Surplus in sight but few sweeteners in ‘careful’ budget
A nation-first approach to back up housing projects headlines Australia's largest state budget as critics attack surplus projections and support for services.
economy, business and finance
Renters fearful of speaking up about essential repairs
Half of Australia's private housing tenants are living in homes in need of repair but are too scared to ask their landlord about it, according to a study.
Major boost for tradie students to solve housing crisis
Tradies will be able to complete their apprenticeships for free as a state government tries to ease the housing crisis.
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
macro economics
statistic
Spotlight on inflation as state treasurers come clean
Monthly inflation data and state budget updates are set to dominate the economic agenda and shape the Reserve Bank's next cash rate call.
Budget billions helps cashed-up state lead debt battle
A seventh surplus budget for the nation's richest state sets it apart from other jurisdictions as it enjoys the lowest debt levels in the country.
Pedal to the metal for home prices as rates fall
Sydney and Melbourne are expected to be the fastest-growing property markets in 2025/26 as mortgage rates fall, Domain forecasts shows.
Labour market stays tight despite surprise drop in jobs
The economy lost some jobs in May, confounding expectations, but the Reserve Bank will likely view it as noise not signs of a weakening labour market.
Optus says yes to record $100m fine for dodgy sales
Optus has agreed to a record fine for "unconscionable" sales to hundreds of consumers, including in remote Indigenous communities its network didn't cover.
Trump wary of EU trade offer while Japan being ‘tough’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remains at a G7 meeting in Canada for trade talks following President Donald Trump's early departure from the summit.
breaking_news
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
international relations
summit
PM eyes another possible Trump meeting later this month
Anthony Albanese could soon get a second chance to meet with Donald Trump, after the US president abruptly cancelled their first in-person meeting.
Power customers promised tougher rules on price gouging
More downwards pressure on power bills is the goal of planned tweaks to regulated electricity pricing now on the federal government's agenda.
Treasurer throws down gauntlet for ‘crucial’ tax reform
The treasurer has kicked off a journey that he hopes will result in broad agreement on changes that help solve Australia's economic challenges.
Middle East conflict ends plan for PM’s key Trump talk
Anthony Albanese will no longer meet with Donald Trump after the US president revealed he will leave the G7 summit before their highly anticipated encounter.
business (general)
economic policy
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
finance (general)
investments
regulatory policy and organisation
Green tick: Australian net-zero projects to be rated
Environmental projects will be analysed and rated in Australia in a move experts say could prevent greenwashing and encourage international investments.
defence
economy, business and finance
international relations
nuclear policy
petrol
unrest, conflicts and war
‘You worry’: fears in Iranian community after bombing
Iranians in Australia say there is growing community fear over the safety of family members caught up in escalating violence in the Middle East.
Trump arrives for G7 amid trade, political tensions
Donald Trump has arrived in Canada for his first G7 summit since returning to office - and after irking his partners with tariffs and threats of annexation.
Transparency boost: Reserve Bank homes in on key change
The Reserve Bank is likely to implement a key outstanding recommendation of a review into its operations, bringing it in line with international counterparts.
PM coy on whether Canadian leader gave him Trump tips
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held discussions with Canada's leader as both countries reckon with the impact of the US president's tariff regime.
Spotlight on unemployment as jobs market loses heat
Jobs data is set to dominate the economic agenda in Australia, while onlookers expect the Federal Reserve to keep US interest rates on hold.
Deal gets US-China trade truce back on track: Trump
US President Donald Trump says negotiations with China have resulted in a deal to get the trade relationship between the two countries back on track.
Musk says some of his posts about Trump ‘went too far’
US President Donald Trump says it "was very nice" of Elon Musk to post a message about regretting some of his criticisms of the president.
Latest search ends for missing toddler Madeleine McCann
An area in southern Portugal has been searched for Madeleine McCann, eighteen years since the British toddler disappeared from a resort town.
Industrial disputes drop to lowest level in two years
The number of employees involved in industrial disputes has fallen by more than half during the first three months of 2025.
Business, union divisions threaten to derail PM summit
The prime minister hopes business groups and unions will unite to address a lagging economy but there are already signs of division before a planned summit.
Tariff turmoil – World Bank cuts global growth forecast
The World Bank has cut its growth forecast as a result of Donald Trump's erratic trade policies, saying the global outlook has "deteriorated substantially".
Trump says rare earths to flow in new China trade deal
The US will get magnets and rare earths from China under a new trade deal and tariffs on Chinese goods will go to 55 per cent, President Donald Trump says.
The Star cries poor, labels $400m fine a casino killer
The Star has said it will not survive being fined $400 million after admitting to lax anti-money laundering measures and courting high-risk gamblers.
Economic summit aims to firm up drooping productivity
Anthony Albanese is confident businesses and unions can find common ground in the quest to improve Australia's ailing productivity.
US and Chinese officials meet in the UK for trade talks
High-level trade talks between the United States and China have begun in London.
Musk’s dad says Trump row triggered by intense stress
Elon Musk's father says his billionaire son made a mistake "under stress" and that US President Donald Trump will prevail.
business (general)
consumer confidence
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
macro economics
statistic
Businesses and consumers caught between opposing forces
Falling interest rates are not buoying the spirits of households and firms as fast as hoped, as global economic uncertainty keeps a lid on sentiment.