West is best economically as eastern states left behind
Western Australia remains the top economic performer in CommSec's State of the States rankings, but its "breakneck" growth is starting to lose momentum.
Economy, Business and Finance
‘Bad policy’: Australia fears double US tariff rate
US President Donald Trump has flagged all countries, including Australia, could be hit with baseline tariffs up to double the current rate of 10 per cent.
‘Respect never cost anything’: PM defends China outcome
Visiting Chinese cultural icons will pay dividends for Australia, the prime minister says as the opposition claims parts of his trip seem indulgent.
Jobless rate nears four-year high, firms rethink plans
Australia's unemployment rate has bucked expectations and risen as economic headwinds take their toll on employers.
Wanted: 10,000 households to plug in to energy research
From households fitted with solar panels to electric car drivers and business operators, a new research centre aims to model nationwide trends in energy use.
Nation on notice as signs point to growing jobless rate
Australians are being warned about possible further rises in unemployment after a shock jobless rate jump that has strengthened the case to cut interest rates.
Rally propels Aussie shares to another record close
The Australian share market has crossed 8700 points for the first time in its biggest rally since April, while posting its best weekly performance for 2025.
PM’s China stance hailed by Taiwan despite criticisms
The prime minister used a six-day trip to China to signal a willingness to boost Australia's trading ties while balancing concerns over Beijing's aggression.
Stories in the stars shared at science festival
Stories of the night sky, the enduring food practices of Aboriginal people and chats about death are all on the line-up of a science festival.
Peek into surprise RBA decision as rate cut on cards
Borrowers are hoping for clarity on the Reserve Bank's next moves as an unexpected jump in unemployment firms the case for an interest rate cut.
The ‘critical’ data that could greenlight next rate cut
Economists await key quarterly data that could put the odds firmly in favour of an August interest rate cut, as the Reserve Bank sheds light on its shock hold.
Aussie shares set new record on strong China growth
The ASX200 has climbed 0.7 per cent to finish above 8,600 for the first time, and was also within 10 points of its all-time intraday high.
PM retraces predecessor’s steps on China’s Great Wall
Anthony Albanese has used a visit to the Great Wall of China to emphasise Australia's wish to engage on ways to build regional security and stability.
Rising cost to build a wake-up call on housing dream
Australians looking to build their own homes are facing a reality check as construction costs rise, with the increase likely to also weigh on inflation.
Time to see a doctor? Watches to track sleep disorder
Smartwatches can detect signs of a common and potentially serious sleep disorder with the medical regulator approving software that analyses bedtime breathing.
Surprise rate hold another blow for consumer confidence
Fewer rate cuts than expected will further weaken already fragile consumer confidence, as the Commonwealth Bank records a gradual household spending recovery.
Indigenous product makers taking home the chocolates
Demand for Indigenous products across the Asia-Pacific region is strong, as the founder of this chocolate manufacturing business well knows.
House values break ceiling in almost half of suburbs
An upswing in home values has broadly eased, but almost 45 per cent of Australian suburbs are at record-high dwelling values after sustained growth.
Fire ants in coal mine sound agriculture alarm
Biosecurity authorities are on alert after destructive fire ants were found at a coal mine 800 kilometres from the previous infestation zone.
PM to walk diplomatic tightrope in crucial China visit
Business opportunities will rub up against security and ideological tensions as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads an Australian delegation to China.
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of new tariffs
In an escalation of the global trade wars, US President Donald Trump has slapped the EU and Mexico with 30 per cent tariffs.
Clouds of war shroud PM’s sunny China tourism pitch
The prime minister has called on an ex-Socceroo and a Chinese film star to promote Sino-Australian ties while facing an untimely reminder of regional tension.
Political tensions muddy PM’s Chinese green steel push
Efforts to end Chinese ownership of an Australian port highlight challenges to the prime minister's ambition to grow business ties between the two nations.
Olympic city house values join the million-dollar club
Interstate migration and the allure of warmer weather have contributed to a city's house prices surging past the million-dollar mark.
Wanted official got gold after kickbacks ‘went crazy’
An ex-transport official received gold as part of a corrupt multimillion-dollar scheme that inflated fees for roadworks services, an inquiry has been told.
Consumer win in card surcharge cut as business bristles
Scrapping surcharges could save Australians about $1.2 billion, but small businesses think they will have to foot the bill.
Flipping heck: tech giant wants to upsize your phone
After 15 years of research and development, the world's most popular folding smartphone is about to get bigger, but its competitors are far from rolling over.
Trump threatens Aussie medicines with bitter tax pill
One of Australia's biggest US exports has been threatened with hefty tariffs, but many doubt whether Donald Trump will actually impose the measure.
Direct route for scammers as Qantas hack scale revealed
Almost six million Qantas customers could experience phishing scams for months to come as they learn what personal data has been exposed in a cyber attack.
Power up: boost for roadside electric vehicle chargers
Electric vehicle drivers will be able to recharge in more places after a substantial infrastructure investment designed to generate wider adoption.
Australia’s biggest peanut supplier set to shut down
Bega Group will close the 101-year-old Peanut Company of Australia, leading to the expected loss of 150 jobs.