Relief as Reserve Bank hits pause on interest rates
Borrowers will welcome a break from interest rate hikes as Australia's central bank opts to keep the official cash rate steady at 4.1 per cent.
economy, business and finance
Tight squeeze in mortgage belt as hikes hit hip pockets
The prospect of another rate hike is heaping pressure on a growing number of mortgage-holders struggling to meet their repayments.
Jobs slashed as miner Aurora enters administration
Liquidators have been appointed to administer struggling miner Aurora Metals' Queensland assets, with the future of 45 employees in the balance.
Dozens of families lose out in home-builder’s collapse
A liquidator has revealed dozens of families are in limbo and others have lost thousands after the collapse of Melbourne home-builder Bentley Homes.
RBA opts for pause as hikes wash through economy
The Reserve Bank has kept interest rates steady with light appearing at the end of the tunnel for mortgage holders in the fight against inflation.
Mini-home building boom might be ready to splinter
Fresh data points to a rise in home-building, an uptick in housing lending and recovering property prices - but storm clouds are gathering.
Fresh support for Porter Davis customers who missed out
The Victorian government has extended its support scheme for Porter Davis customers who were left out of pocket when the company went into liquidation.
Expert unit tackles ‘scamdemic’ bilking Aussie millions
While the federal government has assembled a team of scam-busting experts to target investment swindles, a consumer group says alternative action is needed.
‘Unjustified’ toll hike fuels cost of living crisis
Transurban will increase road tolls almost 4 per cent, which the transport unions says will burden motorists during the cost of living crisis.
Home builder Bentley Homes slides into liquidation
Melbourne-based Bentley Homes has collapsed, citing economic pressures, with the builder abandoning further works.
How to blast rocks and negativity into prosperity
Chemicals giant Orica expects to be a winner in the latest boom because miners need tech to find new ore and explosives to blast critical minerals out of rock.
Moon mining: ground zero for doing things differently
Mining on the moon is starting small as Australia and NASA prepare to develop self-sustaining habitats to support a giant leap to Mars.
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
international (foreign) trade
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Call to crack China’s dominance in critical minerals
Global demand for Australia's critical minerals is giving Treasurer Jim Chalmers optimism about mining's future in a net-zero emissions world.
Australia urged to invest $100b in battery industry
A think tank has called for a critical minerals compact with South Korea to electrify the start of an onshore battery minerals processing industry in Australia.
Retail trade beats forecast as sales lure shoppers in
Cash-strapped consumers are taking advantage of sales and pushing up retail trade temporarily, with the spending slowdown expected to continue next month.
Watchdog concerned by Transurban EastLink road takeover
The ACCC has raised preliminary competition concerns over Transurban's proposed acquisition of Horizon Roads, the operator of Melbourne's EastLink toll road.
Aviation engineer training academy set for take off
Qantas and Aviation Australia will team up to deliver two engineer training academies and increase the number of highly-skilled workers entering the industry.
Consider the generations when opening and closing mines
As mines open, developers are urged to consider the knowledge of generations who have come before and who should be part of planning for eventual closure.
Inflation figures boost hopes of hold on interest rates
A softer-than-expected inflation number could be enough to keep interest rates on hold next week but the battle against rising prices is not over yet.
Consumers, communities guide mining on sustainable path
A mining conference has heard values-driven consumers don't want 'dirty' electric cars that use unsustainable minerals in their production.
‘Dare to say mining is ok’ and dig in for global change
Governments need to be bold and brave to increase supplies of materials for electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines, the mining industry says.
Qld eyes critical minerals amid coal lobby backlash
The Queensland government has launched a $245 million strategy for critical minerals found in the state's northwest to spur manufacturing of renewables.
Rent freezes and rent caps will only worsen, not solve Australia’s rental crisis
Australia used rent controls effectively during the two world wars. However, they have been used in other countries without much success. Using basic economic principles, there is evidence freezes worsen inequality and actually reduce availability.
Tainted PwC partners and staff to be publicly named
As PwC appoints a new CEO and offloads its government business, an inquiry has heard an investigation into the tax scandal will name culprits.
Minerals project pipeline could throttle climate action
The mining industry has been warned investment plans are still geared to gradual climate action, leaving the world short on supplies for a swift energy change.
Low productivity growth bringing less bang for the buck
Anaemic productivity growth is fuelling Australia's cost of living woes and immediate action is needed to fix the problem, an independent official warns.
Housing bill on ice puts double dissolution in play
The Albanese government's signature housing policy has failed to pass parliament and could set the stage for an early election.
Treasurer’s ‘big call’ on RBA top job due in weeks
The treasurer is expected to make a decision about the leadership of the Reserve Bank of Australia as existing governor Philip Lowe's term draws to a close.
Aussie charities take $13.4 billion in donations
Australian charities, including churches and universities, recorded a jump in donations to $13.4 billion in 2021 and employed more than 10 per cent of workers.
Tight jobs market adds to interest rate uncertainty
The Reserve Bank hiked interest rates last month due to inflation risks bubbling under the surface, but it has been revealed the decision was "finely balanced".
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Critical minerals plan ‘sets a floor, not a ceiling’
More than a quarter of a million new jobs could be up for grabs if Australia can supply factory-ready materials for the world's electric cars and clean energy.