Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise
Spending blow-outs by the government will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates, critics say, but the treasurer argues the private sector is driving inflation.
Economy, Business and Finance
Nine kills radio star, switching stations for hard ads
An Australian media giant is offloading some of the nation's biggest radio stations to fund a buyout of an outdoor advertising group.
Trump names Kevin Warsh as next Federal Reserve chair
US President Donald Trump says he'll nominate former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair.
Trump nominates Warsh to run US central bank
US President Donald Trump says he is nominating former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as the central bank's next chair.
Resources tipped to win another wild earnings season
Fund managers are expecting more dramatic swings this reporting season, with mining companies likely to do particularly well given the boom in commodities.
Supply shortage underpins shaky growth in home values
Home price growth picked up in January, but results were mixed across the capital cities, with one jurisdiction leading the way on rental affordability.
Magic number that could decide an interest rate hike
Traders now tip a greater-than-50 per cent chance of an interest rate hike in February, but some pundits are holding out hope for a Reserve Bank reprieve.
Hailstorms, cyclones prompt multibillion-dollar claims
From hail damage on cars to rooves ripped off homes, severe weather events across Australia caused an eye-watering $3.5 billion in insured losses in 2025.
Savings coming for households able to use energy in day
Australia is pressing ahead with its three-hour timeslot of free electricity as critics warn the design could disadvantage some customers.
UK artist pips homegrown musicians to top annual poll
With streaming giants under no compulsion to program local artists, Australian music has been disappearing from the nation's biggest annual music poll.
Posthumous honour for Australian music legend
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, who died on Tuesday, has been awarded an Australia Day honour - on a date he wanted to change.
Cattle pioneer says the gentle giants saved her life
A renowned cattle breeder formed a remarkable bond with Brahman after swapping a city job for a long and rewarding life on the land.
Watchdog pushes financial literacy to counter AI boom
Artificial intelligence-powered scams featuring fake celebrities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI risks facing consumers, ASIC warns.
US Supreme Court yet to issue ruling on Trump tariffs
The US Supreme Court has yet to decide on a dispute over the legality of President Donald Trump's global tariffs.
‘Struggling in silence’: Aussies’ shame driving up debt
Nearly half the nation started the new year in debt, but research shows countless Australians are unwilling to discuss their finances, even with loved ones.
Geopolitics an earning gem for Aussie rare earths miner
Global supply constraints and trade tussles are benefiting Australia's largest rare earths miner, helping nearly double the commodities group's price in a year.
Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire
Australia's labour market remains tight, with limited spare capacity keeping pressure on already-high inflation and shortening the odds of interest rate hikes.
Robert Irwin thinks he could find love at Australia Zoo
Robert Irwin has played down romance rumours while wondering if he could follow in his family's footsteps by finding his future partner at Australia Zoo.
Bushfire evacuee slams ‘selling the future for money’
An activist arrested while blocking a major port has slammed the "unbelievably irresponsible" federal government after fighting to save her home from fires.
Dan Murphy’s owner grows sales at expense of profit
Endeavour Group expects to report a smaller profit after cutting its prices to grow its sales on the lead-in to the key holiday trading period.
Cycling’s Flying Burrito aims for more Paralympic gold
Korey Boddington, the reigning Australian cyclist of the year, is a para-cycling track sprinting star who is particularly fond of burritos.
Bluescope Steel entices shareholders with $438m payday
Australia's biggest steelmaker will pay investors a special dividend of $1 per share after rejecting a takeover overture from Kerry Stokes and a US partner.
Doubts crime boss will ever be extradited from Iraq
Doubt lingers over whether an underworld figure linked to Australia's illicit tobacco wars will be extradited after his Middle East drug trafficking arrest.
AI is boosting scientific careers but shrinking studies
Artificial intelligence could be good for scientists but bad for science as a whole, a study has found, as it narrows the scope of research.
Forget quiet quitting: job-hugging tipped as top trend
Fewer Australians are expected to seek fresh employment as the market becomes tighter and artificial intelligence technology creates uncertainty.
Hot or not? Strong spending complicates rate picture
Upcoming data will give the Reserve Bank a better sense of whether higher interest rates are required to take the heat out of Australia's economy.
Urgent recall for hand sanitiser given to resort guests
A hand sanitiser gifted to hotel customers for over five years has been found to be contaminated with a toxic ingredient and has been urgently recalled.
Want a safe car? Crash tests say you should go electric
The safest new vehicles in Australia are almost all electric, with the top performers delivering consistently across the various areas of testing.
Capital city rents hit record highs apart from one
All but one Australian capital has yielded annual growth in rents, but experts expect that city to be a star performer in the long-term.
Teacher’s alleged plot to ‘pimp’ out drugged children
A teacher has been refused bail for allegedly planning to drug and sexually assault a boy and girl in "revolting" messages found on his phone.
Social media app investigated over child abuse material
Australian officials are looking into the creation of child abuse material on Elon Musk's social media platform amid global outcry over the issue.