Petrol bowser pain flows for some time yet
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned petrol prices could remain elevated for some time yet as a result of the war in eastern Europe.
economy, business and finance
Fee hunters drawn to $1.6b in flood claims
Flood victims are urged to be aware of "claims farmers" who tout assistance with insurance paperwork, for a fee, lured by claims rising past $1.6 billion.
Rate rise plausible this year: RBA’s Lowe
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has told a business conference that a rise in the cash rate is plausible this year.
Albanese pledges Hawke-style government
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says he wants to govern like former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke if he is successful at the May federal election.
RBA’s Lowe warns of inflation, rate risks
RBA governor Philip Lowe says inflation could reach four per cent-plus as a result of the impact on prices of the Australian floods and war in Ukraine.
Enough is enough, Australian women say
A diverse alliance of women are saying 'enough is enough' on International Women's Day as Australians come together to share their stories.
Consumers unsettled by floods, price rises
Consumer confidence managed only a small rise in the past week faced with rising petrol prices, but businesses appear to be back on track after Omicron.
Climbing petrol costs fuel inflation fears
Petrol prices struck new highs in the past week, and look set to go even higher as global oil prices ramp up due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Fewer businesses facing COVID disruptions
New figures have revealed 15 per cent of businesses had staff unavailable due to COVID-19 in February, down from 22 per cent in January.
Flood damage expected to enter billions
Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie says the federal government will continue to support flood-affected communities as the damage bill rises.
Super funds expected to dump Russia assets
Australian superannuation funds are being urged by the treasurer to divest Russian assets and join the government in putting a squeeze on Vladimir Putin.
Whyalla to produce steel for Inland Rail
The Whyalla steelworks in South Australia has signed a $292 million contract to supply steel for Australia's Inland Rail and other projects.
Economy in strong position: Frydenberg
The Australian economy grew by 3.4 per cent in the December quarter, rebounding from a 1.9 per cent contraction three months earlier.
Economists upgrading growth predictions
Economists are upgrading their growth forecasts for Wednesday's national accounts after an expected drag from exports proved smaller than expected.
Rate risk to weigh further on house prices
House prices nationally record their smallest increase since October 2020, with those in Sydney posting the first fall in 17 months.
Call for reform after Probuild collapse
Probuild is merely the latest construction-sector casualty, with reform urgently needed before more tradies lose their jobs, industry bodies warn.
Vic premier may offer support to Probuild
Victoria's premier says the state government may provide support to Probuild, as its parent company places the building firm into administration.
Costs weigh on Coles first half profit
Coles has delivered a two per cent drop in profit as higher costs and lower convenience store sales hit half-year results.
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
Tech mogul ‘remains optimistic’ on AGL bid
AGL Energy has rejected a hefty takeover offer by a consortium helmed by tech mogul Mike Cannon-Brookes, but market experts say it's just a starting bid.
Jobs market proves resilient to Omicron
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 per cent in January, but there was a sharp drop in hours worked due to the impact of the Omicron variant.
House and unit price gap hits record high
The disparity between house and unit values has hit a record high, as apartment prices slowed over January due to COVID-related impacts on demand.
Budget cuts could risk recovery: Treasury
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy says the Australian economy has proved resilient in the face of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
New home sales buoyed by end of lockdowns
Sales of new detached houses were buoyant in the three months to January as the end of the Delta lockdowns returned confidence to the market.
Jobs growth resilient in face of Omicron
New figures show the jobs market was slow to pick up in January compared with a year ago, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics partly blames on Omicron.
Wages perk up as worker demand grows
There are signs that wages growth is picking up, with economists at the nation's biggest bank predicting an annual rate of three per cent by mid-year.
Vic hardest place to do business in Aust
Victorian businesses pay the highest tax in Australia, a nationwide survey of firms by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce has found.
Emissions targets costly for grain growers
A report by the CSIRO has found a reduction in grain farmers' emissions over the next decade could mean a decrease in production.
Climate wars are yet to be won: Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull has warned voters are walking away because of federal government dysfunction on climate policy and says Labor's plan is politically sensible.
Fuel pump first for zero-emission hydrogen
Australia's first green hydrogen project has been certified as some governments look to drive alternative fuels and fleets.
Aussie manufacturers join ‘smiley curve’
A COVID-19 breath test, smart food box and rocket fuel are among the advanced manufacturing projects winning federal funding to speed up commercial success.
Forget coal and gas for prosperity: poll
Months out from a federal election, a poll shows voters in the resource-rich political hunting grounds of NSW and Queensland back renewables over coal and gas.