‘People haven’t splurged’: tax cut spending subdued
Australian retailers are finally starting to see a more upbeat consumer, though spending is unlikely to be strong enough to fan the flames of inflation.
economy, business and finance
Demand to pressure US senators out of kangaroo ban
Australian politicians and officials have been asked to pressure US senators out of a kangaroo ban that could harm exports and farming.
Flight upgrades still clear for take-off despite outcry
Aviation experts say flight upgrades for business leaders and politicians are likely here to stay after concern about the prime minister's travel arrangements.
Optus regrets ‘unacceptable’ conduct alleged by ACCC
Australia's second-largest telco says it failed to meet expectations after the consumer watchdog alleged "unconscionable conduct" against vulnerable customers.
Aussies willing to visit eight shops for groceries
The cost-of-living crunch is motivating more Aussies to shop around but it hasn't halted Coles sales growth, up 2.9 per cent in the first quarter.
Wesfarmers defends record profits amid cost crisis
Wesfarmers chair Michael Chaney is reclaiming the word "profit" as the parent company of Kmart and Bunnings reaps a record profit amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Profit squeeze as supermarkets try to win back shoppers
Woolworths and Coles are ratcheting up discounts to win back shoppers dissatisfied with price rises in the sector, and taking a hit to profits in the process.
Property market easing with falls across four capitals
Slowing momentum in home price growth bodes well for those hoping to get a foot on the property ladder as the central bank weighs rate cuts.
Strengthening wildlife numbers key to mitigate bird flu
The Invasive Species Council wants better bird protections to mitigate the impact of a deadly bird flu strain as Australia war games how to contain an outbreak.
Labour hire workers in line for boost to wages
New laws requiring labour-hire workers to be paid the same as other employees have come into effect.
Miners dominate company tax list as others pay zero
A corporate income tax haul of almost $100 billion is being hailed as a "great result" but almost a third of major Australian companies avoided a tax bill.
Calls to bring forward PM’s plans for student loan help
The prime minister wants to recalibrate Labor's agenda following controversy, pitching student loan help at graduates juggling cost-of-living pressures.
Broken system lets big business off tax hook: institute
Major corporations that pay no company income tax are taking advantage of a broken system that needs government intervention, a think tank says.
HECS cut to help fix ‘intergenerational unfairness’: PM
The federal government has unveiled plans to cut HECS debt by one-fifth for university students if it wins the next election.
RBA tipped to keep rates steady for 12th straight month
Interest rates have been kept on hold for almost a year and are broadly expected to stay there until cuts start in early 2025, provided inflation keeps easing.
Shuck horror! WA-grown Sydney Rock Oysters heading east
According to a Western Australian farm backed by Andrew Forrest and his ex-wife Nicola Forrest, some of the best Sydney Rock Oysters don't come from NSW.
PM rallies Labor troops ahead of election showdown
The prime minister has used a key speech to lay out parts of his second-term agenda, with education shaping as an election battleground.
Rail, ferries and ports to merge in transport shake-up
Three Tasmania state-owned services companies could be merged in a bid by the minority Liberal government to boost performance and accountability.
‘Con job’: government flushes hydro energy project
A report says a scrapped pumped hydro scheme proposed by the former Queensland government had no value for money, with costs blowing out to almost $37 billion.
Westpac’s profit dips to $7b as mortgage stress eases
Westpac has posted an annual profit of $7 billion and lifted its final dividend, in Peter King's last financial result as chief executive.
RBA resists taking a punt on Melbourne Cup day rate cut
The Reserve Bank has not gambled on a Melbourne Cup rate reduction, with punters left to ponder whether borrowers will receive a windfall before Christmas.
Clean energy talk cheap, flight upgrades pricey for PM
Anthony Albanese has made a whistlestop tour as he ratchets up election campaign efforts, but one expert says he must do more to change public opinion.
‘Everything points to a slowdown’: property loses heat
House and unit prices may have found new record highs but interest rate cautiousness has tempered the pace of growth.
Political dogfight erupts over PM’s plane promotions
Australia's major party leaders are embroiled in an increasingly personal stoush after revelations the prime minister accepted a stack of flight upgrades.
Seven news boss wants tax break to fight X, Facebook
A tax on commercial broadcasters should be scrapped, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie says, as media companies deal with the "evil forces" of social media.
Australia’s inflation down, but not out
There were few surprises in the inflation read-out, with economists broadly of the view underlying price pressures should keep the cash rate on hold until 2025.
BHP digs in over coal royalties and labour hire stance
Multinational BHP says it will continue to work with the Queensland government over coal royalties after protesters demonstrated outside their AGM.
Brazil seals compensation deal with BHP over dam
Brazil has reached a compensation settlement with BHP and others over a 2015 dam collapse which caused a giant mudslide killing 19 people.
PM spruiks mining pay rise as wage battle emerges
Unions have warned peak bodies in the mining sector are advocating for industrial relations reform to be stripped back in a future coalition government.
No spending free-for-all: treasurer sets election tone
Any further cost-of-living relief will need to be balanced carefully against budget constraints and economic circumstances, the federal treasurer says.
Qantas hands out $1000 bonuses to 27,000 workers
Qantas is hoping to win over workers as some of its engineers take industrial action over pay.