Mortgage holder confidence cools ahead of RBA decision
Confidence among those paying off a home loan has taken another hit in the lead-up to another cash rate call that could add more to their monthly repayments.
economy, business and finance
Population, rate rises magnify housing supply crunch
Housing demand is expected to keep outstripping supply as migration levels pick up and high interest rates weigh on new construction.
Albanese makes budget promise ahead of rates decision
Australian borrowers are bracing for another possible interest rate hike, as the government seeks to ensure the upcoming budget does not push up inflation.
Star Sydney boss quits less than a year into role
The boss of Sydney's Star casino, Scott Wharton, will depart at the end of April for a lucrative new position as CEO of Smartgroup Corporation.
New houses drive uptick in dwelling approvals
Sign-off on private sector dwellings has lifted modestly and home prices appear to have found a floor - at least for the moment.
Migration, high rents put brakes on sliding home prices
Home prices nationally have ticked up in March after tracking lower for 10 straight months, with high rents and migration both helping to arrest the slide.
Hope builds for possible end to interest rate hikes
The Reserve Bank will be hogging the limelight this week with a nail-biter cash rate call and a public appearance from the governor Philip Lowe.
Clocks turn back for the end of daylight saving
Daylight saving comes to an end on Sunday, as much of Australia's southeast coast enjoys a well deserved sleep in.
Australians bracing for health insurance price hikes
More than a million Australians are set to face increased health insurance premiums, with HBF among the providers upping prices.
Labor tells umpire to get low-paid ‘back on the bus’
The Albanese government is calling for a wage lift that stops low-paid workers going backwards as business groups worry about higher wage bills.
Lenders cut fixed rates as Reserve Bank decision looms
Lenders are cutting their fixed rates but borrowers are being urged to take caution as the Reserve Bank gets closer to the end of its rate hiking cycle.
Call to unplug electricity networks’ super profits
With households facing soaring bills, state and federal governments have been urged to crack down on power networks accused of making "supernormal profits".
Global shares rise as bank support emboldens investors
Safe havens have taken a battering as investors relax about the stability of the financial sector, with banks helping to lift global share markets.
The long and winding road to banking in rural Australia
The Senate inquiry into regional bank closures has heard from more than 150 rural Australians about the devastating effects of losing essential services.
Inflation slows ahead of crunch interest rates decision
Inflation has moderated again and released some pressure from the valve underpinning more interest rises from the Reserve Bank.
Guardrails and guidelines as AI embeds itself deeper
Experts have released guidelines on using artificial intelligence with opinion divided on whether the technology will kill jobs or accelerate the economy.
Motorists to be stung at the pump over Easter
Motorists have been warned to shop around early to avoid paying above $2 a litre at the pump in the lead up to Easter long weekend.
Spending slows as households start to shut up shop
Spiralling living costs and rising interest rates have kept discretionary spending subdued, new retail data shows.
Australian share market slightly higher, drop in energy
The local share market has finished up just 0.1 per cent, with oil producers and coalminers dropping as Labor and the Greens reached accord on a climate deal.
Latitude Group says 14 million customer records stolen
Consumer finance company Latitude Group says 14 million Australian and NZ customers had their records compromised in the hack on its systems.
First sod turned on Queensland’s biggest road project
The opening stage of Queensland's Second M1 has been launched with work to begin on the 16-kilometre first stage on the Gold Coast.
HomeBuilder paperwork deadline extended
The deadline to submit supporting documentation for HomeBuilder applications will be extended for those affected by supply constraints and construction delays.
Co-owners of troubled plant in voluntary administration
Voluntary administrators have been appointed to the co-owners of the issue-plagued Callide C coal-fired power station in central Queensland.
Cost of diesel stubbornly high as war ratchets up price
The consumer watchdog has blamed the cost of diesel remaining significantly higher than the cost of regular petrol partly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
US lawmakers grill TikTok boss over safety, content
The of TikTok has faced tough questions at a US congressional hearing over concerns about data security and harmful content on the app.
Business activity goes off the boil as rate rises bite
Private sector activity is softening as rising interest rates, high inflation and softer economic conditions erode demand.
Treasurer tips slimmer commodity budget boost in May
The treasurer has outlined eight areas of "heavy lifting" for the budget, including responsible cost of living relief and funding defence priorities.
Walls closing in on Labor’s $10b social housing fund
The Greens and key crossbenchers are not convinced the Albanese government's social housing fund will do enough to ease Australia's worsening housing crisis.
US central bank delivers small rate hike
The US central bank have raised the country's key interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.75-5.00 per cent range.
Australia’s growth prospects still looking downcast
Leading indicators for Australia's future growth are still signalling depressed activity in coming months as interest rate rises bite.
Reserve Bank leaves rates pause in play for April
The minutes from the central bank's board meeting suggest the bank is getting closer to a pause so it can assess the full impact of sharp interest rate hikes.