Timber industry battles shift to man-made power poles
The timber industry has stepped up its fight against the phase out of wooden power poles in NSW - a move designed to make the network more fire resilient.
Economy, Business and Finance
Solar power guiding NT families back to their community
After a solar-powered energy system was installed in a remote Northern Territory community, families will be able to return to their homeland.
Govt claims native title case creates ‘vast’ liability
The federal government has started its appeal of a native title case around a mining lease, arguing it would create "vast" claims for compensation.
Scientists despair as farmers clear nature hot spot
Scientists say one of Australia's most valuable biodiversity hot spots is in danger of death by a thousand cuts as pastoralists clear the landscape unchecked.
Vast native title risks ‘speculative’, High Court told
An Indigenous land rights case is being brought to "redress past wrongs", a lawyer for the Gumatj Clan has told High Court justices.
RBA governor pours cold water on talk of early rate cut
The central bank says inflation remains too high and warned it could hike again, keeping the spotlight on government efforts to fight inflation.
New battery crackdown after 50 blazes this year
E-bikes and e-scooters will have to meet new battery standards in coming months in one state, after a spate of difficult-to-contain fires.
Joyce ‘command and control’ ends with Qantas clawback
Alan Joyce has had millions in shares clawed back by Qantas, the airline he led for almost 15 years, after a turbulent nosedive into a reputational crisis.
Property giant Mirvac warns of ‘challenging’ conditions
Mirvac is investing in build-to-rent apartments and industrial sites as it slashes the value of high-rise offices and warns of ongoing challenging conditions.
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.
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.