Unions ramp up minimum wage rise demands as costs soar
Low-paid workers should not go backwards because of Donald Trump's war, the peak union body says, as it calls for minimum wages to be raised to $26.45 an hour.
Economy, Business and Finance
Rail project axing pulls ‘economic rug’ from regions
The Nationals have urged the federal government not to scrap billions of dollars of funding for the inland rail project ahead of the federal budget.
Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young
Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.
Kyle and Jackie O’s former home left counting the cost
"Brand safety concerns" by national advertisers cost the radio station company that ran the Kyle and Jackie O Show about $26.4 million in a year.
Cyber attack exposes student and staff private details
A global cyber attack has revealed the names of students and staff in schools and universities, with authorities scrambling to contact those affected.
Rebel says producer was ‘obsessed’ with rising star
A producer has denied Rebel Wilson's claims that she was fixated on a young actor who allegedly accused her of sexual harassment.
‘Dumb, rich and insured’: hackers target Aussie firms
Australian businesses are growing targets for online criminal gangs and an executive whose company was attacked warns it is hard to avoid.
Rising star accused of lying under oath in Rebel feud
A young actor has been accused of giving false evidence in the witness box as the curtains close on her blockbuster defamation trial against Rebel Wilson.
‘Decline’: housing downturn looms as rate hikes bite
Higher rates and affordability pressures are threatening to push the housing market into a decline, with prices in the two biggest cities already on the slide.
Price impact uncertain from gas reservation scheme
Households have not be guaranteed how much gas prices in east coast markets will come down under a reservation scheme.
Full steam ahead: billions more locked in for rail line
The federal taxpayer's stake in Victoria's massive Suburban Rail Loop public transport project has ballooned to $6 billion, as regional rail gets the axe.
Labor plots budget housing boost to fend off One Nation
Jim Chalmers hopes slashing red tape and winding back investor tax breaks will convince voters the dream of home ownership is still alive.
Grandfather of Inland Rail won’t let project die
The so‑called grandfather of Inland Rail says the half‑built 'train to nowhere' can still be saved, pitching a private plan to finish the route.
Budget builds up to shift for ‘broken’ housing market
An extra $2 billion will be pledged in the budget to build sewerage and roads for new homes as the treasurer frames housing policy as a remedy to populism.
Big state fuel buffer to protect against foreign shocks
South Australia could stockpile up to 20 million litres of diesel, touting a bigger fuel buffer than larger jurisdictions, as states rush to lock in supplies.
Trump says Iran’s response to US proposal unacceptable
Oil prices have surged higher after Donald Trump labelled Iran's response to a US proposal aimed at ending the war as "totally unacceptable".
Competition puts Australia’s green iron edge at risk
Australia's renewable energy and rich iron ore deposits make it a potential leader in green iron and steel but other nations may be closing the gap.
Rebel styles herself as ‘truth-teller’ amid film feud
Rebel Wilson claims she has been bullied and harassed for speaking up about an alleged sexual harassment complaint by the star of her directorial debut.
Flight only lasted seconds before ‘catastrophic’ crash
Investigators are collecting evidence and assessing the "catastrophic scene" where a plane crashed into a hangar, killing two people and injuring 10 others.
Hopes of wartime windfall shot down for federal budget
The federal treasurer is being urged not to grandfather tax breaks for asset-holders in the budget as the economic impact of the Iran war worsens.
Rebel’s fiery defamation fight with co-star extended
A high-profile court battle between A-lister Rebel Wilson and the star of her directorial debut has been prolonged at the last minute.
Australia will avoid recession, despite global jitters
One of the big four banks has delivered encouraging news about Australia's chances of avoiding a recession, which could still emerge in the global economy.
Big bunnies and grog sales take a wartime shopping hit
Coles shoppers adjusted their spending patterns after the Middle East war began, spending less on liquor and even buying smaller Easter chocolate bunnies.
Rail service slashes weekday trains during union fight
Commuters in an Australian capital are set to be hit by reduced weekday train services due to industrial action on the state network.
Close call tipped as Reserve Bank mulls third rate hike
Traders and economists expect the central bank to raise interest rates for a third straight meeting but high uncertainty could result in another split decision.
States pump up fuel security and bowser policing
One state is opening surplus port land to new fuel tanks and refineries as it races to boost storage and cut reliance on volatile global supply chains.
Right tax moves matter more than mandates: treasurer
Expected changes to negative gearing or capital gains tax would not break an election promise because they would be for the right reasons, Jim Chalmers says.
Most Aussies ready to withstand another rate hike: NAB
The majority of business and retail customers have solid buffers and will be able to deal with an anticipated interest rate hike, a big four bank says.
Treasurer warned on household handouts ahead of budget
Millions of Australians could receive an income offset in the budget, but the Reserve Bank is cautioning against the federal government increasing spending.
Third RBA rate hike might not be the end for borrowers
Mortgage holders are back to square one after a third straight Reserve Bank rate hike, adding hundreds of dollars more to interest repayments since February.
‘Downside risks’: warning as state debt edges to $200b
A $200 billion state budget debt bomb remains live and ticking as a long-time Labor government favours cost-of-living measures for struggling families.