Most Aussies ready to withstand another rate hike: NAB
The majority of business and retail customers have solid buffers and will be able to deal with an anticipated interest rate hike, a big four bank says.
economy, business and finance
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
investments
personal investing
politics (general)
Right tax moves matter more than mandates: treasurer
Expected changes to negative gearing or capital gains tax would not break an election promise because they would be for the right reasons, Jim Chalmers says.
Australia turns to Japan to help soften ‘global shocks’
Australia will be less vulnerable to global events such as the fuel crisis after signing a series of agreements with Japan, Anthony Albanese says.
budgets and budgeting
construction and property
economic policy
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
Budget to address ‘immediate needs’ of households: PM
The upcoming federal budget is widely tipped to pare back incentives for property investors as the prime minister promises to tackle intergenerational inequity.
central bank
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
politics
prices
Close call tipped as Reserve Bank mulls third rate hike
Traders and economists expect the central bank to raise interest rates for a third straight meeting but high uncertainty could result in another split decision.
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
politics (general)
social services
Fiscal restraint to define federal budget as costs rise
Health, defence and welfare commitments are among fiscal pressures weighing on the federal budget as Treasurer Jim Chalmers vows to put a lid on spending.
Rail service slashes weekday trains during union fight
Commuters in an Australian capital are set to be hit by reduced weekday train services due to industrial action on the state network.
computing and information technology
construction and property
data protection
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
heavy engineering
inquiry
internet
it/computer sciences
politics
research
science and technology
Clean up AI or go away: rules proposed for data centres
Artificial intelligence companies should promise they have not broken the law before building a data centre in Australia, an inquiry has been told.
Big bunnies and grog sales take a wartime shopping hit
Coles shoppers adjusted their spending patterns after the Middle East war began, spending less on liquor and even buying smaller Easter chocolate bunnies.
Australia will avoid recession, despite global jitters
One of the big four banks has delivered encouraging news about Australia's chances of avoiding a recession, which could still emerge in the global economy.
Musk testifies he didn’t read ‘fine print’ about OpenAI
Elon Musk has sparred with a lawyer for OpenAI during his third day of testimony in a trial over the firm's pivot away from its non-profit status.
Hopes of wartime windfall shot down for federal budget
The federal treasurer is being urged not to grandfather tax breaks for asset-holders in the budget as the economic impact of the Iran war worsens.
Woolies cites post-COVID instability in prices stoush
Australia's biggest supermarket chain has defended its discounts, as the consumer watchdog's joint court case against Woolies and Coles nears the finish line.
Australia’s co-working boom moves from city to suburbs
Flexible workspaces are no longer a peripheral solution and are becoming firmly embedded within Australia's evolving office ecosystem, a report has found.
Batteries undercutting gas, keeping lid on power bills
Batteries are now the primary tool for managing evening spikes in electricity demand, a job previously falling to gas and hydro at greater expense.
US Fed holds rates, three members dissent on ease bias
The US central bank is leaving its interest rate unchanged for the third straight meeting but signalling it could still cut rates in the coming months.
China agreed to co-operate on jet fuel exports: Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says countries need to work together "to keep fuel and goods flowing" during a visit to China.
Treasurer downplays property tax windfall from budget
Jim Chalmers is talking down the amount of extra revenue that changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount will add to the budget.
‘Deeply concerning’: childcare centre closures attacked
An embattled childcare group rocked by abuse allegations against one of its workers is closing down dozens of centres.
Not OK to ‘loot a charity,’ Musk says at OpenAI trial
Elon Musk has told a court his lawsuit, which could reshape the development of artificial intelligence, is about defending the institution of charitable giving.
Banks to reveal how Iran conflict has affected earnings
Investors will be watching the banks' provisions for bad debts when ANZ, NAB and Westpac report their half-year earnings in the coming days.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
consumer confidence
consumers
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
petrol
politics
productivity
Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire
A rate hike in May is forecast by analysts after the Iran oil shock pushed the annual headline inflation level to the highest point in almost three years.
United Arab Emirates quits OPEC in blow to oil cartel
The United Arab Emirates says it is withdrawing from OPEC, stripping the oil cartel of one of its largest producers.
Turning wine into fuel could bolster local supplies
More than 350 million bottles of wine are gathering dust in Australian storage, and industry figures have an ingenious plan to stop them heading for the bin.
Tech ‘perfect storm’ needs ambitious online safety plan
Online safety advocates say a global push from governments is required to ensure tech companies design their products with the safety of citizens in mind.
‘Manosphere’ rise requires new gender equality approach
Gender equality activists have gathered for a landmark conference aimed at charting a new way forward as anti-rights movements gain traction.
Impact on inflation from fuel price hike to be revealed
The first inflation figures since the Iran war started, causing petrol prices to skyrocket, will give clues on its cost - with home-buyers watching closely.
consumers
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
petrol
prices
productivity
unrest, conflicts and war
Extra diesel shipments prioritised for regional areas
Two additional cargo ships of diesel will come into Australia, bringing in 100 million litres of supply after deals struck with two major fuel companies.
Oil and gas giant feels the heat from climate activists
Shareholders have jeered as protesters concerned about the environment repeatedly disrupted a meeting hosted by Australia's biggest oil and gas company.
Home builder cautious over war impact on supply chains
A major home builder says overall sales are healthy, despite some signs of a moderation in activity in April, as it watches supply chain impacts from the war.
Tesla profits rises in Q1 as Musk teases Roadster debut
Tesla, the electric vehicle maker run by billionaire Elon Musk, earned $US477 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 17 per cent from a year ago.