New Year’s Eve party over, now what’s in store for 2024
New Year's festivities over, another year of uncertainty has dawned with hangovers from 2023 but some predictions for 2024 suggest better times ahead.
economy, business and finance
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
Home values up in 2023 but affordability rears its head
A surprisingly strong year for the Australian housing market has ended on a weaker note, with performance varied across different regions and cities.
Iranian warship Alborz enters Red Sea: report
The Iranian warship Alborz has entered the Red Sea at a time of raised tensions on the shipping route, Iranian media reports say.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
House prices to fall by 3-5pct after flat end to 2023
The Australian housing market ended 2023 on a flat note, despite respectable gains across the year, and are likely to fall going into 2024, experts say.
New transport minister reveals costs of major projects
The cost of 32 major road and rail projects across Queensland has almost doubled, with new Transport Minister Bart Mellish promising transparency on the issue.
Population growth to ease as migration levels normalise
Australia's population growth has been boosted by higher migration post-pandemic, but these levels will stabilise in coming years.
New fuel standards to reduce driver health risk: PM
New fuel quality standards will be introduced to limit the amount of noxious emissions from vehicles, bringing Australia into line with other western countries.
Cost of living relief under consideration for new year
Australians on low and middle incomes could be in for further relief as the Albanese government considers how it can help households under strain.
Steeper cost of small reactors a blow to nuclear push
A push to add nuclear to Australia's energy mix may be silenced by a steep upward revision of the cost of small reactors by the national science agency.
Houthis threaten US warships if they target rebels
Yemen's Houthi leader says his militia does not fear the United States and has warned outsiders not to target the rebels over attacks in the Red Sea.
Firmer footing for Australian economy later in 2024
A surprisingly positive reading for a key leading index points to green shoots for the economy, though one-off factors may be responsible for the upbeat result.
Growth, ore prices to swell WA budget surplus to $3.7b
A $3.7 billion operating surplus for 2023/24 has been projected by the WA government, up from May's $3.3 billion amid the highest economic growth in nine years.
US leads Red Sea operation amid attacks trade fears
The United States says "Operation Prosperity Guardian" will defend against attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Turkish airline lands flight deal in wake of Qatar snub
Turkish Airlines has been granted an expansion of services into Australia in a federal government decision following its rejection of a similar Qatari bid.
RBA wary of unemployment jump ahead of rates call
The central bank board mulled over another cash rate increase or staying on hold at the December meeting, and kept its options open for more tightening.
Gold Coast Takeoff: Bonza Revs Up Expansion with Two New Aircraft
Bonza's skies are turning purple again, as two new aircraft take off from the Gold Coast, ready to paint 14 Aussie destinations with affordable travel.
US announces mission to counter ship attacks in Red Sea
The US and a host of other nations are creating a force to protect ships in the Red Sea that have come under attack from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
More tax in government coffers hailed by treasurer
The mid-year fiscal update contained no extra cost of living relief, although the federal treasurer has not ruled out more help in his next budget.
‘Walloped’: NSW treasurer blames feds for budget strain
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has delivered a budget update his opponents have branded the "nightmare before Christmas".
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
politics
‘Real, growing risk’ of power generation falling short
Energy market tsars are out of step with the "rooftop revolution" and other household energy that could be harnessed in a clean, low-cost system, critics say.
Savers miss out as banks exploit ‘consumer inertia’
The consumer watchdog says many bank customers are paying the loyalty tax on their savings accounts and could be earning more interest.
Gas shortfall forecast without significant demand drop
Extra costs for transporting Queensland gas south to other states are expected to hit the east coast gas market next year, adding to supply pressures.
British wind can unlock Australia’s ‘superpower’ future
Superior climate and energy policies have become a vote winner as well as an economic and security imperative, British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell says.
Aussie ingenuity powers space satellites, future fuels
A small but expert manufacturer in an industrial suburb has developed high-tech fuel tanks for use in space in a breakthrough for future fuels transport.
Rationale behind RBA’s December rates call on show
The minutes from the December interest rate meeting will outline the Reserve Bank's thinking on inflation as households gear up for the festive season.
Houthi Red Sea attacks force rerouting of vessels
Attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemeni Houthi rebels have prompted the United States and its allies to discuss a task force to protect routes in the area.
Promising jobs data fuels hopes of soft landing
Despite a higher-than-expected 61,000 jobs being added to the economy in November, the jobless rate lifted to 3.9 per cent.
RBA boss hopeful for better year following hard 2023
Higher interest rates and cost of living pressures are hurting households and businesses, with the central bank governor acknowledging it's been a hard year.
Stubbornly high inflation will eat into real wage gains
The federal budget is looking healthy thanks to a surprise revenue boost but inflation is proving persistent and is continuing to hurt household finances.
Cost of living relief lightens Queensland budget update
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has spruiked further cost-of-living measures on the back off a balanced budget sheet in his mid-year budget update.
Savings found to cover billions in new federal spending
The federal government's mid-year review will show it has found budget savings to pay for new spending, such as the response to the robodebt royal commission.