Drivers, bus users can’t escape new train text alerts
NSW is the latest state to use geo-targeted SMS messages to warn commuters about train disruptions - whether or not they're using the rail network.
Economy, Business and Finance
Cruise ship doctor declares dual virus outbreaks over
The operators of a cruise ship docked in Adelaide have declared onboard outbreaks of COVID-19 and gastroenteritis are over.
Australia’s rental market woes go from bad to worse
Regional areas in the Sunshine State are now the most unaffordable places for renters to live, as affordable housing concerns spread beyond capital cities.
Optus finally makes call on cause of outage chaos
Optus has revealed the reason behind a communications outage that caused havoc for millions of people and businesses around the country.
RBA’s inflation forecasts edge higher as risks abound
Inflation is still expected to return to the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band by the end of 2025 but is proving to be more persistent than expected.
Trucking firm fined $2m following four police deaths
The trucking firm involved in the deaths of four Victorian police officers has been fined $2.3 million for safety breaches while its boss has a $22,500 fine.
Industrial action compounds port cyber-attack fallout
Major ports are almost back to full capacity following a large-scale cyber attack, with attention turning to industrial action threatening further disruptions.
ANZ joins this banking season’s $7b earnings club
Environmental groups are calling out ANZ's climate commitments while analysts said $7.4 billion in profit was a slight miss to consensus estimates.
Goalposts for full employment likely shifting: RBA
The rate of joblessness compatible with the Reserve Bank's inflation target is likely to settle somewhere lower than experienced over the past few decades.
Optus reveals routine software upgrade caused outage
Telecommunications giant Optus has revealed a routine software upgrade left millions disconnected across the country.
Caddick’s husband gives up fight for fraudster’s goods
The husband of deceased fraudster Melissa Caddick will walk away with a handful of luxury goods with other items to be sold and funds returned to investors.
Spending wanes as consumers wait for next big event
Major events have been keeping spending elevated, with consumption in retreat throughout a quieter month.
Record low vacancy rates hit would-be renters hard
It's never been more difficult to find a rental in Australia as a report confirms rental vacancy rates have hit record lows in some capital cities.
Anger as Optus data handout offer rings hollow
Optus is being slammed for "inadequate" compensation offered to customers after an outage affected millions of people and small businesses.
‘Dark cloud’ warnings over Queensland resources tax
The resources industry has pumped a record $116.8 billion into Queensland's economy but the state government has been warned it could lose investors.
Banks pass on rate hikes to thrifty home loan customers
Some mortgage holders are already trimming their spending and working extra hours, with the latest rise to put more pressure on households and the economy.
Star CEO says no ‘quick fix’ to regain lost trust
Star Entertainment Group has avoided a possible board spill at its annual general meeting as its new CEO has described working 18-hour days on its turnaround.
Daytime search for nocturnal glider sparks new rules
NSW's environmental watchdog is rewriting search rules after the Forestry Corporation looked for an endangered nocturnal glider during the day.
Borumba Hydro Energy Project Set To Create Over 2,000 Jobs
The Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Project is projected to generate more than 2,000 jobs as part of Queensland's ‘Energy and Jobs plan’.
Hundreds of big firms paid no tax in 2021-22
Corporate tax payments broke a record in 2021-22 but the federal government is worried some large multinationals are still not paying their fair share.
NAB customers cut spending, interest rate peak in sight
National Australia Bank has been looking at how its business and personal customers are dealing with rising interest rates, and the news isn't too bad.
Optus services restored after ‘costly’ nine-hour outage
Services to Optus customers have been restored after a nationwide outage left customers and infrastructure in the dark for more than nine hours.
High-tech magic show leaves nothing up its sleeve
Audiences use their phones during the performance at an interactive magic show that encourages people to participate in a game-like experience.
‘Buddy system’ in place at JBS before worker trapped
The world's largest meat processor's local subsidiary has been fined $300,000 after a worker was struck by falling hay bales.
Mental health spiral behind ‘hare-brained’ $395m fraud
Demetrios Charisiou has admitted a $395 million investment fraud involving NDIS-supported housing, claiming he was in a manic state during the offending.
Optus offers free data as outage scrutiny intensifies
Optus has offered its customers 200GB of data for the holiday season after a mass outage affected millions of Australians.
Aussie supermarkets failing in war on plastic: audit
Australian supermarkets have been given an F for fail on plastic waste reduction, with an audit detailing some disturbing practices.
Hydrogen-powered ‘flying car’ to be used in emergencies
An Australian company developing a hydrogen-fuelled aircraft capable of flying for up to 1000km has received a $5.4 million boost.
More pain for borrowers as big banks pass on rate hike
Three of Australia's biggest banks have hiked interest rates in response to the Reserve Bank's latest cash rate increase.
Qantas, ACCC head to court over misleading ticket sales
Qantas and the ACCC will present their cases before a Federal Court justice over the airline's decision to sell tickets for already cancelled flights.
Optus reconnects some services after hours-long outage
Services to Optus customers are being restored after a nationwide outage, with the telco taking nine hours to start fixing mobile phone and internet services.