Banked up lock-in loans hamper quick fix for inflation
A senior Reserve Bank official says the prevalence of fixed-rate loans and sizeable savings buffers are likely extending the lag time of interest rate hikes.
economy, business and finance
UBS seals Credit Suisse takeover in bid to calm markets
UBS will pay $A4.8 billion for 167-year-old Credit Suisse in a deal backed by a massive Swiss guarantee and expected to close by the end of the year.
RBA minutes, speech scoured for cash rate clues
Further insights into the March cash rate hike in the minutes from the Reserve Bank board meeting dominate the economic discourse this week.
Australia’s growth outlook still subdued: OECD
The OECD has slightly downgraded its forecasts for Australia's growth in its latest look at how the global economy is faring.
Home, business buyers should be advised of climate risk
As the government works its way through a 1000-page report on productivity, debate has been sparked over home sellers disclosing climate risk.
Giant Leap for climate tech despite economic slowdown
Climate technology is surviving the venture capital downturn as more consumers and businesses think about what will shrink their carbon footprint.
Major surgery prescribed to boost nation’s productivity
Climate policy, the migration system, workplace laws and health and education systems have been earmarked for reform under a review of Australia's productivity.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy saving
politics (general)
renewable energy
Rooftop solar feed-in charges ‘unlikely’ in Qld
Queensland's energy minister has hosed down concerns about a "sun tax" on homeowners for feeding solar power back to the grid, as has been proposed in NSW.
Aust share market plunges again, closing at 10-week low
The ASX has finished 1.5 per cent lower after banking contagion spread to Europe.
‘Productivity problem’ putting living standards at risk
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia is slipping down global productivity rankings - and there's no easy fix for the problem.
Finance firm gives cyber hackers too much Latitude
Latitude Financial has been hit by a cyber attack, with criminals stealing 330,000 customer records and identification documents, forcing a trading halt.
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.
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.
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.
Calls to protect payments following builder collapse
Advocates have called for federal reforms to protect worker payments following the collapse of prominent construction companies.
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.
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.
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.
Bank stock rout deepens amid SVB contagion fears
President Joe Biden says the public confidence the US banking system is safe, but global banking
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.