Labor’s new plan to slash consultancy bill
The finance minister has outlined a new plan to cut back on consultancy fees while the treasurer has promised to leave controversial stage three tax cuts alone.
Economy, Business and Finance
Religious leaders tackle Albanese Government on coal and gas
One hundred religious leaders from a range of faith communities have signed an open letter calling on the Albanese government to stop approving new coal and gas projects
ASX closes flat as banks gain, miners fall
The local share market has spent the day treading water, finishing little changed from where it began with gains for the banking sector and losses for miners.
Neutral cash rate ‘guide’ for Reserve Bank
Getting the cash rate back to neutral is more about the journey than the destination and the central bank will be guided by changing economic conditions.
Coalition ‘pet projects’ on chopping block
The upcoming budget is expected to be an exercise in trimming waste and tightening spending across portfolios as taxpayers can expect modest savings.
Neutral cash rate a guide, says RBA
Getting the cash rate back to neutral is more about the journey than the destination and will be guided by changing economic conditions.
Uber secures 500 electric cars for drivers
US ride-sharing giant Uber has partnered with a Sydney firm to import 500 electric cars and speed up Australia's transition to greener transport.
Defence works to disrupt flights in Darwin
Darwin International Airport says flights are being disrupted for more than a year to allow the Australian Defence Force to complete runway maintenance.
agriculture
environmental issue
environmental politics
forestry and timber
forests
politics (general)
real estate
Green groups seek new deforestation plan
A coalition of conservation groups has launched a campaign calling for the Queensland government to draw up a plan to halt deforestation in the state.
Commuters should get EV tax breaks: report
A study into electric vehicles in Australia's three biggest cities recommends targeted tax breaks and discounts to accelerate their adoption.
Household energy bills soar by 25 per cent
Household and small business energy bills are soaring and the consumer watchdog is monitoring the industry for signs of price-gouging.
NSW essential workers fed up: survey
More than nine in 10 public sector workers in NSW believe their salaries are stagnating, while a quarter want leave the state, a new survey has found.
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental politics
finance (general)
industrial production
politics
Carbon credits key to industrial emissions
The federal government is playing "policy whack-a-mole" as it prepares to roll out energy and climate tools, including new credits for big emitters.
PM insists ‘no change’ on income tax cuts
Senior ministers insist they're sticking to their election promise of keeping significant income tax cuts as the Greens warn the policy will restrict spending.
Miners look to strike green gold out west
A gold mine in Western Australia plans to go carbon neutral by using green hydrogen to power crushing equipment, haulage trucks and generators.
AGL dismisses billionaire’s board overhaul
AGL Energy is preparing for another showdown with billionaire shareholder Mike Cannon-Brookes after largely rejecting his plan for a board renewal.
Engineers unlock ‘greener’ diesel trucks
Australia's diesel trucks could be retrofitted to use hydrogen in a breakthrough University of NSW engineers say could make the technology greener.
Risk Optus breach can weaken banks: RBA
The Reserve Bank of Australia is warning that large-scale data breaches and cyberattacks could destabilise financial institutions.
Budget will balance inflation, rates: PM
The federal government has not changed its position on tax cuts legislated for 2024, the prime minister says as pressure mounts to rule out scrapping them.
Climate Council issues pre-budget wishlist
The government could fund electric vehicle chargers for every 12km of road with the $11.6 billion spent on fossil fuel subsidies, the Climate Council says.
Treasurer rules out Medicare levy hike
Lifting the Medicare levy to funnel more funds into the strained public healthcare system is not on the Albanese government's agenda.
Leaders urged to protect Lake Eyre rivers
Environmental groups and farmers are worried about major environmental concerns about the impact of gas developments on the Lake Eyre basin.
A class action against Optus could easily be Australia’s biggest: here’s what is involved
A settlement could well be worth billions, eclipsing the current record of $494 million paid to 10,000 victims of Victoria’s 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Economy woes cloud tax cut ahead of budget
Pressure is mounting to change or scrap costly tax cuts baked in by the former government as Labor prepares to hand down its budget in less than three weeks.
Petrol prices already tracking upwards
Petrol prices have already started inching upwards following the reintroduction of the fuel excise tax last week.
ASX rallies for best day in over two years
The local share market has finished 3.75 per cent higher, its best single-day performance in more than two years.
Telstra dials up wind power generation
Wind power in Queensland will be bankrolled by Telstra as the telecommunications giant aims to be 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity by 2025.
Home values fall for fifth straight month
Home values have dropped in nearly all Australian capital cities as interest rate rises weigh on property prices.
La Nina rains on blueberry growers’ parade
Blueberry farmers are waiting to see how a third La Nina season will impact production - and whether it will lead to price rices for consumers.
Australia’s next step on forever chemicals
The federal government has just released a new draft plan to manage so-called forever chemicals but some say not enough is being done to turn off the source.
Broke farmer turns to ‘rubbish’ technique
Australian farmers say a sustainable growing method from overseas has changed their lives, but not everyone is convinced by the system.