SA budget surges into the black
The South Australian government has forecast a budget surplus for the next financial year of $233 million, and more positive news across the forward estimates.
economy, business and finance
Tourism helps long run of trade surpluses
Australia's trade surplus was a larger-than-expected $10.5 billion in April as exports grew by one per cent, while imports declined 0.7 per cent.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy (general)
global warming
politics (general)
Qld govt denies electricity price gouging
The Queensland government has denied its two state-owned electricity generators are price gouging, saying bids on the market are merely covering costs.
Economy grows, navigates virus and floods
The Australian economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the March quarter, propped up by household spending and resulting in an annual growth rate of 3.3 per cent.
House prices to fall as rate hikes bite
The CoreLogic home value index declined 0.1 per cent in May, its first drop since September 2020 and led by falls in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Teen cyclone survivor confronts bank boss
A school boy cyclone survivor has challenged a bank boss to do more on climate change, interrupting an elite business summit to call out "ridiculous" lending.
Another bumper winter crop: Rabobank
Grain farmers are expected to plant a record winter crop, with increases in wheat and canola as markets look to Australia for supplies amid global shortages.
Iran seizes Greek tankers amid tensions
Iranian forces have seized two Greek tankers after officials warned of action against Greece over the confiscation of Iranian oil by the US from a tanker.
Retail sales a record $33.9bn in April
The Australian Bureau of Statistics says retail trade rose 0.9 per cent in April, the fourth consecutive month turnover has risen.
Further sign of lame economy in early 2022
There are signs next week's national accounts will show the economy was barely growing in the first three months of the year.
Russia abandons Kyiv focus for Donbas
Russia has abandoned its assault on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and is trying to consolidate control of the industrial eastern Donbas region.
Chalmers to deliver economic update soon
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver an economic update when parliament resumes in June or July and ahead of his first budget in October.
Punishment at the petrol pump: Chalmers
New federal treasurer Jim Chalmers says motorists are being punished at the bowser again, but won't promise to retain the fuel excise cut beyond September.
Biden looks to expand US influence in Asia
President Joe Biden is set to launch a long-anticipated Indo-Pacific trade pact ahead of a Quad meeting in Tokyo.
Chalmers brings crisis experience to role
Jim Chalmers has been sworn in as the nation's treasurer, a role he brings a wealth of experience to having been advisor and chief of staff to Wayne Swan.
Star chair O’Neill quits, joins exodus
John O'Neill has quit as executive chairman of Star Entertainment ahead of his appearance at a NSW gaming inquiry into the company's Sydney casino licence.
agriculture
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental politics
financial markets
forestry and timber
politics
Call for carbon emissions to peak by 2025
Australia's carbon emissions need to peak during the next parliament to achieve net zero by 2050, but there's no expectation the major parties will change tack.
Forrest flays fossil fuel ‘greenwashing’
Billionaire Andrew Forrest says any hydrogen made from fossil fuels is part of the problem, and welcomes Europe's moves to boost renewable energy usage.
Sri Lanka limits foreign currency holdings
Sri Lankan police have clashed with student protesters as the country's central bank says individuals may only possess $US10,000 in foreign currency.
Labor says promises add $7.4b to budget
Federal Labor's election promises will add $7.4 billion to the budget bottom line over the next four financial years.
Health and handouts in NZ budget spend-up
New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson has delivered health reforms, inflation-fighting handouts, and a $NZ19 billion deficit in the latest budget.
Albanese hits out at Liberal attack ads
Anthony Albanese has taken a swipe at prominent coalition attack ads during a speech to the Italian community in Sydney.
Sluggish wage growth won’t stop rate rises
The Australian Bureau of Statistics said its wage price index rose by an annual rate of 2.4 per cent, less than half the rate of inflation.
Morrison scoffs at suggestion of recession
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected any suggestion Australia faces a recession given the unemployment rate is set to fall below four per cent.
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental issue
global warming
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
Renewables can’t do it all, gas chief says
An energy-led recovery and decarbonisation are key issues for oil and gas majors, and for protesters, at Australia's largest fossil-fuel summit for years.
Craig Kelly vies for votes on a jet plane
Days out from the election, United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly toured regional Victoria, meeting supporters and protesters along the way.
Coalition targets public service cuts
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham say the 35 policies announced by the government during the election campaign are fully costed.
Labor pledge to back critical technologies
Labor is proposing a national co-investment fund, working with superannuation and venture capital groups, to back leading tech thinkers and their firms.
Now and then: celebrating our main streets
The history and culture of main streets around the country is being celebrated this week as part of a new national campaign.
Health, resources key to Labor’s pitch
Anthony Albanese has visited regional Queensland to promote Labor's battery manufacturing plan, before travelling to the northern Brisbane seat of Lilley.
Battery tech firm builds own supply chain
An Australian pioneer in big battery systems is building its own local supply chain, as well as CSIRO-backed sovereign technology.