Canada’s old relationship with US ‘is over’, says PM
Canada's prime minister says his country's relationship with the United States has changed due to Donald Trump's actions on tariffs.
economy, business and finance
Tariffs and growth slump a concern for banking leaders
Australia's economic growth forecasts have been downgraded due to Donald Trump's trade war, keeping its most important financial leaders on their toes.
‘The King is King of Australia’: Backlash over $5 note
Monarchists have slammed the central bank's decision not to include the King's portrait on the $5 note, saying the government is pushing to become a republic.
Tariffs spell death knell for businesses on the brink
Australia's economy is tipped to grow faster in 2025 but US tariffs and trade wars could be enough to send marginal businesses to the wall.
Why shock drop in jobs won’t shift RBA rate cut bets
Fewer older Australians returned to work in February, driving a surprise fall in jobs and workforce participation but the labour market remains tight overall.
Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
Plans to help more into ‘disaster’ housing market
Aspiring homeowners could secure a cheaper mortgage and lower deposit by letting the government take a stake, but Peter Dutton questions whether they want to.
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown
The UK government has ordered an investigation into the country's energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
‘Hip pocket help’ on its way in pre-election sweetener
Australians will receive more energy bill relief in the federal budget but the Liberals argue it's only needed because Labor has allowed costs to blow out.
Public service jobs on line as poll battlelines form
The coalition has doubled down on plans to axe public service jobs if elected as the prime minister goes into bat for Australians working from home.
Budget week to bring inflation, cost-of-living news
The Albanese government will look to further ease cost-of-living pressures without adding to inflation when it delivers its fourth budget.
Consultants in firing line amid public servant stoush
The coalition wants to slash public servant numbers but Labor says the alternative is costly consultants, as both sides lavish voters with cost-of-living help.
Carney calls snap vote, says Trump has sights on Canada
Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election asking for a mandate to tackle US President Donald Trump who he says wants to "own" Canada.
‘Optimism’ in budget as Australia seen turning a corner
The cost of living will be centre stage in the government's budget as many continue to do it tough, but a cabinet minister says there is reason to have hope.
Tariffs on cars, aluminium, pharmaceuticals soon: Trump
Tariffs on vehicles, aluminium and pharmaceuticals will be announced in the near future, US President Donald Trump says.
Taxpayers to get $10 a week cut in pre-election budget
All taxpayers will get two rounds of cuts but only starting from July 2026, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers makes the case for a second Labor term.
EU trade chief meets with Trump officials over tariffs
US President Donald Trump has said he may give "a lot of countries" breaks on tariffs, but has provided no further details on which ones are included.
Another retailer goes out of fashion, 600 jobs at risk
Retail chain Jeanswest has collapsed after more than five decades in business, threatening hundreds of jobs with more than 90 stores likely to close.
Trump ratchets up trade war with 25 per cent car tariff
Markets are reacting to President Donald Trump's announcement of new import taxes of 25 per cent on cars and car parts coming into the US.
Feds accept GST recommendation despite state pressure
A controversial GST carve-up will go ahead as a federal minister says his government will not overrule an independent body's recommended funding for states.
US aligns with G7, urges Russia to accept ceasefire
Fears the US would continue to draw away from the West were unfounded at the G7 summit, as it joined allies in warning Russia to accept the proposed ceasefire.
US launches large-scale strikes on Yemen’s Houthis
The US has launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis after they resumed attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
An Indigenous-owned distillery born over a few drinks
A First Nations-owned business is one of Australia's most celebrated producers of organic spirits, after a "rollercoaster" journey on the road to success.
US tariffs should be a ‘wake-up call’ for Australia
Australia has been warned against relying on Donald Trump as it continues to try to negotiate for an exemption from the US president's trade tariffs.
Cyclone’s blow to budget as food, building costs hit
The full impact of the destruction wrought by Cyclone Alfred is being assessed, with grocery and construction prices under pressure.
Treasurer to tighten belt in ‘few surprises’ budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hosed down speculation of a major upgrade to forecast revenue and warned of "few surprises" on budget night.
Sunshine State dark as mining boom costs GST billions
One state has gone backwards in the latest recommended GST revenue carve-up with billions of dollars flowing to another as its population booms.
Consumer confidence surges on back of interest rate cut
Australia's economic outlook is looking rosier as inflation continues to fall and following the first decline in interest rates in more than four years.
Leading economists call out coalition’s inflation claim
As the economy looks set to be front and centre in the election campaign, one of the coalition's leading inflation claims has been called "a joke" by experts.
Trump metal tariffs kick in as global trade war looms
President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to 25 per cent, prompting criticism from allies retaliation from the EU.