Lending to property investors jumps amid rising rents
A pick up in investor lending and housing-related loans more generally comes even as interest rates stay elevated and cuts remain in the distant future.
economy, business and finance
‘Barely growing’: economy limping as rate pain builds
The economy is still expanding - but only just - after households opened the purse strings for concerts and other one-off events in the March quarter.
Cost-of-living relief as SA keeps budget in surplus
South Australia's treasurer says the state is gearing up to benefit from "transformative economic developments" after delivering another budget surplus.
Reserve Bank keeps options open on interest rates
Interest rates could go higher again if inflation proves stickier than expected or moves higher, the head of the Reserve Bank of Australia says.
Social media giants told to pay price, play by rules
For years, social media companies have been accused of acting above regulation but a top media boss says they must play by the same rules as everyone else.
Wanted: funds to pollinate climate, nature start-ups
Investors are being tapped for funding for early-stage companies tackling the climate crisis, the energy transition, new foods and cleaner industry.
Climate change puts the heat on Aussie ski resorts
Popular Australian ski resorts could find themselves on death row without urgent action on climate change, new modelling suggests.
Strong pickings as agriculture in for ripe harvest
The gross value of Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry is set to come in at just under $90 billion, the third-highest figure on record.
coal
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
metal and mineral
natural gas
nuclear power
politics
Energy storage sites earmarked to keep the lights on
More power storage rather than nuclear reactors or gas will be crucial for long-term energy security, the industry says, with six more sites up for development.
Wages bump unlikely to concern Reserve Bank: economists
A 3.75 per cent boost to minimum wages and awards will deliver a small real gain to millions of Australian workers without throwing fuel on the inflation fire.
Treasury boss backs the young to navigate housing mess
The ever-increasing cost of housing is one of the big challenges facing young people but their future is not bleak, the Treasury secretary says.
Blaming lowest-paid workers for inflation ‘disgusting’
Australia's lowest-paid workers, who will soon receive a 3.75 per cent pay bump, should not be blamed for continued inflation challenges, a minister says.
National accounts likely to reveal a subdued economy
The Australian economy will probably post a weak economic growth result for the first three months of 2024 to reflect ongoing interest-rate pain.
Charm offensive on Aussie carbon dump for net-zero Asia
Costly carbon capture and storage could be the price Australia must pay for retaining emissions-intensive industrial jobs without pumping out more pollution.
Rural Australians left up in the air as banks shut down
Up to 600 Australian towns no longer have a bank, forcing country people to go to extraordinary lengths to manage their money.
Big city life on the slide as people try to get by
High housing prices and cost-of-living pressures are driving an exodus from cities, data reveals, with one capital losing residents to the regions in droves.
banking
construction and property
consumers
economy, business and finance
electrical appliance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
finance (general)
politics
Green bank unlocks cheap loans for home energy upgrades
Some $60 million in cheap loans is up for grabs as part of a $1 billion federal fund to encourage homeowners to install solar panels and batteries.
Building approvals muted and to stay subdued all year
Home building remains in the slow lane but the level of activity has likely stabilised as interest rates stay on hold.
Gas industry rejects ‘leech’ tag over royalty freebies
The Australian government has been accused of letting gas companies get away with daylight robbery by not applying royalties on all of the nation's gas exports.
Inflation disappoints and tempers hopes of rate cut
The monthly inflation gauge has bounced higher for a second month, moving the indicator further away from the Reserve Bank's target range.
Consumers limit spending but outlook more promising
Consumers are reining in their spending but an expected recovery in disposable incomes could prove a ray of light for strained retailers.
Opposition migration policy ‘revenue neutral’
Angus Taylor says the coalition's migration policy won't damage public finances or the economy and will get the balance right between immigration and housing.
Dutton dodging nuclear policy fallout: energy minister
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is yet to name the sites the coalition will earmark for nuclear power stations, despite claiming communities would welcome them.
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
hazardous materials
nature
waste
Shoppers face lies, manipulation in supermarket aisles
So-called 'ocean plastic' is the poster child of greenwashing shams Australian face when they head to the grocery store, a federal inquiry has been told.
I haven’t forgotten what it means to struggle: Albanese
As Labor faces criticism over the cost of living relief it has provided vulnerable Australians, the prime minister says he hasn't forgotten the struggle.
Coalition commits to nuclear despite damning report
A report has found nuclear energy would be significantly more expensive than renewables but the coalition has backed in plans for the power source
Migration plan wobble raises questions for opposition
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has defended inconsistencies in his party's migration plan, saying the overall point of the exercise is to free up homes.
Living costs pose ‘difficult choices’ for young people
The gap in spending between the young and the old is getting wider, with Australians in their mid-to-late 20s cutting back on essentials.
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
Shipping gas from coast to coast could solve shortfall
The gas industry says it is misunderstood, particularly by millennials, as the rubber hits the road to net zero amid an impending gas shortfall in some regions.
Consumer spending the wildcard in rate hike uncertainty
The spending appetite of consumers remains a key source of uncertainty for the Reserve Bank as the battle against inflation rages.
Telstra urged to dial back ‘appalling’ mass job cuts
Telco giant Telstra will axe up to nine per cent of its workers, chasing $350 million in cost savings as it focuses on better-performing parts of its business.