Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
Economy, Business and Finance
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
The federal opposition has slammed government analysis that suggests its nuclear energy calculations are based on a shrinking economy in five states.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Tiny Tassie town dreams big with SimCity plans
Tasmania's Fingal is proposing a world-first "town twinning" partnership with the digital game SimCity, with hopes it can revitalise the 400-strong community.
Arson? Forty Winks mattress store goes up in smoke
An early morning blaze at a mattress store has been brought under control as police and arson detectives begin investigating the suspicious fire.
PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz
The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.
Weak start, stronger finish tipped for property in 2025
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.
Australian shares begin new year trade with gains
The ASX200 has closed half a per cent higher as trading resumes following the New Year's Day holiday.
Aussie dollar rebounds after dropping to 26-month low
The Australian dollar has moved back above 62 US cents after falling below that level for the first time in more than two years against a surging greenback.
Stadium build continues despite $1 billion cost blowout
An independent expert has highlighted major concerns about the cost and location of a new AFL stadium but key decision-makers are maintaining their support.
Rental affordability still stretched, but worst is over
Vacancy rates are edging higher and growth in advertised rents is stalling in welcome news for the nation's renters.
Australian shares close out 2024 with more losses
The ASX200 dropped 0.9 per cent on the final day of trading to finish 2024 up 7.5 per cent - an underperformance compared to its global peers.
Australia scrambled defences to hijackers and bombers
Declassified cabinet papers show government officials raised the prospect of the prime minister ordering to shoot down commercial aircraft in a suicide attack.
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
Borrowers can expect cashflow relief from interest rate cuts in 2025, yet a further deterioration in the jobs market will also start to be felt.
Loyalty penalty costing power customers, warns ACCC
Energy consumers are paying more than they should be and the consumer watchdog wants households to force providers to compete harder by shopping around.
Drivers urged to ‘shop around’ as petrol prices surge
Australians are facing headaches at the petrol bowser and a national body has called for an investigation as costs surge in capital cities.
New year changes to boost payments and career options
Employers who underpay staff will be committing a criminal offence in 2025, while more than a million Australians will see changes to government payments.
Long flight to justice ends for sacked Qantas workers
The end of a protracted legal battle is being welcomed by workers illegally sacked by Qantas as they turn to rebuilding their lives after four years.
AGL weighs appeal of ‘significant’ $25m court penalty
An energy retailer is deciding whether to appeal a record court-imposed penalty in a case brought by the regulator for overcharging customers on welfare.
Aussie dollar, shares take a hit as US rate hopes fade
A surprise fall in the Australian dollar to around 62 US cents could put a dent in travellers' pockets over Christmas after US markets got the wobbles.
ANZ chief executive forfeits $1.5m bonus after outcry
The CEO of a big-four bank has forfeited a bonus worth $1.5 million after a backlash from shareholders upset about poor behaviour in its trading rooms.
Miners have ‘hands tied’ as earnings set to plunge
Mining companies are set to see their earnings plummet as commodity prices fall, resulting in lower tax receipts and bigger government debt.
Pharmaceutical giant sued over ‘ineffective’ cold drugs
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is facing a class action concerning cold and flu medication known to be "ineffective".
Activists want banks’ actions to match words on climate
Activists are heartened that Australia's big banks took steps to limit lending to fossil fuel companies this year, but also have questions.
Shaken Vanuatu hit by new quake as Aussies return home
Vanuatu has been hit by another earthquake as Canberra announced more financial assistance and hundreds of Aussies returned home.
Cost of giving diminishes Christmas joy
As families make cutbacks and sacrifices to save the spirit of Christmas, charities warn that many will face a bleak festive season devoid of celebrations.
Watching for doves in Reserve Bank’s Christmas reveal
A dovish tilt was detected in the Reserve Bank's last post-meeting comments, so traders will hope for more traces of an upcoming rate cut in its board minutes.
RBA says rate cuts coming soon, IMF warns on inflation
The Reserve Bank's interest rate settings are appropriate but the battle against inflation is not yet won, a check-up of Australia's economic health has found.