Green hydrogen proponents pumped on vote of confidence
Plans for renewable hydrogen produced with Australian-made electrolysers are closer to commercial reality after the federal budget chipped in $2 billion.
Economy, Business and Finance
Passengers launch class action over “cruise from hell”
Cruise passengers are suing for damages and a refund after their vessel got caught in cyclonic weather, claiming they had no option to cancel their holiday.
Money will come, Vic premier says after Games snub
The federal budget contained no money for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews insists his state will get financial help.
Calls for petrol ban to speed up electric swap
One in four new vehicles sold in Australia could be electric by 2025 but a group of energy experts says a ban on petrol cars would speed up the move.
Coles to discard soft-plastic bags by the end of June
Coles says its decision to phase out soft-plastic shopping bags nationwide will remove 230 million of them from circulation within a year.
Jenny Craig’s Australian customers, staff await answers
Jenny Craig has gone into voluntary administration after earlier saying a decision to close US offices would not affect Australian and New Zealand services.
Chalmers defends budget criticism of not enough support
Jim Chalmers says his budget provided targeted cost of living relief to the most vulnerable, fending off attacks that not enough was done for middle Australia.
Treasurer seeks to soothe budget relief inflation worry
Jim Chalmers says his budget will not fan inflation or lead to more interest rate rises but some leading economic experts are not convinced.
Clean energy budget stakes $2b on renewable hydrogen
Australia's energy future will include green hydrogen as the federal budget bets $2 billion on the hero fuel and helps homes and businesses save on power bills.
Jenny Craig Australia goes into administration
Jenny Craig will go into voluntary administration despite earlier saying a decision to close US offices would not affect Australian and New Zealand services.
New trade office aims to open doors for SA in Germany
A new trade office for South Australia will be set up in Germany, the state's eighth largest trading partner.
Free GP consults at the centre of cost-of-living budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered a small surplus, while trying to balance cost-of-living relief with inflation reduction measures.
Workers on track for fastest wage growth in decades
Fierce competition for workers and government wage polices are expected to underpin strong wage growth in 2024, the federal budget papers confirm.
budgets and budgeting
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
politics
One-off energy relief welcome but plug in more solar
Permanent energy bill relief through access to rooftop solar is a priority most households want to see in the budget, including those who don't own a roof.
South Australia woos backers for green hydrogen, steel
The world needs South Australian-made green hydrogen, ammonia and steel to meet net-zero emission targets, Premier Peter Malinauskas will tell investors.
Payment boost for single parents as age limit lifted
The cut-off for the single parent payment will be raised from eight years to 14 for the youngest child under changes in the federal budget.
Millions on track for budget energy bill relief
Households and small businesses could receive hundreds of dollars in energy bill support through deals brokered between federal and state governments.
Billion-dollar gas tax plan faces a major hurdle
The opposition wants more detail before backing the government's plan to overhaul the petroleum resource rent tax, while the Greens say it needs to go further.
Petroleum tax changes to give Aussies a ‘fairer return’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced changes to the petroleum resource rent tax which he says will mean the offshore LNG industry pays more tax, sooner.
Melissa Caddick’s parents make offer to duped investors
Investors impacted by Melissa Caddick's fraud have been asked to resolve a dispute with her parents about the sale of a multi-million dollar Sydney home.
‘Missed opportunity’ for Glencore on coal disclosures
Big investors say coal giant Glencore is blocking the full assessment of risk from thermal coal exposure amid the international switch to renewable energy.
budgets and budgeting
coal
economy, business and finance
employment
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
mining
politics
National body to ease shock of clean energy transition
The federal budget will fund a national authority to manage the job losses and opportunities in switching from coal-fired power to widespread renewable energy.
New coal mines plans buried by federal minister
The China Stone Coal and Range Coal projects have been cancelled because the companies involved have not being willing to show how they would protect nature.
ANZ delivers record gains but warns of challenges ahead
Australia's third-largest bank has delivered a strong performance for the six months to March but warned of a difficult six months ahead.
Assange backers buoyed as PM says ‘enough is enough’
Comments by Australia's prime minister and opposition leader on Julian Assange's fate send a strong signal to the US, supporters of the WikiLeaks founder say.
Rio Tinto paints a bright future in energy transition
Rio Tinto shareholders have been told the mining giant has a 'bright future' as it provides the minerals to build renewable energy technologies.
NAB shares slide despite profit lift
National Australia Bank delivered a 17 per cent lift in interim profit, boosted by rising interest rates and higher business lending.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
politics
‘Cooking the climate’ with subsidies for gas producers
Record taxpayer dollars paid to traditional energy firms are "cooking the climate" when budgets should be funding action to stop climate change, research shows.
Aged care pay hikes won’t hurt inflation, says minister
A 15 per cent pay rise for aged care workers won't lead to a further rise in inflation, the federal government says.
Sowing Seeds for Success: Cooktown Students Learn the Ropes of Agriculture
Year 11 and 12 pupils at Cooktown State High School received an up-close glimpse into the world of agriculture through a three-day Ag Inspirations event in the Cooktown/Lakeland area.
Safety gaps before truckie crushed by pipe: coroner
A coroner has listed a few possible explanations as to why a truckie broke a golden rule and entered an exclusion zone before being crushed by a falling pipe.