Loan defaults bad for business as NAB profit takes hit
Business lending is growing for NAB but so is the level of bad debt from that customer segment, pumping the brakes on profits at the big four bank.
Economy, Business and Finance
RBA drops rates hint as Australia maintains AAA status
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has responded to a surprise jump in unemployment as a credit agency gives Australia's finance a tick of approval.
Skies the limit for Aussie hydrogen-powered space drone
An Australian aerospace company is building the world's first reusable, hydrogen-powered hypersonic unmanned aircraft for military and aerospace missions.
Pre-Christmas rate relief dashed after inflation spike
All four major banks predict mortgage holders will have to wait until 2026 for rate relief after a larger-than expected inflation rise.
Top cop eyes ‘crime-influencers’ amid social media ban
Parents are encouraged to have hard conversations with children about online safety even as a world-first social media ban for Australian kids is set to begin.
Don’t forget gas: industry calls for renewable support
More than 50 companies are calling on the Australian government to extend support for renewable gas projects.
Australians lose hope as nation lags on housing targets
Australians aren't confident the housing crisis will be solved and not one state is on track to reach its homes target over the next five years, research shows.
‘Eye off the ball’: Woolies lays blame for limp results
A string of "distractions" are the reason why Woolworths failed to deliver for shareholders, the company's leaders say.
Coles puts heat on Woolworths with strong sales growth
Supermarket giant Coles continues to take market share from key rival Woolworths, posting stronger quarterly sales growth than its bigger competitor.
Workers threatened with weapons as retail crime spikes
Retail crime is worsening with a drastic number of Bunnings and Kmart workers threatened with violence every month, parent company Wesfarmers says.
Mining boss skewers Trump over moves against renewables
Renewable energy is taking over from oil, coal and gas, an Australian mining magnate has told shareholders, and efforts to hold back the trend are misguided.
Retailers ponder quitting ciggies as illegal sales soar
Supermarkets and smaller retailers are feeling the pain of the illegal tobacco trade, posting super-sized drops in revenue in recent reporting.
RBA to reveal interest rate call, economic forecasts
The Reserve Bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold after a spike in inflation, with the bank's updated economic forecasts set to be closely scrutinised.
Optus backs outage acts after keeping officials in dark
Optus leaders took nearly 18 hours to tell authorities deaths had been linked to a triple-zero outage, but they say the company followed the law.
Solutions in short supply as housing market heats up
Slashing the amount needed for a first home deposit might be doing more harm than good for young Australians hoping to get a foothold on the property ladder.
Collect ’em all: call for widespread battery recycling
Australia's voluntary battery recycling scheme will be allowed to continue but with limited uptake, the public could benefit if more devices were collected.
Australian share market pares losses to sneak higher
The local bourse has edged higher on the eve of the Reserve Bank's Melbourne Cup Day meeting, settling after reduced rate-cut hopes weighed on sentiment.
Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs
Some households will get free access to electricity for three hours a day but questions have been raised about unintended consequences from the plan.
Protester crashes cop briefing after weapons expo clash
Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police outside a defence forum leading to arrests and injuries, with the group's leader crashing a press conference.
Ship set to return after elderly woman dies on cruise
A full investigation is set to be launched as a cruise ship returns to port after an 80-year-old passenger died alone while hiking on a remote tropical island.
Shares drop to six-week low as RBA leaves rates on hold
The local bourse fell 0.9 per cent to close at its lowest level since September 26 after the Reserve Bank suggested it might not adjust rates for some time.
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
The rising cost of new homes and services such as takeaway meals were key to the Reserve Bank's inflation miss in September and could rule out future rate cuts.
Roblox escapes under-16s social media ban for now
The list of sites captured under Australia's social media ban for under-16s has been expanded, but a popular gaming platform remains exempt.
Power deal inked to secure smelter’s short-term future
A 12-month power deal has guaranteed the short-term future of a 70-year-old aluminium smelter than employs more than 500 people.
High-stakes meetings to thrash out Liberal energy plan
The Liberals and Nationals are a step closer to formalising their approach to energy and climate policy, with a series of crucial meetings scheduled.
Largest smelter could close in ‘national interest’ blow
Rising energy costs could force Australia's largest aluminium smelter to shut, but leaders have promised to do everything possible to keep it going.
Tough decisions on closures to help Bega’s bottom line
The closure of a cheese factory in Victoria and a peanut business in Queensland at a cost of 450 jobs will help Bega Cheese boost its earnings.
PM tight-lipped on talks with China over flare incident
Anthony Albanese insists there is still friendship between Australia and China despite an "incident of concern" between both nations' militaries.
Time running out for ‘irreplaceable’ $95b reef
The Great Barrier Reef is an ecological and economic jewel, but a growing body of research shows it will be lost without swift and decisive action.
Massive fine for home loan compliance failures
Defunct home lender RAMS has been fined $20 million by the Federal Court after admitting to widespread misconduct over a four-year period.
Construction code delays risk pulling the plug on EVs
New homes will not need to be ready to charge electric vehicles after a freeze on the construction code, which some say will stall progress.