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.

breaking_news economy, business and finance health illness tourism and leisure virus diseases

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship to head to Spain

Spain is allowing a cruise ship hit by hantavirus and three deaths to dock in the Canary Islands, as authorities investigate if transmission occurred on board.

banking central bank diesel fuel economy, business and finance government interest rate mortgages petrol politics state budget and tax

Oil crisis not over: warnings of diesel over $4 a litre

With the Strait of Hormuz still shut and stockpiles running down, economists warn fuel prices could spike above levels previously seen during this oil crisis.

banking economy, business and finance

Big bank warns of recession risk as uncertainty lingers

The head of Australia's second-largest bank is more worried about businesses delaying investment decisions than the impact of higher interest rates.

economy, business and finance environmental issue global warming natural gas

Stalled methane fight risks climate, energy security

Concerted efforts to curb methane from fossil fuel production in Australia and around the world could benefit both the climate and energy security.

breaking_news economy, business and finance politics state budget and tax

‘Downside risks’: warning as state debt edges to $200b

A $200 billion state budget debt bomb remains live and ticking as a long-time Labor government favours cost-of-living measures for struggling families.

central bank diesel fuel economy, business and finance interest rate mortgages petrol prices real estate

Third RBA rate hike might not be the end for borrowers

Mortgage holders are back to square one after a third straight Reserve Bank rate hike, adding hundreds of dollars more to interest repayments since February.

economy, business and finance retirement wage and pension

Aussies losing almost $5b in unpaid super every year

One in four Australian workers have been deprived of superannuation payments by employers, which could have a huge impact on their retirement nest egg.