Home construction rises but target remains out of reach
High costs, labour shortages and low productivity are limiting the sector's ability to build new homes as construction activity remains below required levels.
economy, business and finance
Europe extends hand to US, warns of ‘race to bottom’
The EU is taking a "wait and see" approach to relations with the newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump in an attempt to avoid a trade conflict.
Ballooning capital works blamed for budget blowout
A state will be in the red for some years as its government flags swelling infrastructure costs, as the opposition warns of the risk of potential spending cuts.
I’d rather not use tariffs against China: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has presented tariffs as a kind of silver bullet against China during an interview on Fox News.
Australia warned to get productive or be left behind
Fault lines are widening between economic performance of nations and a global body warns Australia risks being left behind if it fails to improve productivity.
TikTok stops working for US users as ban takes effect
A TikTok ban imposed on 170 million American users has taken effect as app stores pull the popular social video platform from their offerings in the US.
Star shares hit the skids as survival odds take a blow
Shares are down seven per cent at Star after the embattled casino company warned of "material uncertainty" about its ability to continue.
Tax breaks for clean aluminium to foil carbon emissions
Australia's aluminium industry is set to share in billions of dollars of tax credits to help emissions-intensive smelters convert to cleaner sources of energy.
Housing affordability blow as construction costs go up
The cost of building a home continues to rise, making it harder for builders to meet supply targets and alleviate housing affordability.
Buyer’s market: 2025 to bring relief to home buyers
A major pullback in house price rises has not stopped the market from extending its growth streak to eight consecutive quarters.
Strong jobs growth data deflates February rate cut hope
A very healthy jobs market is not adding to the case for a February interest rate cut, with all eyes turning to inflation data due in coming weeks.
Why the RBA should rethink key inflation assumption
The strength of Australia's labour market has kept the Reserve Bank from cutting interest rates but growing evidence suggests it's not as crucial as thought.
As dollar dips towards 60c, tariff threat may Trump all
The Aussie dollar is edging closer to the psychologically significant 60 US cents barrier and Donald Trump could determine whether it crashes through in 2025.
Casino hub could be first to go to save falling Star
A casino precinct might be the first asset sold from an embattled operator's multi-million dollar portfolio in a bid to avoid going belly up.
Consumers feel finances slide but hold hope for future
Easing inflation is increasing the likelihood of a near-term rate cut, which would provide a welcome boost to consumer sentiment in 2025.
Australia has ‘well and truly passed’ rental boom peak
Affordability pressures and rising vacancy rates are keeping a lid on rental growth after years of surging prices.
Experts put money on early rate cut as spending slides
A decline in spending on household goods has bolstered hopes of an RBA rate cut, which would help boost dour consumer sentiment.
No magical save for Star as govt focuses on workers
As the shares of embattled casino operator Star Entertainment fall to an all-time low, a state government has ruled out giving it a financial lifeline.
PM finishes three-state blitz with key message
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have launched a soft test of their pitches to voters ahead of the federal election after a week of unofficial campaigning.
Tourists splash cash in Australia’s holiday hotspots
Parking nightmares and long lines at coffee shops are common in Australia's beachside towns during peak season - a period local businesses rely on.
UK, China restart economic talks after six-year hiatus
China and Britain have restarted economic and financial talks after a six-year hiatus during a visit by Britain's Treasury chief to Beijing.
Parents shell out billions as back-to-school costs rise
Technology is a major factor in rising back-to-school costs as Australian teachers notice an increase in students without the essentials.
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
Even with restrictive interest rate settings and inflation battering the economy, Australia's labour market has proved surprisingly resilient.
Meta shelves US fact checking in major policy reversal
Meta is ending its fact-checking program with third parties in the United States, saying fact checkers have their own biases.
Australians warned: Meta to stop muzzling false claims
Australians are likely to see more false content and abuse on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds when Meta ditches fact-checking problematic posts.
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.
Casino operator Star’s shares plunge amid grim finances
Star Entertainment says it had just $79 million in cash left at December 31, after burning through $107 million over the previous three months.
Call for states to fire up new gas to avoid shortfall
Federal Labor has been urged to reverse "anti-gas policies" with structural shortfalls forecast from 2027 and Australians still under the pump on energy bills.
Property dominates wealth but stocks safer than houses
Investors might start looking outside of the property market where most of Australia's wealth is held, as returns for another sector outstrip housing.
Trump not ruling out force in Panama Canal, Greenland
US President-elect Donald Trump has declined to say using military or economic means to gain control of the Panama Canal or Greenland is off the table.
Tech fears overpower hiring woes as top business worry
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technology issues are keeping business leaders up at night, with labour shortages now a lower-priority concern.