Tobacco licensing laws smoulder as parties fire up
The Victorian government has denied dragging its feet on legislation to tackle tit-for-tat tobacco firebombings despite blocking a licensing scheme bill.
Economy, Business and Finance
Why packing waste could be the secret to a cool summer
Packing material and static electricity could take the edge off future electricity bills, according to Australian researchers.
Seven news boss wants tax break to fight X, Facebook
A tax on commercial broadcasters should be scrapped, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie says, as media companies deal with the "evil forces" of social media.
Round two brews in fight over Gabba Olympics rebuild
A federal Greens MP has warned the new Queensland premier he is ready for another battle to stop reconstruction of the Gabba before the 2032 Olympic Games.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
Black Hawks swoop in show of new aerial capability
A dozen of Australia's new Black Hawk helicopters will be ready for use by the end of the year in what's being hailed as a major defence force upgrade.
Roll out the solar: $6.8m facility to print solar cells
Thousands of flexible solar cells are expected to be printed by the ream in a $6.8 million facility established by Australia's leading science organisation.
Australia’s inflation down, but not out
There were few surprises in the inflation read-out, with economists broadly of the view underlying price pressures should keep the cash rate on hold until 2025.
Ban on landlords evicting tenants for no good reason
Tenants would no longer be evicted without a valid reason and face softer penalties for breaking leases in reforms aimed at making life easier for renters.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
Brazil seals compensation deal with BHP over dam
Brazil has reached a compensation settlement with BHP and others over a 2015 dam collapse which caused a giant mudslide killing 19 people.
Telcos to block phones that don’t link to triple zero
The 3G network switch-off will begin on Monday, with a new law enforcing the telcos to disconnect phones that cannot call the emergency line on 4G.
Peru proposes investment ahead of major mining forum
A Peru trade delegation led by its prime minister will attend a major mining conference in Australia as Canberra works to diversify its international trade.
Three dead in ‘unsurvivable’ midair plane collision
Three people have died in an "unsurvivable" midair collision between two light aircraft over Sydney's southwest.
Tax reform may be shunned in state economic growth plan
The Victorian government has been warned businesses will flee interstate if it turns its back on loosening tax settings in an upcoming economic growth plan.
PM spruiks mining pay rise as wage battle emerges
Unions have warned peak bodies in the mining sector are advocating for industrial relations reform to be stripped back in a future coalition government.
Qantas hands out $1000 bonuses to 27,000 workers
Qantas is hoping to win over workers as some of its engineers take industrial action over pay.
Mideast war not behind Aussie inflation: opposition
Unlike Australia, inflation and interest rates are falling in the UK, the US, Canada and New Zealand despite conflict in the Middle East, the opposition says.
US approves Australian Ioneer’s Nevada lithium mine
The Biden administration has given the nod to an Australian lithium mine in Nevada despite concerns for a rare flower at the site.
Australian shares tumble 1.7 pct as US bond yields rise
Every sector of the ASX has lost ground as Australian shares tumbled in their worst collective daily loss since early September.
‘Delay-mongers’: climate boss lashes nuclear supporters
Nuclear proponents are simply delaying the move towards clean and cheap energy as Australia's environment runs out of time, a climate leader says.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
Coles, Woolies call price check on ACCC discount claim
Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will fight the consumer watchdog over accusations of dodgy "price drop" campaigns.
Long wait for refunds of ‘gobsmacking’ unlawful fees
Everything from fine payments to marriage certificates have been hit with wrongful merchant surcharges in NSW over eight years.
UAE cash for minerals, but China dominance sparks angst
A free trade deal between Australia and the United Arab Emirates provides a pathway for significant investment in critical minerals and mining.
Banks at odds over easing lending restrictions
Easing lending requirements so more first homebuyers can get a mortgage has received mixed reviews, with warnings more borrowers would face crippling debt.
Insurer’s disaster claims running well under budget
Insurer IAG had relatively fewer natural peril claims in the first quarter of 2024/25, but CEO Nick Hawkins says everyone realises how quickly that can change.
‘No doubt’ inflation is moderating: finance minister
Much is riding on quarterly inflation data out next week as Australia's slow progress by international standards has Labor defending its economic record.
Labour shortages still ‘number one’ concern: RBA
Firms are struggling to retain workers as activity from mining, infrastructure projects and even the 2032 Brisbane Olympics keeps demand for labour high.
Supermarkets blamed most for cost-of-living woes
A new report reveals Australians lay the blame for the rising cost of living at the feet of supermarkets.
It’s not you: banking outages are taking longer to fix
Digital payment services are under increasing pressure as Aussies ditch cash and they are mostly rising to the task, a Reserve Bank report has found.