New battery crackdown after 50 blazes this year
E-bikes and e-scooters will have to meet new battery standards in coming months in one state, after a spate of difficult-to-contain fires.
economy, business and finance
RBA governor pours cold water on talk of early rate cut
The central bank says inflation remains too high and warned it could hike again, keeping the spotlight on government efforts to fight inflation.
Rising cost of living hammers renters and mortgage belt
Higher rents are weighing heavily on Australians receiving government support payments as all households experience rising living costs.
RBA governor warns rate cuts not on near-term agenda
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates steady and tempered expectations of imminent cuts, warning inflation remains "too high".
Premier pumps up transport vision ahead of election
Motorists would be able to fill up their vehicles at state-owned petrol stations with capped price rises under a re-election pitch by Queensland's government.
economy, business and finance
homelessness
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
social problems
‘National shame’: kids facing life on couches, in tents
For many of the 125,000 Australian children without stable housing, a life of disadvantage, crime and poor health outcomes await without intervention.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy and resource
gold and precious material
iron and steel
metal and mineral
mining
nuclear policy
Diggers count losses on battery minerals, gold shines
Mining bosses and investors gathering in an outback city are counting their losses as the decarbonisation and battery minerals bubble bursts.
Thousands of children homeless in ‘national shame’
Two reports have laid bare the dire situation for Australia's most vulnerable children, with thousands turned away from homelessness services.
Rates likely on hold with Reserve Bank coy on next move
The August interest rate meeting will dominate the week's economic agenda, with the Reserve Bank tipped to leave rates unchanged.
Rising property prices push loan sizes through the roof
Soaring real estate prices in mid-sized capitals has pushed the average new owner-occupier mortgage to record levels.
Ore-some state tipped to win race for green steel jobs
Higher-grade iron ore, deep water ports and a 100-per cent renewable energy grid give South Australia the edge on other states chasing future green steel jobs.
Room with a view comes at high price on tourist strip
High-rise apartment owners at a popular Australian tourist spot have been slugged with a "view tax" sending council rates to new heights.
Housing ‘defining issue’ for economy, says treasurer
Rents remain a lingering source of inflation weighing heavily on household budgets, with the federal government keen to see more homes built to ease pressures.
construction and property
consumer confidence
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
inflation and deflation
retail
Relief in sight as rates focus switches to cuts
Mortgage-holders appear to have avoided another interest rate hike, in a welcome development for the federal government with an election on the horizon.
PM downplays airline duopoly as Rex waits for lifeline
A competition tsar has taken issue with the prime minister's suggestion that regional airline Rex engineered its own demise by targeting capital-city routes.
‘It’s everything’: rural Australians fear Rex’s fate
Rural Australians who rely on Rex for health, education, mail and groceries fear for their future as the regional airline entered voluntary administration.
company information
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental cleanup
metal and mineral
mining
nuclear power
Rio Tinto ‘open’ to nuclear energy, profit flatlines
Rio Tinto says it wants to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs but warns decarbonisation has "a long way to go".
Help on its way for Rex despite ‘flawed’ expansion
A taxpayer-funded lifeline for Rex Airlines looks increasingly likely as the Albanese government highlights the carrier's "absolutely vital" regional presence.
Air New Zealand scraps its 2030 emissions target
Air New Zealand has abandoned a 2030 emissions reduction target, citing delivery delays of fuel-efficient aircraft and high costs.
Signs of slow build back with home approvals sluggish
Interest rates, labour shortages and investor confidence are contributing to weak building approvals, but there are signs of recovery in detached homes.
Sustainable fuel hopes take off with eyes on emissions
Flights could become more environmentally friendly as Australia and New Zealand explore ways to produce sustainable aviation fuel at home.
Reproductive leave push to end ‘culture of silence’
Paid leave entitlements for menopause and fertility issues would boost female workforce participation and prevent early retirements, unions say.
The surprise state topping Australia’s economic ladder
South Australia has retained its title as the nation's top economy for the third consecutive time in CommSec's latest State of the States report.
EU shifts $2.5b from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
The European Union will transfer 1.5 billion euros in proceeds from frozen Russian assets "to the defence and reconstruction of Ukraine".
Newspaper reporters strike over pay as Olympics loom
Reporters covering the Paris Olympics for the Nine newspapers will join colleagues across Australia in going on strike over pay and conditions.
Origin Energy backs big batteries to support east coast
Origin Energy will invest $450 million in the Eraring big battery project as part of a plan to accelerate its renewable energy generation and storage footprint.
As Canada cuts rates, RBA doves come home to roost
After hitting inflation hard and early, the Bank of Canada is already cutting rates while their dovish Australian counterparts contemplate another rate hike.
Call for ad ban on easy credit for groceries, medicines
A popular form of credit to encourage online shopping has morphed into a crutch for trying to stay a step ahead of financial disaster, an inquiry has been told.
Big batteries for the ‘heavy lifting’ as cold snap hits
The more clean energy in the nation's network, the better it will be for power bills and keeping the lights on, experts say, despite a lull during a cold snap.
Permits for new gas exploration risk ‘climate disaster’
Australia needs more gas to fast-track the phase out of coal, explorers say, but critics warn new offshore gas exploration permits are a "climate disaster".
Fears of widespread disruption when 3G is switched off
Telcos and the government may not realise the potential extent of disruptions when 3G is switched off, with concerns across health, construction and farming.