Grins as environment laws pass in ‘win for the country’
An overhaul of environmental laws has cleared parliament, with the prime minister toasting the reforms despite the coalition branding them "economy wrecking".
economy, business and finance
Liberals go back to basics after crawling to year’s end
The Liberals are attempting to win back the title of "responsible economic managers" and turn over a new leaf after a tumultuous parliamentary year.
Diplomatic efforts to end Ukraine war gain momentum
US officials are meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts for more talks on the Trump administration's peace plan as Russian airstrikes continue unabated.
Anger over deadly HK blaze as Beijing issues warning
Anger is growing over the fire that tore through seven high-rise blocks in Hong Kong, amid calls for accountability as China warns against disrupting the city.
Slight rise tipped for September GDP figures
Economic growth and household spending data will be released to form the final picture for the Reserve Bank before its last meeting for 2025.
Homebuyers at square one as price hikes eat rate cuts
A slowdown in the bellwether housing markets of Sydney and Melbourne suggests that sentiment is starting to sour as hopes of more interest rate cuts dissipate.
IGA supplier losing tobacco sales to black market
IGA supplier Metcash has delivered a $142.2 million first-half net profit, up 0.3 per cent from a year ago, and reported tobacco sales dropped by 35 per cent.
Skates on to ensure secure exit of major coal plant
The risk of power blackouts remain if necessary security infrastructure can't be sped up to come online in time for a major coal generator to shutter.
Customer dies after triple-zero fails on mobile phone
The embattled telco industry remains in the spotlight after a customer died when their phone could not make triple-zero calls.
Pope pleads for climate action to save God’s creation
Pope Leo XIV is urging countries at United Nations climate talks to take "concrete actions" to stop climate change that is threatening the planet
Private sector wages slowdown could ease RBA fears
Pay packets are still growing but economists warn rising inflation could soon bring that to an end.
Saudi prince didn’t know about Khashoggi killing: Trump
The brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has cast a shadow over Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visit to the White House.
Host Brazil pushes for progress on big issues at COP30
COP30 UN climate talks host Brazil is spearheading a push for a detailed road map for the world to phase out or transition away from fossil fuels.
House prices surge as city-dwellers flee to the regions
Aspiring home buyers are fleeing to the regions as falling interest rates and limited supply drives city house prices to fresh record highs.
Slash spending and reform taxes, IMF urges Australia
Australia should reintroduce a mining tax and limit spending growth in the NDIS and aged care, according to a leading global financial institution.
Fire disrupts COP30, 13 treated for smoke inhalation
Thirteen people have been treated for smoke inhalation following a fire at the COP30 venue in Brazil, organisers say.
US posts solid jobs data in September, unemployment up
US employers added a surprisingly solid 119,000 jobs in September, the Labor Department says.
WiseTech cops first strike on pay as probe continues
An impassioned speech from an Australian technology mogul wasn't enough to woo shareholders into approving a corporate pay deal after a year of controversy.
G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
World leaders from the Group of 20 nations have broken with tradition and adopted a declaration at the start of the summit despite opposition from the US.
COP30 climate summit deadlock as EU rejects draft deal
COP30 negotiations are deadlocked over whether the accord should set the world on a clearer path away from fossil fuels, with the EU calling the draft too weak.
COP30 reaches compromise deal, sidesteps fossil fuels
COP30 climate talks have ended without a binding plan to phase out fossil fuels, with delegates instead backing a boost in financing for developing countries.
‘New hope’ for climate after COP summit wraps up
Environment groups are welcoming a fresh commitment to phase out fossil fuels despite what they say was an underwhelming finish to the 2025 UN climate summit.
Early Christmas for RBA with landmark inflation print
Inflation data will dominate the domestic economic dashboard, while the UK budget and New Zealand rate cuts are on the agenda abroad.
G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
Leaders at the G20 summit have signed a statement strengthening their commitment to the Paris climate agreement and declaring their support for free trade.
Red tape setting back businesses billions and counting
Companies employ 52,000 dedicated workers, more than Australia's entire coal mining sector, just to comply with regulation strangling business investment.
Trump, Xi talk on phone about trade, Taiwan and Ukraine
Trade, Taiwan and Ukraine have been discussed by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, officials say.
‘Extremely strong’: Trump praises China ties after call
Leaders of the US and China have spoken on the phone, with President Donald Trump touting relations between the nations as "extremely strong".
Christmas bookings bring good tidings for pub giant
Australians look set to open their wallets over the festive period with hospitality giant Endeavour Group projecting strong Christmas pub bookings.
RBA reveals what would rule out more interest rate cuts
Barring a material rise in unemployment or weaker-than-expected economic growth, mortgage holders can just about give up hope for any more interest rate relief.
Big bank boss takes swipe at surcharge ban consequences
As the Reserve Bank considers a ban on credit card surcharges, the head of the nation's biggest bank has warned of "wrong assumptions" about the payments.
‘Do you care?’: Coles stares down anti-salmon activists
Coles shareholders have voted down activist-backed resolutions taking aim at its sourcing of salmon after executives were peppered with questions on the issue.