Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease
Slowing economic activity and softer price growth could convince the Reserve Bank to keep rates on hold, with inflation pressures weaker than initially feared.
economy, business and finance
Just a mimic of One Nation: coalition cops Labor serve
One Nation's rise in the polls is no shock to experts who say it's been brewing for years, as the coalition fails to rule out a preference deal with the party.
Fuel stocks look secure into August as price hike eases
The nation's fuel reserves are flush as petrol prices at the bowser continue to drop, but motorists could be in for a shock when the excise discount ends.
Trans-Tasman ties never better despite tax jibe: PM
The diplomatic relationship between Australia and New Zealand has never been stronger, both leaders insist, despite commentary over recent budget announcements.
Poll surge for populists trigger for PM’s tax backflip
Australians believing the economy wasn't working for them forced the federal government to change its stance and implement controversial tax reforms.
Penfolds maker focuses on top drops as tastes shift
Treasury Wine Estates believes its future lies in focusing on its top 10 "power" brands, including its flagship Penfolds reds, to improve shareholder returns.
‘Fig leaf’ tariffs blasted as US fires fresh tax salvo
A new round of US tariffs has generated a rare moment of political unity in Australia, with the government and opposition pushing back on the proposed changes.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
politics
state budget and tax
Budget relief for families but debt burden soars
South Australians will share in a $500 million package to ease the cost of living as the government insists a $53 billion debt won't spiral out of control.
Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation
Australia is not experiencing stagflation but higher interest rates will help cool the economy and inflation, the nation's top bank official says.
New data lights up enormity of tobacco black market
New wastewater analysis of nicotine consumption in Australia shows black market tobacco makes up a much larger share of sales than previously thought.
Big lottery operator plans to step up the fun factor
The company that runs Powerball believes its digital operations have done a poor job of capturing the fun and joy of playing the lottery.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Shifting gears: electric cars surge during fuel crisis
Australian motorists bought a record number of electric and hybrid vehicles for the third month in a row, while petrol and diesel vehicle sales slowed.
Tardy approvals leaving clean energy dollars in limbo
Australia's most populous state and biggest energy user still ranks among the slowest approval times for renewables, suggesting further reform is needed.
consumer confidence
consumers
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
investments
personal income
Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy
A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.
building material
construction and property
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
heavy construction
house building
housing and urban planning
Interest rate impact hits housing approval levels
The number of new homes being approved fell once again during April, and the Reserve Bank is being blamed for the downturn.
Minimum wage tops $1000 a week, stoking inflation fears
Millions of workers on industry awards will get an annual pay rise and minimum wage earners even more, but economists warn the raises could fuel inflation.
‘Likely he’s lying’: treasurer points finger at rival
Future generations will be left with a "multibillion-dollar debt bomb" if the coalition repeals proposed tax changes, the treasurer warns.
construction and property
economic policy
economy, business and finance
house building
housing and urban planning
politics
real estate
Labor shrugs off claim tax shift will sink house prices
The government is selling controversial investment tax changes as an attempt to rebalance the playing field between young and old Australians.
GDP data tops the economic agenda, RBA officials speak
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock will get a chance to react to Wednesday's economic growth figures when she fronts a parliamentary hearing in Canberra.
Diesel boost on the water for bottlenecked regions
The federal government has secured additional diesel to help ease Queensland's regional supply bottlenecks.
business (general)
consumer confidence
consumer goods
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
retail
trade policy
unrest, conflicts and war
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
AI risks deepening divide between investors and workers
The rise of AI could result in a higher share of Australia's economic pie going to people who own assets rather than those who work for a living.
arrest
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
judiciary (system of justice)
parliament
police
politics
AFP defends Roberts-Smith arrest as media leak probed
The AFP has denied leaking details of alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith's arrest to the media as it backed its prosecution of the former SAS soldier.
NZ shuns ‘sugar hits’ in budget, cuts growth forecast
New Zealand has unveiled a bare-bones budget with a projected surplus sooner than expected, but few incentives for voters in an election year.
Treasury chief defends Labor’s beleaguered budget
Controversial budget changes would have cut the lifetime tax benefits for the top one per cent of earners by $400,000 if implemented in 2000, Treasury says.
Treasurer hoses down calls to carve up his tax revamp
Business groups are urging the federal government to have a major rethink over its capital gains tax measures but Jim Chalmers is remaining steadfast.
The $180m bill to calculate the Inland Rail blow-out
The man who first pitched Inland Rail wants a quick private sector takeover, as it is revealed consultants were paid $180m to estimate the budget blow-out.
Banks on notice as Westpac fined for failing clients
Banking giant Westpac has been slugged with a $26 million penalty for failing to support customers in need, a decision an expert says sends a clear message.
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental issue
politics
renewable energy
report
science and technology
technology (general)
Data centre power concerns spark moratorium call
A report by Greenpeace has challenged claims Australia's AI-fuelled data centre boom can support rather than undermine the clean energy transition.
Global capital eyes $50b water market, raising stakes
International investors are wading into Australia's water market, and while scarcity ensures decent returns, droughts could leave some producers high and dry.
breaking_news
business (general)
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
finance (general)
inflation and deflation
interest rate
personal finance
politics
prices
statistic
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.