Better protection for Australians’ online crypto assets
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled a proposal for legislation to better protect Australians using digital currencies.
Economy, Business and Finance
‘Totally unacceptable’: PwC boss sorry for tax scandal
The new head of PwC Australia has apologised at a Senate hearing for the firm's role in passing on confidential Treasury information to private sector clients.
Hefty fines and possible jail under new e-scooter laws
On-the-spot fines are out and court dates are in under proposed new laws targeting careless e-scooter and personal mobility device users in Queensland.
Tesla fined more than $155,000 for button battery risks
Australia's most popular electric car brand has paid a record penalty for failing to meet button battery standards in some of its products.
Investor group calls for action over Whitehaven bonuses
Bell Rock Capital Management is calling on investors to vote down bonuses for Whitehaven management, after accusing its executives of destroying share prices.
Australian shares rise again, close at three-week high
The ASX200 has finished up 0.7 per cent in its fifth straight day of gains amid a pullback in US bond yields and reports of new stimulus measures from Beijing.
Hopes monthly fee will sell business on electric fleets
Plans to offer charging stations for a monthly fee and without installation costs is hoped to put thousands more electric vehicles on Australian roads.
Bank boss tips living costs to ease, defends big profit
Most customers of Australia's biggest bank are well positioned despite a cost of living crisis, its chief says after the company booked a $10.2 billion profit.
IKEA assembles low-emission hydrogen vehicle fleet
Swedish furniture giant IKEA is deploying both hydrogen and electric trucks in its operations in a bid to cut vehicle emissions.
Regenerative farming ‘growing in momentum’
A national soils summit in country NSW has been told that regenerative agriculture is becoming more mainstream.
Business pressures ease in promising sign for inflation
The uptick in cost and price pressures plaguing businesses looks to have been temporary in a promising sign for the inflation outlook.
Desal plant to bolster water supplies in 30-year plan
A new desalination plant has been endorsed by the Queensland government as part of a 30-year water security plan.
Australian firms report easing cost pressures
The uptick in cost and price pressures plaguing businesses looks to have been temporary in a promising sign for the inflation outlook.
Three-quarters of Aussie coal-mining jobs to go by 2050
Coal communities will need a transition plan that extends beyond the pit, with Queensland tagged as one of the hardest hit regions as the world's mines close.
New desalination plant for Qld in state’s water plan
A new desalination plant has been endorsed by the Queensland government as part of a 30-year water security plan.
Consumers feeling better about personal finances
Consumers have shaken off some of their negativity as the strong jobs market and wage gains take some of the sting out of inflation and interest rate hikes.
Driving the hassle out of donating goods to charity
The Red Cross is hoping for record-breaking donations later this month with Uber picking up clothes for free in a bid to take the hassle out of giving.
Food delivery firm let poorly trained riders on streets
A food delivery service operating in four cities has been fined for not properly training hundreds of riders, leading to a warning for other app-based firms.
Artificial intelligence to be trialled in Qld schools
Students in Queensland schools will trial new technology to help reduce teacher workloads, with education programs run by artificial intelligence algorithms.
Why electric vehicles get better tech than petrol peers
Australians purchasing electric cars are being rewarded with higher-grade entertainment technology featuring as standard in their vehicles.
Farm incomes to tumble as drier conditions take hold
Farm incomes are expected to fall this financial year due to drier conditions and lower prices, the federal government's agricultural forecaster says.
Renters hit affordability limit as pace of growth eases
Australian renters are getting closer to the maximum they can afford, with as many as 70,000 rentals needed to bring the market into a healthier balance.
Aussies warned to brace for more e-bike battery fires
Damaged and faulty e-scooters and e-bikes are catching fire at an alarming rate in Australia, experts have warned, after a blaze in a Sydney hostel.
SUVs drive Australia to record month for vehicle sales
Australian motorists have set a record for car sales in September, with SUVs making the greatest impact, representing more than half of all new vehicles.
Australian share market, dollar hit new low for 2023
Both the local share market and the local currency have dropped to their lowest levels since November as bond yields soar to fresh 16-year highs.
Companies surprisingly busy despite slowing economy
The Australian services sector continues to bring in a lot of new business even as interest rates remain high and consumers start to pull back.
Australia still lags other nations in electric car race
Global electric car sales rose by almost 50 per cent this year and while Australian sales are increasing they are still well below the world average.
Carbon ‘bottom line’: Don’t trade integrity for offsets
Carbon offsets should be used as a last resort and limited to Australia's heaviest polluters, conservationists warn the federal government.
Australian share market plunges to six-month low
The ASX200 has slumped to its lowest in six months and the dollar to its weakest since November, despite interest rates staying on hold.
New bank chief holds rates but a rise is still in play
Borrowers have been spared further mortgage pain but one more interest rate hike or a longer stretch on hold may be needed to wrangle inflation under control.
Australian shares down slightly on eve of rates verdict
The local share market has closed 0.2 per cent lower in quiet Monday trading with a long weekend holiday observed much of the country.