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.
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.
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.
Taxpayers to get $10 a week cut in pre-election budget
All taxpayers will get two rounds of cuts but only starting from July 2026, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers makes the case for a second Labor term.
Tariffs on cars, aluminium, pharmaceuticals soon: Trump
Tariffs on vehicles, aluminium and pharmaceuticals will be announced in the near future, US President Donald Trump says.
‘Optimism’ in budget as Australia seen turning a corner
The cost of living will be centre stage in the government's budget as many continue to do it tough, but a cabinet minister says there is reason to have hope.
Carney calls snap vote, says Trump has sights on Canada
Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election asking for a mandate to tackle US President Donald Trump who he says wants to "own" Canada.
Consultants in firing line amid public servant stoush
The coalition wants to slash public servant numbers but Labor says the alternative is costly consultants, as both sides lavish voters with cost-of-living help.
Budget week to bring inflation, cost-of-living news
The Albanese government will look to further ease cost-of-living pressures without adding to inflation when it delivers its fourth budget.
Public service jobs on line as poll battlelines form
The coalition has doubled down on plans to axe public service jobs if elected as the prime minister goes into bat for Australians working from home.
‘Hip pocket help’ on its way in pre-election sweetener
Australians will receive more energy bill relief in the federal budget but the Liberals argue it's only needed because Labor has allowed costs to blow out.
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown
The UK government has ordered an investigation into the country's energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
Plans to help more into ‘disaster’ housing market
Aspiring homeowners could secure a cheaper mortgage and lower deposit by letting the government take a stake, but Peter Dutton questions whether they want to.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Why shock drop in jobs won’t shift RBA rate cut bets
Fewer older Australians returned to work in February, driving a surprise fall in jobs and workforce participation but the labour market remains tight overall.
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
politics (general)
restraint of trade
tariff
trade agreements
trade dispute
Tariffs spell death knell for businesses on the brink
Australia's economy is tipped to grow faster in 2025 but US tariffs and trade wars could be enough to send marginal businesses to the wall.
‘The King is King of Australia’: Backlash over $5 note
Monarchists have slammed the central bank's decision not to include the King's portrait on the $5 note, saying the government is pushing to become a republic.
Tariffs and growth slump a concern for banking leaders
Australia's economic growth forecasts have been downgraded due to Donald Trump's trade war, keeping its most important financial leaders on their toes.
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.
disaster and accident
economy, business and finance
politics
politics (general)
state budget and tax
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.
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
politics
politics (general)
trade agreements
trade dispute
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.