Budget cuts could risk recovery: Treasury
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy says the Australian economy has proved resilient in the face of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Economy, Business and Finance
A long weekend, every week? Embracing the four day work life balance
For most Australians working a standard full-time job – a little more than seven hours a day, Monday to Friday – moving to a four-day work week could occur in two stages.
Qantas extends Darwin-London flights
Qantas has extended until at least June its direct flights from Darwin to London amid continued doubts over when WA will reopen its borders.
New airline Bonza names 16 destinations
New domestic airline Bonza says it will start selling tickets to 16 regional destinations in the next two weeks with its first flight planned in mid-2022.
Wheat farmers take heed of Ukraine tension
Any trade disruption caused by a conflict between Russia and Ukraine would send ripples through the global market, impacting Australian grains farmers.
Crown seals takeover deal with Blackstone
Global private equity group Blackstone has won the battle to take over Crown Resorts for almost $9 billion, barring no better offer emerging.
Rains mock drought-hit Australian farms
For all the recent rain in parts of Australia, some farmers remain firmly in drought.
Commonwealth to help fix Paradise Dam
The Commonwealth has matched the Queensland government's $600 million commitment to upgrade Paradise Dam in the state's southeast.
Brisbane EV firm’s expansion is turbo-charging jobs in Tennessee
Tritium is establishing a new factory in Tennessee that will produce up to 30,000 new electric vehicle chargers a year once the plant is at full capacity. The Biden administration has a target that half of all vehicles sold in the US by 2030 will be battery electric, fuel-cell electric or plug-in hybrid, and has pledged $7.5 billion for deploying a network of 500,000 EV chargers along highway corridors.
East coast restart looms for cruise ships
Cruise ships could return to Australia's east coast over coming months following an agreement between federal, NSW, Victorian and Queensland authorities.
IAG turns H1 profit, cuts dividend
Australia's biggest insurer has used price hikes and taken its NRMA brand to other states to return to first-half profit.
Nth Qld pharmacy trial has doctors worried
Skipping the GP consultation to get a prescription for serious health conditions is not the answer to staff shortages in regional Queensland, doctors say.
New home sales buoyed by end of lockdowns
Sales of new detached houses were buoyant in the three months to January as the end of the Delta lockdowns returned confidence to the market.
Climate change robs Australia of rain
An Australian professor who helps compile the most important international reports on climate change says rainfall and fire threats for the nation are grave.
Study reveals underwater volcanoes’ power
Researchers have discovered that underwater volcanic eruptions are much more powerful than first thought and can occur at depths of "at least" one kilometre.
CBA lifts first half profit, share buyback
CBA has expanded its share buyback by $2 billion after first-half profit jumped 26 per cent to $4.7 billion.
Finance groups impress, miners outperform
Financial giants have impressed investors with their earnings and helped stoke expectations of the Commonwealth Bank figures due on Wednesday.
Qld govt urged to act on farmers’ concerns
The Queensland government has been urged to "urgently act" amid farmers' concerns about a $10 billion resources project west of Brisbane.
Emissions targets costly for grain growers
A report by the CSIRO has found a reduction in grain farmers' emissions over the next decade could mean a decrease in production.
Macquarie, Suncorp earnings help lift ASX
Macquarie and Suncorp have impressed investors with earnings and helped raise the ASX by more than one per cent.
Suncorp peppered by disaster claims
Major insurer Suncorp has weathered a challenging first half peppered by natural disaster claims but is more optimistic about the rest of the year.
Record retail sales in December quarter
Easing of lockdown restrictions and a splurge by festive season shoppers have helped retail sales jump by a record 8.2 per cent in the December quarter.
Aussie power bills fall to 10th lowest in the world due to influx of renewables
Australian consumers are now paying some of the lowest power bills in the OECD, with households in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Japan paying more for their power
Fuel pump first for zero-emission hydrogen
Australia's first green hydrogen project has been certified as some governments look to drive alternative fuels and fleets.
Forget coal and gas for prosperity: poll
Months out from a federal election, a poll shows voters in the resource-rich political hunting grounds of NSW and Queensland back renewables over coal and gas.
Strong wage growth still key to rate rise
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has again put stronger wages growth as a key element before raising the cash rate.
Rate rise plausible later this year: Lowe
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said a cash rate rise is "plausible" later this year but he is surprised by the multiple moves priced in financial markets.
Crown’s last pitch to WA royal commission
Crown has argued it should be allowed to continue operating its Perth casino as a West Australian royal commission prepares to deliver its findings.
RBA to stay patient before lifting rates
The Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe says the central bank board is prepared to remain patient before lifting interest rates.
Labor accused of ‘humiliating’ gas switch
Labor has changed its tune and backs building a new gas-fired plant in NSW on the condition it runs completely on green hydrogen by the decade's end.
Minister defends carbon farming ‘red tape’
The federal government has been accused of proposing 'excessive red tape' that will undermine its own carbon market, farmers' projects and business plans.