US and Iran having ‘very good discussions’, Trump says
The US an Iran have held positive all-day talks, Donald Trump says, while claiming the the Strait of Hormuz is going to be open "very soon".
economy (general)
Batteries Now Make More Sense Than Ever for Qld Homes
Your roof makes cheap power at midday. Your home needs it at dinner time. A battery connects the two, and a smart one does it without you lifting a finger, helping you maximise savings.
Hard sell for retail giant as consumers tighten belts
Households are clamping down on spending even more as financial uncertainty deepens, hitting sales at a leading Australian retailer.
Battery storage shields Australian households from global energy price shock
While households in Europe and Japan face soaring power bills from the global energy crisis, new IEA data shows Australian electricity prices have fallen thanks to battery storage and renewables, cost-of-living relief that many other economies simply aren't getting.
Trump slaps forced labour duties on 60 trading partners
Trading partners have strongly condemned Donald Trump's latest tariffs as unjustified after the US imposed new levies to replace a temporary global tariff.
New threat to global oil as Houthis hit Saudi tankers
Houthi rebels have struck Saudi ships in the Red Sea while the US continues its strikes on Iran as the two countries vie for control of two vital waterways.
US still willing to negotiate over Iran crisis: Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cast doubt on whether Iran is as committed to negotiations as the US, as hostilities continue with no breakthrough in sight.
Australia expands its fuel buffer against Gulf turmoil
Australia's fuel reserves have hit all-time highs as the Iran conflict roils global oil markets, helping keep unleaded around $1.76 a litre in capital cities.
Tax push renders budget surplus forecasts ‘unrealistic’
Treasury's assumption the federal budget will return to surplus within a decade is at risk because of likely tax cuts, an independent agency warns.
‘No resources’: One Nation defends uncosted policies
Pauline Hanson's rising right-wing party has blamed deficient parliamentary resources for the lack of detail about how much its plans will cost.
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
online
politics (general)
technology (general)
telecommunication service
Telstra outage heat dials up as calls mount for answers
Telstra faces demands from the government as to why it took hours to make an alert over a major outage as police investigate if a death is linked to the issue.
Landmark deal secures future for electric freight
Woolworths is rolling out a landmark fleet of 148 electric delivery trucks across Australia in a major partnership with Zenobē to make suburban grocery deliveries cleaner and quieter.
Aussie AI boost: $500m network planned for major cities
Australia's internet infrastructure is not ready to handle increasing artificial intelligence demand, according to one telco that plans to build more fibre.
‘Watching like a hawk’: servos on notice as fuel rises
Winding back discounts to the fuel excise are hitting motorists in the hip pocket, with service stations and suppliers monitored for exorbitant price rises.
Premier threatens to name and shame energy retailers
Cost-of-living rhetoric is ramping up ahead of a state budget as leaders deliver warnings to energy companies.
Slowing economy could shut the door on more rate hikes
Stagnant productivity means households face higher inflation and lower living standards but the treasurer hopes cheaper housing will ward off voter discontent.
‘Bad to worse’: productivity sinks to post-pandemic low
Poor productivity is bedevilling the Australian economy, with levels heading in the wrong direction for Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
‘Apples with oranges’: Labor brushes off Kiwi PM’s dig
A visiting leader's remark that taxing capital gains would be "disastrous" has been brushed aside by Labor figures who deny it was a dig at its big reforms.
Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation
Australia is not experiencing stagflation but higher interest rates will help cool the economy and inflation, the nation's top bank official says.
Lebanon truce raises hopes of progress for Iran deal
As Israel and Lebanon agree to implement a new ceasefire, President Donald Trump has suggested progress on a broader deal to halt the Iran war could come soon.
consumer confidence
consumers
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
investments
personal income
Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy
A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.
building material
construction and property
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
heavy construction
house building
housing and urban planning
Interest rate impact hits housing approval levels
The number of new homes being approved fell once again during April, and the Reserve Bank is being blamed for the downturn.
‘Likely he’s lying’: treasurer points finger at rival
Future generations will be left with a "multibillion-dollar debt bomb" if the coalition repeals proposed tax changes, the treasurer warns.
business (general)
consumer confidence
consumer goods
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
retail
trade policy
unrest, conflicts and war
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
Pauline Hanson won’t tie One Nation to coalition ‘dog’
Pauline Hanson's party could become the official opposition, but she has poured cold water on any policy compromise in a coalition deal.
crisis
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Pakistan steps up bid to get US-Iran talks on track
Mediators are trying to speed up US-Iran peace talks as Tehran weighs a response from Washington and President Donald Trump says he's willing to resume attacks.
Treasurer blames ‘misinformation’ for war on tax change
Critics of the government's capital gains tax changes are being accused by the treasurer of overstating how much extra tax small businesses will have to pay.
Federal budget to dominate the economic agenda
The government will do well to resist spending a "tantalising" budget windfall, as boosting demand while supply is constrained could result in more rate hikes.
Labor plots budget housing boost to fend off One Nation
Jim Chalmers hopes slashing red tape and winding back investor tax breaks will convince voters the dream of home ownership is still alive.
Lenders told to ‘support customers’ facing hard times
Lenders must watch out for customers because the corporate regulator won't take a backward step as households face hardship, the outgoing ASIC chair will warn.
crisis
diplomacy
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
US and Iran closing in on memorandum to end war
Pakistani mediators believe they're getting close to an agreement between the US with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war.