‘Congratulations!’ AI tells user mulling assisted death
A senior Liberal MP has recalled the troubling encounter his terminally ill constituent had with an AI chatbot during an inquiry into the emergent technology.
economy, business and finance
Migration shift a ‘terrible signal’ for luring talent
Whether or not they work, adjustments to the migration system are damaging Australia's brand, advocates warn.
Geologist deep dive reveals rich copper, gold deposits
A landmark study into mineral prospects in Australia's southeast has revealed potential new sites of copper, gold and critical mineral deposits.
September hike firms as RBA inflation fears come true
Oil prices might rise as high as $US150 a barrel as the Iran war drags on, further entrenching expectations for more Reserve Bank rate rises.
Data centres power up debate on environmental red tape
Concerns about how to power data centres are at the fore as the clock ticks for hold-out jurisdictions to agree to take on environmental assessments.
Labor’s visa detention stance compared with Trump’s ICE
Rounding up people who have overstayed their visa into detention centres has been blasted as missing the mark and copying harsh immigration tactics in the US.
Soft landing botched: IMF backs more rate rises
The Reserve Bank should "stand ready" to raise interest rates again, as the Middle East war and poor productivity growth make it harder to get inflation down.
Aussie wagyu producer raises the ‘steaks’ a third time
An Aussie wagyu beef producer has won a global award for the third time in a row, in a show of confidence for the sector, which is the world's largest exporter.
Fed hikes rates, defying Trump’s demands
Just months after being selected by President Trump with an expectation that he would cut rates, US Federal Reserve chief Kevin Warsh has hiked them.
Backpackers and students lose out in migration overhaul
Family visas for foreign students will be curbed and overstayers detained if they don't leave Australia as part of Labor's plan to cut migration numbers.
Aussie plumbing products giant to be acquired for $3.9b
Plumbing and heating solutions company Reliance Worldwide has agreed to be bought out by private equity giant Brookfield, giving its investors a windfall.
‘Doing what we want’: Labor stands by housing tax moves
Tax changes will help boost housing supply in the long run, even though a downturn is impacting new home sales, the housing minister says.
Middle East war increasing demand for Australian coal
In the aftermath of the war in the Middle East, coal from Australia seems a safer bet than gas from other sources, a major producer of the fossil fuel says.
Surprise downfall for rich state atop economic rankings
Queensland has emerged at the top of CommBank's revamped State of the States report, despite the state's government copping a downgrade to its credit rating.
Travellers facing higher airfares going into Christmas
The competition watchdog's latest quarterly report on the domestic aviation industry has some bad news for travellers.
GST revolt continues with treasurer’s ‘privilege’ claim
A state treasurer has appeared before the Productivity Commission, outlining his concerns about the current GST system privileging one state over others.
‘Race to the bottom’: One Nation migration plan slammed
Business groups are piling on One Nation's plan to cut 750,000 migrants, arguing it would cripple Australia's ability to elevate its standard of living.
OpenAI won’t do 2026 IPO, extinction risk unacceptable
OpenAI boss Sam Altman has ruled out the company going public in 2026, saying the ten per cent chance of AI causing human extinction is "unacceptable".
Strait of Hormuz shipping attacks fuel oil supply fears
A key oil pipeline has been shut as reports of attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz fuel concerns about threats to global energy supplies.
Russia strikes truck near Ukraine border with Poland
Russia has hit a truck about 800 metres from the Polish border with Ukraine in its latest near-NATO strike.
Leaders meet as wars and rivalries strain expanded bloc
BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi this weekend as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and US -China tensions test the group's unity
Sea of red for miners, metals as Aussie market slumps
Mining stocks are getting hammered as surging oil prices and inflation worries weigh on commodity values and hopes for earnings and global economic growth.
Credit downgrade heaps pressure onto Queensland budget
On the same day as the Queensland treasurer lost his state's AA+ credit rating, his NSW neighbours received an upgrade to their outlook.
‘Profound’ increased death rate for welfare recipients
People on disability, unemployment or carers payments had an average mortality rate nine times higher than those outside the welfare system, a study has found.
China hopes to soon agree on tariff reductions with US
A Chinese government official says a deal with the United States to lower import taxes could soon be agreed.
Australian shares dive as market risks converge
The ASX faces a triple-front of market headwinds as the Iran war, surging bond yields and a strong Aussie dollar prompt investors to batten down the hatches.
Apple unveils passport-shaped foldable phone called Duo
Apple has unveiled its latest generation of iPhones including a version that folds over that it calls Duo.
Gas export project to stop dipping into domestic market
A major gas exporter says it will stop contracting third-party gas for overseas shipments, amid calls for an enforced domestic reservation.
Retail environment not that bad: industry veteran
Consumer sentiment is gloomy, the chair of IGA operator Metcash says, but shoppers are still spending because there hasn't been a jobs market shakeout.
One Nation rejects need to model proposed super changes
Barnaby Joyce has denied a plan to allow early access to super would worsen inflation, despite appearing to admit economists had not modelled the policy.
AI boom forecast as Australia’s biggest bonanza yet
The economic benefits of AI adoption are beginning to flow in Australia, with about 15 per cent of tasks and occupations set to be replaced by 2060.