consumers environmental issue environmental pollution renewable energy road transport transport

NRMA to charge EV motorists to power up

Electric car drivers will pay to charge up their vehicles at NRMA stations from this week as the motoring organisation introduces fees for the first time.

consumers crime, law and justice internet online

eHarmony accused of toxic relationship with customers

Dating site eHarmony is facing court action after hundreds of singles complained to the consumer watchdog over subscription traps and misleading pricing.

air transport breaking_news consumer issue - macro economics consumers economy, business and finance politics

Qantas jettisons flight credit deadlines, faces new row

Qantas has scrapped the expiration date for nearly $500 million in flight credits but faces more public backlash with a watchdog taking the airline to court.

air transport consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure consumers laws transport

Qantas rejects lawsuit over COVID-19 travel credits

A class action lawsuit filed against the national carrier, Qantas, alleges it misled customers and failed to issue refunds for flights cancelled in 2020.

coal company information consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy energy and resource natural gas

Little relief for consumers as Origin posts $1b profit

Origin Energy expects another tough year for cash-strapped customers after posting an FY23 net profit of $1.06 billion as it prepares for a foreign takeover.

coal consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue politics

Hiking coal tax likely won’t lift power bills, NSW says

NSW is considering lifting the tax it charges on mined coal but has pointed to advice that any increase will have a negligible effect on power prices.

coal consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue natural gas politics

Rooftop solar surge eases wholesale electricity prices

Rooftop solar is reducing wholesale electricity prices but the market operator warns more transmission is needed to keep the lights on in a post-coal system.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue investments natural gas oil and gas - downstream activities politics

Call for energy investors to make most of ‘golden age’

Energy investors have been urged to take advantage of Australia's golden age in climate policy, with "crazy, science-denying" naysayers waiting in the wings.

consumers crime, law and justice

Consumers misled about ‘guaranteed’ parking, ACCC says

A company which owns over 450 car parks across Australia falsely claimed consumers could reserve parking places by booking them, the consumer watchdog has said.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue natural gas

Profit upgrade electrifies AGL Energy, power bills soar

AGL Energy says it will spend more than $10 billion over the next decade to exit coal but high wholesale power prices mean profits will more than double.

breaking_news consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy energy and resource natural gas oil and gas - downstream activities oil and gas - upstream activities politics

Gas code promises secure supply at ‘reasonable’ prices

A code of conduct will be imposed on gas producers to avert future price shocks for consumers but the industry fears it could stymie investment in new supply.

budgets and budgeting consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy politics

Power bills to surge despite budget tipping modest rise

The energy regulator has confirmed double-digit power price rises will continue from July 1 despite the May budget's claims of curbing cost of living pressures.

budgets and budgeting consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue politics

One-off energy relief welcome but plug in more solar

Permanent energy bill relief through access to rooftop solar is a priority most households want to see in the budget, including those who don't own a roof.

consumer goods consumers environmental cleanup environmental issue environmental pollution hazardous materials

Watchdog urged to step in on so-called ‘ocean plastic’

There's growing disquiet about the rise of new products claiming to be made using "ocean plastic" or "ocean bound plastic" that's actually come from the land.

coal consumers economy, business and finance energy environmental issue industrial production natural gas politics

Risk to winter supply as gas crisis enters second year

The energy market operator has warned of risks to gas supply this winter but is armed with new powers over producers as the energy crisis enters a second year.

consumers economy (general) wage and pension

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.

air transport consumers environmental issue road transport transport

More flying coffees forecast as Google tests drone tech

Delivery drones will be able to pick up coffee or takeaway meals without human help in the next phase of Google's Australian technology trial.

consumers economy, business and finance energy

Aussies in hot water as smart meters slash power bills

Australians will be hearing a lot more about distributed energy resources but it's not as complicated as it sounds and most households already have some.

consumers economy, business and finance energy energy and resource natural gas politics renewable energy

AGL posts $1.1b loss, warns price caps risk investment

AGL Energy has posted a $1.1 billion first-half loss on decarbonisation costs and warns gas price caps imposed by the federal government put investment at risk.

consumer goods consumers

Consumer complaints continue to trail pandemic

Consumer complaints in Queensland continue to eclipse pre-pandemic levels, with the Office of Fair Trading clawing back $11.2 million for disgruntled customers.

consumers economy, business and finance financial markets

Bailout backed to recoup crypto millions

Cryptocurrency firm Digital Surge will survive as creditors vote for a bailout after hours of questions put to administrators by some of the 30,000 investors.

consumers renewable energy road transport transport

Driving electric car can save $800 a year

Nine out of 10 drivers would save money by switching to an electric vehicle, according to US university research, but some motorists could miss out.

bankruptcy consumers economy, business and finance financial markets personal investing politics

Aussies stung for millions in crypto crash

The FTX collapse wiped many crypto wallets and took out smaller exchanges, but administrators for Aussie platform Digital Surge are working on a rescue plan.

consumers environmental issue road transport transport

Car rental to spur electric vehicle uptake

Renting an electric car for an extended test drive could convince drivers of their merits over petrol-powered vehicles, the results of a new survey indicate.

consumers economy, business and finance energy politics

Debate over energy price cap heats up

The possibility of price caps on fossil fuels has sparked concern from some state leaders as the government looks to lock down a plan to lower energy prices.

consumers economy, business and finance energy energy and resource natural gas

‘Be honest’ on bill shock from new energy

Origin Energy says the push for clean energy is "out of step" with consumers, warning of bill shock for years from the cost of building new renewable assets.

consumers road transport transport

Christmas demand to hike rideshare fees

Partygoers have been warned to brace for price hikes of more than 25 per cent this Christmas as high demand pushes up rideshare fees.

consumers economy, business and finance energy natural gas

Origin Energy upgrades outlook on gas gain

Origin Energy has upgraded its outlook as gas earnings surge amid the global supply shock, with Australian power bills set to rise into 2024.

computing and information technology consumers online research

Chatbots on the rise but failing customers

Chatbots will be used for 95 per cent of online customer interactions within three years, but a study shows they're failing to meet expectations.

consumers economy, business and finance energy

New standards for more connected energy

New rules and technical standards for home and business energy systems are being developed as regulators catch up with consumers and technology.

consumers economy, business and finance environmental issue retail

Plastics purge tops shoppers’ wishlist

Shoppers rate reducing the use of plastics as the top action businesses can take on sustainability and climate change to win trust, loyalty and dollars.