Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Economy, Business and Finance
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
Cross-party nod for probe into ‘rogue’ childcare firms
Shocking claims of rampant child mistreatment in privately operated centres have triggered a government-backed inquiry into the early education sector.
Aussie invention may cut the cost of self-driving cars
A single camera powered by artificial intelligence software could help drive future autonomous cars, slashing thousands of dollars from their production cost.
‘Hip pocket help’ on its way in pre-election sweetener
Australians will receive more energy bill relief in the federal budget but the Liberals argue it's only needed because Labor has allowed costs to blow out.
Public service jobs on line as poll battlelines form
The coalition has doubled down on plans to axe public service jobs if elected as the prime minister goes into bat for Australians working from home.
Consultants in firing line amid public servant stoush
The coalition wants to slash public servant numbers but Labor says the alternative is costly consultants, as both sides lavish voters with cost-of-living help.
Food and fibre get millions to fend off Trump tariffs
The federal government has moved to defend Australia's agricultural exports, as the sector prepares to have one of its biggest production years on record.
Taxpayers to get $10 a week cut in pre-election budget
All taxpayers will get two rounds of cuts but only starting from July 2026, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers makes the case for a second Labor term.
Budget fundamentals smashed as storms cloud outlook
Australia's federal budget is forecast to eclipse $1 trillion in debt for the first time in 2025/26, as global challenges threaten the nation's coffers.
No respite from tax burden on younger workers in budget
Young income earners will be increasingly called upon to fund rising public spending unless structural tax reforms are made in the next term of government.
Battle lines drawn over tax cuts as election looms
Universal $5 a week tax cuts are being raced through parliament as debate around cost of living intensifies ahead of the federal election.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
Sliding inflation builds hopes of interest rate cut
Another interest rate cut is firmly on the table with analysts expecting the Reserve Bank to seriously consider the move on the back of fresh inflation data.
Up in smoke: billions wiped off tobacco tax forecast
A booming tobacco black market has created a taxation deficit and forced a belated national crackdown on dodgy retailers and criminal gangs.
Prices dropping for all major supermarkets bar Woolies
Woolworths is the only major supermarket chain to flunk a government-funded report on grocery prices across Australia.
Why electric cars can be uncommonly useful in cyclones
As Queenslanders prepared for a tropical cyclone, an Australian electric car company raced to fulfil an influx of orders to keep lights and fridges working.
Shoppers and treasurer try to stretch budget dollar
Checkout price pain is acknowledged by the treasurer as he prepares the federal budget with research showing grocery spend at a record high.
Aussie market claws back ground after Wall St plunge
The Australian share market has resumed its downward trend, after dropping sharply in early trading and recovering a little in the wake of a US market sell-off.
Star reveals mystery lender behind $940m debt rescue
Embattled casino group Star Entertainment has confirmed the lender behind a $940 million refinancing deal, as it mulls multiple pathways for survival
‘Feast or famine’: farmers count the cost of heavy rain
Farmers are determined to get their winter crops in the ground after flooding rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred inundated paddocks and swept away soil.
Leading economists call out coalition’s inflation claim
As the economy looks set to be front and centre in the election campaign, one of the coalition's leading inflation claims has been called "a joke" by experts.
Liquid energy find could power future fuels, batteries
Creating an electrical charge using water could be the secret to delivering safer fuels and boosting batteries following an Australian lab discovery.
Native title ruling paves way for $700m in compensation
The High Court has dismissed a commonwealth appeal over a landmark native title decision, paving the way for millions in compensation for traditional owners.
Hope for Australia even as tariffs strain US friendship
The worst consequences of Donald Trump's tariffs won't be borne by Australia's economy, but by its relationship with the US, an expert has warned.
Trump tumble sends Australian shares to seven-month low
Global growth fears and trade war uncertainty continue to drive markets lower, with the local bourse losing a tenth of its value in less than four weeks.
Major super fund sued over tardy death benefit payouts
AustralianSuper is the latest major super fund to face legal action for allegedly failing to pay out benefits to families of dead members in a timely manner.
Tariff defiance begins with call to buy Australian made
Shoppers have been urged to buy locally made goods with extra funding for Australian-made campaigning as US tariffs hit steel and aluminium exports.
Falling fuel costs end run of transport price rises
High transport costs have been hurting household budgets, but there are signs of relief after months of rising prices.
Deepfakes harder to detect spurring election concerns
Hyper-realistic digitally altered or created images are becoming harder to detect and platforms designed to detect them are failing to do so, research shows.
Post-pandemic property price roller-coaster to flatten
There are signs the housing market in normalising five years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent home values soaring across Australia.