Call for ‘no deforestation’ conditions on bank loans
To mark World Environment Day, Australian conservationists are calling for banks to stop funding the clearing of wildlife habitats by agriculture businesses.
economy, business and finance
US Congress approves debt-limit suspension bill
The US Senate has given final approval to a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, averting what would have been a first-ever default.
Lowest paid workers to get wage lift above inflation
Millions of workers will enjoy a generous pay boost, with the lowest paid of all on track for a bump that eclipses red-hot inflation from next month.
Businesses still planning to spend in coming months
Fresh data from the national statistics bureau shows businesses are still spending and plan to keep investment levels up in 2023/24.
BHP finds $430m public holiday backpay error
BHP employees' leave was wrongly used for public holiday pay about 170,000 times over the past 13 years, the mining giant concedes.
Big cities lead as property market rebound gathers pace
Home prices are surging again after a long period of interest rate-driven declines, although Perth is the only capital back at record highs.
Push for Indigenous inclusion in new energy economy
Indigenous jobs will be part of the energy transformation in Central Queensland's industrial heartland as delegates meet in Gladstone to share ideas.
Growers nervous over drier conditions for winter crops
A report is predicting drier conditions will take a toll on this year's winter crop production, with grain growers nervous about the year ahead.
RBA warms to another rate hike as inflation keeps heat
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has flagged several reasons to be worried about inflation as the monthly consumer price comes in higher than expected.
After McGowan exit, Palaszczuk insists she has energy
A day after WA Premier Mark McGowan cited exhaustion for his departure, Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk says she still has the energy to keep going.
Treasury says corporate profits not driving inflation
Unions and others have pointed the finger at corporate profits as a major driver of inflation, but Treasury is not convinced that argument stacks up.
economy, business and finance
energy
manufacturing and engineering
metal and mineral
mining
politics
transport
Battery industry investors wary as plug pulled on grant
A hub for Australian-made materials for the world's electric car batteries is in doubt after the federal government pulled the plug on a $120 million grant.
Rents to income levels shoot up to near decade highs
Rental demand is fast outrunning supply and low-income households are bearing the brunt of the rental affordability crisis, analysis shows.
Senators to grill RBA boss ahead of June cash rate call
The top line items for Australian economy observers this week include the central bank governor's appearance at a committee hearing and monthly inflation data.
Biden, McCarthy reach tentative US debt ceiling deal
US Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached a tentative deal to raise America's debt ceiling.
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
politics
AGL has ‘time tunnel’ to Australia’s energy transition
The energy transformation is playing out on a small island in South Australia's industrial heartland, where one of the biggest emitters is shaping the future.
Biden says debt deal ‘very close’ ahead of new deadline
US President Joe Biden is expressing optimism about reaching a deal on the country's debt ceiling, while the default deadline has been extended by four days.
ASX suffers worst week in two months amid US debt drama
The Australian share market has finished up 0.2 per cent for the day, but closed the week down 1.7 per cent after losses from Monday to Thursday.
Economic momentum starting to ebb across all states
All states and territories are experiencing worsening economic performance led by a slowdown in consumption and home building activity.
PwC referred to police over confidential disclosure
PwC has been referred to police by the Treasury Secretary after it shared confidential government policy to try and drum up business.
Woolies ice-cream sandwiches recalled over metal risk
Woolworths is recalling its WW Cookies & Cream Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches after metal was found inside.
All signs point to lower economic growth than usual
The national economy is tracking toward a contraction in activity, with the patchy performance expected to continue into next year.
‘No jobs in the bush’ myth busted but housing critical
The regional jobs market is booming at three times the metropolitan rate but the lack of housing, health care and education remains a major barrier.
Albanese, Modi seek to score runs on migration, energy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have agreed to work together on people-to-people links and clean energy.
More than 40,000 modern slaves trapped in Australia
At least 50 million people are trapped as modern slaves in exploitative work or marriage conditions across the world, with about 40,000 in Australia alone.
Qantas reports sky-high profit and plans more flights
Australian flag-carrier Qantas will soon be operating more domestic flights that it did before the COVID pandemic, while international capacity is also rising.
Farming export success linked to sustainability
Australian producers are increasingly being asked to prove their sustainability with export sales dependent on growers being able to back up their claims.
budgets and budgeting
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
politics
Power bills to surge despite budget tipping modest rise
The energy regulator has confirmed double-digit power price rises will continue from July 1 despite the May budget's claims of curbing cost of living pressures.
Government eyes tougher response to PwC scandal
The federal government remains under pressure to ban contracts with consultancy giant PwC after the firm leaked confidential government information to clients.
Business SA backs tax cut for regional companies
South Australia's peak business group has called for regional companies to get a payroll tax discount in the upcoming state budget.
ANZ closed flood-ravaged rural bank due to $1m rebuild
ANZ executives have been accused of treating regional Australians with "disgust" and paying lip service to government inquiries.