John Setka’s ex threatened to kill him, court finds
Emma Walters has been spared a conviction after a magistrate found she threatened to kill her estranged husband, union boss John Setka.
construction and property
‘Not happy’: states to pay more for infrastructure
States will be required to go 50-50 with the federal government on infrastructure projects, angering premiers who believe the changes are unfair.
State stonewalls silica ban as national talks drag on
Pressure is mounting for a national ban on the use of engineered stone as one state sets a deadline on talks and threatens to go it alone.
Labor ‘gooses’ for failing to ban deadly silica stone
The Minns government has faced the largest protest in its existence after angry construction workers demanded engineered stone be banned.
Call to build homes to defy climate, save $4b a year
As floods, cyclones and bushfires become more ferocious, costs to home-owners could double by 2050 without changes to the construction code, an analysis shows.
Fugitive Jean Nassif gives up fight for builder licence
Fugitive Jean Nassif has withdrawn his bid to work as an Australian construction industry boss months after police accused him of a $150 million fraud.
More than 10,000 take up regional first home scheme
More than 10,000 home buyers have taken advantage of a federal scheme to buy their first property in regional areas in the first year of the program.
Union workers march, demanding better health and safety
Queensland government officials will continue to meet with union representatives after members marched on parliament for the second time in as many months.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
insurance
politics
real estate
Insurers demand action on risks to stay above water
The financial hit from catastrophes may have dropped over the past 12 months but insurance premiums keep rising, an industry report shows.
Property market blooms on first weekend of spring
The weather is hotting up and so is the property market, with a surge in the number of auctions set to be held over the first weekend of spring.
Builder sues $3.6 billion resort for cost ‘breaches’
The builder delivering Brisbane's new Queen's Wharf resort and casino has sued the project's backers claiming more than $400 million in additional costs.
Skills week an olive branch to change in career pace
If work has got you down and the daily grind is feeling bleak, an olive branch and new profession is being offered ahead of national skills week.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
global warming
insurance
politics
real estate
Home insurance out of reach as climate disasters surge
The biggest rise in premiums in 20 years has raised concerns households may forego insurance and be even harder hit when the next disaster strikes.
Home prices to keep rising despite higher rates: REA
Property prices across Australia are predicted to increase by up to five per cent in 2023, with some capital cities forecast for an even higher growth rate.
construction and property
health and safety at work
housing and urban planning
politics
unions
work relations
Union wants super profits tax to pay for social housing
A union boss is challenging the federal government to think big and slap a super profits tax on big businesses to pay for social housing.
Sydney going backwards on housing: NSW premier
Sydney is falling behind on building new homes compared with elsewhere in the country, despite being the most acutely affected by shortages and price hikes.
Victorians to pay the country’s most property taxes
A report has laid bare the extent to which both the Victorian and NSW state budgets depend on property taxes.
coal
construction and property
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
mining
natural gas
politics
transport
Clean energy gets dirty as politics of transition flare
Federal Climate Minister Chris Bowen has taken a swing at his political opponents, claiming a "cabal of climate denial" runs policy in the federal opposition.
Fresh support for Porter Davis customers who missed out
The Victorian government has extended its support scheme for Porter Davis customers who were left out of pocket when the company went into liquidation.
Home builder Bentley Homes slides into liquidation
Melbourne-based Bentley Homes has collapsed, citing economic pressures, with the builder abandoning further works.
Staff pulled from Sydney’s strategic planning agencies
NSW's primary planning agency, the Greater Cities Commission, has been gutted of staff, but one think tank reckons there's clear logic to the decision.
Insurance issue flagged before Porter Davis collapse
A Victorian working group identified a number of short-term measures to fix the construction industry months before Porter Davis went into liquidation.
Call for ‘no deforestation’ conditions on bank loans
To mark World Environment Day, Australian conservationists are calling for banks to stop funding the clearing of wildlife habitats by agriculture businesses.
Report pushes case for higher Sydney housing density
The NSW productivity commission's latest report suggests building higher and more densely in Sydney's inner suburbs, including along public transport lines.
Apartment dwellers face electric car-charging dilemma
New apartment buildings must feature electric vehicle charging later this year but older complexes face a potentially tricky yet vital upgrade, experts say.
Porter Davis collapse paves way for builder crackdown
Construction firms would be charged with failing to arrange insurance for customers under Victorian law changes prompted by the Porter Davis collapse.
business (general)
construction and property
consumer confidence
economy, business and finance
house building
Porter Davis owes Commonwealth Bank $33m: documents
Documents filed with the corporate watchdog show the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is owed millions by home builder Porter Davis, which collapsed last month.
Government ‘ignored’ home builders’ warning: opposition
Victoria's housing minister was briefed about reducing the risk to construction customers months ahead of the Porter Davis collapse, the state opposition says.
Jail for promoter promising high returns to pensioners
An investment promoter on the Gold Coast has been jailed for a scheme involving cold-calling pensioners and other victims with promises of 20 per cent returns.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
house building
manufacturing and engineering
New builder to complete hundreds of Porter Davis homes
Nostra Property Group will complete up to 375 of the houses left in limbo after home builder Porter Davis collapsed, liquidators Grant Thornton has confirmed.
Porter Davis owners stuck in never ending nightmare
Families impacted by the collapse of builder Porter Davis have staged a protest calling for state and federal governments to intervene to help them.