and biggest energy user still ranks among the slowest approval times for renewables, suggesting further reform is needed.
Economy, Business and Finance
AI to hit Aussies as data centres push up energy costs
Urgent action must be taken to regulate power and water used by data centres to avoid burdening Australian households with higher costs, a study has found.
consumer confidence
consumers
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
investments
personal income
Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy
A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.
business (general)
computing and information technology
it/computer sciences
litigation and regulation
politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
safety of citizens
software
technology (general)
AI on a budget: Aussie watchdog trails global peers
The body charged with assessing artificial intelligence risks in Australia will operate on a small budget compared to its global counterparts.
building material
construction and property
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
heavy construction
house building
housing and urban planning
Interest rate impact hits housing approval levels
The number of new homes being approved fell once again during April, and the Reserve Bank is being blamed for the downturn.
‘Nation leading’ e-bike laws wound back after outcry
A state government has softened its e-mobility laws, sparing teens from a ban while giving police new powers to breath test riders and seize illegal devices.
Casino slapped with $10m fine over gambling breaches
The Star casino has been hit with another round of massive fines for regulatory breaches, including allowing players to gamble well beyond legal time limits.
construction and property
house building
housing and urban planning
land price
mortgages
politics
prices
Home price falls may signal end of housing super cycle
Rising interest rates, poor affordability, budget tax changes and a political shift towards lower migration could spell the end of a 30-year housing upswing.
‘Likely he’s lying’: treasurer points finger at rival
Future generations will be left with a "multibillion-dollar debt bomb" if the coalition repeals proposed tax changes, the treasurer warns.
construction and property
economic policy
economy, business and finance
house building
housing and urban planning
politics
real estate
Labor shrugs off claim tax shift will sink house prices
The government is selling controversial investment tax changes as an attempt to rebalance the playing field between young and old Australians.
GDP data tops the economic agenda, RBA officials speak
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock will get a chance to react to Wednesday's economic growth figures when she fronts a parliamentary hearing in Canberra.
Diesel boost on the water for bottlenecked regions
The federal government has secured additional diesel to help ease Queensland's regional supply bottlenecks.
business (general)
consumer confidence
consumer goods
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
retail
trade policy
unrest, conflicts and war
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
‘I take accountability’: top advisory firm leader quits
The head of KPMG Australia has resigned after the corporate regulator publicly confirmed in real time it is probing registered company auditors at the firm.
Cargo ship secured for national emergency fleet
A cargo ship able to transport fertiliser and emergency equipment will be the first of 12 vessels to make up a strategic fleet.
Electric truck U-turn could let them pull their weight
Australian companies are missing out on opportunities to save money and pollution with electric trucks due to a lack of support and inconsistent rules.
‘I’m so scared’: jewel fraudster jailed for sham heist
The owner of a jewellery store and a man he hired for a fake robbery in a $2.5 million attempted insurance fraud could both walk free from jail in months.
‘Huge mistake’: how Howard spurred Boomer investors
The share of property investors older than 60 has more than doubled since the capital gains discount was introduced, Reserve Bank of Australia research shows.
Treasury chief defends Labor’s beleaguered budget
Controversial budget changes would have cut the lifetime tax benefits for the top one per cent of earners by $400,000 if implemented in 2000, Treasury says.
Treasurer hoses down calls to carve up his tax revamp
Business groups are urging the federal government to have a major rethink over its capital gains tax measures but Jim Chalmers is remaining steadfast.
The $180m bill to calculate the Inland Rail blow-out
The man who first pitched Inland Rail wants a quick private sector takeover, as it is revealed consultants were paid $180m to estimate the budget blow-out.
Banks on notice as Westpac fined for failing clients
Banking giant Westpac has been slugged with a $26 million penalty for failing to support customers in need, a decision an expert says sends a clear message.
breaking_news
business (general)
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
finance (general)
inflation and deflation
interest rate
personal finance
politics
prices
statistic
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
‘Surprisingly dehumanising’: AI pioneer has boundaries
The head of one of the world's biggest pure-play AI developers says even he's had times when using the groundbreaking technology just wasn't going to happen.
Renewables pushing out rivals to give power bill relief
Solar and batteries are helping to deliver households relief on their electricity bills, but elevated network costs are thought to be tempering price falls.
Renewable projects set records but still face headwinds
Wind farms and solar panels are producing more of Australia's electricity than ever, but slow approvals and investment commitments could stall progress.
Labor happy with softer housing market since budget
Tax changes in the federal budget are already helping to level the playing field, according to the housing minister.
Power bill relief as energy caps slashed in one state
Cheaper electricity bills are in store for hundreds of thousands of households and small businesses in one state under a lowered benchmark power price.
Investor tax cut call as opponents fight Labor plan
A Labor plan to reduce investor incentives has been branded a "productivity tax" as opponents call for lower taxes for those with money to put aside.
Temporary fall in inflation won’t ease RBA fears
A short-lived reduction in the fuel excise has provided some momentary price relief but inflation will only worsen without a resolution to supply blockages.
Taco ’bout a bad time: Aussie chain ditches US ambition
Shares in an Aussie-born Mexican fast-food chain have surged after it ditched its plan to crack the competitive US market, where Chipotle and Taco Bell rule.