Treasurer admits ‘difficult’ budget ahead for Qld
The Queensland government will maintain its commitment to cost-of-living relief for households despite the treasurer warning of a difficult budget ahead.
Economy, Business and Finance
Aust shares edge higher at noon after 4 days of losses
The ASX200 was up 0.2 per cent at midday, stabilising after a four-day losing streak, even as Fed chairman Jay Powell spoke of keeping rates high for longer.
Casino bosses resigned over disillusionment with chief
Former executives at a Sydney casino have accused their ex-boss of fostering exclusion and secrecy at the beleaguered company, which led to them leaving.
Aust shares edge lower as losing streak hits five days
The ASX200 finished down 0.1 per cent, giving up its modest morning gains, as Fed chairman Jay Powell spoke of keeping rates high for longer.
Party heavyweights call for social media ‘rinse out’
Social media companies 'need a big rinse out' following the Bondi Junction shopping centre murders, with both parties urging tougher penalties for platforms.
Casino bosses spied and mulled ‘war’ against regulator
Star bosses privately discussed getting rid of their casino manager despite publicly declaring they were working cooperatively to regain the casino's licence.
Bunnings baulks at firmer rules around plant suppliers
Hardware giant Bunning Warehouse could be included in a mandatory code of conduct aimed at major supermarkets, with concerns raised about plant suppliers.
News outlets risk using fake photos without AI policies
Only one in three media outlets have strict rules about generative AI tools and editors are concerned about spreading artificial images, a study has found.
Two cryptocurrency companies collapse owing $160m
Two separate Australian cryptocurrency companies have collapsed while federal court proceedings are being pursued against the directors of the businesses.
Airfares fall as capacity recovers to pre-COVID levels
Travellers cutting back on holidays due to cost-of-living pressures will see airfares continue to fall with airline capacity back to pre-COVID levels.
agriculture
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
politics
Deeper cuts to carbon emissions under draft 2035 target
Australians will compete for public funds, electricity supply and land access under plans for the nation to cut its emissions by up to 75 per cent by 2035.
Renters could save $1300 a year with solar rollout
Renters, apartment dwellers and low-income households could save thousands on energy bills if the government staged a national solar rollout, a study has found.
Casino bosses secretly mulled ‘war’ against regulator
Star bosses privately discussed getting rid their casino manager despite publicly declaring they were working cooperatively to regain the casino's licence.
Urgent meeting sought over $550 War Memorial upgrade
As findings of cost blowouts and conflicts of interests swirl around, the government has sought an urgent briefing with the national audit office.
PM downplays commission criticism on manufacturing push
The chair of the productivity commission has raised concern the Future Made in Australia Act could increase reliance on government funds.
Regions to suffer most as snail mail gets even slower
Australia Post's new performance standards could impact regional and rural Australians most, an expert warns, as posties are given more time to deliver letters.
Renters hit with steepest quarterly hike in 17 years
The price pressures on renters intensified in the first months of 2024, with the sharpest quarterly increase in nearly two decades recorded.
Cattle prices to soar but steaks shouldn’t cost more
Analysts say cattle prices are set to soar over the next two years but the cost of beef in the supermarket may not break the bank.
Fresh park asbestos threat as council warned
The Environment Protection Authority has found another Melbourne park potentially contaminated by asbestos as it hits a council with two remedial notices.
Lobbying ‘essential’ to democracy: anti-corruption boss
Lobbying has long been viewed with distrust but the NSW anti-corruption commissioner says it is necessary and can serve the public interest when done well.
Hefty fines, tougher code could cut grocery prices: PM
Shoppers could pay less for groceries under plans to impose heavy financial penalties on supermarkets that fail to comply with a code of conduct.
Whistleblower speaks out about defence housing project
A whistleblower has accused Defence Housing Australia of breaching the conditions of a planning permit in an environmentally sensitive area, which it denies.
Electrolyser factory puts regional town on hydrogen map
The first manufacturing facility in Australia to build hydrogen electrolysers at a commercial scale has opened in Queensland.
Calls for Amazon, Costco to fall under code of conduct
Grocery giant Woolworths is supporting recommendations to make the supermarket code of conduct mandatory but says it must apply to other retailers as well.
Japan partnership an ‘evolution’ of AUKUS: PM
As AUKUS partners plan to work with Japan on technology sharing, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the security pact will not grow to four countries.
Coles, Woolworths bosses set for Senate showdown
The heads of Coles and Woolworths will be grilled by a Senate committee examining supermarket prices as debate rages about the power of the two retail giants.
Tuning out: party ends for a third of music festivals
A landmark report into Australia's live music festival sector has revealed at least one in three events lose money.
Uber ride-share rival Ola hits the brakes in Australia
Ride-share company Ola will end its operations in Australia after six years, warning customers of the closure in an email.
Treasurer has eyes on mandatory company merger regime
The biggest shake-up of merger rules in years will force businesses to disclose proposed takeovers and fast-track proposals that won't threaten competition.
animal
construction and property
environmental issue
environmental politics
government
laws
politics
Minister flags faster environmental decisions
Unacceptable projects that have clear environmental impacts would be ruled out from the outset under changes to environmental protection reforms.
‘Hit and miss’ merger rules reworked in major shake-up
Sweeping changes to merger rules have been welcomed by the national competition regulator and received a wary but hopeful response from big business.