Home building to gather steam but undershoot 1.2m goal
A recovery in home building is coming but will take time and is still expected to fall short of the 1.2 million national target.
Economy, Business and Finance
Australian shares climb further into record territory
The ASX200 finished up 0.7 per cent to hit another all-time high and gold prices also rose to their highest-ever level.
Ag ministers raise ‘serious’ concern over nuclear plans
There is too much uncertainty about how the federal opposition's nuclear reactor proposal would affect food production, the nation's agriculture ministers say.
‘Gutted like a fish’: Forrest on Fortescue job losses
Andrew Forrest says the Fortescue Group will continue to pursue its green hydrogen plan despite slashing 700 jobs in a bid to cut costs.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Second-hand electric car sales speed up, utes slow down
Sales of used electric vehicles are up by more than 200 per cent this year, according to a report, but the ute market is facing an oversupply issue.
Australia warned to wise up as cyber attacks continue
As technology evolves, so do criminals, and the government must update its infrastructure and standards to keep Australians safe, an expert has urged.
Major IT outage affecting banks, media outlets
Australian banks and media companies have reportedly been hit by a major IT outage.
Forging pathways for young mob to reach the sky
First Nations students across 29 remote and regional communities will have an opportunity to experience the aviation industry through an Indigenous-led program.
Emergency meeting to determine response to tech outage
Australia remains in the "recovery stage" from a massive global tech outage as government agencies and industry representatives meet to discuss next steps.
Australian shares take a breather after three-day climb
The ASX200 has finished 0.2 per cent lower, dragged down partly by losses from BHP and Rio Tinto, but still notched its second-highest close ever.
‘Bitcoin inventor’ referred to prosecutors for perjury
A UK judge has referred self-declared bitcoin inventor Craig Wright for alleged perjury after ruling the Australian had lied "extensively" to support his claim.
Breather for Australian shares after three-day climb
The ASX200 was down 0.2 per cent at lunchtime, dragged in part by losses from BHP and Rio Tinto but still on track for its second-highest close ever.
Online shopping spree despite cost-of-living crisis
Australians are still turning to online retail therapy despite household spending slowing due to cost-of-living pressures.
Labor urged to give CFMEU the cold shoulder on projects
The CFMEU's alleged links to serious criminals and bikies has sparked calls to dump members of the construction union from major infrastructure advisory roles.
Calls for law as AI rogues plunder Australian creatives
One actor's voice was cloned after producers cancelled his contract while another's was used in a pornographic ad without her consent, an AI inquiry has heard.
Star casinos shut pokies after major technology glitch
The blows keep coming for the embattled Star Entertainment Group, which has been forced to switch off thousands of poker machines after a technology failure.
Banks lashed for ripping off poorer customers
The market watchdog has slammed four major banks for causing financial distress to more than two million Australians by systematically overcharging on fees.
Aussie shares close over key level for first time ever
The ASX200 rose 0.7 per cent to close above 8,000 for the first time ever, more than four years after it broke through the 7,000 level.
Greens’ essential goods cap ‘may lead to shortages’
A Queensland Greens plan to cap prices for essential groceries is set to save households cash at the checkout but an expert has warned it may lead to shortages.
Anzac Day trade ban to end ‘creeping commercialisation’
NSW is extending its Anzac Day trading bans to cover the full day, but retailers say the move is out of step with what staff and shoppers want.
Cheaper materials take edge off home-building costs
Residential construction costs have finally stabilised after a prolonged period of strong price growth put pressure on the industry.
Telcos urge 205,000 Aussies to upgrade before 3G shuts
There are 205,000 mobile phones that won't connect to triple-zero after the 3G network closes, as telcos urge customers to check their devices and upgrade.
Aussie shares rally to 100-day high, edge all-time peak
The ASX200 has finished up 0.9 per cent to nudge an all-time high following further dovish testimony by Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell.
Pacific peace in focus as PM meets island counterpart
Australia's links to the Pacific remain a high priority as the prime minister met with his Tuvaluan counterpart amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Premier shuts down farmer push to end daylight saving
The NSW premier has ruled out winding back daylight saving, saying the practice encourages healthy lifestyles and helps get children off devices.
Premier rejects farmer push to shorten daylight saving
The NSW premier has ruled out winding back daylight saving, saying the practice encourages healthy lifestyles and helps get children off devices.
Aussie shares hit record high amid talk of US rate cuts
The ASX200 rose 0.8 per cent to set its sixth all-time high of 2024 and finished the week just over 40 points away from the 8,000 mark.
Controversial union boss John Setka suddenly quits
Union heavyweight John Setka has suddenly quit the CFMEU's top role citing "malicious attacks" and "ongoing false allegations" in stories.
Virtual reality tech, batteries named in safety probe
Battery-powered products and new kinds of consumer gadgets will be closely examined by Australia's consumer watchdog as a top priority.
Minister blasts power plant advice after explosion
Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni says he had been given incorrect maintenance advice by operators of a power plant after a catastrophic explosion.
Lehrmann one of Australia’s most hated men, lawyer says
Media "harassment" has forced Bruce Lehrmann to move interstate and left him unable to defend himself in a $20,000 property dispute, a tribunal has been told.