Tough penalties under laws to tame tobacco turf war
Victoria will become the last Australian state to make businesses have a licence to sell tobacco, but the police boss says laws won't end a turf war overnight.
Economy, Business and Finance
Australia aims to bolster Pacific banking, labour visa
The federal government is working on a solution to ensure a major bank maintains services in the Pacific while bolstering the integrity of financial systems.
‘It’s a lifeline’: relief as government hands Rex $80m
The federal government will provide up to $80 million to keep Rex regional routes operating, a relief for rural communities fearing for their future prosperity.
Pay growth running faster than price rises
Workers have logged another quarter of real wage growth that, thankfully, is not strong enough to push back interest rate cuts.
Climate change fuelling insurance cost-of-living crunch
More than two-thirds of parents are worried about rising insurance costs pushed higher by climate change.
Trade talks start as world leaders look for trump card
Donald Trump isn't even at the APEC economic summit where his comments on trade tariffs are worrying leaders, but one envoy says speculation isn't helpful.
Crackdown efforts start on dodgy business practices
Dynamic pricing and subscription service traps are in the sights of the federal government, as consultation starts on efforts to ban them.
PM spruiks trade as Trump talk dominates regional forum
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is meeting with world leaders for a major economic summit in Peru with maintaining open trade ties a key topic of discussion.
ANZ profit falls as mortgage wars hit big four banks
The ANZ bank has joined the rest of the big four in recording a fall in annual profit, as a result of ongoing mortgage competition and high inflation.
Electric cars could keep lights on in Australian homes
The batteries inside electric cars could be used to power households in Australia before the end of the year after the release of technological standards.
Psychology goes in search of new age Aussie farmers
Researchers are looking into whether psychology can help improve workplace practices on Australia's cotton farms, in a bid to better attract and retain workers.
Trade, investment centred as world leaders talk in Peru
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to travel to the APEC summit in Peru for discussions spanning free trade, renewable energy and critical minerals.
Jobs market in focus as investors chew Trump triumph
Donald Trump's return is having no immediate impact on central bank inflation outlooks but domestic jobs figures could change the calculus for the RBA.
Australian economy prepared for Trump: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers believes Australia is well placed to deal with global financial shocks despite the looming threat of US tariffs.
‘We have your back’: push to ban kids from social media
A push to ban Australian children under the age of 16 from social media has the support of families who have experienced the dark side of online content.
Talkback king Hadley to retire after decades behind mic
Veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley will give up full-time hosting duties at the end of the year after a long career defined by success but dotted by controversy.
Heat on Nine directors over toxic company culture
The new chair of Nine has fielded questions about a toxic culture at the media giant, as investors deliver a strike against director pay packets.
$12m triple-zero fine over Optus outage
The nationwide Optus network outage in 2023 has cost the telco $12 million in fines for breaching triple zero rules, the industry regulator has announced.
Farmers fear being frozen out by supermarket giants
Produce growers face limited export opportunities, low bargaining power and high costs to supply Australian supermarket giants, an inquiry has heard.
February rate cut hopes hinge on jobs market softening
The economic outlook has been downgraded as the big four banks' predictions of a February interest rate cut narrows.
US election to have ‘profound consequence’ on world: PM
Anthony Albanese says Australia's relationship with America will be just as strong no matter who wins the US election, with results showing a close contest.
Supply the key to fixing housing, not taxes: Treasury
The focus of the government should be on increasing housing supply rather than cutting tax concessions for property investors, the Treasury chief says.
Trucks, trains and dozers drive Fortescue’s ‘real zero’
Iron ore billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest says he intends to silence the naysayers with profitable patented green technology to save the planet - and mining.
Boon for critical minerals, education in trade pact
Australian pacts with a Gulf state are set to open up investment from its massive sovereign wealth fund and opportunities in critical minerals and education.
Plane perks critic crash-lands over undeclared upgrades
A Nationals senator spearheading the attack against the prime minister's free flight upgrades has been forced to declare 16 of her own.
No change to RBA forecasts after Trump election
The re-election of Donald Trump as US president could have "adverse implications" for the Australian economy but it has not changed the RBA's view on inflation.
‘Frustrated, sceptical’ consumers lose trust in grocers
Consumers doubt rising costs are totally to blame for higher grocery prices, as profits fall for manufacturers struggling to pass on surging costs.
Woolworths profits down as cost of living hits shoppers
Profits at Australia's biggest supermarket giant have taken a hit as cash-strapped shoppers search the aisles for cheaper options and Woolworths shares slump.
Australian shares lower as rate drop hopes pushed back
The ASX200 finished 0.8 per cent lower after a fall in headline inflation to within the Reserve Bank's target range failed to impress investors.
Fish furore: Woolies refuses to phase out farmed salmon
Woolworths shareholders have questioned the company's board over its pricing practices and use of farmed salmon which threatens the existence of a rare fish.
Demand to pressure US senators out of kangaroo ban
Australian politicians and officials have been asked to pressure US senators out of a kangaroo ban that could harm exports and farming.