‘Often overlooked’ women are the future of agriculture
Women are increasingly being recognised for their success in the agricultural sector in production, biosecurity, science and as champions of future farmers.
Economy, Business and Finance
Underground pipeline gas leak, fire triggers probe
Authorities are investigating after an underground gas pipeline leak sparked a fire in Queensland, with emergency services setting up an exclusion zone.
SpaceX launches Aussie satellite with printed solar
A huge satellite powered by flexible, printed solar cells developed by the CSIRO has launched in the US and may help keep others in space.
Economy hit by ‘dastardly duo’ of rates and inflation
Australia's economy grew very little last quarter but the result was broadly in line with forecasts and unlikely to change the outlook for interest rates.
Vindication for Qantas worker, airline cops $250k fine
Former Qantas health and safety rep Theo Seremetidis says a fine for the airline is a "drop in the ocean" after he was stood down for raising COVID concerns.
More deposit bailout cash after home builder collapse
Victorian taxpayers will again come to the rescue of customers who lost their home deposit after the builder went belly up.
Call to extinguish cigarette vending machines
Australian businesses are still selling cigarettes from vending machines and cancer researchers want legislative reform as drug and alcohol usage rises.
Popular car brands ’emit more carbon than coal mines’
Analysis of the five most popular car brands in Australia has found their vehicles are responsible for producing more carbon emissions than some coal mines.
‘Unbalanced’ duopoly impacting shoppers, farmers
The major supermarkets have offered "rock bottom" prices for purchasing produce because of their influence, farmers have told a parliamentary hearing.
Dumpster diving on the rise due to rising grocery costs
A Senate inquiry has heard there has been an uptick in people resorting to getting groceries from supermarket dumpsters.
Aussie stocks hit record as Fed chair talks rate cuts
The ASX200 has finished at its highest-ever level for the second time this month after Jerome Powell told Congress rate cuts are likely this year.
Scammer jailed for stealing close to $400k from cousin
Angela Liberatore, 50, has been sentenced after she was found guilty by a jury of 33 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Australian broadband to get a speed boost, but slowly
More than nine million households and businesses could get a significant boost to their broadband connection later in 2024 following fibre upgrades.
Car lobby calls for more trains to prevent gridlock
Experts say Adelaide's rail network needs major expansion to prevent an influx of new residents bringing road traffic to a standstill.
Economy unlikely to have contracted but growth muted
The Australian economy looks to have narrowly missed a quarter in decline based on economic indicators released ahead of official growth figures.
Super cash-ins lump taxpayers with $85b ‘long COVID’
A key super fund body says taxpayers are on the hook for between $75 billion and $85 billion because of the Morrison government's early super access policy.
Fear spy crackdown will create uni research brain drain
National security legislation designed to crack down on secrets leaking could lead to the unintended consequence of scaring the world's brightest minds away.
Australian shares hit new high for third time this year
The ASX200 has risen 0.6 per cent to finish above 7,700 for the first time amid optimism around global markets and risk-on sentiment.
‘Not the same’: cyclone leaves dirty water, $150m fix
Months after Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit, a far north Queensland region is still counting the cost with landslides blocking roads and affecting water supply.
Home price growth gathers pace as confidence returns
Property prices in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane still grew the fastest in January but Melbourne and Sydney also had a more convincing month.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
politics
Energy consumers to plug power gap, get fairer share
Ministers have agreed on steps to fill the nation's energy gap but a former deputy central bank governor says $625 billion in clean energy investment is needed.
First homebuyer shared equity scheme clears lower house
A shared equity scheme allowing first homebuyers to buy a property with a two per cent deposit has passed the House of Representatives.
Green mining could be dynamite for new hydrogen sector
Australia could usher in the next boom by switching ammonia production plants from gas to renewable hydrogen to supply the mining sector with green explosives.
First person jailed under foreign interference laws
A former Liberal Party candidate will be jailed for at least a year after becoming the first person in Australia found guilty under foreign interference laws.
Star returns to profit, welcomes new Bell inquiry
Star Entertainment Group has posted a $9.1 million first-half profit, but revenue was down 15 per cent as it faced increased competition and weaker spending.
Retail sales rebound but spending appetite is weak
The consumer sector is clearly in pain and prioritising discounted goods, making it a difficult time to be a discretionary retailer.
Sales, dividend down as retail slump hits Harvey Norman
Ongoing macroeconomic headwinds have buffeted Harvey Norman's profits but the retailer insists its property portfolio keeps its balance sheet in good health.
Forest wars flare after pledge to grow native logging
Native forestry in Tasmania will be expanded if the Liberal government is re-elected at the upcoming state election on March 23.
Australian shares hit record high on back of late rally
The Australian share market has hit a record in intraday trading, before closing at its second-highest level after rallying all afternoon.
Conservationists round on premier over logging bid
A plan by Tasmania's Liberal government to go big on native forest logging when other states are bugging out has dismayed conservationists.
Aussies to keep more of what they earn as tax cuts pass
Low and middle income earners are guaranteed bigger tax cuts after changes championed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cleared federal parliament.