‘Out of touch’: businesses blast ex-PM’s budget backing
Labor luminary Paul Keating has been panned as "out of touch" with the modern realities of owning a business after backing controversial tax changes.
economy, business and finance
Beef lovers steer it home for billionaire-backed firm
Australian Agriculture Co has delivered its highest annual operating profit after strong consumer demand for Aussie beef pushed up prices, despite flood losses.
Bank plunge could spell end of an era for ASX investors
Big retail banks have driven returns on the ASX for years, but global asset manager VanEck believes they are overpriced and mid-caps offer better opportunities.
The adopted family members being dumped in hard times
Looking after a family is difficult in a financial crisis but animal welfare groups are concerned about the growing number of pets being banished altogether.
Extension on fuel excise relief kept in play by PM
Fuel excise relief appreciated by Australian motorists may not end in July, as the government promotes other tax cuts due to begin at the same time.
Fuel excise extension weighed as states look to supply
The prime minister has left the door open to more tax relief at the bowser as state governments attempt to shore up their own fuel supplies.
Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals
The government has conceded its budget is unlikely to win immediate support from voters as Labor and Liberals taking aim at each others' policies.
Chinese interference claims spark forced miner sell-off
Six companies have been forced to sell their holdings in an Australian rare earths miner which has been the subject of boardroom tussles.
Rex board accused of knowing big loss about to take off
The corporate watchdog has taken a regional airline's former directors to court over allegations they misled investors about financial performance.
Proposed new airline could face squeeze from giants
Existing airlines won't roll over to make room for a proposed new competitor in their most profitable "Golden Triangle" routes, experts say.
‘No whammy’: businesses hit back at budget tax overhaul
Tax experts are urging the states to shield businesses from higher costs as they restructure their assets after Labor's controversial federal budget.
Rates revelation: why RBA dissenter voted against hike
The lone Reserve Bank board member who voted against lifting the cash rate in May was less concerned about inflation expectations than the bank's economists.
No bears: software firm shrugs off AI ‘apocalypse’ fear
Software group Technology One has shrugged off worries about its exposure to an industry apocalypse, with its boss arguing it can emerge stronger than ever.
Houses, town water supply sold in mining mega‑deal
A $5.8 billion mega-coal mining deal has all but put a town up for sale, handing the new owner the mines, hundreds of homes and crucial community services.
Athletes in Airbnbs: Aussie homes line up for Olympics
Households will be prepared to sleep international athletes, officials and tourists as a hotels crunch leaves Brisbane short of beds for the 2032 Olympics.
Taylor faces ‘strategic error’ in seizing on migration
Angus Taylor is set to face one of his biggest challenges as opposition leader when he hands down his budget reply amid a growing challenge from One Nation.
Trump leaves Beijing with few wins, but praise for Xi
President Donald Trump has hailed his "incredible visit" to Beijing despite clinching major deals, while his hosts made their feelings known on Iran and Taiwan.
Coalition’s bracket creep plan to cost tens of billions
The coalition's economic plan for Australia would hand back more money to workers by indexing tax rates to inflation at a cost of tens of billions of dollars.
Shoppers could pay more after Coles misconduct ruling
Supermarket prices could stay higher for longer following a ruling that Coles misled its customers with non-genuine discounts, according to one retail expert.
Bleak outlook for national economy if Iran war drags on
Higher budget spending won't help the Reserve Bank, economists warn, as a prolonged war in the Middle East is forecast to push inflation above seven per cent.
Tax relief for workers and pain for investors in budget
Australians who earn a wage will get $250 in tax relief as part of Labor's budget, but investors and wealthy families could be left worse off.
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
An extra $114 billion in federal government spending will be directed off-budget as the treasurer claims a "historically responsible" fiscal update.
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
A new $250 a year tax offset gives the government an option to return bracket creep directly to working Australians, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Australians move to regions seeking affordable housing
Australians are leaving the cities for inland areas as growing house prices shift migration patterns, bringing positive and negative flow-on effects.
Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for talks with counterpart Xi Jinping that are set to cover the Middle East, trade and Taiwan.
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
Budget announcements for green industry and nature protection fall short as climate costs mount and opportunities to extract more fossil fuel income go missed.
Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a raft of economic policies aimed at winning back voter support and countering the rise of One Nation.
Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit
US President Donald Trump is expected to ask for China's help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict with Iran, which he launched in late February.
Senate confirms Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve
The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Mishandling Taiwan could spark conflict, Xi tells Trump
China's Xi Jinping has praised the progress of US trade talks but cautioned President Donald Trump that differences over Taiwan could result in confrontation.
Global glut hits grain handler as farmers hold back
A leading Australian agribusiness has made a relatively small net profit in the first-half of its financial year, down 92 per cent from a year ago.