Banned by AI bots: fresh call for social media referee
Artificial intelligence software is incorrectly banning social media accounts but without an ombudsman, many struggle to reclaim their profiles.
Economy, Business and Finance
Sad day as refinery’s closure to hit jobs and community
Hundreds of workers will lose their jobs as alumina giant Alcoa permanently shuts a 60-year-old refinery that served as a cornerstone of the community.
China to halt BHP iron ore cargoes during price talks
China's state-run iron ore buyer has told the country's steelmakers and traders to temporarily halt purchases of all new BHP cargoes.
Cup Day rate cut in doubt as RBA nears final straight
The odds are lengthening on an interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day, as the Reserve Bank adopts a hawkish tone and inflation steps up the pace.
Low rates, supply squeeze create home price rise mayhem
The great Australian dream of property ownership continues to resemble a nightmare for many buyers as prices surge and the supply of homes dwindles.
Judge rejects Diddy bid to toss prostitution conviction
Sean Combs awaits sentencing within days after a judge rejected the hip-hop mogul's bid to overturn his conviction on felony charges related to prostitution.
Life-changing or dark day: jury out on deposit scheme
An expanded government scheme to help first-home buyers clear the deposit hurdle could pour more fuel on the red-hot property market, housing experts warn.
BHP cops $5b value hit on talk of China trade blockade
Reports China is halting iron ore shipments from BHP have weighed on the world's biggest miner, but experts say any stoush over prices should be short-lived.
Construction ‘thugs’ on notice at powerful union probe
A stark warning has been issued to militant union officials, labelled "thugs" as a powerful probe into the construction sector gets under way.
Spending rebound staggers as Aussies kick booze, smokes
Strong growth in household spending earlier this year is unlikely to be matched, which could ease Reserve Bank fears of a return of inflation pressures.
How AI will be used to help neighbours find lost dogs
Internet-connected doorbell cameras will be loaded with artificial intelligence software and used to identify lost pets, with the owners' permission.
Aussie pharma giant sees no pain from big Trump tariffs
The Australian government and pharmaceutical exporters are scrambling to determine whether they will be impacted by Donald Trump's latest tariff bombshell.
Australia to cop deeper impact from new US meds tariffs
The US plan to slap new tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs will likely have a chilling effect on Australia's pharmaceutical export sector, a think tank says.
Court says Clive not a foreign investor and must pay up
Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer has been ordered to pay more than $13 million after an international tribunal dismissed claims he was a foreign investor.
Interest rate decision to dominate economic agenda
Mortgage holders are unlikely to get a leg up from the Reserve Bank this week, with markets and analysts predicting the cash rate to remain on hold on Tuesday.
Australia’s luck running out despite budget bright spot
Australia's budget deficit for last financial year ended up being narrower than expected but younger workers will still be on the hook for a decade of red ink.
‘Unacceptable’: second triple-zero Optus outage slammed
A second Optus triple-zero outage in as many weeks has raised the ire of a premier as calls mount for the government to empower regulators rather than telcos.
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
Hopes for more rate cuts are fading after the Reserve Bank of Australia took a hawkish turn as it held interest rates steady in a widely-expected move.
Aussie researchers look to space to help on earth
Emergency services, agricultural projects and defence operations are expected to benefit from eyes in the sky provided by Australian space innovations.
Lovisa CEO denies misconduct allegations at Smiggle
Billionaire businessman Solomon Lew has made sensational allegations against the fired CEO of his back-to-school chain Smiggle, who is now the boss of Lovisa.
Battle for the bush? Ignore the noise – most farmers like renewables
Farmers worry more and more about changes to the climate. Most quietly support renewables and many benefit directly from the reliable income of solar and wind.
Big bank is cutting 200 teller, personal banking roles
Westpac is cutting 200 customer-facing roles in its network but says it will try to keep as many workers as possible through retraining and redeployment.
Optus chief blames human error for triple-zero disaster
A major Optus outage that left Australians without access to emergency services has been blamed on human error as its embattled CEO fights to keep his position.
Wanted: 100 electric car drivers for energy-saving test
Would you plug your car into the national grid for money off your electricity bill? A growing number of energy providers would like to know.
A-League players sidestep conviction in betting scam
A pair of soccer players who pleaded guilty to deliberately receiving yellow cards for $10,000 have avoided convictions and jail time.
‘Call to arms’: peak body joins coal royalties fight
A resources sector peak body has issued a "call to arms" urging businesses to join the fight against a state government's controversial coal royalties scheme.
Farming export success sows seeds of growth goal reset
A $100 billion target is expected to be met by Australian agriculture, but whether it remains the best goal has been questioned at a farming conference.
Myer’s troubled robotic warehouse costing it dearly
Myer shareholders won't see a final dividend after its full-year profit took a 30 per cent hit, driven by costly issues with a robotic warehouse.
Premier takes a dig at miners in coal royalties rumble
A veiled swipe has been taken at "fairweather friends" by the premier of a state losing hundreds of mining jobs against the backdrop of a fight over royalties.
Nature fixes ‘futile’ if government keeps enabling harm
Ministers agree Australia's "broken" environment system needs fixing but land managers criticise continued funding of damaging projects.
Coal down, solar up: Australia halfway to 2030 target
Growing rooftop solar installations and more large-scale energy projects are pushing Australia closer to its renewable goals, the market operator says.