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.
economy, business and finance
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.
Major super fund sued over tardy death benefit payouts
AustralianSuper is the latest major super fund to face legal action for allegedly failing to pay out benefits to families of dead members in a timely manner.
Trump metals tariffs draw swift Canada, EU retaliation
Canada and Europe have been quick to retaliate after President Donald Trump's metals tariffs came into effect.
US budget deficit hits record $US1.147 trillion
The Treasury Department reports the US deficit in February rose $US11 billion from the same month in 2024.
Post-pandemic property price roller-coaster to flatten
There are signs the housing market in normalising five years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent home values soaring across Australia.
Super housing scheme could shave years off home wait
Australians raiding their super balances for housing could boost home ownership but may result in a jump in prices, economists say.
Trump threatens to slap Europe with monster grog taxes
Stocks have dropped again after Donald Trump threatened a 200 per cent wine tariff on the EU if it doesn't relent on plans to lift taxes on US whiskey.
Mark Carney wins race to replace Trudeau as Canada’s PM
Former central banker Mark Carney has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump after winning the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister.
‘Insurance catastrophe’ declared, 3000 claims so far
Thousands of insurance claims have been made during ex-tropical cyclone Alfred's assault but its still early to estimate the total damage bill.
Home approvals rise as Australia’s economy turns corner
Promising housing data and a return to growth in real household incomes augur well for the Australian economy in 2025.
Rich getting richer: wealth divide hits record high
Australia's wealth divide reached its worst level in more than two decades, after excluding a temporary narrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump delays more tariffs amid US economic uncertainty
Donald Trump has postponed tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a trade war.
Labor set for budget boost thanks to higher tax take
Australia's bottom line will be $11 billion better off, if the government releases a budget before the election, a leading economist predicts.
Trump gives automakers short exemption from new tariffs
President Donald Trump is granting a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for US automakers.
Trump triggers trade war with Canada, China and Mexico
President Donald Trump has launched a trade war against the US's three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China.
Green shoots for economy as Australia snaps dire record
Australia has accelerated out of an economic slump after expanding by 1.3 per cent in 2024, leading to a rise in per capita growth - a proxy for prosperity.
Revelations in minutes of interest rate drought breaker
Minutes from the Reserve Bank meeting that finally lower interest rates shows board members responding to signals from recent trends in two key areas.
Indigenous-led centre launched, continuing Mabo legacy
Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities leverage their native title rights for economic growth will be the focus of a new centre.