Optus regrets ‘unacceptable’ conduct alleged by ACCC
Australia's second-largest telco says it failed to meet expectations after the consumer watchdog alleged "unconscionable conduct" against vulnerable customers.
consumers
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
computing and information technology
consumers
education
identification technology
media
research
research and development
science and technology
students
technology (general)
Future AI chatbots may secretly dob on their users
Subtle changes in the words used by generative AI tools could act as a virtual watermark for the text they produce to tip off readers, research has found.
Coles, Woolies call price check on ACCC discount claim
Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will fight the consumer watchdog over accusations of dodgy "price drop" campaigns.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
alternative energy
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
renewable energy
research
research and development
transport
Trial to test if electric vehicles can power homes
Australia's national science agency will team with an electricity retailer to find out whether electric cars can be used to power homes and back up the grid.
No steering wheel, pedals: ready to ride in a Cybercab?
Tesla has unveiled its vision for self-driving taxis in a vehicle that has no manual driving controls. Experts say they are cautious but optimistic.
consumer confidence
consumers
economy (general)
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
Green ideals meet hip-pocket pain as power prices surge
Young Australians are most likely to pay a premium to access renewable energy at home, a study has found, but high energy prices are turning off others.
More than 100,000 Kia cars recalled due to fire risk
Owners of 10 Kia model vehicles are being urged to park them away from flammable structures after the discovery of a serious fire risk with an electrical part.
Park your car to power your home: study probes EV tech
Electric cars could become energy storage solutions as part of a two-year project launched by the NRMA and university researchers.
Hybrids demoted to make way for electric Uber rides
Rideshare giant Uber is making changes to encourage more drivers to adopt electric vehicles, including knocking hybrid cars out of 'green' service.
Qantas fined for selling seats on cancelled flights
A Federal Court judge has approved a $100 million fine, agreed by the consumer watchdog and Qantas, after the airline sold seats on already cancelled flights.
consumers
electricity production and distribution
energy (general)
environmental politics
natural resources (general)
politics (general)
Tight gas market to remain as additional wells approved
Two offshore drilling licences have been approved to bring more gas to the domestic east coast market as experts warn of potential shortfalls next winter.
breaking_news
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
crime, law and justice
litigation and regulation
regulatory policy and organisation
Coles and Woolworths head down, down to federal court
The consumer watchdog is taking Coles and Woolworths to court amid allegations the retailers allegedly artificially increased prices on hundreds of goods.
Australia’s first solar garden prepares for its harvest
Solar gardens could be a solution for people locked out of the booming renewable energy market, experts say, as the first of its kind prepares to pay investors.
consumer goods
consumers
energy
energy (general)
fire
recalls (products)
road transport
safety of citizens
transport
National safety rules needed to curb e-bike fire risks
Electric scooters, bicycles and skateboards should be inspected and some removed from online platforms following dangers identified in a NSW inquiry.
alternative energy
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
renewable energy
Australia could double solar power by 2030, report says
Putting solar panels on the roofs of businesses, new homes and social housing could double Australia's renewable power, a study has found.
AI is coming to your smartphone but not the guardrails
Tech giant Apple is expected to launch its first iPhones with generative AI within days but experts say the technology still lacks safeguards.
alternative energy
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
renewable energy
road transport
transport
How electric cars could drive renewable energy change
Motorists could support Australia's national electricity grid by using their cars as batteries, a report says, but policies and standards need to change.
Power struggle: why solar batteries are tipped to soar
It's not just climate change and bills fuelling demand for solar batteries - the threat of blackouts is prompting more households to invest in energy storage.
alternative energy
consumers
election
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
housing and urban planning
renewable energy
Queensland renters locked out of solar savings
In the lead-up to the Queensland state election, Solar Citizens wants the major parties to make big commitments to renewable energy.
business (general)
computing and information technology
consumer goods
consumers
economy (general)
internet
online
purchase
‘Let me out’: Aussies need help with subscription traps
Most Australians have struggled to cancel a subscription and some have given up entirely, a report has warned amid calls for legal reforms.
banking
construction and property
consumers
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
interest rate
money and monetary policy
politics
real estate
unions
Building costs in the frame for ongoing housing crisis
The Reserve Bank says it is closely monitoring the housing shortage, but dismisses reports a construction union is to blame for escalating costs.
coal
company information
consumers
dividend announcement
earnings
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
Origin Energy eyes gas imports, longer life for Eraring
Electricity and gas giant Origin Energy warns Australia will need to import gas to meet domestic demand and taxpayers may have to pay to burn coal for longer.
coal
company information
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
natural gas
nuclear power
Transition ‘well under way’ as AGL rejects nuclear push
Energy giant AGL has posted a stellar profit on higher power prices, taking the lead in the transition and dismissing nuclear as too costly and too late.
A bird? Plane? It’s an autonomous electric flying taxi
Catching a ride to a faraway place could involve a small aircraft with no pilot in future, experts say, as regulations race to catch up with the technology.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy (general)
energy (general)
petrol
report
road transport
transport
Budgets running on fumes as car costs outpace inflation
Transport is becoming an even bigger household expense, with research showing costs grew by more than 10 per cent over the past year.
Rising cost of living hammers renters and mortgage belt
Higher rents are weighing heavily on Australians receiving government support payments as all households experience rising living costs.
Uber to take Leaf out of Japan’s second-hand EV market
Ride-share and food delivery drivers will be encouraged to adopt second-hand electric vehicles under a pilot program launched in Queensland.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumers
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
tourism
transport
Car chargers at tourist curio could be coup for Tesla
Australia's best-selling electric vehicle brand will open a charging station near a Queensland tourism attraction despite funding cuts to its program.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
economy (general)
environmental issue
prices
road transport
transport
Price cuts may recharge Aussie electric vehicle market
Some of Australia's biggest electric vehicle brands have cut the price of their models, with one setting a record cost for low-emission cars.