Trade and skills under spotlight in ‘promising’ talks
The treasurer has sung the praises of the government's long-awaited roundtable after hours of discussions on productivity, trade and technology.
Economy, Business and Finance
Ex-Qantas boss returns to defends his troubled legacy
Controversial former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has used a rare public appearance to ask industry figures to consider their "social licence" in future plans.
Paul Kelly farewells Joe in How to Make Gravy sequel
One of Australia's most celebrated artists has released a sequel to Christmas anthem How to Make Gravy, almost three decades after its release.
Footy fans help consumer spending roar into growth
A British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the State of Origin league decider helped push household spending up in July, the latest CommBank data shows.
Aussie shares in record close, break $2.9 trillion mark
Australia's top 500 publicly traded companies are now worth more than $2.9 trillion, as major benchmark indexes closed at their highest ever levels.
Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
Renewable transmission plan expands, cost to double
One of Australia's largest renewable energy transmission projects faces a cost blowout with expanded areas of land for solar, battery and wind.
Google cops $55m fine for search engine deals on phones
Google engaged in anti-competitive behaviour when it asked telcos to install only its search engine on phones, Australia's competition watchdog says.
Australian shares higher as central bank cuts rates
Discretionary, banking and utilities stocks have given the local share market a boost as the central bank resumes its easing cycle.
CommBank’s record $10b profit could’ve been bigger: CEO
Commonwealth Bank could have delivered a better result than its $10 billion profit if it weren't positioning itself for AI revolution, its boss says.
Animals may be ‘threatened species’ after algal bloom
An assessment of the devastation to marine animals caused by an unprecedented algal bloom will be fast-tracked by the federal government.
Energy retailer profits slump, looks to renewables
An electricity and gas retailer has seen a mammoth hit to its profits after a drop in energy prices as the company turns its focus towards renewables.
Further rate cuts at risk as rent pushes up inflation
Future rate cuts may be less likely if renting and construction costs contributing to housing inflation continue to grow.
Liquid gas investment inflates Origin Energy’s profit
Profits are up for Australia's largest energy company despite challenges from the price of coal, energy tariffs and power plant uncertainty.
Casino giant rolls the dice on mega precinct sale deal
A debt-riddled casino operator will sell its share in a massive capital city waterfront development to Hong Kong partners as it fights to stay afloat.
Australian shares edge higher ahead of rates call
Discretionary and bank stocks have helped buoyed the local share market ahead of an expected interest rate cut from Australia's central bank.
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Consumers could face higher prices for goods wrapped in soft plastic as plans for a much-anticipated recycling scheme are revealed.
Rates cut but borrowers told not to bank on more relief
The cash rate has been cut to its lowest level in more than two years, as the Reserve Bank resisted the temptation to wrong-foot analysts twice in two months.
Sea of green as Aussie shares notch highest-ever close
Investors have shrugged off the previous week's gloom to send Australian equities to their best-ever close as rate-sensitive stocks led the bourse higher.
Price floor sends rare earths shares through the roof
Shares in rare earths miners are soaring as the federal government indicates its support for a taxpayer-funded minimum price for the electronics ingredients.
Fast approvals only add to housing construction logjam
Hastening development approvals without increasing building capacity will only add to the bottleneck in housing construction, researchers warn.
Australia shouldn’t try to reinvent the AI wheel
Australian companies should boost productivity by using existing artificial intelligence tools rather than trying to create sovereign models, a US expert says.
Banks, miners lead Aussie share market to record highs
Continued strength in the mining sector and hopes of incoming interest rate relief have helped lift the Australian stock market to fresh highs.
Glencore scraps plan for New York listing, flags cuts
Glencore says it will keep its primary listing in London, shelving a possible move to New York.
Novo Nordisk warns of layoffs as pressure mounts
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, Europe's most valuable company, is eyeing potential cost-cutting measures.
Life-saving tech for kids absent at under-fire hospital
An inquiry has found a purportedly world-class hospital lacks essential technology, duplicates training and operates in isolation from a state health network.
‘Struggling more than ever’: Debt reaches six-year high
The number of Australians seeking help with debt has reached a record high as housing stress and utility costs weigh on budgets.
Electric goes large: low-emission utes, vans get a show
Utes that can be plugged in and vans that run on batteries have gone on show in Australia for the first time, which experts say is proof the market has moved.
Rates take back seat to affordability for home buyers
Interest rates might be weighing less on Australians' decision to buy or sell a property, with affordability now ranked as the leading influence.
‘Great friends’ Australia, NZ vow closer defence ties
Australia and New Zealand are chasing stronger military and economic ties, with the latter open to following its neighbour's lead on frigate procurement.
Mortgage holders ready for relief after past rates blow
The Reserve Bank of Australia board is expected to deliver mortgage holders more hip-pocket relief in its upcoming interest rates decision.