Telco complaints a symptom of cost-of-living crisis
Telcos are failing to offer sufficient help to customers struggling to pay their bills, as the telecommunications watchdog receives a spike in complaints.
Economy, Business and Finance
Mortgage relief could be limited as jobs market expands
An unexpected jump in employment has led the money market to pare back its hopes for further mortgage relief after a widely expected rate cut next week.
Strawberry shields forever: bioplastic cuts fruit waste
Unique packaging material created using bacteria and sawdust could reduce disposable plastic and keep strawberries safe during transport.
Oil dives on US-Iran hopes as stocks surge stalls
A potential US-Iran nuclear deal has caused oil prices to tumble, while global share markets caught their breath as trade optimism died down.
A glimmer of hope for nuclear dream after election bomb
Voters rejected a plan to build seven nuclear reactors, but some experts say the technology's role in cutting emissions means it can't be ruled out.
Healing art: medical scans get a cultural makeover
A new CT scanner at an Indigenous-owned medical imaging service has become a symbol of hope, healing and culture for one regional community.
Aussie shares pare gains ahead of US-China deal detail
Australian shares have edged slightly higher amid trade talks between the world's two largest economies, but a deal on tariffs is yet to come.
Wastewater may solve wee green hydrogen price problem
The cost of renewable hydrogen could be cut substantially if Australian researchers can scale their latest discoveries involving wastewater.
Record $7m tobacco haul as police target crime assets
Police have seized a record $7.3 million haul of tobacco and frozen $22 million in crime syndicate assets in a big blow to the booming black market.
Consumers in crossfire despite US-China trade war truce
An index measuring consumer sentiment is improving after the US tariff announcements, but Australians are warned the economic impact still remains uncertain.
Woodside blocks climate questions as protesters blow up
Oil and gas giant Woodside has evaded questions on climate issues after its shareholder meeting was gatecrashed by whistle-blowing activists.
‘Tax on Bluey’: Rudd rips into Trump’s film tariffs
Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has spoken against President Donald Trump's proposal to tax foreign-made movies.
How AI is being weaponised to attack Aussie businesses
Australia is among the world's biggest targets for online attacks and artificial intelligence technology is making intrusions harder to detect.
ANZ shares sell-off after flat cash profit of $3.6b
Investors have hit sell on ANZ shares after the big four bank posted a cash profit less than what the market hoped to see.
Market turmoil could stoke inflation: Future Fund
The Future Fund has outperformed the broader market and its own target but its managers warn market uncertainty could lift bond yields and reignite inflation.
Video reveals shopping mall killer’s fight for knives
A man who killed six people in a stabbing rampage at a busy shopping centre was desperate to retain his collection of knives, footage has revealed.
Election expected to drive confidence in electric cars
Australia's transition to low-emission vehicles could speed up after the election, experts say, fuelled by ongoing tax cuts and emission limits.
NAB’s $3.6b earnings top expectations but risks remain
National Australia Bank has reported a slight rise in interim earnings and says it's in good shape despite the economic threat posed by US tariffs.
Westpac shares slip amid profit dip, volatile outlook
Westpac CEO Anthony Miller says Australia is well-positioned to weather storms in the world economy and he's looking forward to working with a Labor government.
Plug-in hybrid sales slide as tax break is switched off
New vehicle sales have fallen as the end to a fringe benefits tax exclusion leads to a sharp decline in plug-in hybrid sales.
Wild claims from dictator’s ‘daughter’ amid plane drama
The alleged daughter of a late dictator and her husband accused flight attendants of doing drugs on the job during a shocking mid-air altercation.
Australian farmland values just keep on growing
Farmland values have surged in Tasmania and Queensland off the back of a rebound in cattle prices, while the market in drought-affected areas has slowed.
Warren Buffett announces retirement plans
Warren Buffett, 94, has shocked an arena full of his shareholders by announcing that he wants to retire at the end of the year
End of the road for freeze on car rego and other fees
A state's year-long reprieve from car registration price hikes will come to an end when the government raises its fees and charges again.
Kendrick Lamar to headline Aussie Spilt Milk festival
A popular music festival is back in action for 2025, with a Grammy-winner to play alongside rap's biggest names in line-ups across the nation.
Weary retail recovery has rate cut almost in the bag
All the smoke signals point to an interest rate cut as Australian retail spending continues to grow amid cooling consumer and producer inflation.
‘Like a bomb hit it’: disaster season damage revealed
Devastated towns are still picking up the pieces as the full extent of a state's disaster season was revealed, with the damage bill at $2 billion and counting.
PM confident of Trump phone call after election outcome
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to call Donald Trump to talk about US tariffs on Australian goods, if Labor wins the election.
‘Horrific’ triple-zero calls mounted during mass attack
Ambulance officers responded to up to 4000 calls for assistance on the day of a horror mass stabbing attack in the Bondi Junction shopping centre.
Rate cut could fuel further ‘modest’ house price growth
Australia's house prices continue to climb across every capital city after a recent interest rate cut, despite a slump in auction clearance rates.
Trump urges patience on tariffs as US economy shrinks
President Donald Trump has marked 100 days in office facing falling polls and struggling to explain data showing the US economy contracted over his trade war.