No-interest loans to give more drivers their own wheels
More Australians will be offered financial help to secure a car after a no-interest loan scheme received a $500,000 cash injection.
Economy, Business and Finance
Downer wins $4.6b Queensland train contract
Downer will supply Queensland with 65 six-car passenger trains as the state invests in public transport in advance of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Auditor wants change after Wellcamp quarantine facility
After a year-long investigation, Queensland's auditor-general has delivered his findings on the controversial $223 million quarantine facility at Wellcamp.
Southern states rely on Qld for winter gas supply
Queensland's excess gas supply will be sent to southern states this winter with the supply outlook for the next two winters described as "finely balanced".
‘Unjustified’ toll hike fuels cost of living crisis
Transurban will increase road tolls almost 4 per cent, which the transport unions says will burden motorists during the cost of living crisis.
Family ‘gutted’ by Crown casino thug’s 10-year sentence
Luke Francis' killer will spend at least eight years behind bars for his cowardly attack on the 29-year-old tradie in Melbourne's Crown casino food court.
Australian stocks edge up to end mixed half year
The Australian share market has finished 0.12 per cent higher on the financial year's last day of trading but uncertainty awaits investors.
Home builder Bentley Homes slides into liquidation
Melbourne-based Bentley Homes has collapsed, citing economic pressures, with the builder abandoning further works.
Families left in limbo as Bentley Homes collapses
Families and tradies have been left in limbo after the collapse of Bentley Homes and must wait until early next week before hearing from liquidators.
Aust stocks in holding pattern at financial year’s end
The local bourse was flat at noon on the financial year's last day of trading as investors turn their attention to manufacturing data out of China.
Restaurants to feed regional towns as online sites boom
Thousands more hungry Australians in regional towns will be able to access food deliveries as part of a new push in the industry.
Gas project loses tax claim over fly-in fly-out costs
A construction company for a Queensland gas project has argued for claiming more than $13 million in tax deductions for the cost of flying in workers.
Aussie farmers sow seeds for stroll down sesame street
Sesame seed planting trials are taking place at several sites across Australia as industry figures look to boost production of the popular crop.
How teachers and tourism could keep mining towns afloat
Mining regions will need support from governments to diversify their economies as the demand for fossil fuels declines, a report shows.
Watchdog concerned by Transurban EastLink road takeover
The ACCC has raised preliminary competition concerns over Transurban's proposed acquisition of Horizon Roads, the operator of Melbourne's EastLink toll road.
Aviation engineer training academy set for take off
Qantas and Aviation Australia will team up to deliver two engineer training academies and increase the number of highly-skilled workers entering the industry.
Flight path fracas over Western Sydney Airport noise
Blue Mountains residents are concerned about plane noise impacting the World Heritage site after flight paths for the Western Sydney airport were released.
Porter Davis creditor talks fail to answer debt queries
Representatives of hundreds of creditors owed millions of dollars by builder Porter Davis have met liquidators for an update on getting their money back.
Ad ban considered to stop next generation of gamblers
The gambling sector faces a staged crackdown on online advertising if the recommendations of a federal parliamentary inquiry into gaming harm are accepted.
Consumers, communities guide mining on sustainable path
A mining conference has heard values-driven consumers don't want 'dirty' electric cars that use unsustainable minerals in their production.
Aust shares near three-month low as rates keep rising
The local bourse has fallen 0.3 per cent, finishing lower for a fourth straight day and closing at its lowest level since March 29.
KFC Australia posts record $1b in full-year sales
Collins Foods says a decision to not fully pass on inflation resonated with customers, although it cut the company's profit margin.
Qld eyes critical minerals amid coal lobby backlash
The Queensland government has launched a $245 million strategy for critical minerals found in the state's northwest to spur manufacturing of renewables.
Rent freezes and rent caps will only worsen, not solve Australia’s rental crisis
Australia used rent controls effectively during the two world wars. However, they have been used in other countries without much success. Using basic economic principles, there is evidence freezes worsen inequality and actually reduce availability.
More Aussies look to ‘Netflix of cars’ to save money
The car subscription trend is about to turn five years old in Australia but companies say customers are not using the service as expected.
Promise for renters’ rights to be on national agenda
As national cabinet prepares to consider how to improve renters' rights, the federal government has ruled out price caps after its housing fund was deferred.
New Parramatta River ferries to be built in Australia
Seven new Australian-made ferries have been commissioned for the Parramatta River to replace the RiverCat vessels, which are ready to retire after 30 years.
Minerals project pipeline could throttle climate action
The mining industry has been warned investment plans are still geared to gradual climate action, leaving the world short on supplies for a swift energy change.
Macfarlane to retire as head of Qld mining lobby group
Mining lobby boss Ian Macfarlane has vowed the sector will continue its campaign against Queensland's royalties regime as he announced he was stepping down.
One in three to get slice of $815m in insurer payouts
More than 5.6 million Australians could be eligible for a payout after insurers were found to have unnecessarily complex pricing promises and practices.
Government announces review of legal aid agreement
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced details of an independent review into the way governments support legal services.