Climate club plan could punish Australia
Germany's new chancellor is pushing for the G7 to become a "climate club" that will economically punish laggards like Australia, observers say.
economy, business and finance
Unemployment rate drops to 4.2 pct
The Australian Bureau of Statistics said the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 per cent in December as a further 64,800 people joined the workforce.
Reasons for economic optimism: treasurer
Deloitte Access Economics analyst Chris Richardson is upbeat on Australia's outlook despite the challenges posted by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Signs of Omicron peaking in NSW, ACT: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt says there are signs the spread of the Omicron strain is peaking in NSW and the ACT.
Woolies lashed for supplier’s virus policy
Woolworths has been lashed by a union after one of its main suppliers required employees to wear coloured hairnets to indicate their COVID-19 infection status.
Confidence drops on rapid Omicron spread
The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index has dropped 2.2 per cent as a result of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
Critical worker isolation under review
New measures adopted by NSW, Victoria and Queensland exempting more critical workers from COVID-19 isolation will go before national cabinet for discussion.
Omicron impacting workforce, spending: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the highly-infectious Omicron variant is impacting both Australia's workforce and consumer spending.
consumer goods
economy, business and finance
health
health and safety at work
labor market
virus diseases
PM urges workers: keep pushing through
More of the economy is coming under strain as Omicron ravages supply chains and uncertainty affecting everything from recruitment to farmers, food and shops.
Fortescue ‘green team’ goes loco for ore
Fortescue Metals Group says it is on track to cut emissions from transporting iron ore to port with the purchase of two new battery powered locomotives.
Looking beyond the grid to power Australia
An energy company is looking beyond the traditional electricity grid as it rolls out a hybrid future across a vast landscape.
New figures reveal post-lockdown job boom
Almost 500,000 new jobs have been created across the nation since September, according to figures released by the Australian Taxation Office.
Green ships ahoy along vital corridors
Big miners are lining up cleaner shipping options as manufacturers and retailers start to think about all emissions, not just what appears in national targets.
Bonds spread from green to social impact
There is a growing appetite for finance linked to social impact, not just assets that are green, and bankers are gearing up.
Aussies ditch gifts online on Boxing Day
Research has found more than 100 unwanted gifts were listed every minute on eBay in Australia on Boxing Day, with Victorians most likely to resell presents.
Sales records tipped for Boxing Day
Shoppers are expected to rack up Boxing Day records for both online and instore sales and won't let coronavirus stop them missing a bargain.
Qld to scrutinise Palmer power station bid
The Queensland government has called in a controversial application to build a coal power station by a company owned by Clive Palmer.
Duty of care to block mine, minister told
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has a duty of care to Australian children and must veto Glencore's proposed central Queensland coal mine, lawyers say.
Tasmania reports four new cases, 14 active
Tasmania has recorded four new coronavirus infections, taking the total number of active cases since the island state reopened its borders to 14.
Glencore stands by climate goal, mine plan
Mining giant Glencore is planning a new metallurgical and thermal coalmine in Queensland that it says can be accommodated within its climate strategy.
Annual leave levels reach record highs
The impact of COVID-19 and extended lockdowns has led to Australians accruing a record amount of annual leave, according to new figures.
Bank of England hikes rates amid inflation
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee of nine members has voted eight to one in favour of increasing interest rates to 0.25 per cent.
Norway’s central bank raises interest rate
Norway's central bank has raised its key policy interest rate from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent, citing the upswing in the economy.
Treasurer coy on low income tax benefit
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says any new tax measures will be announced in the March 29 budget, which would be just weeks out from the federal election.
NSW budget deficit blows out to $19.5b
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has announced a blowout in the 2021/22 state budget deficit to $19.5 billion from the $8.6 billion deficit forecast in June.
Aust regulators combine to govern crypto
The Council of Financial Regulators' latest statement puts cryptocurrency in the mainstream, with law enforcement and consumer agencies to weigh in on new laws.
New Zealand quarterly GDP drops 3.7 pc
Stats NZ say New Zealand's economy contracted by more than 3.5 per cent in the September quarter as COVID-19 restrictions bit.
Treasurer to make big jobs push in review
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is set to hand down his mid-year budget review, which is expected to show a marked improvement in the jobs outlook.
Fed to tighten credit, hike rates in 2022
The US Federal Reserve has announced quicker than expected withdrawal of support for the economy and an anticipation of three interest-rate rises in 2022.
New Zealand GDP down by 3.7 per cent
Stats NZ say New Zealand's economy contracted by 3.7 per cent in the September quarter as COVID-19 restrictions bit.
Telstra cops huge fine for privacy breach
The communications watchdog has handed Telstra a $2.5 million fine after it failed to protect the privacy and safety of its customers.