Treasurer optimistic on real wage growth
The federal government expects wages will keep growing strongly as inflation moderates, ultimately leading to real wage growth by 2024.
economy, business and finance
China a ‘big story’ for Australia’s growth
Treasurer Jim Chalmers remains upbeat about Australia's resilience in the face of economic headwinds and some domestic challenges.
Qld eyes $1.3b lithium-ion battery sector
Queensland could be a world leader in mining and refining raw materials needed for batteries, making cells, assembling packs and recycling, a report says.
Gas price cap places pressure on retailers
Retailers have been struggling to access affordable long-term gas for their industrial and commercial customers, raising questions about energy policy.
Next mining boom to lift up disadvantaged
Australia's rich critical mineral and clean energy resources could be harnessed to drive economic prosperity as seen in the mid-2010s mining boom.
Floods to wreak further havoc on economy
Natural disasters caused billions in damage to the Australian economy in 2022 and the bill is expected to rise from further floods.
Qld to fast-track oil refinery upgrade
The Queensland government will speed up approvals for Ampol to upgrade its oil refinery in Brisbane, which could keep it open until 2030.
Budget airline Bonza gets all clear to fly
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has ticked off on budget airline Bonza to operate flights in Australia.
Carbon border tariff on the table
The government is considering a tariff on polluting imports so that Australian firms covered by environmental regulations can remain competitive.
Annual inflation bounces back
Housing and transport costs fed into Australia's higher inflation score for November after a softer October result.
Good news for renters as hot market cools
The red-hot rental market seems to be cooling but vulnerable renters are still under pressure from sky-high prices.
Big emitters get help to manage emissions
New compensation will go to big emitters under a revamped scheme designed to support heavy industry to cut pollution more quickly while remaining profitable.
Port bottlenecks cost economy $600m a year
Inefficiencies in Australian ports cost the economy $600 million a year and push up prices for consumers, a new report by the Productivity Commission has found.
Defamed mining investor awarded $275k
A New Zealand-based social media user calling himself the Stock Swami has been ordered to pay a mining investor at least $275,000 after defaming him on Twitter.
More cost-of-living relief on the cards
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will consider cost-of-living relief measures in the May budget as long as they won't break the bank.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics
real estate
National housing accord needs renovation
Federal laws are in the works as more Aussies slide into housing stress and homelessness, but critics are urging immediate measures as rents and mortgages rise.
Plunging home values break 40-year record
Higher interest rates, household debt and the erosion of savings since the pandemic have been blamed for the steepest plunge in home values since at least 1980.
Property downturn biggest on record
The housing market downturn has eclipsed previous records as interest rate hikes continue to erode borrowing power.
Rebound in migration figures ‘optimistic’
The Australian government expects migration numbers to bounce back but troubling economic conditions and other uncertainties could weigh on migration.
Aussies stung for millions in crypto crash
The FTX collapse wiped many crypto wallets and took out smaller exchanges, but administrators for Aussie platform Digital Surge are working on a rescue plan.
Heat on Glencore over slow burn on coal
Coal giant Glencore is under pressure from large investors to explain how new coal investments align with its public commitment to help limit global warming.
Melbourne to steal title of biggest city
While Melburnians left in their droves during the pandemic, its population growth is expected to bounce back quickly over the next decade.
Construction sector braces for hammer blow
Tradies have been busy completing the backlog of construction work spurred by government stimulus programs but demand for building work is expected to slow.
Government eyes China COVID-19 management
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is closely monitoring the situation in China and is concerned about its influence on the Australian economy.
Economy at risk from China’s COVID wave
The treasurer says China's COVID-19 outbreak will weigh on Australian businesses, which rely on the country's customers and suppliers.
Crucial minerals underpin volatile exports
Riding geopolitics, rising costs and volatile prices, Australia will pick up its quest to supply more refined materials rather than being the world's quarry.
Billions spent on unwanted Christmas gifts
It's not easy to choose the right gift, with up to $3 billion worth of Christmas presents likely to be returned to the seller this year.
breaking_news
computing and information technology
crime, law and justice
economy, business and finance
Meta to settle Cambridge Analytica scandal
Facebook's owner will pay $A1.1 billion in a lawsuit for allowing political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to access data of as many as 87 million users.
coal
conservation
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
environmental politics
finance (general)
global change
mining
politics (general)
Palmer seeks coal climate ruling review
Clive Palmer's Waratah Coal wants a review of a Queensland court's advice that its proposed coal mine should be rejected due to climate change impacts.
WA to pay $2m in premier’s defamation case
Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will have to pay $2 million in legal costs over the defamation fight with Clive Palmer.
Dreamworld to pay $2.1m over woman’s death
Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure will pay $2.15 million to the husband and two children of Cindy Low, who was killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride in 2016.