‘Kick in the guts’: bank slammed for $3 withdrawal fee
One of the big four banks has come under fire for changes to one of its everyday accounts which means some customers are slugged $3 when they withdraw cash.
Economy, Business and Finance
Economy yet to shake malaise as growth misses forecasts
The Australian economy is growing slowly with government support, with energy rebates effectively transferring household spending to the public purse.
Deals on the bus go down, down: transport costs plunge
Transport costs have fallen for Australian households, a report shows, led by public transport discounts and falling fuel prices.
Labor notches win as time runs out on political year
Labor has chalked up a last-minute legislative victory, with the Greens backing its housing scheme, as several MPs bid Canberra farewell.
Aussie shares hit third record high in past six days
The ASX200 was up 0.7 per cent to a new intraday all-time high at midday, and was also poised to close above 8,400 for the first time.
Development halted causing ‘distress, financial strain’
A major development has been paused after a local council raised significant concerns about the distress and financial strain placed on buyers.
Aussie shares notch another record with more on cards
The ASX200 rose 0.3 per cent to close above 8,400 for the first time while setting an intraday record of 8,462.1.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
East coast swelters through hottest day in years
Australians are sweating through a major heatwave, while the energy regulator scrambles to keep the lights on.
Trump doesn’t have to hurt Australia-China ties: envoy
A Trump presidency doesn't have to impact how Australia and China co-operate, Beijing's ambassador says, amid a spate of hawkish cabinet picks.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Christmas rate cut hopes slayed as inflation holds firm
Energy rebates have lowered Australia's headline inflation rate, but the Reserve Bank remains focused on underlying price pressures.
Mining hubs lead regional property price rise
Affordability and lifestyle choices continue to drive up property prices in regional Australia, but there are signs the heat is coming out of the market.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Half of nation vie for $100m Powerball jackpot prize
One lucky Australian may become $100 million richer with the sixth-largest jackpot in lottery history up for grabs in the latest Powerball draw.
Funding shortfall denies 400,000 of key legal service
Hundreds of thousands of Australians are being turned away from community legal centres, as the sector battles chronic underfunding.
Casino operator counts the cost of going cashless
The leaders charged with turning around the fortunes of troubled casino operator Star have given shareholders a frank assessment of the difficulties ahead.
Aussie shares gain again, set for another record high
The ASX200 was up 0.5 per cent at midday, and on track to break Monday's record for its highest closing level ever.
Top bank chief reveals why rates are still on hold
Australia's top central banker reveals why she still hasn't pulled the trigger on interest rate cuts despite similar countries already taking action.
Virgin gets first clearance to take flight with Qatar
Virgin and Qatar airlines can begin planning new flights between Australia and Doha together, with a final decision on their partnership due within months.
Building data nailed but future framework doubts linger
Home building approvals have broken a two-year ceiling but industry groups warn it's not enough to meet a target of 1.2 million homes by 2029.
Social media ban won’t stop online risks, experts warn
Banning children from traditional social media platforms might not be as straightforward as Australian parents are being led to believe.
Call for super funds to pump gas giants for change
An analysis of the way some of the biggest superannuation funds vote at shareholder meetings suggests they're backing down over the expansion of oil and gas.
Coalition vows to overturn extra Future Fund priorities
Adding clean energy and housing as supplementary investment priorities for Australia's sovereign wealth fund has drawn sharp rebuke from the opposition.
Indian billionaire Adani charged over bribery scheme
The US has indicted Indian tycoon Gautam Adani on charges he duped investors in a major solar project in India by hiding its links to an alleged bribery scheme.
Court scraps ‘marine exclusion zone’ ahead of protest
A temporary exclusion zone intended to help police a major planned climate protest, has been scrapped by a court just one hour before it was due to commence.
Warning Australians’ data at risk in social media ban
Global tech giant Meta and X owner Elon Musk warn the federal government's push to ban people younger than 16 from social media will affect all Australians.
Review clears billionaire tech founder of misconduct
Wisetech Global says a review has found that all of Richard White's personal workplace relationships were disclosed and there's no evidence of bullying.
Coles holds 17 sites with no DAs, denies land-banking
Grocery giant Coles has held one site for 16 years without building a supermarket, but the firm has rejected allegations of anti-competitive land-banking.
Billions to be spent on Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Even Santa Claus couldn't stay away from Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, with Australians expected to splurge a record $6.7 billion.