Chatbot mechanics: Aussies are turning to AI for fixes
More motorists are turning to artificial intelligence for advice on how to fix their car and one in three trust the technology more than a human.
consumers
Landmark lawsuit over kids’ backpacks sold by Amazon
Australia's consumer watchdog has taken the world's biggest retailer to court over accusations it failed to comply with button battery safety warnings.
Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy
A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.
Shifting gears: electric cars surge during fuel crisis
Australian motorists bought a record number of electric and hybrid vehicles for the third month in a row, while petrol and diesel vehicle sales slowed.
Renewable projects set records but still face headwinds
Wind farms and solar panels are producing more of Australia's electricity than ever, but slow approvals and investment commitments could stall progress.
Renewables pushing out rivals to give power bill relief
Solar and batteries are helping to deliver households relief on their electricity bills, but elevated network costs are thought to be tempering price falls.
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
Mandatory recycling could help tyres go round and round
Australia's roads could be paved using rubber from abandoned tyres, an inquiry has been told, but only if regulators can find a way to fund it.
Petrol price hikes fuel record electric vehicle sales
The soaring price of petrol is sending more Australian drivers to electric cars and the trend could change the worldwide automotive market.
Why goldfish might be undermining your internet speed
Most households are not accessing the full speed of their broadband connections, research shows, and the reasons are surprising.
Shoppers could pay more after Coles misconduct ruling
Supermarket prices could stay higher for longer following a ruling that Coles misled its customers with non-genuine discounts, according to one retail expert.
Watchdog seeks big penalty after Coles goes ‘Down Down’
The consumer watchdog will be seeking a "significant penalty" to act as a deterrent to Coles and others, after a court found the supermarket misled shoppers.
Unions ramp up minimum wage rise demands as costs soar
Low-paid workers should not go backwards because of Donald Trump's war, the peak union body says, as it calls for minimum wages to be raised to $26.45 an hour.
Woolies cites post-COVID instability in prices stoush
Australia's biggest supermarket chain has defended its discounts, as the consumer watchdog's joint court case against Woolies and Coles nears the finish line.
Electric car sales surge ahead amid fuel uncertainty
Australian drivers have broken the record for electric car sales again, as petrol and diesel-powered vehicle sales stall.
End of the free ride: studies call for road user charge
Two transport groups say fuel excise is no longer running smoothly and the government needs to charge motorists based on how far they drive.
Lenders told to ‘support customers’ facing hard times
Lenders must watch out for customers because the corporate regulator won't take a backward step as households face hardship, the outgoing ASIC chair will warn.
Woolworths bumped price of baby food before ‘discount’
Woolworths sold baby food at a higher price for just three weeks before taking off 50 cents and marketing it as a price reduction, a court has been told.
Caveat empty: car buyers beware fuel and range promises
Road tests show most vehicles are using more petrol, diesel or electricity than advertised, with one hybrid SUV using almost 30 per cent more fuel.
Extra diesel shipments prioritised for regional areas
Two additional cargo ships of diesel will come into Australia, bringing in 100 million litres of supply after deals struck with two major fuel companies.
Coalition fuel fix misfires over start-up funding doubt
Confusion reigns over who would pay for a coalition plan to add one billion litres to Australia's emergency fuel stocks - and if the supply figures add up.
Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire
A rate hike in May is forecast by analysts after the Iran oil shock pushed the annual headline inflation level to the highest point in almost three years.
‘Like charging a phone’: $1.5m boost for EV network
More than 400 apartment buildings could get access to electric vehicle chargers as part of a push to remove a speed bump to their adoption.
Woolies cut promo-price rest time from months to weeks
Rising inflation spurred changes to timeline limits on pricing to avoid "gaming" of promoted product prices, a supermarket executive has told a court.
Woolworths denies deception, blames inflation for hikes
Inflation and supplier negotiations drove prices higher, not a desire to mislead consumers with short-term hikes, Australia's biggest supermarket says.
Aussies want electric cars to save cash, not the planet
Australians are considering electric cars as fuel prices rise, with potential buyers fuelled by the possibility of saving money rather than the environment.
Almost 5000 electric vehicles recalled due to fire risk
A major car brand will recall thousands of its most popular electric vehicles after discovering a fault that could lead to a fire while charging.
You’ve got mail: tales from Australia’s oldest ‘postie’
After running the Bellata post office for more than three decades, Australia's oldest postmistress reflects on her time in the mail industry.
High-performance EVs and hatchbacks ready to steal show
After smashing sales records in Australia, electric vehicles are expected to be in high demand at the largest motor show in the southern hemisphere.
Electric vehicle fee could throttle record adoption
A road user charge for electric vehicle drivers could stall record-breaking sales, a study has found, with households in outer suburbs the hardest hit.
Big-selling Aussie ute recalled due to steering risk
Australian motorists are being urged to have their popular ute inspected and repaired after the discovery of a potentially deadly issue.