‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs
The fate of 1000 workers hangs in the balance as leaders debate the best way to save Australia's biggest aluminium smelter from closure.
economy, business and finance
Treasurer hits back as opposition slaps panic button
The coalition has sought to link a recent rise in inflation and unemployment to the 1970s economic malaise, but analysts say there is no need to panic.
Next rate cut uncertain as shutdown fogs Fed windscreen
The Federal Reserve has cut its key rate for the second time this year as the United States government shutdown clouds the economic outlook.
PM optimistic Trump and Xi will reduce trade tensions
Anthony Albanese is hopeful a hotly anticipated meeting between the world's most powerful leaders will lead to a reduction in trade barriers.
Australians lose hope as nation lags on housing targets
Australians aren't confident the housing crisis will be solved and not one state is on track to reach its homes target over the next five years, research shows.
Protests and price drops: mining giant faces challenges
Protesters have disrupted a meeting held by one of Australia's largest coal mining companies but bigger challenges could come from global price fluctuations.
‘Eye off the ball’: Woolies lays blame for limp results
A string of "distractions" are the reason why Woolworths failed to deliver for shareholders, the company's leaders say.
Coles puts heat on Woolworths with strong sales growth
Supermarket giant Coles continues to take market share from key rival Woolworths, posting stronger quarterly sales growth than its bigger competitor.
RBA drops rates hint as Australia maintains AAA status
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has responded to a surprise jump in unemployment as a credit agency gives Australia's finance a tick of approval.
Sheep and beef behind rise in farmer sentiment
Tasmanian farmers are the most confident in the nation, while Western Australian primary producers are the most worried, according to a new survey.
Largest smelter could close in ‘national interest’ blow
Rising energy costs could force Australia's largest aluminium smelter to shut, but leaders have promised to do everything possible to keep it going.
Tech giant founder targeted as federal police raid firm
Shares in Australian technology giant WiseTech are in freefall, down 15 per cent in early trading, after revelations of an ASIC-AFP raid.
Tough decisions on closures to help Bega’s bottom line
The closure of a cheese factory in Victoria and a peanut business in Queensland at a cost of 450 jobs will help Bega Cheese boost its earnings.
Time running out for ‘irreplaceable’ $95b reef
The Great Barrier Reef is an ecological and economic jewel, but a growing body of research shows it will be lost without swift and decisive action.
Trump gets royal welcome in Japan, eyes China deal
Defence will be high on the agenda as US President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of talks with China's President Xi.
Canada PM ready to resume trade talks with US and Trump
Trade talks between the US and Canada stalled after Ontario broadcast an anti-tariff advertisement featuring the voice of former president Ronald Reagan.
Trump aims to clinch deal with China’s Xi on Asia trip
US President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again meeting with his Chinese counterpart will be the centrepiece of his five-day trip to Asia.
Trump to hit Canada with 10pct extra import tax over ad
A furious Donald Trump says he will slap an extra 10 per cent tax on imports from Canada because an anti-tariff TV ad wasn't pulled from the air fast enough.
Trump headlines ASEAN summit as trade deals signed
US President Donald Trump watched over a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia before signing trade deals.
Trump confident of deal after ‘successful’ China talks
Top economic officials from China and the US have concluded two days of discussions to de-escalate a trade war as the countries' presidents prepare to meet.
ASEAN leaders look to build trade ties as Trump departs
Officials from China and the leaders of Brazil, Canada, the European Council and the 11-strong ASEAN bloc are working to solidify economic ties and trade pacts.
US-China talks sketch out rare earths, tariff pause
Officials from the United States and China are working on a potential deal to pause steeper tariffs and rare earths export controls ahead of a leaders' meeting.
Supercheap Auto owner moves quickly to name new CEO
Super Retail Group has promoted the leader of its BCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing) chain to lead its overall business after its last CEO was fired.
From gigabits to terabits: fibre to fire up downloads
A fibre optic internet backbone will deliver internet speeds up to six times faster as well as a multi-billion-dollar boost to Australia's economy by 2040.
Australia’s great timing in mega-deal with Donald Trump
Australia's critical minerals deal could be a boon for local miners but the timing is also to US President Donald Trump's advantage as he tangles with China.
Flood risk already raining on Australian home prices
One type of natural disaster has depressed the value of more than two-thirds of Australian homes that sit in the firing line, new analysis finds.
Million buck benchmark loses sparkle in house value run
One in every three property markets in Australia have a median value of $1m after fresh gains across the country, led by Queensland.
America first, but not America only: Sinodinos says
Winning the strategic contest in the Pacific requires Canberra to sharpen its focus and broaden its circle of friends, a foreign policy expert says.
‘Wild’ $2m forecast for nation’s priciest house market
It's a great time to own a home but a tough time to buy one, with values rising fast in the regions and every capital.
Retaliation: US considers broad software curbs on China
The Trump administration is weighing a dramatic escalation of its showdown with China, over Beijing's latest rare earth export restrictions.
Super Retail chair survives protest vote after scandal
Super Retail enjoyed 4.5 per cent financial year-to-date sales growth but its AGM was focused on the board's decision to sack chief executive Anthony Hegarty.