AI in sights to build up nation’s sliding productivity
It takes an Australian worker twice as long to build a home as it did 50 years ago, making it all the more urgent to fix declining productivity growth.
economy (general)
More gas projects, less green tape call at energy event
Gas giants have called on the Australian government to approve projects faster and let them explore more mining opportunities.
Inflation holds steady despite sharp rise in egg prices
Australia's headline inflation rate held steady at 2.4 per cent in April, after a sharp rise in egg prices was somewhat offset by falling electricity costs.
Why the carbon offset ‘swear jar’ needs an overhaul
Firms relying on carbon offsets to tout their green credentials and reduce their environmental footprints are under fresh scrutiny after a court settlement.
Australia urged to spend big while green iron is hot
Australia could replace carbon-intensive coal and gas exports with green iron and quadruple earnings, a report says, but only if it makes changes.
Looming power bill hikes spark calls to shop around
Hunting for a better deal could save some Australian households and businesses hundreds of dollars a year as consumers brace for higher bills.
Australia must prepare for Hollywood-style cyber attack
Cyber criminals are growing in number and sophistication, warns Australia's top online defender who urges businesses to prepare themselves for the worst.
Restaurants on the brink as business failures plateau
Hospitality venues are feeling the pinch from high business costs and low spending, but lower interest rates should help ease the pain
Trump’s tariff ‘rollercoaster’ raises recession risk
Donald Trump's trade war has clouded economic forecasts as Australia's central bank seeks to thread the needle to avoid the nation tipping into a recession.
Google offers AI tools to automate that personal touch
Users of Google products could allow AI to personalise email replies and more with their own tone and style by allowing it to peer into their private data.
Renewables, AI rules top productivity reform wishlist
Fifteen areas have been identified for reform by the Productivity Commission, including artificial intelligence, tax reform and cheaper renewable energy.
US weighs special status for Greenland
US officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a free association agreement.
Westpac shares slip amid profit dip, volatile outlook
Westpac CEO Anthony Miller says Australia is well-positioned to weather storms in the world economy and he's looking forward to working with a Labor government.
US job growth slows marginally, unemployment steady
US employers have added a better-than-expected 177,000 jobs in April as the job market shows resilience.
Warren Buffett announces retirement plans
Warren Buffett, 94, has shocked an arena full of his shareholders by announcing that he wants to retire at the end of the year
Full steam ahead for cash rate cut as inflation settles
Mortgage-holders are poised to bank an interest rate cut within weeks despite the latest inflation reading coming in slightly higher than expected.
Trump uncertainty set to smash Australian economy
Australia is not following the "bouncing ball" of Donald Trump's daily shifts, the treasurer says, amid predictions of a bigger-than-expected economic hit.
Jobs market strong but Trump tariff bomb yet to explode
Australia's jobs market is holding up better than expected, but the impact of Donald Trump-imposed tariffs is yet to play out across the globe.
Big bite on spending swallows up hospitality businesses
A record-high 9.4 per cent of food service and hospitality businesses shut their doors in the year to March as cost pressures weighed heavily on households.
China hits back with 84 per cent tariff on US goods
China will impose 84 per cent tariffs on US goods from Thursday, up from the 34 per cent previously announced.
Bank boss alert, not alarmed over Trump tariff fallout
As rate-cut bets see-saw, the Reserve Bank governor says Australia is well placed for overseas shocks in her first speech since Donald Trump's tariff thump.
Reserve Bank call for calm is welcome amid tariff drama
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia is still well-placed to navigate the economic uncertainty generated by Donald Trump's wide-ranging tariffs.
Pledge to public servants as jobs cut fight flares
Thousands of public servants are being promised no major change to employment agreements if the coalition is elected as Labor pledges to keep everything as is.
Don’t be spooked by sliding super, funds warn members
Australians are being urged not to panic about their retirement incomes after Donald Trump's trade war sent global markets into a tailspin.
Risks of recession casts shadow over leaders’ debate
As economic headwinds emerge after US-imposed tariffs, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are vying to lay claim to being the best bet to deal with them.
Calls mount for RBA to intervene with jumbo rate cut
Markets are betting the Reserve Bank will cut rates by 50 basis points at its next meeting as American tariffs batter the global economy.
Trump to raise global trade tensions with new tariffs
After weeks of growing concern, President Donald Trump is set to announce his barrage of promised tariffs that could set the stage for a global trade war.
Soaring rents slow down as tenants pushed to the brink
Rents remain at record highs in every capital city despite a slowdown in price growth, says a report that finds low supply leaves landlords with the upper hand.
Brick by brick, parties build election housing pitches
Tackling housing instability is key to securing an election win, with Labor vouching for build-to-rent while the coalition says Australians should own a home.
Super failings laid bare after ‘deep grief, suffering’
The peak body for super funds has apologised after a financial watchdog report revealed delays were rife in paying out death benefits to bereaved families.
Dire stat demands ‘urgent reform’ from election winner
Whoever forms government after the election will need to deliver substantive reform to fix Australia's long-term productivity challenge, economists say.