Port becomes political football but is ‘not for sale’
A major port leased to a Chinese company is in the sights of a takeover as the coalition and Labor flag plans for it to be brought back into Australian hands.
economy, business and finance
Tariff risks US market crash for humble Aussie wines
Wine industry figures say the new US tariffs will increase costs throughout the supply chain and risk bulk American wine replacing affordable Australian drops.
China hit brakes on TikTok deal after Trump’s tariffs
US President Donald Trump says he is signing an executive order to keep TikTok running in the United States for another 75 days.
US tariffs start as Trump hails ‘economic revolution’
A baseline 10 per cent levy announced by US President Donald Trump has begun being collected at ports of entry across the United States.
Eat the problem: sea urchin pest-to-plate funding urged
Harvesting sea urchins from ocean beds they are grazing to oblivion has been hailed as a success yet more needs to be done to keep populations in check.
US tariff ‘medicine’ causes turmoil in global markets
As global financial markets plunge, sparking fears of a global trade war and recession, Donald Trump has doubled down on administering US tariff "medicine".
Asia stocks plunge, HK suffers steepest fall since 1997
Asian and European shares have plunged as US tariffs and China's backlash send world markets into meltdowns.
‘Economic bullying’: China hits out at US protectionism
China's foreign affairs spokesman says the US tariffs are "a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying".
Trump threatens more China tariffs as markets plunge
Financial markets across the globe have posted a third day of losses as investors worried that steep US trade barriers could lead to a recession.
Risks of recession casts shadow over leaders’ debate
As economic headwinds emerge after US-imposed tariffs, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are vying to lay claim to being the best bet to deal with them.
State rewiring energy future as project blows out again
Emissions reduction targets will be scrapped and gas exploration expanded under proposals by Queensland's government to rewire its energy future.
Star’s chips down as $940m debt deal comes off table
Embattled casino giant Star Entertainment is back on the brink of collapse after a refinancing deal fell through, but talks with a US casino giant continue.
Amazon, OnlyFans founder make bids for TikTok: reports
Amazon has reportedly put in a late bid to purchase short video app TikTok from Chinese owner ByteDance while Zoop says it is also in the running.
Trump’s sweeping tariffs stoke a global trade war
US President Donald Trump's across-the-board tariffs have provoked threats of retaliation and sparked fears about their impact on the global economy.
Two data prints and a Trump wildcard to decide rate cut
Mortgage holders could know by April 30 whether to expect more interest rate relief, as the Reserve Bank casts its eyes on a crucial inflation reading.
‘Cautious’ RBA on hold as election, tariffs threaten
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.1 per cent, as global uncertainty clouds the economic outlook.
Managing Trump, tariffs looms large in bid for votes
Australia's political leaders say biosecurity and medicines are not up for debate in response to tariffs set to be announced by US President Donald Trump
Anti-Elon Musk protesters swarm Tesla showrooms
Crowds protesting billionaire Elon Musk's purge of US government departments began rallying outside Tesla dealerships throughout American cities.
‘Liberation Day’ overshadows Reserve Bank’s rate call
The Reserve Bank is expected to leave rates on hold at its next meeting despite the expected negative impact of more US tariffs on Australia's economic growth.
Treasurer joins chorus in hosing down rate cut hopes
"Almost nobody" is expecting an interest cut, the treasurer says as the Reserve Bank's new rate-setting board meets with an election campaign in full swing.
Greenland’s new PM says the US will not get the island
Greenland's new leader has declared the United States will not get the Arctic island, as Donald Trump ramps up threats to take control of the territory.
Canada’s old relationship with US ‘is over’, says PM
Canada's prime minister says his country's relationship with the United States has changed due to Donald Trump's actions on tariffs.
Tariffs and growth slump a concern for banking leaders
Australia's economic growth forecasts have been downgraded due to Donald Trump's trade war, keeping its most important financial leaders on their toes.
‘The King is King of Australia’: Backlash over $5 note
Monarchists have slammed the central bank's decision not to include the King's portrait on the $5 note, saying the government is pushing to become a republic.
Tariffs spell death knell for businesses on the brink
Australia's economy is tipped to grow faster in 2025 but US tariffs and trade wars could be enough to send marginal businesses to the wall.
Why shock drop in jobs won’t shift RBA rate cut bets
Fewer older Australians returned to work in February, driving a surprise fall in jobs and workforce participation but the labour market remains tight overall.
Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
Plans to help more into ‘disaster’ housing market
Aspiring homeowners could secure a cheaper mortgage and lower deposit by letting the government take a stake, but Peter Dutton questions whether they want to.
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown
The UK government has ordered an investigation into the country's energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
‘Hip pocket help’ on its way in pre-election sweetener
Australians will receive more energy bill relief in the federal budget but the Liberals argue it's only needed because Labor has allowed costs to blow out.