diesel fuel economy, business and finance petrol unrest, conflicts and war

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.

animal economy, business and finance human interest lifestyle (house and home) personal finance poverty

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.

banking economy, business and finance market and exchange personal investing

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.

business (general) consumers crime, law and justice economy, business and finance food - consumer goods retail

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.

budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance politics

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.

diplomacy economy, business and finance politics tariff trade agreements war

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.

budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance migration politics

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.

consumers economy, business and finance inflation and deflation unions wage and pension

Unions ramp up minimum wage rise demands as costs soar

Low-paid workers should not go backwards because of Donald Trump's war, the peak union body says, as it calls for minimum wages to be raised to $26.45 an hour.

agriculture economy, business and finance farms finance (general)

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.

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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.

central bank economy, business and finance

Senate confirms Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve

The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

civil unrest diplomacy economy, business and finance international (foreign) trade military equipment peace negotiations politics

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.

breaking_news budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance politics

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.

budgets and budgeting diesel fuel economy, business and finance environmental issue environmental politics politics

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.

breaking_news diplomacy economy, business and finance military equipment peace negotiations politics tariff trade dispute war

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.

economy, business and finance housing and urban planning mortgages

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.

budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance housing and urban planning investments politics

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.

budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance inflation and deflation interest rate politics

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.

breaking_news budgets and budgeting economy, business and finance housing and urban planning politics state budget and tax

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.

breaking_news budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance politics

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.

breaking_news budgets and budgeting disabled economic policy economy, business and finance inflation and deflation interest rate politics

Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young

Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.

economy, business and finance politics railway transport

Rail project axing pulls ‘economic rug’ from regions

The Nationals have urged the federal government not to scrap billions of dollars of funding for the inland rail project ahead of the federal budget.

economy, business and finance energy environmental issue natural gas politics

Gas project model pours cold water on emissions goal

Modelling examining a $30 billion-plus offshore gas proposal has drawn conclusions on the likelihood of a major state reaching a 2050 emissions target.

economy, business and finance homelessness housing and urban planning local authority politics

‘Troubling’ crackdowns no fix to homelessness crisis

Strained by chronic housing supply challenges, a leading researcher has warned councils against forcibly removing their homeless populations.

budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance housing and urban planning politics

‘Need to do more’: Labor to lift lid on housing reform

Australians are under financial pressure and the government cannot "just sit back", the prime minister says, as his treasurer prepares to hand down the budget.

economy, business and finance political campaigns railway transport

Grandfather of Inland Rail won’t let project die

The so‑called grandfather of Inland Rail says the half‑built 'train to nowhere' can still be saved, pitching a private plan to finish the route.

data protection economy, business and finance technology (general)

Data breach fears grow as suspected ransom note appears

Names, email addresses and school locations are believed to have been compromised in a global data breach affecting Australian education providers.

economy, business and finance media radio industry

Kyle and Jackie O’s former home left counting the cost

"Brand safety concerns" by national advertisers cost the radio station company that ran the Kyle and Jackie O Show about $26.4 million in a year.

banking consumers economy (general) economy, business and finance government litigation and regulation regulatory policy and organisation

Lenders told to ‘support customers’ facing hard times

Lenders must watch out for customers because the corporate regulator won't take a backward step as households face hardship, the outgoing ASIC chair will warn.

breaking_news budgets and budgeting economic policy economy, business and finance mining politics state budget and tax

Fuel bonus as WA posts eighth straight budget surplus

More than $1 billion in cost-of-living relief will be shared in Western Australia as the state capitalises on an iron ore uplift to bank another budget surplus.

breaking_news economy, business and finance unrest, conflicts and war

Trump pauses effort to escort ships in Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump says the US initiative to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is being paused to see if an agreement with Iran can be finalised.