Insurers ‘price gouging’ with secret premium hikes
Millions of Australians are being overcharged by health insurers using a loophole to dodge the rules against raising premiums.
Economy, Business and Finance
Free public wi-fi ‘gamechanger’ for remote communities
More than 20 communities will have free wi-fi in public spaces through a $20 million government program to address the digital divide in remote areas.
New homes lead the way in energy efficiency
Canberra boasts the most energy efficient homes in Australia but cities with older stock like Sydney and Hobart are lagging.
Rates stay on hold and hope for February cut revived
Long-awaited mortgage relief looks closer as the central bank takes another interest rate hike off the table and lays the groundwork for future cuts.
Exhausted: Australia lags Europe, US on car pollution
Vehicles are getting bigger but more efficient, a transport study has found, but Australia is still being lapped by other nations on low-emission cars.
How a Trump presidency could affect Aussie produce
Farmers are keeping a close eye on US president-elect Donald Trump's commitment to impose tariffs on imports.
Call to boost Aussie research funds as review launches
A study of Australian research investments has been welcomed by business, academic and technology groups, but some say more urgent action is needed.
Warnings of blackouts as rural workers go on strike
Electricity workers are preparing to walk off the job as a pay dispute, simmers, with regional residents warned of potential blackouts at the start of summer.
The 50 million reasons Woolies wants blockade to end
Woolworths says strike action has cost the company $50 million as it lodges an urgent application to ban workers from blocking access to its warehouses.
Urgent action needed to stamp out battery fire risks
Companies who import electronic goods to Australia should be forced to register and recycle their batteries, an expert says, to address growing fire risks.
Thirty licences to open a cafe: state red tape ranked
Australian business must work through a patchwork of regulations wherever they operate, but requirements in some states are more onerous than in others.
Milestone for renewable energy to power iron ore port
An energy project combining cyclone-busting solar panels and a big battery has been built in the Pilbara region to decarbonise iron ore port operations.
KFC franchisee takes hit as costs eat into profit
KFC and Taco Bell franchisee Collins Foods says its underlying profit was down by nearly a quarter in the first half.
‘Kick in the guts’: bank slammed for $3 withdrawal fee
One of the big four banks has come under fire for changes to one of its everyday accounts which means some customers are slugged $3 when they withdraw cash.
Economy yet to shake malaise as growth misses forecasts
The Australian economy is growing slowly with government support, with energy rebates effectively transferring household spending to the public purse.
Deals on the bus go down, down: transport costs plunge
Transport costs have fallen for Australian households, a report shows, led by public transport discounts and falling fuel prices.
Labor notches win as time runs out on political year
Labor has chalked up a last-minute legislative victory, with the Greens backing its housing scheme, as several MPs bid Canberra farewell.
Aussie shares hit third record high in past six days
The ASX200 was up 0.7 per cent to a new intraday all-time high at midday, and was also poised to close above 8,400 for the first time.
Development halted causing ‘distress, financial strain’
A major development has been paused after a local council raised significant concerns about the distress and financial strain placed on buyers.
Aussie shares notch another record with more on cards
The ASX200 rose 0.3 per cent to close above 8,400 for the first time while setting an intraday record of 8,462.1.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
East coast swelters through hottest day in years
Australians are sweating through a major heatwave, while the energy regulator scrambles to keep the lights on.
Trump doesn’t have to hurt Australia-China ties: envoy
A Trump presidency doesn't have to impact how Australia and China co-operate, Beijing's ambassador says, amid a spate of hawkish cabinet picks.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Christmas rate cut hopes slayed as inflation holds firm
Energy rebates have lowered Australia's headline inflation rate, but the Reserve Bank remains focused on underlying price pressures.
Mining hubs lead regional property price rise
Affordability and lifestyle choices continue to drive up property prices in regional Australia, but there are signs the heat is coming out of the market.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Half of nation vie for $100m Powerball jackpot prize
One lucky Australian may become $100 million richer with the sixth-largest jackpot in lottery history up for grabs in the latest Powerball draw.
Funding shortfall denies 400,000 of key legal service
Hundreds of thousands of Australians are being turned away from community legal centres, as the sector battles chronic underfunding.
Casino operator counts the cost of going cashless
The leaders charged with turning around the fortunes of troubled casino operator Star have given shareholders a frank assessment of the difficulties ahead.