Renewables ambition solution to bill shock
Parts of Australia have avoided soaring power prices thanks to high levels of renewable energy as experts call for a faster national grid overhaul.
Economy, Business and Finance
Albanese wraps up two-day Indonesia visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a visit to the Indonesian port city of Makassar, ending a two-day trip to the Asian nation for leader talks.
Brewery says cheers to carbon-neutral beer
Australia's first carbon-neutral certified, alcohol-free beer adds a new element to ales that a brewer hopes customers will savour.
ASX falls 0.45 pct ahead of RBA meeting
The local bourse has mostly fallen ahead of a key decision on interest rates, but oil producers and coalminers gained with some hitting 52-week highs.
In Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic, a star is born
Actor Austin Butler's career-defining performance is the best thing about Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic, a film marked by extravagant styling and glitzy effects.
ATO says COVID tests could be a deduction
Taxpayers who took COVID-19 tests for work will be able to claim the cost on their tax return.
Airports defend operations during pandemic
Australia's airports say they are proud of how they held up during a brutal two years, after the ACCC accused them of making a "surprising" profit.
Treasurer contacts ACCC over gas prices
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is reviewing a number of options to counter rising energy prices as inflationary pressures strain household budgets.
Aust premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis
Baz Luhrmann's biopic Elvis has premiered on the Gold Coast, with a crowd of hundreds watching the film's stars walk the red carpet.
Qld facing further electricity bill rises
The Queensland opposition is calling on the state government to intervene in the electricity market to lower wholesale prices, and household and business bills.
Home lending plunged 6.4 pct in April
Borrowing for housing fell 6.4 per cent to just under $31 billion in April, a much steeper fall than economists were expecting.
Qld govt eyes budget deficit under $1.7b
Queensland can expect a budget deficit under $1.7 billion in 2022/23, but the treasurer says it will be another two years before the books are back in black.
Ukraine, lack of policy, key to gas strain
The government will consider using whatever mechanisms are available to counter constrained gas supply on the east coast as price hikes begin to bite.
SA budget surges into the black
The South Australian government has forecast a budget surplus for the next financial year of $233 million, and more positive news across the forward estimates.
Tourism helps long run of trade surpluses
Australia's trade surplus was a larger-than-expected $10.5 billion in April as exports grew by one per cent, while imports declined 0.7 per cent.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy (general)
global warming
politics (general)
Qld govt denies electricity price gouging
The Queensland government has denied its two state-owned electricity generators are price gouging, saying bids on the market are merely covering costs.
Minister fuels up for gas price action
Energy Minister Chris Bowen is consulting with his state and territory counterparts about what levers can be pulled to ease burgeoning gas prices.
Queensland could cancel two gas leases
Arrow Energy's coal seam gas leases in the Scenic Rim of Queensland could be cancelled amid community uproar.
Power bills will be a challenge: Labor
The federal government says there's no immediate answer to rising power bills but it can support households through childcare support and wage growth.
ASX finishes May down 2.8pct on the month
The Australian share market finished May on a sour note, dropping 1.0 per cent with every sector losing ground and snapping a two-day winning streak.
Another bumper winter crop: Rabobank
Grain farmers are expected to plant a record winter crop, with increases in wheat and canola as markets look to Australia for supplies amid global shortages.
ASX edges lower, down 0.3 pct at noon
Most sectors of the Australian share market were modestly lower at midday, with tech stocks the worst laggards.
Now that’s a gambling debt: Crown Melbourne hit with record $80m fine
Crown Melbourne has been fined a record $80 million over a scheme that allowed the illegal transfer of funds from China.
AGL cans split plan, leadership to quit
AGL's leadership team will quit after billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes succeeded in foiling the energy giant's planned demerger.
Costly fuel makes car sharing an option
Car sharing and hiring from a provider who offers a flat rate on fuel has become a real option for suburban families struggling with petrol prices.
NSW to help with soaring electricity bills
In a welcome relief, the NSW government will help households that can't keep up with a spike in electricity bills, funding a maximum of $1600 a year.
Greens slam Qld casino alcohol rules
The Greens have slammed a Queensland government plan to exempt casinos from new restrictions on venues aimed at preventing alcohol-fuelled violence.
Labor urges China to drop trade barriers
Australia has called on China to remove trade restrictions to exports as a first step to mending diplomatic, political and business relations.
Miners, banks lift ASX by 0.8pct at noon
The local share market was up 0.8 per cent at midday despite another selloff in the tech sector, which dipped following a profit warning by Snapchat's owner.
Vic store mice poison ban push set to fail
The Victorian government and coalition are set to oppose a move to ban the general sale of second generation rodent poisons in stores across the state.
ASX falls 0.3 per cent as tech names drag
The Australian share market faded on Tuesday to close down slightly amid concerns that COVID-19 lockdowns have damaged China's economy.