Health spending boost as SA budget slides into the red
South Australia's finances have taken a hit but the government has pressed on with extra health spending ahead of Thursday's state budget.
economy, business and finance
Consumer confidence plunges to another three-year low
The latest interest rate rise has knocked consumers around and caused sentiment to sink closer to levels last seen at the start of the pandemic.
PM’s vision for a renewable energy superpower nation
Australia must break new ground and grab opportunities with both hands, the prime minister has declared in a major speech, stressing renewable energy uptake.
Housing affordability, access, top concerns amid crisis
Gaining access to adequate housing has become harder in most states and territories, with the exception of Victoria.
Greens refine demands on $10 billion housing fund
Negotiations continue over the federal housing fund with the Greens urging Labor to meet them halfway to secure the party's support.
Insurance issue flagged before Porter Davis collapse
A Victorian working group identified a number of short-term measures to fix the construction industry months before Porter Davis went into liquidation.
Drivers face pump pain as profits fuel inflation debate
Motorists are being urged to shop around before the three-day weekend as international research suggests company profits are pushing up inflation.
NRL great joins race for carbon-free commercial flight
Johnathan Thurston's Skytrans aims to make Australia's first emissions-free commercial flight through a new aviation and green hydrogen alliance.
Australia’s economy losing steam as pressures mount
Australia's economic performance is starting to wane as aggressive interest rate increases continue to bite.
A quarter of homes are bought mortgage-free
The value of homes bought with cash is trending up, with the bulk of purchases made by older Australians moving to the regions to retire.
New blow for home owners as interest rates rise again
The battle against inflation is not over yet as the Reserve Bank board hikes again and takes the cash rate to its highest level since April 2012.
Off-grid hydrogen box could replace diesel generators
A shipping container-sized energy system has been developed by hydrogen startup Endua for remote sites, potentially eliminating millions of diesel generators.
Council rates shake up, as NSW lags behind other states
IPART has released a draft report proposing changes to council rate capping, saying it is timely for the NSW government to hold an independent inquiry.
Treasurer maintains growth view despite fresh rate hike
A recession is still unlikely, the treasurer asserts despite fears the Reserve Bank's aggressive interest rate hikes could tip the economy over the edge.
NSW workers offered 4pc pay rise as inflation stings
Essential workers in NSW have been offered a 4.5 per cent wage increase including super - the largest boost in 12 years.
Call for ‘no deforestation’ conditions on bank loans
To mark World Environment Day, Australian conservationists are calling for banks to stop funding the clearing of wildlife habitats by agriculture businesses.
US Congress approves debt-limit suspension bill
The US Senate has given final approval to a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, averting what would have been a first-ever default.
Lowest paid workers to get wage lift above inflation
Millions of workers will enjoy a generous pay boost, with the lowest paid of all on track for a bump that eclipses red-hot inflation from next month.
BHP finds $430m public holiday backpay error
BHP employees' leave was wrongly used for public holiday pay about 170,000 times over the past 13 years, the mining giant concedes.
Businesses still planning to spend in coming months
Fresh data from the national statistics bureau shows businesses are still spending and plan to keep investment levels up in 2023/24.
RBA warms to another rate hike as inflation keeps heat
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has flagged several reasons to be worried about inflation as the monthly consumer price comes in higher than expected.
Growers nervous over drier conditions for winter crops
A report is predicting drier conditions will take a toll on this year's winter crop production, with grain growers nervous about the year ahead.
Push for Indigenous inclusion in new energy economy
Indigenous jobs will be part of the energy transformation in Central Queensland's industrial heartland as delegates meet in Gladstone to share ideas.
Big cities lead as property market rebound gathers pace
Home prices are surging again after a long period of interest rate-driven declines, although Perth is the only capital back at record highs.
economy, business and finance
energy
manufacturing and engineering
metal and mineral
mining
politics
transport
Battery industry investors wary as plug pulled on grant
A hub for Australian-made materials for the world's electric car batteries is in doubt after the federal government pulled the plug on a $120 million grant.
Treasury says corporate profits not driving inflation
Unions and others have pointed the finger at corporate profits as a major driver of inflation, but Treasury is not convinced that argument stacks up.
After McGowan exit, Palaszczuk insists she has energy
A day after WA Premier Mark McGowan cited exhaustion for his departure, Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk says she still has the energy to keep going.
Rents to income levels shoot up to near decade highs
Rental demand is fast outrunning supply and low-income households are bearing the brunt of the rental affordability crisis, analysis shows.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
politics
AGL has ‘time tunnel’ to Australia’s energy transition
The energy transformation is playing out on a small island in South Australia's industrial heartland, where one of the biggest emitters is shaping the future.
Biden, McCarthy reach tentative US debt ceiling deal
US Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached a tentative deal to raise America's debt ceiling.
Senators to grill RBA boss ahead of June cash rate call
The top line items for Australian economy observers this week include the central bank governor's appearance at a committee hearing and monthly inflation data.