Dutton prays for rate cut as RBA enters conclave
Economists say a major reduction in mortgage rates this year is unlikely, even though the Reserve Bank board is widely tipped to deliver a cut on Tuesday.
economy, business and finance
Falling Star offered $650m lifeline for ailing casinos
With its shares in the doldrums and questions over its operations, Star has been offered a conditional lifeline through a five-year financing proposal.
Climate risk main reason premiums are rising: insurers
Breaking up big companies is no silver bullet to keep insurance premiums affordable, the sector says.
Rates cut at last but ‘no victory on inflation yet’
Australia's big four banks are already promising to pass interest rate cuts on in full after the Reserve Bank lowered the cash rate by 25 basis points.
PM denies rate cut will impact election timing
Anthony Albanese remains coy on when Australians will head to the polls, after the Reserve Bank delivered cost-of-living relief for mortgage holders.
‘Governments shouldn’t own airlines’: Rex rescue panned
A possible government takeover of failed airline Rex has come under fire, with the sector declaring a taxpayer lifeline would create an uneven playing field.
‘No-brainer’ home ownership boost for HECS debt Aussies
Australians saddled with student debt who want to enter the housing market will be given a helping hand, under changes to lending requirements.
Aussies opt for regional living, pushing up home prices
A continued shift of Australians moving to regional towns for lifestyle reasons has boosted property prices at the expense of capital city values.
‘Strong ally’: Australia won’t return fire on tariffs
The clock is ticking for Australia to secure an exemption to Donald Trump's steel tariffs after he accused leaders of breaking their word on an export deal.
USAID watchdog fired after sounding alarm about funding
The inspector general for the US Agency for International Development has been fire, after he warned that billions of dollars in unspent aid was untrackable.
AGL slams nuclear option, doubles down on big batteries
Australia's biggest emitter AGL Energy will build "a whole range of assets", but not nuclear reactors, to support the closure of 50-year-old coal power plants.
Taxpayers take risk on Rex if ailing airline can’t sell
Experts are questioning why taxpayers should be placed on the hook for bailing out Rex through a government takeover if buyers are unwilling to take the risk.
Australia rejects ‘killing’ the US aluminium market
Australia has denied exploiting tariff exemptions granted by the first Trump administration despite claims aluminium sales have been "killing" the US market.
White House considering exemptions on tariffs: Johnson
US President Donald Trump may consider exemptions to reciprocal tariffs, US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson says.
Dutton weighs in on RBA amid banana price rise warning
Floods in Australia's north are expected to cut economic output and nudge up banana and sugar prices, as the opposition weighs in on a forecast rate cut.
Sony PlayStation Network outage angers gamers worldwide
Sony's PlayStation Network has experienced a major outage across the world, leaving tens of thousands of gamers unable to access online services.
‘Hold the line’: politicians say goodbye ahead of poll
Retiring politicians have issued rallying calls to the nation to remain optimistic about the future as they bid farewell ahead of a federal election.
Trump to announce 25 per cent steel, aluminium tariffs
Donald Trump is poised to announce 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imported to the US but It's not yet clear how and if Australia will be affected.
Albanese to press Trump for tariff breaks for Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attempt to secure Australian companies an exemption from US tariffs in a direct phone call with President Donald Trump.
Australia must be a ‘model ally’ in US tariff talks
Australia must prove its relationship with the US is mutually beneficial to earn another exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs, experts say.
Trump raises steel tariffs, weighs Australia exemption
US President Donald Trump has announced 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports but is "considering" a carve-out for Australia.
Bank moratorium ‘too late’ for rural towns left behind
The federal government has announced a moratorium on regional bank closures, but it's cold comfort for those who have already lost their local branches.
Treasurer courts business with productivity promises
Helping businesses leverage clean energy and AI will transform Australia to its "fourth economy" and improve productivity growth, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Economic uncertainty clouds business investment outlook
The value of planned investment projects, such as road and rail infrastructure, has fallen as businesses cut costs in response to rising economic uncertainty.
‘Golden age of gas’: households, manufacturers miss out
Households and manufacturers have been left worse off by the east coast gas bonanza, and exporters face new competition from cheaper sources, a report warns.
Australia tops index as virtual power plants take shape
Australia is poised for virtual power plants that connect households and slash bills but an expert warns nuclear reactors could force users off rooftop solar.
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
Australia must cut red tape and reform its tax system to boost productivity and safeguard against a looming trade war, the Business Council says.
States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow
States' "lax financial discipline" has earned a rebuke from a credit ratings giant, which says they are at risk of paying higher interest bills to service debt.
Aussie shares set another record on back of rates hype
The ASX200 has risen almost half a per cent to finish at its highest-ever level and end January up 4.6 per cent from where it started.
Nothing can delay Canada, Mexico, China tariffs: Trump
Asked if there is any opportunity for the three top US trading partners to win a delay, on his tariffs, Donald Trump says: "No, no. Not right now, no."
Canada, Mexico retaliate with hefty tariffs on US goods
Canada and Mexico have swiftly retaliated after Donald Trump imposed stiff tariffs on his neighbours' imports to the US, amid fears of a widespread trade war.