AI risks deepening divide between investors and workers
The rise of AI could result in a higher share of Australia's economic pie going to people who own assets rather than those who work for a living.
economy, business and finance
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
Diesel boost on the water for bottlenecked regions
The federal government has secured additional diesel to help ease Queensland's regional supply bottlenecks.
NZ shuns ‘sugar hits’ in budget, cuts growth forecast
New Zealand has unveiled a bare-bones budget with a projected surplus sooner than expected, but few incentives for voters in an election year.
AFP defends Roberts-Smith arrest as media leak probed
The AFP has denied leaking details of alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith's arrest to the media as it backed its prosecution of the former SAS soldier.
Taco ’bout a bad time: Aussie chain ditches US ambition
Shares in an Aussie-born Mexican fast-food chain have surged after it ditched its plan to crack the competitive US market, where Chipotle and Taco Bell rule.
‘Like a sneeze’: AI data centre boom spreads concern
More organisations are calling for a moratorium on data centres as their impact on water, energy and local communities remains in question.
Trump says Iran peace deal ‘largely negotiated’
The US and Iran are reportedly close to signing a deal involving a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened.
Temporary fall in inflation won’t ease RBA fears
A short-lived reduction in the fuel excise has provided some momentary price relief but inflation will only worsen without a resolution to supply blockages.
Investor tax cut call as opponents fight Labor plan
A Labor plan to reduce investor incentives has been branded a "productivity tax" as opponents call for lower taxes for those with money to put aside.
Rubio says US will find another way if Iran talks fail
US President Donald Trump is hosing down expectations of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war with Iran.
Power bill relief as energy caps slashed in one state
Cheaper electricity bills are in store for hundreds of thousands of households and small businesses in one state under a lowered benchmark power price.
Forensic experts sift through drone hit dormitory
The final death toll from a drone attack on a teacher training college in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian Luhansk region stands at 21.
Labor happy with softer housing market since budget
Tax changes in the federal budget are already helping to level the playing field, according to the housing minister.
‘Flying blind’: why Labor ditched the inland rail route
The $45.6 billion price tag for inland rail was only a modest estimate, prompting the federal government to scrap part of the project amid planning delays.
‘Surprisingly dehumanising’: AI pioneer has boundaries
The head of one of the world's biggest pure-play AI developers says even he's had times when using the groundbreaking technology just wasn't going to happen.
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
Global capital eyes $50b water market, raising stakes
International investors are wading into Australia's water market, and while scarcity ensures decent returns, droughts could leave some producers high and dry.
Data centre power concerns spark moratorium call
A report by Greenpeace has challenged claims Australia's AI-fuelled data centre boom can support rather than undermine the clean energy transition.
Banks on notice as Westpac fined for failing clients
Banking giant Westpac has been slugged with a $26 million penalty for failing to support customers in need, a decision an expert says sends a clear message.
The $180m bill to calculate the Inland Rail blow-out
The man who first pitched Inland Rail wants a quick private sector takeover, as it is revealed consultants were paid $180m to estimate the budget blow-out.
Treasurer hoses down calls to carve up his tax revamp
Business groups are urging the federal government to have a major rethink over its capital gains tax measures but Jim Chalmers is remaining steadfast.
Treasury chief defends Labor’s beleaguered budget
Controversial budget changes would have cut the lifetime tax benefits for the top one per cent of earners by $400,000 if implemented in 2000, Treasury says.
Hanson lashes gas tax ‘vandalism’, reveals energy plan
Australia should look to Norway to shore up sovereign wealth through gas, One Nation says, as the coalition urges the resources industry to "fight like hell".
Bowen to back electrification at UN climate summit
Australia and Turkey have revealed that the global oil crisis will prompt a major focus on electrification at the United Nations climate talks in November.
Concerns, doubts over Tasmania budget cuts
Rating agency S&P Global says Tasmania's budget repair carries "high execution risk," doubting the government will follow through on $1.47 billion in cuts.
Travel booking site eyes rebound from market turbulence
A major online travel booking company believes it can recover from a triple whammy after increasing its net annual profit in a shifting market.
Putin and Xi hail ties and energy trade at China talks
China and Russia's leaders have shared warm words and stressed their growing trade and energy ties at a summit in Beijing just days after Donald Trump's visit.
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
The big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting after the jobless rate surged and as the Iran war hits home.
Island state to cut, cut, cut its way back to the black
Tasmania will spend more on servicing debt in 2026/27 than on police, fire and emergency services, showing the scale of the state's borrowing challenge.
SpaceX reveals blockbuster initial public offering plan
Elon Musk's SpaceX has unveiled plans for one of the biggest sales of stock to the public ever with an initial offering that could make Musk a trillionaire.