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.
Economy, Business and Finance
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.
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economy (general)
food - consumer goods
livestock farming
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.
Electric car price war resumes as one brand sets record
The price of the cheapest electric vehicle in Australia has dropped again, in a move experts say shows the fuel-efficiency standard is already working.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
sales
transport
Big car sales boom but EV buyers are hitting the gas
Sports utility vehicles dominated new car sales in Australia during March, according to new figures, but sales of low-emission cars are accelerating.
Dumped or contaminated: parks probe after asbestos find
Environment regulators are investigating whether asbestos found in mulch at a Melbourne playground was illegally dumped or was part of the garden product.
Home building muted yet rate cuts could spur activity
The pace of home building, as shown by official dwelling approvals data, continues to lag behind strong demand for housing.
‘Be wary about free mulch’ amid asbestos fears: agency
While testing for asbestos in mulch has found few traces of contamination, the Victorian environment regulator is urging people to remain vigilant.
Bus driver set to plead to charges over fatal crash
Bus driver Brett Button is expected to enter pleas in May to almost 90 charges over a crash which killed 10 people in NSW's Hunter Valley.
Calls to complete Inland Rail to Queensland
The Queensland Government remains resolute that the 1700km Inland Rail project must reach Brisbane amid delays in approvals and funding.
Volkswagen to test car tech to make kangaroos go jump
Australian-made car technology that will play sounds kangaroos don't like will be tested in motion after receiving university approval.
Australian shares hit record high but close lower
The ASX200 has finished down 0.1 per cent despite setting a record intraday high on strength from the mining sector.
Musicians singing the blues in an underpaid industry
As the nation's live music sector struggles to bounce back post-pandemic, a survey has revealed the extent to which musicians are being short-changed.
Wage and energy bills prompt ‘cost-of-trading crisis’
Soaring wages, energy and insurance bills are hurting Australia's retailers, as the sector's peak body calls for relief to help businesses stay afloat.
Reserve Bank’s shift to neutral likely to be reinforced
The central bank will be in the spotlight this week, when high ranking officials give policy speeches and the minutes of the last rates meeting are released.
SA uncorks support to bolster wine exports to China
The SA government has unveiled a package to help winemakers return to China's huge market with the lifting of punitive tariffs.
Crowds shell out for seafood as Easter egg prices crack
Australians have flocked to fish markets for the traditional Good Friday shopping spree but cheaper species are expected to be high on the menu this year.
Festivals probe tackles not so splendour music scene
A federal bid to help salvage Australia's live music scene has been launched after Splendour in the Grass cancelled its July event.
China drops heavy tariffs against Australian winemakers
China has abolished heavy tariffs on Australian wine that were imposed at the height of diplomatic tensions in 2020.
Aust shares rally to new record, finish just below 7900
The ASX200 rose 1.0 per cent to finish at 7,897 after trading above 7,900 for the first time ever on the last day of the March quarter.
Home builders want training costs reflected in pay call
The minimum wage decision should take into account the cost of training workers to plug skills gaps, a key home building lobby group says.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
EV owners urged to change charging behaviour for Easter
Charge early and plan ahead: experts are advising electric vehicle drivers to be mindful of others to avoid queues during a record-breaking Easter holiday.
Cost of living, natural disasters impact tourism
Domestic travellers are opting to have shorter, cheaper holidays closer to home as international tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, new data shows.
Inflation holds steady but services prove stubborn
Consumer prices are growing at the same annual pace as last month, with Taylor Swift concerts fuelling a minor uptick in hotel prices in the big cities.
Property profits up as prices keep ticking higher
Australia's real estate resilience has kept on keeping on despite higher interest rates and gloomy consumer sentiment.
Tech sell-off leads Australian shares modestly lower
The local share market closed down 0.4 per cent, with losses for the technology and telecommunications sectors outweighing gains by oil and gas producers.
auto trends
automotive equipment
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics
road transport
transport
Middle of the road: compromise for utes, SUVs in rules
Rules to lower vehicle emissions in Australia will involve compromises for utes and some large four-wheel-drive vehicles following industry negotiations.
‘We’re concerned’: states revolt over NDIS cost fears
State and territory leaders are calling for transparency about NDIS costs as they push back against planned reforms, which they say are being rushed.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
‘Deliberate demand destruction’ stinging gas consumers
Western Australia faces an immediate gas supply risk triggered by the rush to run the nation on renewable energy, an audience of business leaders has heard.
Employers, unions at odds on wage call and inflation
Unions and employer groups have clashed on the annual review of minimum and award wages and its likely influence on still-above target inflation.
business (general)
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economy, business and finance
online
retail
Online shopping is forcing down prices by $1100 a year
Greater competition from online shopping is forcing down the price of some goods, research has found, and could have a bigger impact in the future.