EU pushes for lower US car tariff in trade deal outline
The EU has secured steps to reduce punishing US tariffs on European cars as the two trading partners agree on a framework for resolving their trade dispute.
economy, business and finance
Treasurer mulls making tax fairer for young Australians
Australia's "unfair" tax system has created a situation where retirees can earn the same income as working households, but pay less than half the tax.
Custodian ‘sick of waiting’ on heritage decision
A Traditional Owner who launched a legal bid to safeguard rock art on her Country says there'll be nothing left to protect if action is not taken swiftly.
Pacific nations make passionate plea amid climate fears
Countries on the climate crisis' frontline have called for investment and partnerships to build resilient infrastructure in a heartfelt plea for help.
‘Holy grail’: treasurer hails quick wins as summit ends
After 29 hours, 327 contributions and one major blow-up, Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable has served up a slew of reform ideas and a few unanswered questions.
Grid reliability gaps covered, if no project delays
Australia's investment pipeline for clean energy, storage and transmission to replace coal is "healthy", but project delays pose reliability questions.
Biotech giant to slash 3000 jobs, spin-off vaccine arm
Pharmaceutical giant CSL has announced a major shake-up for its vaccination arm and for jobs as the company aims to cut costs.
Red tape on chopping block in bid to build homes faster
Slashing regulations so houses can be built quicker has won universal approval at a government-led economic roundtable, but the finer details are up for debate.
Bessent says US tariff revenues to rise ‘substantially’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says tariff revenue will be used to cut debt as new import duties hit 407 products including wind turbines and bulldozers.
Trade and skills under spotlight in ‘promising’ talks
The treasurer has sung the praises of the government's long-awaited roundtable after hours of discussions on productivity, trade and technology.
Qantas sackings ‘betrayed Spirit of Australia’ values
Qantas is being warned it risks losing its place in the national psyche after its latest indiscretion: a $90 million fine for the illegal sacking of workers.
‘Standard practice’: summiteers play down Treasury leak
Experts believe there's still hope for reform at an upcoming productivity roundtable after Treasury recommendations arising from the summit were leaked.
Indigenous communities plug in to power their future
Renewable energy projects must be developed alongside Indigenous people, and community-led initiatives need more investment, a symposium has been told.
Ex-Qantas boss returns to defends his troubled legacy
Controversial former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has used a rare public appearance to ask industry figures to consider their "social licence" in future plans.
Cutting ‘nightmarish’ red tape may awaken productivity
Fixing Australia's regulations could help businesses and shoppers save and reinvigorate Australia's languishing productivity base.
Footy fans help consumer spending roar into growth
A British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the State of Origin league decider helped push household spending up in July, the latest CommBank data shows.
Trump leaves Alaska summit with Putin empty-handed
A highly anticipated summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Responsibility, not legacy driving Chalmers to reform
Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable will likely present some low-hanging fruit around regulation but hefty tax reform will be more challenging for him to grasp.
More than 300 people dead in Pakistan after floods
Hundreds have been killed in the deadliest downpour of the monsoon season in Pakistan's northwest, with the search on for more missing people.
Answers to ailing productivity to steer economic future
Australia's economic future will be guided by ideas to reinvigorate its currently languishing productivity, the treasurer has said.
Productivity to dominate agenda as symposium begins
After weeks of build up, arguably the biggest event of Australia's economic calendar is set to begin as the government seeks answers to withered productivity.
‘It’s crunch time’: productivity puzzle must be solved
Australia must cut unnecessary red tape and boost business investment if young people are to be better off than their parents, the productivity chief says.
‘Ruthless’ sacking of staff lands Qantas with $90m fine
Qantas has vowed to rebuild trust after the embattled airline was fined $90 million for illegally sacking more than 1800 ground staff during the pandemic.
Real wages boost for workers, but costs might worry RBA
Strong annual growth in wages will be noted by the Reserve Bank as it collates data leading up to its next decision on whether to cut interest rates.
CommBank’s record $10b profit could’ve been bigger: CEO
Commonwealth Bank could have delivered a better result than its $10 billion profit if it weren't positioning itself for AI revolution, its boss says.
Animals may be ‘threatened species’ after algal bloom
An assessment of the devastation to marine animals caused by an unprecedented algal bloom will be fast-tracked by the federal government.
Coal mine project threatens ‘significant’ koala habitat
A drone investigation by conservation groups and ecologists has found an important koala colony living in the path of a proposed coal mine expansion.
Jobless fall gives RBA room before next rate cut
The unemployment rate slid to 4.2 per cent in July, partly because of an unwinding from an earlier, outsized jump, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.
Liquid gas investment inflates Origin Energy’s profit
Profits are up for Australia's largest energy company despite challenges from the price of coal, energy tariffs and power plant uncertainty.
NBN users gorge on fibre for healthier download speeds
Technology upgrades are transforming how Australian's connect to the internet, as the NBN Co's full-year results show many premises are using fibre.
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Consumers could face higher prices for goods wrapped in soft plastic as plans for a much-anticipated recycling scheme are revealed.