ASX closes down slightly as market digests data
The local share market has finished down 0.1 per cent after being in and out of positive territory on a day marked by the release of GDP and inflation figures.
Economy, Business and Finance
Consumer prices rose 7.4 per cent in year to January
Inflation moderated in January, leading one economist to declare that an end to interest rate hikes "now appears to be in sight".
Rooftop solar to be nation’s largest energy generator
Following the closure of the Liddell power station in April, rooftop solar will become the country's biggest power generator, according to new analysis.
computing and information technology
environmental issue
renewable energy
research
road transport
transport
Drivers asked to go without a car in Uber experiment
Fifty Australian drivers will be paid to go without their own car for a month in a social experiment designed to accelerate transport trends.
Regulator tells Star to put aside $150m for fines
The securities regulator says that at its request Star Entertainment Group has made a multimillion-dollar provision for more possible fines and penalties.
Super fund hauled before court over greenwashing claims
Australia's corporate watchdog has taken the unprecedented step of launching court action against Mercer Superannuation over alleged investment greenwashing.
Harvey Norman posts fall in interim earnings, dividend
Harvey Norman shares have fallen more than 10 per cent after the retailer announced a drop in profit and a weak start to 2023.
Crossbenchers call for more detail on climate policy
Carbon credits are no free ride and billions are being spent electrifying mine sites, industry figures have told a hearing on the government's climate policy.
Plight of cold chain operator rings alarms bells
The fate of Scott's Refrigerated Logistics, which is the nation's largest cold chain transport operator, has set alarm bells ringing through the sector.
New national commissioner to oversee cyber security
A new commissioner will be appointed to help oversee cyber security protection as part of an overhaul of the sector in Australia, the government has announced.
Aust shares down sharply after US inflation readout
The local share market has fallen 1.1 per cent as the odds increase that the Federal Reserve will return to supersized rate hikes to combat stubborn inflation.
Energy crisis, merger fuels higher Woodside profit
Oil and gas giant Woodside has announced an underlying full-year net profit of $US5.2 billion ($A7.7 billion), up 223 per cent from the previous year.
Australia risks losing race for carbon competitiveness
Some want emissions safeguards expanded to cover more industrial plants as a step towards an economy-wide carbon limit and price, but others warn of job losses.
Labor’s lead narrows a month out from NSW election
With less than a month to go until the NSW election, a new poll shows the gap between Labor and the 12-year-old coalition government is tightening.
REDcycle wound up by court over stockpiled plastic
Failed plastics recycler was REDcycle, which was given millions in support by supermarket giants to recycle soft plastics, is being wound up.
Treasurer says super caps a ‘tweak’, not major reform
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the fundamentals of super will remain untouched and his floated changes to tax breaks on large balances are not controversial.
When Aussies can expert EV prices to finally drop
A record number of electric cars are hitting Australia's second-hand market, forcing down prices. But experts say more drops are needed to increase adoption.
Energy companies seek ‘sun tax’ solar panel charges
Homes and businesses would face higher charges when their solar panels fed electricity into the grid during the day under tariffs proposed by energy companies.
Ardent Leisure back on track after rollercoaster ride
Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure's share price is at a six-year high after the theme park operator posted its first half-year profit since 2017.
Corporate profits fuelling inflation, research finds
New analysis challenges the narrative that workers need to accept sluggish wage growth to tame inflation and says business profits are driving higher prices.
Early parliament shutdown claims false: Perrottet
Claims the NSW parliament would be closed early have been hosed down by the office of Premier Dominic Perrottet as "utterly incorrect".
Mayor given sex for promoting land plan, jury told
Jurors heard audio of Brisbane lawyer Sam Di Carlo arranging a "girlfriend experience" for Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, allegedly to aid a planning approval.
Perrottet promises grocery bill relief with new office
Cutting freight costs to push supermarket bills down will be a focus of a re-elected Perrottet government but Labor says the focus should be on tolls.
Super objective Labor’s top priority, not tax breaks
The federal government says it has made no decisions about major superannuation tax changes as the opposition continues its attack on the hinted proposals.
Star raising $800m after $988m hit on Sydney casino
Star Entertainment is raising $800m at a deep discount as the casino company looks to bounce back from twin $100m fines and a possible big tax hike in NSW.
Qantas turns profitable again amid travel rebound
Qantas has reported a first-half underlying pre-tax profit of $1.43 billion - turning around last year's loss - as strong demand helped offset high fuel costs.
‘No mandate’ for changes to superannuation tax breaks
The federal opposition will not support changes to superannuation tax breaks flagged by the treasurer as he looks for opportunities to repair the budget.
Woolworths registers profit jump but warns of slow down
CEO Brad Banducci attributes improved Woolworths profit gains to strong seasonal trading and lower COVID-related costs.
Prescribing trials expand as health pressure bites
Patient safety and pain relief is in the spotlight as more states allow pharmacists to prescribe medication, with doctors and pharmacists bitterly divided.
Investors query coal leader’s climate change trajectory
Fresh research casts doubt on the climate pledges and expansion plans of Australia's largest coal producer Glencore as global investors seek answers.
Modest wage growth may take heat out of rate-rise cycle
Wages have improved again but by less than expected and not nearly enough to keep up with the cripplingly high cost of living.