Qld freezes talks with union as Vic allegations unfold
No further meetings will proceed between the construction union and Queensland's Labor government while serious allegations develop interstate.
construction and property
Cheaper materials take edge off home-building costs
Residential construction costs have finally stabilised after a prolonged period of strong price growth put pressure on the industry.
Albanese condemns Setka amid fresh union allegations
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired a parting shot at controversial Victorian construction union boss John Setka following his sudden resignation.
Call for union probe as PM fires parting shot at Setka
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the departure of construction union boss John Setka as the Victorian opposition calls for an independent probe.
Controversial union boss John Setka suddenly quits
Union heavyweight John Setka has suddenly quit the CFMEU's top role citing "malicious attacks" and "ongoing false allegations" in stories.
Victoria backs probe into ‘serious’ Setka, union claims
Serious allegations levelled at a Labor-aligned construction union and its long-time state boss John Setka must be investigated, the Victorian government says.
Lehrmann one of Australia’s most hated men, lawyer says
Media "harassment" has forced Bruce Lehrmann to move interstate and left him unable to defend himself in a $20,000 property dispute, a tribunal has been told.
Sombre retail sales likely as consumer pain persists
Prising open wallets has been tough as tough financial conditions batter households and retail sales figures are likely to show a continuation of the trend.
Retail sales rise 0.6 per cent as sales start early
Financially-strapped shoppers took advantage of sales last month, with retail turnover lifting 0.6 per cent from a limp 0.1 per cent gain in the previous month.
Early sales send bargain hunters on shopping spree
Shoppers took advantage of sales in May, helping fuel an improvement in retail sales otherwise trending weak as higher interest rates weigh on households.
Shoppers still spending but only if a sign says ‘sale’
Shoppers have rushed to snap up heavily discounted goods, helping buoy retail sales which were trending weaker as higher interest rates weigh on households.
auto trends
automotive equipment
construction and property
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy resources
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Old apartment blocks struggling to support EV take-up
More Australians are buying electric cars but experts warn millions of apartment dwellers may delay making purchases if they can't charge the vehicles at home.
Housing lending falls after three months of growth
Both owner-occupier and investor lending slid in May after three months of growth, based on official Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Home lending slips but still well ahead over the year
Both owner-occupier and investor lending slid in May after three months of growth, yet the total value of loans is holding up as property prices rise.
Flipping good deal: property profits hit a 14-year high
More than 94 per cent of national home sales in the first three months of 2024 recorded a nominal gain, the highest profitability rate since 2010.
Chilly residents wonder why Australian homes so cold
As more residents take to social media complaining about cold homes, experts warn chilly interiors can impact people's health and wellbeing even if they rug up.
Landlord claims Lehrmann caused $13k in property damage
Bruce Lehrmann is facing claims for almost $20,000 to cover damage and rental loss from the owner of a luxury property in Sydney.
banking
construction and property
consumers
economy, business and finance
electrical appliance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
finance (general)
politics
Green bank unlocks cheap loans for home energy upgrades
Some $60 million in cheap loans is up for grabs as part of a $1 billion federal fund to encourage homeowners to install solar panels and batteries.
Vehicle or hazard: electric car charge rules under fire
Property developers say installing electric car chargers in apartment buildings is becoming almost impossible due to inconsistent safety rules.
US company awarded ship lift build contract
A United States company has been given the contract to build the ship lift component of a major maritime infrastructure project in the Northern Territory.
Treasurer worried about home building pipeline
Not nearly enough houses are being built to meet growing demand but the federal government is still confident it can meet its 1.2 million homes target.
Developers walk away from huge wetlands project
A bid for a multimillion-dollar development on an internationally protected wetland has been canned after the government indicated it would not back the plan.
Whistleblower speaks out about defence housing project
A whistleblower has accused Defence Housing Australia of breaching the conditions of a planning permit in an environmentally sensitive area, which it denies.
Tradie shortage spells doom for bid to build 1.2m homes
The most significant measure to solve Australia's housing crisis won't be achieved, builders predict amid workforce shortages.
Plibersek rejects wetlands project in draft decision
In a draft decision, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has refused a development application that would have dredged wetlands east of Brisbane.
New-homes target not going to plan amid tradie shortage
Only one jurisdiction is forecast to achieve its share of a five-year national housing plan, but one premier has defended the goal over "mushy" targets.
animal
construction and property
environmental issue
environmental politics
government
laws
politics
Minister flags faster environmental decisions
Unacceptable projects that have clear environmental impacts would be ruled out from the outset under changes to environmental protection reforms.
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.
Asbestos detected at two Queensland sites
A transfer station has been closed and another site under investigation after asbestos was detected in central Queensland.
More deposit bailout cash after home builder collapse
Victorian taxpayers will again come to the rescue of customers who lost their home deposit after the builder went belly up.
Detention centre builds to help handle juvenile crime
Queensland is almost doubling the capacity of its youth detention system in a bid to keep the community safe amid an outcry over juvenile crime.