Door closes on inner-city homes for young Australians
The dream of owning a freestanding house close to the city is fading, with data showing demand far outstripping supply.
economy, business and finance
Legal loopholes threaten reef, ex-Treasury boss warns
Closing well-known loopholes that allow widescale clearing of native vegetation is vital if the Great Barrier Reef is to be saved, a policy heavy-hitter warns.
Food delivery service set to cease after Menulog off
It once thrived under a "Did Somebody Say" campaign but the celebrity driven catch-cry hasn't saved food delivery service Menulog from closure.
Bounce in US travel keeps Flight Centre looking up
Middle East tensions and Trump travel wariness may have hit Flight Centre in the last financial year but signs of profit blue skies ahead are encouraging.
Rate cut hopes evaporate with healthy jobs figures
Shares have plunged and the Aussie dollar has soared after surprisingly robust jobs figures showed the economy is running near capacity.
Worker shortages dampen surge in green energy, housing
As governments ramp up their housing and energy transition projects, the nation's infrastructure pipeline is coming up against a shortfall in workers.
Locked-out owners left in dark by social media giants
Small businesses can face ruin when they're locked out of social media accounts with no explanation, with data revealing their plight is becoming more common.
The roles expected to be in hot demand from AI boom
Data engineers, cybersecurity experts and customer experience designers are in for an AI jobs boom, although firms expect to reduce headcounts as uptake grows.
Hamas reasserts Gaza control, post-war talks grind on
There are signs that Hamas is seeking to widen control over Gaza, raising doubts over whether it will cede authority as promised.
Australian economy ‘island of security’ in risky seas
A shock fall in unemployment has wrong-footed analysts and dashed hopes of further interest rate cuts as the treasurer talks up Australia's economic strength.
Lendlease has secured $3b in new construction work
Lendlease's business momentum continues to build, chief executive has told shareholders, with $3 billion in new construction projects for the slimmed-down firm.
China warns Japan against Taiwan intervention
Japan will suffer a "crushing defeat" by the Chinese military if it tries to use force to intervene over Taiwan, the country's defence ministry warns.
BHP liable for 2015 Brazil dam collapse, UK court rules
BHP can be held liable over the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil, London's High Court has ruled.
Greater police presence to crack down on violent crime
Police will be deployed across more of a major state train network and shopping centres in a bid to reduce the likelihood of violent crime.
Wages data could force RBA to turn page on rates cut
Unlikely to receive another rate cut in the next six months, borrowers will at least see the big four banks face parliamentary scrutiny in Canberra this week.
Qantas shares at six-month low as business travel slows
Qantas is vowing to adjust domestic capacity because there's been less demand for business flights than it had forecast.
Bank manager denied bail over $200m fraud syndicate
A senior business bank manager is behind bars accused of playing a key role in one of Australia's biggest corporate corruption cases in recent years.
Ex-ANZ execs lose bonus millions after record fine
The former boss of ANZ and three of his executives have lost multimillion-dollar bonuses as the bank grapples with the cost of serious misconduct.
Consumers feeling merry in time for a Christmas splurge
Australian consumers are the most optimistic they've been since early 2022 despite fading prospects of more interest rate cuts.
Ukraine-UK plot to steal MiG-31 jet foiled, says Russia
Ukraine and British intelligence offered Russian pilots millions of dollars to steal a jet armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, Moscow says.
COP30 talks open with a plea for countries to get along
UN climate negotiations have kicked off on the edge of the Brazilian Amazon, with the top official calling on countries to stop bickering.
Interest rate cuts might have less impact than thought
Mortgage holders were smashed by the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in decades post-pandemic, but a study has found it did little to dampen spending.
Loan defaults bad for business as NAB profit takes hit
Business lending is growing for NAB but so is the level of bad debt from that customer segment, pumping the brakes on profits at the big four bank.
RBA drops rates hint as Australia maintains AAA status
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has responded to a surprise jump in unemployment as a credit agency gives Australia's finance a tick of approval.
Sheep and beef behind rise in farmer sentiment
Tasmanian farmers are the most confident in the nation, while Western Australian primary producers are the most worried, according to a new survey.
‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs
The fate of 1000 workers hangs in the balance as leaders debate the best way to save Australia's biggest aluminium smelter from closure.
Treasurer hits back as opposition slaps panic button
The coalition has sought to link a recent rise in inflation and unemployment to the 1970s economic malaise, but analysts say there is no need to panic.
Next rate cut uncertain as shutdown fogs Fed windscreen
The Federal Reserve has cut its key rate for the second time this year as the United States government shutdown clouds the economic outlook.
PM optimistic Trump and Xi will reduce trade tensions
Anthony Albanese is hopeful a hotly anticipated meeting between the world's most powerful leaders will lead to a reduction in trade barriers.
Australians lose hope as nation lags on housing targets
Australians aren't confident the housing crisis will be solved and not one state is on track to reach its homes target over the next five years, research shows.
Protests and price drops: mining giant faces challenges
Protesters have disrupted a meeting held by one of Australia's largest coal mining companies but bigger challenges could come from global price fluctuations.