‘Respect never cost anything’: PM defends China outcome
Visiting Chinese cultural icons will pay dividends for Australia, the prime minister says as the opposition claims parts of his trip seem indulgent.
economy, business and finance
Jobless rate nears four-year high, firms rethink plans
Australia's unemployment rate has bucked expectations and risen as economic headwinds take their toll on employers.
‘No doubt’ about China concern despite PM’s rhetoric
The prime minister's tone on during his China trip has been defended as diplomatic and respectful as the opposition called for him to be more forceful.
PM confident of Australian jobs boost after China visit
The prime minister has wrapped up an almost week-long visit to China but the opposition is still calling for ties with allies like the US to be prioritised.
Nation on notice as signs point to growing jobless rate
Australians are being warned about possible further rises in unemployment after a shock jobless rate jump that has strengthened the case to cut interest rates.
Peek into surprise RBA decision as rate cut on cards
Borrowers are hoping for clarity on the Reserve Bank's next moves as an unexpected jump in unemployment firms the case for an interest rate cut.
US ‘not going to rush’ trade deals ahead of deadline
With the threat of US tariffs looming, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says his government is more focused on the quality of trade deals, not their timing.
Trump touts deal with Indonesia, flags pharma tariffs
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to a tariff deal on goods entering the US from Indonesia.
PM retraces predecessor’s steps on China’s Great Wall
Anthony Albanese has used a visit to the Great Wall of China to emphasise Australia's wish to engage on ways to build regional security and stability.
Rising cost to build a wake-up call on housing dream
Australians looking to build their own homes are facing a reality check as construction costs rise, with the increase likely to also weigh on inflation.
Change to be forced on ‘violent, misogynist’ CFMEU
An administrator has vowed to sack more CFMEU members to initiate a culture change after a report exposed the union's aggressive intimidation tactics.
Indigenous product makers taking home the chocolates
Demand for Indigenous products across the Asia-Pacific region is strong, as the founder of this chocolate manufacturing business well knows.
Trump slaps big tariff on Canada, eyes hikes for others
In the latest salvo of US President Donald Trump's trade war, he wants to hit Canada with 35 per cent tariffs and other nations with levies up to 20 per cent.
Fire ants in coal mine sound agriculture alarm
Biosecurity authorities are on alert after destructive fire ants were found at a coal mine 800 kilometres from the previous infestation zone.
EU waits as Trump keeps world guessing on tariff plans
European Union officials believe they may receive a letter from US President Donald Trump outlining tariff levels for the bloc.
Fears heritage-listed rock art at risk from gas project
A vast collection of rock art has been recognised as a World Heritage site but advocates warn the engravings are under threat from industrial expansion.
PM to walk diplomatic tightrope in crucial China visit
Business opportunities will rub up against security and ideological tensions as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads an Australian delegation to China.
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of new tariffs
In an escalation of the global trade wars, US President Donald Trump has slapped the EU and Mexico with 30 per cent tariffs.
Clouds of war shroud PM’s sunny China tourism pitch
The prime minister has called on an ex-Socceroo and a Chinese film star to promote Sino-Australian ties while facing an untimely reminder of regional tension.
All signs point to jobs market holding firm in new data
Forward indicators suggest Australia's unusually low unemployment rate will stay steady in fresh data set to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Political tensions muddy PM’s Chinese green steel push
Efforts to end Chinese ownership of an Australian port highlight challenges to the prime minister's ambition to grow business ties between the two nations.
SKorea trade envoy hoping for deal with US by deadline
South Korea is racing to reach a compromise trade pact in the hope of avoiding a 25 per cent tariff slapped on exports by US President Donald Trump.
China hails PM’s ‘personal efforts’ to restore ties
China's premier has applauded Anthony Albanese's efforts to restore Chinese-Australian relations after they had reached "a low point" in recent years.
Consumer win in card surcharge cut as business bristles
Scrapping surcharges could save Australians about $1.2 billion, but small businesses think they will have to foot the bill.
Affordability ‘tipping point’ nudges renters into units
A slowdown in rental growth even with still-low vacancy rates suggests renters have maxed out on what they can afford.
Trump sends more tariff letters after spat with Brazil
US President Donald Trump has issued a round of tariff letters to eight countries: the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka and Brazil.
Trump threatens Aussie medicines with bitter tax pill
One of Australia's biggest US exports has been threatened with hefty tariffs, but many doubt whether Donald Trump will actually impose the measure.
Trump vows steep copper tariffs, broadens trade war
US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on copper and warned off a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals in his latest trade announcements.
Direct route for scammers as Qantas hack scale revealed
Almost six million Qantas customers could experience phishing scams for months to come as they learn what personal data has been exposed in a cyber attack.
Qantas’s two-day hack delay fuels customer scam fears
Australia's biggest airline could face a repeat of the hack that exposed millions of customer details, one expert says.
PM puts lid on GST hikes, pledges boost for business
Clearing red tape for businesses will be a key part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's productivity push, but raising the GST is unlikely to be on his agenda.