Inflation, slowing demand increase risks for business
The combined impact of high inflation, rising interest rates and slowing consumer demand are taking a toll on Australian businesses, especially smaller ones.
economy, business and finance
Hot jobs data bolsters case for another rate hike
Fresh labour market data shows few signs of a slowing jobs market, with one vacant position for every unemployed worker.
Risk to winter supply as gas crisis enters second year
The energy market operator has warned of risks to gas supply this winter but is armed with new powers over producers as the energy crisis enters a second year.
Calls to protect payments following builder collapse
Advocates have called for federal reforms to protect worker payments following the collapse of prominent construction companies.
Silicon Valley Bank collapse left ASX firms scrambling
Several ASX-listed tech firms had what one called "a difficult few days" after the collapse of a US bank left their funds in limbo.
After SVB fail, US acts to shore up banking confidence
US officials have moved to stem the fallout from the failure of start-up-focused Silicon Valley Bank, saying all customers will have access to their deposits.
Bank stock rout deepens amid SVB contagion fears
President Joe Biden says the public confidence the US banking system is safe, but global banking
Why an electric vehicle could cut energy bills by $1700
Australians could cut their household bills by 75 per cent using an electric car now and even more with future technology, a Sydney innovation summit will hear.
Business conditions still strong, but confidence waning
Business conditions remain firmly in positive territory despite successive interest rate rises, although sentiment in the community has dived.
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
Call for Woodside directors’ heads over climate change
Woodside Energy's board is failing shareholders on climate change and three directors up for re-election should pay the price, activist shareholders say.
Industry touts renewable gas to rival electrification
Electrifying everything is an unnecessary hit on taxpayers because conventional LPG will be phased out and replaced by a clean version, the industry says.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Time to rethink green hydrogen approach: go local
Going toe-to-toe with the United States on green hydrogen may be "ridiculous", but chemical plants at mines for local supply may be viable despite challenges.
Lattes on the line as climate change threat looms
A coffee shortage could be looming as global production faces threats due to extreme weather brought on by climate change, new research shows.
Silicon Valley Bank is seized after historic failure
A US regulator has shut Silicon Valley Bank and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as the receiver.
Savers short-changed as banks scrimp on rate rises
Banks are still picking and choosing which deposit accounts to lift rates on despite pressure from the consumer watchdog to pass higher rates on to savers.
Budget cuts flagged to counter coalition ‘booby traps’
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is optimistic comments from RBA boss Philip Lowe show interest rate hikes are close to ending but warns of more cost-cutting.
Reserve Bank closer to hitting pause on rate hikes
After delivering 10 interest rate rises in a row, the Reserve Bank could put further increases on hold to gauge the impact on soaring inflation.
RBA fires off another rate rise but the end is in sight
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted interest rates again but toned down its language, opening the door to a pause or only one more rise.
Mortgage holders brace for another interest rate blow
The Reserve Bank is expected to raise interest rates again, turning up the heat on already stretched household finances.
Lack of regional child care a barrier for workers: BHP
Families can wait up to two years for a child-care place in regional areas, making it harder to attract workers, BHP warns in its federal budget submission.
consumer goods
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Australian buyers charged a premium for electric cars
New figures show Australian car buyers can pay thousands of dollars more for some electric vehicles than buyers overseas.
Australia returns trade surplus of $11.6 billion
Australia has reported another trade surplus ahead of the RBA's March cash rate decision, which is broadly expected to result in another hike.
Gas far from cooked as energy role with safeguard: PM
Despite a Greens call to scrap new coal and gas projects, the prime minister says the energy sources are still necessary as part of its safeguard mechanism.
NAB bank head backs in Labor superannuation plan
Labor has received support for its superannuation plan from an interesting quarter - the chief executive of NAB.
Aussies in hot water as smart meters slash power bills
Australians will be hearing a lot more about distributed energy resources but it's not as complicated as it sounds and most households already have some.
Treasurer defends superannuation change as ‘modest’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit out at opposition attacks on the government's superannuation tax changes, describing them as only modest.
Blinken, Lavrov briefly meet amid G20 Ukraine tensions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have had a brief encounter at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in India.
First home buyer lending hits six-year low
Australians are pulling out of the hunt for their first home, as a new survey shows many are struggling to make ends meet.
Bank closures hurt communities, Westpac admits to probe
Westpac and NAB executives are facing the regional banking inquiry, which is examining the impact of branch closures in country towns.
breaking_news
corruption
economy, business and finance
election
inquiry
media
political candidates
politics
Hills Shire Council report calls for ICAC inquiry
A parliamentary report into property developers' influence in the Hills Shire Council has recommended a formal investigation by the state's corruption watchdog.
New house approvals slide for fifth month in a row
Approvals for new homes remain subdued as stubbornly high inflation and rising interest rates weigh on demand for home-building.