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.
economy, business and finance
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.
Mideast war not behind Aussie inflation: opposition
Unlike Australia, inflation and interest rates are falling in the UK, the US, Canada and New Zealand despite conflict in the Middle East, the opposition says.
Modi tells Putin that India wants peace in Ukraine
While praising their "strong friendship" with Russia on the eve of the BRICS summit, India has made it clear it wants to see an end to the war in Ukraine.
Ex Abercrombie & Fitch CEO facing sex charges
A year after a BBC probe alleged Abercrombie & Fitch's former CEO was involved in sex trafficking, he, his partner and a third man are facing federal charges.
Australia facing further economic troubles
Australia is facing ongoing economic challenges as Labor holds out hope interest rates will come down before the federal election.
Infrastructure humps likely to curb housing targets
The water pipes and bitumen needed for new housing have emerged as a new frontier in the housing crisis debate as economist warn affordability could get worse.
Union slams ‘false hope’: jobs at risk in nuclear push
Nuclear energy is a dangerous distraction from the real decisions facing Australia, the Electrical Trades Union warns members ahead of the Queensland election.
Global fight against high inflation ‘almost won’: IMF
The IMF says the decline in inflation without a global recession is a major achievement.
UAE cash for minerals, but China dominance sparks angst
A free trade deal between Australia and the United Arab Emirates provides a pathway for significant investment in critical minerals and mining.
‘No doubt’ inflation is moderating: finance minister
Much is riding on quarterly inflation data out next week as Australia's slow progress by international standards has Labor defending its economic record.
Strong labour force report dims rate cut prospects
Interest rates are unlikely to fall soon after new data showed workers are being onboarded by employers in huge numbers, reflecting a resilient jobs market.
It’s not you: banking outages are taking longer to fix
Digital payment services are under increasing pressure as Aussies ditch cash and they are mostly rising to the task, a Reserve Bank report has found.
Care economy growing fast and boom set to continue
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended Australia's fast-growing care economy, dismissing federal opposition criticism as rooted in "snobbiness".
Generators chase peaks as wholesale energy prices spike
Batteries are setting the price in the electricity market more often than a year ago but gas is the dominant price-setter as generators chase lucrative spikes.
Reserve Bank’s views on hot jobs market to be canvassed
A speech by the Reserve Bank of Australia's deputy governor will draw careful scrutiny amid hopes a long-awaited rates cut could be brought forward.
Freeze on home efficiency standard cops political heat
A coalition plan that would stop changes to energy efficiency standards for buildings over a decade has been criticised for stopping climate change action.