‘Cold comfort’ for households with energy prices rising
Electricity prices will be considerably lower than originally predicted but the energy minister says this is cold comfort for households battling rising costs.
Economy, Business and Finance
More pain to come for mortgage holders, say economists
Despite a softening of language from the RBA, economists are tipping another rate rise when the central bank next meets.
Australian stocks drop after two US banks collapse
The Australian Securities Exchange has closed down 0.5 per cent following the weekend collapse of US banks Silicon Valley and Signature.
‘Pure panic’ as Australian market in the red for 2023
The local share market finished down 1.4 per cent, although the ASX200 managed to close just slightly above the key 7,000 level.
Smoking laws to be tightened as vaping probe begins
Queensland has proposed anti-smoking laws to crack down on businesses supplying illicit tobacco products and to stop people puffing near children.
Demand for urgent change to GST ‘atrocity’ rebuffed
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rejected a call from his Victorian counterpart to urgently reassess the GST system amid claims it favours Western Australia.
Ferry operator hit with $75k fine over polo pony deaths
The Spirit of Tasmania ferry operator and polo identity Andrew Williams have been fined a total of $90,000 over the deaths of 16 horses.
Premier’s kids’ kitty open to children born interstate
Dominic Perrottet believes his new kids' future fund is great policy, but questions linger over who is eligible and whether it will instead increase inequality.
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
Call for Woodside directors’ heads over climate change
Woodside Energy's board is failing shareholders on climate change and three directors up for re-election should pay the price, activist shareholders say.
Lattes on the line as climate change threat looms
A coffee shortage could be looming as global production faces threats due to extreme weather brought on by climate change, new research shows.
Australia-India trade bonanza could soon be sealed
Anthony Albanese has finished his meetings with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, with negotiations on a huge trade deal to be concluded early.
Australian stocks suffer worst drop since September
The local share market has finished down 2.3 per cent, its worst drop in five months, sending the benchmark index to an eight-week low.
Households carry rate pain as businesses flourish
The disconnect between households worried about wages and mortgage repayments and businesses, which appear to be doing just fine, hasn't gone unnoticed.
Traditional custodians vow to keep fighting mine
Despite the company formerly known as Adani mining on their homelands, Wangan and Jagalingou men Adrian Burragubba and Coedie McAvoy want to protect country.
Lolly probe ends, no evidence kids ate toxic substance
There is no evidence 15 schoolchildren who were hospitalised in Townsville were exposed to a toxic substance, Queensland Police say.
Savers short-changed as banks scrimp on rate rises
Banks are still picking and choosing which deposit accounts to lift rates on despite pressure from the consumer watchdog to pass higher rates on to savers.
Guy Sebastian calls fence fracas claims ‘fabricated’
Singer Guy Sebastian says allegations about a feud with his neighbour were "completely fabricated" in his first public comments on the court case.
Nation’s waterlogged north faces renewed flood threat
Northern Queensland and NT communities are bracing for more rainfall, with some regions still cut off after months of downpours.
Qld power station won’t run at full capacity until 2024
Queensland state-owned electricity generator CS Energy has flagged that its Callide power station may end up running at reduced capacity for almost three years.
Aussie scientists make electricity out of thin air
Aussie scientists have discovered a hydrogen-munching enzyme that turns air into clean energy and it could leave batteries for dead.
Budget cuts flagged to counter coalition ‘booby traps’
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is optimistic comments from RBA boss Philip Lowe show interest rate hikes are close to ending but warns of more cost-cutting.
Shoppers spending big at Myer despite inflation
Department store group Myer has announced a half-yearly 24 per cent jump in sales, despite rising inflation and interest rates constraining household budgets.
Xero to lay off up to 800 roles, exit Waddle
Kiwi cloud accounting platform Xero is laying off 700 to 800 staff and closing cloud-based lending platform Waddle, which it bought for $31 million in 2020.
Qld plans green energy hub amid coal plant delay
Queensland state-owned CleanCo is calling for expressions of interest to design a clean energy hub after a public coal plant delayed its return to the grid.
Australia out of its depth with US subs, warns expert
Speculation is increasing about how Australia will procure nuclear-powered submarines as one defence expert warns of an over-reliance on the US.
Albanese flags deals with India on defence and trade
Anthony Albanese is set to formally meet with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, when he'll make the case for greater trade and defence co-operation.
All-female flight crew an Australian first
Women have helmed a Virgin Australia flight that has taken to the skies in celebration of International Women's Day.
Duped investors join forces to fight for Caddick funds
Investors who lost money due to Melissa Caddick's fraud have come together to fight her parents for a stake in one of her multimillion-dollar Sydney homes.
Airfare prices flying high but descent in sight
Domestic airfares are still flying well above pre-pandemic levels but relief is in sight for passengers as prices start to drop.
Reserve Bank closer to hitting pause on rate hikes
After delivering 10 interest rate rises in a row, the Reserve Bank could put further increases on hold to gauge the impact on soaring inflation.
RBA fires off another rate rise but the end is in sight
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted interest rates again but toned down its language, opening the door to a pause or only one more rise.