Origin takes heat over coal-fired power station
Moving from coal-fired power stations to renewable energy projects could take longer than expected, a retailer has warned, amid delays and high costs.
Economy, Business and Finance
Australian shares eye record as banks and miners rally
Australia's share market is within striking distance of its highest close after its best day in two weeks, as investors look past US-China trade jitters.
Australia falling behind as experts call for AI urgency
The juice will be worth the squeeze for workers and businesses if Australia quickly and carefully forges on with artificial intelligence, industry figures say.
Nation’s big home build already off target
Construction is behind schedule by tens of thousands of homes, fresh figures reveal, after the first full year of a federal housing goal.
Rates cut back in the works as jobless figure spikes
An interest rate cut is back in the running on Melbourne Cup day as surprising unemployment figures offer borrowers hope of a home-loan victory.
Renewed rate-cut hopes fuel Australian shares record
A lift in expectations of an interest rate cut have provided a springboard to send Australian equities to new highs, after weeks of consolidation.
Accountants, ombudsman lash tax office service
The ATO has declined a Tax Ombudsman suggestion to re-route calls from accountants to experienced staff as pressures mount between tax agents and the agency.
‘For the birds’: doubt ageing coal plants can go longer
Coal stations are reaching their end of-life and need to be retired, the Climate Change Authority chair says, regardless of moves to keep them running longer.
Treasurer lays groundwork for ‘golden’ US minerals deal
Australia is pushing for zero US tariffs and is dangling the carrot of a deal for critical minerals ahead of the prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump.
Waste is the new oil: why Aussie export may be rubbish
Cutting emissions from long-haul flights, shipping and trucking remains a challenge but one solution could put Australia in an enviable position.
Transport needs clear signals and certainty to contribute to 2035 emission reduction targets
The Government has announced its 2035 emission reduction targets of 62-70% and a key factor in delivering these targets will be the rapid electrification of the nation’s heavy vehicle fleet.
Farmland value in reverse as economy tightens
Australian farmland values are down 3.8 per cent in the first half of 2025 - the first dip in over a decade - but there are some causes for optimism.
Open-home rape, abuse claims as estate agent on trial
A real estate agent accused of raping and sexually abusing three women at multiple open homes is fighting the allegations in court.
Not a fad: billions spent with Indigenous businesses
Indigenous businesses are continuing to grow as their goods and services are in high demand from government, corporate and non-profit organisations.
Heat dialled up on minister over triple-zero outages
Communications Minister Anika Wells has been questioned about her handling of a triple-zero outage, as reforms to the emergency network are introduced.
Gold shines, equities lose lustre in tired trading day
Only Australia's raw materials sector has managed to close higher as the local bourse faded in a sluggish trading session.
Soaring rents push people further from jobs, community
Australian renters are paying on average an extra $204 per week to keep a roof over their heads compared to five years ago, a nearly 44 per cent increase.
Olympic 2032 chiefs throw open billions for business
Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games organisers want the state's firms to hit gold with business opportunities, urging small to medium-sized operators to get involved.
Next-generation solar technology inches closer to roofs
More efficient solar cells are getting closer to commercial launch thanks to a breakthrough involving a new design and more durable chemicals.
Why Google wants you to ask long, complicated questions
More web queries will be answered by artificial intelligence when Google expands technology tested in the US to its Australian users.
Hearings reveal Optus bungled triple-zero outage email
Federal authorities only found out about a catastrophic Optus triple-zero outage a day after it was resolved because the telco notified the wrong email address.
Toll road giant exploring $10b pipeline of new projects
With new roads in western Sydney and western Melbourne set to open soon, a major toll road group is exploring other opportunities, including in Brisbane.
No future made in Australia without gas: Bluescope boss
Australian industrial gas users are subsidising the cost of gas going to competitors overseas dues to a broken pricing system, Bluescope Steel's boss says
RBNZ gives ‘shock treatment’ for lagging Kiwi economy
The NZ dollar has fallen after central bank cut rates to 2.5 per cent, with hopes it will revive the Kiwi economy and the government's political fortunes.
Hands out for handouts: bailouts loom for more smelters
More taxpayer bailouts could be on the horizon for ailing facilities after a $600 million lifeline to one mining giant.
Renters surprise winners from cheaper mortgage deposits
Despite predictions a five per cent deposit scheme will drive up house prices, analysts say the government policy could be good news for the nation's renters.
Thermal battery an energy answer in hot heavy industry
Electrifying factories could significantly reduce carbon emissions by allowing heavy industry to store and use heat like power in a battery.
Shaving red tape, inflation key to economic growth
The economy is in a "good spot" but one sector is proving more stubborn than expected, the boss of the Reserve Bank says.
Australian shares on track for red week as miners weigh
A weak session on Wall Street and slumping commodity prices have provided a gloomy backdrop for the last session of the week as local equities edge lower.
‘Climate vandalism’: state under fire over energy plan
A state's energy plan has sparked outrage after pledging to keep coal-fired power plants open for decades, potentially putting pressure on emissions targets.
Australian shares end week lower as miners tumble
A slump in Australian miners has dragged the bourse lower heading into the weekend, as investors took profits after a run up in commodity prices.