Insurers hiked premiums in loyalty ploy, lawsuit claims
A loyalty ploy by insurers led to higher premiums being charged to more than one million customers, a class action alleges in claims the parent company denies.
Economy, Business and Finance
Inflation disappoints and tempers hopes of rate cut
The monthly inflation gauge has bounced higher for a second month, moving the indicator further away from the Reserve Bank's target range.
Fire truck trial aims to extinguish emissions
An electric and a biofuel fire truck will roll into Queensland after the state's fire service announced plans to trial low-emission vehicles.
LG battery recall ramps up as 4400 homes remain at risk
Faulty solar batteries that have caused house fires are still being used in thousands of Australian homes, forcing LG to intensify recall efforts.
Discussions ongoing to reduce airport train travel cost
Discussions to reduce fares on privately-operated trains to Brisbane airport are underway but won't drop to 50c during a public transport trial in Queensland.
New driver takes the wheel at electric car lobby group
The former head of Polestar Australia is set to drive Australia's peak electric vehicle body after its first chief executive stepped down from the role.
Regional rents, house values soar to all-time highs
CoreLogic has revealed regional house values and rents have sky-rocketed to all-time highs, with Western Australia experiencing the biggest jump.
computing and information technology
consumer goods
consumers
fiction
laws
online
research
science and technology
technology (general)
Narrators call for laws to prevent losing their voice
Australian voice actors are already losing animation, audiobook and ad voiceovers to AI creations and they're calling for regulations to protect the industry.
Opposition migration policy ‘revenue neutral’
Angus Taylor says the coalition's migration policy won't damage public finances or the economy and will get the balance right between immigration and housing.
New campaign to nip consent confusion in the bud
A new multi-million-dollar advertising campaign asks adults to brush up on their understanding of consent before discussing it with each other and young people.
New campaign to educate Australians about consent
A $40 million national campaign involving TVs, cinemas and social media will educate Australians about consent, following a disturbing spate of family violence.
agriculture
environmental issue
environmental politics
government
government departments
natural resources (general)
water
Carbon capture project rejected over groundwater fears
Potential impacts on groundwater resources has led to the rejection of Glencore's carbon capture storage project in the Great Artesian Basin.
Dutton dodging nuclear policy fallout: energy minister
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is yet to name the sites the coalition will earmark for nuclear power stations, despite claiming communities would welcome them.
ASIC victory in four-year pursuit of high-fee lenders
Two Gold Coast lenders could face hefty fines after charging over $70 million in fees for less than half that amount in loans issued without a credit licence.
Residents will be fine with nuclear plants, says Dutton
Australians with homes near coal and gas facilities would be receptive to living close to nuclear power plants, the federal opposition says.
Elon Musk loses anti-Muslim fight in Queensland hearing
Social media giant X has lost an audacious bid saying it should not be subject to Queensland discrimination laws.
I haven’t forgotten what it means to struggle: Albanese
As Labor faces criticism over the cost of living relief it has provided vulnerable Australians, the prime minister says he hasn't forgotten the struggle.
Power bills to drop as Victoria faces gas shortages
Victoria's electricity regulator has shaved about $100 off the default offer for residential customers but some say it will do little to ease cost pressures.
Modest power price drops for NSW, South Australia
The federal energy regulator's latest default market offer will see bills reduce for NSW and SA customers but a rise for those in Queensland.
Largest coal plant lifeline slammed as climate failure
A decision to extend the life of a major NSW coal-fired power plant will ensure the lights stay on in the state - at a taxpayer cost of up to $450 million.
Coalition commits to nuclear despite damning report
A report has found nuclear energy would be significantly more expensive than renewables but the coalition has backed in plans for the power source
Australian shares flat after NZ’s hawkish surprise
After being up as much as 0.3 per cent, the ASX200 faded to finish basically unchanged after the Royal Bank of New Zealand said it considered rate hikes..
Record migration blamed for congested roads, transport
The Queensland premier has doubled down on calls to cut migration, saying their transport system and roads are under pressure due to the number of arrivals.
Auto industry prepares for a charge of electric fleets
Fleet firms and charging networks are preparing for a surge in electric car investments after Australia's fuel-efficiency standard begins.
Living costs pose ‘difficult choices’ for young people
The gap in spending between the young and the old is getting wider, with Australians in their mid-to-late 20s cutting back on essentials.
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
Shipping gas from coast to coast could solve shortfall
The gas industry says it is misunderstood, particularly by millennials, as the rubber hits the road to net zero amid an impending gas shortfall in some regions.
One in three cars fails real-world fuel emission tests
Testing has shown eight popular vehicles, from petrol hatchbacks to diesel SUVs, produce more emissions than lab tests promised, and some break lab limits.
Aussie shares slip in lead up to AI chipmaker earnings
The ASX200 finished down 0.2 per cent amid job layoffs by Telstra and underwhelming earnings reports from James Hardie and Sonic Healthcare.
AI race being lost in climate of fear, inquiry told
Investment in AI is lacking and Australia is missing out thanks to a climate of fear over risks posed by the technology, a Senate inquiry has been told.
Social media use linked to spike in teen self harm
Queensland's chief health officer has issued a warning about the "public health problem" of social media to young people.
Consumer spending the wildcard in rate hike uncertainty
The spending appetite of consumers remains a key source of uncertainty for the Reserve Bank as the battle against inflation rages.