Thrifty December cures sales-fuelled debt hangover
Many shoppers racked up credit card bills during the November sales but the damage could have been worse given acute financial pressures.
economy, business and finance
Sydney ‘airport city’ decades away with planning delays
The long-awaited master plan Sydney's newest city has been released, but industry groups and others are frustrated by the slow pace of progress.
Almost two in three voters back tax changes, poll shows
Almost two in three voters back changes to tax cuts, but the ongoing debate hasn't made much difference to the popularity contest between the two major parties.
It’s rubbish: TikTok MP trashes ‘lazy’ youth cliche
One of Australia's most-followed MPs on TikTok says older generations are too lazy and careless to show up on the platforms youth use.
agriculture
economy, business and finance
livestock farming
transport
waterway and maritime transport
Live export ship blocked from sailing to Israel
The federal government has rejected an application to send a stranded live export ship with thousands of sheep and cattle on board back to the Middle East.
‘Nothing’s in, nothing’s out’: RBA keeps options open
The Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold this month but needs to be convinced it's done enough on inflation before considering cuts to the key cash rate.
agriculture
demonstration
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
politics
Shock at call for moratorium on ‘reckless renewables’
Anti-renewables activists want to protect agricultural land but the energy industry says solar and wind is future-proofing farmers and giving regions new jobs.
Tax talk front and centre as opposition mulls support
The first week of parliament is set to be dominated by tax talk as Labor prepares to introduce its new package and the opposition work to form a stance.
Home prices climb and rate cuts could fuel more growth
The Australian market is stuck between the competing forces of poor affordability and a supply demand mismatch.
Tax changes spark calls for complete system redesign
Half of the nation's high-income earners back Labor's proposed tax changes as analysis shows most of the benefits will still flow to the rich.
Bill shock to ease as cost of power falls, solar shines
Consumers are set to benefit as the national electricity grid uses less coal and gas-fired electricity and the share of renewable energy hits a record.
Rooftop solar pays its own way as more homes switch on
The Australian solar industry contracted for the first time in 10 years in 2023 as fewer large-scale arrays went online, but rooftop systems continued to shine.
Shoppers in retreat after Black Friday boost
Australian retail sales plummeted in the final weeks of 2023 with shoppers doing their Christmas shopping a month early when goods go on sale.
Competition and rivalry found to force lower airfares
A little competition goes a long way in bringing down airfares, based on fresh research from a federal task force.
Godfreys enters administration, with 54 stores to close
Voluntary administrators expect 171 Godfreys staff in Australia will be made redundant as the company's store count is reduced by more than a third.
HK court orders troubled China Evergrande to liquidate
A Hong Kong court has ordered the world's most indebted property developer, China Evergrande Group, to liquidate after it failed to reach a debt deal.
Treasurer ‘not considering’ changes to negative gearing
The treasurer has poured cold water on suggestions Labor will go further with tax reform and target negative gearing after rejigging stage three tax cuts.
South Australia nabs top spot in state economic ranking
Australian states are all facing economic headwinds but some are more resilient than others, with South Australia performing better than the rest.
Albanese ‘hopeful’ for Senate support in tax cut change
The prime minister is standing by his changes to stage three tax cuts, remaining confident parliament will support the amended plans.
Independent MPs ‘conflicted’ by tax cut changes
Changes to tax cuts would help lower income Australians, but some independent MPs are concerned about the impact on their affluent constituents.
PM open to crossbench talks on tax cut changes
As the Greens urge further changes to stage three tax cuts, the prime minister says he is open to negotiations to ensure their passage through parliament.
PM stands by tax cut changes for ‘every Australian’
The prime minister has brushed off criticism of proposed changes to promised tax cuts, saying he has a responsibility to help Australians in financial stress.
PM to take stage three tax change pitch to regions
Anthony Albanese has challenged the crossbench to back in changes to stage three tax cuts, ahead of a regional sales pitch of the proposed reforms.
Albanese tax plan will give average earner $1500 tax cut – more than double Morrison’s Stage 3
A person on the average annual wage of $73,000 will get a tax cut of more than $1500 a year under Labor’s revamped tax policy – more than double the cut they’d have received under the Coalition’s legislated stage 3 plan.
PM justifies rejigged tax cuts as cost-of-living relief
The prime minister has backed his government's reworked income tax package as the best way forward for struggling workers.
Sea changers flock to more affordable coastal towns
Home buyers moving to the seaside are looking to buy for well under $1 million, with affordable coastal markets in Western Australia booming.
Woolworths CEO defends Australia Day merchandise choice
Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci has backed the supermarket's choice not to stock Australia Day merchandise as staff report more and more abuse.
Plastic makes up the majority of Aussie marine litter
Plastic made up 79 per cent of the rubbish collected from Australia's urban rivers, bays and beaches over the past three years, conservationists say.
House prices smash records, wiping out downturn losses
Australia's housing sector has recouped all losses from the 2022 downturn to end 2023 smashing median price records across all capital cities.
Labor on vote-buying spree promising tax cuts for all
Anthony Albanese is promising middle Australia will be the focus of cost-of-living support, as speculation mounts about changes to stage three tax cuts.
Insolvency on the rise, as opposition attacks govt fund
The coalition have criticised the government for the number of manufacturing businesses going under as insolvency levels rise above pre-COVID levels.