Transurban eyes raising dividend as toll traffic rises
Transurban says it expects to raise its 2024/25 distribution by five per cent, after making $2.6 billion in operating earnings in 2023/24.
Economy, Business and Finance
Insurers leaving flood-prone communities high and dry
Regional councils at risk from flooding have revealed the impact of rising insurance costs on their communities at a Senate hearing.
Hit the brakes: taxes could slow hybrid vehicle sales
Cuts to transport emissions could slow down next year unless the government extends its tax cuts for plug-in hybrid cars, an inquiry has been told.
Insurance prices blowing away cyclone-prone communities
Regional councils at risk from cyclones will reveal the impact of rising insurance costs on their communities at a Senate hearing.
Budgets running on fumes as car costs outpace inflation
Transport is becoming an even bigger household expense, with research showing costs grew by more than 10 per cent over the past year.
Rex financial woes in spotlight as employees face cuts
Embattled regional airline Rex will hold its first creditors' meeting as the cash-strapped carrier plots its way out of financial disaster.
Rising cost of living hammers renters and mortgage belt
Higher rents are weighing heavily on Australians receiving government support payments as all households experience rising living costs.
Rent-seekers targeted in background-check fee ban
Prospective tenants are pressured to pay for checks on legally dubious databases as technology is installed between tenants and owners in a bid for profits.
Fight against ‘disgraceful’ accessible housing standard
Living in a home built with accessibility in mind is a dream Julie Charlton and others with disabilities like her want to be made a national reality.
Rex bailout likely, but not necessary: administrator
Cash-strapped Rex Airlines appears set to receive a government bailout, but an administrator appointed to the carrier says it could still survive without one.
Australian shares stabilise after wild two-day sell-off
The ASX200 finished up 0.4 per cent after falling 5.8 per cent over Friday and Monday, its worst two-day drop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uber to take Leaf out of Japan’s second-hand EV market
Ride-share and food delivery drivers will be encouraged to adopt second-hand electric vehicles under a pilot program launched in Queensland.
RBA governor warns rate cuts not on near-term agenda
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates steady and tempered expectations of imminent cuts, warning inflation remains "too high".
construction and property
consumer confidence
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
inflation and deflation
retail
Relief in sight as rates focus switches to cuts
Mortgage-holders appear to have avoided another interest rate hike, in a welcome development for the federal government with an election on the horizon.
Doubt cast over plan to convert CBD offices into homes
The cost of retrofitting under-used Melbourne CBD offices into residential apartments is proving an obstacle to a key housing policy getting off the ground.
history - arts, culture and entertainment
manufacturing and engineering
people - human interest
transport
History lovers to gather for two-day stagecoach journey
Regional towns across southern Queensland will celebrate the centennial of Cobb & Co's final stagecoach run, the last of its kind in Australia.
Room with a view comes at high price on tourist strip
High-rise apartment owners at a popular Australian tourist spot have been slugged with a "view tax" sending council rates to new heights.
Former PwC head grilled over role in tax scandal
The former boss of PwC in Australia, Tom Seymour, has made his first public comments since resigning due to the tax advice scandal.
Advisors called in as taxpayer bailout weighed for Rex
The federal government has engaged three external consultants as it considers its options in coming to the aid of cash-strapped regional carrier Rex.
Australian shares suffer worst drop in more than a year
The ASX200 has dropped 2.1 per cent in its worst performance in 16 months, just two days after its biggest jump in 20 months.
Car chargers at tourist curio could be coup for Tesla
Australia's best-selling electric vehicle brand will open a charging station near a Queensland tourism attraction despite funding cuts to its program.
Probe into worker’s death at Queensland coal mine
Initial reports on the death of a Queensland mine worker suggest an incident involving a small crane, the industry regulator says.
Rates likely on hold with Reserve Bank coy on next move
The August interest rate meeting will dominate the week's economic agenda, with the Reserve Bank tipped to leave rates unchanged.
Long road to glory for bull as heavy as a car
A bull that weighs as much as a car has been crowned the heaviest at Queensland's Ekka after his breeder spent years preparing for the competition.
Trial of 50c Queensland public transport fares begins
A bold six-month trial of 50 cent public transport fares has begun in Queensland with just over two months until the state election.
Diggers count losses on battery minerals, gold shines
Mining bosses and investors gathering in an outback city are counting their losses as the decarbonisation and battery minerals bubble bursts.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index sinks over 12 per cent
Japan's Nikkei 225 share index has plunged dramatically after heavy selling triggered by fears the US economy could be in worse shape than expected.
‘Sea of red’: worst day for ASX in more than four years
The Australian share market has suffered its biggest daily sell-off in more than four years, amid growing fears of a hard landing for the US economy.
Ticket hesitation hits The Forum line-up, inquiry told
Artists have been pulling out of hoped-for gigs at famed live music venue The Forum as fans leave ticket purchases to the last minute, an inquiry has been told.
Debt collector taken to court after flouting trade ban
Victoria's consumer protection watchdog will take a debt collector to court after the company allegedly continued to operate in the state despite being banned.
Signs of slow build back with home approvals sluggish
Interest rates, labour shortages and investor confidence are contributing to weak building approvals, but there are signs of recovery in detached homes.