Australians warned: Meta to stop muzzling false claims
Australians are likely to see more false content and abuse on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds when Meta ditches fact-checking problematic posts.
Economy, Business and Finance
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
government
natural gas
nuclear power
politics
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
The federal opposition has slammed government analysis that suggests its nuclear energy calculations are based on a shrinking economy in five states.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
Tech fears overpower hiring woes as top business worry
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technology issues are keeping business leaders up at night, with labour shortages now a lower-priority concern.
The Brutalist, Emilia Perez triumph at Golden Globes
The Brutalist and Emilia Perez have won top honours at the Golden Globes, while Australia stars missed out in Hollywood's star-studded start to awards season.
PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz
The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.
Arson? Forty Winks mattress store goes up in smoke
An early morning blaze at a mattress store has been brought under control as police and arson detectives begin investigating the suspicious fire.
Tiny Tassie town dreams big with SimCity plans
Tasmania's Fingal is proposing a world-first "town twinning" partnership with the digital game SimCity, with hopes it can revitalise the 400-strong community.
Rental affordability still stretched, but worst is over
Vacancy rates are edging higher and growth in advertised rents is stalling in welcome news for the nation's renters.
Stadium build continues despite $1 billion cost blowout
An independent expert has highlighted major concerns about the cost and location of a new AFL stadium but key decision-makers are maintaining their support.
Aussie dollar rebounds after dropping to 26-month low
The Australian dollar has moved back above 62 US cents after falling below that level for the first time in more than two years against a surging greenback.
Australian shares begin new year trade with gains
The ASX200 has closed half a per cent higher as trading resumes following the New Year's Day holiday.
Weak start, stronger finish tipped for property in 2025
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
Borrowers can expect cashflow relief from interest rate cuts in 2025, yet a further deterioration in the jobs market will also start to be felt.
Australia scrambled defences to hijackers and bombers
Declassified cabinet papers show government officials raised the prospect of the prime minister ordering to shoot down commercial aircraft in a suicide attack.
Australian shares close out 2024 with more losses
The ASX200 dropped 0.9 per cent on the final day of trading to finish 2024 up 7.5 per cent - an underperformance compared to its global peers.
New year changes to boost payments and career options
Employers who underpay staff will be committing a criminal offence in 2025, while more than a million Australians will see changes to government payments.
Drivers urged to ‘shop around’ as petrol prices surge
Australians are facing headaches at the petrol bowser and a national body has called for an investigation as costs surge in capital cities.
Loyalty penalty costing power customers, warns ACCC
Energy consumers are paying more than they should be and the consumer watchdog wants households to force providers to compete harder by shopping around.
central bank
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
international economic institution
macro economics
politics (general)
RBA says rate cuts coming soon, IMF warns on inflation
The Reserve Bank's interest rate settings are appropriate but the battle against inflation is not yet won, a check-up of Australia's economic health has found.
Watching for doves in Reserve Bank’s Christmas reveal
A dovish tilt was detected in the Reserve Bank's last post-meeting comments, so traders will hope for more traces of an upcoming rate cut in its board minutes.
Cost of giving diminishes Christmas joy
As families make cutbacks and sacrifices to save the spirit of Christmas, charities warn that many will face a bleak festive season devoid of celebrations.
Shaken Vanuatu hit by new quake as Aussies return home
Vanuatu has been hit by another earthquake as Canberra announced more financial assistance and hundreds of Aussies returned home.
Activists want banks’ actions to match words on climate
Activists are heartened that Australia's big banks took steps to limit lending to fossil fuel companies this year, but also have questions.