House prices smash records, wiping out downturn losses
Australia's housing sector has recouped all losses from the 2022 downturn to end 2023 smashing median price records across all capital cities.
Economy, Business and Finance
Plastic makes up the majority of Aussie marine litter
Plastic made up 79 per cent of the rubbish collected from Australia's urban rivers, bays and beaches over the past three years, conservationists say.
Middle income earners primed for extra tax relief
The prime minister says middle income earners are at the centre of an income tax overhaul that he will flesh out in a speech on Thursday.
Toyota’s electric adverts spark confusion claims
An environmental group is calling on Australia's consumer watchdog to investigate Toyota over the way it advertises hybrid vehicles.
Households waiting on building insurance settlement
There was an unprecedented number of domestic building insurance claims after the collapse of builders like Porter Davis with more than 1000 claims not settled.
Disadvantaged regions at risk of dental decay: study
Responsibility for water fluoridation should return to the Queensland government say researchers who found disadvantaged areas had greater dental disease risk.
Labor on vote-buying spree promising tax cuts for all
Anthony Albanese is promising middle Australia will be the focus of cost-of-living support, as speculation mounts about changes to stage three tax cuts.
Salaries on the rise, outstripping inflation
New data shows advertised salaries are rising faster than inflation, as the government comes under pressure to ditch stage three tax cuts.
Investment fund conman found dead on day of sentencing
Kenneth Charles Grace has been found dead on the same day he was due to learn his fate for siphoning millions of dollars from clients into his own bank account.
Picture perfect AI phone tools to blur lines of reality
Generative artificial intelligence can create stunning content but experts warn strict rules are needed to ensure viewers know what's real and what's fake.
ME Bank fined $820k for misleading home loan customers
ME Bank has admitted sending incorrect letters to hundreds of home loan customers because of a technical software issue.
Supermarkets to face inquiry over grocery prices
Major supermarkets are set to face a Queensland parliamentary inquiry following a meeting with state premier Steven Miles.
Australian shares fall again, hitting fresh 5-week low
The ASX200 has fallen 0.6 per cent as traders digested US retail sales data and a fall in Australian employment.
Virgin Australia signs code-sharing deal with Link
A new code-sharing agreement between Virgin Australia and Link Airlines has expanded Virgin's reach to regional locations.
Warrant for hedge-fund fraudster after sentence no-show
Kenneth Charles Grace is wanted for arrest after failing to appear in court over his role in a fund that collapsed, leaving $24 million unaccounted for.
Supermarkets under scrutiny over food costs
Queensland Premier Steven Miles is set to meet supermarket bosses over the rising cost of groceries.
Insolvency on the rise, as opposition attacks govt fund
The coalition have criticised the government for the number of manufacturing businesses going under as insolvency levels rise above pre-COVID levels.
Planes crashed mid-air after unplanned manoeuvre
A plane nose dived into Port Phillip Bay, killing the two men aboard, after it hit another aircraft trying to do an inverted manoeuvre.
Watchdog might buy into claims on supermarket specials
Allegations of false or misleading "was/now" specials advertised by supermarkets are being considered by the consumer watchdog.
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric car charging stations tipped to double again
Another 900 electric car-charging locations are tipped to appear in Australia during 2024 to encourage motorists to adopt low-emission transport.
Jetsetters and shoppers spend big as confidence returns
Australians are spending more on travel, insurance and online shopping as inflation reached its lowest levels since January 2022.
Tiwi Islanders lose challenge against Santos’ pipeline
Tiwi Islands traditional owner Simon Munkara has lost his Federal Court case seeking an injunction against Santos' Barossa gas export pipeline in the Timor Sea.
Crackdown slated for $3 billion illegal tobacco trade
Australian Border Force will receive a major funding boost in a crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade the government has labelled a "serious tax crime".
Electric vehicle shipping problems cause a real stink
Thousands of Australian motorists are still waiting to receive electric cars after a new quarantine issue at the border caused by an unexpected pest.
‘Softer’ year ahead as spending and loan growth slow
After a year of surging rental prices and cost-of-living expenses, relief could be on the cards for borrowers with economists raising hopes for a soft landing.
‘Crypto Christmas’ – Aussie Bitcoiners cheer US ETFs
Many Australian cryptocurrency enthusiasts are cheering after the US securities regulator approved 11 exchanged-traded Bitcoin funds in a landmark decision.
Helicopter crash pilot not prepared for ‘wall of cloud’
The pilot in a helicopter crash that killed him and four passengers had not been trained in how to fly through fog and cloud, a safety investigation has found.
X slammed for creating ‘perfect storm’ of online hate
Social media website X has been slammed by the eSafety Commissioner for breeding online hate since being acquired by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
New wind giant Forrest backs in temporary gas terminal
As he turns the first sod on a massive new wind farm, Andrew Forrest has backed the development of a gas facility to help Australia transition from fossil fuel.
PM puts supermarket giants on notice over mega profits
Big companies running supermarkets have a responsibility to customers to not price gouge, the prime minister says, as the sector faces a review.
air pollution
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Efficient cars can cut hundreds from popular road trips
Picking a fuel-efficient car for your next domestic holiday could save you hundreds of dollars, and electric vehicles will save the most, research shows.