Overheated share markets may risk financial meltdown
Australia's central bank warns overpriced stock markets, cyber threats and weakness in China threatens the nation's financial stability.
economy, business and finance
The things keeping Brisbane’s Olympics boss up at night
The business heavyweight overseeing the Brisbane Olympics has been quizzed on what he worries most about and what animal will be chosen as the Games mascot.
Major change to IVF treatments for donors and families
Families involved in an IVF bungle will be permitted to continue their treatment after a provider was found to be exceeding a donor limit.
Trump uses government shutdown to dole out revenge
President Donald Trump is mulling "temporary or permanent" spending cuts that could set up a lose-lose dynamic for Democratic politicians.
Networks join forces to create $416m media monolith
A $416 million merger between the owner of Australia's most popular TV network and the country's biggest radio broadcaster has ignited their share prices.
Rock art safeguards weakened despite gas hub’s harms
The federal environment minister thinks the North West Shelf gas project is damaging ancient rock art, despite opting for weaker emissions restrictions.
Sad day as refinery’s closure to hit jobs and community
Hundreds of workers will lose their jobs as alumina giant Alcoa permanently shuts a 60-year-old refinery that served as a cornerstone of the community.
China to halt BHP iron ore cargoes during price talks
China's state-run iron ore buyer has told the country's steelmakers and traders to temporarily halt purchases of all new BHP cargoes.
Cup Day rate cut in doubt as RBA nears final straight
The odds are lengthening on an interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day, as the Reserve Bank adopts a hawkish tone and inflation steps up the pace.
Low rates, supply squeeze create home price rise mayhem
The great Australian dream of property ownership continues to resemble a nightmare for many buyers as prices surge and the supply of homes dwindles.
BHP cops $5b value hit on talk of China trade blockade
Reports China is halting iron ore shipments from BHP have weighed on the world's biggest miner, but experts say any stoush over prices should be short-lived.
Spending rebound staggers as Aussies kick booze, smokes
Strong growth in household spending earlier this year is unlikely to be matched, which could ease Reserve Bank fears of a return of inflation pressures.
Trump slaps new tariffs on drugs, trucks and furniture
President Donald Trump's tariff spree continues with new US levies including 100 per cent on pharmaceuticals as well as duties on furniture and heavy trucks.
Interest rate decision to dominate economic agenda
Mortgage holders are unlikely to get a leg up from the Reserve Bank this week, with markets and analysts predicting the cash rate to remain on hold on Tuesday.
Australia’s luck running out despite budget bright spot
Australia's budget deficit for last financial year ended up being narrower than expected but younger workers will still be on the hook for a decade of red ink.
Financial sector urged to shoot higher on climate risk
The global financial sector has been urged to prevent further backsliding on climate and to stop funnelling money into new fossil fuels in an open letter.
‘Unacceptable’: second triple-zero Optus outage slammed
A second Optus triple-zero outage in as many weeks has raised the ire of a premier as calls mount for the government to empower regulators rather than telcos.
Trump plans 100 per cent tariff on foreign-made movies
Months after US President Donald Trump first teased plans to impose trade levies on all foreign movies, he announces the tariffs will be 100 per cent.
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
Hopes for more rate cuts are fading after the Reserve Bank of Australia took a hawkish turn as it held interest rates steady in a widely-expected move.
‘Scapegoating’ Optus blames tech, staff for outages
Optus has blamed technical equipment and human error for two emergency call outages as the prime minister pans the telco for its "unacceptable" failures.
Concerns over sovereignty, risk in satellite internet
Satellite technology has advanced rapidly as "constellations" promise better internet in remote areas, but the transformation is not without risk.
Danish airport reopens after further drone activity
Denmark has informed its NATO allies that drone incursions that shut two of its airports are linked to unspecified "state actors", according to Latvia.
One in three homes in line for sunny value boost
Home buyers have seen the light and are now prepared to pay a little more for solar systems in the expectation of lower bills over time.
Trump declares plan to transfer TikTok to US investors
President Donald Trump has OK'd a plan to sell TikTok's US operations to American investors following China's approval, with a company price tag of $21 billion.
Big bank is cutting 200 teller, personal banking roles
Westpac is cutting 200 customer-facing roles in its network but says it will try to keep as many workers as possible through retraining and redeployment.
Jimmy Kimmel defends free speech as he returns to TV
Jimmy Kimmel insists he never meant to make light of Charlie Kirk's murder as the comedian made an emotional return to his TV show after being suspended.
‘Call to arms’: peak body joins coal royalties fight
A resources sector peak body has issued a "call to arms" urging businesses to join the fight against a state government's controversial coal royalties scheme.
Farming export success sows seeds of growth goal reset
A $100 billion target is expected to be met by Australian agriculture, but whether it remains the best goal has been questioned at a farming conference.
AI ‘energy trilemma’ in sights of data centre boss
Keeping data centres running to support the AI boom will require investment in low-emission energy generation, possibly including nuclear, proponents argue.
Conservationists outraged at coal-fired future
The extended shelf life of coal-fired power has enraged conservation groups, with one state declaring it will be in use for decades.
Premier takes a dig at miners in coal royalties rumble
A veiled swipe has been taken at "fairweather friends" by the premier of a state losing hundreds of mining jobs against the backdrop of a fight over royalties.