Housing affordability blow as construction costs go up
The cost of building a home continues to rise, making it harder for builders to meet supply targets and alleviate housing affordability.
Economy, Business and Finance
Trio avoid going to jail over attempted $21m bank fraud
A group including a former senior employee have been spared time behind bars after attempting to defraud a major bank out of more than $20 million.
Star shares hit the skids as survival odds take a blow
Shares are down seven per cent at Star after the embattled casino company warned of "material uncertainty" about its ability to continue.
business (general)
computing and information technology
economy (general)
internet
online
politics
politics (general)
science and technology
social issues (general)
technology (general)
A decade past its due date, the NBN promises to deliver
Removing copper connections from the National Broadband Network will come at a cost of more than $6 billion but tech experts say the move will be worth it.
Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn join Anaconda cast
Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn have joined the cast of Anaconda, currently filming in Australia with Paul Rudd and Jack Black.
Australia warned to get productive or be left behind
Fault lines are widening between economic performance of nations and a global body warns Australia risks being left behind if it fails to improve productivity.
Greens housing crusade fails to sway most tenant voters
Renters are more likely to support Labor or Liberal than the Greens despite the minor party running hard on issues faced by tenants, fresh polling shows.
Why the RBA should rethink key inflation assumption
The strength of Australia's labour market has kept the Reserve Bank from cutting interest rates but growing evidence suggests it's not as crucial as thought.
Buyer’s market: 2025 to bring relief to home buyers
A major pullback in house price rises has not stopped the market from extending its growth streak to eight consecutive quarters.
Experts put money on early rate cut as spending slides
A decline in spending on household goods has bolstered hopes of an RBA rate cut, which would help boost dour consumer sentiment.
Consumers feel finances slide but hold hope for future
Easing inflation is increasing the likelihood of a near-term rate cut, which would provide a welcome boost to consumer sentiment in 2025.
Upgraded NBN could compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink
Australia must expand its network if it wants to compete with Elon Musk's offering and provide affordable, reliable internet to the regions, an expert says.
auto trends
consumers
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
road transport
transport
Government urged to put brakes on fast EV charging plan
Allowing energy networks to install hundreds of car chargers could present problems, one firm warns, unless they are made to follow the same rules.
Casino hub could be first to go to save falling Star
A casino precinct might be the first asset sold from an embattled operator's multi-million dollar portfolio in a bid to avoid going belly up.
As dollar dips towards 60c, tariff threat may Trump all
The Aussie dollar is edging closer to the psychologically significant 60 US cents barrier and Donald Trump could determine whether it crashes through in 2025.
NBN rollout to be bolstered with $3b network upgrade
High-speed internet will be rolled out to a further 620,000 homes in the 'final piece of the puzzle' for NBN upgrades.
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
employment
inflation and deflation
labour
macro economics
politics
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
Even with restrictive interest rate settings and inflation battering the economy, Australia's labour market has proved surprisingly resilient.
Friendly robots, AI litter boxes: the new tech frontier
Wild, weird and unexpected gadgets have been shown in Las Vegas as part of an annual tech fest, with AI powering some household devices for the first time.
Tourists splash cash in Australia’s holiday hotspots
Parking nightmares and long lines at coffee shops are common in Australia's beachside towns during peak season - a period local businesses rely on.
Aussie shares drop for second day but gain for week
The ASX200 fell on Friday but finished the week 0.5 per cent higher, recovering from a slight fall during the previous five days of trading.
PM finishes three-state blitz with key message
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have launched a soft test of their pitches to voters ahead of the federal election after a week of unofficial campaigning.
No magical save for Star as govt focuses on workers
As the shares of embattled casino operator Star Entertainment fall to an all-time low, a state government has ruled out giving it a financial lifeline.
Dictator’s daughter agrees to booze ban on flights
The glamorous daughter of ex-Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Sr has agreed not to drink alcohol on planes following an alleged drunken incident.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy (general)
energy and resource
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
Call for states to fire up new gas to avoid shortfall
Federal Labor has been urged to reverse "anti-gas policies" with structural shortfalls forecast from 2027 and Australians still under the pump on energy bills.
Property dominates wealth but stocks safer than houses
Investors might start looking outside of the property market where most of Australia's wealth is held, as returns for another sector outstrip housing.
Casino operator Star’s shares plunge amid grim finances
Star Entertainment says it had just $79 million in cash left at December 31, after burning through $107 million over the previous three months.
‘Alarming’ move by Meta raises misinformation fears
Meta's decision to end its third-party fact checks could put Australian democracy at risk amid an explosion of misinformation and disinformation, leaders warn.
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.
Bank of mum and dad could run dry for retirement
Affordability constraints have many turning to the bank of mum and dad but parents have been urged to consider their finances carefully before lending.
Australian shares rally after news of easing inflation
The ASX200 hit a four-week high after a report of cooling inflation raised hopes for Australia's first interest rate cut in four years.
Support grows to ditch shark nets along popular beaches
Shark nets are being likened to a "hanky floating in the ocean" and more coastal communities want to ditch the barriers, which can kill other marine life.